National Biodiversity Informatics Goals
3 likes1,861 views
The document outlines a coordinated response by the biodiversity informatics community to the Aichi targets, emphasizing the need for improved data sharing and accessibility to support national and global biodiversity goals. It proposes four specific informatics goals that align with these targets to enhance understanding and conservation efforts of biodiversity. The role of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is highlighted as crucial for coordinating efforts and facilitating access to biodiversity data across countries.
National Biodiversity Informatics Goals
- 1. The Biodiversity Informatics Goals A Proposed Coordinated Response to the Aichi Targets David Remsen A Concept for the Biodiversity Informatics Community November 2012, updated June 2014
- 2. The aim of this presentation Mobilize the collective biodiversity informatics community toward supporting regional, national and multi-national goals and targets. Suggest informatics activities this community should focus on for the next 10 years and why? Suggest a key role for GBIF to play in the coordination and fulfillment of these activities Illustrate this role using the Catalogue of Life as an example.
- 3. We begin with the Aichi Targets
- 4. Ratified by nearly every country (except USA*) In 2010 at COP 10 in Nagoya, Japan, the Parties of the CBD adopted a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity to achieve 20 targets before 2020. These 20 targets came to be known as the Aichi Targets *USA signed the CBD but as not ratified it.
- 5. Aichi Target 19 focuses on the improvement, sharing and application of knowledge “ All countries need information to identify threats to biodiversity and determine priorities for conservation and sustainable use. … the absence or difficulty in accessing relevant information is an obstacle to the implementation of the goals of the Convention.” • Our understanding of the role and function of species within ecosystems is poorly understood. How do species interact with each other and the world around us to provide valuable services? • Information regarding status and trends is needed for the majority of species. We need such information to determine if our responses to biodiversity loss is having any effect and to identify patterns of change. • Little available information on the consequences of biodiversity loss which is crucial in creating momentum for conservation. Improved scientific biodiversity information is needed to be widely shared and transferred so that it can be applied to better serve science and society
- 6. Nearly all of the targets require access to data or information related to biodiversity Their endorsement by so many countries presents an opportunity
- 7. A Biodiversity Informatics response to the Aichi Targets is warranted
- 8. Who should respond and how?
- 9. Biodiversity Informatics presents a confusing ecosystem of acronyms * Morph Bank VERT NET HERP NET ORNIS iDigBio MANIS Bio CASE iNat Ceph Base Fish Base Disc Life Dan BIF GBIF InBio ALA SANBI PRE CIS Bug Guide Amphibia Web Cal Images Euro+ Med BDWD MSW WoRMS OBIS Aqua Maps USDA Plants ITIS SP2000 CoL DIGiR TAPIR DwC ABCD SDD Tree Base IUCN RedList GBIF ES NBN PESI ViBRANT EOL FNA Wiki Species Canad ensys IPNI IF GSPC GTI IPT CRIA Map of Life Life Mapper Plazi USDA PlantsKEmu GRIN NZOR FaEu CIAT EDIT TDWG NLBIF LuCID GNA Myco Bank Zoo Bank SMEBD Arten bank HoL Zoo TAXA TCS SPM GUIDLSID EML Zoo Rec FAO CONABIO OGC MAX ENT Ant Base ERMS * This is a small subset of the informatics landscape
- 10. There are many connections between these parts Morph Bank VERT NET HERP NET ORNIS iDigBio MANIS Bio CASE iNat Ceph Base Fish Base Disc Life Dan BIF GBIF InBio ALA SANBI PRE CIS Bug Guide Amphibia Web Cal Images Euro+ Med BDWD MSW WoRMS OBIS Aqua Maps USDA Plants ITIS SP2000 CoL DIGiR TAPIR DwC ABCD SDD Tree Base IUCN RedList GBIF ES NBN PESI ViBRANT EOL FNA Wiki Species Canad ensys IPNI IF GSPC GTI IPT CRIA Map of Life Life Mapper Plazi USDA PlantsKEmu GRIN NZOR FaEu CIAT EDIT TDWG NLBIF LuCID GNA Myco Bank Zoo Bank SMEBD Arten bank HoL Zoo TAXA TCS SPM GUIDLSID EML Zoo Rec FAO CONABIO OGC MAX ENT Ant Base ERMS But it’s hard to know how it all comes together. Or if it comes together at all.
