A range of coarse-filter targets were identified and mapped, which represent a full spectrum of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity using combinations of biophysical factors (such as climate, geology, major habitat type, elevation, depth etc.). Mapping Caribbean biodiversity provides the basis for conservation decision making. Coarse-filter mapping at the level of ecological communities, ecosystems and landscapes is an efficient method to represent all essential elements of biodiversity across the entire region.

Human impact was assessed in two ways: expert judgments and mapping of the relative intensity of human impacts. Local experts provided judgments on the condition of targets and this information is combined with maps of human activities in order to determine relative human impacts. Distribution of human activities is a critical factor in conservation and resource management. Not all human activities are threats to biodiversity and determining relative human impact and predicting ecological health is necessary for sound management.

By providing the latest analytical tools and comprehensive biodiversity and socio-economic data, The Nature Conservancy can assist conservation organizations, local communities and governments that are striving to meet their national or local conservation missions and leverage and enhance ongoing conservation efforts. These data and tools can be used to enable sound, pragmatic conservation decisions at-scale. In this way, this assessment will serve to enhance and unify ongoing local and national conservation efforts and provide a common vision of conservation success throughout the Greater Caribbean. Use of the data and tools can help facilitate strategic partnerships amongst both local and regional organizations across the basin--a key to achieving lasting results. The Nature Conservancy hopes to put in place a long-term information system that promotes the protection of the region's irreplaceable terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine biodiversity.

The simple data management systems are designed to promote long-term use and dynamic updates of the database. Information is archived in a standardized structure on a freely accessible spatial warehouse using simple, robust systems that are easily and accessible to partners and stakeholders. Standardization and open access promotes updateable archiving systems--so that new information can be easily integrated and compared with existing information--and also facilitations information sharing and collaboration.

This Work Is Made Possible by the Following Institutions
Agency for Educational Development (AED), Bahamas National Trust, British Virgin Islands National Trust, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), Centre for Geospatial Studies, University of the West Indies, Centro del Agua del Trópico Húmedo para América Latina y el Caribe (CATHALAC), Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Colorado State University, Conservation International, Duke University, Environmental Defense, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Florida International University, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Government of Grenada, Government of Haiti, Government of Jamaica, Government of Puerto Rico, Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Government of the Bahamas, Government of the British Virgin Islands, Government of the Dominican Republic, Government of the US Virgin Islands, Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Instituto Panamericano de Geografía e Historia (IPGH), Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN), Jamaica Protected Areas Trust, Leica-Geosystems, Inc., Mesoamerican and Caribbean Geospatial Alliance (MACGA), NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center (SERVIR Program), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, NatureServe, Network of Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Managers (CaMPAM), Organization of American States (OAS), Round River Conservation Studies Society for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds, The World Bank, The World Conservation Union (IUCN), U.S. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), United Nations Environmental Programme - Caribbean Environment Programme, University of Alabama, University of British Columbia, University of Maryland, University of Miami, University of Puerto Rico, University of South Carolina, University of South Florida, University of Southern Mississippi, University of the West Indies, US Agency for International Development, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Forest Service - International Institute of Tropical Forestry, USGS EROS Data Center - International Program, Utah State University, Widecast World Conservation Monitoring Centre, World Resources Institute, World Wildlife Fund US