Research Document - 2012/123
Development of Indicators for Arctic Marine Biodiversity Monitoring in Canada
By R.J. Nelson
Abstract
Biodiversity underpins stable and productive marine ecosystems which provide a range of goods and services. Monitoring of the status and trends of marine biodiversity in the Arctic is needed to allow for informed decision making around issues of sustainable resource use, environmental protection, and adaptation to changing conditions in the North. The development of such an arctic marine biodiversity monitoring strategy in Canada builds on the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Plan- Marine Plan (CBMP-MP) which calls for an indicator-based approach. It is necessary to tailor the indicators presented in the CBMP-MP to those that are relevant and logistically feasible in Canada. To this end, biodiversity indicators based on historical data and ongoing research are recommended for microbes, zooplankton, fishes, sympagic and benthic organisms as well as marine mammals. These indicators will be useful for biodiversity monitoring in Canadian marine arctic waters and will serve as Canada’s position on indicators for the CBMP-MP.
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