DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e210479

Authors: W. Daniel Kissling, Tom Breeze, Camino Liquete, Anne Lyche Solheim, Ian McCallum, Joachim Maes, Tim Hirsch, Maria Lumbierres, Roy Van Grunsven, Pedro Beja, Bruno Smets, Cesar Capinha, Ana Ceia-Hasse, Néstor Fernández, Francisco Moreira, Jessi Junker, Florian Leese, Lluís Brotons, Alejandra Morán Ordóñez, Simon Potts, Joana Santana, Jose Valdez, Ingolf Kühn, Marija Milanovic, Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber, Dimitrios Bormpoudakis, Dani Villero, Peter Haase, Kristian Meissner, Helge Bruelheide, Marcel Buchhorn, Irene Calderon Sanou, Miguel Fernandez, Anna Gamero, Anne Gobin, Irene Guerrero, Ute Jandt, Alena Klvaňová, Marina Marei Viti, Jannicke Moe, Aletta Bonn, Henrique Pereira

Abstract: This deliverable provides recommendations for designing a European Biodiversity Observation Network. It synthesizes the current biodiversity monitoring landscape in Europe, describes the framework and methodology for a co-design approach, and identifies what should be monitored (terrestrial, freshwater and marine Essential Biodiversity Variables), how (monitoring methods and workflows for data integration and modelling), and why (policy relevance). It then provides 10 design recommendations, including suggestions for spatial sampling designs, sample sizes, filling of gaps, co-location, DNA-based methods, digital sensors, remote sensing, citizen science, data integration and modelling, and digital infrastructure. Finally, it estimates the economic costs of establishing and maintaining a European Biodiversity Observation Network by performing a comprehensive assessment of the staff and material costs for establishing and maintaining data collection, workflows and coordination for biodiversity monitoring in Europe.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e173693

Authors: Tom Breeze, W. Daniel Kissling, Maria Lumbierres, Joana Santana, Alejandra Morán-Ordóñez, Roy Van Grunsven, Tim Hirsch, Tree Robionson, Simon Potts, Ian McCallum, Ute Jandt, Cesar Capinha, Jessica Junker, Pavel Stoev, Camino Liquete, Henrique M. Pereira

Abstract: Although biodiversity monitoring costs are widely cited as a constraint, there have been very few assessments of these costs and even fewer studies have assessed the potential benefits of this monitoring. Here, we synthesise available evidence, alongside a comprehensive assessment of the costs of proposed biodiversity monitoring to explore the relative costs, benefits risks and opportunities in biodiversity monitoring. We find that the costs of biodiversity monitoring, €0.5bn-€3.6bn/year, are greatly outweighed by the combined economic benefits and opportunities arising from the availability of co-ordinated, high-quality data, which are estimated to be >€25.2bn/year.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e129447

Authors: Néstor Fernández, José Manuel Álvarez-Martínez, Lluís Brotons, Ana Ceia-Hasse, Marcel Buchhorn, César Capinha, Benoît O. L. Demars, Carlos Guerra, Ute Jandt, Borja Jimenez-Alfaro, W. Daniel Kissling, Maria Lumbierres, Andres Marmol-Guijarro, Henrique M. Pereira, Anne Lyche Solheim, Judy Shamoun-Baranes, Bruno Smets

Abstract: This report discusses the potential synergies of the EBVs developed in each showcase, in conjunction with existing environmental policies, for a comprehensive assessment of European biodiversity.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e128926

Authors: Irene Calderon Sanou, Carlos Guerra, Graciela Rusch, Sergei Põlme, Joachim Maes, Néstor Fernández

