Terms of Reference

Identification of Ecologically Significant Species, and Community Properties for the Western Arctic Biogeographic Region

Regional Peer Review – Central and Arctic Region

November 8-9, 2016
Winnipeg, MB

Chairperson: Eva Enders

Context

Under the National Conservation Plan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Oceans Program has been tasked with leading the development of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network in the Western Arctic. DFO Science has identified an overarching MPA Network Conservation Objective, and has provided advice on Eco-units and Priority Conservation Areas for the region. The next step in the MPA Network planning process is to identify the Conservation Priorities.

Canada’s Oceans Act authorizes DFO to take an Ecosystem Approach to the integrated management of human activities in the sea. A component of this is to provide enhanced protection to species and community properties that are particularly significant to maintaining ecosystem structure and function. Species and community properties can be ecologically “significant” because of the functions that they serve in the ecosystem and/or because of features that they provide for other parts of the ecosystem to use. DFO (2006) has provided initial guidance for the identification of Ecologically Significant Species, and Community Properties (ESSCPs)^Footnote 1.

To inform ecological conservation priorities for the MPA Network in the Western Arctic Biogeographic Region, Oceans Program has requested identification of ESSCPs for this area.

Objectives

All species have some function in the ecosystems in which they are found. The objectives of this meeting are to;

• identify potentially significant species, and community properties in the Western Arctic Biogeographic region,
• identify and assess their functional roles within the ecosystem,
• assess their significance to the overall ecosystem structure and function, and
• establish whether or not specific species or aggregate properties of a community are particularly important for each function, and thus should be considered ecologically significant.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document(s)

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Environment Canada
• Fisheries Joint Management Committee
• Nunavut Wildlife Management Board
• Academia
• Other invited experts

References

DFO. 2006. Identification of Ecologically Significant Species and Community Properties. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2006/041.