GEO BON
What is GEO BON?
GEO BON is the biodiversity observation network of GEO, working to build the Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBiOS, which is a coordinated network of biodiversity monitoring efforts comprising satellite, in-situ and citizen-generated data.
GEO BON's flagship BON in a Box is a publicly available, interoperable, open-source tool that can support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). BON in a Box aims to help governments and organisations calculate essential biodiversity variables and indicators to monitor biodiversity change and assess progress towards KMGBF targets.
GEO BON also leads the development of Indicator 21.1, the KMGBF indicator on biodiversity information used for monitoring, helping ensure countries have consistent, comparable data to track progress against the Framework's goals and targets.
Why is COP17 important for biodiversity monitoring?
A key focus of COP17 will be the Global Review of collective progress on KMGBF implementation, with discussions on the indicators, monitoring approaches and methodologies used to assess that progress.
Many countries still lack the sustained monitoring systems and technical capacity needed to track biodiversity change over time, particularly once initial project funding ends. Without this, KMGBF targets are difficult to measure or report on consistently.
GBiOS and BON in a Box exist to close that gap, giving countries the networks and tools to sustain efforts to monitor biodiversity.
Useful links
Contact: katie.millette@mcgill.ca