AOGEO Task Group 2:

Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network(APBON)
Co-chairs
Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University; NIES, Japan)
Runi Sylvester Pungga (Forest Department Sarawak, Malaysia)
Yongyut Trisurat (Kasetsart University, Thailand)

APBON is supported by the Ministry of the Environment Japan;
the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Japan;
National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES),
and all other voluntary contributions.

http://www.esabii.biodic.go.jp/ap-bon/index.html

APBON established in 2009
Mission
1. Contribution to sound decision making related to biodiversity conservation
based on scientific information
2. Facilitation of the utilization of existing biodiversity data
3. Coordination of a regional network
Activities
1. Monitoring changes of biodiversityüBiodiversity mappingüIdentification of key drivers
Land use change, Climate change
2. Networking of the observation networksüSharing information through thenetworks
3. Capacity building
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GEO BON, APBON and AP-MBON
APBON
Platform for regional cooperation and collaboration
Regional contribution to global actions

APBON

MBON and AP-MBON13th APBON Web Seminar
September 13, 2022
Objectives
1.

2.
3.

to review the recent research/engagement outcomes (2020-2022)
and discuss activity plan (2023-2025)
to discuss what and how do we strengthen the biodiversity
observation in our region
to discuss the engagement of broader community

Goals of this meetingp Sharing the collected ideas and information with the APBON to seek
further collaborative studies, outreach activities, etc.
p Planning collaborative publication (APBON book, Policy brief, etc.)
p Prepare inputs to the 15th AOGEO Symposium (28-30 September)

Program (Time in JST)
15:00
Welcome / Opening remarks
APBON Secretariat - Biodiversity Center of JapanAPBON Co-chairs
15:05

Outline of the meeting
Hiroyuki Muraoka

15:10

Session 1: Review the recent research/engagement outcomes(2020-2022) and discuss activity plan (2023-2025)

16:30

Session 2: Discuss what and how do we strengthen thebiodiversity observation in our region• Collaborative research• Integrative analysis of existing data/knowledge• Essential Biodiversity Variables• Link with satellite remote sensing

17:00

Session 3: discuss the engagement of broader community(academia, data-users, governments, etc.)

17:20

Wrap-up: Way forward(Moderator: Hiroyuki Muraoka)15th AOGEO Symposium
APBON Workshop
APBON Web seminar

17:30

Closing
APBON Co-chairs

APBON Work Plan update toward 2030
APBON’s missions
p Promoting interdisciplinary research and problem-solving approaches with fillingthe observational and knowledge gaps,
p Promoting data sharing and data accessibility through/by networks of theobservation networks,
p Delivering our information and knowledge to stakeholders and global platforms
Strategy
1. Biodiversity research and monitoringa. Monitoring states and changes of biodiversity
b. Filling gaps in data availabilityc. Increasing access to data (GBIF, ABCDNet, Data paper,OBIS)
d. Improving knowledge by using cutting-edge
technologies
2. Networking of networks
a. Networking of in-situ biodiversity/ecosystemmonitoring networks
b. Science-policy and science-society networks
3. Capacity buildinga. Training workshops (students, scientists, users)

Takeuchi & Muraoka et al. (2021)
Ecological Research

5Networking with observation and user communities
Spa!al scale/Observa!onGlobalRegional

Na!onalEarthobserva!onand others

Biodiversity
observa!on

KBAs and APBON
and others
Networking/Facilita!ngIUCN
and others
Regional assessmentBiodiversity datapla"orm

Takeuchi & Muraoka et al. (2021)
Ecological Research

Future Earthand others
Research & funds

ForestGEOand others
In-situ monitoringsite networks

ü Biodiversity data generated by AP-BON can be used toidentify KBAs
ü Provision of more accurate range and Suitable Habitat
Maps for species to help identify KBAs
ü KBAs provides a means of turning biodiversity data into
concrete conservation results at a national levelü AP-BON efforts can help monitor KBAs and their triggerelements
ü Professor Y. Trisurat (APBON co-chair) – KBA Community
Representative for Asia

