Gelatinous zooplankton as indicators in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Global biodiversity frameworks require robust, representative indicators to effectively track progress towards conservation targets. Spatial and temporal gaps in global marine biodiversity datasets, however, and a limited number of marine biodiversity indicators, limit our ability to effectively manage marine ecosystems. Despite the ecological and socio-economic significance of marine ecosystems, they remain underrepresented in current indicator suites, particularly in the recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Gelatinous zooplankton (GZ), a key yet often overlooked component of marine ecosystems, have the potential to strengthen biodiversity assessments through their responsiveness to environmental change and impacts on several contributions of the ocean to people. This study evaluates the marine relevance of the KMGBF's headline, component, and complementary indicators and identifies where GZ data can inform these metrics. We find that 61% of indicators for the environmentally and policy focused Targets 1–13, are relevant to the marine realm. Through a rapid evidence review and examination of existing policy frameworks, we demonstrate that GZ monitoring data can meaningfully contribute to at least seven KMGBF headline indicators, particularly in relation to invasive species, ecosystem restoration, sustainable use, and nature's contributions to people. We propose practical steps to incorporate GZ into global indicator systems via Essential Ocean Variables, highlighting the urgent need to integrate GZ data into biodiversity monitoring. Advancing the inclusion of GZ can support more comprehensive and policy-relevant assessments of marine biodiversity under the KMGBF.