Indicators for the Tree of Life

Supporting global and national progress towards Global and National Biodiversity Goals

We are supporting nations to report on their progress towards CBD Goals using our two KM-GBF indicators, the Phylogenetic Diversity Indicator and the EDGE Index.

Read the original paper outlining these indicators here

Phylogenetic Diversity indicator

The Phylogenetic Diversity indicator tracks extinction risk across the Tree of Life for various taxonomic groups, and is a Complementary Indicator for Goal A.

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EDGE Index

The Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) Index tracks the conservation status of the most Evolutionarily Distinct species in a taxonomic group, and is a Component Indicator for Goal A.

Details

National disaggregation data portal

We disaggregate the global Phylogenetic Diversity Indicator and EDGE Index to national level to support monitoring and reporting at the national level when nationally-produced data are not available. For information on the available methods and support to calculate each indicator using nationally-produced data, visit their respective pages above.

“Numerous evolutionarily distinct species, many of which are the sole surviving species of entire lineages, are heading towards extinction despite continued recognition that they require dedicated conservation attention. We must therefore better integrate these species into conservation planning, policy, and action.”

— Gumbs et al. 2024, Nature Communications