Using biodiversity indicators for conservation

Ntiamoa‐Baidu

Simaika

2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

Biodiversity is being lost in wetlands at a faster rate than any other biome. Effective conservation and management of wetlands biodiversity requires data on species status and threats to inform decision-making. However, there are key challenges in Africa around the availability, usability and quality of data, willingness to use data, and capacity. We review these challenges, using examples from Ramsar sites and other wetlands across the continent, and propose solutions to help information users access high quality data in the right format at the right time. We assess the relevance of traditional monitoring methods, as well as innovative new tools such as remote sensing and environmental DNA. We conclude by explaining how governments, civil society and the private sector can enhance data collection by applying common, policy-relevant indicators, scaling up the application of traditional and appropriate new tools and protocols, building capacity in key institutions, and using partnerships and credible science-policy interfaces. Only by sharing and upscaling the solutions to data collection and use will we be able to mainstream biodiversity into decision-making and ultimately stop biodiversity loss across African wetlands.

Section: Build Capacity In Key Institutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Traditional and Modern Tools for Monitoring Wetlands Biodiversity in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Ntiamoa‐Baidu

Simaika

2020

Front. Environ. Sci.

“…Share data and build capacity where it is needed most. There have been numerous calls for greater efforts to build capacity for data collection and use where it is most needed in highbiodiversity countries [9,30,55,56]. Capacity for data use will be much enhanced by making existing data available to conservationists, such as protected areas managers, and other endusers such as businesses.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

An inventory of biodiversity data sources for conservation monitoring

Stengel

2020

PLoS ONE

Many conservation managers, policy makers, businesses and local communities cannot access the biodiversity data they need for informed decision-making on natural resource management. A handful of databases are used to monitor indicators against global biodiversity goals but there is no openly available consolidated list of global data sets to help managers, especially those in high-biodiversity countries. We therefore conducted an inventory of global databases of potential use in monitoring biodiversity states, pressures and conservation responses at multiple levels. We uncovered 145 global data sources, as well as a selection of global data reports, links to which we will make available on an open-access website. We describe trends in data availability and actions needed to improve data sharing. If the conservation and science community made a greater effort to publicise data sources, and make the data openly and freely available for the people who most need it, we might be able to mainstream biodiversity data into decision-making and help stop biodiversity loss.

“…Local stakeholders could be integrated into the use of remote-sensing technology by, for example, helping deploy devices and assisting in the analysis of photographs and audio recordings Data sharing Share data as widely as possible by uploading them into national, regional and global databases of relevance. This allows monitoring at scale, including measurement of global metrics on the delivery of environmental goals (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity 2014, McRae et al 2017, Navarro et al 2017) Present data in formats such as maps, graphs and dashboards that facilitate easy interpretation (Han et al 2014, Stephenson et al 2015a, 2015b) so that results can be translated into adaptive management actions (reformulating priorities, changing or replicating strategies, etc. )…”

Section: Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, it is essential that more effort is made by conservation agencies and donors to support the development of capacity for monitoring where it is most needed: in highbiodiversity countries (Schmeller et al 2017, Stephenson et al 2017b. It is also important to document and share examples of wildlife monitoring, highlighting what works well and what works less well (Stephenson et al 2015b). This is especially important with remote sensing, as practitioners need help with understanding the relative advantages and limitations of different tools.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating Remote Sensing into Wildlife Monitoring for Conservation

2019

Envir. Conserv.

SummaryEffective wildlife monitoring is a prerequisite for effective wildlife conservation since, without time-series data on species populations and threats, evidence-based adaptive management will be difficult to achieve. Technological advances in remote sensing offer more opportunities for data collection than ever before. However, if we are to enhance data sharing and the use of data by decision-makers, methods must be relevant to local user needs and be integrated into monitoring schemes with appropriate goals and indicators.