- 11. Outsiders see a crowded space all shouting for attention Morph Bank VERT NET HERP NET ORNIS iDigBio MANIS Bio CASE iNat Ceph Base Fish Base Disc Life Dan BIF GBIF InBio ALA SANBI PRE CIS Bug Guide Amphibia Web Cal Images Euro+ Med BDWD MSW WoRMS OBIS Aqua Maps USDA Plants ITIS SP2000 CoL DIGiR TAPIR DwC ABCD SDD Tree Base IUCN RedList GBIF ES NBN PESI ViBRANT EOL FNA Wiki Species Canad ensys IPNI IF GSPC GTI IPT CRIA Map of Life Life Mapper Plazi USDA PlantsKEmu GRIN NZOR FaEu CIAT EDIT TDWG NLBIF LuCID GNA Myco Bank Zoo Bank SMEBD Arten bank HoL Zoo TAXA TCS SPM GUIDLSID EML Zoo Rec FAO CONABIO OGC MAX ENT Ant Base ERMS Insiders often find it hard to explain how their objectives and directions relate to those of others.
- 12. Can and should the Biodiversity Informa9cs community respond with a single voice? If so, how?
- 13. In 2012, GBIF hosted the Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference “The Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference (GBIC) aims to discuss how informatics can best meet the challenges posed by biodiversity science and policy.” The output of the conference is a “Global Biodiversity Informatics Outlook”
- 14. The Global Biodiversity Informatics Outlook defines a framework of 20 components grouped into four strategic areas. This framework does a very good job of describing a biodiversity informatics instrument. Content Discovery and Access Models and Visualizations Foundations and Context ORGANIZE ANALYZEANDINTERPRET UNDERPIN ENHANCE REFINE Field surveys and observations Sequences and genomes Collections and specimens Published materials Remote-sensed observations Fitness-for-use and annotations Taxonomic framework Integrated occurrence data Aggregated species trait data Comprehensive knowledge access Multiscalar spatial modelling Trends and predictions Modelling biological systems Prioritizing new data capture Visualization and dissemination Open access and reuse culture Biodiversity knowledge network Data standardsPolicy incentives Persistent storage and archival
- 15. But what questions should this instrument address? And how might the community be directed to answer them. Content Discovery and Access Models and Visualizations Foundations and Context ORGANIZE ANALYZEANDINTERPRET UNDERPIN ENHANCE REFINE Field surveys and observations Sequences and genomes Collections and specimens Published materials Remote-sensed observations Fitness-for-use and annotations Taxonomic framework Integrated occurrence data Aggregated species trait data Comprehensive knowledge access Multiscalar spatial modelling Trends and predictions Modelling biological systems Prioritizing new data capture Visualization and dissemination Open access and reuse culture Biodiversity knowledge network Data standardsPolicy incentives Persistent storage and archival ?? ? ?
- 16. Many of us have been asked some variant of these questions regarding species. “What is it called?” “Where ( did | does | will ) it live?” “Is it endangered?” “How many are there?” “What other species live around here?” “What is it related to?” “What does it do?” “What does it look like?” Are these the sorts of questions being addressed within biodiversity informatics today? “What good is it?” “How are they doing?”
- 17. Yes! They are. These organiza9ons/ini9a9ves work on those ques9ons.
- 18. We* propose that the Biodiversity Informatics community set its own targets by establishing four goals Content Discovery and Access Models and Visualizations Foundations and Context ORGANIZE ANALYZEANDINTERPRET UNDERPIN ENHANCE REFINE Field surveys and observations Sequences and genomes Collections and specimens Published materials Remote-sensed observations Fitness-for-use and annotations Taxonomic framework Integrated occurrence data Aggregated species trait data Comprehensive knowledge access Multiscalar spatial modelling Trends and predictions Modelling biological systems Prioritizing new data capture Visualization and dissemination Open access and reuse culture Biodiversity knowledge network Data standardsPolicy incentives Persistent storage and archival D GOAL C GOAL B GOAL A GOAL And articulate these goals in a simple and non-technical manner.
- 19. And align the four Biodiversity Informatics Goals with the Aichi Targets Goals that support national priorities through delivering scientific biodiversity data and information products and services The Biodiversity Informatics Goals The Aichi Targets
- 20. A GOAL By 2020, enable all countries to have a clear understanding of the status and trends in the range and abundance of all species occurring within their borders THE BIODIVERSITY INFORMATICS GOALS B GOAL By 2020, provide the means to describe how species interact with each other and surrounding natural and man-made landscapes to form ecosystems C GOAL By 2020, ensure that all countries have a complete and up-to-date national species registry and key species lists through an integrated global taxonomic information system D GOAL By 2020, provide all countries with the means to precisely identify any target species or species group (invasive, threatened, trade-restricted, etc).
