The Global Biodiversity Information Facility And Africa Rising

Fatima Parker-Allie and Russell Galt

3 June 2015

Overview• GBIF Update

• Participation and GBIF by Numbers

• GBIF Data• Portal• Data Use Cases• Draft Priorities for

2017-2021• GBIO

• Africa Rising Conference

Map of GBIF Country Participants

03 MAR 2015

parti

cipa

tion

1. Advance the Informatics InfrastructureExpand infrastructure, Improve standards , tools and interoperability

2. Advance the Digital ContentQuantity: Fill the data gaps, Quality: Enhance fitness-for-useUse: Measure data impact

3. Advance the EngagementStrengthen engagement and capacity, Recruit countries and partners

For more Information:VertNet, Canadensis, and Hagedorn G. 2011SA Perspective - BIMPF

• Used more than 20m records via GBIF for 884 species on Global Invasive Species Database (GISD)

• Modelled likely invasion success for South Africa based on environmental suitability, propagule pressure

• Identified watch list of 400 potential invaders • Methodology applicable to any region

Data Use Cases

Use citations, by country of authors

04 MAY 2015

rese

arch

use

Total 2015

Number of research publications from January to April 2015 citing use of GBIF-mediated data, ranked by country according to affiliation of author. Top ten countries shown.

Apr 2015 Apr 2015

Number of research publications in April 2015 citing use of GBIF-mediated data, ranked by country according to affiliation of author. Top seven countries shown.

1. United States 46 5. Australia 10

2. United Kingdom 23 5. China 10

3. Mexico 15 6. Colombia 8

4. Germany 14 6. Brazil 8

5. Belgium 10 7. France 7

1. United States 14 4. Spain 4

2. United Kingdom 11 5. France 3

3. Germany 5 5. Italy 3

3. Mexico 5

Build Queries, Download Content

Increase in the number of records DownloadableEnhanced filtering options

You can search the species mobilised through checklists

OPPORTUNITIES

Draft Priorities for 2017-2021

Draft Priorities for 2017-2021

1. Deliver relevant dataEnsure that GBIF delivers data in the form and completeness required to meet the highest priorityneeds of science and, through science, society.• a) Engage expert communities (taxonomists, researchers, etc)• b) Deliver well-organized and validated data to support key applications (CBD, IPBES, GEO BON and IUCN)

2. Improve data qualityEnsure that all data within the GBIF network are of the highest-possible quality and associated with clear indicators enabling users to assess their origin, relevance and usefulness for any application.• a) Enhance automated data validation• b) Implement tools for expert curation• c) Provide clear quality indicators for all data (metrics for downloaded datasets)

3. Fill data gapsPrioritize and promote mobilization of new data resources which combine with existing resources to maximize the coverage, completeness and resolution of data accessible through GBIF, particularly with respect to taxonomy, geography and time.• a) Expand checklists to cover all taxonomic groups• b) Identify and prioritize gaps in spatial and temporal data• c) Engage institutions and researchers with complementary data (all streams and industrial scale)

Draft Priorities for 2017-2021

4. Organize biodiversity knowledgeProvide leadership, expertise and tools to support the integration of all biodiversity information as an interconnected digital knowledgebase.• a) Coordinate vision & strengthen partnerships with major biodiversity informatics initiatives (shared

architecture, interoperable infrastructure )• b) Promote standardization and common mechanisms for exchange of biodiversity data (TDWG)• c) Provide stable and persistent data infrastructure to support research

5. Empower global networkEnsure that governments, researchers and other stakeholders are equipped and supported to share, improve and use data through the GBIF network, regardless of geography, language or institutional affiliation.• a) Remove barriers to participation• b) Address capacity needs• c) Internationalize tools and services

GBIF 15

Oct 2008 July 2010 March 2011 Sept 2011

Planning meetingIn Kenya

(Identification of an Action Plan)

ACM meeting in South Africa

2nd Regional meeting in

South Africa

July 2012

3rd Regional meeting, RwandaARCOS

4th Regional meeting in

South Africa

1st Regional MeetingUganda

June 2010

5th Regional meeting in

Cotonou, Benin

April 2013 July 2014

GBIF Africa Regional Engagement

MOBILISING AFRICA’S POLICY RELEVANT BIODIVERSITY DATA

Russell Galt – Project Coordinator

Mobilizing Africa’s policy and decision-making relevant biodiversity data

• Develop a strategy for data mobilization• Enhance regional capacity• Strengthen regional engagement

Donor: JRS Biodiversity FoundationTimeframe: October 2013 to August 2015 (22 months)

Biodiversity data can help to address Africa’s policy conundrums

Biodiversity data is essential for effective policymaking

PUBLIC HEALT

H

Pathogens & disease vectors

Aquatic bio-indicators

Marine phytoplankton

Urban vegetatio

n

Medicinal plants

FOOD SECURIT

Y

Pollinators

GMOs

Crops

Wild land races

Pests & disease

s

Fisheries

Bush meat

ENERGY

Birds and bats at risk of

collision

Biofuel crops

Traditional fuel e.g. certain tree species

Catadromous and anadromous fish

Endangered species and habitats to inform planning

ECONOMY

Timber

Non-timber forest products

Cash crops

Fish stocks

Medicinal plants

Bioprospecting subjects

Pet tradeTOURIS

M

Large charismatic megafauna

Aesthetic plants

Urban vegetation

Iconic species & habitats

Disease vectors & pathogens

Recreational sport fish

Data-science-policy value chain

Identify priority group

Data capture

Data publishing

Data use via research

Knowledge generation

Policy making

Without data, convictions triumph over evidence

Digitize

Objectives:i) Raise awareness of biodiversity data for sustainable developmentii) Showcase relevant tools, resources & learning networksiii) Compile regional plan of action & proclaim a declaration

What do we need to do?

Vision

Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3 Goal 4

Objective Objective

Priority action Priority action

Project conceptConsortiumFunding opportunitiesRelevant / related initiates

Plan of Action

Declaration on Biodiversity Information for Sustainable Devlopment in Africa

Developing a Plan of Action

VisionWe hereby declare our vision for 2030 as:

A world in which biodiversity information contributes fully to

sustainable development in Africa

Goals

• Evidence-based decision-making supported by coordinated science-policy dialogue within and outside the biodiversity sector;

• Capacity building across the information value chain to empower stakeholders to produce & make accessible accurate biodiversity data for sustainable development;

• Mobilize & make openly accessible relevant biodiversity data to support education, research and decision-making for sustainable development;

• Leverage sustained funding.

Objectives, priority actions, projects, consortia

Declaration

Available at: http://biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org/participation/mobilising-africas-biodiversity-data/africa-rising-march-2015-cape-town/

Launch of…

2015 CALL FOR PROPOSALS• €900,000 in grants

planned (€2.3 million in 4 rounds)

• Three categories• National grants

≤ €60,000 per consortium

• Consortium grants ≤ €20,000 per partner

• Small grants ≤ €5,000

Presenter

Project Coordinator: Russell Galt (r.galt@sanbi.org.za)

Project website: https://biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org