Summary Report
AP-BON Working Group at 8th GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium (GEOSS-AP)
The WG of AP-BON was held as one of working group of the parallel session of 8th GEOSS (GlobalEarth Observation System of Systems） Asia-Pacific Symposium.

Ⅰ. 8th GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium
Background and Objectives on 8th GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium are as follows:
The GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium is one important platform to further promote and advance
GEOSS work. The previous seven GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium had reinforced GEO’s impact
within this region by expanding the participation in the first Ten-year Implementation Plan of GEOSS.
With the increasing recognition to Earth Observation’s critical role in the benefits of the worldcommunity and the emerging trend of Earth Observation (EO) development within Asia-Pacific region,
it’s the first time to hold the 8th GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium in China, which would be hosted by
GEO Secretariat, China and Japan. Towards the next decade of GEOSS in Asia-Pacific Region, theSymposium will continue focusing on sharing Asia-Pacific’s experiences in the implementation ofGEOSS with the world, intensifying the multilateral cooperation within this region under GEOSS
framework, exploring potential needs and efforts to initiate new action plans for the fulfillment of theGEOSS principles. The symposium’s initial outcomes would be included in the new GEO WorkProgram.
The Symposium will further strength international networking within the region and support thepreparation of the next 10-year implementation plan in Asia-Pacific based on the initial findings byreviewing existing activities, initiatives, experiences and the needs for GEOSS development. Eachcountry will report on the progress made in implementing GEOSS since the last Asia-PacificSymposium in Japan. Parallel sessions are being organized which focus on the following topics:(Working Group)
WG1:
WG2:
WG3:
WG4:
WG5:
WG6:

(Topics)
Asia-Pacific Major Natural Disaster Monitoring
Asia-Pacific GEOSS Data Sharing and GCI Development
Agriculture and Food Security (GEOGLAM)
Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (AP-BON)
Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI)Global Carbon Monitoring1

Ⅱ. AP-BON (WG4)Date and Time

: 10 September, 2015 09:00-17:30

Venue: WG4 conference room, Tiantan Hotel Beijing,Tiyuguan Road, Chongwen District Beijing, China

Co-Chairs: Dr. Tetsukazu Yahara (Kyushu University, Japan)
Dr. Keping Ma (Chinese Academy of Science, China)
Dr. Sheila Vergana (ASEAN Center for Biodiversity，Philippines)

Participants： 35 participants from 9 countries and 1 international organization<Background and Objectives >Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems have been of increasing interest in
global societies. The failure of the 2010 biodiversity target, aiming at stopping biodiversity loss by2010, resulted in developing 20 new biodiversity targets agreed in CBD COP10, now called Aichi
Targets. This year (2015) is just a midway to achieve those targets by 2020. This year is also anotable year due to the following reasons. First, GEOSS 10-year implementation will end and new
implementation is now being planned for the next decade. Second, IPBES regional assessment has
started and approximately 100 biodiversity scientists of the Asia-Pacific region are invited to LeadAuthors. Considering those advances in CBD, GEOSS and IPBES, we are going to discuss thefollowing key issues of biodiversity observations in WG4.

