Biodiversity Monitoring Programs in Catalonia

Lecture series of the Monitoring Centre for Biodiversity: Biodiversity Monitoring Programs in Catalonia Speaker: Dr. Sergi Herrando (CREAF and Observatory of natural heritage and biodiversity) and Pau Sainz de la Maza (Government of Catalonia and Observatory of natural heritage and biodiversity) As usual in many Mediterranean countries, biodiversity monitoring started later in Catalonia than in Western and Central Europe. However, situation changed rapidly in the last decades of the 20th century or beginning of the 21st. By then, the combination of administrative support, knowledge from research centres and enthusiasm from non-profit organisations boosted a strong community of alliances interested in biodiversity monitoring. More than 400 monitoring projects are now established, and the HARMON initiative is aimed to harmonise the protocols and data flows of existing monitoring schemes. Although situation greatly differs among taxonomic groups, habitats, and areas, joint efforts have allowed, among others, to develop a rather robust EU Directives reporting process and a Living Planet Index for Catalonia. Monitoring Biodiversity in Europe In six lectures, speakers from six different countries report on how biodiversity monitoring is organized in their respective countries. They provide an overview of the most important monitoring programs, their historical developments, and the key actors involved. They explain what information is collected using which methods, what reporting requirements exist, and how the use and accessibility of the data is regulated. They also provide insight into the topics and developments they are currently working on and how they are involved in European and international initiatives. In a final seventh lecture, it will be presented how a "European Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre" could contribute to the establishment of a transnational, cross-habitat biodiversity monitoring in the European Union. Background of the lecture series The National Monitoring Centre for Biodiversity has the key task of coordinating monitoring activities and further developing nationwide biodiversity monitoring in collaboration with professional associations, the scientific community and public authorities. This involves bringing together practitioners and researchers, refining methodologies and providing comprehensive information on biodiversity monitoring. In addition to other topic-specific events, a digital lecture series offers all interested parties the opportunity to exchange ideas. The lecture series offers insights into the monitoring landscape of selected European countries and an outlook on joint monitoring in the European Union.