GEO Work Plan Symposium 2011 Task DS – 13 Global Ecosystems Monitoring

GEO WORK PLAN 1 INFRASTRUCTURE IN-01 GEOSS COMMON INFRASTRUCTURE IN-02 EARTH OBSERVING SYSTEMS IN-03 EARTH DATA SETS IN-04 GEOSS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS IN-05 GAP ANALYSIS 2 INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT ID-01 DATA SHARING ID-02 CATALYZING RESOURCES FOR GEOSS IMPLEMENTATION ID-03 DEVELOPING INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY ID-04 BUILDING COMMUNITIES AND INCREASING AWARENESS ID-05 ENSURING GEOSS SUSTAINABILITY 3 INFORMATION SERVICES DS-01 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND EARLY WARNING DS-02 HIGH-IMPACT WEATHER FORECASTING DS-03 CLIMATE INFORMATION DS-04 OCEAN MONITORING, FORECASTING AND RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DS-05 INTEGRATED WATER-CYCLE INFORMATION DS-06 DISEASE EARLY WARNING DS-07 ENERGY AND GEO-RESOURCES MANAGEMENT DS-08 HUMAN IMPACT MONITORING AND FORECASTING DS-09 GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL MONITORING AND EARLY WARNING DS-10 GLOBAL LAND COVER DS-11 GLOBAL FOREST OBSERVATION DS-12 GLOBAL CARBON OBSERVATION AND ANALYSIS DS-13 GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM MONITORING DS-14 GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY OBSERVATION (GEO BON)

DS-13 Global Ecosystem Monitoring v0 Target (Accepted): Establish, in conjunction with a comprehensive biodiversity observation network, a wide-ranging monitoring capability for all ecosystems and the human impacts on them, to improve the assessment, protection and sustainable management of terrestrial, coastal and marine resources and the delivery of associated ecosystem services. …

DS-13 Global Ecosystem Monitoring v0 Task Definition: Implement a global standardized ecosystem classification system and map as a basis for worldwide inventory, assessment and monitoring. Implement a global, standardized inventory of major ecosystems and the protected areas within them. Increase the operational monitoring of major ecosystems on land on an annual basis, including properties such as land cover type; species composition; vegetation structure, height and age; net ecosystem productivity; and biomass and carbon estimates of vegetation and soils based on remote sensing and sampled in- situ observations using internationally agreed standards (Ecosystems Strategic Target). Develop quantitative measurements of global and regional desertification (Agriculture Strategic Target). …

DS-13 Global Ecosystem Monitoring v1 Task Definition (proposed): Implement a global standardized ecosystem classification system, map, and inventory as a basis for worldwide ecosystems assessment and monitoring. Characterize the representation of ecosystems in global protected areas and identify gaps in the protection of global ecosystems. Increase the operational monitoring on a regular basis of key ecosystems to identify changes in ecosystem extent, condition, structure, function, composition and delivery of ecosystem services.

DS-13 Global Ecosystem Monitoring v0 Deliverables (Accepted with minor editorial modifications): Global standardized and multiscalar ecosystem classifications, maps, and inventories, including robust characterizations of ecosystems in protected areas. To be implemented in connection with DS-14 (Global Biodiversity Observation). Operational monitoring of key ecosystems including drylands and wetlands. To be implemented in connection with DS-10 (Global Land-Cover), DS-11 (Global Forest Observation), DS- 12 (Global Carbon Observation and Analysis) and DS-14 (Global Biodiversity Observation). Ecosystem services monitoring framework– see also DS-14 (Global Biodiversity Observation)

Deliverable 1 Global standardized and multiscalar ecosystem classifications, maps, and inventories, including robust characterizations of ecosystems in protected areas. To be implemented in connection with DS-14 (Global Biodiversity Observation). Activity 1: Develop a standardized, robust, and practical global ecosystems classification and map at management-appropriate scales for the planets terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems (continuation of EC-09-01a). Priority Actions Complete Australia, China, Europe regions Initiate collaborations for Indonesia, Central/South Asia, Mexico/Central America/Caribbean, and Canada Secure funding for above Leads: USGS, Regional Bodies Performance Indicators: Global map complete and available

Deliverable 1 (continued) Activity 2: Implement a global gap analysis of the representation of ecosystems in protected areas. Priority Actions Complete global ecosystem classification and map Secure funding for above Obtain comprehensive global protected areas data Leads: USGS, WCMC, Regional Bodies Performance Indicators: Global ecosystems gap analysis complete and available.

