BES-Net TT

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About BES-Net

 

What is BES-Net?

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a capacity sharing “network of networks” that promotes dialogue between science, policy and practice for more effective management of biodiversity and ecosystems as an integral part of long-term human well-being and sustainable development. BES-Net complements and contributes to the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) by aligning its activities with the IPBES global assessment themes and applying the related IPBES guidance documents.

BES-Net is a consortium of the United Nations (UN) agencies, which includes the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is hosted by the UNDP Global Policy Center on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED). It is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) of the Federal Republic of Germany.

 

Background

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) project originally started in 2016. The first phase of the project (BES-Net I), ran from 2016 to 2020 with the financial support of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) and the SwedBio at Stockholm Resilience Centre. BES-Net I was led by a consortium, which includes the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as a coordinator, and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) as an implementing partner. The Nairobi-based Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) is the UNDP focal point in charge of the management of the project.

The second phase of the project (BES-Net II) runs from 2020-2028 with the continuous financial support of IKI/BMUV. The BES-Net consortium was expanded to include UNDP (coordinator), UNEP-WCMC (implementing partner) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (implementing partner). GC-RED keeps serving as the UNDP focal point of the project.

 

BES-Net TT

 

Background

Trinidad and Tobago was one of the seven countries targeted for the third Regional Trialogue under BES-Net I, together with Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. The Caribbean Regional Trialogue was held on 4-6 September 2018 in Santo Domingo and hosted by the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, with the objective to raise awareness of the key messages of the IPBES Thematic Assessment Report on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production and promote policy/science/practice uptake of the report’s relevant recommendations in the Caribbean region. A total of six participants attended the Trialogue from Trinidad and Tobago, encompassing the representatives from the government, research institutes, and agricultural and beekeepers associations, among others.

Given the tangible commitment in Trinidad and Tobago to uptake the relevant IPBES thematic assessment messages on pollinators and their protection, as illustrated by a series of the post-Trialogue voluntary efforts, the country was selected as a priority target country for BES-Net II Component 1. Catalytic financial support was allocated initially for a two-year period to help accelerate and upscale the harmonised implementation of the Caribbean Trialogue Action Plan and other emerging priority activities by policy, science and practice communities.

 

Project Description

The Trinidad and Tobago component of BES-Net Phase II, otherwise known as the BES-Net TT Project, sought to address the science, policy and practice of pollination and pollinator management in Trinidad and Tobago. Issues facing pollinators in Trinidad and Tobago largely stem from a lack of data, a lack of public awareness and a lack of pollinator-appropriate management.

This project aimed to address these challenges by engaging a broad range of stakeholders through public awareness and citizen science initiatives, identifying knowledge gaps, encouraging and supporting scientific research, facilitating collaboration and improving livelihoods, and reviewing policy. It is expected that as a result of these activities, knowledge and understanding of pollinators and their threats and management options among the general public increase and that management of pollinators improves. Additionally, a number of tools are made available to present and future generations; relationships among stakeholders have improved; and policy options have been highlighted.

 

Project Objective

To develop, enhance and promote policy, practice and science for the conservation and effective management of pollinators and pollination services in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Project Outcomes

  1. Improving scientific knowledge of pollinators and pollination services in Trinidad and Tobago for improved decision making.
  2. Improving the conservation of pollinators and pollination services through improved plans and policies
  3. Providing education, tools, and support to improve the practice and application of pollinator and pollination science in multiple contexts.

 

Project Activities

 

Improving Scientific Knowledge 

  1. Compilation of local plant and pollination data into a plant-pollinator catalogue
  2. Compilation of a catalogue on local butterflies (Lepidoptera)
  3. Development of pollinator data collection protocols
  4. Research to provide data on seagrass pollination
  5. Research to provide data on bee species surrounding the Matura ESA and the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve
  6. Research to provide data on the effects of habitat disturbance on beneficial bat species
  7. Conducting a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Survey to determine the public’s awareness and knowledge of pollinators and pollination
  8. Citizen Science engagement activities via our iNaturalist Project

 

Improving Plans and Policies

  1. Development of a Draft Theory of Change for pollinator conservation
  2. Development of a Meliponini management guidelines document

 

Improving Practices

  1. Development of pollinator gardens
  2. Capacity building and information exchanges amongst Meliponini beekeepers
  3. Development and execution of training workshop series
  4. Public engagement and development of education materials
  5. Promotion of online applications for use in bee management

 

The Story of BES-Net TT

Read more about the story of BES-Net TT and its achievements here!

 

Additional Resources