14 October 2013: The Expert Workshop on Enhancing Biodiversity Data and Observing Systems in Support of the Implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 discussed ways in which the collection of, access to, and the use of biodiversity data and observations can be enhanced to support evidence-based decision making and planning with a view to achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and corresponding national targets.

The workshop results were presented to the seventeenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Technical, Technological and Scientific Advice (SBSTTA 17) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as part of a panel discussion on biodiversity monitoring.

Co-organized by the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) and the CBD Secretariat, with support from DIVERSITAS and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the workshop aimed at exchanging experiences and lessons learned among parties and identifying priorities for improved biodiversity monitoring, including how the tools, products and approaches developed by GEO BON could help CBD Parties in achieving the Aichi Targets.

In his presentation of the workshop outcomes to SBSTTA 17, GEO BON Chair Robert Scholes outlined the obstacles to developing national observing systems as identified by the workshop participants, including: lack of technical capacity, data fragmentation, heterogeneity of terminology and methods, lack of interoperability of database systems, and lack of trend and other data relevant for policy making.

He said the workshop participants identified the following priorities: regionally-tailored start-up kits for building national and regional observing systems, including manuals, start-up databases, and a set of simple indicators such as Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV); strategies for combining remote sensing data and data collected in situ; building economic arguments for investments in observing systems; and capacity building on methods and standards. [IISD-RS report of the expert workshop][Official workshop report submitted to SBSTTA 17][GEO BON Website][IISD-RS Daily Report of SBSTTA 17 (Monday, 14 October)]