Busquin backs EU's involvement in biodiversity information facility
Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin gave strong support to the recently established Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), an international project to provide access to data on the world's flora and fauna on 5 March. At present it is unknown how many species exist on planet Earth. Estimates range from five to 100 million, with only 1.75 million having been scientifically described. Access to data is currently poorly organised, particularly in less developed countries. GBIF should remove these obstacles. 'We have much more information on the stars in the Galaxy than on the living species on Earth, which is why we need at least better access to this information. It is very important, in this context, to coordinate existing activities and tackle the problems at European level,' said Commissioner Busquin. Mr Busquin told those present that the EU's participation in GBIF was discussed at the informal meeting of Science and Education Ministers in Uppsala, Sweden on 1 to 3 March. Ultimately GBIF will provide search access to millions of biodiversity records located in databases located around the globe. Through the GBIF portal, users will be able to use search engines to access this multitude of data interactively and in real time. It will be an important tool for protection, management and sustainable use of biological resources worldwide. It will also serve to advance education and scientific research in a number of areas, including conservation, biology, agriculture and biomedics. Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, Australia, Ecuador, Japan, Slovenia and the USA have already become members of GBIF, with the European Commission, Switzerland, Taiwan and Ukraine signed up as associate participants. The European Commission hopes to play a key role in establishing and coordinating a European platform for GBIF. On 20 February, the Research DG published an 'advance notice of a joint call for proposals' to establish a European network of biodiversity information through the 'Quality of life and management of living resources' and 'Energy, environment and sustainable development' programmes (for reference, see below). The first meeting of the GBIF governing board will take place on 9 to 11 March in Montreal, Canada. Several countries, including Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands will present bids to host the secretariat of the facility at the meeting.