The Science Office works to raise the profile of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) among U.S. scientists. The recent IPBES Plenary in March 2018 approved regional assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services for Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia, as well as a separate global assessment of land degradation. The reports and accompanying summaries for policymakers will be made available at www.ipbes.net<\/a>. In June 2018, the Science Office reviewed and recommended eight applicants for upcoming IPBES assessments.<\/p>\n ESA launched its ECO platform (Ecologists Collaborating Online) in 2018, and with it was honored to take over administration of the ECOLOG-L listserv<\/strong> from its founder, Dr. David Inouye, and its previous host at the University of Maryland. Learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n In addition to ECOLOG-L, ECO is also home to collaborative working groups for all of the Society’s sections, chapters and committees, the Governing Board, the ESA Council, the Board of Professional Certification and various ad hoc and appointed collaborations, as well as extensions of interest groups to the community beyond ESA’s current membership (such as early-career ecologists<\/a>).<\/p>\n Workshop on The Nagoya Protocol and the Shifting Landscape of International Biological Research In October 2017, ESA convened a workshop of twenty-four leaders of biological professional societies gathered to learn about the Nagoya Protocol and its potential effects on research. Participants identified future outreach and communication efforts to help scientists navigate the Protocol\u2019s requirements. For more information, please see this related article<\/a> published in the ESA Bulletin.<\/p>\n Sustaining Data Repositories: PI Workshop on Creating and Implementing Sustainability Plans![\"\"](\"https:\/\/esa.org\/2018\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Veg-Panel-April-2018-Meeting-1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEngaging the US Scientific Community in IPBES<\/h3>\n
Engaging and Connecting Scientists<\/h3>\n
Facilitation<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>The Nagoya Protocol<\/a>\u00a0is a supplementary international agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Its core purpose is to provide a transparent legal framework for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the use of genetic resources.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Twenty-two data repository leaders from a variety of disciplines (including biology, geology, engineering, computer science, math\/physical sciences, and social sciences) attended this workshop to identify challenges and opportunities specific to data repository sustainability and to brainstorm collaborative, creative solutions. \u00a0Outcomes<\/a> include three sustainability case studies, as well as a process guide to help data repository leaders create their own sustainability plans.<\/p>\n