Improving access to biodiversity data for, and from, EIAs – a data publishing framework built to global standards

Current practice in biodiversity impact assessment and prospects for developing an integrated process

“…precision, quality, accuracy and scale), making datasets created as non-reusable 'one-offs'. Intellectual property rights can also limit the type and amount of information published and its accessibility for future assessments (Gontier 2007;Söderman 2009;Wale & Yalew 2010;King et al 2012). Access to, and use of, biodiversity datasets is constrained (Figure 4) by lack of knowledge of their availability (24% international/21% national responses) and, with contrasting international/ national emphases, by scale and copyright/licensing (25% and 8% of international, vs 6 and 16% of national responses, respectively).…”

“…This alludes to a lack of readily available external sources of biodiversity information, or poor collaboration between agencies that could aid in identifying potential impacts. Difficulty in accessing biodiversity datasets can render valuable information for determining cumulative or in-combination effects inaccessible, therefore impeding fully evidence-based assessments, and this commonly occurs where (as in Ireland) no central repository exists (Söderman 2009;González et al 2012;King et al 2012). Internationally, there is no indication of multiple stakeholder collaboration being used in data gathering and creation (Canter & Ross 2010;King et al 2012).…”

“…Difficulty in accessing biodiversity datasets can render valuable information for determining cumulative or in-combination effects inaccessible, therefore impeding fully evidence-based assessments, and this commonly occurs where (as in Ireland) no central repository exists (Söderman 2009;González et al 2012;King et al 2012). Internationally, there is no indication of multiple stakeholder collaboration being used in data gathering and creation (Canter & Ross 2010;King et al 2012). A noteworthy minority of respondents stated that they had no data management standards to facilitate a comprehensive prediction of impacts on biodiversity, more so internationally (23%) than nationally (10%).…”

“…Thus, flora, fauna, invasive species surveys and habitat maps are seen as most applicable and available worldwide for providing the evidence base (i.e. facts and findings) in both survey responses and international literature King et al 2012;Noble et al 2012).…”

“…The need to track biodiversity responses to strategies for its conservation, or to predict, minimize or prevent its damage by development, is a research, practice and policy priority (Mörtberg et al 2007;Slootweg et al 2010;Wale & Yalew 2010;Whelan & Fry 2011;King et al 2012). Article 14 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) highlights the potential contribution that impact assessment can make to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (Treweek 2001).…”