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APBON Activity Highlights 2020-2022
Key outcome: APBON New Strategy Toward 2030 (published in Ecological Research, Jan. 2021)
TerrestrialFreshwater• Phenology research on forests in East and Southeast Asia
• Satellite remote sensing of biodiversity• Tropical forests and tree flowering• Himawari AHI satellite is useful for phenology observation• Mapping forest fragmentation / connectivity by satellite imagery forassessing integrity of forested landscape in Himalayan region in India• Impact assessment of climate change on biodiversity, species distribution• Knowledge for biodiversity conservation in cityscape and region• SATREPS project for biodiversity conservation in Sarawak, Malaysia• Mapping protected areas in the Hindu Kuch Himalaya• Collections of herbarium specimens (flora, fauna) in Sarawak.
• Systematic observation, data center and platform in SinoBON• EBV mapping project is under planning with EuropaBON• ‘Master site’ concept to connect in-situ and satellite obs. for biodiversityand ecosystem functions (e.g., carbon cycle)• 3D-model of various organisms for online electronic specimen database(ffishAsia/floraZia)• “Mekong integrated water resources management Phase III project” –Improved community fishery governance in Cambodia; Illegal fishing andthreats to the resource; Socioeconomic and food security benefits;
Resource management; Gender and ethnic minorities

Capacity development

Engagement / Networking• APBON web seminar series (13 times) and workshop• Monthly or bi-weekly seminars in China, ACB• Data management workshop• Training courses (biodiversity survey, new technologies)• Seminar series of MBON network

Coast & Marine• Online symposium on healthy oceans as UN Decade of Marine Science.
• Review and case study paper on genetic analysis of marine important
areas (EBSAs) for corals around Japan• Species level mapping of seagrass bed using UAV and deep learningtechnique• New pamphlet• GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility), OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity
Information System)• Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA)• CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

APBON Meetings (Webinar, Workshop)
13 September
2022

13th APBON Web seminar
Special meeting for the 15th AOGEO Symposium

8 July 2022

12th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Charlie D. Heatubun (Head of the Research & Development Agency,
Provincial Government of West Papua)
Dr. Nirunrut Pomoim (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plantconservation)

4 March 2022

11th APBON Web seminar (Special)
Understanding the role and potential of Other Effective Area-based
Conservation Measures (OECMs) in the Asia Pacific Region
Dr. Sunita Chaudhary (ICIMOD)
Dr. Madhu Rao (Chair, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas)
Dr. Ruchi Pant (Head – Biodiversity, Climate Change UNDP India)
Dr. Taku Kadoya (Head – Biodiversity Division, NIES, Japan)
Dr. Nakul Chettri (Regional Programme Manager – TransboundaryLandscapes, ICIMOD)
Ms. Cristina Lazaro (UNEP-WCMC)

8 July 2021

8th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Po Teen Lim (University of Malaya)
Dr. Chaodong Zhu (Chiese Academy of Sciednces)

27 May 2021

7th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Yuichi Kano (Kyushu University)
Dr. Asanee Kawtrakul (Kasetsart University)

25 February
2021

6th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Eun-Shik Kim (Kookmin University)
Dr. Tomoaki Miura (University of Hawaii, JAMSTEC)

22 January 2021

12th APBON Workshop

21 January 2021

5th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Bunthang Touch (Inland Fisheries Research and DevelopmentInstitute)
Dr. Chheang Dany (Forestry Administration, Cambodia)

10 December
2020

4th APBON Web seminar
Mr. Yao Tze Leong (Forest Research Institute Malaysia)
Dr. Takashi Hosono (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science andTechnology)

22 October 2020

3rd APBON Web seminar
Dr. Po Teen Lim (University of Malaya)Dr. Laetitia Navarro (GEO BON)

23 December
2021

10th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Tetsukazu Yahara (Kyushu University)
Dr. Ai Nagahama (Kyushu University)

10-12
November 2021

14th Asia-Oceania Group on Earth Observations Symposium

19 October
2021

13th APBON Workshop
Scoping collaborative work plan of APBON in the next ca. 4 years(~2025), which is the first half of APBON’s strategic plan toward 2030.

