Biodiversity data are increasingly expected to inform business decisions, from risk screening to sustainability reporting. In practice, however, companies rarely work with complete, high-resolution biodiversity information. Instead, they make decisions using partial, aggregated, or proxy data.
The new Biodiversa+ guide for businesses on biodiversity data use explores this reality through concrete case studies. Rather than focusing on ideal data scenarios, the guide shows how biodiversity data are actually used inside companies, and what this means for science and policy.
Across the case studies, one pattern stands out: biodiversity data are most often used for prioritisation, not precision. Global datasets, models, and screening tools help companies identify high-risk locations, assets, or supply chains. These tools rarely provide definitive answers, but they help narrow down where further investigation or action is needed.
In several cases, biodiversity data are combined with other information such as climate risks, water stress, or social indicators. This integrated use reflects how decisions are made in practice. Biodiversity data function as one input among many, shaping internal discussions rather than determining outcomes on their own.
The case studies also reveal recurring challenges. Scientific biodiversity datasets are often difficult to translate into formats compatible with corporate decision timelines or reporting structures. As a result, companies rely on simplified indicators, assumptions, or externally developed tools. This gap is not a failure of science, but a signal that data usability matters as much as data availability.
Importantly, the guide highlights opportunities for improvement. Better documentation, clearer uncertainty communication, and dialogue between data producers and users can significantly increase the value of existing biodiversity data. Several cases show that when scientists, data providers, and businesses engage early, data are more likely to inform meaningful decisions.
By grounding the discussion in real business practice, the Biodiversa+ guide moves the conversation beyond expectations and towards a more realistic understanding of how biodiversity data can support better decisions for nature.
