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Development of Belize CHM. Through BEA by Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment CHM-WG very crucial in providing guidance User Needs Assessment conducted: 32 potential nodes interviewed to assess data management capacity and information needs.
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Development of Belize CHM Through BEA by Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment CHM-WG very crucial in providing guidance User Needs Assessment conducted: 32 potential nodes interviewed to assess data management capacity and information needs
Guiding Principles • Aligns with aims of CBD • Meets needs of Belizean User community • Logical, Reliable, Scalable Architecture • Sustainable Approach to Use of IT: collaborative, efficient, cost effective • Public Domain info: user beware
Meerman & Clabaugh (2004) 7 ‘Participation’ in this instance infers that Belize is either a signatory to a Convention under which this initiative is part (e.g., CBD, GISIN, GTI) or is a participating country in a regional initiative (e.g., SIAM/SINIA, MBC, MBRS)
RESULTS OF User Needs Assessment Meerman & Clabaugh (2004)
Design and Implementation • Starting with about 7 initial node agencies/data contributors • To be designed and hosted by Conservation Management Institute out of Virginia Polytechnic University • Hope to launch in Aug/Sept 2005
CONTENT • Report library: pdf • Roster of Experts • Discussion Form • Internet map Server • Research permits database/reports
CHALLENGES • Sustainability: continuing development funds for CHM e.g. to develop PA database, specimen database; reformat BBIS to more functional observational database; develop geospatial component; include other types of data—socioeconomic, environmental; etc
Important to consider the existence/non-existence and type of information policy (culture) at the national level AND also that the availability of information or decision-making tools does not necessarily imply better biodiversity management or decision-making. Availability ≠ Use. • How do you measure IABIN outcome/ impact indicator “IABIN-supported information management tools being downloaded and demonstrably used in decision-making?” Must be more that site hits.
In the roles of focal points and support through IABIN project there is the need to consider what support can/will be provided to strengthen capacity of NFPs in promoting/ advocating for: • culture that values information as basis for sound management • promoting the USE and ANALYSIS of information at the national level.
Mechanisms of information sharing have a cost. Need to consider the disparity in levels of development and capacity of different countries.