Participative decision making and the sharing of benefits: laws, ethics, and data protection for building extended global communities

Transdisciplinary and cross-cultural cooperation and collaboration are needed to build extended, densely interconnected information resources. These are the prerequisites for the successful implementation and execution of, for example, an ambitious monitoring framework accompanying the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD; SCBD 2021). Data infrastructures that meet the requirements and preferences of concerned communities can focus and attract community involvement, thereby promoting participatory decision making and the sharing of benefits. Community acceptance, in turn, drives the development of the data resources and data use. Earlier this year, the alliance for biodiversity knowledge (2021a) conducted forum-based consultations seeking community input on designing the next generation of digital specimen representations and consequently enhanced infrastructures. The multitudes of connections that arise from extending the digital specimen representations through linkages in all “directions” will form a powerful network of information for research and application. Yet, with the power of an extended, accessible data network comes the responsibility to protect sensitive information (e.g., the locations of threatened populations, culturally context-sensitive traditional knowledge, or businesses’ fundamental data and infrastructure assets). In addition, existing legislation regulates access and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits. Current negotiations on ‘Digital Sequence Information’ under the CBD suggest such obligations might increase and become more complex in the context of extensible information networks. For example, in the case of data and resources funded by taxpayers in the EU, such access should follow the general principle of being “as open as possible; as closed as is legally necessary” (cp. EC 2016). At the same time, the international regulations of the CBD Nagoya Protocol (SCBD 2011) need to be taken into account. Summarizing main outcomes from the consultation discussions in the forum thread “Meeting legal/regulatory, ethical and sensitive data obligations” (alliance for biodiversity knowledge 2021b), we propose a framework of ten guidelines and functionalities to achieve community building and drive application: Substantially contribute to the conservation and protection of biodiversity (cp. EC 2020). Use language that is CBD conformant. Show the importance of the digital and extensible specimen infrastructure for the continuing design and implementation of the post-2020 GBF, as well as the mobilisation and aggregation of data for its monitoring elements and indicators. Strive to openly publish as much data and metadata as possible online. Establish a powerful and well-thought-out layer of user and data access management, ensuring security of ‘sensitive data’. Encrypt data and metadata where necessary at the level of an individual specimen or digital object; provide access via digital cryptographic keys. Link obligations, rights and cultural information regarding use to the digital key (e.g. CARE principles (Carroll et al. 2020), Local Context-labels (Local Contexts 2021), licenses, permits, use and loan agreements, etc.). Implement a transactional system that records every transaction. Amplify workforce capacity across the digital realm, its work areas and workflows. Do no harm (EC 2020): Reduce the social and ecological footprint of the implementation, aiming for a long-term sustainable infrastructure across its life-cycle, including development, implementation and management stages. Balancing the needs for open access, as well as protection, accountability and sustainability, the framework is designed to function as a robust interface between the (research) infrastructure implementing the extensible network of digital specimen representations, and the myriad of applications and operations in the real world. With the legal, ethical and data protection layers of the framework in place, the infrastructure will provide legal clarity and security for data providers and users, specifically in the context of access and benefit sharing under the CBD and its Nagoya Protocol. Forming layers of protection, the characteristics and functionalities of the framework are envisioned to be flexible and finely-grained, adjustable to fulfill the needs and preferences of a wide range of stakeholders and communities, while remaining focused on the protection and rights of the natural world. Respecting different value systems and national policies, the framework is expected to allow a divergence of views to coexist and balance differing interests. Thus, the infrastructure of the digital extensible specimen network is fair and equitable to many providers and users. This foundation has the capacity and potential to bring together the diverse global communities using, managing and protecting biodiversity

Multilateral benefit-sharing from digital sequence information will support both science and biodiversity conservation

Open access to sequence data is a cornerstone of biology and biodiversity research, but has created tension under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Policy decisions could compromise research and development, unless a practical multilateral solution is implemented.This workwas funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) WiLDSI 031B0862 (A.H.S., J.O., and J.F.) and Horizon Europe EVA-GLOBAL 871029 (A.H.S.). I.K.M. was supported by the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Anchonini in Africa: New Species and Genus Confirming a Transatlantic Distribution (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae)

The Anchonini known from Africa are reviewed. The monotypic genus Aethiopacorep is redescribed. The new West African genus Titilayo gen. nov. is described, with seven new species: four from São Tomé, T. perrinae sp. nov., T. saotomense sp. nov., T. barclayi sp. nov., and T. turneri sp. nov.; two from Ivory Coast, T. geiseri sp. nov. and T. garnerae sp. nov.; and one from Sierra Leone, T. takanoi sp. nov. Neither of these genera is known outside West Africa. A neotype is designated for Anchonus africanus Hustache 1932. A key to the two African genera, Aethiopacorep and Titilayo, as well as their corresponding species, is provided. This work provides the first records of Anchonini for mainland Africa; this group is still understudied in the region but shows signs of being very diverse on both the mainland and in the western African islands

Comments on the proposed conservation of Phytobius Dejean, 1835 (Insecta, Coleoptera)

