I assembled these thoughts during and following the CBD conference in Hyderabad in 2012. It suggests that a majority of biodiversity informatics initiatives are active in addressing just a small set of fundamental questions regarding biodiversity. It then suggests that aligning these activities with the Aichi Targets would provide the means to focus them on achieving nationally-relevant (and hence fund-able) goals.
1. The Biodiversity Informatics Goals
A Proposed Coordinated Response to the Aichi Targets
David Remsen
A Concept for the Biodiversity Informatics Community
November 2012, updated June 2014
2. The aim of this presentation
Mobilize the collective biodiversity informatics community
toward supporting regional, national and multi-national
goals and targets.
Suggest informatics activities this community should focus
on for the next 10 years and why?
Suggest a key role for GBIF to play in the coordination and
fulfillment of these activities
Illustrate this role using the Catalogue of Life as an
example.
4. Ratified by nearly every country (except USA*)
In 2010 at COP 10 in Nagoya, Japan, the Parties of the CBD adopted a
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity to achieve 20 targets before 2020.
These 20 targets came to be known as the Aichi Targets
*USA signed the CBD but as not ratified it.
5. Aichi Target 19 focuses on the improvement, sharing and
application of knowledge
“ All countries need information to identify threats to biodiversity and determine
priorities for conservation and sustainable use.
… the absence or difficulty in accessing relevant information is an obstacle to the
implementation of the goals of the Convention.”
• Our understanding of the role and function of species within ecosystems is
poorly understood. How do species interact with each other and the world
around us to provide valuable services?
• Information regarding status and trends is needed for the majority of
species. We need such information to determine if our responses to
biodiversity loss is having any effect and to identify patterns of change.
• Little available information on the consequences of biodiversity loss which
is crucial in creating momentum for conservation.
Improved scientific biodiversity information is needed to be widely
shared and transferred so that it can be applied to better serve
science and society
6. Nearly all of the targets require access to data or information
related to biodiversity
Their endorsement by so many countries presents an opportunity
9.
Biodiversity Informatics presents a confusing ecosystem of
acronyms *
Morph
Bank
VERT
NET
HERP
NET
ORNIS
iDigBio
MANIS
Bio
CASE
iNat
Ceph
Base
Fish
Base
Disc
Life
Dan
BIF
GBIF
InBio
ALA
SANBI
PRE
CIS
Bug
Guide
Amphibia
Web
Cal
Images
Euro+
Med
BDWD
MSW
WoRMS
OBIS
Aqua
Maps
USDA
Plants
ITIS
SP2000
CoL DIGiR
TAPIR
DwC
ABCD
SDD
Tree
Base
IUCN
RedList
GBIF
ES
NBN
PESI
ViBRANT
EOL
FNA
Wiki
Species
Canad
ensys
IPNI
IF
GSPC
GTI
IPT
CRIA
Map of
Life
Life
Mapper
Plazi
USDA
PlantsKEmu
GRIN
NZOR
FaEu
CIAT
EDIT
TDWG
NLBIF
LuCID
GNA
Myco
Bank
Zoo
Bank
SMEBD
Arten
bank
HoL
Zoo
TAXA
TCS
SPM
GUIDLSID
EML
Zoo
Rec
FAO
CONABIO
OGC
MAX
ENT
Ant
Base
ERMS
* This is a small subset of the informatics landscape
10.
