BIOTA/FAPESP, Brazil's model program for assessing global biodiversity

Abstract

Brazils state of São Paulo ranks among the few governments that has recognized the importance of biodiversity. It has successfully launched Biota as part of its FAPESP program in biology. The Biota program has been in operation for three years now, long enough to pose questions about its promise. The questions I will try to address here are: What attributes of the Biota progam have allowed it to succeed where others have failed? Can the Biota program serve as a global model for biodiversity efforts?