1. The Nature Index; a new method to integrate knowledge on biodiversity
Signe Nybø
Assistant Research Director
Jeg må introdusere meg selv.
Prosjektleder NI bestilt av regjeringen
Representert Norge i EEA møter om biodiv indikatorer
Gjøre meg sårbar med en overraskende forbindelse mellom tale, foredrag og publikum. Mindre effektivt å gå rett på påstand og bevisfølelse.

2. Why is biodiversity and ecosystem services an element of sustainable development?
Ecosystem services are defined as services provided by the natural environment that benefit people.
Examples;
food, bioenergy, building material
carbon storage, flood control, cleaning of water and air
recreation, religion, aesthetic concerns (cultural dimension)
nutrient recycling and availability, primary production
Ethically

3. The Nature Index on the political agenda
Nature Index was published in 2010 after a 3 year period of development. Initiated and financed by the Government
Adopted as an indicator of sustainable development by the Ministry of Finance 2011
Adopted as indicator of major ecosystems by the Ministry of Environment Rearranged their management issues

4. Only natural species, no alien species
Optmal/ sustainable populations of each species
Species or surrogates of species
Trends over time (population, density, etc.)
Both common and threatened species, keystone species, - not alien species)
All taxa (lichens, mosses, flowering plants, invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals)
Indicators sensitive to different pressures
Given data should be geographically representative
Only natural species, no alien species
Values scaled 0 -1, where 1 is intact ecosystems

5. A National Expert or an Expert group for each indicator
Data entered online
Monitoring data
Research
Unpublished reports or notebooks
Field observations
A National Expert or an Expert group for each indicator
Mean values and uncertainties were entered for each indicator
and integrated in the final index

6. Information for the public
308 indicators 125 experts
Experts
Indicators
Nature Index Framework
Information for the public
Tool for environmental management
Predictive modelling framework
Involved: Research Institutes of agriculture, forestry, environment and Statistics Norway

7. The state of major ecosystems in 2010 as calculated by NI (308 indicators and 9 major ecosystems)
1.0

8. 2010

9. Management objectives versus reference state
Water Frame Directive

10. Conclusions Get an overview of state and trends of biodiversity.
to inform public
a tool for environmental management
Easy to communicate.
Maps and graphs, yes
Difficult to communicate the difference between reference value and management targets. Similar to the Water Frame Directive
Scientifically sound
Methodology agreed among involved institutions, incl. sector
More of the knowledgebase is used as expert judgements are included. Cost-effective...
Published in scientific journal -PLoS one

11. Involved research institutes:
Thanks for the attention!
For more information: and
Involved research institutes:
Norwegian Institute of Water Research,
Norwegian Forests and Landscape Institute,
Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research,
Norwegian Institute of Nature Research.
Marine Institute
Financed by the Directorate of Nature Management/ Ministry of Environment
Photo: Dag Karlsen

12. Cooperation and expertise for a sustainable future