Toward a ‘Science Center without Walls’ CABS as CI’s global space for new frontiers in applied biodiversity science Science Annual Planning FY09

Overview  Major scientific needs in CI  Changing context for global conservation  Implications for biodiversity science  Center without Walls for Science  Science Summit – Objectives

Science and Conservation Green.view Finger on the spot Apr 14th 2008 From Economist.com Deciding what to save  “So, a message to all hotspot scientists: putting out the fire is far more important than trying to decide whether the garden gnomes or the Tretchikoff will be more useful to the next generation.”

CABS - what we do and why  Understanding biodiversity patterns and species extinction risks  maximize coverage and representation in protected areas; effectively target conservation actions  Monitoring and tracking changes in ecosystems  identify threats/opportunities to influence policy options for achieving conservation outcomes  Support priority-setting and conservation responses  knowledge and tools for defining conservation outcomes to maximize success of actions We generate knowledge in the form of data, tools, guidelines, maps, etc. to inform and influence conservation practices and policies. We also contribute to building capacity.

Emerging Science priorities  Climate change and biodiversity links  options for adaptation and for mitigating carbon emissions (avoided deforestation, REDD, land use tradeoffs)  Innovations for linking ecosystem services to human livelihoods  harnessing biodiversity benefits for improving and sustaining quality of life

Global challenges that won’t go away  Poverty, food security, and water scarcity  search for integrated solutions  Land use tradeoffs in the face of global change  making the case for sustainable land use to safeguard biodiversity  Overexploitation and trade of biological resources (wildlife, fisheries)  making the case for policy options Human wellbeing is consistent among these challenges

Implications for Biodiversity Science  Challenges are enormous and complex – demands for news ways of doing science  Higher economies of scale  Growing urgency for results and impact  Institutional collaboration is key – synergy, complementarities, value addition  Resources are getting scarce – need for innovative ideas to attract funding and talent Transformation starts with CABS as CI’s global ‘knowledge hub’

A ‘Walled-off’ CABS? Academic and Basic Research Institutions Other Applied Biodiversity Science Institutions

CABS into the Future (1) Scientific agenda that is  Niche-based and credible  Problems-based and/or demand-driven  Focused and cutting-edge  Integrated and holistic (systems thinking; end-to- end)  High quality and conforms to standards  Based on value-addition (advancing the knowledge frontier)

CABS into the Future (2) Operational framework that fosters  Stakeholder or “customer” orientation  Coherence and cross-disciplinary integration  Boundary spanning, user–producer interactions  A ‘safe space’ for creativity and innovation  Accountability and empowerment at all levels  Growth and advancement  Flexibility and adaptability  Recognizes and rewards performance across the board

A ‘Centre without Walls’ The CABS Space Academic and Basic Research Conservation International Global Conservation Community Other Applied Biodiversity Science Institutions Conservation International (Regional Programs, CBCS, CELB, CCG, GCF)

Science to Action Framework Science = systematic, structured learning + knowledge generation ACTION = use of knowledge to achieve some pre-defined outcome Strategic Investments Policy and Governance Public Awareness Business Engagement Outcome Delivery

Biodiversity Science across Scales  Global – analysis and synthesis (hotspots + HBWAs), regions; coarse scale priority-setting, monitoring and modeling; influence international level actions  Regional – analysis and synthesis (biomes, countries); regional scale assessments, priority-setting, monitoring and modeling; influence regional level actions and delivery of outcomes  National – country-wide and corridor-scale assessments; influence national level actions and delivery of outcomes  Landscape/corridor – field level assessments and monitoring; management tools and incentive systems; community level engagement  Site – field level assessments and monitoring; management tools and incentive systems; community level engagement

TerrestrialMarineFreshwater Biodiversity Assessments (Red List Assessments, Field surveys, Species baselines, Monitoring long-term trends) Global Change and Ecosystem Services (Multi-scale assessments, land use and habitat change, climate change, landscape interactions) Conservation Priorities and Responses (Outcome definition, priority setting, scientific outreach) OUTPUTS (Synthesis, Practices, Policies, Tools, Capacity) Applications and Actions Framework for Biodiversity Science and Early Warning

Looking Ahead to FY09  Consolidate science priorities into work plan – foster integration and coherence  Transitioning all CABS staff into scientific clusters – focus on major science initiatives  Enhance alignment within CI –  Linking science across geographical scales and thematic priorities  Linking scientists through effective networking  Clarify and strengthen support to other CI programs

FY09-11 Major Science Initiatives Cluster 1 – Biodiversity Assessments  High priority biodiversity field surveys and biogeography  Freshwater assessments and priorities  Marine assessments and priorities  Global Reptile Assessment and drylands

FY09–11 Major Science Initiatives Cluster 2 – Global Change and Ecosystem Services  Habitat, species and community monitoring and modeling  Climate change adaptation and mitigation  Predictive remote sensing and ecological forecasting  Capitalizing on bundled ecosystem services  Impacts and benefits of biodiversity conservation

FY09–11 Major Science Initiatives Cluster 3 - Conservation Priorities and Responses  Refining global terrestrial conservation priorities  Supporting definition and monitoring of outcomes CI-wide  Strategic outreach of CABS science  Investing in capacity, our greatest asset

Operational Principles for a ‘Center without Walls’ 1. Core business is science to support Biodiversity Conservation 2. Integration across CI (e.g. through networking) 3. Innovation and creativity across the board 4. Transparency, collaboration, and peer-review 5. Impact orientation and communication 6. Empowerment for all staff

MMAS Freshwater ‘team’ Cluster 1 - Biodiversity Inventory, Assessments, and Monitoring Cluster 2 - Global Change and Ecosystem Services Cluster 3 - Global Conservation Priorities and Responses Clustering the CABS Core Science Leadership TEAM

A Center without Walls? Source: Valdis Krebs and June Holley

The Science Summit -- Objectives  Understand the nature of science in CI based on needs for outcome delivery (feet-in-the-mud) and an enabling environment (head-in-the-sky) across all scales  Discuss emerging science priorities relative to changing context for global biodiversity conservation  Reflect on ‘Center without Walls’ model that embraces science for feet-in-the-mud and the head-in-the-sky across all scales and biomes  Develop a framework to network effectively across the organization on emerging science priorities