ICCB-ECCB 2015

The Group on Earth Observation – Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) organized a workshop at the 27th International Congress for Conservation Biology – 4th European Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB-ECCB 2015) in Montpellier France, where the framework of the Essential Biodiversity Variables was put to a test. More than thirty conservation practitioners from around the world representing different organizations including IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, iDiv and EcoHealth Alliance  participated of this exercise. Two groups had the task to identify key attributes that (1) the species distribution and (2) vegetation height EBVs had to meet (e.g., metrics, methods, standards and schemes). The third group was a reality check exercise for the EBV framework where Dr. Laetitia Navarro and Dr. Miguel Fernandez playing the role of a biodiversity data deficient country, questioned the other participants on how the EBV framework could be applied to define and guide national strategies for monitoring biodiversity where both data and resources are very limited.