Together with RIVM and advisor Wideke Boersma from RuimteFocus, Naturalis Biodiversity Center is working on mapping the need for and availability of nature data in the Netherlands outside of nature reserves *. The project runs from 2024 to 2028 and is carried out in collaboration with and is financed by the Ministry of LVVN.
Whynecessary
The biodiversity crisis has major social and economic consequences. There are major changes and intensifications in the field of nature and biodiversity policy and legislation. In order to ensure that this policy contributes effectively and efficiently to biodiversity recovery, it is necessary that the information management around biodiversity is well-organized and that supply and demand are aligned.
Needfor data
The need for biodiversity data has increased significantly. Various parties, both governments (national government, provinces, municipalities, water boards) and private individuals (for example construction companies, farmers, (nature) managers, researchers) have different data needs. These needs can partly overlap, reinforce or counteract each other. In this study we focus on the current legal regulations regarding permits and subsidies for the purpose of nature improvement. This concerns the Environment and Planning Act (Omgevingswet), de Agrarisch Natuur- en LandschapsBeheer en de Ecoregeling.
Data recordingis fragmented
In the meantime, data on nature and conditions for nature restoration are collected in many different ways and places (including the Netwerk Ecologische Monitoring and the Nationale Databank Flora &Fauna). However, registration of nature data is fragmented. The improvement of monitoring that has been initiated by the national government and provinces is now only focused on the Vogel- en Habitatrichtlijn (VHR). This project is supplementary and looks at the whole of the Netherlands. There is no overview of which data is kept where and what it is used for. There is also no insight into which data is needed in the short term and with what quality (standards, resolution and frequency) and availability.
Overview needed
However, there is currently no good overview of which data is requested and required by which parties, which data is already available and which gaps still need to be filled. The aim of this project is to create an overview of the data needs and supply in the field of nature and biodiversity by means of an analysis in order to meet the tasks that arise from both legal frameworks and policy objectives in which the parties involved have a responsibility.
In summary
Reliable, sound and available data regarding nature and biodiversity is essential for the implementation of Dutch nature policy, including the area-based approach, in order to establish this evidence-based. And especially with financial arrangements that are based on such data, the risk of problems during implementation is high. Economic development is also (in fact already) at risk, because good data are needed for, among other things, environmental plans and permit procedures. In some cases, this data is already available, but it cannot be (properly) unlocked, the supply does not match the demand well enough or there are questions about the quality of the data.
MainQuestions
The questions this project aims to answer are:
- What data is needed where to meet current legal obligations and to contribute to decision-making by stakeholders?
- What (types of) data are currently being collected, where, and by whom?
- What gaps and overlaps are there now in the collection and provision of data?
- What policy developments are underway for which data will be required?
- What (cost)effective measures can be taken that contribute to simpler and better management and use of nature and biodiversity data?
- What does this require from the organization of data recording?
Project approach
This project has three phases. In the first phase, a broad analysis is carried out by consulting the most important users and providers of nature and biodiversity data. This identifies the overlaps and gaps of data, data quality and availability. The end result is a report including a visualisation of the information flows (data generation and use).
In the second phase, a feasibility study is carried out on how the gaps can be filled. The final report contains the findings of the feasibility study with advice and action perspective, elaborated in an action plan for the next phase.
In phase three, the above findings are further elaborated and followed up, in line with current developments.
* The Verbeterprogramma VHR-monitoring (VMM) does concern nature reserves. This analysis ties in with that because it focuses on non-natural areas. VHR are the Europese Vogel- en Habitatrichtlijnen.
More information
For questions about the project, please contact:
- Marten Schoonman (Naturalis)
- Ton de Nijs (RIVM)
- Wideke Boersma (RuimteFocus)
Foto'sWebsite
Credit: Marit Moerman