Information Context for Biodiversity Conservation
| The following databases and information services have been developed by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre over the past few years in collaboration with a range of other organizations. In many cases, although not all, part of the support has been provided by the INFO 2000 funded project. |  |
Species databases and information services
| Integrated species database | Redesigned species database for delivering information linking species to international agreements and programmes, based on the prototype developed three years ago. |
| Red List of Threatened Animals | Revised red list of threatened animals containing additional information and using the new red list categories developed by IUCN. This includes for birds the information from Birds to Watch 2 on why the species is listed. |
| Red List of Threatened Plants | Working collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants was made available over the Internet interactively in much the same manner as the animals red list. An additional feature is the opportunity to comment on the records displayed. |
| World List of Threatened Trees | The database itself was developed in collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, and with the support of the Dutch Government. The INFO2000 project has helped to ensure that availability of the resulting database on the web. |
| EU Wildlife Trade Reference Database | This site has been developed with a financial contribution from the European Commission. The information presented is produced from databases maintained by UNEP-WCMC on behalf of CITES and the EC. Information is provided interactively on taxonomy, common name, synonyms, IUCN threat category, trade decisions, listing on CITES and EC regulation No. 338/97. |
| The Checklist of CITES Species and the Annotated CITES Appendices are produced from databases maintained by WCMC, this information is available in an interactive format. This information resource is a result of collaboration between the CITES Secretariat, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK), the European Commission and WCMC. |
Protected areas databases and information services
| World Database on Protected Areas | Access to the older prototype protected areas database. Information is drawn from a larger database managed by UNEP-WCMC. Both the larger database and the web interface are being upgraded and is available as a prototype accessible with MS Internet Explorer. |
| 1997 UN List | Interactive access to the information published in the 1997 United Nations List of Protected Areas. The UN List is the definitive list of the world's protected areas, compiled by UNEP-WCMC on behalf of IUCN, and published by IUCN. |
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Aid to locating web sites that have significant information on the world's protected areas. |
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An Internet tool jointly developed by UNEP-WCMC and UNESCO for searching those web sites which contain information on both natural and cultural world heritage sites. |
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| International Protected Areas | A prototype information service on the international agreements and programmes that designation or recognise protected areas internationally. |
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Standard format information sheets on all sites inscribed on the World Heritage List for natural or mixed natural and cultural reasons. These information sheets are compiled and maintained by UNEP-WCMC on behalf of UNESCO. |
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Based on the IUCN Directory of Protected Areas in Oceania, compiled by UNEP-WCMC in collaboration with IUCN and the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme. Update of this information by those familiar with the region is actively encouraged. |
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| Transboundary Protected Areas | Information on transboundary protected areas and Peace Parks with links to relevant online information. |
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Information on definitions of protected areas, and the management categories used to classify them internationally. |
Map-based information services
| Internet Map Server protoype service | Significant testing and prototyping work has been undertaken on development of the Internet Map Server. WCMC is working with IPIECA on marine and coastal information for the Mediterranean region. |
| Marine turtle mapping | Working in collaboration with the Convention on Migratory Species, WCMC has developed a website that delivers mapped information on the distribution of marine turtles in the Indian Ocean region. It is hoped to extend this work to other regions in collaboration with the CMS Secretariat. |
| World Heritage site prototype | WCMC has maps available locating sites in a number of international networks, including, for example, World Heritage sites and wetlands of international importance. Information on world heritage sites have been made available over the Internet through a propotype Internet Map Server, with links to other information on each of the sites that can be accessed through clicking on the map. |
| Coral disease database | This database allows you to select and access records in the WCMC Global Coral Disease Database, to map observations of different coral diseases over the WCMC coral reef maps, and to download the selected records. This work has resulted from a collaboration between WCMC and NOAA NMFS. The next stage of the project will expand the Global Coral Disease Database with unpublished records of coral disease. Observations of coral diseases from users are actively encouraged. |
| Forest poverty mapping | Designed to give users the ability to produce custom-made maps showing forest cover and indicators of poverty and population pressure in South Asian countries. This work is the result of collaboration between WCMC and the United Nations Environment Programme. |
| Certified Forest Sites | This is a world forest map (developed at WCMC) showing sites that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. |
| Mountains and mountain forests | As a first step to evaluating global mountain forest resources and the threats to them, UNEP-WCMC (in collaboration with the Environmental Change Institute and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation) has made a first attempt to map the mountain forests of the world. |
| European forests gap analysis | Designed to provide information on the distribution and conservation status of European temperate forests, in support of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy and WWF's Forest Strategy for Europe. |
Other information services
| WCMC Library Catalogue | The old WCMC cataloguing software has been replaced with new software providing increased functionality and access over the Internet. |
| Living Plant Report | WCMC has been working with WWF on the Living Planet Report. This is an attempt to provide a quantitative answer to questions concerning the loss of biodiversity. The central component of the Living Planet Report is the Living Planet Index, an indicator of the overall state of the earth's natural ecosystems. |
| Counry Knowledge Server | This list of WWW resources is a preliminary attempt at identifying links to websites which provide information organised by country. At the end of the table are links to information on initiatives which aim to reduce the burden of reporting on national agencies, through greater integration and information sharing. At the end of the table are also links to information on reporting requirements. |
| Forests in flux | The forests in flux website project aims to identify priority areas for conservation of forest ecosystems threatened by climate change. The site includes searchable databases which provide reviewed reference material and additional citations on current issues and knowledge relating to forests and climate change. |
| AEWA | Prototype website for the agreement on the conservation of African-Eurasian migratory waterbirds, which includes more information on certain listed species suchg as the white-headed duck . |
| Analysis of forests and protection | Maps and statistics illustrating forest distribution and protection, based on information on forests and protected areas managed by WCMC. |
| Coral reefs and mangroves | Information and maps on distribution and status of coral reefs, developed in collaboration with ISME and ICCLARM. |