The Joint Research Center of the European Commission has announced the launch of the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA) Explorer 1.0, a web-based tool to catalog nearly 16,000 of the world's protected areas (PAs).
9 April 2015: The Joint Research Center of the European Commission has announced the launch of the Digital Observatory for Protected Areas (DOPA) Explorer 1.0, a web-based tool to catalog nearly 16,000 of the world’s protected areas (PAs).
DOPA Explorer 1.0 allows users to distinguish between terrestrial, marine and mixed protected areas and offers new indicators to help with the identification of those areas with the most unique ecosystems and species. It can also assess anthropomorphic pressures on PAs. The interface is available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has encouraged all Parties to use DOPA Explorer to assist in the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Target 11. Target 11 proposes that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, are conserved through effectively managed and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.
The first version of DOPA was developed in 2011. Using mainly data on protected areas, species distribution, socio-economic indicators and remote sensing information, DOPA is meant to generate essential indicators for use by policymakers addressing biodiversity loss. [European Commission News] [DOPA Explorer 1.0 website] [CBD Notification 2015-027]