ocean biodiversity informatics (obi) 2004 marine biodiversity data – clearing house, data center...

Ocean Biodiversity Informatics (OBI) 2004

Marine Biodiversity Data – clearing house, data center or what?

Adi Kellermann(presented by Julie Gillin)

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)

Copenhagen



• BioDiversity (or BioDiv) is the term BioDiversity (or BioDiv) is the term applied to the variety of life on Earth applied to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it formsand the natural patterns it forms

• In scientific terms, it comprisesIn scientific terms, it comprises species species richness and abundance as parametersrichness and abundance as parameters

• In practical terms, it also includes the In practical terms, it also includes the diversity of habitats and landscapesdiversity of habitats and landscapes

• It is a truly interdisciplinary approach!It is a truly interdisciplinary approach!



• Some experts predict that up to two-thirds of all plant and animal species may be lost by the end of this century. Biologists generally believe that these losses represent a threat to Earth system functioning and the well-being of human societies.



• The Earth's biodiversity The Earth's biodiversity is a capital resource that is a capital resource that provides vital ecosystem provides vital ecosystem services, renewable services, renewable goods such as food, goods such as food, fuel, fiber and fuel, fiber and medicines, and the medicines, and the aesthetic, recreational aesthetic, recreational and cultural riches and cultural riches associated with nature.associated with nature.



Threats to biodiversityThreats to biodiversity- indiscriminate fishing- indiscriminate fishing

e.g. overfishing, non-selective fishing, e.g. overfishing, non-selective fishing, discards, ghost fishing, physical damagediscards, ghost fishing, physical damage

- pollutionpollution- climate change- climate change

(in the sense that biodiversity will be (in the sense that biodiversity will be alteredaltered))

- other indiscriminate human activitiesother indiscriminate human activitiese.g. tourism, industrial development, extractionse.g. tourism, industrial development, extractions

(oil spills; chronic contamination)(oil spills; chronic contamination)



• As one conservation effort, it is essential to transfer knowledge about biodiversity, its status, trends and links with societies from scientists to public and policy levels to support advice and awareness



• While biodiversity is on the retreat, the amount of information about it has increased significantly

• While this was confined to geophysics initially, other disciplines are becoming more involved (Brussels 2002)



What is needed for data access, sharing and What is needed for data access, sharing and dissemination?dissemination?

• Distributed data bases with common Distributed data bases with common management and access schemes?management and access schemes?

• Define the role of international organizations Define the role of international organizations such as ICES, IOC, FAO, CoML and OBIS, such as ICES, IOC, FAO, CoML and OBIS, GBIF and othersGBIF and others

• How to create and provide data bases on How to create and provide data bases on long-term and large-scale patterns as the long-term and large-scale patterns as the foundation for assessment and advice?foundation for assessment and advice?

ocean biodiversity informatics (obi) 2004 marine biodiversity data – clearing house, data center...

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