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Appendix 5
ESTABLISHING THE TONLE SAP BIOSPHERE RESERVE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DATABASE A.
Background
1. In September 2001, the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve (TSBR) Secretariat was established within the Cambodia National Mekong Committee to facilitate coordination and fortify cooperation among national agencies, provincial authorities, and civil society. However, no information exchange and management system serves its needs. Much data on the Tonle Sap exists and new data is being collected continuously. However, this data is scattered among institutions, projects, and individuals and is in diverse forms: publications, technical reports, workshop papers, seminar proceedings, and digital files. Access is difficult and there is no updated directory or metadatabase for stakeholders to consult. What is more, data quality is often questionable because that there is no mechanism for validation and aggregation. In short, there is no comprehensive environmental information database that offers an official and common service. Developing such a database is urgent to backstop natural resource management coordination and planning for the TSBR. To this intent, the Project will establish in the TSBR Secretariat an environmental information database (TSBR-ED) that will serve as an information clearinghouse open to all. Fittingly, the TSBR-ED will build on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) experience in environmental data management, especially on its MABnet, and Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring initiative. 1 B.
Approach to Database Development 1.
Objective and Outputs
2. The goal of the Project is sustainable management and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity in the Tonle Sap basin. Establishing the TSBR-ED will help to accomplish the objective of strengthened natural resource management coordination and planning for the TSBR. The needed outputs to establish the TSBR-ED are as follows: (i) building an efficient information clearinghouse mechanism; (ii) establishing a database to support management planning, environmental assessment, and public information; (iii) establishing and maintaining a TSBR web site; (iv) developing TSBR publications on environment and development; and (v) establishing a documentation center. When it is established, the TSBRED will constitute an important tool of Government agencies, specialized institutions, environmental education projects, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and the aid community. 2.
Key Activities by Output a.
Building an Efficient Information Clearinghouse Mechanism
3. The TSBR Secretariat needs an information clearinghouse mechanism. This mechanism should consist of well-prepared work plans, information services and products, and data management capacity, buttressed by qualified technical staff and equipment. A series of 1
The Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring initiative undertakes a biotic, biodiversity, socioeconomic, and integrated monitoring in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Its goal is to provide a platform for integration of the resulting information and data, thus contributing to a better understanding of the changes that take place in the areas studied, the factors triggering those changes, and the options for planning and management.
