EBM1: The CBMP Arctic Coastal Biodiversity Monitoring Plan: Monitoring and reporting important changes in the biodiversity of Arctic coastal ecosystems – Plan development and evaluation

Date: Thursday October 11, 2018

Location: Tieva, Lappia Hall

Time: 8:30-10:00

This session will present, discuss and invite evaluation of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program’s (CBMP) Arctic Coastal Biodiversity Monitoring Plan. The overall goal of the Coastal Plan is to provide a general circumpolar framework for monitoring and reporting important biodiversity changes in Arctic coastal ecosystems in member nations with Arctic coastlines – Russian Federation, Norway, Kingdom of Denmark, Iceland, the USA and Canada. A key challenge is to develop a plan that is sufficiently broad to allow member nations to implement national approaches, while maintaining sufficient structure to be able to report in a coordinated circumpolar context. Presentations will cover the overall structure and approach of the Coastal Plan, the approach to co-generating both Indigenous knowledge and science to inform the Plan, the process to arrive at a prioritized list of Coastal Focal Ecosystem Components across nations, new monitoring developments arising from the Plan, and a summary of national implementation approaches. The session will close with a panel and discussion/input from the audience to provide comments to improve the Plan. We will also invite session attendees to review the Plan and provide feedback to the Coastal Expert Monitoring Group as part of the final review process for the Plan.

Chairs: Donald McLennan, Polar Knowledge Canada - Canadian High Arctic Research Station; Tahzay Jones, US National Park Service

Format: Series of presentations followed by moderated discussion

Presenters:

1. The Coastal Plan – Process, general structure, and approach: Tahzay Jones, US National Park Service  
2. Co-generation of knowledge to inform the Coastal Plan: TBC 
3. Selection, quality assurance and prioritization of Focal Ecosystem Component: Susse Wegeberg, Aarhus University 
4. Coastal ecosystems of Russian Federation - status of information and prospects for integrated monitoring: Liudmila Sergienko, Petrozavodsk State University and Tatiana Minayeva, associate expert of Wetlands international  
5. If you build it they will come - A new coastal monitoring program for Svalbard: Paul Renaud, Akvaplan-niva - Norwegian Institute for Water Research 
6. Moderated discussion: First thoughts on national implementation of the Coastal Plan: Donald McLennan, Polar Knowledge Canada - Canadian High Arctic Research Station

Abstracts:

The Coastal Plan – Process, general structure, and approach

Tahzay Jones, US National Park Service, Donald McLennan, Polar Knowledge Canada

This presentation will outline the consultative process used to develop the Coastal Plan, a process that has included 3 international workshops to solicit the input of both TK and science experts. The plan is the last in the series of four CAFF-CBMP monitoring plans and is structured using approaches implemented by the three proceeding plans. The plan approach is to identify and build on coastal monitoring that is already taking place to initiate assessments of Arctic coastal biodiversity , and to use this process to identify and recommend new monitoring that needs to be established to meet goals outlined in the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment.

Co-generation of knowledge to inform the Coastal Plan

Carolina Behe, Inuit Circumpolar Council

This presentation will describe the incorporation of a co-generation of knowledge approach to inform monitoring outcomes for the Coastal Plan. In the course of Coastal Plan development we solicited the input of both science and indigenous experts in coastal biodiversity in three separate international workshops. Based on this input the Coastal Plan has been developed to provide for the inclusion of Traditional Knowledge in those areas of the Arctic where there is an opportunity to include these expert contributions.

Selection, quality assurance and prioritization of Focal Ecosystem Component

Susse Wegeberg, Aarhus University

This presentation will outline the process that was implemented to arrive at the prioritized list of Focal Ecosystems Components(FECs), Attributes and Parameters for the Coastal Plan. Reporting on the state of the identified FECs is at the heart of the Coastal Plan so that prioritization and selection was crucial to Plan development. The process included consideration of the FECs from previous CBMP plans, science and TK input from three international workshops, input form CEMG members, and finally direct input into a prioritization process from both IK and science experts.

Coastal ecosystems of Russian Federation - status of information and prospects for integrated monitoring

Liudmila Sergienko, Petrozavodsk State University; Tatiana Minayeva, Wetlands International; Maria Gavrilo, Association Maritime Heritage: sustain & explore; Vadim Mokievsky, P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences; Vasily Spiridonov, P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences; Igor Semenov, Ethnoexpert, Anatoly Kochnev, Laboratory of Ecology of Mammals

We would like to tell about the work that is being carried out in various areas of the investigation of the coastal zone of the Russian Federation-to indicate that the coastal zone has a holistic functional state, to clarify in what areas work is being carried out in the Russian Federation - the mammals, the coastal flora and vegetstion, the birds, the bentic fauna etc. We will also present our views on INDICATOR species of coastal biota with a justification for why we believe so. Tatiana Minayeva (Minajewa),,associate expert,Wetlands International, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Maria Gavrilo-CBirds member from Russian Federation, Association Maritime Heritage: sustain & explore, PhD, St. Petersburg; Vadim Mokievsky, member of marine group expert, Dr.Sci.Biol., P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow; Vasily Spiridonov, Dr.Sci.Biol. P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, former project coordinator for the conservation of marine biodiversity of the WWF; Igor Semenov, General Director of "Ethnoexpert", St. Petersburg, specialist on indigenous peoples of the North. Kochnev, Anatoly, PhD,senior researcher, laboratory of ecology of mammals.

