Guidelines for the Rapid Ecological Assessment - Convention on ...

GUIDELINES FOR THE RAPID ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF BIODIVERSITY IN INLAND WATER, COASTAL AND MARINE AREAS
STEP (CONT’D)
Establish a data management system and a specimen curating
system
GUIDANCE (CONT’D)
Establish clear protocols <strong>for</strong> collecting, recording and
storing data, including archiving in electronic or hardcopy
<strong>for</strong>mats.
Ensure adequate specimen curating. This should enable
future users to determine <strong>the</strong> source of <strong>the</strong> data, and its
accuracy and reliability, and to access reference collections.
At this stage it is also necessary to identify suitable data
analysis methods. All data analysis should be done by rigorous
and tested methods and all in<strong>for</strong>mation documented.
The data management system should support,
ra<strong>the</strong>r than constrain, <strong>the</strong> data analysis.
Establish a reporting procedure
Establish a review and evaluation process
Per<strong>for</strong>m study and include continuous assessment of methodology
(go back and revise design if needed)
Data assessment and reporting (was purpose of <strong>the</strong> study
achieved? If not, go back to step 3)
A meta-database should be used to: a) record in<strong>for</strong>mation
about <strong>the</strong> inventory datasets; and b) outline details
of data custodianship and access by o<strong>the</strong>r users. Use
existing international standards (refer to <strong>the</strong> Ramsar
Wetland Inventory Framework – Resolution VIII.6)
Establish a procedure <strong>for</strong> interpreting and reporting all
results in a timely and cost effective manner.
The reporting should be concise, indicate whe<strong>the</strong>r or not
<strong>the</strong> objective has been achieved, and contain recommendations
<strong>for</strong> management action, including whe<strong>the</strong>r
fur<strong>the</strong>r data or in<strong>for</strong>mation is required.
Establish a <strong>for</strong>mal and open review process to ensure <strong>the</strong>
effectiveness of all procedures, including reporting and,
when required, supply in<strong>for</strong>mation to adjust <strong>the</strong> assessment
process.
Undertake study method. Test and adjust <strong>the</strong> method
and specialist equipment being used, assess <strong>the</strong> training
needs <strong>for</strong> staff involved, and confirm <strong>the</strong> means of collating,
collecting, entering, analysing and interpreting <strong>the</strong>
data. In particular, ensure that any remote sensing can be
supported by appropriate “ground-truth” survey.
Undertake a <strong>for</strong>mal and open review process to ensure
<strong>the</strong> effectiveness of all procedures, including reporting
and, when required, supply in<strong>for</strong>mation to adjust or even
terminate <strong>the</strong> program.
Results should be provided in appropriate styles and
level of detail to, inter alia, local authorities, local communities
and o<strong>the</strong>r stakeholders, local and national decisionmakers,
donors and <strong>the</strong> scientific community.
1 It is important to include identification not just of local data and in<strong>for</strong>mation but also o<strong>the</strong>r relevant national and international
sources, which can provide supplementary data and in<strong>for</strong>mation to underpin <strong>the</strong> rapid assessment (<strong>for</strong> example, <strong>the</strong> UNEP-
GEMS/Water programme <strong>for</strong> water quality and quantity).
2 IUCN has developed a methodology <strong>for</strong> prioritizing important sites <strong>for</strong> conservation of biodiversity of inland waters. See
http://www.iucn.org/<strong>the</strong>mes/ssc/programs/freshwater.htm <strong>for</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r in<strong>for</strong>mation.
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