Providing a synoptic assessment of biodiversity change (providing a general view of the whole) Mark Stevenson May 2014

Contents 2 Consider why we collect and report on biodiversity change Consider the gaps in our ability to report on biodiversity change Pose some questions for discussion

Why do we report biodiversity change? Reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity –Aichi 12. Improved status of threatened species –Aichi 14. Ecosystems that provide essential services safeguarded –Aichi 15. Contribution to carbon stocks enhanced Reporting progress with domestic strategies and legislative commitments –Biodiversity 2020 outcome 3: an overall improvement in the status of our wildlife –Habitats and Birds Directive reporting Understanding the causes and consequences of change –Pressures on biodiversity –Consequences of change for delivery of services 3

Gaps in our capacity to report change 4 UK NEA (2011). Significant biodiversity loss has been documented in the UK over the last 50 years, but monitoring data for a number of biodiversity groups is poor, precluding an assessment of status and trends.

Questions If we want a more synoptic view of biodiversity change and understand the causes and consequences of that change then we need to: –Provide trends on a wider range of species Make more of the data we have; or Collect more data (Or we need to assure ourselves that what we can report on is representative of a wider range); and –Collect or collate additional environmental and socio-economic data that allows us to relate biodiversity change to pressures and ecosystem services 5

Questions Can we make more of the data we have? –Can we employ new analytical techniques to increase the range of species that can be reported? Or to say more about change in functional groups? If so, what should the priorities be? Can we improve our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem change, so that we can interpret our existing data better? Do we need a strategic framework for prioritising investment in monitoring and surveillance? If so, what would it look like and who should develop it? Do we need to better understand how change in one taxonomic or functional group is linked to another? Do we need to improve the collection of other environmental or socio-economic variables in our biodiversity monitoring? Can we collect new data? –What are the priorities for new data and why? Who should collect this data? Do we have to stop doing something else? –What new technology can be used? How can we gain a collective understanding of its potential? What is the role for Citizen Science? 6

Feedback 1. Who is already doing what to: –Make more of the data we have? –Improve our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem change, so that we can interpret our existing data better? –Collect new data? 2. What more could be done and by whom? 1-3 suggestions per question. 7