We are currently developing a comprehensive concept for nationwide biodiversity monitoring across all habitat types. Our approach is scientifically grounded, collaborative, and built on dialogue with the monitoring community. The fundamental objectives have already been established. This effort builds on an extensive baseline analysis of all nationwide representative monitoring programmes, providing a cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder overview that serves as a vital foundation for our work.

Our goal is to ensure transparency, evaluation, and improvement in the availability of data on drivers. To achieve this, we collaborate with a dedicated expert committee, which advises the Principal Expert Committee. Together, we are developing a framework for the thematic focus on influencing factors as part of the overall concept.

In collaboration with the Soil Biodiversity Expert Committee, we are working on conceptual foundations for future nationwide soil biodiversity monitoring. As a first step, specific goals for monitoring soil biodiversity and functions have been formulated. We have also developed technical recommendations for a nationwide baseline survey of soil biodiversity (ANK Measure 6.4).
 

Our aim is to integrate and highlight aquatic topics, processes from marine monitoring, and monitoring of inland waters within the work of the Monitoring Centre. We seek to identify and address needs and gaps in aquatic biodiversity monitoring, with a particular focus on developing and implementing innovative new methods. Additionally, we aim to support efforts to improve data availability and streamline information flows, ensuring greater transparency.

We pursue the long-term goal of making data and information on biodiversity, as well as the environmental factors affecting it, effectively and sustainably (re)usable. A key focus is on developing a roadmap for integrating diverse data sources. Establishing standards and guidelines is crucial to ensure that monitoring programmes and the data derived from them are described in a harmonised and structured manner. Furthermore, the monitoring centre is dedicated to continuously increasing the proportion of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data available in the field of biodiversity.

Our team coordinates the co-financing and implementation of the nationwide ecosystem monitoring as well as the insect monitoring conducted by the federal states. We also support and promote nationwide citizen science-based monitoring projects, known as “flagship projects.” This support contributes to the further development of nationwide biodiversity monitoring and strengthens public engagement with biodiversity. In addition, we design and coordinate the funding of projects in the areas of new technologies, citizen science, and the expansion of existing monitoring programmes.

The Monitoring Centre is currently developing an information and networking portal for nationwide biodiversity monitoring. The team is responsible for the conceptual content-related and strategical development and implementation. We consolidate relevant content and coordinate the necessary processes for realization. We also work closely with related portals and initiatives, such as umwelt.info and NFDI4Biodiversity, to ensure alignment and collaboration.

Our goal is to communicate and present the scientific content and activities of the Monitoring Centre in a clear and engaging manner, fostering dialogue even with target groups outside the scientific community. To achieve this, we continuously develop our website and keep the community informed through press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and video content. Currently, we are developing a publication and communication strategy.

In this team, we work on strengthening volunteer engagement and citizen science initiatives in the field of biodiversity monitoring and integrating them into the nationwide monitoring system. To achieve this, we engage with professional societies, associations, and research institutions. Our aim is to connect, support, and raise the visibility of participants in the monitoring community and other interested parties. Promoting species identification skills is also a key focus of our work.

Since 2021, we have been supporting the EU-funded Biodiversity Partnership Biodiversa+ on behalf of the BMUV. We are actively involved in the field of “harmonisation and cooperation of biodiversity monitoring programmes in Europe.” As part of this work, we are contributing to the design of a Europe-wide portal for biodiversity data. Additionally, we are involved in creating a European network of monitoring centers as part of a potential EU coordination centre for biodiversity monitoring (EBOCC).

In addition to numerous administrative tasks, the secretariat organises the Monitoring Centre's many events in collaboration with the event management team. These include the forum, the lecture series, as well as various workshops and expert conferences.