<Summary of the Proceedings>
1. Opening session
1.1 Opening Address- Dr. Keping Ma (Sino BON, China)
He welcomed all the participants as a host, and declared the opening of WG4 AP-BON.
- Mr. Ryuji Nakayama (Biodiversity Center Japan, MOE, Japan)
At first, he expressed the appreciation for the corporation of holding the WG. The managementof biodiversity data is becoming more important for making the policy on biodiversity
conservation. It is significant to provide adequate biodiversity information for policy-makers tomake right decisions. We are here today to exchange views on the management of biodiversity
information including how AP-BON contributes to IPBES and GEOSS, as well as our majorachievements. In the end, he requested all the participants to clarify the new plan of AP-BON bynext meeting.
1.2 Introduction from Co-chairs of AP-BON- Dr. Tetsukazu Yahara (Kyushu University, Japan)- Dr. Sheila Vergana (ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, Philippines)- Dr. Eun-Shik Kim (Kookmin University, Korea)
22. Our major achievements in East Asia
2.1 Sino BON Structure and development
Dr. Keping Ma (Sino BON, China)
A careful consideration of biodiversity operation along with biodiversity informatics canproduce results far richer than considering the threads separately from one another. With thesupport of the Ministry of Science and Technology this project, started in 2003, has collected 12
million specimens of plants, animals and minerals. Based on IUCN criteria, an animal red list andhigher plants red list have also been officially released. The importance of digitizing information
to explore the impact of climate change on species is also stressed.
2.2 Mapping 3D vegetation structure for biodiversity and habitat
Dr. Qinghua Guo (Sino BON, China)
The speaker introduced three important aspects of ecology influenced by the 3D structure ofecosystems: species distributions and abundance; species behavior and patterns of predation risk;
and as the principal driver of diversity across different taxa. A series of case studies wereintroduced, including observing ecological diversity in the giant sequoia trees under changing
climate.
2.3 Satellite tracking-based bird monitoring in Asia Pacific: recent progresses and Sino BON
Dr. Lei Cao (Sino BON, China)
This study identifies the need for long-term tracking and marketing projects to understand thereason for declining populations, as well as identifying population trends and major distribution
sites of birds in Asia. The current national metrics show 114 new significant sites for water birds
mapped along with the 260 from IBA.
2.4 A Proposal on Insect Monitoring Network in Asia
Dr. Chaodong Zhu (Sino BON, China)
The speaker proposed the establishment of a network monitoring insect diversity in Asia tofocus especially on the effects of habitat fragmentation and insect species interaction and networks
and their functions or consequences. Additionally, the effects of climate change and plantherbivores and predators must also have been taken into consideration. Currently, there are over16 sampling methods, with data gathered by remote sensing, but it was strongly suggested thatsome data be gathered on the ground to verify the results from remote sensing.
2.5 Monitoring forest canopy biodiversity using airborne imaging spectroscopy and LiDAR at regional
scale
Dr. Yuan Zeng (Institute of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, CAS, China)
This presentation involves the intricate analysis of data which was collected at the Shennongjia
Forest Natural Reserve in the Hubei Province of China in 2013. The next step involves enlarging
the area of regional mapping of forest biodiversity.
2.6 K BON and now status
Dr. Chan-Ho PARK (K BON; NIBR, Korea)
The introduced the three working groups of K BON. The first group uses K BON monitoring
application to focus primarily on fieldwork by civil scientists. Working Group 2 is a researchergroup, developing a species distribution model from the advanced climate change. Working Group
3 is involved with international joint research and is currently training Japanese and Taiwanese3groups. The Working Groups are mainly targeting the adaption of climate change and invasive
aliens and monitoring other diversity changes.
2.7 Achievements and challenges of J BON
Dr. Reiichiro Ishii (J BON; RIHN, Japan)
The speaker characterized J BON as a network of researchers and NGO collaborating on research
activities in order to enhance biodiversity observation activities in Japan — a “network ofnetworks”. Strong connections with JAXA and NASA are also cited, as well as with otherinternational organizations. J BON members, it was emphasized, are not only working for theresearch of biodiversity itself but also working for the “other side” for the policymaking.
3. Our major achievements in South East Asia
3.1 Biodiversity Monitoring Initiatives in the ASEAN Region
Dr. Sheila Vergara (ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, Philippines)
This presentation was on the progress of biodiversity observation in the ASEAN regions,facilitating cooperation and coordination in biodiversity work among the ASEAN member states.
ACB’s projects include identifying areas where biodiversity observation has to happen; creating
databases; working on invasive alien species; and the creation of an E-Library of 11,000 research
articles from journals and publications, among other things.
3.2 Biodiversity Observation Network in Philippines- Not attended –3.3 Biodiversity Observation in the Tropical Rain Forest Indonesia
Dr. Dedy Darnaedi (Herbarium Bogoriense-LIPI, Indonesia)
This presentation took a historic look at the challenges facing researchers in Indonesia given thehuge area and diversity of ecosystem types. A collaborative project in Java with Women’s
University in Seoul resulted in a database of 3,800 plant types, with 70% identified.
Mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services to policymaker was emphasized
as forest cover loss, land degradation, forest fires, and species extinction continue in most islandsof Indonesia.
4. Our major achievements in Central and South Asia
4.1 Botanical Diversity Monitoring in Kazakhstan
Dr. Liliya Dimeyeva (Institute of Botany & Phytointroduction, Kazakhstan)The structure of Institute of Botany & Phytointroduction includes the main botanical garden,
branches to botanical gardens in different parts of Kazakhstan and a few laboratories. The mainfocus is on the development of plant collections in botanical garden, flora research, research ofvegetation, economic botany, introduction of plants, fruit breeding and genetic fund of wild relative
conservation, seed conservation and plant protection. In addition to a comprehensive analysis ofmedicinal flora and laboratory study on wild fruit selection, a seed gene bank for crop wild relatives
was also established. A research study was also done on the impact of climate change on highaltitude flora and vegetation in the Altai Mountains.
4.2 Earthquake impact on Nepal BON and recovery challenges
Dr. Mangal Man Shakya (Wildlife Watch Group, Nepal)

