European Biodiversity Observation Network – EBONE

EBONE (European Biodiversity Observation Network) is a project developing a system of biodiversity observation at regional, national and European levels as a contribution to European reporting on biodiversity. The project focuses on GEO (Group of Earth Observations) task BI 07-01 to unify many of the disparate biodiversity observing systems and creates a platform to integrate biodiversity data with other types of information. The system will make use of existing networks of site observations, wider countryside mapping and Earth observation (EO). The project addresses issues important for development of biodiversity monitoring system such as concept of monitoring; indicator species and habitats, in-situ and EO methods of biodiversity; database management and IT tools; protocols and harmonisation of available in-situ data. Special attention is paid to intercalibration of in-situ and EO monitoring. The system, methods and protocols developed in the project will be tested and validated in the field. Based on the validation we will propose refinements to the system (sites, protocols). The project aims to contribute to a world-wide monitoring system by developing a prototype system for monitoring Mediterranean ecosystems outside Europe. Because the project addresses a quite broad range of stakeholders, stakeholders will be involved in the design, development and testing of the monitoring system. The main outcome will be an integrated monitoring system based on key biodiversity indicators and implementation within an institutional framework operating at the European level