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Development of Belize CHM Through BEA: A Crucial Initiative

This project, led by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources, focuses on assessing data management needs and capacity for Belize's biodiversity conservation efforts. It aligns with CBD goals, aims to meet local user community needs, and emphasizes sustainable IT use. The platform will offer public domain information, including a report library, expert roster, discussion forum, internet map server, and research permits database. Challenges include securing funds for sustainable development and considering national information policies. Monitoring IABIN impact will go beyond site hits to actual tool usage in decision-making. Capacity-building support for NFPs will emphasize valuing information and promoting its use at the national level.

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Development of Belize CHM Through BEA: A Crucial Initiative

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. RESULTS OF User Needs Assessment Meerman & Clabaugh (2004)

  5. Meerman & Clabaugh (2004)

  6. 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

  7. CONTENT • Report library: pdf • Roster of Experts • Discussion Form • Internet map Server • Research permits database/reports

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. Mechanisms of information sharing have a cost. Need to consider the disparity in levels of development and capacity of different countries.

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