11. Resource Management Information Networks and Services

11.1 Africa Environmental Information Network (AEIN)

Africa Environmental Information Network
United Nations Environment Programme
PO Box 47074
Nairobi
KENYA
Web: http://africa.unep.net/ein/content1.asp
Geographical coverage:Africa
Language(s):English
Subject areas: Environmental monitoring; Information management; Natural resources management
Publications: Online publications and report

Africa Environmental Information Network is a multi-stakeholder and partnership capacity building process that aims to harness and enhance access to information and knowledge to support the management of Africa's environmental resources as assets for sustainable development. Its goal is to strengthen the capacity of African countries to use good quality information on environmental assets to make informed investment choices at sub-national and national levels, especially within the context of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), and for monitoring progress towards development goals.

AEIN will promote access to, and harmonisation of data in the Africa region, and act as a basis for tracking environmental changes using quantitative indicators focusing on national needs. The programme is a direct outcome of the Africa Environment Outlook (AEO) preparation process, and is designed to provide direct support to that process. It will also provide regular support to the implementation of AMCEN's (African Ministerial Conference on the Environment) programmes, as well as providing support for the implementation of NEPAD.

AEIN is conceived as an integrated framework programme implemented through partnerships. It provides a framework for cooperation and coordination amongst the various existing environmental information management initiatives in Africa, building on previous efforts in environmental information system development conducted with many partners in the government, NGOs and the private sector over the past 10 years. It will cultivate partnerships with these initiatives, building upon and complementing them, finding ways for creating synergy, and extending the benefits of the various initiatives to African countries.

Information services include

Key graphics, Maps & Statistics Case Studies;
Best Practice & Success Stories;
Conventions & Treaties;
Eastern African Coastal Database;
Horn of Africa Directory Experts & Institutions.

Publications and Reports

Publications and reports that provide a detailed analysis of environmental status and trends at national, sub-regional and regional levels can be found on this page of AEIN's website.

11.2 AQUASTAT

AQUASTAT
Land and Water Development Division
Food and Agriculture Organisation
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome
ITALY
Web: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/aquastat.htm
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Drainage; Irrigation; Water resources

Information on the quantity and quality of freshwater and its availability and use is essential for sustainable development. Considering that a major share of the world's water resources is used for agricultural production, and water development plays a key role in increasing food production and achieving food security, information on agricultural water use has assumed greater importance. Reliable data are also required for joint management of internationally shared water resources. The 'thirst' for water data is ever increasing, and there is considerable demand for data on rural water use from national governments and development agencies.

AQUASTAT is an information system on water in agriculture and rural development. It produces regional analyses and country profiles on water resources development, with emphasis on irrigation and drainage.

This site presents a description of the rural water situation in 53 countries of the African continent, the 29 countries of the Near East region and the 15 countries of the former Soviet Union, with relevant tables and maps. The complete surveys are available in two Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publications which, in addition to the information presented on this site, contain charts, graphs and figures.

11.3 EcoNews

EcoNews
PO Box 76406
Nairobi
KENYA
Tel: +254 2 721099/76
Fax: +254 2 725171
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.econewsafrica.org/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Environment; Sustainable development
Publications: EcoNews Newsletter

EcoNews Africa is a not-for-profit international NGO founded in 1992. It analyses global environmental and developmental issues from an African perspective and reports on local, national and regional activities that contribute to global solutions. It operates mainly in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), but has several programmes in Southern Africa.

EcoNews Africa enables African capacity-building organisations (CBOs) and NGOs to be actively involved in decision making on sustainable development by promoting timely strategic information flows at all levels.

It was established as a facility to meet the information requirements of NGOs in East Africa, in order to enhance their involvement in particular in international decision making processes that impinge on sustainable development in East Africa.

The main objectives of its Research, Information, Documentation and Dissemination Programme are to:

provide factual, well researched, analysed and packaged data to strengthen the input of NGOs and CBOs in East Africa in policy making;
provide timely and well packaged information to enhance awareness creation, advocacy and campaigning of East African NGOs and CBOs on international agreements on trade, environment and information, and their impacts on governance and human rights;
strengthen the involvement of East African NGOs and CBOs in decision making and the implementation of international agreements on trade, environment and information.

It publishes a monthly EcoNews Newsletter which is accessible from its website online.

11.4 International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC)

International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC)
PO Box 353
6700 AJ Wageningen
NETHERLANDS
Tel: +31 317 471711
Fax: +31 317 471700
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.isric.nl/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Soil; Land use

Publications: Annual and biannual reports; conference proceedings; country reports; Soil Briefs; Soil Monographs; Soil Monolith Papers; technical papers, working papers and reports

ISRIC aims to collect and disseminate scientific knowledge about soils for the purpose of better understanding their formation, characterisation, classification, distribution and capacity for sustained land use at local, national and global scales.

Being designated World Data Center for Soils by the International Council for Science (ICSU), ISRIC holds an array of documentation, including:

library and map collection;
collection of reference soil profiles (or soil monoliths).

