{"id":4795,"date":"2025-10-13T18:21:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T18:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/?page_id=4795"},"modified":"2026-02-09T14:04:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T14:04:21","slug":"mapping-essential-life-support-areas-elsas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/integrated-spatial-planning\/mapping-essential-life-support-areas-elsas\/","title":{"rendered":"Mapping Essential Life Support Areas (ELSAs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\n<h1>Mapping Essential Life Support Areas (ELSAs)<\/h1>\n\n\t\n<h2>What is it?<\/h2>\n\n\tOver the last six years, UNBL has supported countries around the world in participatory spatial planning to identify where nature-based actions can safeguard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.undp.org\/publications\/integrated-spatial-planning-workbook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Essential Life Support Areas (ELSAs)<\/a> to contribute to national priorities for biodiversity, climate, and human well-being. Building on this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biorxiv.org\/content\/10.1101\/2024.11.25.625159v1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">science-based spatial prioritization framework<\/a>, as well as the cloud-based functionalities of the UNBL platform, the ELSA Integrated Spatial Planning Tool is now available for all countries on UNBL.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This customizable application of the ELSA framework empowers nations to conduct biodiversity-inclusive spatial analysis that may guide biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development commitments. The free, open-source, cloud-hosted tool leverages the existing functionalities and data\u00a0 of UNBL to offer planners and stakeholders a science-based method to identify national priority areas where protection, restoration, sustainable management, and urban greening can deliver the best outcomes across Global Biodiversity Framework targets and indicators &#8211; without requiring GIS or spatial planning expertise.\u00a0\n\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWatch the UNBL trailer\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p9oiDDJn0HE?si=Gl16SowTUcPVxOUx\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\t\n\t<h2>How can I access it?<\/h2>\n\tTo use the ELSA Integrated Spatial Planning Tool for your country, <a href=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/unbl-workspaces\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">request a workspace on UN Biodiversity Lab<\/a> using our form and indicate that you would like access to the ELSA tool. Feel free to reach out to us at <a href=\"mailto:support@unbiodiversitylab.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">support@unbiodiversitylab.org <\/a>for further questions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We offer a variety of at-cost support to develop customized spatial analyses for your national targets and needs, incorporate national data into the analysis, and facilitate stakeholder engagement. Our goal is to support participatory spatial planning for national needs related to the Global Biodiversity Framework and related commitments around biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development. To inquire further about these services, please contact <a href=\"mailto:support@unbiodiversitylab.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">support@unbiodiversitylab.org<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\n\t<h2>Impact stories<\/h2>\n\t<style>\n  \/* -- Layout -- *\/\n  .lfn-card-grid {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));\n    gap: 28px;\n  }\n  @media (max-width: 980px) {\n    .lfn-card-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); }\n  }\n  @media (max-width: 640px) {\n    .lfn-card-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n  }\n  \/* -- Card -- *\/\n  .lfn-card {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    background: #fff;\n    border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.08);\n    box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,.08);\n  }\n  \/* Consistent image height *\/\n  .lfn-card-media {\n    position: relative;\n    width: 100%;\n    aspect-ratio: 16 \/ 9;      \/* adjust if you want taller\/shorter *\/\n    overflow: hidden;\n    background: #eef3f4;\n  }\n  .lfn-card-media img {\n    position: absolute;\n    inset: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    object-fit: cover;\n  }\n  \/* Body *\/\n  .lfn-card-body {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    padding: 24px;\n    font-size: 16px;           \/* all text 16px *\/\n    line-height: 1.5;\n  }\n  .lfn-card-title {\n    font-weight: 800;\n    color: #1B9399;            \/* green title *\/\n    margin: 0 0 12px 0;\n    font-size: 16px;           \/* keep at 16px as requested *\/\n  }\n  .lfn-card-desc {\n    margin: 0 0 18px 0;\n    color: #222;\n    font-size: 16px;\n  }\n  \/* Keep CTA aligned at the bottom *\/\n  .lfn-card-cta {\n    margin-top: auto;          \/* pushes link to the bottom *\/\n    font-weight: 600;\n  }\n  .lfn-card-cta a {\n    color: #000;\n    text-decoration: none;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;\n    transition: border-color .15s ease, opacity .15s ease;\n  }\n  .lfn-card-cta a:hover { border-color: #0a4a4d; opacity: .9; }\n  .lfn-card-cta .arrow {\n    display: inline-block;\n    transform: translateX(0);\n    transition: transform .15s ease;\n    margin-left: 10px;\n  }\n  .lfn-card-cta a:hover .arrow { transform: translateX(4px); }\n<\/style>\n  <!-- Card 1 -->\n  <article>\n    <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mapsofhope.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/river-8105970_1280.webp?q=80&#038;w=1600&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"River winding through a forest\"\/>\n    <\/a>\n      <h3><a>Maps of Hope<\/a><\/h3>\n      \n        Maps of Hope helps guide countries in identifying and prioritizing areas where protecting, restoring, and managing ecosystems can simultaneously advance biodiversity conservation, climate action, and sustainable development. \n      \n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mapsofhope.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more \u2192<\/a>\n  <\/article>\n  <!