OO. 7.3 Develop adequate monitoring methodologies and biodiversity indicators

Monitoring of biodiversity and remedying of the causes of threatening processes are inherent to all the objectives of Belgium's Biodiversity Strategy, and in particular to its Objectives 1 and 2. Hence more research should be carried out on monitoring methodologies and the development of biodiversity. These research efforts should preferably be conducted in agreement and, if possible, in collaboration with similar programmes carried out at the European and the international level.

The definition of national standards for biodiversity inventories and monitoring using an appropriate set of common indicators (see Objective 1) will enable the evaluation and communication of progress made by Belgium towards the 2010 target, and help fulfil reporting obligations to international bodies. It will also allow for an adaptive management of components of biodiversity (in particular with regard to climate change), and for strengthening policies related to activities and processes that threaten biodiversity.