ISRIC acts as host for the GLASOD, SOTER and WISE databases on soil management.

Its website has information on ISRIC collaborative research and publications.

11.5 MekongInfo

MekongInfo
c/o MRC Secretariat
No 364
Monivong Boulevard
Phnom Penh
CAMBODIA
Contact: Michael Glück, Technical Advisor
Tel: +85 5 23 720 979 ext. 6288
Fax: +85 5 23 720 979 ext. 6313
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.MekongInfo.org/
Geographic coverage: Lower Mekong Basin
Languages: English, Indigenous languages
Subject areas: Information management; Forest resource management; Land use; Natural resource management; Sustainable development
Publications: Mekonginfo (CD-ROM); E-mail update (monthly); list of publications available online

MekongInfo is an interactive system for sharing information and knowledge about participatory natural resource management in the Lower Mekong Basin. In addition to over 2600 documents (full-text and abstract) in the library, MekongInfo provides a contacts database of individuals, projects and organisations, news and announcements of events, relevant web links, a gallery of useful resource materials, a forum for online discussions, and a free web-hosting service. To enjoy full access to MekongInfo, interested parties should register and/or log in.

The Sustainable Management of Resources in the Lower Mekong Basin Project (SMRP) supports partners in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam to develop, promote and implement strategies in participatory natural resource management. The focus is on the generation, exchange and dissemination of information and experiences about land-use planning and allocation, and forest management systems, in upland watersheds and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

A list of SMRP supported documents is available on the website. Many documents are in html format to allow fast downloading. In addition there are many other documents published in regional languages, available by contacting the respective SMRP country offices. Also available on request is the CD-ROM Mekonginfo.

Those wishing to keep up to date with what's new in MekongInfo can ask to receive the monthly E-mail update. Those working in natural resource management are invited to share experiences with MekongInfo, and organisations or projects publishing and disseminating information about natural resource management in the region are encouraged to participate in the operation and development of MekongInfo.

Country Office:
40 Prince Norodom Bd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Liaison Officer on PNRM: Mr Min Bunnara
E-mail: [email protected]

Hanoi Office:
IPO Box 304, Unit 301, #20 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
National Project Director: Dr Nguyen Hong Quan
E-mail: [email protected]

Dak Lak Office:
PO Box N.6, 47 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak, Vietnam
Project Manager: Mr Phan Muu Binh
E-mail: [email protected]

Lao PDR:
c/o National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), PO Box 3802, Ban Nongviengkham, Xaythany District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
National Project Director: Mr Malichansouk Malivanh
E-mail: [email protected]

Thailand:
c/o Watershed Management Division, Royal Forest Department, 61 Phaholyothin Road, Jatujak, Bangkok, Thailand 10900
Fax. +66 2 579 5836
SMRP Thailand, Watershed Management Office (Huay Keaw), Huay Keaw Road, Suthep Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, PO Box 2, Chiang Mai University Post Office, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50202
National Project Director: Mr Korkiat Kesonsriri (Bangkok)
E-mail: [email protected]

11.6 Soil Biodiversity Portal

Soil Biodiversity Portal
Land and Water Development Division
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome
ITALY
Contact: Sally Bunning
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.fao.org/ag/AGL/agll/soilbiod/default.htm
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agronomy; Biodiversity; Soil conservation; Sustainable agriculture
Publications: RooTalk (newsletter)

This web page, prepared by the FAO, provides general conceptions on the meaning and significance of soil biodiversity, stressing the need for integrated biological soil management. It also provides a framework under which soil biodiversity can be assessed, managed and conserved, showing examples of successful and unsuccessful practices which have been used in various regions of the world to manage soil biodiversity. Finally, an assessment is presented of needs for further work, research, capacity building, and policy and programme development.

Soil Biodiversity Newsletter RooTalk - the objective of this newsletter is to disseminate information of activities on soil biodiversity management and conservation in agricultural systems with the aim of enhancing networking and collaboration. Feedback and comments on the newsletter content, in particular areas relevant to work being undertaken (new publication, activities, etc.), are welcome.

For those who believe they have a good case study or any information relevant to soil biodiversity in sustainable agriculture production systems that they would like to see included, please contact [email protected]

The Portal has recently been updated with a matrix providing links to ongoing work by many organisations/institutes; a global survey of expertise; news and events; and a soil biodiversity brochure for information and advocacy.

11.7 United Nations Environment Programme, Environment and Natural Resources Information Networking (UNEP - ENRIN)

UNEP - ENRIN
PO Box 47074
Nairobi
KENYA
Contact: Halifa Drammeh, D/Director, Division of Environment Policy Dev. A
Tel: +254 2 624278
Fax: +254 2 624324
Web: http://www.unep.org/unep/regoffs/roa/home.htm
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Environment; Information management; Natural resources
Publications: UNEP News Africa

UNEP's ENRIN - Africa Region Programme aims to:

increase the accessibility of relevant and appropriate environment and natural resources information to decision making processes at national and regional levels;
increase the capacity of existing national and regional institutions to manage environment and natural resources information and improve delivery to decision making processes.

