Evidence relating to conservation decision-making
Our agenda is to increase the use of evidence in decision making in order to improve outcomes and attract further funding to the field by making the subject more professional. There are a range of different approaches to the collation of evidence. These include the process of subject wide evidence synthesis reviewing entire subjects at a time, as adopted by Conservation Evidence, systematic and other reviews and the collation of data.
This is an attempt to list some of the most useful evidence sources when making decisions, plans, guidance or policies. As well as evidence on the effectiveness of actions we have included sources of evidence on status, threats, changes, and social and economic decisions.
This does not attempt to be comprehensive (there are a huge number of possibilities) and we have tried to find sources that summarise other databases. It does not include National or local databases.
Comprehensive evidence relating to effectiveness of actions
Conservation Evidence collates the documented evidence (published and some grey literature) in seventeen languages on the effectiveness of 3,503 conservation actions for species groups, habitats and other conservation issues.
Collaboration for Environmental Evidence Database of Evidence Reviews (CEEDER) A database of over two thousand literature reviews, meta-analyses, critical reviews, systematic reviews and rapid reviews on a wide range of environmental topics including effectiveness of actions.
PANORAMA - solutions for a healthy planet. Provides over 500 case studies in conservation and development.
Metadataset Provides over 15,000 effect sizes for actions relating to some invasive species, Mediterranean agriculture and growing cassava, along with tools for analysis.
Interactive maps
Nature-based solutions evidence platform An interactive map linking nature-based solutions to climate change adaptation outcomes based on a systematic review.
RESTORE Database to share insights from restoration projects.
Processes for improving practice
Eklipse A mechanism for generating rapid reviews to answer key environmental policy questions in the EU
Nature-based enterprises Helps find skilled and experienced nature-based enterprises.
Oppla A knowledge marketplace bringing together thinking on ecosystem services, natural capital and nature-based solutions.
Evidence on status and change in status
Birdlife Data Zone Presents range maps for all bird species.
Cabi - Invasive Species Compendium Detailed coverage of invasive species threatening livelihoods and the environment worldwide.
The Biodiversity Indicators Partnership Is a global initiative to promote the development and delivery of biodiversity indicators.
Botanical Information and Ecology Network Documents global patterns of plant diversity, function and distribution.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility Extensive data on global biodiversity.
Global review of species population monitoring Lists 1,200 monitoring schemes worldwide.
Inventory of biodiversity data sources for conservation monitoring The supporting information gives a list of 145 databases of potential use in monitoring biodiversity states, pressures and conservation responses at multiple levels.
International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas A list of areas that have reached the IUCN Green List Standard is certified and recognised as achieving ongoing results for people and nature in a fair and effective way.
International Union for Conservation of Nature’s SSC Species monitoring specialist group Inventory of data sources on species, their habitats and threats, and conservation responses.
International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Ecosystems Creates objective, transparent and repeatable assessments of ecosystem collapse risk.
International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species Assigns threat status to over 120 thousand species.
Key Biodiversity Areas Identifies the major areas for biodiversity globally.
The Living Planet Index Is a measure of the state of the world's biological diversity based on population trends from 27,510 populations of 4,799 vertebrate species from terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats.
Map of Life Project Provides range maps for species and a database that generates lists of species for specific locations.
World Database on Protected Areas A comprehensive global database on terrestrial and marine protected areas.
Evidence on threats
Filling in biodiversity threat gaps Identifies 290 unique data sets across nine threat classes from data sources ranging from remote sensing via satellites to citizen-science initiatives.
InvaCost Database of the economic costs of biological invasions.
Multiple data sources
BIOPAMA Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme provides an open-source information system for protected areas across the 79 countries of the African, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States.
Collaboration for Environmental Evidence The library of Systematic reviews and systematic maps relating to the environment. Includes systematic maps and systematic maps on conservation actions and threats.
Invasive species compendium Brings together a wide range of different types of science-based information to support decision-making in invasive species management worldwide
IUCN Global Invasive Species Database Information on many aspects of invasive species.
UN Biodiversity Lab aims to provide every country with spatial data relevant to conservation decisions.
Evidence relating to relevant social and economic issues
3ie Synthesises evidence on development effectiveness.
Alliance for Conservation Evidence and Sustainability Provides a series of leaning projects on the establishment, sustainability, and scaling of community-based conservation.
BES Citizen Science Hub Case studies of Citizen Science projects.
Campbell Collaboration Produces social science evidence syntheses, plain language summaries and policy brief; includes an International Development Coordinating Group with a dedicated focus on low- and middle-income countries.
Connecting Nature Measures impact of the implementation of nature–based projects in urban settings on climate change adaptation, health and well-being, social cohesion and sustainable economic development.
EvidenceAid Provides evidence relevant to saving lives and livelihoods in disasters.
Evidence for Nature and People Data Portal A knowledge management tool designed to help explore the evidence on linkages between nature and people from evidence syntheses.
Evidensia Provides access to credible research on the sustainability impacts of supply chain initiatives and tools, including standards and certification.
Innovations for Poverty Action Creates high quality evidence and helps turn that evidence into better programs and policies for the poor.
InvaCost Database on economic impacts of biological invasions.
J-PAL Aims to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence through research, policy outreach, and training.
TESSA (Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment) an easy-to-use workbook that leads the user through the steps needed to assess the ecosystem services provided at a particular site.
World Health Organisation Data platform Provides regular reports on data trends and analysis related to global health.
