Search publications of the members of the Royal Belgian institute of natural Sciences
-
Evolution and Conservation of Central African Biodiversity: Priorities for Future Research and Education in the Congo Basin and Gulf of Guinea
-
Pan-African phylogeny of Mus (subgenus Nannomys) reveals one of the most successful mammal radiations in Africa
-
High Prevalence of Rickettsia typhi and Bartonella Species in Rats and Fleas, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
-
Specimen collection: An essential tool
-
Image stacking: a semi-automated approach allowing high quality mass digitization
- Scientific institutions like museums maintain large collections enabling present and future research. Thanks to the digitization of the collections, in most of these institutes, it enables researchers across the globe to see which collections might be interesting for their projects. However as most of these databases only provide descriptive information and/or metadata, it remains impossible to study these digitized specimens from a distance. As the most precious parts of the collections, like type specimens, are the most requested ones by fellow researcher, these become, inevitably, the most handled ones. Unless a policy exists not to handle them at all, which unfortunately, prevents research. To make sure that collection material like type specimens remain documented for future research and can be studied trough the internet, digitization is the key, 3D or 2D. The only challenge is to chose the right digitization method for the right material and or size (Mathys et al., 2013). Especially small specimens which are often found in insect and invertebrate collections tend to be difficult to digitize in 3D as fine structures can only be seen in µCT recordings, which are still quite expensive pieces of equipment. However, 2D image might provide enough information to conduct for instance taxonomic research. Image stacking is the only way to capture enough detail in a single picture as the low depth of field of camera lenses, makes it almost impossible to get the complete object in focus, unless the aperture is stepped down. However this results in other aberrations as the optical resolution reduces due to the diffraction effect. Thanks to the large computational power of today’s workstations, it is possible to do image stacking rather easily. The only remaining challenge is taking the individual pictures. Readily made commercial stacking columns do exist, but are too expensive to provide one to each department or research group. In this paper we will present the results of a low cost approach consisting of a DSLR camera attached to an automated macro rail with a custom build light tent. As there are no over- or underexposed parts on the resulting images, they are good enough to allow publication without the use of a post-processing software. More importantly, during the photo-shoot of one specimen another can be prepared, alcohol based or dry, for the next shoot. When similar specimens are digitized at the same time, light and aperture settings stay more or less the same, providing a fast and smooth workflow. The stacking of the images, done in Zerene Stacker, can easily be started as a batch process at the end of the working day or during the night. As the total package of this system can be purchased for around € 2.5k several digitization centers can be started in different department allowing faster digitization of the type material.
-
Predicting the consequences of nutrient reduction on the eutrophication status of the North Sea.
- In this paper the results from a workshop of the OSPAR Intersessional Correspondence Group on Eutrophication Modelling (ICG-EMO) held in Lowestoft in 2007 are presented. The aim of the workshop was to compare the results of a number of North Sea ecosystem models under different reduction scenarios. In order to achieve comparability of model results the participants were requested to use a minimum spin-up time, common boundary conditions which were derived from a wider-domain model, and a set of common forcing data, with special emphasis on a complete coverage of river nutrient loads. Based on the OSPAR requirements river loads were derived, taking into account the reductions already achieved between 1985 and 2002 for each country. First, for the year 2002, for which the Comprehensive Procedure was applied, the different horizontal distributions of net primary production are compared. Furthermore, the differences in the net primary production between the hindcast run and the 50% nutrient reduction runs are displayed. In order to compare local results, the hindcast and reduction runs are presented for selected target areas and scored against the Comprehensive Procedure assessment levels for the parameters DIN, DIP and chlorophyll. Finally, the temporal development of the assessment parameter bottom oxygen concentration from several models is compared with data from the Dutch monitoring station Terschelling 135. The conclusion from the workshop was that models are useful to support the application of the OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure. The comparative exercise formulated specifically for the workshop required models to be evaluated for pre-defined target areas previously classified as problem areas according to the first application of the Comprehensive Procedure. The responsiveness of the modelled assessment parameters varied between different models but in general the parameter showed a larger response in coastal rather than in offshore waters, which in some cases lead to the goal to achieve a non-problem status. Therefore, the application of the Comprehensive Procedure on model results for parameter assessment opens a new potential in testing eutrophication reduction measures within the North Sea catchment. As a result of the workshop further work was proposed to confirm and bolster confidence in the results. One general field of difficulty appeared to be the model forcing with SPM data in order to achieve realistic levels of light attenuation. Finally, effects of the prescribed spin-up procedure are compared against a long-term run over many years and consequences on the resulting initial nutrient concentrations are highlighted.