-- Card 2 -->\n  <article>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningfornature.org\/en\/restoring-hope-optimizing-and-aligning-restoration-goals-using-spatial-data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dawn-8361032_1280.webp?q=80&#038;w=1600&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Mist over hills and trees\"\/>\n    <\/a>\n      <h3><a>Restoring Hope<\/a><\/h3>\n      \n        Restoring Hope supports countries in identifying and prioritizing areas for ecosystem restoration, helping to address ecosystem degradation, climate change, and desertification while delivering lasting environmental and social benefits. \n      \n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningfornature.org\/en\/restoring-hope-optimizing-and-aligning-restoration-goals-using-spatial-data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more \u2192<\/a>\n  <\/article>\n  <!-- Card 3 -->\n  <article>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.learningfornature.org\/en\/prioritizing-nature-supporting-colombia-ecuador-and-peru-to-use-spatial-data-to-protect-30-of-land-and-seas-by-2030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lake-8844310_1280.webp?q=80&#038;w=1600&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Lake reflecting green mountains\"\/>\n    <\/a>\n      <h3><a>Prioritizing Nature<\/a><\/h3>\n      \n        Prioritizing Nature works with Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to apply spatial data to identify and prioritize areas for conservation, helping the countries meet the target to safeguard 30% of land and waters by 2030. \n      \n        <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.learningfornature.org\/en\/prioritizing-nature-supporting-colombia-ecuador-and-peru-to-use-spatial-data-to-protect-30-of-land-and-seas-by-2030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read more \u2192<\/a>\n  <\/article>\n\t<h2>Additional resources<\/h2>\n\t<style>\n  \/* ====== Layout ====== *\/\n  .elsa-section {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    gap: 40px;\n  }\n  .elsa-row {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n    align-items: stretch;\n    background: #f7f9f8;\n  }\n  @media (max-width: 768px) {\n    .elsa-row {\n      grid-template-columns: 1fr;\n    }\n  }\n  \/* ====== Image ====== *\/\n  .elsa-img {\n    position: relative;\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    overflow: hidden;\n  }\n  .elsa-img img {\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n    object-fit: cover;\n    display: block;\n  }\n  \/* ====== Text ====== *\/\n  .elsa-text {\n    display: flex;\n    justify-content: center;\n    align-items: center;\n    padding: 40px 50px;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    line-height: 1.6;\n    color: #222;\n  }\n  .elsa-text a {\n    color: #1B9399;\n    text-decoration: underline;\n  }\n  .elsa-text a:hover {\n    text-decoration: none;\n  }\n<\/style>\n  <!-- Row 1 -->\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/tree-569275_1280.webp?q=80&#038;w=1600&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Mountain landscape with autumn forest\"\/>\n      \n        Learn about the science, policy applications, and relevancy of this tool\n        to your country in our\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/spatial-prioritization-pdf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">overview brief.<\/a>\n      \n\n\n\n\n  <!-- Row 2 -->\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1502082553048-f009c37129b9?q=80&#038;w=1600&#038;auto=format&#038;fit=crop\" alt=\"Tropical rainforest with sunrise mist\"\/>\n      \n        Access our\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/undp-unbl.github.io\/unbl-documentation\/elsa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ELSA Tool manual.<\/a>\n      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u275b\u275b ELSA facilitates the identification of biological corridors, key conservation areas, watersheds, and agricultural use areas, among others, that should be considered for water security planning, ensuring that the ecosystem service of water provision is protected for current and future generations. \u275c\u275c<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJos\u00e9 Manuel Ochoa, Alexander von Humboldt Natural Resource Research Institute, Colombia \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u275b\u275b From the vibrant Amazonian region of Ucayali to the bounds of our nation, our ELSA map draws from diverse knowledge, data, and needs. It shows us how local and national action can go hand in hand to heal the lungs of our planet and of our people. It shows us how action on nature can lead to prosperity. \u275c\u275c<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWilliam Llactayo, Ministry of the Environment, Peru\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u275b\u275b The ELSA project has been a good example of how systematic planning can be used to identify spatial priorities when planning for policy implementation across multiple government sectors. The key success factor was the collaborative approach and comprehensive stakeholder engagement processes.\u00a0 \u275c\u275c<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGreer Hawley, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), South Africa\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<h2>About the ELSA team<\/h2>\n<p>Learn more about the team behind our work to map Essential Life Support Areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/about\/our-team\/\" target=\"_self\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMeet the team here\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watch the UNBL trailer How can I access it? Impact stories Maps of Hope Maps of Hope helps guide countries in identifying and prioritizing areas where protecting, restoring, and managing ecosystems can simultaneously advance biodiversity conservation, climate action, and sustainable development. Read more \u2192 Restoring Hope Restoring Hope supports countries in identifying and prioritizing areas&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4778,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-4795","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4795"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5086,"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4795\/revisions\/5086"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unbiodiversitylab.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}