Its objectives are:

at the national level - to establish or enhance operational environment and natural resources information systems and networks that fully support the information requirements of strategic planning frameworks, assessment and reporting, for national environment management action plans and natural resource use - five national networks are currently being developed (Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Eritrea and Tanzania) and proposals to establish or enhance two more (Madagascar and Botswana) are currently under development;
at the subregional level - to establish or enhance networks that link national environment and natural resources databases to establish subregional organisations and secretariats - this will provide information to support action plans initiated to deal with issues related to shared resources (e.g. Regional Seas and River Basin Action Plans). Currently networks are under development in four subregions - the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD); and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and planned for the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC);
at the regional level - to establish or enhance networks that link subregional and national environment and natural resources information systems and the specialised databases of the UN agencies and UNEP - this will facilitate regional assessments, within a global framework, of major environmental issues and environmental reporting, and will enable analysis of data for detecting emerging issues of mobilising responses to environmental change.

11.8 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-INFOTERRA SASIN)

UNEP-INFOTERRA SASIN
Department of Town and Regional Planning
Ministry of Local Government and Lands
P/Bag 0042, Gaborone
BOTSWANA
Contact: Tuelo Nkwane
Tel: +267 354277
Fax: +267 331280
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.unep.org/infoterra/
Geographic coverage: Southern Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Environment; Information management
Publications: SASIN Newsletter (quarterly)

SASIN, a project of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is part of one of the largest environmental networks linking information seekers and providers. Its objective is to help provide solutions to common environmental problems facing countries in the region, represented by the national focal points in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

One of the main initiatives of SASIN was the development of a regional bibliographic database (29 000 records) - the SASIN Environmental Database - which is a catalogue of the documentation available on environmental issues in the participating countries. Each SASIN national focal point, along with other key environmental organisations such as SADC Environment and Land Management Sector, contributes national biliographic input to the regional database. The regional database is managed by ENFO, the INFOTERRA national focal point for Ireland. ENFO provides technical support to the participating countries and has been instrumental in making the regional database available on the Internet.

The network exchanges information through a quarterly newsletter.

11.9 WCA infoNET

WCA infoNET
IPTRID Programme Office
c/o Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome
ITALY
Contact: Thomas M. Stein, WCA infoNET Information Officer
Tel: +39 06 570 55322
Fax: +39 06 570 56275
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Web: http://www.fao.org/iptrid/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Water conservation

WCA infoNET is an integrated Internet information platform which merges high-quality information resources and expertise, allowing direct access to publications, documents, data, computer programmes and discussion groups which provide a knowledge base, support and the necessary global platform for decisions on water conservation and use in agriculture. WCA infoNET is managed by the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID), hosted by FAO in Rome, Italy and funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), UK. It is an associate programme of the Global Water Partnership (GWP).

11.10 World Overview of Conservation Technologies and Approaches (WOCAT)

World Overview of Conservation Technologies and Approaches
WOCAT secretariat
CDE WOCAT
Steigerhubelstrasse 3
CH-3008, Berne
SWITZERLAND
Contact: Hanspeter Liniger, Coordinator
Tel: +41 31 631 88 22
Fax: +41 31 631 85 44
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.wocat.net/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Conservation; Water management; Soil management; Technology transfer
Publications: The Wocateer; WOCAT-L (E-mail discussion list)

WOCAT's mission is to provide tools that allow soil and water conservation (SWC) specialists to share their valuable knowledge in soil and water management; that assist them in their search for appropriate technologies and approaches; and that support them in making decisions in the field and at the planning level.

WOCAT has developed a methodology to document, monitor and evaluate SWC know-how and to disseminate it around the globe to facilitate exchange of experience. A set of three comprehensive questionnaires and a database system have been developed to document all relevant aspects of SWC technologies and approaches, including area coverage. WOCAT results and outputs are accessible via the Internet, in the form of books and maps, and on CD-ROM.

WOCAT was established as a global network of SWC specialists. It is organised as a consortium of national and international institutions and operates in a decentralised manner. The WOCAT knowledge base is in the public domain - everyone is invited to share and use it. The WOCAT network is open to all individuals and organisations with a mandate or an interest in SWC.

E-mail Discussion List, WOCAT-L - a non-commercial, moderated E-mail discussion list including an archive of mail contributions. Its purpose is to exchange information and experiences on SWC technologies and approaches worldwide via E-mail. Participants are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on the use of the WOCAT tools (methodology, database, CD-ROM, website), on practical applications of WOCAT, and on possible errors in the programmes.

Activities also include:

network newsletters (distributed via this list and archived on the website);
brief information such as news items, forthcoming events and courses, project updates, new publications, etc. - each item includes, where possible, an E-mail contact address and the Internet address of the news source.

Details on how to subscribe may be found on the WOCAT website. The WOCAT newsletter, entitled The Wocateer, and the WOCAT databases are available online, as are details of various regional initiatives.