Abstract: The Deliverable discusses the critical role of soil in supporting terrestrial ecosystems, agriculture, and global climate regulation. It highlights that a significant portion of European soils are currently unhealthy, which has far-reaching consequences, including risks to human health, the environment, and the economy. Soil degradation affects food security, water quality, climate change, and biodiversity. It also emphasizes the importance of soil monitoring in Europe to ensure sustainable land management, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate environmental challenges. Healthy soils are essential for agriculture, food security, and climate resilience. The European Union (EU) recognizes the importance of soil health in addressing the food needs of a growing global population increasing the need for improved soil monitoring. It also discusses the role of advanced remote sensing technologies in soil monitoring and mentions initiatives and projects focused on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This Deliverable highlights the showcase in soil restoration and climate change mitigation that is aimed at developing soil essential biodiversity variables to test the capacity of current datasets and monitoring frameworks to provide relevant information on the distribution and future trends of key soil biodiversity variables. The development process also stakeholder engagement in the context of selecting essential biodiversity variables (EBVs). Two main approaches were used: a working group involving researchers and targeted meetings with institutional stakeholders. Key meetings were held with stakeholders from organizations such as the European Environmental Agency, the Joint Research Center, and German soil and biodiversity monitoring agencies. These meetings aimed to gather input and insights on the selection of EBVs. The stakeholder engagement process revealed three key points: i) the importance of using readily available and open data to ensure data continuity and promote transparency and accessibility (this includes data from sources like the European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC) and GBIF, as well as point data from the LUCAS sampling framework); ii) the need for diversity in modeling approaches, incorporating multiple data sources and levels of expertise (the goal is to showcase the potential use of existing information and allow various stakeholders to identify their roles in producing soil-based EBVs for different functions or ecosystem services); and iii) the importance of including climate and land use prediction data in modeling frameworks when possible. Overall, the stakeholder engagement process emphasized the significance of data accessibility, diverse modeling approaches, and the incorporation of relevant future data in the selection and development of essential biodiversity variables. Furthermore, the Deliverable discusses the existing gap in the EU's legal framework concerning soil management and highlights the proposed Soil Monitoring Law as a comprehensive framework to address this gap. The outcomes of this Deliverable align with several EU environmental policy initiatives, such as the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Finally, it proceeds with the selection of essential biodiversity variables (EBVs) for soil-related monitoring within the EuropaBON initiative. Three primary soil-related EBVs have been chosen: 'Functional Composition of soil biota' and 'Community Biomass of soil microbes' and ‘Taxonomic diversity’. These EBVs belong to the 'Community Composition' class within the 'Terrestrial' realm category.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e128158

Authors: Helge Bruelheide, Ute Jandt, Néstor Fernández, Andres Marmol-Guijarro, Bruno Smets, Marcel Buchhorn, Lori Giagnacovo, Giorgia Milli, Borja Jimenez-Alfaro, Jose Manuel Álvarez-Martínez

Abstract: The report demonstrates the potential workflows to leverage monitoring data on biodiversity to assess the status of two selected habitats of the Habitats Directive, Nardus grasslands (EU habitats directive Annex I 6230*) and forest dominated by Fagus sylvatica on acidic soils (habitat 9110).

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e128109

Authors: Anne Lyche Solheim, Benoît O. L. Demars, Marit Mjelde, Jannicke Moe, Andres Marmol-Guijarro, Sophie Mentzel, Jan-Erik Thrane, Jes Rasmussen, Benno Dillinger

Abstract: This report provides a showcase of selected EBVs related to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and possible synergies with other EU policies. The report consists of two major parts: the species level EBV on macrophyte species in Nordic lakes and the community structure EBVs for phytoplankton in lakes and benthic invertebrates in rivers based on their deviation from natural conditions measured by Ecological Quality Ratios (EQR-values). The macrophytes species level part is produced by Benoit Demars at NIVA supported by a number of co-authors, including data providers (see frontpage), while the community structure EBVs based on EQR values are produced by Jannicke Moe, Sophie Mentzel, Jan-Erik Thrane and Anne Lyche Solheim at NIVA. All EIONET data providers of EQR-values reported to WISE-2 are kindly acknowledged.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e128042

Authors: Camino Liquete, Dimitrios Bormpoudakis, Joachim Maes, Ian McCallum, W. Daniel Kissling, Lluís Brotons, Tom Breeze, Alejandra Moran, Maria Lumbierres, Leonie Friedrich, Sergi Herrando, Anne Lyche Solheim, Miguel Fernandez, Néstor Fernández, Tim Hirsch, Laurence Carvalho, Petteri Vihervaara, Jessi Junker, Ivelina Georgieva, Ingolf Kühn, Roy Van Grunsven, Aino Lipsanen, Guillaume Body, Hilary Goodson, Jose Valdez, Aletta Bonn, Henrique M. Pereira