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The earthquake of 2015 took the lives of 9,000 people and the total economic loss was calculated
at $7 billion. The speaker described the species protection paradigm in Nepal shifting from a focus
on species to landscape, characterized by an emphasis on habitat and protected area managementfrom 1970-2000. Following the earthquake, the restoration of green enterprises and the systematic
impact assessment on the biodiversity are critically important. In addition to the Nepali government,
several neighboring countries and organizations are collaborating to assist in the recovery efforts.
4.3 Indian National programme on mapping plant resources of biorich areas of the country
Dr. Ganeshaiah K N (University of Agricultural Sciences, India)
The speaker identified four global biodiversity hotspots in India, shared with other countries,
which the government needs to map. The national program was launched with three goals: toquantify and map the populations of the plant resources; to develop region specific databases; anddevelop sustainable harvesting regimes for the entire country for these resources. The presenter
discussed in detail the results of the Team Western Ghats, the types of databases drawn up as wellas the discovery of a new form of plant life.
4.4 Biodiversity Monitoring in the SDG era: A Note from Bangladesh
Dr. Haseeb Md (IUCN, Bangladesh Country Office, Bangladesh)
Although only 150,000 square kilometers in size, Bangladesh is extremely diverse as pertains toplant and animal life, and has yet to complete a biodiversity inventory. The speaker reported thechallenges facing biodiversity conservation environmental management (including poverty andnatural disasters) and initiatives to monitor biodiversity and establish conservation projects.
Ecosystem-based inventory mapping and projects involving the local communities are being
initiated on an increasingly wide scale, providing new opportunities.
5. Contribution to the global activity of GEO
5.1 GEO BON and EBVs
Dr. Jörg Freyhof (GEO BON, Germany)
The speaker introduced outline of GEO BON and encourage more people who monitor
biodiversity to join GEO BON. He said that key question driving GEO BON are, what is changing,why it is changing and what is the impacts. He went on explaining the nature of EBV anddevelopment of EBVs. He provided a specific example of monitoring sparrows and emphasizes theimportance of EBV’s development in a global scale. He explained the current activities of BONs andloose connection between BONs and GEO BON and suggested a strategy to build more ideal
relationship between BONs and GEO BON from now on and introduced BON in a BOX as a usefultoolbox. Lastly he stressed the importance of BONs to share data and make information openly
accessible to GEO BON and explained that that will lead the products of BONs become moreglobally known and for BONs enabling to promote their products through GEO BON’s website.
5.2 Contribution to GEO Strategic Plan 2016-2025 and post GEOSS implementation
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (GEOSS IPWG; Gifu University, Japan)
The speaker mentioned the importance of communications among observation communities andstakeholders as well as the increase of the number of constant observation sites. The observations
need to focus on ecosystem functions and services. He also pointed out that it is important toanalyze and integrate the changes and scenarios to apply the results to biodiversity, includingagriculture. The users such as scientists, citizens and decision makers should collaborate andengage themselves to deal with the challenges of ecologic systems and biodiversity.

56. Contribution to the IPBES regional assessment
6.1 Advance in the IPBES regional assessment
Dr. Tetsukazu Yahara (Kyushu University, Japan)
The speaker explained the overall progress of IPBES Regional Assessment. He touched onfeatures, its challenges and its roll. He stressed that the concept of IBES is to assess not only
nature but also social ecology in relation to nature. He stated that there are many good authors andvery good data that can contribute to fill such a gap. However, he explained the fact that many ofthem were not published yet, and he proposed the need of additional publication that can be usefuland can be adopted by policy makers.
7. General discussion and Closing
Discussion
Dr. Ma: Regarding the project key items; eight (8) items, I’d like to proposed to delete the lastword i.e. “sustainability” of “the ecosystem sustainability”. Because “the services” is better
than “ecosystem sustainability”.
Dr. Yahara: Yes, I have questions to this. I have been discussing this thing with so many people.
The services are the key elements of the fraction or very important point if we focus on thebiodiversity and ecosystem. But we had achieved this solution that is to have biodiversity andecosystem sustainability. So, I have to say it is quite difficult to change the wording right know.
Closing
Dr. Tetsukazu Yahara and Dr. Keping Ma of co-chairs wrapped up each presentation of WG4
AP-BON today, and summarized as follows:Thank you very much for your comprehensive discussion and comment on this advance session.
Although it is not so easy to summarize this WG4 session and its progress, we think we made agreat progress since 2008/2009. Because when I first joined GEO and the biodiversity might not bea main stream of GEO at that time. After that, the program of biodiversity has got more and moresocial locations, and now, in the next strategic plan of GEO biodiversity, namely coming 10-year
implementation, it is quite important for us to make further efforts to go ahead with thebiodiversity issues. So, the secretary of Japan; Ministry of Environment Biodiversity Center istaking much stronger leadership and we should contribute to it globally.
Secondary, we have tried to make network certificates by the new product oriented approach. So,
we; Sino-BON already has published data in two volumes. Therefore, our activity is to put
importance to work together and to publish the data and researches. We need to collaborate todevelop relationship with others. In this sense, for example, there is a lot of division service inIndia.
Finally, getting funds for concept development by policy makers is very important as well as ourconcept of goal and working policy. The project to develop networks for data sharing anddata inter-linkage in Asia are very interesting science developments.
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