WG2: Asia-Pacific Biodiversity
Observation Network (APBON)

Achievements and lessons
learned from APBON Activities:
Toward developing a broader networkof biodiversity and ecosystem observations

Session 01:
Overview ofRegional andNational BONs

APBON
Plan

Session 03:
Development of broader
observation network

Session 02:
GEO Strategic Plan
2016 – 2025 and
GEO Work
Programme 20172019

Session 04:
Towards broader
engagement ofobservation and usercommunities

Increase
Access toData
PromoteData
Sharing

APBON
Publications

Monitor
Changes in
BiodiversityandEcosystems

Fill gaps indata
availabilityRecommendations fromAPBON 08
Networkobservation
sites

Support toGlobalPlatforms

Progress and recommendations
from which to build on
1. Some BONs are operational at the national and sub-regional levels but
there is need to organize more National BONs and organize a network ofBONs facilitated by GEOBON
2. Training courses available through GBIF as funded by BIFA; need to expand
to other areas (other parts of Asia and Pacific)
3. Threats to biodiversity identified• Drivers of Biodiversity Loss
• Drivers of Mangrove Loss
• Drivers of wetland loss
• Anthropogenic actions that hamper achievement of SDGs identified
4. Biodiversity databases established through various accessible platforms
such as GBIF, ABCDNET, National CHMs and the ASEAN CHM. Related
databases specific to certain taxa have also been establishedProgress and recommendations
from which to build on
4.

Data shared have been used to:
Monitor amphibians, reptiles, inland water fish, insects, soil animal andmicrobes aiversity, and to conduct long term monitoring such as ILTER
Contribute to global data holdings including such as CForBio
Increase data paper publications
Populate databases, contribute to regional platforms such as the ABCDNet,
GBIF and prepare distribution maps
Analyze projects that answer specific questions
Conduct surveys and Prepare assessments (eg regional mangrove assessment)
Develop models to predict CC impacts, DRR, inform decision making andprepare ecosystem service evaluation
Develop policies and guidelines

5.

Technology is available
Large coverage high resolution observation technology
Forest Crane, Drones and LIDAR that facilitate assessments in various ecosystems

APBON and Biodiversity Observations
1. Continue to hold dialogues to exchange biodiversity
information, improve access to technology and improve theutility of shared data
2. Continue to encourage the organization of National BONs,
network of BONs facilitated by GEOBON
3. Promote coordinated and integrated observations in eachcountry
4. a. Access support for training courses and collaborate with GBIF
in improving skill development for data archiving.
b. cultivate a culture of data sharing
4. Maintain data platforms established through GBIF, ABCDNET,
and related other databases

APBON and Networking• Promote the communication and collaboration among
biodiversity monitoring networks, initiatives and associatenetworks• Acknowledge the difference in approaches, methods and thedifficulty of standardizing methods and– work towards deriving solutions to certain science
questions from which common goals and indicators can be
identified– encourage the participation of researchers working invarious ecosystems and for them to engage in discussions
and collaboration in joint publications of data papers

Recommendations from APBON 08

PromoteData
Sharing
CultureAPBON
Publications

Increase
Access to
Data

Monitor
Changes in
BiodiversityandEcosystems

Fill gaps indata
availability

Networkobservation
sites

Support toGlobalPlatforms

Recommendations from APBON 09
Increase
Access toData
PromoteData
Sharing

APBON
Publications

Monitor
Changes in
Biodiversity
andEcosystems

Fill gaps indata
availability

Networkobservation
sites

Support to
GlobalPlatforms

Establish
National,
ThematicandRegional
BONS
Derivesolutions torelevantsciencequestions
Promotecoordinated& integrated
observations
in eachcountry

Facilitate
data &informationdelivery to

stakeholders

Continuous
capacitybuilding

Recommendations from APBON 09
Increase
Access toData
PromoteData
Sharing

APBON
Publications

Monitor
Changes in
Biodiversity
andEcosystems

Fill gaps indataavailability

Maintain
dataplatforms
Networkobservation
sites

Support toGlobalPlatforms

Derivesolutions torelevantsciencequestions
CommuniCation andcollaboration among
BONs

