1st Meeting of the UK Biodiversity Indicators Forum
On Monday 4th March 2002 the first UK Biodiversity Indicators
Forum was held at the offices of the Joint Nature Conservation
Committee (JNCC) in Peterborough.
The purpose of the Forum was to enable exchange of experience
in the development and use of biodiversity indicators in the UK at
a range of scales and within a variety of sectors.
The meeting was arranged by Just Ecology on behalf of Defra,
with support from the JNCC, English Nature and Scottish Natural
Heritage, on behalf of the Biodiversity Information Group (a
sub-group of the UK Biodiversity Partnership). A wide range of
government agencies and non-governmental organisations
attended.
Presentations on biodiversity indicators were given. They
covered a variety of topics, ranging from sectoral issues such as
climate change and agriculture through to the use and development
of indicators at local, national and European levels. Open
discussions were held at the end of each presentation
session.
The main themes emerging from the Forum presentations and
discussions were:
- A large number of biodiversity indicators are in existence or
being developed, covering a wide variety of sectors and relevant at
a range of scales.
- Indicators serve many purposes, leading to debate about whether
indicators should be policy-driven, data-driven or
process-driven.
- The UK was considered to be doing relatively well in the field
of biodiversity indicator development, but needs to maintain an
overview so that comparisons can be made with European and
international counterparts.
- It would be valuable for the UK to continue to share its
experience with indicator development internationally.
- Gaps in data exist, including for invertebrates, genetic
diversity, marine species, linking diversity with climate change
and capturing regional/local diversity. There is also a need for
further scientific research, as well as work to address the problem
of differences in data between countries and the current lack of
public awareness about biodiversity.
- There is a need for increased co-ordination of efforts in
indicator development, including awareness-raising, experience
sharing, improving data collection, increasing access to data and
tackling common problems. A twin-track approach was recommended,
whereby we use what data and indicators we have while continuing to
develop new and better approaches.
- Indicators should be simple, transparent yet meaningful,
enabling common messages to be given, but without resorting to a
rigid framework.
A UK Biodiversity Indicators Forum was considered useful and
could have a number of functions: to undertake periodic reviews and
facilitate information exchange; to establish, maintain and
disseminate a list of contacts; to identify topics requiring more
co-ordinated efforts; to develop and promulgate best practice and
standards; and to create and maintain an internet hub for linking
initiatives.