Despite the high valuation of Biodiversity in the society Germany lacks a stringent concept to monitor and assess changes in species diversity. However, many different data is out there that may be suitable for the urgently needed analyses.

To this end, the sMon working group will compile - often very heterogeneous - datasets from different German federal states for selected taxa and assess possibilities for harmonsation and analyses.

From evaluation of such data, originating from non-systematic monitoring schemes, sytematic studies or species geographical distribution studies, sMon will pinpoint perspectives and basic requirements for a systematic assessment of future monitoring programs in Germany. A focus will be on the adaption and/or development of methods for analysis of such highly valuable data.

Selected taxa