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 | 1st GEO BON All Hands Meeting, Asilomar | GEO BON implementation plan |
| 2012 | 2nd GEO BON All Hands Meeting, Asilomar | EBVs, 2015 deliverables |
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.
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 secretariat located at the Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research - iDiv, and funded by the government of Germany. GEO BON also receives in-kind and financial contributions from GEO and from its two lead organisations: DIVERSITAS and NASA. For the period 2010-2013, the secretariat was located in Pretoria, and funded by the government of South Africa.
