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National Science Advisory Workshop on Biogeographic Classification Systems

June 15-16, 2009

Ottawa, Ontario

Chairperson: Jake Rice

Context

In May 2008, at the 9th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Decision IX/20 was adopted to address issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.  At this meeting, a suite of scientific criteria were agreed upon for identifying ecologically or biologically significant and/or vulnerable marine areas in need of protection (CBD Decision IX/20, Annex I).  Scientific guidance was also provided for selecting areas to establish representative networks of marine protected areas with applicability to open ocean and deep sea habitats (CBD Decision IX/20, Annex II).

At CBD COP9 it was agreed upon that a scientific and technical expert workshop would be convened to provide, using the best available information and data, scientific and technical guidance on the use and further development of biogeographic classification systems (including guidance on identifying areas beyond national jurisdiction which meet the scientific criteria found in CBD COP9 Decision IX/20, Annex I).   The workshop will convene in the fall of 2009 (to be hosted by Canada with co-financing by Germany) and will review and synthesize progress on the identification of areas beyond national jurisdiction which meet the scientific criteria in CBD COP9 Decision IX/20 (Annex I), as well as encourage participants to share experiences in the use of biogeographic classification systems.   As agreed upon in CBD Decision IX/20, the outcomes of the workshop will be made available to the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) for consideration prior to CBD COP10.  In addition, the CBD COP9 Decision takes note of the Global Open Oceans and Deep Seabed (GOODs) Biogeographic Classification (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/44) and requests that it also be made available to SBSTTA prior to CBD COP10.

In preparation for the aforementioned CBD Workshop in fall 2009, as well as advancing Canada’s commitment to develop networks of marine protected areas that meet the obligations under the CBD, the United Nations General Assembly and the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) has been identified as the best approach to review the available scientific information related to various biogeographic classification systems.  Therefore, a meeting (titled Biogeographic Classification Systems) will be held in Ottawa on June 15-16, 2009 to examine various biogeographic classification systems, assemble available information on their uses, and provide scientifically-based recommendations regarding their use to be brought forward for consideration at the CBD Workshop in fall 2009.

Objectives

The primary working paper for consideration at the Biogeographic Classification System Workshop (June 15-16, 2009; Ottawa, Ontario) is titled Review of Marine Biogeographic Classification Systems (O’Boyle, 2009).   This document provides an overview of a variety of different biogeographic classification systems, a review of each selected system, and a synthesis and comparison of their components.  A commentary on the desirable features of an ideal biogeographic classification system is also provided.

Workshop participants are encouraged to contribute working papers which report on how biogeographic classification systems have been used in developing policy or management measures, as well as submit additional biogeographic classification systems which may not have been considered in the primary working paper.

The workshop participants will discuss the following:

  1. Does the primary working paper (O’Boyle, 2009) provide comprehensive coverage of the topic and is treatment of the information balanced?
  2. Is there any other relevant information available that has not been considered in the working paper?

In addition, the workshop participants will intend to fulfill the following objectives:

  1. Identify and agree on the principles that should be applied in a biogeographic classification assessment;
  2. Identify one or more biogeographic classification systems that are consistent with the principles outlined by the group;
  3. Summarise information on the current and potential uses of such systems in developing policy and management measures;
  4. Recommend a biogeographic classification system(s) that would be an appropriate basis to guide the selection of representative marine areas within a network. To the extent possible these recommendations should consider application both on the high seas and in domestic waters;
  5. If not one biogeographic classification system is considered suitable for all uses identified in 4), discuss the strengths and weaknesses of alternative systems for the different types of uses; and
  6. Define a framework to guide future discussions; in particular details regarding the incorporation of new information should it become available.

Additional background information for consideration at the workshop may include:

Outputs

Outputs from the meeting will include a peer-reviewed CSAS Research Document which is based on the aforementioned primary working paper, a CSAS Science Advisory Report, and CSAS Proceedings (to document the discussion of the meeting).

Participation

The workshop will be chaired by Dr. Jake Rice (National Science Advisor, DFO) and will include experts from DFO Science and other sectors of the department, as well as external participants. 

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