The Atlas of Global Conservation gives us the most comprehensive look at our planet today. In over 80 global maps, it describesthenatural world, the challenges it faces, and what we can do to protect it.  Now The Nature Conservancy aims to share that knowledge beyond the pages of the book in order to further motivate and empower people to protect ecosystems and conserve biodiversity by making their data and analysis widely accessible online.

Our future and that of the natural world are inextricably bound together. What that future looks like depends on the choices people make about how we live, how we use and manage resources, and how we contribute to the conservation of Earth’s ecosystems, biodiversity and natural resources.

But making the best choices requires good information, so that people can evaluate trade-offs, consider options and recognize opportunity. Unfortunately, global information about the distribution of biodiversity, the condition of species and natural ecosystems, threats to ecosystems, and the potential for conservation action has not readily been accessible. Much information exists, but it has been widely dispersed across myriad scientific publications and databases. Furthermore, it has not been in a consistent format that facilitates evaluation, comparison and application.

Until now. In an unprecedented effort, Nature Conservancy scientists have sought to remedy this situation by compiling global data from governments, scientists and conservation organizations around the globe and by filling in critical gaps in our knowledge about the state of our natural world and of conservation efforts. The resulting body of knowledge informs The Nature Conservancy’s global priorities and conservation strategies.

On Earth Day 2010, The Nature Conservancy debuted The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges and Opportunities to Make a Difference. Published by The University of California Press, the atlas is a premier resource for everyone concerned about the natural world.

Drawing from global data painstakingly assembled by top Nature Conservancy scientists, the atlas is an unprecedented guide to the state of the planet and our most pressing resource and environmental issues.  The book features over 80 richly detailed, full-color maps paired with an informative, inviting discussion of major trends affecting the world’s terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats. Interspersed throughout, essays by noted international authorities point the way forward in confronting some of our greatest conservation challenges.

Online maps: http://maps.tnc.org/globalmaps/

Order the book: http://shop.nature.org/

Book citation: Hoekstra, J. M., J. L. Molnar, M. Jennings, C. Revenga, M. D. Spalding, T. M. Boucher, J. C. Robertson, T. J. Heibel, with K. Ellison. 2010. The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. Ed. J. L. Molnar. Berkeley: University of California Press.