Abstract: Observations are key to understanding the state of nature, the drivers of biodiversity loss and the impacts on ecosystem services and ultimately on people. Many EU policies and initiatives call for unbiased, integrated and regularly updated data on biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, biodiversity monitoring efforts are spatially and temporally fragmented, taxonomically biased and not integrated across Europe. EuropaBON has addressed this gap by developing an EU-wide framework for biodiversity monitoring. With this deliverable, EuropaBON proposes the terms of reference for an EU Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC), a permanent infrastructure that could coordinate and foster the generation and use of high quality data to underpin the biodiversity knowledge-base used across EU policies, providing guidance and trainings when necessary. Such a centre represents one of the key solutions to overcome the critical challenges of biodiversity monitoring in Europe. Having this integrated and continuous monitoring capacity would allow more timely and efficient interventions that would optimise our capacity to revert biodiversity loss and prevent environmental degradation. It would also increase the value-added to the data flows, reaching high-value outputs with some existing low-value inputs. This deliverable offers a critical analysis of the existing monitoring landscape in Europe, extracting key messages about the main challenges, lessons learned and possible solutions. Based on a comprehensive analysis of needs and, most importantly, on an inclusive consultation process, the deliverable designs an EBOCC that tackles the key biodiversity monitoring challenges. The proposal specifies the mission, the tasks, the most urgent topics, the main policies and the key stakeholders that the EBOCC should serve and focus on during the first stage of its implementation. It also includes detailed analyses about governance models and potential costs. With this proposal, EuropaBON fosters the setting up and testing an operational EBOCC that could address the urgent need for coordination, integration, harmonisation and strengthening of biodiversity data collection and analysis, in order to inform policy-making at local, national, European and international level.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e126021

Authors: Sergi Herrando, Sara Fraixedas, Guillem Pocull, Dani Villero, Anna Gamero, David Martí, Verena Keller, Petr Voříšek, Alena Klvaňová, Gabriel Gargallo, Lluís Brotons

Abstract: This deliverable shows, using farmland birds as a demonstrative case study, how the existing European network of bird monitoring schemes could be used to regularly update the distribution of terrestrial breeding birds across the whole of EU and neighbouring countries. In addition, it shows how changes in distribution could be assessed on frequent intervals suitable for informing on the achievement of EU environmental policy targets.

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DOI: 10.3897/rio.9.e109120

Authors: Maria Lumbierres, W. Daniel Kissling

Abstract: The EuropaBON project aims to co-design a European Biodiversity Observation Network by utilising Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) as the foundation for its monitoring system. To co-design the workflow steps for each EBV, the project organised a virtual workshop to engage a diverse group of experts and stakeholders. The workshop focused on describing various workflow components, identifying future needs for EBV implementation and specifying the relative importance of different monitoring techniques for each EBV. With 520 participants from 49 countries, the workshop benefited from a large stakeholder engagement and a wide range of expertise across realms, EBV classes, monitoring techniques and workflow components. During the 3-day workshop (2 hours per day), participants captured different workflows components (i.e. data collection and sampling, data integration and modelling), specified current EU or national initiatives and identified emerging tools and future needs for all 70 currently proposed EBVs. By the end of the workshop, all 70 templates of EBV workflows contained details about workflow components and future needs. Specific future needs for data collection and sampling highlighted by participants were to increase sampling efforts (e.g. number of sites, geographic coverage, sampling frequency and taxonomic scope), to develop and better incorporate novel monitoring techniques (e.g. eDNA, remote sensing and digital sensors) and to create new or improved sampling designs at a European scale. For data integration, combining and harmonising data from diverse sources and data collectors and developing standards and protocols were mentioned as key needs. For modelling, participants especially highlighted the need to develop spatially-explicit models or improve other types of existing models, ideally with open-source software and code. Next steps for designing EBV workflows are to analyse the gathered workshop information, to provide detailed descriptions of EBV workflows and to formulate specific recommendations for the development of a European Biodiversity Observation Network. Recommendations for each monitoring technique (structured in-situ monitoring, citizen science, digital sensors, genetics, satellite remote sensing and aerial remote setting) will also be identified. The gathered information will contribute to the co-design of the European Biodiversity Observation Network and to supporting the establishment of a Biodiversity Monitoring Coordination Centre in Europe.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e109168