-
Detection of Algal Blooms in European waters based on satellite chlorophyll data from MERIS and MODIS.
- A technique for algal-bloom detection in European waters is described, based on standard chlorophyll a concentration (Chl) data from two ocean-colour sensors, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS). Comparison of the two data sources shows good agreement in case 1 waters, whereas the difference is significant in coastal waters including turbid areas. A relationship between the water-leaving reflectance at 667 nm and Chl for case 1 waters was used to eliminate pixels where Chl retrieval is contaminated by backscatter from inorganic suspended matter. Daily Chl data are compared to a predefined threshold map to determine whether an algal bloom has occurred. In this study, a threshold map was defined as the 90th percentile of previous years' data to take account of regional differences in typical Chl levels, with separate maps for each sensor to take account of sensor-specific bias. The algal-bloom detection processing chain is described, and example results are presented.
-
Modelling the transport of common sole larvae in the Southern North Sea: influence of hydrodynamics and larval vertical movements.
- In the present work we used a particle-tracking model coupled to a 3D hydrodynamic model to study the combined effect of hydrodynamic variability and active vertical movements on the transport of sole larvae in the southern North Sea. Larval transport from the 6 main spawning grounds was simulated during 40 day periods starting on 2 plausible spawning dates, the 15/04 and the 01/05, during 2 years, 1995 and 1996. In addition to a “passive” behaviour, 3 types of active vertical movements inspired from previous studies have been tested: (1) Eggs and early larvae float in the surface waters, late larvae migrate toward the bottom and stay there until the end of the simulation; (2 and 3) Eggs float in the surface waters, early larvae perform diel vertical migrations in the surface waters, and (2) Late larvae perform diel vertical migrations in the bottom waters until the end of the simulation; or (3) Late larvae perform tidally synchronised vertical migrations in the bottom waters until the end of the simulation. These behaviours have been implemented in the model with vertical migration rates, positive or negative, which can account for buoyancy or real swimming activity. Variations in larval transport were analysed in terms of mean trajectories, final larvae distribution, larval retention above nurseries, and connectivity. Results suggest that the variations in larval retention above nurseries due to the varying hydrodynamic conditions are not consistent in space i.e. not the same for all the spawning sites. The effect of active vertical movements on larval transport is also not consistent in space: Effects of active vertical movements include decreased retention above nurseries, decreased transport and/or decreased horizontal dispersion of larvae through reduced vertical shear (depending on the zone). The variability in larval retention due to hydrodynamic variability is higher than variability due to differences in the behaviour of larvae. In terms of connectivity, exchanges of larvae between the 6 areas considered are moderate: 10 connections happened out of the 30 possible, and the amount of larvae exchanged is much lower than the amount of larvae retained except in a few cases. This is not incompatible with the possible existence of subpopulations of sole in the Eastern Channel and southern North Sea.
-
Cloud filling of ocean color and sea surface temperature remote sensing products over the Southern North Sea by the Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions methodology.
