Methodology
National SPI values are calculated based on species protection scores (SPS). SPS measures how much of a species' range or population (e.g. its habitat-suitable range1) is currently protected (realized representation) relative to how much conservation area we think is needed for its population to thrive. The SPI applies representation targets equitably at the national level, with national SPS calculated as the percent of the globally targeted adequate representation level for that species (say, 50% for Species X) achieved by a country. A species that has met its conservation target (Species X: >=50% of range protected in a country), will have an SPS of 100; a species halfway to meeting its target (Species X: 25% of range protected in a country) will have an SPS of 50.
A country's SPI value is then given as the average SPS, weighted by their respective stewardship (country-endemic species weigh most). SPI values range from 0 and 100, where a value of 50 means that on average species are half-way to sufficient representation in conservation areas. Conservation areas additions that improve species representation will increase SPI values.
A country's SPI value is then given as the average SPS, weighted by their respective stewardship (country-endemic species weigh most). SPI values range from 0 and 100, where a value of 50 means that on average species are half-way to sufficient representation in conservation areas. Conservation areas additions that improve species representation will increase SPI values.
Data description
The index uses environmental and species data addressing all terrestrial areas of the world at 1km spatial resolution. It can be aggregated at spatial levels ranging from 1km to small regions, countries, biomes, and the whole planet. The index uses land cover information available annually from Landsat and MODIS satellites since 2001 onwards. Protected area (PA) data were derived from the June 2021 version of the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). All underlying data and metrics are available through a dedicated dashboard in the Map of Life web interface that has been developed with Google Earth Engine as technology partner. Currently, the Species Protection Index is addressing all protected areas of the World Database on Protected Areas and is calculated for >30,000 species of terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates, and plant species, and validated with > 350 million location records.