There are many connections between these parts
Morph
Bank
VERT
NET
HERP
NET
ORNIS
iDigBio
MANIS
Bio
CASE
iNat
Ceph
Base
Fish
Base
Disc
Life
Dan
BIF
GBIF
InBio
ALA
SANBI
PRE
CIS
Bug
Guide
Amphibia
Web
Cal
Images
Euro+
Med
BDWD
MSW
WoRMS
OBIS
Aqua
Maps
USDA
Plants
ITIS
SP2000
CoL DIGiR
TAPIR
DwC
ABCD
SDD
Tree
Base
IUCN
RedList
GBIF
ES
NBN
PESI
ViBRANT
EOL
FNA
Wiki
Species
Canad
ensys
IPNI
IF
GSPC
GTI
IPT
CRIA
Map of
Life
Life
Mapper
Plazi
USDA
PlantsKEmu
GRIN
NZOR
FaEu
CIAT
EDIT
TDWG
NLBIF
LuCID
GNA
Myco
Bank
Zoo
Bank
SMEBD
Arten
bank
HoL
Zoo
TAXA
TCS
SPM
GUIDLSID
EML
Zoo
Rec
FAO
CONABIO
OGC
MAX
ENT
Ant
Base
ERMS
But it’s hard to know how it all comes together.
Or if it comes together at all.
11.
Outsiders see a crowded space all shouting for attention
Morph
Bank
VERT
NET
HERP
NET
ORNIS
iDigBio
MANIS
Bio
CASE
iNat
Ceph
Base
Fish
Base
Disc
Life
Dan
BIF
GBIF
InBio
ALA
SANBI
PRE
CIS
Bug
Guide
Amphibia
Web
Cal
Images
Euro+
Med
BDWD
MSW
WoRMS
OBIS
Aqua
Maps
USDA
Plants
ITIS
SP2000
CoL DIGiR
TAPIR
DwC
ABCD
SDD
Tree
Base
IUCN
RedList
GBIF
ES
NBN
PESI
ViBRANT
EOL
FNA
Wiki
Species
Canad
ensys
IPNI
IF
GSPC
GTI
IPT
CRIA
Map of
Life
Life
Mapper
Plazi
USDA
PlantsKEmu
GRIN
NZOR
FaEu
CIAT
EDIT
TDWG
NLBIF
LuCID
GNA
Myco
Bank
Zoo
Bank
SMEBD
Arten
bank
HoL
Zoo
TAXA
TCS
SPM
GUIDLSID
EML
Zoo
Rec
FAO
CONABIO
OGC
MAX
ENT
Ant
Base
ERMS
Insiders often find it hard to explain how their objectives and
directions relate to those of others.
12. Can
and
should
the
Biodiversity
Informa9cs
community
respond
with
a
single
voice?
If so, how?
13. In 2012, GBIF hosted the Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference
“The Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference (GBIC) aims to discuss how
informatics can best meet the challenges posed by biodiversity science and policy.”
The output of the conference is a “Global Biodiversity Informatics Outlook”
14. The Global Biodiversity Informatics Outlook defines a framework of 20
components grouped into four strategic areas.
This framework does a very good job of describing a biodiversity informatics
instrument.
Content Discovery and
Access
Models and
Visualizations
Foundations and Context
ORGANIZE
ANALYZEANDINTERPRET
UNDERPIN ENHANCE
REFINE
Field surveys and
observations
Sequences and
genomes
Collections and
specimens
Published materials
Remote-sensed
observations
Fitness-for-use
and annotations
Taxonomic
framework
Integrated occurrence
data
Aggregated species
trait data
Comprehensive
knowledge access
Multiscalar spatial
modelling
Trends and predictions
Modelling biological
systems
Prioritizing new
data capture
Visualization
and dissemination
Open access and reuse culture Biodiversity knowledge network
Data standardsPolicy incentives
Persistent storage and archival
15. But what questions should this instrument address?
And how might the community be directed to answer them.
Content Discovery and
Access
Models and
Visualizations
Foundations and Context
ORGANIZE
ANALYZEANDINTERPRET
UNDERPIN ENHANCE
REFINE
Field surveys and
observations
Sequences and
genomes
Collections and
specimens
Published materials
Remote-sensed
observations
Fitness-for-use
and annotations
Taxonomic
framework
Integrated occurrence
data
Aggregated species
trait data
Comprehensive
knowledge access
Multiscalar spatial
modelling
Trends and predictions
Modelling biological
systems
Prioritizing new
data capture
Visualization
and dissemination
Open access and reuse culture Biodiversity knowledge network
Data standardsPolicy incentives
Persistent storage and archival
??
