Blogs

Ed Vaizey, the minister with responsibility for Museums, gave a speech at the Museums Association conference yesterday. As ever with these things, he was supportive of Museums, but short on the likely impact of the coming spending review. Lots of interest in networking, innovative approaches, sharing expertise, partnerships. "More with Less"

He mentioned the abolition of the Museums, Libraries and Arts Council, mentioning the need to transfer some functions.  He expressed an intention to see Renaissance continue, with a focus on a group of leading non-national museums providing leadership.

Some points on convergence in terms of digital and new media and the benefits that might arise, but also reference to the need to share expertise, collections and audiences.  Clearly keen on seeing collections on show in unusual places, but did not go as far as Matthew Evans in suggesting pubs.

Strong emphasis on successful partnerships with national leads: BM, V&A and Tate mentioned in particular.  Looking to philanthropy as a more prominent factor in the sector.

Assessing Biodiversity in Europe 2010 was published yesterday by the European Environment Agency.

Points to some success stories and progress, but continuing threats to European Biodiversity from habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, pressures on water resources and climate change. Summaries and graphics by ecosystem, biogeographic area, taxonomic groups and other perspectives.

The assessment points to the need for progress on enhanced implementation of measures to protect biodiversity; greater policy coherence; an integrated approach across sectors and admin boundaries; and better public awareness.

Knowledge gaps identified are data availability; knowledge of ecosystem adaptation strategies; ecosystem services; optimal land use strategies; sustainable development indicators; and information on the benefits of green infrastructure.

Interesting paper in PLoS ONE showing that the disturbance impact of bottom trawling in the NE Atlantic is at least an order of magnitude greater than other activities.

Benn AR, Weaver PP, Billet DSM, van den Hove S, Murdock AP, et al. (2010) Human
Activities on the Deep Seafloor in the North East Atlantic: An Assessment of
Spatial Extent. PLoS ONE 5(9): e12730. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0012730

Upcoming conference in November - looks likely to look at the way forward on biodiversity policy in the UK.

Running up to Nagoya, the EU parliament adopted a report on 21 September 2010 that has been evolving from various committee disusssions and reports.  Gives a view on what the Commission and Council should be doing and has done.