Publication Abstract

Report of the ICES Study Group on Biodiversity Science (2007)

Report of the ICES Study Group on Biodiversity Science (2007)

M. Schratzberger*, W. Appeltans, S. Degraer, F. Hernandes, J.-S. Houziaux, F. Kerckhoff, J. Mees, S. Pesant, H. Reiss, J. Vanaverbeke, E. Verling 

Ever since the 1992 United Nations ‘Earth Summit’ conference in Rio de Janeiro, biodiversityhas received increasing attention from scientists, governments and the public worldwide (1). Biodiversity features in many government Acts and Bills and it has demanded gatherings of scientists and government officials to debate it1. There is growing recognition that biodiversity, including the variety of genes, species and ecosystems, is an irreplaceable natural heritage crucial to human well-being and sustainable development (2). Habitat destruction, introduction of invasive species, overexploitation of biological resources and pollution are major threats to marine biodiversity. Worldwide, there are increasing pressures on marine ecosystems, including living resources. The need for scientific advice to manage marine living resources in an ecosystem context to ensure sustainability has never been greater, and this advice will require a stronger and more comprehensive scientific foundation than ever before. As a first step towards establishing the profile biodiversity science should have, the Study Group on Biodiversity Science (SGBioDiv) reviewed and summarised biodiversity science initiatives within the European community, explored the profile biodiversity science currently has in ICES and evaluated interactions between ICES and the biodiversity science community. SGBioDiv put forward recommendations aimed at:

1. Improving the availability and accessibility of biodiversity data;
2. Enhancing communication and collaboration amongst Study and Working groups;
3. Helping ICES to expand its role from end user of to advocate for biodiversity science.

SGBioDiv recommends that key future activities of the group should include to investigate current and future ICES biodiversity science needs, explore how these needs can be addressed by existing and new Study and Working Groups and propose mechanisms for improved communication and integration of biodiversity science.

• (1) Sheppard, C. 2006. The muddle of ‘Biodiversity’. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 52: 123–124.
• (2) Loreau, M. et al. 2006. Diversity without representation. Nature, 442(7100): 245–246.

Reference:

M. Schratzberger*, W. Appeltans, S. Degraer, F. Hernandes, J.-S. Houziaux, F. Kerckhoff, J. Mees, S. Pesant, H. Reiss, J. Vanaverbeke, E. Verling (2007) Report of the ICES Study Group on Biodiversity Science (2007). ICES CM 2007/MHC:11, 31 pp, http://www.ices.dk/reports/MHC/2007/sgbiodiv07.pdf

http://www.ices.dk/reports/MHC/2007/sgbiodiv07.pdf

M. Schratzberger*, W. Appeltans, S. Degraer, F. Hernandes, J.-S. Houziaux, F. Kerckhoff, J. Mees, S. Pesant, H. Reiss, J. Vanaverbeke, E. Verling

ICES CM 2007/MHC:11, 31 pp, http://www.ices.dk/reports/MHC/2007/sgbiodiv07.pdf