27 August 2020

2nd APBON Web seminar
Dr. Alice Hughes (Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden)
Dr. Yuichi Kano (Kyushu University)

30 September
2021

9th APBON Web seminar
Dr. Alice Hughes (Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese
Academy of Sciences)
Dr. Angela Quiros (Akkeshi Marine Station, Field Science Center for
Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University)

6−10 July 2020

GEO BON Open Science Conference & All Hands Meeting

29 June 2020

Kick-off Meeting | 1st APBON Web seminar
Dr. Yongyut Trisurat (Kasetsart University)
Dr. Sheila Vergara (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity)

APBON Activity Highlights 2020-2022

Master site concept to link in-situ and satellite obs.

Findings by APBON

Issues in biodiversity/ecosystem and needs of research
Terrestrial

Freshwater

Coast & Marine• Nature-based solutions to global climatechange mitigation and adaptation• Possible tradeoff in infrastructure for carbon
neutrality and biodiversity• Forest landscape integrity is key forbiodiversity conservation and ecosystem
functions, services• Valuable ecosystems such as peatlands,
rangeland and wetlands are degrading withclimate crisis. Climate change-induced impacts
on biodiversity assessment is urgent• More research to be carried out on carbon,
issues relevant to climate change andaddressing the SDGs.

• Understanding the implications of water
infrastructure development and climatechange on fish yield and welfare value inCambodia• Impacts of illegal fishing, environmental
change, population growth, hydropower dams
on fish biodiversity in Cambodia• Projects in response to the UN Decade ofMarine Science (deep sea, seagrass andmangrove mapping, pole to pole biodiversity)• Decline of seaweed bed due to climate andplant eaters is an emerging threat.
• Sudden red tine in Hokkaido

APBON – Plan for 2023-2025
Strengthening observations and proceeding data
sharing to respond national, regional and global needs

Stakeholder engagement, and contribution to national,
regional and global efforts• Continuing observations of biodiversity and ecosystems for assessing
status and changes under environmental changes• Phenology and carbon cycle as the interface of biodiversity andclimate change issues• eDNA and high throughput DNA sequencing for species identificationand monitoring for national and regional scale• High resolution satellite data are key for biodiversity indicators andmetrics, assessing impacts of climate and land use change• Verification and implementation of Essential Biodiversity Variables
are key for continuous observations• Assimilating observations across scales (e.g., from laboratory, in-situ
field to remote sensing, and modeling).
• Master site concept to enable multi-disciplinary and multi-platform
observations.

• Governments, private sectors, citizens, next generation• Academia, earth observation institutions, citizen science• Translating and digitizing data/knowledge in local language to
English for rescuing historical local data, and comprehensive, fairassessment and conservation of biodiversity and Nature’s contribution
to people (e.g., resources, cultures, etc.) in the Asia-Oceania region• Development of networks within countries (à National BONs),regional and global.

Capacity development and Youth engagement

Cooperative, coordinated action plans• Encouragement and support the education / training / meeting /workshop opportunity• More academia and youth networks from the region and beyond
APBON is expected

Climate change x Biodiversity• Sustainable Development Goals (6, 12, 13, 14, 15)• CBD Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework• Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)• Coordination and cooperation among all relevant stakeholders• Sustainable mobilize resources to achieve long term plans• Joint research implementation and publications• Cooperation with AOGEO

Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Connecting in-situ and satellite obs. and modeling

Cooperation with AOGEO for multidisciplinary observations and assessment, youth and stakeholder engagement

For more information of APBON
http://www.esabii.biodic.go.jp/ap-bon/index.html
APBON on-line seminars
http://www.esabii.biodic.go.jp/ap-bon/meetings/index.html
APBON Secretariat:
Biodiversity Center of Japan, MoE-J

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