About MBON

The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) is a thematic node of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON). MBON is a global collaborative initiative that contributes to the effective management of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Mission

Foster and coordinate a global community of practice for collecting, curating, analyzing, good management, and communicating marine biodiversity data and related services to the scientific community, policymakers, the public, and other stakeholders.

Vision

MBON envisions that observations of marine biodiversity, from local to global scales, become an integral part of observing systems to strengthen the understanding of marine biodiversity and monitoring of associated changes over time, to inform society for sustainable development and conservation priorities.

Goals

• Develop a common framework for high-priority observations in the context of Essential Ocean Variables.
• Promote best practices (OBPs) in observations, data management, and applications to advance interoperability and data integration (DarwinCore), and publication of data in open-access databases (OBIS).
• Promote the publication of observations and development of products that inform policies, ocean uses, and research.
• Facilitate capacity building.
• Serve and work with the ocean science community and resource management practitioners to achieve their goals, expand their international contacts, and support the implementation of biodiversity observations to address local societal needs.
• Coordinate membership through networking, communication efforts, and other facilitation services.
• Foster the development of international and thematic networks within MBON.
• Develop marine biodiversity observing and applications strategies that are coordinated and consistent with fresh water and terrestrial ecologists.

Guiding Principles

MBON’s agenda is aligned with key international agreements and guidelines for evaluating changes in ocean biodiversity for sustainable development:

• The United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) global assessments
• GEO BON
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

Ethics and Values

As a global network that strives to contribute to a sustainable world where people unite and take action to create change, MBON values diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the treatment and relationships between people. MBON celebrates the contributions of people regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

We, the MBON members, are international and strive to nurture a global community. We strive for the finest science, open knowledge, respect for each other, and the generation of FAIR data about life in the sea. We collaborate and communicate the value of preserving marine biodiversity, valuing knowledge, and informing action.

People

MBON Co-Chairs

Frank Muller-Karger University of South Florida, USA

Isabel Sousa Pinto University of Porto, Portugal

Masahiro Nakaoka Hokkaido University, Japan

MBON Executive Secretary

Joana Soares GEO BON / MBON Secretariat

Code of Conduct

Values and principles regarding how we work with others, engage with society, and how our work and methods impact life and nature.

Read the MBON Code of Conduct (PDF)