The EuropaBON Stakeholder Dashboard: A dynamic web application to map Europe’s biodiversity community

PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0329390 August 13, 2025 3 / 16 Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) to be monitored within the system. This new system is designed in such a way as to address multiple EU policies and reporting needs [10]. Assessing the impact of key contributors, measured through their level of con- nectedness within the network, their participation in EuropaBON project activities (e.g., workshops, surveys, consultations), and their involvement in shaping the structure of the monitoring framework, is crucial for understanding potential geograph- ical or thematic biases embedded in the collaboratively designed system. These forms of impact reflect both influence on decision-making processes and the degree to which institutions are contributing knowledge, capacity, or data. Recognizing such biases is essential for creating a representative monitoring system that reflects the diversity of stakeholder perspectives and ensures broad relevance and uptake across Europe. To enhance transparency, stakeholder engagement, and adaptabil- ity, we developed an interactive web-based dashboard (https://europabon.org/dashboard/) that allows users to explore the European biodiversity community, its key actors, and their connections. The dashboard visualises stakeholder relationships across three key dimensions: occupational sector (academia, NGO, governmental organisation, private sector, citizen sci- ence, other), ecological realm (terrestrial, freshwater, marine), and EU region as defined by the United Nations geoscheme.

The main objective of this study was to map the EuropaBON stakeholder network across these dimensions and identify gaps in geographic coverage, thematic focus, and areas of expertise. While previous efforts – such as the EU BON proj- ect – conducted limited and largely static analyses of institutional relationships [11], the EuropaBON project has advanced this work by offering a dynamic, continuously updated real-time tool for exploring network structure and engagement, drawing on the FAIR principles [12]. Unlike static, snapshot-based data sets that require manual updates and only pro- vide a fixed view of data that can quickly become outdated, the dashboard ensures a continuous flow of data, automatic updates and interactive visualisations. Users are no longer limited to passively viewing the data, but can actively explore relationships, filter information and analyse trends in real time. This added layer of transparency and continuous self- assessment positions EuropaBON as a leading initiative that has contributed to building an inclusive, balanced and evolv- ing biodiversity monitoring community. Methods Input data The information provided by registered stakeholders (also referred to as members throughout the text) in the Europa- BON members portal [13], has served as the primary data source for developing the dashboard (https://europabon.org/ dashboard) and conducting the network analysis. Membership grew rapidly in the first year following the network’s estab-

lishment, partly due to three stakeholder conferences held in 2021, and continued to increase, albeit at a slower rate, throughout 2022 and 2023 (S1 Fig). Membership recruitment primarily took place through EuropaBON events, as partici- pation was limited to registered members. Membership grew organically through event announcements and social media outreach. In addition, the project was widely recognized across Europe, leading to a high number of registrations from a broad range of stakeholders. While the database includes many key biodiversity actors, we acknowledge that some nota- ble organisations, such as the Natural History Museum in London, are not represented. To ensure network sustainability, the members’ portal and the associated dashboard were designed to be maintained for at least five years beyond the proj- ect’s duration (until 2029). Members provided essential information via an online registration form (https://europabon.org/ members/register/index), with the full list of questions asked during the registration process available in S1 File. Members are able to update their information at any time by logging into the EuropaBON members portal [13]. Any change in the portal, such as the registration of a new member or the modification of an existing user profile (e.g., affiliation, data provi- sion or data usage) is reflected in the dashboard. The main component in the dashboard, the network graph, is based on institutions (henceforth referred to as “nodes”) and their data exchange interactions (henceforth referred to as “edges”).

This study was conducted in accordance with the EuropaBON Data Privacy and Use Policy, available from the Europa- BON website, which outlines the terms and conditions governing the collection, access, and use of stakeholder data.