Research Document - 2007/015
Identification of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas for the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence
By Savenkoff, C., M.-N. Bourassa, D. Baril, and H.P. Benoît
Abstract
This report describes the analyses presented in a regional workshop held in Mont-Joli (Qc.) in order to synthesize the information across thematic layers based on physical, chemical, and biological data and identify the ecologically and biologically significant areas (EBSAs) for the Gulf of St. Lawrence Integrated Management (GOSLIM) initiative. Across all thematic layers, 96 important areas (IAs) have been identified based on the best scientific information available (geographically referenced data). These IAs are all characterized by specific scores for each of three main dimensions used to define EBSAs: uniqueness, aggregation, and fitness consequences. In synthesizing IAs across thematic layers, two general approaches were used based on: (1) each of the three main dimensions used separately and (2) the sum of their scores. The workshop concluded by identifying ten regions as EBSAs for the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, covering 77,184 km² (30% of the total area). All ten proposed EBSAs are related, at least in part, to IAs previously identified by a Delphic (expert opinion) approach. Potential sources of uncertainty and recommendations for the definition of EBSAs in other systems or in the present one in the future are discussed.
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