Positioning of remotely sensed spectral heterogeneity in the framework of life cycle impact assessment on biodiversity

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is among the most robust, comprehensive and scientifically sound methodologies to unravel the potential causes and effects of anthropogenic impacts on the different geobiosphere compartments . In this framework, a major challenge is related to the development of consensual and operational approaches to assess the human pressure on biodiversity. This has recently brought about the attention of the larger community of ecologists and biologists by Souza et al. (2015). They thoroughly examined the practice of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) of land use interventions (land occupation and conversion) on biodiversity, identifying several modeling gaps. Among them is the absence of a wider landscape oriented and operational procedure to evaluate the loss of biological diversity. Concerned by the widespread lack in LCIA of cross-fertilization with disciplines traditionally related to biodiversity analysis (e.g. biology and ecology), they proposed a roadmap to address current methodological limitations. They recommended developing impact characterization factors (CFs) at different spatial scales e.g. by replacing land cover maps with continuous environmental information, and including landscape aspects such as habitat fragmentation or connectivity of ecosystems.