Swiss Biodiversity Forum

Swiss Biodiversity Forum
Name	Swiss Biodiversity Forum
Type	Non-governmental organization
Founded	1990s
Location	Bern, Switzerland
Area served	Switzerland, Alpine region, Europe
Focus	Biodiversity conservation, policy advice, knowledge exchange

Swiss Biodiversity Forum The Swiss Biodiversity Forum is a national platform for biodiversity knowledge exchange based in Bern that connects scientists, practitioners and policy makers. It serves as a nexus between institutions such as the University of Bern, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, and agencies like the Federal Office for the Environment to inform implementation of instruments including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Bern Convention. The Forum convenes stakeholders from cantonal authorities such as Canton of Zürich and Canton of Vaud, conservation NGOs like Pro Natura and World Wildlife Fund, and research networks including the Swiss Academia and European projects under Horizon 2020.

Overview

The Forum functions as a platform for exchange among organizations such as the Swiss Academy of Sciences, Agroscope, Swiss Ornithological Institute, Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich, and the Swiss Biodiversity Monitoring program. It links practitioners from protected areas like Jura Mountains, Swiss National Park, and Engadine with policy actors from the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications and international secretariats including the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Members include representatives of foundations such as the MAVA Foundation, research institutes like the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, and associations including Swiss Farmers' Union and Friends of the Earth Switzerland.

History and Development

The Forum emerged from collaborations between institutions such as the University of Lausanne, ETH Zurich, and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research during the 1990s and early 2000s, alongside initiatives by the Federal Office for the Environment and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Key milestones include coordination with international treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity and participation in conferences such as the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and meetings of the Bern Convention. Over time it expanded links with European bodies including European Environment Agency and research frameworks such as FP7.

Structure and Membership

The governance structure brings together members from universities such as the University of Geneva, research organizations like WSL, NGOs such as Pro Natura and BirdLife International, and public authorities including cantonal offices in Geneva and Zurich. Advisory bodies often involve experts affiliated with museums like the Natural History Museum Bern, botanical gardens including the Botanical Garden of the University of Geneva, and professional societies such as the Swiss Botanical Society. Membership categories mirror models used by networks such as the European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity and standards from the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Programs and Initiatives

Initiatives span thematic networks for pollinators comparable to projects by Xerces Society, habitat connectivity efforts similar to corridors advocated by Pan-European Ecological Network, and knowledge syntheses akin to assessments by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The Forum organizes workshops, thematic meetings, and training in collaboration with institutions like the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, universities such as University of Fribourg, and NGOs including BirdLife Europe. It contributes to tools and databases used by projects like Global Biodiversity Information Facility and national monitoring programs comparable to Swiss Biodiversity Monitoring.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Partnerships include collaborations with governmental bodies such as the Federal Office for the Environment, research funders like the Swiss National Science Foundation, and foundations including the MAVA Foundation and Fondation Botnar. International links connect to the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, the Council of Europe (via the Bern Convention), and research programmes under Horizon 2020 and Copernicus. It works jointly with conservation NGOs such as Pro Natura, WWF Switzerland, and international networks including BirdLife International and IUCN.

Impact and Contributions

The Forum has influenced policy instruments related to species protection lists used by the Federal Office for the Environment and supported implementation of habitat directives reflected in cantonal planning such as in Canton of Bern. It has contributed to capacity building for practitioners from organizations like Swiss Landscape Foundation and informed research agendas at institutions including the Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt. Outputs have been used in syntheses by bodies such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and have supported case studies in regions like the Rhine Valley, Alps, and Jura Mountains.

Funding and Governance

Funding sources include governmental contributions from the Federal Office for the Environment, grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation, and support from philanthropic organizations such as the MAVA Foundation and corporate partnerships following models used by Nature Conservancy. Governance combines steering committees with representatives from academic institutions like the University of Basel, NGOs like Pro Natura, and cantonal authorities including Canton of Vaud. Accountability aligns with Swiss legal frameworks overseen by institutions such as the Federal Department of Finance and auditing practices common to Swiss non-profit organizations.

Category:Conservation in Switzerland Category:Environmental organizations based in Switzerland