http://www.unep-wcmc.org/cms/

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES: 

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

Data collection by bibliography, field surveys, remote sensing and questionnaires. Information sourced from National Scientific Institutions, specialized governments agencies, NGOs and relevant bibliography. The data consists of range States of migratory species of wild animals listed in the CMS appendices; activities developed by Parties in relation to migratory species of wild animals; status of selected migratory species. 
Notes: 1) CMS is not collecting precise and comprehensive data on the species, their distribution, reasons for their depletion etc. The data are to be collected by the Parties in the framework of their national nature conservation work.
2) CMS is to a major extent a framework convention aiming at the conclusion and implementation of Agreements for certain migratory species. It is expected that more detailed data will be collected within these agreements.

CMS work with a big array of Governmental and non-governmental organizations. There are standard forms established by the Conference of the Parties for the collection of most of the data. This standard forms are not aiming at the establishment and regular update of a database under CMS, but limited to the following purposes: a) development of proposals for the listing of species on Appendix I and II; b) Reports of the Parties. Also the Secretariat is committed to establish and expand a list of Range States of the species listed in the CMS Appendices. 

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Will be done more or less comprehensively within the implementation of Agreements. 

Assessment and Analysis
On the recommendation of the CMS Secretariat, the German Government will initiate the preparation of a World Database for migratory species. The data base aims at providing a basis for future priority settings in the implementation of CMS and a type of information within the clearinghouse mechanism on the Convention of Biological Diversity.

The scientific body elaborating the database will have to cooperate with all scientific institutions and specialized non-governmental organizations dealing inter alia with data collection. 

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms
None; however the implementation of the various Agreements under CMS will require mechanisms for dealing with emergency cases. Over a long term this will also tend to the establishment of early warning mechanisms. 

Reports/Information dissemination
The range states list for migratory species is distributed to all CMS parties, country reports are published after each COP; CMS produces a quarterly bulletin and has a WWW site. The imformation is used by policymakers, Government officials, NGOs, environmental lawyers, biologists general public. The information is disseminated world wide as CMS has Parties in all continents. Information dissemination via the WWW site is coordinated by WCMC. The migratory species list and country reports are distributed to each Party through official channels and by request. There are no meta-information inventories; however on a long term it would be useful to use existing data on e.g. changes of land use and meteorological phenomena in order to better explain the situation of threatened migratory species. Information use is promoted via the WWW site, newsletter, brochure and publications. CMS is seeking external funds and action in order to develop a global campaign for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species. 

Network Development and Support
CMS as a global convention has and maintains regular contacts with focal points in all Parties. The Scientific Council, another CMS body is formed by a representative of each Party and gathers regularly to discuss CMS scientific issues. For more information on the Scientific Council as a scientific advisory process see its background profile.

Regular meetings are also organized on the various existing Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding to discuss issues relevant for their activities. CMS as the central Convention is responsible for the coordination of these networks. 

CMS and Agreement's bodies, in particular their Secretariats, are cooperating with a number of other global and regional conventions and programmes, with scientific institutions and non-governmental organizations (exchange of information, harmonization and planning of activities). 

Capacity-Building

Internet Access
 http://www.unep-wcmc.org/cms/
In this site there is information about CMS and the Agreements and MoUs developed under CMS. The text of the Convention and Agreements, copies of the Newsletters and general information about CMS. 

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Arnulf Müller-Helmbrecht 
Executive Secretary 
UNEP/CMS Secretariat 
United Nations Premises in Bonn 
Martin Luther King Strasse, 8 
D-53175 Bonn 
Germany 
Tel: + 49 228 815 2401/2 
Fax: + 49 228 815 2449 

Date of preparation
26 May 1997, modified 26 February 2001 

ORGANIZATION:Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)