Facilitate
networking
among
Young BON
scientists

Jointpublicationsof datapapersAPBON will
Promote data sharing to increase access to biodiversity
related information that will enable the effective monitoring ofchanges in biodiversity and ecosystems. Gaps in available
information will be addressed by improving collaboration
among researchers in observation sites, designing incentives fordata publications and deriving solutions to relevant science
questions. APBON sees the need to improve communicationand collaboration among BONs, to identify more national,
thematic and regional BONs and to reach out to other parts ofAsia and the Pacific. The future of APBON relies on theparticipation of young scientists and will thus endeavor toengage them in participating in deriving solutions toconservation issues and in preparing joint publications.

WG2: Asia-Pacific Biodiversity
Observation Network (APBON)

Thank you

APBON
2. Reaffirm the importance of evidence-based
data and knowledge in sound decision – making,policies and actions towards realizing the SDGs.
These can be done through interdisciplinary
coordination, capacity building, long-term in situ
observations, large coverage high resolution
observation technology in the context of an
operational data sharing culture.

Promote Data Sharing





Promote Data Standards and Data tools (standard,system, service, infrastructure)
Cultivate a data sharing culture
Provide incentives for data paper publications
Develop a mechanism on how to deliver ILTER
results at the regional level
Include data sharing as an objective of datacollection

Increase Access to Data


Organize and publish Metadata
Address data management issues with peers (metadata, semanticannotation)
Promote publishing data from research (with a set time limitation)
Publish data papers (e.g. data collected from PAs)
Collaborate on organizing fish sounds data
Multi stakeholder approach to address information gaps building on
databases such as FishBase
Develop APBON as a platform that accesses and analyzes data online
without the traditional downloading of information
Develop an Asian Tree Database
Develop checklists, specimen images, collaboration on taxonomy,
Capacity Building, data summaries (counts, threat status, hot spots)

Fill gaps in data availabilityComplete biodiversity data in selected sites througha) camera trapsb) soundscape monitoring andc) UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems)

Support ILTER sites monitoring as well as lakes within the ILTER and sites outsideof ILTER sites as necessaryUse citizen science to record soundsCollaboration with FishBase on particular sitesLong-term biodiversity researchWork on animal migration



Relate research work to genetics

Work in the context of RRR (reserves, research and restoration)

Monitoring Biodiversity / Ecosystems

Lowland tropical forests are one of the most vulnerable
ecosystems and have not benefitted from long termmonitoring related to climate change. Recommend
understanding changes in tropical lowland forests.
Increase capacity at the park / PA level (e.g. for staff to know
how to curate survey data collected; familiarize on othermethods eg sound, etc. )Address large scale questions when developing databases
Develop supersites (link in situ and satellite observations)
Collaborate on developing novel sensors / satellites for biodiversity
observation
Make non traditional information available (e.g. sound data) tomonitor long term trends in biodiversity changes

Support to Global PlatformsContribute to IPBES
Map APBON and ILTER activities toGlobal deliverables and commitments
Contribute to CBD (SBSTTA, SBI)CITES, CMS, EAAFP, RAMSAR, Others

Networking Improve synergy / collaborations
 Incorporating APBON sites to ILTER network Collaborate with new GEO Structure, link data with satellite data Collaboration with IUCN Collaborate with networks to address larger scale questions (work withavailable data) Define links with new GEO BON structure Contribute data to GBIF / Strengthen GBIF Utilize data observation network for earth (DataONE) ABCD Net?
 FishBase: Information Sharing, FeedBack, Review and validation of information
 For FishBase – join a Network of Networks such as the GLEON (Global Lake
Ecological Observatory Network) ; Develop means to link data online
 Work with IT people to increase efficiency of data analysis