IABIN’s Ecosystem Thematic Network: A regional initiative to advance the use and integration of ecosystem information Washington D.C. October 28-29, 2008 Vincent J. Abreu, ETN Coordinator

General: Create the infrastructure for a distributed network containing biodiversity, socio-economic and geospatial data relevant to the sustainability of terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems. Specific: Establish a georeferenced ecosystem data standard (terrestrial, marine and freshwater) to record the attributes that define a class within an ecosystem classification system. Implement a hemispheric system that allows cross-walks among different terrestrial classification systems. Visualize ecosystem data and integrate with georeferenced data provided by the other Thematic Networks. Objectives of the ETN

Observation There are two elements that are essential to the implementation of the ETN: The system infrastructure – Developed/provided by the CI Consortium Data – Provided by the countries

Geosur(CAF)/ IABIN/ Countries Inst. Von Humboldt NatureServe STRI Univ. Sao Paulo & Web Services ETN Structure Standard Format (Database) IABIN Catalog System ETN Catalog System Metadata CASSIA IABIN GeoPortal I3Geo & GeoSUR Map Server Map Server Map Server Map Server Map Server ETN Portal NBII CAF

ETN Portal Functionality Initially, the user will be able to search the Standard Format database and obtain reports and maps by: Country or geographic region (multiple countries), Ecosystem class (includes cross- walk) Biogeographic or ecological variables (multiple choices) Species

TERRESTRIAL STANDARD FORMAT Version 1 of the Terrestrial Standard Format is ready and available through the ETN Portal. Grants to input data were given to 5 countries: Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Chile. Grants are being given to institutions that have sent proposals to include Mexico, the Andean countries and Central America.

MARINE STANDARD FORMAT Version 1 of the Marine Standard Format is ready. Grants have been given to 6 countries to fill out the Marine Standard Format for coastal regions: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, México, Costa Rica and Colombia; Training/workshop on Marine Standard Format took place in Panama City March31-April 1, 2008.

ETN Sustainability What do we mean by ETN sustainability? That after the GEF funds terminate we are able to continue to work to achieve the ultimate goal of the ETN, by maintaining and continuing to develop the necessary infrastructure, and populating this infrastructure with data. What do we mean by ETN sustainability? That once the GEF funds terminate we are able to continue to work to achieve the ultimate goal of the ETN, by maintaining and continuing to develop the necessary infrastructure, and populating this infrastructure with data.

What has already been done? Identified potential CIs and discuss sustainability issues: TNC, NatureServe, Smithsonian Institute Obtained funding from sources other than GEF to do infrastructure development: World Bank TNC CAF Smithsonian Institute Develop a IABIN-ETN Model

ETN Sustainability Assumptions: The development and maintenance of the ETN is through a Coordinating Institution (CI) who will establish an agreement with the IEC. The CI could lead a group of institutions or consortium. It will be the responsibility of the CIs to obtain the funding to maintain and further develop the network infrastructure and databases. The CI will administer its own funds. The OAS and IEC will issue letters of support to the CIs to carry out activities on behalf of IABIN. These activities should be approved by the IEC and supported by the IABIN Secretariat.

IABIN Sustainability – cont. The IABIN Secretariat staff will: Be the main channel of communication between the CI and the IEC; Be the main channel of communication between the TN activities and the countries’ NGOs, governmental institutions, universities, etc. Obtain funds for workshops and training and to provide small Grants to the countries in support of the ETN activities.

IABIN Sustainability – cont. Activities over the next six months: 1. Finish ETN prototype development 2. Review ETN objectives 3. Develop a 5 year plan 4. Identify potential sources of funding 5. Begin efforts to obtain funding

Vincent J. Abreu ETN Coordinator www. iabin.net Thank you