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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pages 1-24

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From page 1...
... Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt has recently initiated the process of forming a National Biological Survey (NBS) within DOl.
From page 2...
... This report proposes a research agenda for the National Biological Survey that is far broader than the existing research effort in the Department of the Interior but that is also focused according to likely immediate and long-term user needs. A National Biotic Resources Information System is envisioned to make reliable
From page 3...
... We need to understand how natural ecological services operate and to what extent they depend on the biological richness and diversity of ecosystems. · Understanding the impact of human settlement patterns (metropolitan growth, renewable land use, and nonrenewable-resource extractions on biological resources.
From page 4...
... · Restoring degraded environments. Restoring environments that are degraded by erosion, depletion, pollution, or the invasion of nonnative species will require accurate information on the ecological and physical processes affected by degradation and knowledge of which species can best establish themselves on degraded sites.
From page 5...
... This joint enterprise can be called the National Partnership for Biological Survey. The committee therefore recommends the following: The United States, under the leadership of the Department of the Interior, should establish a National Partnership for Biological Survey (NPBS)
From page 6...
... · The National Biological Survey (NBS) will provide scientific research and information within DOI to help manage the lands and species for which the department has responsibility.
From page 7...
... The major missing elements required to create an effective National Partnership are some key programmatic components and
From page 8...
... Some are directed specifically to the National Biological Survey and some to the broader Partnership. The latter class also applies to NBS in its proposed role as a leader of the NPBS.
From page 9...
... HOW WILL THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP STRENGTHEN THE INFORMATION BASE FOR PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS? Performing Research One of the most important uses of the scientific information gathered by the National Partnership is to assist decision-makers in addressing existing issues about biological resources and in anticipating future ones.
From page 10...
... The committee believes that the scientific activities and programs of the NBS should focus both on its responsibilities as the main biological research agency within the Department of the Interior and on its proposed role as the lead agency for the National Partnership. The large amounts of land managed by DOl, along with the department's other responsibilities with regard to
From page 11...
... and species for which it has responsibility. It should also ensure, both through its own scientific activities and its proposed role of national leadership, that needed research Is performed to fulfill the central purpose envisioned for the National Partnership to generate the information required to understand the current status of the nation's biological resources, how that status is changing, and the causes of the changes.
From page 12...
... It should collaborate with other federal initiatives to develop national and global environmental databases and should also support database development by states, museums, and universities. The NBS will need to commit adequate resources to ensure that its diverse user community receives timely dissemination of reliable, high-quality data and information presented in a variety of formats.
From page 13...
... habitat modeling. HOW WILL THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROVIDE AN ORGANIZED FRA~fEwOnK FOR COLIABORATION AMONG ITS PARTICIPANCE Orga'iizadon ant} Coordinadon of the NPBS Coordination among its various participants is a key to the success of the Partnership.
From page 14...
... A unique and innovative process is probably needed. It therefore recommends the following: Formal mechanisms should be established for coordination among the entities with responsibilities for the National Partnership for Biological Survey.
From page 15...
... that he or she represents to implement policies and priorities. An effective mechanism for federal coordination might be an Such a com interdepartmental committee on biological survey.
From page 16...
... A robust national biological research program must encompass the entire spectrum. Because the NPBS
From page 17...
... HOW WIN THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROVIDE IMPROVED PROGRAMMATIC EFFICIENCIES AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE? Through its coordinating mechanisms and ability to set priorities, the National Partnership can provide increased efficiency in
From page 18...
... Investments made now to improve the knowledge base should pay off in the future by lessening the risk of costly political conflict and the need for expensive environmental repair efforts. Research Extensive biological research and inventory programs exist in several federal agencies.
From page 19...
... The committee therefore recommends as follows: Development of the National Partnership and the National Biological Survey should be guided by a single strategic implementation plan developed under the leadership of the Department of the Interior with the fun participation of NPBS partners. Some proposed key elements of the plan are listed below.
From page 20...
... 20 NPBS A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE NATION Phase in personnel transfers Assess existing national biological databases Identify priorities for additional information Assess collections Establish register of taxonomic specialists Develop national research plan Initiate regional collaborative pilot projects Establish data-management office headed by senior official · Establish national coordination mechanisms · Develop FY 1995 budget initiative for DOl, NSF, and other agencies involved · Develop strategic plan for information management · Develop national research plan · Initiate regional collaborative pilot projects Intermediate-Term Promotes (Within 3 Years) NBS · Broaden mix of scientific disciplines · Establish or expand research programs in environmental Indicators · Establish or expand research programs in inventories of areas rich in biological diversity, unique ecosystems, and potential candidate areas for restoration · Develop series of manuals, monographs and atlases and system of ecological classifications based on attributes · Establish moderate-size data-management facility
From page 21...
... Although priorities might change over time, the committee believes that phasing the steps outlined above according to a wellplanned strategy will lead to a successful NBS and National Partnership. Establishing the priorities outlined here will help both the NBS and the NPBS to provide quickly the kinds of results that are essential if they are to show their value to the nation.
From page 22...
... The NPBS will provide a much stronger information base from which to make decisions about the nation's biological resources, but hard choices and conflicts will remain. The National Partnership will be most useful in preventing costly environmental confrontations if it has a paramount scientific function, maintains a Tong-term commitment to scientific excellence, and is wellintegrated across its membership.


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