“Guide on harmonising biodiversity monitoring protocols across scales”
Biodiversa+, along with EuropaBON and other large-scale initiatives, aims to harmonise biodiversity monitoring protocols and integrate biodiversity information across various conservation efforts.
A review of existing transnational monitoring programs was conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity monitoring process, from data collection to information output. Stakeholder consultations and a workshop on harmonisation strategies further enriched the analysis. The results of these efforts are presented in this document as general guidance for future applications.
The guide introduces key concepts and approaches without delving into all technical details, aiding stakeholders in harmonising biodiversity monitoring across different territories and scales. The proposed harmonisation framework aims to align diverse stakeholders’ interests and establish a network to facilitate collaboration, data sharing, and effective biodiversity monitoring across scales. It emphasizes the importance of international collaboration, a multiscale approach, and addressing the challenges posed by diverse national traditions and gaps in current monitoring efforts.
Key recommendations include:
- Protocol flexibility: Tailor monitoring protocols to specific contexts, considering existing schemes, coverage gaps, and available resources. Adapt existing protocols or harmonise minimum standards to streamline efforts and promote compatibility.
- Parallel data workflow: Implement a parallel approach to data sharing, involving both raw datasets and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), to offer flexibility, broader insights, and address data compatibility concerns.
- Common frameworks: Build common frameworks among monitoring communities, focusing on transversal components like sampling design, protocol standardisation, data transformation, validation, and curation to ensure interoperability and high-quality results.
- Inter-community collaboration: Establish inter-community technical expert groups to work on specificities and minimum requirements for integrating and harmonising monitoring results across communities.