- 21. Incorporating the Goals into the GBIO enhances the landscaping by further distinguishing actors and their roles amongst the goals It starts to bring order, context and direction to the “ecosystem of acronyms” Content Discovery and Access Models and Visualizations Foundations and Context ORGANIZE ANALYZEANDINTERPRET UNDERPIN ENHANCE REFINE A GOAL Natural History Collections Observation Networks Trawler Surveys Expert knowledge Remote sensed data Herbaria Environmental Impact Ass. Citizen Science Networks Publications Protect Area Data OGC DiGIR TAPIR ABCD DwC Creative Comm. IPT BioCASE Specify Brahms K-Emu GBIF OBIS MANIS ORNIS HERPNET VERTNET EBIRD AKN NBN ALA IABIN GBIF Nodes SANBI CRIA Candensys EML OpenModeller Ecological Niche Model CIAT AquaMaps IUCN Species Program GROMS Protected Planet UNEP/WCMC GEO-BON EoL Mapping Life Research Community Earth Observation community IPBES Funding Agencies UN conventions National Legislatures Collaboration networks TDWG D GOAL C GOAL B GOAL
- 22. Collectively, the Goals link all actors, via their roles, directly toward support of the Aichi Targets This supports refined and directed objectives among participating actors. Alignment to the Goals provides alignment to the Aichi Targets
- 23. Conversely, the Aichi Targets help establish priorities and focus for the GBIO Framework… …while the Goals provide taxonomic, geospatial and other measures from which to identify gaps and establish indicators of progress
- 24. Collectively, we possess the means to describe what we intend to do, why we will do it, and how it will be done. One question remains How?Why?What? Other targets and priorities may be substituted here
- 25. Who is going to help organize all this? Morph Bank VERT NET HERP NET ORNIS iDigBio MANIS Bio CASE iNat Ceph Base Fish Base Disc Life Dan BIF GBIF InBio ALA SANBI PRE CIS Bug Guide Amphibia Web Cal Images Euro+ Med BDWD MSW WoRMS OBIS Aqua Maps USDA Plants ITIS SP2000 CoL DIGiR TAPIR DwC ABCD SDD Tree Base IUCN RedList GBIF ES NBN PESI ViBRANT EOL FNA Wiki Species Canad ensys IPNI IF GSPC GTI IPT CRIA Map of Life Life Mapper Plazi USDA PlantsKEmu GRIN NZOR FaEu CIAT EDIT TDWG NLBIF LuCID GNA Myco Bank Zoo Bank SMEBD Arten bank HoL Zoo TAXA TCS SPM GUIDLSID EML Zoo Rec FAO CONABIO OGC MAX ENT Ant Base ERMS Even with the GBIO, self-organization towards achieving goals is unlikely without some coordination.
- 26. GBIF is one clear choice * * Others may also emerge and should not be discouraged. Here is why…
- 27. First, this is what GBIF was established to do. Final Report of the OECD Megascience Forum, Working Group on Biological Informatics, January 1999 “An international mechanism is needed to make biodiversity data and information accessible worldwide. The existence of such a mechanism will produce many economic and social benefits. For example, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) obligates nations to implement provisions relating to conservation, use, and equitable sharing of biodiversity. A scientific information resource that could facilitate fulfillment of these obligations is greatly needed.” Among other things, GBIF is a facility.* GBIF could operate as a facilitator to coordinate the support of the GBIO framework and associated Goals.
- 28. Second, in order to re-invigorate the GBIF membership and realize the vision of the current strategic plan Vision: “To be the foremost global resource for biodiversity information.” “An effective GBIF global network requires the engagement of the world’s biodiversity community. It also requires increasing GBIF’s recognition, visibility and ‘brand leadership’ in biodiversity informatics.” What is special about GBIFs membership?
- 29. It is composed of countries. !! This is a yearly opportunity waiting to be catalyzed !! Consider the annual GBIF Governing Board meeting as a unique venue where delegates from national ministries are available for three days to hear what biodiversity informatics could do for their country. GBIF is a multi-lateral initiative, established by, and governed by countries. Countries are represented by a Governing Board of national delegates.