Volume: 56Start Page: 194End Page: 19

Case 3093. Nemonychidae Bedel, November 1882 (Insecta, Coleoptera): proposed precedence over Cimberididae Gozis, March 1882, and Cimberis Gozis, 1881: proposed conservation of usage

Volume: 60Start Page: 275End Page: 28

The effects of tropical forest management on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

The Effects of Tropical Forest Management on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning Eleanor M. Slade 1. Between 35 % and 50 % of all closed-canopy tropical forest has been lost, and the rate of deforestation continues to increase throughout the tropics. Despite a wealth of literature on the effects of tropical forest disturbance on the diversity and composition of a variety of taxa, there is still no clear consensus on the value of disturbed forests for biodiversity. 2. If forest management practises are to be sustainable in the long-term they should maintain both biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (the interactions and processes of the ecosystem), as well as a timber harvest. However, few studies have investigated the extent to which ecosystem functioning is reduced in logged forests. The effects of different logging intensities on a variety of taxa, and the ecosystem processes with which they are associated, were assessed in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo). 3. Even under high logging intensities, the forests of Sabah appear to have been managed in a way that maintains timber yields in the short-term. However, other aspects of forest structure had been affected, which could have important consequences ecologically, and for the long-term sustainability of timber harvests. 4. Combining field studies with manipulative experiments allows assessment of the impacts of species changes associated with habitat modification on measures of ecosystem functioning. Dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) functional group richness and composition were manipulated in a series of field experiments. Certain functional groups and species were found to have a greater impact on ecosystem functioning than others; nevertheless a full complement of species was needed to maintain full ecosystem functioning. 5. Dung beetles appeared to be relatively robust to changes in forest structure associated with selective logging, but species richness was reduced with high-intensity logging. There was a corresponding decrease in ecosystem functioning (dung and seed removal) with a decrease in species richness, and a decrease in the biomass of large nocturnal tunnellers, suggesting that although some species are dominant, rare species are also needed to preserve full ecosystem functioning. 6. A complex interaction between birds and ants resulted in reduced herbivory of seedlings of the important timber tree, Parashorea malaanonan, in some instances. However, this interaction was not affected by either selective or high intensity logging. Seedfall of P. malaanonan, was reduced in logged forest compared to primary forest. Despite insect seed predation being higher in primary forest, there was still successful recruitment during a non-mast year. Parasitism of insect-predated seeds was found to be inversely density dependent, and was higher in logged forest where seed predation was lower. 7. The results of this thesis suggest that the forests of Sabah appear to be being logged under a management system that is compatible with sustainable timber management, but not necessarily sustainable forest management. Low intensity selective logging seems to preserve much of the original forest structure, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning compared to logging at higher intensities. However, ecosystem processes were variable in their response to logging, suggesting that management decisions should be based on the consideration of multiple taxa and processes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

New Oriental and Australian Conoderinae, with Taxonomic Notes on the Tribe Othippiini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Two new genera of the subfamily Conoderinae (Zygopinae auctt) are established from the Oriental and Austral Regions under the names of Brimoides gen. nov. and Abrimoides gen. nov. Brimoides includes B. morimotoi sp. nov. B. ceylonensis sp. nov, and B. exilis (Pascoe). comb. nov. from Lobotrachelus, with some unnamed species. Abrimoides is erected for Metetra esakii Morimoto. These genera are tentavely assigned in the tribe Othippiini Morimoto, although the monophyly of this tribe is now under investigation. Taxonomic notes on the Othippiini, a key to genera and biological information are provided

New Oriental and Australian Conoderinae, with Taxonomic Notes on the Tribe Othippiini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Two new genera of the subfamily Conoderinae (Zygopinae auctt) are established from the Oriental and Austral Regions under the names of Brimoides gen. nov. and Abrimoides gen. nov. Brimoides includes B. morimotoi sp. nov. B. ceylonensis sp. nov, and B. exilis (Pascoe). comb. nov. from Lobotrachelus, with some unnamed species. Abrimoides is erected for Metetra esakii Morimoto. These genera are tentavely assigned in the tribe Othippiini Morimoto, although the monophyly of this tribe is now under investigation. Taxonomic notes on the Othippiini, a key to genera and biological information are provided

XML schemas and mark-up practices of taxonomic literature

We review the three most widely used XML schemas used to mark-up taxonomic texts, TaxonX, TaxPub and taXMLit. These are described from the viewpoint of their development history, current status, implementation, and use cases. The concept of “taxon treatment” from the viewpoint of taxonomy mark-up into XML is discussed. TaxonX and taXMLit are primarily designed for legacy literature, the former being more lightweight and with a focus on recovery of taxon treatments, the latter providing a much more detailed set of tags to facilitate data extraction and analysis. TaxPub is an extension of the National Library of Medicine Document Type Definition (NLM DTD) for taxonomy focussed on layout and recovery and, as such, is best suited for mark-up of new publications and their archiving in PubMedCentral. All three schemas have their advantages and shortcomings and can be used for different purposes