- Optical remote sensing data is now being used systematically for marine ecosystem applications, such as the forcing of biological models and the operational detection of harmful algae blooms. However, applications are hampered by the incompleteness of imagery and by some quality problems. The Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions methodology (DINEOF) allows calculation of missing data in geophysical datasets without requiring a priori knowledge about statistics of the full data set and has previously been applied to SST reconstructions. This study demonstrates the reconstruction of complete space-time information for 4 years of surface chlorophyll a (CHL), total suspended matter (TSM) and sea surface temperature (SST) over the Southern North Sea (SNS) and English Channel (EC). Optimal reconstructions were obtained when synthesising the original signal into 8 modes for MERIS CHL and into 18 modes for MERIS TSM. Despite the very high proportion of missing data (70%), the variability of original signals explained by the EOF synthesis reached 93.5 % for CHL and 97.2 % for TSM. For the MODIS TSM dataset, 97.5 % of the original variability of the signal was synthesised into 14 modes. The MODIS SST dataset could be synthesised into 13 modes explaining 98 % of the input signal variability. Validation of the method is achieved for 3 dates below 2 artificial clouds, by comparing reconstructed data with excluded input information. Complete weekly and monthly averaged climatologies, suitable for use with ecosystem models, were derived from regular daily reconstructions. Error maps associated with every reconstruction were produced according to Beckers et al. (2006) [6]. Embedded in this error calculation scheme, a methodology was implemented to produce maps of outliers, allowing identification of unusual or suspicious data points compared to the global dynamics of the dataset. Various algorithms artefacts were associated with high values in the outlier maps (undetected cloud edges, haze areas, contrails, cloud shadows). With the production of outlier maps, the data reconstruction technique becomes also a very efficient tool for quality control of optical remote sensing data and for change detection within large databases.
-
Nutrient dynamics and phytoplankton development along an estuary-coastal zone continuum: A model study.
- This study presents a first attempt to quantify the biogeochemical transformations and fluxes of carbon and nutrients along the entire mixing zone of the shallow, tidally-dominated estuary–coastal zone continuum of the Scheldt (Belgium/The Netherlands). A fully transient, two-dimensional, nested-grid hydrodynamic model of the continuum is coupled to the biogeochemical MIRO model for the coastal zone and the CONTRASTE model for the estuary. Transient model simulations are performed with a high spatial (80–750 m) and temporal (30 min) resolution over a period of one year (January–December 1995). The high temporal resolution allows including the short-term variability triggered by the tides, the freshwater discharge and the wind stress. System scale simulations provide time series of nutrient transformations and fluxes along the entire estuary–coastal zone continuum, as well as highly resolved nutrient inventories for the estuarine and the coastal zone sub-domains. Simulation results reveal that the balance between highly variable estuarine nutrient inputs and physical constrains set by the unsteady residual transport field exert an important control on the magnitude and succession of phytoplankton blooms and the ecosystem structure in the coastal zone. In addition, they suggest that the poorly surveyed estuarine–coastal zone interface plays a central role in the continuum. In this dynamic area, marked spatial concentration gradients develop and episodically lead to a reversal of material fluxes from the coast into the estuary. During distinct episodes of the productive period, euryhaline coastal diatoms intrude far upstream into the saline estuary. This intrusion reduces the estuarine nutrient concentrations and export fluxes, thereby reinforcing the nutrient limitation in the coastal area. As a consequence, the estuarine filter does not operate independently from the processes in the coastal zone. The dynamic interplay between the two ecosystems and the intense process rates operating at their transition, therefore, strongly supports our continuum approach.
-
Seasonal and inter-annual variability of air-sea CO2 fluxes and seawater carbonate chemistry in the Southern Bight of the North Sea.
