CLEARING-HOUSE ??

This is a unit for the gathering and

distribution of public information.

CLEARING-HOUSE MECHANISM(CHM)

A nationalnational networknetwork of organizations &

persons gathering, collating and

distributing public information on

biodiversity.

WHY A JAMAICA CHM?

The U.N. Convention on Biological

Diversity (CBD) promotes access to

information on biodiversity through the

establishment of national Clearing-House

Mechanisms. As a Party to the CBD,

Jamaica is obliged to develop a CHM.

NATIONAL FOCAL POINT

The Natural History Division (NHD) is

the designated National Focal PointNational Focal Point of

the Jamaica Clearing-House

Mechanism (JA CHM). This means it is

responsible for coordinating the JA

CHM’s development.

NHD’s BIODIVERSITY PROFILE

• actively involved in the conservation of biological

diversity (Mason River Game Sanctuary)

• conduct biological research (Botany, Zoology & CHM Units)

• actively disseminate scientific information on

biological diversity (Education programmes; Bulletin of the

Institute of Jamaica, Science Series, Sloanea – Occasional Papers

of the Natural History Division of the Institute of Jamaica; websites)

• promote and participate in scientific and

technological cooperation (NEPA, NCST, BLJ)

UNIQUE FEATURES OF CHMs

• Needs-driven: supports policy-makers, natural resource

managers & scientists, educators, general public in

biodiversity conservation & education

• Decentralized: promotion of responsible collection &

management of data and information according to

recognized standards and accessibility to information

through links with the CHM

• Optimizing effort: using available resources, promoting

joint initiatives & the sharing of information and

experiences

BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION• Types:

Current Future• Taxonomic Spatial• Ecological• Social (policy related/

legislation, contact info)• Public Outreach

Formats:

Current Future• Lists (e.g. species) More images• Tables Searchable databases• Web links• Articles/Reports

Reliable information, the heart of the network.

NETWORKING TOOLS

• Information Technology:

JA CHM Website

Biodiversity Email List

Databases

Educational CDs

NETWORKING TOOLS

• Print Media:

Brochures

Articles (magazines, newspapers, journals)

Technical Reports/Species Lists

NETWORKING TOOLS

• Personal contact:

Presentations at public fora

(both local and regional)

Hosting/Coordinating public fora

1st National Alien Invasive Species Workshop

IABIN Workshop, Miami, 2002

NETWORKING TOOLS

• Collaborative Projects:Mason River Bird Project

IABIN Invasive Species

Information Network Project - Jamaica

Medicinal Plant Website for National

Commission on Science & Technology

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

• Metadatabases

• Technical Support to Biosafety Clearing-House

Mechanism