MOBILISING AFRICAS BIODIVERSITY DATA: LOWPING THE DYKES 26 June 2015, Russell Galt Urban Natural Assets for Africa Project (UNA Africa) Africa is changing Biodiversity data can help to address Africas policy conundrums Biodiversity data is essential for effective policymaking PUBLIC HEALTH Pathogens & disease vectors Aquatic bio- indicators Marine phytoplankton Urban vegetation Medicinal plants FOOD SECURITY PollinatorsGMOs Crops Wild land races Pests & diseases Fisheries Bush meat ENERGY Birds and bats at risk of collision Biofuel crops Traditional fuel e.g. certain tree species Catadromous and anadromous fish Endangered species and habitats to inform planning ECONOMY Timber Non-timber forest products Cash crops Fish stocks Medicinal plants Bioprospecting subjects Pet trade TOURISM Large charismatic megafauna Aesthetic plants Urban vegetation Iconic species & habitats Disease vectors & pathogens Recreational sport fish African data headlines 11/11/09 Africa facing climate data shortage 22/03/10 Poor internet links mar Africa's satellite data access 18/08/10 African policymakers urged to make use of space data 16/05/11 Africa 'must embrace geospatial information' 21/02/13 Scientists strive to make global disease data more useful 25/02/13 African policymakers 'lack environmental data' 12/04/13 Data dearth impeding fight against desertification 21/05/13 African countries must improve livestock data African policymakers need better data Data-science-policy value chain Identify priority group Data capture Data publishing Data use via research Knowledge generation Policy making Without data, convictions triumph over evidence Digitize Data is not information, Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not understanding, Understanding is not wisdom, Wisdom is not action - Chris Stoll Mobilizing Africas policy-relevant biodiversity data Develop a strategy for data mobilization Enhance regional capacity Strengthen regional engagement Donor: JRS Biodiversity Foundation Timeframe: October 2013 to August 2015 (22 months) Mobilising Africas Biodiversity Data Funded by: Managed by: In partnership with: + 23 African countries Successes Access to relevant, reliable biodiversity data is patchy and restricted Legal Technical Financial Cultural Political Legal Technical Financial Cultural Political Access to relevant, reliable biodiversity data is patchy and restricted Solutions Shift from fundamental science to applied science Data data everywhere but not a thought to think. - Theodore Roszak Raise political awareness You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. - Winnie The Pooh Establish national biodiversity information management forums Invest in trust building Trust is a prerequisite to fruitful cooperation Strengthen regional cooperation Enhance capacity Let us cultivate our garden. - Voltaire Rebrand biodiversity informatics Strengthen incentives The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more. John Salk 1. Establish national biodiversity information management forums 2. Improve design of data-consuming research projects 3. Shift from fundamental science to applied science 4. Raise political awareness 5. Invest in trust building 6. Secure seed funding 7. Strengthen regional cooperation 8. Capacity enhancement 9. Rebrand biodiversity informatics 10. Strengthen incentives Solutions to data mobilisation A way forward Coordinate Cooperate Capacitate Capitalise