- A 3D coupled biogeochemical–hydrodynamic model (MIRO-CO2&CO) is implemented in the English Channel (ECH) and the Southern Bight of the North Sea (SBNS) to estimate the present-day spatio-temporal distribution of air–sea CO2 fluxes, surface water partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and other components of the carbonate system (pH, saturation state of calcite (Xca) and of aragonite (Xar)), and the main drivers of their variability. Over the 1994–2004 period, air–sea CO2 fluxes show significant interannual variability, with oscillations between net annual CO2 sinks and sources. The inter annual variability of air–sea CO2 fluxes simulated in the SBNS is controlled primarily by river loads and changes of biological activities (net autotrophy in spring and early summer, and net heterotrophy in winter and autumn), while in areas less influenced by river inputs such as the ECH, the inter annual variations of air–sea CO2 fluxes are mainly due to changes in sea surface temperature and in near-surface wind strength and direction. In the ECH, the decrease of pH, of Xca and of Xar follows the one expected from the increase of atmospheric CO2 (ocean acidification), but the decrease of these quantities in the SBNS during the considered time period is faster than the one expected from ocean acidification alone. This seems to be related to a general pattern of decreasing nutrient river loads and net ecosystem production (NEP) in the SBNS. Annually, the combined effect of carbon and nutrient loads leads to an increase of the sink of CO2 in the ECH and the SBNS, but the impact of the river loads varies spatially and is stronger in river plumes and nearshore waters than in offshore waters. The impact of organic and inorganic carbon (C) inputs is mainly confined to the coast and generates a source of CO2 to the atmosphere and low pH, of Xca and of Xar values in estuarine plumes, while the impact of nutrient loads, highest than the effect of C inputs in coastal nearshore waters, also propagates offshore and, by stimulating primary production, drives a sink of atmospheric CO2 and higher values of pH, of Xca and of Xar.
-
Modelling diatom and Phaeocystis blooms and nutrient cycles in the Southern Bight of the North Sea: the MIRO model.
- The link between anthropogenic nutrient loads and the magnitude and extent of diatom and Phaeocystis colony blooms in the Southern Bight of the North Sea was explored with the complex ecosystem model MIRO. The model was adapted for resolving the changing nutrient loads, the complex biology of the bloom species and the tight coupling between the benthic and pelagic compartments that characterise this shallow coastal shelf sea ecosystem. State variables included the main inorganic nutrients (nitrate [NO3], ammonium [NH4], phosphate [PO4] and dissolved silica [DSi]), 3 groups of phytoplankton with different trophic fates (diatoms, nanophytoflagellates and Phaeocystis colonies), 2 zooplankton groups (copepods and microzooplankton), bacteria, and 5 classes of detrital organic matter with different biodegradability. The capability of the MIRO model to properly simulate the observed SW–NE gradient in nutrient enrichment and the seasonal cycle of inorganic and organic C and nutrients, phytoplankton, bacteria and zooplankton in the eastern English Channel and Southern Bight of the North Sea is demonstrated by running the model for the period from 1989 to 1999. The MIRO code was implemented in a simplified multi-box representation of the hydrodynamic regime. These model runs give the first general view of the seasonal dynamics of Phaeocystis colony blooms and nutrient cycling within the domain. C, N and P budget calculations show that (1) the coastal ecosystem has a low nutrient retention and elimination capacity, (2) trophic efficiency of the planktonic system is low, and (3) both are modulated by meteorological forcing.
-
Modelling the impact of the Scheldt and Rhine/Meuse plumes on the salinity distribution in Belgian waters (Southern North Sea).
- A 3D hydrodynamical model has been set up to describe the distribution and variability of the salinity in Belgian coastal waters. Particular attention was paid to determining the relative impact of the Scheldt and Rhine/Meuse freshwater plumes and testing the hypothesis that the salinity of Belgian waters is primarily a mix between salty offshore water and freshwater from the Scheldt Estuary. Attention was also paid to determining whether the Seine has significant impact on the Belgian zone. The 3D hydrodynamical model, based on COHERENS, has been applied to the Channel and the Southern Bight of the North Sea using a 5′ (longitude) by 2.5′ (latitude) grid. The model has been run for the years 1991–2002. Real river runoffs have been taken into account for the main rivers within the domain: the Scheldt, the Rhine/Meuse, the Seine and the Thames. Model tracers were used to characterise the signature of water masses in terms of Atlantic and riverine waters. Results indicate that the salinity of Belgian waters is dominated by inflow of the Channel water mass which mixes with freshwater originating mainly from the Rhine/Meuse with a much smaller contribution from the Scheldt Estuary. This conclusion is further supported by simulation results obtained when each river discharge is separately set to zero. Thus, the ‘generally accepted’ hypothesis of a ‘continental coastal river’ with fresher coastal water flowing north-eastward up the French-Belgian-Dutch coast and picking up freshwater from successive outflows seems inappropriate for Belgian waters where horizontal dispersion of Rhine/Meuse water in the opposite direction is significant.
