GTOS The Global Terrestrial Observing System Programme

1. GTOS The Global Terrestrial Observing System Programme B-GTOS GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation GTOS Steering Committee Meeting (SC-IV), 30 Nov-02 Dec 2009, Paris

2. B-GTOS Strategy - Foreword GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation B-GTOS has been up to now a GTOS activity GTOS through its programme activity Biodiversity GOTS is contributing to provide support to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss.

3. B-GTOS Strategy – Conventions GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation The Biodiversity GTOS Initiative (B-GTOS) is an outcome of the work by GTOS in assessing the needs of the global biodiversity community in achieving Target 2010 and beyond, within the framework of Biodiversity-Related Conventions (CBD; Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals CMS; the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; and the World Heritage Convention) and related multilateral environmental agreements.

4. B-GTOS Strategy – Goals GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation • The B-GTOS 5 strategic goals: • To conserve biodiversity and sustainably use biological resources; • To enhance understanding of ecosystems and resource management capability; • To promote an understanding of the need to conserve biodiversity; • To provide incentives and guidelines that support the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources; • To work with stakeholders and share equitably the benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources.

5. B-GTOS Strategy – Stakeholders GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation • Expected users and stakeholders: • International Conventions: UNCBD, UNCCD, UNCMS, UNFCCC, & Ramsar. • Regional and international agencies and institutions: plans to protect biological diversity. • National Governments and NGOs: planning and executing appropriate land and water management to protect biodiversity (WWF, IUCN, etc.). • Global Change research community: for detecting global change and its connection to biodiversity (University research departments, international, national, regional research institutions/ laboratories; include ESA, NASA, etc.). • Scientific community: for improve University, Research entities, etc. capacity to study biological diversity and provide products reliable and available for all. • Sponsors and Donor Group: B-GTOS will need to attract sponsors and donor support in identifying linkages of interest with GTOS goals (FAO, UNEP, ICSU, UNESCO, etc.). • Sister Global Observing Systems and relevant initiatives: (GEOSS, DIVERSITAS)

6. B-GTOS Strategy - Foreword GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation B-GTOS: the past activities ‘Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity’ is one of the intended core areas of GTOS. Over the past decade a number of large biodiversity observation initiatives have emerged. GTOS recognized their existence, helped to promote their activities, partnered with them as necessary, and adjusted its own role and strategy accordingly. B-GTOS helped convene the first biodiversity information user group meeting in Geneva in 2006. However the topic had not been significantly developed in terms of products or services.

7. B-GTOS Strategy – Activities GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation synergies between satellite analysis and field research are essential for biodiversity monitoring and enforcing capacity to provide services to users • Potential GTOS activities for 2010-2015 period: • Ecosystem level (maps, LCCS, fragmentation and connectivity, ecosystem vulnerability, bdv indexes, etc.) • Specie level (rare species, invasive species, change of habitats, database on • georeferenced species, • etc.)

8. B-GTOS Strategy – Guidelines GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation • B-GTOS strategy for 2010-2015 period could follow this guidelines: • Coordinating development of new Earth observation initiatives and their applications to sustainable management and monitoring of terrestrial ecosystems and biological diversity with priority focus on societal benefit areas identified by MDGs, WSSD, WSIS and GEOSS; • Support International Environmental Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, CCD, Ramsar convention on Wetlands) in meeting their objectives related to biodiversity • Further strengthening GTOS networks and capacities for sustained global observation of terrestrial ecosystems and global biodiversity awareness, and efficient interaction with the other global observing systems (GOOS and GCOS); • Assisting developing countries with strengthening their institutional capacities for effective use of biological diversity observation data and information products. • Improving the management and protection of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems by monitoring changes in land cover and land use, land degradation, and water pollution that could affect biodiversity.

9. B-GTOS Strategy – Outreach GTOS role in biodiversity science and conservation • B-GTOS could undertake the following outreach activities during 2010-2015 period: • Appraisal workshops on biodiversity for policy-makers; • Management and development of B-GTOS and TEMS internet Web site; • Newsletters and pesentation of B-GTOS activities at scientific conferences. • Strengthening international cooperation in sharing Biodiversity Observation data and developing information products. • Capacity building

10. GTOS role in GEOBON The Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network was formed as a result of a process which had GTOS involvement from the start. Bob Scholes (at that time the B-GTOS chair) was appointed by GEO to the Implementation Planning Task Team for the GEOSS with the task to flesh out the Biodiversity Societal Benefit Area and the Ecosystems Societal Benefit Area.

11. GTOS role in GEOBON GEOSS in its 2007 workplan called for a GEOBON planning task (BI-07-01). The call was directed at, and taken up by, DIVERSITAS and NASA. The B-GTOS chair represented both GTOS and DIVERSITAS in the process. An Interim Steering Group was formed (with many members from GTOS team + marine people). The ISG drafted a Concept Document, from which an IP was developed and a descriptive paper was published on Science (Scholes, RJ et al 2008 Towards a global biodiversity observation system. Science321,1044-5). This led to the GEOBON initiative.

12. GTOS role in GEOBON • A GEOBON SC formed in January 2009 (chair B. Scholes). The execution takes place via working groups that are developing IP and thinking about products:• • Genetic level (TetYahara and Daniel Faith) • Terrestrial Species Monitoring Programmes(Henrique Pereira) • Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring (Rob Jongman) • Freshwater Ecosystem Monitoring (Ian Harrison) • Marine Ecosystem Monitoring (Jan de Leeuw and Carlo Heip) • Ecosystem Services (Hal Mooney) • In-situ / Remote-sensing Integration (Simon Ferrier) • Informatics and Portals (HannuSaarenmaa and Eamonn O Tuama)

13. GTOS role in GEOBON GTOS, despite not yet having a developed biodiversity area, currently occupies a key position within the GEOBON network. GTOS is the acknowledged coordination point for international land cover mapping and monitoring projects. Possible future GTOS niche: 1. Develop a ‘biodiversity relevant’ land cover interpretation, following the principle that all land cover legends should follow the LCCS specifications  2. A second key issue for biodiversity is fragmentation and connectivity (decide which minimal set of metrics to chose)  3. Take note of the global ecosystem maps under development in GEOSS task EC-09-01a: Ecosystem Classification and Mapping.

14. GTOS role in GEOBON Other potential GTOS contribution 1. A global ecological interactions database. This would take the conceptual form of ‘Species A was observed to interact in way X with species B’, along with the time, place and identity of the observer. Such a database does not yet exist in shared form anywhere, and is not planned by any of the key players. 2. A community database (also called a plot database). This would contain species that are observed to coexist at a given location and time.

15. GTOS and CBD (notes from Robert Hoft, CBD Sec) Parties and stakeholders to CBD are currently discussing an updated Strategic Plan. Over the past years, efforts were made to assess biodiversity trends on the basis of a suite of indicators with the members of the 2010 Biodiversity Partnership leading data mobilization, analysis and interpretation. It is anticipated that the post 2010 framework will continue to depend on biodiversity observations, information, knowledge and assessments. GTOS has so far not been an active actor in this process as it could. The last CBD CoP welcomed the establishment of GEO-BON. CBD would like to better understand linkages – if any – between GTOS and GEO-BON. CBD SBSTA would like to be informed about the new GTOS strategic plan especially on biodiversity.

16. B-GTOS… now? B-GTOS Draft Strategic Document on Biodiversity What is the importance for sponsors to have a B-GTOS? What is your vision on B-GTOS (continue/leave? activity/panel?)? Do you see any conflicts/overlaps with GEOBON? Or do you envisage synergies? Other issues?