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Setting biodiversity monitoring objectives 2024

Abstract

Clear monitoring objectives are essential to ensure the effectiveness of any biodiversity monitoring process. Clear objectives ensure the collection of relevant data, resource allocation, and successful evaluation of conservation efforts. Despite their importance, many monitoring programmes lack explicit statements of their goals.

This work aims to explain what well-defined monitoring objectives are, outline steps to articulate them and identify potential barriers. Well-defined monitoring objectives are concise and unambiguous, articulating the specific goals and desired outcomes of the activity. They should be closely linked with the overall organisational and programme goals while being contextualised within the broader current knowledge about the area, taxon of interest, and stressors. We suggest different steps to develop well-defined objectives that focus on "why" the monitoring is needed, "what" aspects of biodiversity will be measured with a focus on species and habitat, "how" the monitoring will be conducted (i.e., which method), and "where and when" this monitoring will take place. By following these steps, we encourage the different stakeholders interested in biodiversity monitoring to consider the various aspects of the monitoring process separately, but also as part of the same framework.

Accompanying the report are the following annexes:

  • Annex 1: A spreadsheet containing examples of well-defined objectives in relation to the different steps described in the framework.
  • Annex 2: A quick reference guide to set biodiversity monitoring objectives.
  • Annex 3: A spreadsheet containing a decisional tool designed to assist in developing biodiversity monitoring objectives.

These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need copies in a different or more accessible format, please get in touch.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2024·12·01

Citation
Marion, S., du Plessis, N., Coogan, C., Wright, E. & Harris, M. 2024. Setting biodiversity monitoring objectives (Guidance report). JNCC Report 780. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
This report was produced by JNCC for Defra through the Natural Capital and Ecosystems Assessment (NCEA) programme.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2024·12·17

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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