-
Traumatism in the wild animals kept and offered at predynastic Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt
- A description is given of the violence related pathologies that are observed in a number of wild mammals that were buried in the predynastic cemetery HK6 at Hierakonpolis, Upper Egypt. Unlike other predynastic graveyards, where only domestic cattle, sheep, goat and dogs are interred, the elite cemetery HK6 yielded also a wide variety of wild species that were buried as part of extensive mortuary complexes surrounding the graves of the highest local elite. The animals were interred, singly or in groups, often in graves of their own, but some also accompany human burials. Pathologies were found on the skeletons of 20 of the 38 wild animals discovered thus far, namely in 15 anubis baboons (Papio anubis), one leopard (Panthera pardus), one jungle cat (Felis chaus), one hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus), one aurochs (Bos primigenius) and one hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius). Most of the pathologies are healed fractures resulting from violent blows, and a smaller proportion seems to be related to tethering. These conditions indicate that the animals were held in captivity for a prolonged period of time after their capture. The type and frequency of the encountered deformations differ from those seen in wild animals from other, more recent Egyptian cemeteries (Abydos, Tuna el-Gebel, Gabanet el-Giroud, Saqqara) where mainly metabolic disorders are observed that have been attributed to chronic malnutrition and to vitamin D deficiency as a result of inadequate housing in a dark environment. Keywords: archaeozoology - palaeopathology - bone fracture - hartebeest - aurochs - baboon - leopard - jungle cat.
-
The biogeography of the Southern Ocean
-
The Halomonhystera disjuncta population is homogeneous across the Håkon Mosby mud volcano (Barents Sea) but is genetically differentiated from its shallow-water relatives
-
A critique of Rossberg et al.: noise obscures the genetic signal of meiobiotal ecospecies in ecogenomic datasets
-
Synthesis DGD-RBINS programme 2008-2012
- Executive summary At the demand of DGD and Belspo, a synthesis of the programme DGD-RBINS for the period 208-2012 has been made in August-September 2013 in order to inform the steering committee in view of the activity programme 2014-2018. After a short introduction explaining the five specific objectives of the DGD-RBINS programme 2008-2012 and the general architecture of the programme, generic characteristics of the interventions are provided. The self-assessment (full text in annex) for the period 2008-2011 is summarised per component of the programme for performance indicators, strengths and weaknesses, lessons learned and recommendations. Trends over the period 2008-2012 for indicators, output and financial means are explained. A SWOT analysis is provided, followed by conclusions. The self-assessment highlighted the many strengths of the project, especially the small-scale tailor-made and personal approach and high dedication of staff, project promoters, and trainees, as well as the quality output, as expressed in numbers of projects, trainings and trainees, workshops, upgraded web sites, international meetings, graduates, experimental plots, digitalised and disseminated archives and publications. Also the points of attention to be taken towards the next strategy period are highlighted. E.g. the low computer and English literacy in RD Congo, the need for more field workshops in the context of habitat monitoring in RDC and elsewhere, the need to continue organising regional CHM meetings and to promote distance learning, the optimisation of data recording and other procedures for the programme and the need to improve the editing and dissemination processes of AbcTaxa. Meanwhile this last has been remediated. There is the urgency to remain at the spear point of internationally accepted recognised capacity building practices, to improve the visibility of the project and of the interventions, to enhance communication about the link between biodiversity and other environmental themes, and to optimise the use of indicators in a result based management approach.
