Bioinformatics Implications of the International Biodiversity Conventions

Many nations have now confirmed their commitment to the principles of Agenda 21 by becoming Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and many have joined four other treaties related to biodiversity conservation. In addition many are signatories to treaties directed at stabilisation of the global environment, such as the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), and the Montreal Protocol on restricting ozone-depleting substances. These treaties will have direct consequences on the way in which biological information is gathered, organised, maintained and disseminated within countries, that is on national "bioinformatics". Many of the treaties have, or will have, defined reporting requirements to the global community which directly require, or indirectly imply, the need for biological information systems. This is in tune with the increasing recognition that the key to national strategy development and wise decision making on the sustainable use of biological resources and the equitable sharing of benefits, depends on having systematically organised information (such as, inventories of biological resources, indicators of sustainable use, indigenous knowledge, biotechnology, gene-banks, trade in species). The information which nations must organise and manage to respond to specific and implied requirements of these treaties is complex, has scientific, economic and policy components, and transcends the divisions between conventional resource sectors. This presents significant challenges to the development of the required enabling bioinformatics capabilities which are taxing to all nations, but particularly strain the capacity of developing countries. For many countries it will mean the re-engineering of approaches to biological data management to effectively and efficiently serve both national strategic and operational needs, as well as meet the reporting obligations to all the relevant treaties.