Authors: Alejandra Morán-Ordóñez, David Martí Pino, Lluís Brotons

Abstract: This report describes the database on biodiversity monitoring initiatives at the European level collected by EuropaBON (WP3 - task 3.1; EuropaBON biodiversity database from hereon) and the web-based platform (website) that contains it. The website serves the dual purpose of being the platform for data entry, as well as to allow the visualisation and quick consultation of the collected data. This report also gives a brief summary of the data collected up to the date of delivery of the report (end November 2021). Previous efforts on collecting information on existing monitoring efforts in Europe have concentrated in describing programs using a generalist approach that has received criticism because of lack of completeness even for well documented groups such as birds. Including all available information on monitoring in Europe at any spatial scale is difficult because of the high number of unlinked initiatives, specially at local scales, and the dynamic nature of these projects both in terms of the emergence of new efforts and the disappearance of old ones. To address this challenge, the EuropaBON project focusses on the monitoring network concept and aims at identifying, with priority, those monitoring efforts that are coordinated and especially those in which this coordination is consistent at a supranational level and at the European scale. Coordination in the context of monitoring is related to the integration of data and information across scales which is the underlying concept of a future successful biodiversity monitoring network in Europe.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e105599

Authors: Tom Breeze, Miguel Fernandez, Ian McCallum, Alejandra Morán-Ordóñez, Henrique Pereira, Jessi Junker

Abstract: Financial factors are among the most widely cited bottlenecks around biodiversity monitoring but are relatively poorly studied, compared to monitoring methodologies. The existing body of literature on the cost-effectiveness of monitoring focuses heavily on the hypothetical costs of generating data rather than the practical realities of undertaking and managing monitoring. To address this we used a combination of surveys and semi-structured interviews with 67 biodiversity monitoring managers to provide an in-depth exploration of 1) what are the main rivers of their costs, 2) how different factors affect their cost-effectiveness in generating biodiversity monitoring data, 3) What is the scale and economic value of volunteer labor and 4) what are the main cost bottlenecks and spending priorities. Analysis of these responses demonstrates that monitoring efforts are able to generate more data at a lower cost when they have a) higher numbers of volunteers, b) greater densities of sites and c) monitor a wider range of taxa and habitats. Volunteer labour was worth millions of Euros to these organizations, sometimes more than their total costs. Total budgets and volunteer recruitment and retention were the main cost related bottlenecks among respondents, while staff recruitment was the highest priority for new spending.  The results and discussion around them highlight the challenges faced by biodiversity monitoring organizations, particularly in recruiting and retaining qualified staff for the long-term. We produce a series of nine key messages and six recommendations for policy-markers and funders going forward.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e105600

Authors: Maria Dornelas, Cher Chow, Robert Patchett, Tom Breeze, Lluís Brotons, Pedro Beja, Laurence Carvalho, Ute Jandt, Jessi Junker, W. Daniel Kissling, Ingolf Kühn, Maria Lumbierres, Anne Lyche Solheim, Marit Mjelde, Francisco Moreira, Martin Musche, Henrique Pereira, Leonard Sandin, Roy Van Grunsven