-
Annual plan 2014 Cebios programme
- Introduction 2014: the first year of the new strategy 2014-2023 The year 2014 is the first year of the new strategy 2014-2023 and the new work programme of the first 5 year plan 2014-2018. It is also the first year starting on 1 January and ending on 31 December, instead of the period April-March. The 2013 programme helped facilitating the transition towards the new vision inscribed in the coming ten year strategy for 2014-2023. The year 2014 is earmarked with a budget of 1,105,683 €. As in previous years, we will continue our training, networking and institutional strengthening activities on biodiversity and sustainable development. We will also strive to bring about changes in mind-sets, in RBINS and our partners, to integrate the guiding principles of the new five year framework programme for 2014-2018, such as more result-based management, a more explicit link to ecosystem services and poverty reduction and sustainable development inscribed in the Belgian development cooperation. For example, formulation missions are planned in 2014 for the institutional cooperation with Bénin and Burundi and eventually Peru. Concerning DR Congo, the cooperation with the ICCN and the national CHM will be strengthened in cooperation with local universities, and we intend to participate in the conference of the ‘Centre de Surveillance de la Biodiversité’ (CSB), organised in June 2014 in Kisangani (RD Congo), on condition of sufficient security. These are good occasions for the new coordinator to get acquainted with the programme in the field. As the world celebrated last year the 20 years of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Rio Earth Summit (Rio+20, June 2012), it is clear that the longstanding challenges remain unabated. Although some poverty indicators show improvement, the positive evolution has been unequal and insufficient. Backed by scientific knowledge, we are convinced that both phenomena, poverty and biodiversity loss, are closely linked and both need to be addressed jointly. By doing so, we strive at being recognised as a centre of excellence in this field. The year 2014 will certainly see a surge in the global preparations for the formulation of the post 2015 Millennium development goals (MDGs) into the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), taking into account the lessons learned for formulating new goals. In 2014, as in previous years, it is our intention to contribute to the reduction of poverty and to ensure a sustainable economic and social development within the partner countries of the Belgian cooperation by meeting new targets for the conservation of biodiversity and the safeguarding of the ecosystem services it delivers. The new programme components defined and presented in the new ten year strategy 2014-2023, will be implemented from this year onwards. Six specific objectives are programmed: 1. To strengthen the scientific and technical knowledge base on biodiversity and on its linkages with ecosystem services and poverty reduction. This specific objective includes the interventions under the 8 Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) and the biodiversity inventories, monitoring and assessments’ (IMAB); 2. To enhance the information base on these issues and on associated governance processes. This includes information networks (Clearing House Mechanism (CHM)); 3. To raise awareness and communicate on the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for poverty reduction and sustainable development, and on associated governance processes. This component is new. This specific objective was formerly part of the component involving the work on the CHM, but now was created with a separate budget line, given its priority in the strategy. 4. To improve the mainstreaming of biodiversity and ecosystem services in policy sectors that have a high relevance for development. This component includes both the participation to scientific, technical and political processes, as well as providing training to different stakeholders in Belgium and in a latter stadium in the South (e.g. NGOs, embassies, BTC). 5. To improve the knowledge on the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of policy choices and activities linked to biodiversity and ecosystem services. This component is new as well and needs to be further worked out. One important feature will be to make the link between scientific knowledge and the development of national indicators in developing countries, both for their own National Biodiversity Strategic plans as their national Biodiversity Reports. 