The First National Workshop on Biodiversity Monitoring

was Held in Beijing

On January 20-21, the first national workshop on biodiversity monitoring was held in Beijing, co-hosted by the Bureau of Science & Technology for Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese National Committee for DIVERSITAS and Biodiversity Committee, CAS.

Dr. J?rg Freyhof, the executive director of Global Biodiversity Observation System (GEO BON), Prof. Haigen Xu from Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Prof. Xiaoping Tang from the State Forestry Administration Survey Planning and Design Institute, Prof. Jianping Ge from Beijing Normal University, were invited, Prof. Ma Keping gave the assembly speech.

Taking freshwater fish research as an example, Dr. J?rg Freyhof introduced the progress and prospects of GEO BON. Prof. Keping Ma shared the international and national developments in biodiversity monitoring, and focused on introduction of the “China Biodiversity Observation and Research Network” (Sino BON), which was initiated by CAS. Prof. Haigen Xu introduced the design and research progress of the biodiversity observation network that led by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Prof. Xiaoping Tang gave a talk on the progress in monitoring forests, wetlands, terrestrial wildlife and key wild plants that the State Forestry Administration has made. Prof. Jianping Ge shared the monitoring progress in tigers, leopards and other wildlife based on the infrared camera network.

In the symposiums, 30 researchers shared their research progress in diversity monitoring of plant, animals, soil microorganisms, biodiversity monitoring technology and information management. Experts from CAS reported the scientific objectives, monitoring indicators and network management of ten specific monitoring networks and one synthetic center. Experts from biodiversity monitoring nationally introduced their development of new technology and monitoring results in their fields.

This symposium comprehensively summarized the progress and the future plans of biodiversity monitoring in China. It showed the significant progress in Chinese biodiversity monitoring to the world and strengthened the cooperation between related departments and CAS to jointly promote biodiversity monitoring and conservation in China. This will provide detailed and reliable information for biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization, in particular for better fulfill the Convention on Biological Diversity.