Deliverable 2 Operational monitoring of key ecosystems including drylands and wetlands. To be implemented in connection with DS-10 (Global Land-Cover), DS-11 (Global Forest Observation), DS-12 (Global Carbon Observation and Analysis) and DS- 14 (GEO BON). Activity 3: For key ecosystems (e.g. moist forests, dry forests, Arctic ecosystems, wetlands, mountains, Mediterranean ecosystems, etc.) develop and initiate an operational monitoring program to assess changes in, for example, ecosystem extent, condition, structure, function, composition, and delivery of ecosystem services. Priority Actions: Identify leads, secure funding for implementation Leads to date: Forest ecosystems - FAO Arctic ecosystems – Canada and Arctic Nations Co- leads TBD Mountain ecosystems – EvK2CNR Committee (SHARE) (This is a continuation of EC-09-02d) Performance Indicators: TBD – activity and status metrics

Deliverable 3 Ecosystem services monitoring framework – see also DS-14 (Global Biodiversity Observation) Activity 4: Develop a conceptual framework and program design for using earth observations to monitor the production and delivery of ecosystem goods and services from ecosystems to consumers as a potential model for global implementation. Priority Actions: –Identify ecosystem service types to be assessed –Identify spatial analytical unit and resolution for ecosystem services accounting and monitoring –Identify protocols and methods for operational monitoring of ecosystems services Leads: Canada and Co-lead TBD Performance Indicators: EOESI (Earth Observation Ecosystem Services Initiative) has produced a design concept for building a program to be used for national reporting/monitoring of ecosystem services

Task DS 13 – Global Ecosystems Monitoring Summary of Activities Activity 1: Develop a standardized, robust, and practical global ecosystems classification and map at management-appropriate scales for the planets terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems (continuation of EC-09-01a). Activity 2: Implement a global gap analysis of the representation of ecosystems in protected areas Activity 3: For key ecosystems (e.g. moist forests, dry forests, Arctic ecosystems, wetlands, mountains, Mediterranean ecosystems, etc.) develop and initiate an operational monitoring program to assess changes in, for example, ecosystem extent, condition, structure, function, composition, and delivery of ecosystem services. Activity 4: Develop a conceptual framework and program design for using earth observations to monitor the production and delivery of ecosystem goods and services from ecosystems to consumers as a potential model for global implementation.

Related Work Plan Progress (based on input/slides from participants)

Related Work Plan Progress (based on input/slides from participants) TASK-EC-09-02D: Vulnerability of Mountain Regions Implement the SHARE - Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment - monitoring network. Provide high-quality, long-term climatic and environmental data on mountain regions (concerning atmospheric composition and meteorology, glaciology and hydrology) for the scientific community and decision-makers. Valentina Carminati, Ev-K2-CNR Committee, Italy Elisa Vuillermoz, Ev-K2-CNR, Task Lead (PoC), Paolo Bonasoni and Angela Marinoni, CNR-ISAC & Ev-K2-CNR Committee Gianni Tartari CNR-IRSA & CEOP-HE

Related Sub-tasks AR-09-03b) Legacy of the International Polar Year EC-09-01a) Ecosystem Classification and Mapping EC-09-01b) Ecosystem Monitoring EC-09-01c) Regional Networks for Ecosystems EC-09-01d) Protected Areas Assessment and Monitoring EC-09-01e) Forest Mapping and Change Monitoring EC-09-02d) Vulnerability of Mountain Regions BI-09-01a) Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON)

Inclusion of New Proposals Earth Observation Ecosystem Services Initiative (EOESI) – Canada and other Co-leads TBD Arctic Ecosystem Monitoring (AEM) – Canada and other Co- leads TBD Coordination of Urban Observations, Monitoring, Assessment, and Modeling Initiatives – USA (Indiana State University)

Resources Available for Implementation (current status and in planning) …not discussed

Issues and Gaps Funding sources need to be identified. While the global ecosystem mapping work has been very closely linked to and incorporated in the GEO Biodiversity Information Network (GEO BON), a larger, single Global Ecosystems Monitoring community of practice has not been developed. At present, only three major terrestrial ecosystem types (Arctic, mountains, and forests) are being monitored or are planned for monitoring.

Possible Measures to fill Gaps Establish a Global Ecosystem Monitoring Community of Practice to engage relevant stakeholders. Identify a champion to provide the advocacy, communication, and network building skills to develop the CoP. Follow GEO guidelines for convening the CoP and registering the CoP as a GEO- affiliated body with GEO web resources. Develop an initially ad hoc governance mechanism, including a DS-13 GEO ECO Steering Committee, for the Task. Ensure representation on the GEO ECO SC from the GEO BON SC

Open for Plenary Discussion Identify Synergies Improve Cross-Fertilization Identify Measures and Actions to Fill Gaps