6. To raise awareness on, and build capacities for, the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. This component is new and will gain momentum with increasing pressure for the parties to sign and ratify the Protocol. The stand of countries having ratified this treaty in February 2014 stays at 29 parties, all developing countries, plus Norway. The EU will ratify in one movement at the end of 2014. Most of the former activities under the GTI and CHM will be consolidated, by focusing primarily on existing partnerships and projects. IMAB activities will be increased through the consolidation of the partnership with the ‘Institut National pour l’Environnement et la Conservation de la Nature’ (INECN) in Burundi and the launching of a new partnership with Benin with the ‘Université Calavi-Abomey’ which will try to provide answers to questions about conservation of biodiversity and management of bush fire and pastoralism asked by the ‘Centre National de Gestion des Réserves de Faune (CENAGREF)’. These two partnerships will give more opportunities for the integration of an ‘ecosystem services’ angle to research activities. Our scientific support to policy issues will continue and intensify. We will devote time, through intense collaboration with D2.4, for the identification and preparation of activities aiming at the enhanced mainstreaming of biodiversity issues in the Belgian Development Cooperation. In the year 2014, one WIGRI meeting is programmed, as well as SBSTTA 18 and COP 12. Staff will attend as much as possible to these meetings as part of the Belgian delegation and in order to be informed on and influence the national and global agendas. Other working groups or platforms will also retain the necessary attention such as the ENVIRONET initiative of the OECD-DAC, the SDSN network and the working group on the Dehadrun-Chennai recommendations on the link biodiversity-poverty reduction organised by the CBD secretariat. A new scientist should be recruited at the beginning of 2014 in order to support the implementation of all specific objectives and more specifically the specific objectives 3, 5 and 6 (see above). Moreover, the DGD-unit plans to produce its own website in order to increase its visibility and 9 transparency. Within RBINS, the DGD-RBINS programme will seek to embed its strategy in the strategic action plan of the newly created operational direction ‘Nature’, an dactively participate in the newly created policy support group ‘BIOPOLS’, grouping the DGD-RBINS programme, the National Focal Point on Biological Diversity, the Belgian Platform for Biodiversity and Marine policy. Obviously, the 20 Aichi targets set out at COP10 remain the main framework for the implementation of our strategy until 2020. The first annex of the present document presents the logical framework for the period 2014-2018. The second annex presents the operational plans for each of the components for the year 2014. The budget is outlined on pg 10. Concerning he structure of the present document, after the programme overview, the budget and a list of partners, each of the 6 specific objectives is described in detail. The logframe (complete, see annex 1) is for five years, but the activities for the year 2014 are explained in the narrative
-
DGD-RBINS multi-annual plan 2014-2018
- INTRODUCTION In December 2012 a new 10 year strategy (2014-2023) of the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme (in the text also: ‘DGD-programme’ or DGD-unit) on capacity building for Biodiversity has been approved by the Steering Committee. The strategy contains a general objective, 6 specific objectives, and 16 expected results. In June 2013 the relevant Minister accepted this approval for a strategy of 10 years, divided into two phases of 5 years, with an indicative budget of 6 M EURO for the first phase of five years, (on condition of budget approval). In September 2013, a workshop was held on Project Cycle Management for the RBINS-team, reviewing the main activities and indicators. This document presents the programme for the first phase of 5 years (2014-2018), with special attention to the objectives and outcome and their indicators in an approach of result-based management. This programme is based on the results of a self-assessment, done in the previous period covering 2007-2012 and a synthesis of that period (available on demand). The complete logical framework, operational plans, the budget and a list of institutional partners are given in annex (1-4). The linkages between the specific objectives of the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual plan and the Aïchi targets (COP 10) are listed in annex 5. A more detailed description at the level of activities will be outlined in the annual plans 2014-2018. Finally the embedding of the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme into the strategic action plan of the recently created operational Direction ‘Nature’ of RBINS is explained in the short- (2014-2015), mid-(2016-2018) and long-term (2018-2023) perspective as shown in annex 6. As an introduction, some elements of the strategic framework, (part III of the strategic plan 2014-2023), are presented in order to list the general and specific objectives, the links with the international context, global results and intended impacts. Then the programme design, outcome and budget are presented. Finally each of the 6 specific objectives (SO) is worked out in more detail. Compared with the previous strategy (2008-2012), the budget increased with ca. 36%, the specific objectives were expanded and 3 new specific objectives were added (Specific objective 3 on awareness raising, SO5 on ‘Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of biodiversity interventions and SO6 on the Protocol of Nagoya). On condition of budget approval and in order to fulfil the additional requirements of the new strategy, a scientist shall be recruited by the beginning of 2014. The DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme adopts two approaches: (A) institutional strengthening through capacity development and (B) a grants programme through competitive calls, both dedicated to biodiversity and poverty eradication The programme focuses on the biodiversity of terrestrial (tropical forest, dry and highland forests, savannahs, grasslands), and aquatic ecosystems (marine and wetlands). 