Conference Agenda

ID: 276 / 4.04.1: 1

Establishing a Global Biodiversity Observation System (GBiOS): What do we have, and what do we need?

Andrew Gonzalez¹, Alice Catherine Hughes²

1 GEOBON / McGill University; 2 University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R. (China)/ APBON

A nature data revolution is unfolding, with unprecedented quantities of data available on many facets of global biodiversity. Spatial and temporal data gaps compromise trend change detection. New standards and protocols for monitoring mean that co-designed observing and information systems are needed to scale up our understanding of biodiversity change globally. Scientific and technical guidance is needed for organizations and agencies seeking to contribute to the planning, implementation and development of GBiOS.

In this workshop we will assess the requirements of GBiOS with a view to 2030. What are the data and information needs? what observations are needed that to detect, attribute and forecast biodiversity change? what measures of observing performance and capacity are needed to guide investment?

We see an opportunity to assemble a GBiOS designed to interact with the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) to support countries with the monitoring of their biodiversity goals and targets.

The first part of the workshop will be a “plenary” session describing the GBiOS concept, the major gaps and challenges it seeks to overcome and existing opportunities for collaboration. In the second, part we will have breakout groups focusing on key questions:

1. National and regional monitoring systems are the building block of GBiOS (BONs) – how can we link and coordinate them effectively to form a worldwide network of sites that is representative of current and expected trend change?

2. Can we improve understanding of Essential Biodiversity Variables and Essential Ecosystem Service Variables and their role in monitoring and indicators?

3. What data analysis systems are needed to monitor trend detection and attribution across a range of scales of space and time?

4. Can GBiOS support a global biodiversity modelling and forecasting service? Can workflows in platforms like BON-in-a-Box integrate remotely sensed and ground collected data to provide emergent understanding of trends?

5. How might we position GBiOS as a complement to existing global observing systems? Can we calculate the benefits (value) and avoided costs to society of this system?

These will then be discussed and synthesized collectively.