?
?
16. Many of us have been asked some variant of these questions regarding
species.
“What is it called?”
“Where ( did | does | will ) it live?”
“Is it endangered?”
“How many are there?”
“What other species live around here?”
“What is it related to?”
“What does it do?”
“What does it look like?”
Are these the sorts of questions being addressed within biodiversity
informatics today?
“What good is it?”
“How are they doing?”
17. Yes!
They
are.
These
organiza9ons/ini9a9ves
work
on
those
ques9ons.
18. We* propose that the Biodiversity Informatics community set its own targets
by establishing four goals
Content Discovery and
Access
Models and
Visualizations
Foundations and Context
ORGANIZE
ANALYZEANDINTERPRET
UNDERPIN ENHANCE
REFINE
Field surveys and
observations
Sequences and
genomes
Collections and
specimens
Published materials
Remote-sensed
observations
Fitness-for-use
and annotations
Taxonomic
framework
Integrated occurrence
data
Aggregated species
trait data
Comprehensive
knowledge access
Multiscalar spatial
modelling
Trends and predictions
Modelling biological
systems
Prioritizing new
data capture
Visualization
and dissemination
Open access and reuse culture Biodiversity knowledge network
Data standardsPolicy incentives
Persistent storage and archival
D
GOAL
C
GOAL
B
GOAL
A
GOAL
And articulate these goals in a simple and non-technical manner.
19. And align the four Biodiversity Informatics Goals with the Aichi Targets
Goals that support national priorities through delivering scientific
biodiversity data and information products and services
The Biodiversity
Informatics Goals The Aichi Targets
20. A
GOAL By 2020, enable all countries to have a clear
understanding of the status and trends in the range and
abundance of all species occurring within their borders
THE BIODIVERSITY INFORMATICS GOALS
B
GOAL By 2020, provide the means to describe how species
interact with each other and surrounding natural and
man-made landscapes to form ecosystems
C
GOAL By 2020, ensure that all countries have a complete and
up-to-date national species registry and key species
lists through an integrated global taxonomic information
system
D
GOAL By 2020, provide all countries with the means to
precisely identify any target species or species group
(invasive, threatened, trade-restricted, etc).
21. Incorporating the Goals into the GBIO enhances the landscaping
by further distinguishing actors and their roles amongst the goals
It starts to bring order, context and direction to the “ecosystem of acronyms”
Content Discovery and
Access
Models and
Visualizations
Foundations and Context
ORGANIZE
ANALYZEANDINTERPRET
UNDERPIN ENHANCE
REFINE
A
GOAL
Natural History
Collections
Observation Networks
Trawler Surveys
Expert knowledge
Remote sensed data
Herbaria
Environmental Impact Ass.
Citizen Science Networks
Publications
Protect Area Data
OGC
DiGIR
TAPIR
ABCD
DwC
Creative Comm.
IPT
BioCASE
Specify
Brahms
K-Emu
GBIF
OBIS
MANIS
ORNIS
HERPNET
VERTNET
EBIRD
AKN
NBN
ALA
IABIN
GBIF Nodes
SANBI
CRIA
Candensys
EML
OpenModeller
Ecological Niche Model
CIAT
AquaMaps
IUCN Species Program
GROMS
Protected Planet
UNEP/WCMC
GEO-BON
EoL
Mapping Life
Research Community
Earth Observation
community
IPBES
Funding Agencies
UN conventions
National Legislatures
Collaboration networks
TDWG
D
GOAL
C
GOAL
B
GOAL
22. Collectively, the Goals link all actors, via their roles, directly toward support
of the Aichi Targets
This supports refined and directed objectives among participating actors.
Alignment to the Goals provides alignment to the Aichi Targets
23. Conversely, the Aichi Targets help establish priorities and focus for the
GBIO Framework…
…while the Goals provide taxonomic, geospatial and other measures from
which to identify gaps and establish indicators of progress
24. Collectively, we possess the means to describe what we intend to do, why
we will do it, and how it will be done.
