Data is crucial for making informed decisions. In order to enhance the availability and accessibility of data and knowledge on the state of biodiversity and to promote regional and national engagement to make policy-related data available, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), through the BIOPAMA Programme, has developed a publicly available online platform for supporting policy- and decision-makers to monitor the progress towards conservation goals and to set new targets.

Find out more on the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme and its Reference Information System.

Wetlands define complex ecosystems occurring in all biomes. They provide fundamental ecosystem functions and services and are hotspots of biodiversity. Wetlands are the most important stopovers on bird flyways and provide habitats for many plants, animals, and other forms of life.

Find out more on the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme and its Reference Information System.

Protected areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation. But designating protected areas without also implementing effective conservation actions risks creating ‘paper parks’: protected areas that exist only on maps. This StoryMap is about improving the effectiveness of coastal and marine protected areas.

Find out more on the Africa Knowledge Platform.

The International Day of Biological Diversity (22 May) aims at increasing the understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme for 2021 was "We're part of the solution #ForNature". This Storymap published for the occasion describes the role of the BIOPAMA Reference Information System in enhancing the evidence-based management of natural resources and the importance of field activities for biodiversity conservation.

Find out more on the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme and its Reference Information System.

This StoryMaps presents the Africa Knowledge Platform, a one-stop shop on Africa knowledge to address development challenges. The platform serves as a single entry point to a rich collection of datasets, interactive tools and deep-dives on many interconnected topics, from climate change to sustainable growth and jobs, energy, food, health and more.

Find out more on the Africa Knowledge Platform.

When tackling societal and environmental challenges like what to do with the land, top-down, expert driven approaches delivering national plans and policies are often disconnected from local implications. Solutions need to be understood and owned by local communities. This StoryMap explores how participatory approaches allow for better decision making with an example from Tanzania. 

Find out more on the Africa Knowledge Platform.

About half of the agricultural biomass is made up of grains, fruits while the other half are residues like leaves. Cereals account for more than half of the EU economic production of this biomass and nearly 3/4 of the EU's residue production. Filling data gaps on residues could improve competitive uses and ecosystem services and leave our soils healthy. 

Find out more on the Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy.

The Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity tracks progress of the strategy and the implementation of biodiversity-related international instruments. It fosters cooperation and partnership between researchers, policymakers, NGOs, industry and citizens to underpin policy development to make sure we restore biodiversity. 

Find out more on the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity.

The Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity strengthens the science-policy interface on biodiversity and ecosystem services, by making sense, filtering and synthesising data and information from different sources.

Find out more on the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity.

The Invasive Alien Species in Europe app allows you to learn and share information about Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Europe. It provides details of about 66 IAS that are considered to be of interest to the European Union. You can become a scientist yourself and record pictures of potentially Invasive Alien Species and add information to them.

Find out more on the EASIN - European Alien Species Information Network. Download the app for iOs or Google Play. Or check out the EU Science Hub.