Biodiversity: current issues and the role of science x society interplay

Transcription

1 Biodiversity: current issues and the role of science x society interplay Xavier Le Roux, Director French Foundation for biodiversity (FRB) EFIMED conference - Avigon April 2011

2 (1) Biodiversity and the way it is percieved (2) Threats, challenges and opportunities (3) The importance of science x society interplay

3 (1) Biodiversity and the way it is percieved

4 Biodiversity: a term appearing in the 80s (new!) CDB definition: Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity

5 3 views on biodiversity View 1 (for most people): biodiversity = diversity of living forms; endangered species and habitats to be protected Ex: whale; raptor; water land View = antagonism between human activities and biodiversity Entreprises Agriculture Reste de la société Biodiversité

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7 View 2 = conservation of the diversity of life WITHIN areas managed by humans (view = cohabitation, compromise between production and biodiversity conservation targets) Entreprises Agriculture Reste de la société Altérations Préservation Biodiversité

8 View 3 = better integration of biodiversity into human activities, including business (protection + neo-utilitarist views of biodiversity). Hypothesis = synergies between biodiversity and many human activities can be valued and promoted Entreprise X Reste de la société Utilisation (services) Altérations Préservation Biodiversité

9 Ex: ecosystem services in mediterranean regions Provisioning Cultural Regulating Existence values

10 First take home message: A marked and rapid evolution of the views of scientists and stakeholders on biodiversity Characterization of the diversity of life; conservation of endangered species and habitats Importance of functional biodiversity and services provided; ordinary biodiversity matters! Understanding of the dynamics of biodiversity facing global and local changes move towards a «neo-utilitarist» view, with much importance given to the services provided by biodiversity and to the dynamics of socio-ecosystems facing global chnages

11 (2) Threats (today and for tomorrow)

12 Loss of genetic resources, species, habitats,...

13 Degradation of ecosystem services Ex fisheries & fish stocks Butchart et al. (avril 2010 Science) Ex: Fisheries: we need 17 times more effort than what was needed in 1889 to catch a given amount of fish! (Thurston University of York)

14 Geographical shifts of species Projected rate of range of latidunal shifts in marine organisms caused by climate change from 2005 to 2050 for pelagic species. Pereira et al. (Oct Science) Major changes in natural resources available (e.g. for local fisheries)

15 Biodiversity scenarios for mediterranean regions

16 (2) and opportunities

17 Opportunity #1 (?): to better value biodiversity Many international & national reports (e.g. «The Economy of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity») Many publications try to value biodiversity (but often monetary!) Some figures: Biodiversity = a few % of global trade value Earthworms in Ireland: 700 Millions / an Pollinators = 10% of agricultural value & one bite among 3 for humans! A natural capital to be valued?

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19 Opportunity #2 (?): to explicit business biodiversity relationships (impacts and dependancy) ECOSYSTEMES Inspiration innovation Sites Services écosystémiques Matières premières Déchets, rejets dans l air, l eau et les sols Conflits d usage des sols Exploitation des services écosystémiques Orientation des services écosystémiques ENTREPRISE

20 Opportunity #3: to promote biodiversity use as a source of innovation From properties of the epiderm of lily flower to paintings for buildings Entreprise Ipso GmbH, photo : Prof. Neinhuis 20

21 Current challenge: to regulate access to genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS protocol) ABS protocol adopted during the Nagoya conference, late 2010 Regulation for a sustainable use of natural resources and to avoid biopiratry A significant source of income for countries or local populations?

22 Second take home message: A range of hot topics for science: Fate of biodiversity facing multiple stressors (climate change, land use change, biological invasions, etc ); adaptation on the short term; can we develop scenarios? Long term observatories! To what extent ecosystem functioning (and resilience) and services depend on biodiversity: relevant biodiversity dimensions and scales Valuing of biodiversity: spectrum of values, and methodologies To what extent biodiversity is a source of innovation and sustainable development? Range of scientific fields to be mobilized, in close link with stakeholders; need of knowledge transfer

23 Ex: links between different biodiversity dimensions, and implications for the design of protected areas network Devictor et al. (2010 Ecology Letters)

24 (3) The importance of science x society & science policy interplay

25 What biodiversity research is all about? Key objective: to generate and share the knowledge necessary to bring human societies into a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship with the living world (2009 EPBRS statement) But efforts still needed to further shape the Research Area on biodiversity accordingly, at national, European and international levels!

26 Meeting the challenges of the biodiversity research community! Reinforce the scientific community Fragmented forces, lack of coordination, redundancy will be less and less accepted by decision makers Strong expectation for a visible role of science by stakeholders and decision makers Develop powerful research strategies Develop strong funding schemes to reinforce and network the scientific community Develop efficient science-policy and science-society interfaces

27 Meeting the challenges of the biodiversity research community! Knowledge synthesis and brokerage Common agenda and pan-european activities to support research Research area for Biodiversity Development of Research strategies Diversitas strategic plans; EPBRS FORETS

28 Meeting the challenges of the biodiversity research community! Knowledge synthesis and brokerage Common agenda and activities to support research Research area for Biodiversity NFS biodiversity dimensions BiodivERsA Development of European Research strategy

29 The example of the ERA Net BiodivERsA National funding agencies from European countries developing a shared, rolling agenda and jointly funding pan-european research projects Respond to biodiversity challenges that often have to be addressed at a regional scale (ex: invasive sp.) Make better use of the complementarity among scientific communities (combine skills among countries) Efficiently address common, international agenda in a collective effort by the funding organizations

30 The example of the ERA Net BiodivERsA The key achievement of BiodivERsA: Large pan-european research projects funded in 2008 (total amount:15m ) Second call (ongoing) on biodiversity & ecosystem services: 11 M

31 Knowledge synthesis and brokerage IPBES KNUE Common agenda and pan-european activities to support research Research area for Biodiversity Development of European Research strategy

32 Policy makers Technocatric vision: Scientists guide policy makers Science-policy interface directionnal knowledge flux Scientific community Sole source of knowledge (D après Sharman 2009)

33 policy world How to improve information flow? science-policy interface providing coherent and cogent advice understanding what is needed science world dispersed sources of diverse knowledge

34 Last take home message: 1) The biodiversity research community emerges at the EU and international levels, with new tools addressing the 3 main functions: establishing strategies; developing common agendas for joint activities; konwledge brokerage; long term observatories 2) But its strategy and tools are still in their infancy 3) Speed and efficiency and this organisation of the community and its tools will have to cope with those of other communities (ex: ICSU strategic plan) and with the rates of biodiversity loss and shifts in biological communities and socio-ecosystems!

35 Thank you for your attention 35