Presentation
What is GEO BON?
GEO BON, which stands for “Group on Earth Observations - Biodiversity Observation Network”, represents the biodiversity component of GEOSS, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems.
What is the vision of GEO BON?
The vision of GEO BON is for a global biodiversity observation system, that is, a coordinated, global network that gathers and shares information on biodiversity and ecosystem services, provides tools for data integration and analysis, and contributes to improving environmental management and human well-being.
What are the unique niche and added values of GEO BON?
The unique niche and added values of GEO BON are to:
- Provide a global, scientifically robust framework for observations on the detection of biodiversity change;
- Coordinate the data gathering and delivery of biodiversity change information;
- Ensure long term continuity of operational observations;
- Provide a small set of innovative and relevant biodiversity observation products;
- based on the integration of data sets, and
- most effectively achieved by a global network.
Who are the users of GEO BON?
- Multilateral Environmental Agreements, such as:
– CBD, CCD, CITES, Ramsar, CMS
- Biodiversity and conservation organisations
– IUCN, WWF, CI, WCS, TNC, etc.
- National and subnational biodiversity custodians
– conservation agencies, environment ministries
- Scientific organisations, including:
– DIVERSITAS, ICSU
- UN organisations and programmes, such as:
– UNESCO, UNEP, UNEP-WCMC
- Researchers, students, citizens
How is GEO BON implemented?
GEO BON gets implemented according to the GEO BON implementation plan released on 22 May 2010, at CBD-SBSTTA 14, on the International Day of Biodiversity.
The GEO BON implementation plan was developed by eight working groups appointed by the Steering Committee of GEO BON (SC-GEO BON), based on the GEO BON concept document presented and approved by the GEO V plenary meeting in Bucharest (2008). This implementation plan, version 1.0, which should be considered as a living document, is the result of a large consultation of various communities, involving several multistakeholder meetings, including:
| Date | Meeting | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 |
User Needs workshop, Geneva | General concept for GEO BON |
| 2008 | Meeting of GEO BON stakeholders, Potsdam |
GEO BON concept document |
| 2010 | Meeting of Working Groups, Asilomar | GEO BON implementation plan |
Who implements GEO BON?
The contributors to GEO BON consist mostly of national governmental institutions (Members of GEO), intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, and academic institutions. These contributors collaborate with one another on a voluntary basis to advance the development and dissemination of observations, data, information, analyses and decision-support services on biodiversity.
See list of Contributors
How is GEO BON governed?
GEO BON is governed by a Steering Committee (SC-GEO BON). The SC-GEO BON meets on an annual basis. Previous SC-GEO BON meetings took place as follows:
|
Jan 2008 |
Interim SC-GEO BON (Geneva, GEO) |
|
Jan 2009 |
SC-GEO BON (Washington DC, NASA) |
|
July 2010 |
SC GEO BON (Cambridge UK; UNEP WCMC) |
|
June 2011 (next meeting) |
SC-GEO BON (Geneva, GEO) |
The SC-GEO BON reports to GEO, in a number of ways, which include presentations at GEO plenary meetings. Key GEO BON documents are submitted to GEO for approval.
How is GEO BON administered?
GEO BON is administered by a small secretariat located in Pretoria, and funded by the government of South Africa. GEO BON also receives in-kind and financial contributions from GEO and from its three lead organisations: DIVERSITAS, EBONE and NASA.
