Sucessful Biodiversity Monitoring in the Netherlands: The Network Ecological Monitoring (NEM)

Abstract

In the Netherlands, a number of organizations co-operate to develop a state-of-the-art, low-cost system to monitor biodiversity trends. This combined effort has lead to the Network Ecological Monitoring (NEM). Core business of the NEM is to arrange ecological monitoring activities in such a way that with minimal efforts, a maximum of purposes can be served. Monitoring purposes range from local scale (nature development activities of provinces), via national scale (ecological quality in the National Ecological network) to international reporting (Natura 2000, RAMSAR and CBD Conventions). The NEM makes intensive use of citizen scientist observations, following standardized field protocols. The observation results are quality-checked thoroughly and processed statistically. The resulting data are used manifold, e.g. as indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium, underpinning in Environmental Balance Reports, for international reporting obligations, and in specific thematic assessments, e.g. of climate hange. An evaluation after 10 years showed that with minimal adaptations, almost all new monitoring demands from changing biodiversity policies, can be fulfilled.