A useful REDD+ Manual for Botanic Gardens , and the role of botanic gardens in implementation is available from BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation International). Interest in research, mapping, monitoring, seed banks, capacity building and other themes. (REDD is Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries)
New marine atlas for Scotland - assessment on status and trends.
Interesting blog post on the use of Facebook social media to mobilise peer networks on taxonomic triaging for Guyanan fish by Smithsonian Scientists.
UNESCO portal on education for sustainable development gives good insights into international initiatives and collaboration.
CBD secretariat has produced a good overview of REDD+, Biodiversity and Livelihoods with German collaboration. REDD+ is Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest degradation in Developing countries - bringing together action on climate change, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including business.
Special issue of the American Journal of Botany on biodiversity, including papers on fungi, microbes and soils. Introductory paper Peter H. Raven, Jonathan M. Chase, and J. Chris Pires Introduction to special issue on biodiversity Am. J. Bot. 2011 98: 333-335. Published online March 2, 2011; doi:10.3732/ajb.1100055
BBC has launched a ladybird survey website with interactive keys and reporting - ties in with the long running NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology CEH ladybird initiative. Interesting to compare this citizen science intiative involving the public in recording with the previous post on ScienceWise where citizen science is very much about public participation in discussion on the social implications or application of science.
The Convention on Biological Diversity has published its review of the year for 2010 - covers the Nagoya Conference of the Parties and developments relating to that.
FAO has published the State of the World's Forests 2011 - a region-by-region and issue-based assessment of status and trends.
Comment piece in Science on IPBES. The UN agreed recently to the formation of the International Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Science-Policy Interface (IPBES) as a cross-cutting initiative to provide more effective integration of biodiversity science and policy. The article's authors argue for good definition of policy needs on appropriate geographical scales and point to the need to build capacity in science as part of the initiative.../more.../ The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Science-Policy Interface Charles Perrings, Anantha Duraiappah, Anne Larigauderie, and Harold Mooney Science 4 March 2011: 331 (6021), 1139-1140. Published online 17 February 2011 [DOI:10.1126/science.1202400]
