SUBJECT: The need for a synthesis of ecological knowledge and global research networks.
AUTHOR: Klaus Henle
DATE: 4th April 2003

KEYWORDS: Biological resources, knowledge and human risks

SUMMARY: I argue that we need to follow the steps of taxonomic organisations and develop information systems that synthesise in a systematic way our knowledge about the biology/ecology of species and their relationships to humans and about ecosystem services of biodiversity. We need to expand efforts to form networks developing and jointly executing strategic research programs on major biodiversity issues.

The concern about the serious loss of biodiversity has spurred not only the development of Biodiversity Conservation Strategies at the supra- (e.g. EU) and national levels, but has also greatly contributed to the stimulation of research interest in biodiversity. It has become clear that humans depend on biodiversity for various reasons and that there is a risk for humans associated with the loss of biodiversity. Nevertheless, it is often difficult to establish a direct link between human welfare and biodiversity and the adverse consequences of the loss of biodiversity for humans differs among biological resources. Also, much information about biodiversity and its relationships to humans remains hidden in the vastly expanding published and unpublished literature.

Whereas the taxonomists are meanwhile well on their way to summarise basic taxonomic (and faunistic/floristic) information and to make it available in networks of information system, there are no systematic attempts as yet to develop databases on ecological characteristics of species or the relationship of particular biological resources to human interests and to link this information to basic taxonomic and floristic/faunistic information systems. Therefore, I argue that we urgently need to start a concerted effort to develop such a synthesis and to make it broadly available. This challenge and its importance for humans is no less than the one addressed by the Human Genomic Project and should obtain the same global support.

However, biological resources are not only relevant for humans on the level of species. Biodiversity is the very basis of ecosystem services to humans and their dysfunction also entails risks for humans. Often microbial and other neglected organisms play a major role in such services. Therefore, research on ecosystem services and functions of biodiversity as well as on the main drivers of biodiversity loss and their impacts need to be expanded and synthesised as well. Such research, e.g. assessing the effects of particular drivers on biodiversity and the consequences for humans often cannot be tackled by small groups of research organisation alone. Therefore, we need to develop global networks of research groups that join their efforts to address such issues in a systematic way. The EPBRS, PEER (Partnership for European Environmental Research) and other European networks should play a pivotal role in the development and implementation of such strategic biodiversity research and in the synthesis of the results for biodiversity action programs. Subgroups could take responsibility for selected topics such as biodiversity and habitat fragmentation or climate change and biodiversity.

A contribution by:

Klaus Henle
UFZ-Leipzig- Halle
Permoserstr. 15
D-04318 Leipzig
Germany