UNEPWCMC Marine and Coastal Programme

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UNEP-WCMC Marine and Coastal Programme

• Ed Green
• Head of Programme

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UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre
The global biodiversity information and
assessment centre of UNEP
1) assessment and early warning studies in marine
ecosystems
2) research on endangered species and
biodiversity indicators
3) monitor global trends in the sustainable use
of wildlife
4) identify emerging priorities for conservation
action
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Marine Programme Objectives

• Addressing key data gaps
• Original research
• Provision of science for policy makers
• Public outreach
• Support to the Regional Seas Programmes

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Addressing key data gaps

• Coral reefs, mangroves

• Seagrass beds

• Marine aquarium trade

• Marine protected areas

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Original Research

• Patterns of coral diseases and bleaching

• Coral and mangrove species diversity

• The economics of scuba diving and MPAs

• Distribution and types of restricted fisheries
  zones

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Science for Policy Makers

• Environmental planning

• Coral reef conservation

• Marine aquarium certification

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Public Outreach

• World Atlas of Coral Reefs

• World Mangrove Atlas

• Fishbase and ReefBase

• The Global Status of Seagrass Ecosystems

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Support for the Regional Seas

• Caribbean, East Africa and East Asian Seas RCUs
  (and SPREP)

• Regional Seas are the major implementing agencies

• UNEP-WCMC will assist in coral reef mapping,
  database development, information management

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Support for the Regional Seas

• Biodiversity data, and analyses

• Regional products

• Traditional delivery reports, maps

• Future delivery internet map servers

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What is an Internet Map Server (IMS)?

• Easy to use web-based Geographic Information
  System

• Make your own maps, supported by text and linked
  information

• Access data 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year

• Download data from the website

• Controlled access to data passwords and
  variable downloading

• Saves much of conventional techniques

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Marine Turtle Nesting Database
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Conclusions

• UNEP-WCMC managing biodiversity data for 20 yrs

• Databases on ecosystems, endangered species,
  threats, etc

• Substantial investment in IMS technology

• IMS facilitates data collection and information
  exchange