Fatima Parker-Allie 28 October 2014 Overview SANBI Background and - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Biodiversity Information Management at SANBI Mobilising Biodiversity Information in Support of Science and Policy Fatima Parker-Allie 28 October 2014

Overview • SANBI Background and Value Chain • SABIF • Capacity Development • Regional Engagement • Data Mobilization • Informatics Platforms

SANBI Background • The South African National Biodiversity Institute was established under the National Environmental Management Act, No. 10 of 2004. This act places a strong responsibility on SANBI to monitor and report to the Minister on (and amongst others), – the status of the Republic’s biodiversity; – the status of all listed invasive species; – the conservation of all listed and threatened or protected species; – the coordination and promotion of the taxonomy of South Africa’s biodiversity • One of SANBI’s very clear mandates are to “Collect, generate, process, coordinate and disseminate information about biodiversity and sustainable use of indigenous biological resources and maintain databases” . • As a knowledge-based organisation, biodiversity information is the key resource which drive research and innovation, and informs planning and policy development processes, to support national development objectives.

The SANBI Value Chain Human Capital Development SANBI’s value chain builds from a foundation of basic scientific information to create assessments and monitoring that can influence policy and contribute to government objectives.

NBSAP NBA NBF CBD Requirement NBA informs NBSAP and NBF Biodiversity Act Requirement National National National Biodiversity Biodiversity Assessment Biodiversity Strategy & Framework Action Plan 1. Provides 1. Broad and headline comprehensive indicators for 2. Sets strategic 1. Focused monitoring and objectives reporting 2. Identifies top Informs Informs 3. Sets long priority actions 2. Summarises term targets and targets for spatial biod next five years priorities 4. Based on stakeholder 3. Based on best consultation avail science NBA 2018

Establishment of SABIF • South Africa became a country participant in GBIF in 2003 • Here, a decision was made by the (DST) that being a member of the GBIF would assist South Africa in meeting its own need to – develop a stronger network of biodiversity informatics professionals, – to develop the science of biodiversity informatics, – to expedite the dissemination of biodiversity data – And to share data using common data standards and tools • DST thus made a decision to fund GBIF-related activities, which ultimately became linked to the government’s mandate to develop a ten -year innovation plan, which strives to drive the transformation of South Africa’s economy from a resource -based economy to a knowledge- based economy, in which production and dissemination of knowledge leads to economic benefits • The GBIF/ SABIF platform is one such innovative science initiative, which ultimately enables generation of knowledge, through the initial building blocks of data mobilization, and contributes to the South African government’s broader motives.

• SABIF (the country node of GBIF) was initiated, to address the country’s need for a knowledge-management system for researchers, policy makers, and conservation scientists and practitioners to access, share, and disseminate primary biodiversity data, while at the same time having access to global information relevant to South Africa. • SABIF Node is a programme of the Biodiversity Information Management and Planning Directorate of SANBI • SABIF is a vibrant community , with > 18 organisations in the country engaged in data sharing activities. • Africa wide Partnerships with more than 20 GBIF participant countries and international organisations.

SABIF:Key objectives and strengths through its network of Partners: SA become a country participant -2003 (>10 yrs old) • Data mobilisation through a funded process (> R1m / yr) • Capacity building initiatives (implementation of a strategy) • Growing networks in BIM, awareness raising and outreach • Regional engagement and leadership • Promoting data sharing through implementation of data standards

Holistic Approach to Capacity Development SO1. Grow relevant SO2. Build a robust SO3. Improve quality SO4. Grow an inspired skills team and use of information coordinated network Target markets Current and University Data providers SANBI BIM staff potential users and departments Data users (SABIF) providers Students UWC – SANBI MoU Internal learning Training BIMF sessions Postgrad research Providers : Data User needs analysis hub Training mobilisation and Activities Communication and Bursaries fitness for use Recruitment marketing Intern programme Users: Website use Skills matrix and development plan Modeling GreenMatter

Research Agenda and Curricula Development • A conceptual Framework for advancing the field of biodiversity informatics, through the establishment of curricula and the identification of key research questions or areas – is being developed. • Forms part of the UWC-SANBI initiative to further develop a post-graduate research hub in Biodiversity Information Management at the UWC, to drive towards the establishment of a Southern Africa Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity Informatics • 1 st Post doc started in October, to support the development of a Biodiversity Informatics Research Strategy and to grow the Postgraduate Hub to a Centre of Excellence.

Regional Engagement • In Africa , a strong regional collaboration has developed and the Nodes (approx 23) are working towards a data-science interface. Africa has also established a GBIF-Africa Science Committee and identified a thematic priority project to mobilise invasive alien species. • To support a data-science interface, a project which aims to mobilise policy relevant data has been developed by SANBI with support from GBIF, and has been funded by the JRS foundation. Identified the need For An action plan 3 rd Regional ACM meeting in 5 th Regional meeting, Rwanda Planning meeting South Africa Meeting, Benin ARCOS In Kenya April 2013 July 2014 June 2010 July 2010 March 2011 Sept 2011 July 2012 4th Regional 2 nd Regional meeting in meeting in South Africa South Africa

Google Plus: Mobilising Africa’s Biodiversity Data

11,665,938 biodiversity records are served via the SABIF website Data from data providers and grant recipients 74 675 specimens 12 245 44 observations 232 1 868 311 Amphibians 285 980 Birds Fish 85 786 images Invertebrates Mammals Plants Reptiles 9 294 709 Currently approximately 14 million (from > 15 organisations) has been mobilized (figure includes the delivery on all outstanding projects) More data Data on a new kingdom – Fungi R. Jacobs S. Van Noordt Ticks, dung beetles, nematodes, seaweeds, plants etc Data Applications/ Uses of Primary Biodiversity Data Climate change studies, Niche Modelling, Land use planning and management, Use as indicator species and for determining environmental health

Data Mobilization through SABIF • Two mechanisms of data sharing exist for Data Providers/publishers: 1. Data can be shared by data providers/publishers following the signing of a data sharing agreement (non-funded) – Currently 7 data providers exist including museums, research institutions, herbaria and universities 2. Data Mobilization through SABIF Funding: Call for Digitization Applications – Data is provided to SABIF, and hosted on the SABIF server . Ownership remains with the grant recipient Taken Forward through FBIP

Content > 11.5 million specimen records Floristic information 120 000 plant and pictures species for over 10 000 names plant species Open & Tools , user free guides and Red list status defined of 20 456 access standards plant species Information >400 on 780 individual animals >35 map layers species biodiversity plans

Grants for research, data mobilization and capacity development: main mechanism for achieving outputs • Large grants : up to R2 million / year for 3 years • Themes for large projects: identified by stakeholders who use biodiversity information: biocontrol, soil biodiversity, marine biodiversity, medicinal plants and animals, biodiversity functionality • 2 large projects / year • Also small grants that contribute to objectives • Biodiversity surveys (2013)

Data Use Cases

Policy and Legislation Biodiversity Information Policy Framework Provides Legal guidelines on managing biodiversity information, which strives to ensure easy access to information whilst simultaneously providing protection to sensitive data and maintaining intellectual property rights. At a more global level, Open access to Information has also been addressed as a collective of 34 governments including South Africa - OECD/CST Science, Technology and Innovation for the 21st Century, 29-30 Jan 2004