National  information  management  relevant  to  biodiversity  for  food  and  agriculture

9.3.1 Linkages  between  sector  information  systems    

Statistics Norway (SSB) at times uses information from different sectoral databases for the calculation of its figures. To calculate the country's gross domestic product (GDP), the crop, livestock and forest production related data are for example extracted from different databases.

The Species Map Service (Artskart), provided by the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility Norway (http://www.gbif.no), distributes data on species found in Norway. The Service retrieves most information from the Species Observation System, a database that contains most of the available digital information on the presence of species in Norway. More than 30 Norwegian and foreign data providers working in different sectors have processed, adapted and made electronically available spatial species occurrence data from their primary databases. Data providers include NIBIO, the Institute of Marine Research, the Norwegian Association of Fungi and Useful Plants, the Norwegian entomological society, the Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). A complete list of data providers can be found at: https://artskart.artsdatabanken.no. The Species Map Service is an important tool in natural resource management, and is also used by research and industry.

Naturbase provides information, including maps, on, inter alia, protected areas, habitats that are conserved under the Nature Diversity Act, farmlands of high biological value and cultural heritage sites. This database is managed by the Norwegian Environment Agency. It is connected to other databases, such as the environmental inventories in forests, forest management plans and land resource maps from the NIBIO and the threatened and vulnerable species database from the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre, allowing its users to combine data from Naturbase with that of other sources.

The database for protected areas in forests (Norsk genressurssenters database over verneområder i skog) includes data from Naturbase, as well as information from other forest-related background material. It is the only database to provide an overview of all the main and associated tree species that are present in protected areas in forests.

Farm distribution mapping (Gårdskart) is a mapping service designed to assist agricultural

managers, as well as owners and users of agricultural properties. The service is based on a series of different databases, including Norway's farm register that is managed by the Norwegian

Agriculture Agency, Norway's Cadastre and the detailed land resources mapping service AR5 from NIBIO.

9.3.2  Information  systems  on  associated  biodiversity  and  wild  food  resources  

Several information systems provide data on associated biodiversity and wild food resources.

The major ones are reflected in Table 5.

Table  5  Information  systems  in  Norway  providing  data  on  associated  biodiversity  and  wild  food  resources.  

National  information  

system   Component  of  associated  

biodiversity   Description  of  information  system   The  2010  Norwegian   knowledge  on  distribution,  population  size  and  development  for   each  species.97     types  (excluding  cultivated   agricultural  land)    

The  Nature  Index  shows  trends  in  biodiversity  in  major  ecosystems,   excluding  agricultural  land.  It  is  based  on  309  indicators  

representing  different  aspects  of  biodiversity.  The  overall  objective   is  to  measure  whether  Norway  is  succeeding  in  halting  the  loss  of   biodiversity,  as  pledged  under  several  international  agreements.  

The  first  edition  of  the  Nature  Index  was  published  in  September   2010  

(http://www.miljodirektoratet.no/old/dirnat/attachment/2246/DN-­‐

Report-­‐1-­‐2011.pdf).  

97 This List is supported by searchable databases containing more detailed information, such as the Species Map System (Artskart), Species Observation System (Artsobservasjoner) and Information system for Norwegian Habitat types (Naturtyper i Norge).

National  monitoring   population  condition  (carcass  mass,  fecundity  and  recruitment   rates),  population  density  and  population  structure  of  

representative  populations  of  moose,  red  deer  and  wild  reindeer.   provides  information,  including  maps,  on  Norway's  major  habitats   across  Norway  (www.naturbase.no).  

Algaeinfo   Algae  in  Norwegian  waters   This  database  provides  information  on  the  algal  situation  in   the  Norwegian  Agricultural  Authority  shows  how  the  agricultural   sector  is  following  up  on  the  country's  environmental  goals.  The   report  includes  information  on  subsidies  that  were  granted  for   measures  taken  to  safeguard  biodiversity  in  agriculture.  

Statistics  Norway  (SSB)   Multiple  components,   including  wild  foods  (e.g.  

hunting  data)  

Founded  in  1876,  SSB  is  responsible  for  the  country's  official   statistics  and  carries  out  extensive  research  and  analysis  activities.  

Statistics  Norway  reports  to  the  Ministry  of  Finance,  but  is  a   professionally  autonomous  organization.  

Norwegian  Association  

Different  components  of   associated  biodiversity   re-­‐visited  every  five  years.  This  ongoing  evaluation  systematically   collects  information  on  forest  growth,  production  capability,   standing  timber  volume,  species  distribution  and  availability,  but   also  on  the  environmental  status  of  forests.  

Statistical  information  from  NFI  has  significantly  contributed  to  the   sustainable  management  of  forest  resources  and  has  in  recent   years  also  gained  importance  with  respect  to  the  sustainable   management  of  biodiversity.  

Terrestrial  Ecosystems   Monitoring  

Programme  (TOV)  

Biological  components  of   common  boreal  and  low  alpine   ecosystems  

TOV  aimss  to  detect  both  short-­‐  and  long-­‐term  effects  of  climate   change,  long-­‐range  pollutants  and  other  natural  and  anthropogenic   impact  factors  on  vegetation  and  fauna  in  the  natural  environment   of  common  boreal  and  low  alpine  ecosystems.  

98 The Norwegian Environment Agency was established on 1 July 2013 as a result of the merger of the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency and the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management.

9.3.3 Information  systems  to  support  the  maintenance  of  traditional  knowledge  

Information on traditional knowledge on biodiversity for food and agriculture is available among informal and more formal networks, such as Norsk Landbruksrådgiving.

The Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen) is exploring possibilities to more systematically document traditional knowledge related to the conservation and use of old and traditional plant varieties.