Abstract: The goal of this task was to identify and characterise novel methods for biodiversity monitoring, and to assess their suitability for large scale deployment across Europe. To address this goal we combined extensive literature searches with expert consultation, namely using a survey and through an online workshop. The outcome of our searches is summarised in a metadatabase, which includes 282 methods or method components, which have been classified according to EBV classes addressed, target taxa, and broad method type the method relates to. We then consulted experts within the EuropaBON network and beyond, on the advantages and challenges associated with each of these novel methods, as well as their technology readiness level. In combination, our approaches revealed a wealth of novel methods and a highly active research field, with extensive emerging innovation on several fronts. However, it also revealed high variability in technology readiness, with lack of validation being a prevalent hurdle yet to be overcome for many applications of these methods (i.e. for some taxa and in some environments). Moreover, the opportunities for expansion in observations created by these novel approaches open new challenges associated to the standardisation, integration and storage of biodiversity monitoring data. Finally, the expansion of observations should take a designed approach, in order to deliver on its potential to improve representation and resolution of biodiversity monitoring, and should aim to complement rather than replace human observations. 

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e104251

Authors: Hannah Moersberger, Juliette G. C. Martin, Jessi Junker, Ivelina Georgieva, Joachim Maes, Ian McCallum, Henrique M. Pereira, Aletta Bonn

Abstract: In order to assess user and policy needs related to biodiversity monitoring and data, the EuropaBON project invited national experts to fill in this survey in August 2021. The survey was tailored to the national level and aimed at identifying current monitoring efforts, data flows from collection to reporting, data uptake by policymaking, challenges and roadblocks, as well as biodiversity variables and indicators for a desirable future. On behalf of the European Commission (DG Environment) and EuropaBON, the surveys were sent out to all national focal points of the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) as well as key national agencies. Eionet is a partnership network of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and its 38 member and cooperating countries to gather and develop data, knowledge, and advice to policy makers about Europe's environment. The results of our surveys form the basis for the analysis of the EuropaBON User and Policy Needs Assessment (DOI) and inform the design of the Europa Biodiversity Observation Network and its work programme. We published the original responses of survey sections A and B in the annex of the User and Policy Needs Assessment. Responses of section C were synthesised in the assessment.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e103765

Authors: Alejandra Morán-Ordóñez, Pedro Beja, Sara Fraixedas, Sergi Herrando, Jessi Junker, W. Daniel Kissling, Maria Lumbierres, Anne Lyche Solheim, Gabriel Miret, Jannicke Moe, Francisco Moreira, Henrique Pereira, Joana Santana, Dani Villero, Lluís Brotons

Abstract: The EuropaBON project seeks to design a European Biodiversity Observation Network to monitor the status and trends of European biodiversity and ecosystems in the coming years. To accomplish this, the project has brought together biodiversity monitoring experts and other relevant stakeholders from various sectors (policy, NGO, academia, business, citizen science) from all over Europe. These have agreed on a list of 70 Essential Biodiversity Variables (Deliverable 4.1) that should enable tracking the progress of biodiversity-oriented policy instruments and provide information on changes in biodiversity at different levels.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e103657

Authors: Joana Santana, Miguel Porto, Lluís Brotons, Jessi Junker, W. Daniel Kissling, Maria Lumbierres, Jannicke Moe, Alejandra Morán-Ordóñez, Henrique Pereira, Anne Lyche Solheim, Dani Villero, Francisco Moreira, Pedro Beja

Abstract: The co-design of a European Observatory Observation Network requires information on the existing monitoring capacity in Europe, including the quantity and quality of the data available to generate the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) identified in Task 4.1 at the spatial- and temporal resolutions desired by users and policy. In this document, we provide a framework to identify the main monitoring gaps to produce European-wide EBVs. Specifically, we provide a detailed and spatially explicit information (country-level) on monitoring gaps for the production of 44 EBVs by analyzing the data flowing to current and past monitoring integration initiatives according to the defined criteria (country coverage; taxonomic/ecosystem coverage; standardized monitoring; time-series data; long-term monitoring; ongoing monitoring; sampling frequency; spatial coverage density; minimum sampling unit; raw data available). Results are presented in factsheets for each EBV and summarized across EBV classes and realms.

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DOI: 10.3897/arphapreprints.e101949

Authors: W. Daniel Kissling, Maria Lumbierres

Abstract: This document will form the basis for the EuropaBON virtual workshop on EBV workflows (22-24 February 2023) and for developing the co-design of the European Biodiversity Observation Network.

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