One question remains
How?Why?What?
Other targets and priorities may be substituted here
25.
Who is going to help organize all this?
Morph
Bank
VERT
NET
HERP
NET
ORNIS
iDigBio
MANIS
Bio
CASE
iNat
Ceph
Base
Fish
Base
Disc
Life
Dan
BIF
GBIF
InBio
ALA
SANBI
PRE
CIS
Bug
Guide
Amphibia
Web
Cal
Images
Euro+
Med
BDWD
MSW
WoRMS
OBIS
Aqua
Maps
USDA
Plants
ITIS
SP2000
CoL DIGiR
TAPIR
DwC
ABCD
SDD
Tree
Base
IUCN
RedList
GBIF
ES
NBN
PESI
ViBRANT
EOL
FNA
Wiki
Species
Canad
ensys
IPNI
IF
GSPC
GTI
IPT
CRIA
Map of
Life
Life
Mapper
Plazi
USDA
PlantsKEmu
GRIN
NZOR
FaEu
CIAT
EDIT
TDWG
NLBIF
LuCID
GNA
Myco
Bank
Zoo
Bank
SMEBD
Arten
bank
HoL
Zoo
TAXA
TCS
SPM
GUIDLSID
EML
Zoo
Rec
FAO
CONABIO
OGC
MAX
ENT
Ant
Base
ERMS
Even with the GBIO, self-organization towards achieving goals is
unlikely without some coordination.
26. GBIF is one clear choice *
* Others may also emerge and should not be discouraged.
Here is why…
27. First, this is what GBIF was established to do.
Final Report of the OECD Megascience Forum, Working Group on Biological
Informatics, January 1999
“An international mechanism is needed
to make biodiversity data and
information accessible worldwide. The
existence of such a mechanism will
produce many economic and social
benefits. For example, the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD) obligates
nations to implement provisions relating
to conservation, use, and equitable
sharing of biodiversity. A scientific
information resource that could facilitate
fulfillment of these obligations is greatly
needed.”
Among other things, GBIF is a facility.* GBIF could operate as a
facilitator to coordinate the support of the GBIO framework and
associated Goals.
28. Second, in order to re-invigorate the GBIF membership and realize
the vision of the current strategic plan
Vision: “To be the foremost global resource for biodiversity
information.”
“An effective GBIF global network
requires the engagement of the
world’s biodiversity community.
It also requires increasing GBIF’s
recognition, visibility and ‘brand
leadership’ in biodiversity
informatics.”
What is special about GBIFs membership?
29. It is composed of countries.
!! This is a yearly opportunity waiting to be catalyzed !!
Consider the annual GBIF Governing Board meeting as a unique venue where
delegates from national ministries are available for three days to hear what
biodiversity informatics could do for their country.
GBIF is a multi-lateral initiative, established by, and governed by countries. Countries
are represented by a Governing Board of national delegates.
30. One way of doing so might be demonstrate the potential
synergy between GBIF Associate Organizational Participants
and GBIFs national members.
GBIF NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
GBIF ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Requires solutions
Provides solutions
31. One way of doing so might be demonstrate the potential
synergy between GBIF Associate Organizational Participants
and GBIFs national members.
The Catalogue of Life is just such an Associate Participant in GBIF
GBIF NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
GBIF ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Requires solutions
Provides solutions
Facilitates solutions
32. The GBIO provides a framework where COL can identify
where it fits in the overall informatics landscape
COL, for instance, provides capacity as a foundational component
for discovery and access of all biodiversity information
Content
Discovery
and
Access
Models
and
Analyses
Foundations and Context
ORGANIZE
ANALYZEANDINTERPRET
UNDERPIN ENHANCE
REFINE
33. The Biodiversity Informatics Goals refine this focus toward
specific data and information domains
COL is a clear leader in support of Goal C – a national species
register system for all countries.
