Overview of the USGS Aquatic Informatics Program & Progress on US OBIS Regional Node

Doug Beard, Ph.D., Reston

Biology Geology Geography Water

U.S Geological Survey

GIO

Why an NBII?• Over a billion dollars a year invested in

biological data collection and management

• Limited coordination, integration, and common standards

• Limited access to existing data, information, and analysis tools

NBII Mandate

• National Research Council report, A Biological Survey for the Nation, 1993

• National Spatial Data Infrastructure Executive Order, 1994

• PCAST report, Teaming With Life: Investing in Science to Understand and Use America’s Living Capital, 1998

• Congressional appropriations, FY01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06

BIOLOGICALINFORMATICS

PROGRAM

NBII GAPVeg

MappingCenter-Directed

Int’lInit

ITIS

• Terrestrial• Aquatic

• Node• Node• Etc.

• WDC/BE• IABIN• GBIF• CHM• others

Biological Informatics ProgramBiological Informatics Program

Provide an information system to

support the conservation and

restoration of ecological and biological

resources

Goal of NBII

NBII Node Structure

Thematic

Infrastructure

Regional

US OBIS Accomplishments in First Year

• $10K Funding from USGS/NBII

• Created US OBIS Web Site

• Developed Short and Long Term Plans

• Developed Access to

– Gulf of Maine Data

– Bishop Museum Data

Short Term Priorities for the US Node

• $30K Funding from USGS/NBII

• Enhance the existing Marine Node Web Site and access point to US RON

• Develop fact sheet defining the US RON (mission, goals, users, tools, products etc)

• Incorporate the following data into US OBIS– CReefs (underway)– MMS (already offered)– ExxonMobile (already offered)– NOAA OE (already offered)– EPA EMAP (currently on OBIS)

• Work with IOOS/DMAC to draft customer driven products

• Continue outreach efforts to raise funding

Future of US OBIS

How do we envision FAR will be used?

1.) Have North American sturgeon populations

been affected by beluga sturgeon collapse?

2.) What is the state of fish habitat in the United

States and where should I focus management

and research efforts?

3.) How has the status of Eastern Brook Trout

changed in the last 50 years and why?

How do we envision FAR will be used?

4.) Where are the most important aquatic

biodiversity spots in the Gulf of Mexico?

5.) I need to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity

for my waters, how have others done this and are

their tools available to help me?

6.) Is there a standard way to report fisheries

monitoring information so it can be used beyond

my initial goal?

Freshwater Marine

Images(NBII Digitial Lib.)

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Aquaculture

U.S. OBIS

CatalogueLinks

Coral

Fisheries/AquaticBiodiversity

DIGR/Biodiversity

• Caribbean Reef at Risk

• HI Scleractinian Coral

• Florida Coral Reefs• Gulf States - SEAMAP

• NOAA Linkages

• Gulf of Maine Data

• Bishop Museum Data

National Fish Habitat

InitiativeAction Plan

• Aquatic habitat is rapidly being lost or destroyed, displacing aquatic species and causing their decline worldwide.

• Declining quality and quantity of habitats means fewer recreational fishing and boating opportunities.

Why do we need a National Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI)?

3. Measure and communicate.

Establish national goals for habitat conservation and issue a regular national report: Status of Fish Habitats.

Enhance data sharing and transfer of information.

Develop baselines, indicators, measures of success and more cost-effective strategies.

What do we need from the USNC

• Advocacy for the US RON

• Prioritization of Data for Incorporation

• Feedback on Strategy

• Identification of User Based Products

• Funding Opportunities