- 30. One way of doing so might be demonstrate the potential synergy between GBIF Associate Organizational Participants and GBIFs national members. GBIF NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS GBIF ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPANTS Requires solutions Provides solutions
- 31. One way of doing so might be demonstrate the potential synergy between GBIF Associate Organizational Participants and GBIFs national members. The Catalogue of Life is just such an Associate Participant in GBIF GBIF NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS GBIF ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPANTS Requires solutions Provides solutions Facilitates solutions
- 32. The GBIO provides a framework where COL can identify where it fits in the overall informatics landscape COL, for instance, provides capacity as a foundational component for discovery and access of all biodiversity information Content Discovery and Access Models and Analyses Foundations and Context ORGANIZE ANALYZEANDINTERPRET UNDERPIN ENHANCE REFINE
- 33. The Biodiversity Informatics Goals refine this focus toward specific data and information domains COL is a clear leader in support of Goal C – a national species register system for all countries. Content Discovery and Access Models and Analyses Foundations and Context ORGANIZE ANALYZEANDINTERPRET UNDERPIN ENHANCE REFINE A GOAL WHERE B GOAL WHAT C GOAL WHO D GOAL HOW
- 34. GBIF provides the organizational framework to facilitate the development and implementation of the system within countries. COL is a clear leader in support of Goal C – a national species register system for all countries. C GOAL WHO A National Checklist Registry system National Species Lists GBIF National NodesGBIF Organizational Participants Delivers ImplementsFacilitates
- 35. GBIF has the convening power to provide the venue through which solutions can be proposed The GBIF Governing Board is THE forum for delivering multi-national biodiversity information solutions C GOAL WHO A National Checklist Registry system National Species Lists GBIF National DelegatesGBIF Organizational Participants Delivers SupportsFacilitates
- 36. This is the framework where COL may articulate clear support to national priorities The GBIF model provides just such a venue and the national Node of a country can serve as a focal point for building capacity How?Why?What? Country A + +
- 37. It supports a consistent and streamlined process for directing a consortium of activity toward national priorities This framework, operating at a multi-national level, supports an increased sense of purpose and direction for Organizational Associate Participants How?Why?What? GBIF ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPANTS GBIF NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS National priorities Improved support
- 38. This same sense of purpose and direction may be equally adopted by other collaborators within biodiversity informatics …who are likewise provided with a framework to clearly identify relevance and contribution.
- 39. It’s not just the Aichi Targets. The Goals & GBIO can also be applied toward other national and regional targets, conventions and priorities Providing a sharpened informatics instrument to bear on priority biodiversity science and policy issues Millenium Development Goals Participant National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans EU Biodiversity strategy to 2020 Convention on Migratory Species Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
- 40. Various draft documents provide details Additional input is very much appreciated The Goals mapped to the Aichi Targets The Goals and the Global Taxonomy Initiate Implications for GBIF Click to view them
Editor's Notes
- #2: Turning biodiversity informatics upside down
- #5: * Note that the US has signed the Convention on Biological Diversity. It just has not ratified it. GBIF focus here. May move to a separate slide.
- #15: “ Biodiversity Informatics Instrument” is my term and not one established by GBIO authors.
- #16: The GBIO does include statements about providing the best possible spatial picture of biodiversity which does provide one perspective on direction. But this does not strike me as a specific target. Secondly, this is too narrow a focus and overlooks other key focal areas need to engage the informatics community in the broad sense. It would be a mistake to not incorporate other focal areas within a common infrastructure.
- #22: The Goals and the GBIO framework provide multiple axes for distinguishing different organizations and other collaborators. It nearly does self-assemble.
- #25: * Currently “We” is just me, David Remsen
- #26: One aspect of the GBIO as I understand it is the lack of a clear organizational process or mechanism. This is doubly difficult without some clear global targets to mobilize around.
- #28: * GBIF is also an implementer. Don’t mean to imply otherwise. But fundamentally GBIF was established to facilitate discovery and free and open access to data. Over the years GBIF has evolved into being seen as another organization, taking a slice of the demographic pie and competing with other organizations. This has had negative consequences. The Goals provide a new opportunity to take the lead as an enabler of a much more far-reaching set of activities than the GBIFS, which currently undertakes the majority of the work.
- #30: The Biodiversity Informatics Goals would provide clarity, an expanded scope, and a leadership role to GBIF. It would move to direct more of the collective activities within biodiversity informatics through a GBIF Node – instead of the array of haphazard national arrangements made today among ‘competing’ interests such as EoL, Catalogue of Life and others. This is currently counter-productive and due, in part, to the lack of a collective and coordinated national focus. It’s exacerbated by GBIFs restriction to primary biodiversity data which leads others to believe they need to develop their own infrastructure and establish their own ‘Nodes’
- #40: I have shared this with a few people including Cyndy Parr, Rod Page, David Patterson, Tim R and Markus.