9 | P a g e As promoted by the Paris Declaration, the Agenda of Accra and Busan 1 on improved efficiency of development cooperation (with special emphasis on ownership, harmonisation, alignment and mutual accountability), it is important to link (synergies), align and harmonise our projects to similar or complementary initiatives, whether in Belgium (e.g. bilateral, delegated or scientific cooperation undertaken by DGD or BELSPO) or other European and international actors (e.g. the International Foundation for Science, IFS, Sweden2). Such synergies will be essential for the quality of generation of results that can have a real impact on development policies and good governance related to the conservation and the promotion of biodiversity as promulgated by the Aïchi targets. Moreover, the implementation of the strategy should contribute to the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Belgian efforts for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the developing world. The DGD-unit at RBINS aims at becoming an excellence centre about the link between biodiversity policy, conservation and management, the sustainable use of ecosystem services and sustainable development with a particular focus on poverty reduction and eradication, through capacity building and research. Its web site will be updated and refreshed in order to increase (i) visibility, (ii) transparency, (iii) information sharing with all stakeholders and (iv) information sharing with the broader public. Due to the recent restructuration at RBINS (2013), the DGD-unit has become part of the Operational Direction “Natural Environments”. The National Focal Point on the Convention for Biodiversity (CBD) and the Belgian Platform for Biodiversity are housed at RBINS as well. This brings possibilities of synergies between these three units within RBINS and beyond. In order to remain at the spear point of the latest developments, the DGD-programme needs to be evaluated on a regular basis (mid- and end of term). The preparations for these evaluations will take place during the years 4 and 10-11 (to be developed in the second phase), and the implementation of the evaluations will take place in respectively years 4-5 and 10-11. The DGD-unit will seek to promote research on the link between biodiversity conservation, policies and 1 http://www.oecd.org/dac/effectiveness/thehighlevelforaonaideffectivenessahistory.htm: he formulation of a set of principles for effective aid - now adhered to by over 100 countries as the blueprint for maximising the impact of aid - grew out of a need to understand why aid was not producting the development results everyone wanted to see and to step up efforts to meet the ambitious targets set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These principles are rooted in continuous efforts to improve the delivery of aid, marked by three notable events: the High Level Fora on Aid Effectiveness in Rome, Paris, Accra and Busan in 2003, 2005 and 2008, and 2011 respectively. 2 www.ifs.se Almost ¾ of the programme is dedicated to Africa. Half of the earmarked budget for institutional strengthening through capacity development in Africa is dedicated to DR Congo. Concerning capacities for research and habitat monitoring related to biodiversity and poverty eradication, the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme mainly supports institutional strengthening in DR Congo, Burundi, Benin, Peru and Vietnam. 10 | P a g e sustainable development and poverty alleviation in order to develop relevant indicators, but also solutions by and for the partner countries. Integration of poverty eradication plans into national biodiversity strategies and, vice-versa, of biodiversity plans into national development plans will be more and more applied in the developing countries. The DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme contributes to these processes, a.o. through participation in the mixed commissions for the preparation of the Indicative Development Cooperation Plans (IDCP). By doing so, the programme adheres as much as possible to the local processes of needs analysis. One new feature in the programme is the support of pilot projects in the South that will enable our partners to feed biodiversity monitoring data into national indicator processes. It will be important to valorise the work carried out by our partners who are involved in biodiversity monitoring studies, so that their data can be useful for, and used in, current indicator processes on the status of biodiversity. Sound baselines and measurements of biodiversity are needed to be able to provide meaningful trends. To enable our partners to contribute to these indicator processes, training and dedicated follow-up will be required to ensure the quality of the produced data. Mainstreaming of, and training about biodiversity issues in the sector of cooperation, but also at local governance levels will gain importance in the coming years. The Pro tocol of Nagoya will retain particular attention in that respect, as it will become a global instrument to accede and use genetic resources and derived products in a more sustainable and equitable way, once the parties, also Belgium ratify it (expected during 2014).
