International Workshop on the EDGE Approach
By Zimkita Mavumengwana
An international workshop on the EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) approach was held from 14-18 October 2024, at the Jardin des Plantes (MNHN) in Paris, France. Organized by a coalition of institutions, including the Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the MNHN (ISYEB, PatriNat), this three-day event gathered researchers and conservationists from four countries to discuss the integration of the EDGE approach into national conservation policy and practice.
The importance of setting conservation priorities
Setting conservation priorities poses a significant challenge in the realm of biodiversity preservation. Recognizing this, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), emphasizes the importance of including phylogenetic diversity as an indicator for biodiversity health and to embed it in conservation efforts. The EDGE approach serves as a valuable metric by combining a species’ conservation status with its evolutionary distinctiveness, generating what is referred to as an “EDGE score.”
However, despite the availability of national Red Lists of Threatened Species for various countries, the EDGE approach is still only rarely used at the national level. The primary aim of the workshop was to explore how the EDGE framework could be applied at the national level to more effectively identify the species that are both evolutionarily unique and threatened, and thus require urgent protection.
Workshop objectives
The workshop was designed with several key objectives in mind. One of the main goals was to present and explain the EDGE approach to a diverse audience in France, enhancing understanding of its potential applications. Participants were encouraged to share ongoing research and experiences related to the EDGE indicator, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge. Additionally, the workshop aimed to develop perspectives on how the EDGE approach could be adapted for national applications in France and South Africa.
Facilitating discussions among academic researchers who are involved in the development of the EDGE index, a component indicator of the CBD’s Global Biodiversity Framework, was also a priority. Lastly, the workshop sought to strengthen the network of researchers and bolster connections with public conservation policies.
Researchers and conservationists from South Africa, France, and other countries gathered at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris for an international workshop on the EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) approach.
Workshop agenda
Over the course of four days, the workshop unfolded with a blend of presentations, group discussions, and interactive working sessions. The first day was dedicated to transitioning from traditional Red Lists to the EDGE approach, exploring spatialization and various frameworks of indicators that could support national conservation efforts.
The subsequent days focused on hands-on workshops, where participants engaged in discussions regarding data usage, EDGE methodology, and relevant national applications concerning public policies and conservation actions. The final day culminated in sessions that summarized the workshop’s outcomes and outlined next steps.
Key themes and discussions
Several important themes emerged during the workshop, particularly concerning the EDGE approach and its implementation. A significant discussion revolved around standardizing national data for EDGE index production, with participants exploring methods to produce the EDGE index using national datasets while recognizing the challenges posed by differing phylogenetic data across countries.
Another critical topic was the comparison between global and national Red List statuses, prompting participants to consider whether disaggregating EDGE indicators to the national level remains useful, especially when specific national data is lacking.
Moreover, discussions delved into the spatial planning implications of EDGE indicators, focusing on how to effectively translate these indicators into spatially explicit data to inform national and regional conservation planning.
Researchers and conservationists from four countries gathered in Paris for the EDGE workshop, collaborating on integrating conservation strategies into national policies
Expected outputs
The workshop aimed to generate several key outputs, including a paper that will outline the guidelines for the national application of the EDGE approach, complete with relevant case studies. Additional papers are expected to detail specific national case studies, illustrating the application of the EDGE framework in various contexts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the EDGE workshop served as an essential platform for knowledge exchange, enabling researchers to collaborate to enhance species conservation strategies at national levels. By leveraging the EDGE approach, participants aspire to refine conservation priorities, further the adoption and application of the EDGE index, and ensure the protection of evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species. Ultimately, this collaborative effort aims to contribute to the resilience of biodiversity across the globe, safeguarding our planet’s rich natural heritage for future generations.