Missouri Botanical Garden Open Conference Systems, TDWG 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

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Sustaining Practical Biodiversity Informatics Initiatives for Decision Support in Natural Resources Management sector, Rwanda
Prosper Karame

Building: Windsor Hotel
Room: Oak Room
Date: 2015-09-28 04:45 PM – 05:00 PM
Last modified: 2015-08-29

Abstract


Over the last two decades, Rwanda started a quite bold journey to sustain rapid growth and facilitate the process of economic transformation to meet food security and environmental sustainability. Remarkably however, Rwanda relies mostly on farming and limited   resources. Given the unacceptably high rate of biodiversity vulnerability from human-induced threats and climate Change, It is extremely necessary to implement adequate sustainable management solutions and avoid the environmental collapse. In this framework, the adoption of comprehensive research guided tools that drive and ensure informed policy and decision making processes was prioritised (Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) II, 2013). Practical recommendations (Karame et al, 2013), also highlighted in EDPRS, Vision 2020 and “A stance to drive Knowledge, technology and innovation-led efforts to informed decisions and sound development” (Karame & National Commission of  Science and Technology (NCST), 2015) are being sequentially implemented. In terms of biodiversity informatics development for the mobilisation and digitalization of biodiversity data, the journey is promising. Cross-sector data management systems assembling ICT, agriculture and education entities alongside  NGOs, research institutions and private sector are promoted. Flagship initiatives foster the processes of collecting, aggregating, synthesizing and publishing biodiversity data. We particularly note the wetland resources mapping project (MINIRENA/NCST), portraying needs for applying standards for data collection, digitalization, storing, sharing and use. The Land Administration Information System (LAIS), Forest Management Monitoring Information System (SIEP) and several biodiversity data portals are becoming operational. Effors in progress tackle cooperation, funding and capacity building challenges. Opportunities include “Visualizing Rwanda project” promoting GIS applications and cooperation with the National Geographic Society through the Ministry of Education, Centre of Excellence on Biodiversity and Natural Resources and the East African Research Grant Program. Thanks to the support from TDWG, JRS, TUBRI and the Belgian cooperation in general, the journey is alive and the best awaits.