SEED: Transforming Biodiversity for a Healthier Planet 🌍

Imagine seeing biodiversity as a whole, not just as isolated pieces—this is what SEED aims to achieve.

Pine cones opening to release tree seeds
Image by Artur Pawlak

The new digital SEED Index tool is on a mission to redefine how we understand and value biodiversity.

SEED Index was developed by scientists at Crowther Lab in Zurich, the inventors of the Restor.Eco platform. The new online tool uses big data, AI, and satellite images to map and measure biodiversity at every level—from genetic diversity to entire ecosystems 🌱. Unlike traditional approaches, which often focus on individual species, SEED captures a full, interconnected view of nature’s complexity, aiming to protect the intricate web of life on Earth.

To achieve this, SEED combines data from over 800 global ecoregions and checks it against on-the-ground data from 140,000+ local sites worldwide. By zooming into each 30x30m area with high precision, SEED can offer a detailed snapshot of biodiversity on a global scale, making this information accessible to governments, organizations, and communities. This powerful tool not only helps monitor the state of nature but also supports informed, nature-positive decisions that prioritize ecosystem integrity and benefit local communities equitably 🌎.

“The SEED Index quantifies the full extent of biodiversity—from genes to ecosystems,” explains SEED Co-Director Alexa Firmenich. This holistic view is game-changing for crafting policies and financial systems that value all parts of nature. With SEED, protecting nature can become the natural choice for a sustainable and thriving planet, bringing us one step closer to making biodiversity a core part of global decisions 🌱✨.