Content
Discovery
and
Access
Models
and
Analyses
Foundations and Context
ORGANIZE
ANALYZEANDINTERPRET
UNDERPIN ENHANCE
REFINE
A
GOAL
WHERE
B
GOAL
WHAT
C
GOAL
WHO
D
GOAL
HOW
34. GBIF provides the organizational framework to facilitate the
development and implementation of the system within
countries.
COL is a clear leader in support of Goal C – a national species
register system for all countries.
C
GOAL
WHO
A National Checklist Registry system
National Species Lists
GBIF National NodesGBIF Organizational Participants
Delivers ImplementsFacilitates
35. GBIF has the convening power to provide the venue through
which solutions can be proposed
The GBIF Governing Board is THE forum for delivering multi-national
biodiversity information solutions
C
GOAL
WHO
A National Checklist Registry system
National Species Lists
GBIF National DelegatesGBIF Organizational Participants
Delivers SupportsFacilitates
36. This is the framework where COL may articulate clear
support to national priorities
The GBIF model provides just such a venue and the national Node
of a country can serve as a focal point for building capacity
How?Why?What?
Country A
+ +
37. It supports a consistent and streamlined process for directing
a consortium of activity toward national priorities
This framework, operating at a multi-national level, supports an increased
sense of purpose and direction for Organizational Associate Participants
How?Why?What?
GBIF ORGANIZATIONAL PARTICIPANTS GBIF NATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
National priorities
Improved support
38. This same sense of purpose and direction may be equally adopted
by other collaborators within biodiversity informatics
…who are likewise provided with a framework to clearly identify
relevance and contribution.
39. It’s not just the Aichi Targets. The Goals & GBIO can also be
applied toward other national and regional targets,
conventions and priorities
Providing a sharpened informatics instrument to bear on
priority biodiversity science and policy issues
Millenium Development Goals
Participant National Biodiversity
Strategies and Action Plans
EU Biodiversity strategy to 2020
Convention on Migratory
Species Intergovernmental Panel on
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
40. Various draft documents provide details
Additional input is very much appreciated
The Goals mapped to
the Aichi Targets
The Goals and the
Global Taxonomy Initiate
Implications for GBIF
Click to view them
* Note that the US has signed the Convention on Biological Diversity. It just has not ratified it. GBIF focus here. May move to a separate slide.
“ Biodiversity Informatics Instrument” is my term and not one established by GBIO authors.
The GBIO does include statements about providing the best possible spatial picture of biodiversity which does provide one perspective on direction. But this does not strike me as a specific target. Secondly, this is too narrow a focus and overlooks other key focal areas need to engage the informatics community in the broad sense. It would be a mistake to not incorporate other focal areas within a common infrastructure.
The Goals and the GBIO framework provide multiple axes for distinguishing different organizations and other collaborators. It nearly does self-assemble.
* Currently “We” is just me, David Remsen
One aspect of the GBIO as I understand it is the lack of a clear organizational process or mechanism. This is doubly difficult without some clear global targets to mobilize around.
* GBIF is also an implementer. Don’t mean to imply otherwise. But fundamentally GBIF was established to facilitate discovery and free and open access to data. Over the years GBIF has evolved into being seen as another organization, taking a slice of the demographic pie and competing with other organizations. This has had negative consequences. The Goals provide a new opportunity to take the lead as an enabler of a much more far-reaching set of activities than the GBIFS, which currently undertakes the majority of the work.
The Biodiversity Informatics Goals would provide clarity, an expanded scope, and a leadership role to GBIF. It would move to direct more of the collective activities within biodiversity informatics through a GBIF Node – instead of the array of haphazard national arrangements made today among ‘competing’ interests such as EoL, Catalogue of Life and others. This is currently counter-productive and due, in part, to the lack of a collective and coordinated national focus. It’s exacerbated by GBIFs restriction to primary biodiversity data which leads others to believe they need to develop their own infrastructure and establish their own ‘Nodes’
I have shared this with a few people including Cyndy Parr, Rod Page, David Patterson, Tim R and Markus.