BNPP/ASB Functional Value of Biodiversity Project – Phase II 

i Assemble more detailed information on biodiversity-rich tropical habitats (IFPRI lead initiative)

iv Undertake synoptic modeling of hydrological impacts of land use change

Activity 1A Improved spatial characterization of the focus area at the pantropic scale  

IFPRI is responsible for coordinating the tasks related to Activity 1.  We will work in close collaboration with the team from the University of New Hampshire (UNH).  The specific steps for Activity 1 are listed below with details for each regarding the scope of the study, the data resolution and specific input datasets, the methodologies employed, the status of the work, the expected dates of completion, the linkages to other activities within the FVOB study, and the expected outputs from each activity/task.

One key component to successfully completing the tasks for Activity 1 is the process of collaboration between the team members.  IFPRI and UNH have established a strong and reliable process for working together which includes the review of methodologies, trouble shooting processes, and the transfer of data.  This specifically involves:

 1.      Regular communication in regards to the status of work, the tasks outstanding, roadblocks, deadlines, data exchange, etc… (via email or phone on a weekly or biweekly basis, depending on travel schedules)

2.      Technical communication of the parameters required for the modeling work, for scenario development and for deriving the historic land cover surfaces

3.      Regular discussion of methodologies and establishment of a trouble-shooting practice (ie. to provide a sounding board for ideas and processes)

4.      Collaboration or, at minimum, opportunity to comment on submitted documents (e.g. implementation protocol; paper abstracts; etc…)

5.      Open exchange of existing data that are necessary components of the specified task or tasks (e.g. SAGE’s pasture surface).  The provision of data should include all available supporting documentation.

6.      Timely provision of data created specifically for this project.  Along with the data, the creator of each dataset should provide sufficient meta-data which describes the data format and the methodological steps employed in the creation of the dataset.

Amendment to Activity 1 Implementation Protocols based on discussions during BNPP team meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, 11-12 October 2003: The BNPP/FVOB Activity 1 team (comprising IFPRI, UNH, ICRAF and World Bank staff) met in Prague 11-12 October.  This meeting occurred immediately prior to a major Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) meeting that involved several BNPP/FVOB researchers,  thereby reducing meeting costs significantly for this project.  The focus of much of the discussion in the Prague meeting was refinement of mappable and graphable indicators that could be developed from available data and simulation results regarding overall objectives of the project: (1) human population ‘exposed’ to hydrological effects of tropical deforestation; (2) indicators of hydrological ‘leverage’: points that have a great impact on human populations if deforested; (3) biodiversity distinctiveness; and (4) conversion threat. 

               back to Activity 1 

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Last updated: 26 November, 2003     ©2003 ASB. All rights reserved.