The post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) is inarguably the most important piece of global biodiversity legislation in over a decade. Yet developing this agreement, and trying to garner more success than its predecessor (the Aichi targets, none of which were achieved based on their original definition) was a challenging task,
Understanding the dimensions of the Global Biodiversity Framework,
A new article lays out the state of the field for genetic EBVs and their use in conservation
Images: Genetic variation of individual kelps helps support the species diversity of the marine ecosystem (left). Meanwhile genetic variation is needed for survival of threatened species, such as the Endangered arroyo oak (right), whose isolated populations are experiencing climate change and drought. Credits: SeacologyNZ.com, The Morton Arboretum The
Essential Ecosystem Service Variables for Monitoring Progress Towards Sustainability
Monitoring Essential Ecosystem Service Variables (EESVs) can provide a comprehensive picture of how links between nature and people are changing. The GEO BON Ecosystem Services Working Group (ESWG) has gone through several steps over the past 10 years to iteratively ponder, test, adapt, identify, select, define and explore the feasibility
Climate-influenced nutrient flows and threats to the biodiversity of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BZ-SDG)
The Climate-influenced Nutrient Flows and Threats to the Biodiversity of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BZ-SDG) project, supported by NASA’s Biological Diversity and Ecological Forecasting Program, focuses on studying the impacts of current and future riverine discharge on the health of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS). While
The growing promise of community-based monitoring and citizen science
Over recent decades, community-based environmental monitoring (often called “co-created citizen science”) has exploded in popularity. A special section in BioScience examines the potential for such efforts and makes recommendations for future directions. In an overview article on the concept, practice, application and results of community-based monitoring, the potential for monitoring
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Belize National Marine Habitat Map (NMHM)
The GEO BON-supported AI for the Belize National Marine Habitat Map (NMHM) project focuses on updating Belize’s existing Landsat-based two-decade old NMHM using recent, higher spatial and temporal resolution satellite imagery, updated mapping techniques, and leveraging the power of Microsoft’s Azure. In late 2020, the project held a stakeholder workshop
AOGEO Task Group 2: Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (APBON)
APBON is supported by the Ministry of the Environment Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan, Remote Sensing Technology Center of Japan (RESTEC), National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and all other voluntary contributions.
Highlights from the Tropical Andes Observatory (TAO) Workshop
Focal Ecosystems, Conceptual Models and Essential Biodiversity Variables The first TAO Regional Workshop was held between May 17th – 20th. During this 4-day productive timespan, specialists, users, and producers of biodiversity data met in 8 different working sessions that allowed to deepen the knowledge regarding biodiversity data needs in our
A CBD-focused year for the Genetic Composition Working Group (GCWG)
One of the aims of the Genetic Composition Working Group (GCWG) is to support the integration of genetic data and monitoring into management and policy. Over the last year, the GCWG’s main focus has been the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), given the urgent need to improve the wording
EuropaBON’s first stakeholder workshop, May 2021
EuropaBON held its first stakeholder event on user and policy needs in May 2021. The objectives of the workshop were two-fold: 1) secure commitment by the EU Commission and other high-level policy agencies, including the EEA and Eurostat and 2) reach out to and actively engage stakeholders in the different