“BiodivERsA Mapping of Biodiversity Research Infrastructures”
Europe boasts a diverse landscape of research infrastructures (RIs) dedicated to biodiversity and ecosystem services. These RIs, funded at various levels, offer valuable resources for researchers and initiatives like BiodivERsA. To effectively leverage these infrastructures and promote collaboration, a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities, accessibility, and potential integration is essential.
This report aims to:
- Inventory: Identify and analyze existing biodiversity research infrastructures in Europe.
- Accessibility: Assess the accessibility of these infrastructures to researchers, including factors like funding, geographic location, and administrative procedures.
- Integration: Explore opportunities for collaboration between biodiversity research infrastructures and the BiodivERsA framework.
- Gaps and challenges: Identify potential gaps in infrastructure, as well as barriers and opportunities for successful cooperation.
Key findings
- Diverse landscape: Europe has a wide range of biodiversity research infrastructures, including monitoring networks, data repositories, research facilities, and computing resources.
- Regional variations: Infrastructure development and accessibility vary significantly across European regions.
- Funding challenges: Many RIs face funding constraints, limiting their capacity and sustainability.
- Data sharing: While progress has been made, data sharing and standardisation remain challenges.
- Collaboration opportunities: There is significant potential for collaboration between RIs and BiodivERsA to enhance research impact.
Recommendations
- Infrastructure mapping: Develop a comprehensive inventory of biodiversity research infrastructures in Europe.
- Accessibility enhancement: Implement measures to improve accessibility, such as streamlining administrative procedures and providing financial support.
- Data sharing standards: Promote the adoption of standardised data formats and metadata to facilitate data exchange.
- Collaborative platforms: Establish collaborative platforms to connect researchers and foster knowledge sharing.
- Joint research initiatives: Encourage joint research projects between RIs and BiodivERsA to address pressing biodiversity challenges.
- Long-term funding: Secure long-term funding for biodiversity research infrastructure to ensure its sustainability.
By addressing these recommendations, Europe can strengthen its biodiversity research infrastructure and foster collaboration among researchers, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of biodiversity dynamics and supporting more effective conservation strategies.
