The future of Arctic biodiversity assessments: exploring new ways to shorten the time between information and action

Date/time: December 4, 15:00-16:30

Room: San Siro 3

Session organizer: Mike Gill, Canadian High Arctic Research Station

This session would explore how new, innovative approaches to delivering relevant biodiversity information, models and scenarios can be used to shorten the time between information collection and public and policy response. Reflecting upon the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment process, and hearing examples from others outside of the Arctic who are developing new platforms and tools for deriving useful information on biodiversity change to inform more rapid, adaptive and effective conservation, this session would addresses all Congress themes as it would explore new ways to support scenario planning, modelling and ongoing, rapid assessments which are central to addressing these themes.

• Braulio F. de Souza Dias, UN Convention on Biological Diversity: Assessment and monitoring: a key to enhance implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020
• Mark Marissink, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency:  Reflections on the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment process and looking forward to new ways to mainstream biodiversity in decision-making
• Tim Wilkinson, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre: Putting relevant data in the hands of those who need it: examples and opportunities of tools to provide near real-time data to decision makers
• Mike Gill, Canadian High Arctic Research Station:  The need for better biodiversity information for decision-making
• Tom Barry, Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna:  CAFF and the Arctic Biodiversity Data Service: from data to knowledge

Session theme: Mainstreaming biodiversity: linking Arctic ecosystems to society