If you build it they will come - A new coastal monitoring program for Svalbard

Paul Renaud, Akvaplan-niva; Dr. Anita Evenset, Akvaplan-niva; Guttorm Christensen, Akvaplan-niva

In order to accommodate future monitoring needs in the marine environment around Svalbard, both in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP), a proposal for basic monitoring around Svalbard has been prepared. Surveillance in Svalbard will be costly, so proximity to established logistics and coordination with relevant ongoing activities were part of the foundation for the monitoring plan. Quality elements such as phytoplankton, macroalgae, soft-bottom benthos, and hard substrate colonization have been selected, and relevant physical / chemical support parameters are included. Several station networks representing different levels of workload and financial resources have been prepared. With initial sampling conducted during Summer 2018, this network is the most ambitious coastal monitoring project to be conducted on Svalbard, with high relevance for monitoring climate change and introduced species, and addressing the goals of the developing CBMP-Coastal plan.

Moderated discussion: First thoughts on national implementation of the Coastal Plan

Donald McLennan, Polar Knowledge Canada - Canadian High Arctic Research Station

The presentation will provide a summary of national approaches to implementing the Coastal Plan and moving forward with a first assessment of the state of circum-arctic coastal biodiversity. Each country will begin the reporting process using existing coastal monitoring programs. This process will result include a co-generation of knowledge approach where appropriate, and will result in the first State of Arctic Coastal Biodiversity Report (SACBR). The production of the SACBR based on existing monitoring programs will also identify critical monitoring gaps that presently exist - gaps that prevent completion of national and international monitoring and reporting obligations for Arctic coastal biodiversity.

EBM2: The CBMP Freshwater: Coordinated monitoring and assessment to improve knowledge on status and trends in circumpolar Arctic freshwaters

Date: Tuesday October 9, 2018

Location: Tieva, Lappia Hall

Time: 13:00-14:30

Arctic freshwater ecosystems are affected by natural and human-induced stressors resulting from climate change and industrial development. This session will examine changes in biodiversity of such freshwater ecosystems in relation to ongoing and predicted environmental change. The session will include recent findings on the state of Arctic freshwater biodiversity developed through the CBMP Freshwater, such as assessments on key circumpolar regions (e.g., North America, Greenland, Fenno-Scandia) and Focal Ecosystem Components (e.g., fish, benthos, algae). Presentations will also focus on recent advances in tools and approaches for assessing circumpolar freshwater biodiversity. The session will conclude with a panel presentation on relevance to the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment recommendations, as well as discussion of novel tools and approaches for Arctic freshwater biodiversity assessment and research gaps. The session will bring together international experts from multiple disciplines and emphasize the connectivity between science, monitoring and management necessary to implement CBMP and ABA frameworks across circumpolar freshwaters.

Chairs: Joseph Culp, Environment and Climate Change Canada; Willem Goedkoop, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 

Format: Series of presentations followed by discussion

Presentations:

1. Arctic Freshwater Plankton Response to Environmental Stressors on a Circumpolar Scale: Kirsten Christoffersen, University of Copenhagen, University Centre in Svalbard
   
2. Circumpolar trends of diatoms: Maria Kahlert, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences 
   
3. Circumpolar analysis of lake macrophyte communities for setting the baseline for future assessment: Seppo Hellsten, Finnish Environment Institute 
   
4. Biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates across the circumpolar region: evidence of latitudinal declines in richness in Arctic rivers and lakes: Jennifer Lento, University of New Brunswick
   
5. Drivers of freshwater fish biodiversity depend on location and isolation in the circumpolar Arctic: Sarah Laske, US Geological Survey
   

Abstracts:

Arctic Freshwater Plankton Response to Environmental Stressors on a Circumpolar Scale

Kirsten Christoffersen, University of Copenhagen, University Centre in Svalbard; Ann Kristin Schartau, Heather Mariash, Daniel Bogan, Olga Dubovskaya, Arni Einarsson, Elena Fefilova, Brian Hayden, Haraldur R. Ingvarsson, Elena Ivanova, Kimmo Kahilainen, Olga Kononova, Elena Kravchuk, Jennifer Lento, Anna Novichkova, Milla Rautio, Kathleen Ruhland, Rebecca Shaftel, John Smol, Tobias Vrede

Arctic freshwaters are facing a number of environmental pressures, including climate change, eutrophication caused by population expansion, and contamination from industry. Freshwater plankton assemblages are expected to reflect the impacts of these stressors through shifts in productivity and species composition. This paper examines spatial trends in phytoplankton and zooplankton biodiversity through the circumpolar region, and relates those trends to changes in environmental stressors. An analysis of times series data is used to evaluate persistence and temporal shifts in community structure. Patterns in biodiversity and environmental stressors are evaluated with respect to the impact hypotheses described in the CBMP-Freshwater Monitoring Plan to allow discussion of current and future responses to environmental pressures on Arctic plankton communities.

Circumpolar trends of diatoms

Maria Kahlert, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Isabelle Lavoie, Kathleen M. Rühland, Francois Keck, Emilie Saulnier-Talbot, Daniel Bogan, Robert Brua, Stephane Campeau, Joseph Culp, Kirsten Christoffersen, Árni Einarsson, Jennifer Lento, Satu-Maaria Karjalainen, Susanne Schneider, Rebecca Shaftel, John P. Smol

Better data harmonization is required to improve environmental monitoring programs. Here, a large dataset of circum-Arctic contemporary and paleolimnological diatom assemblages was harmonized and used to establish current (point-in-time reference) and pre-industrial environmental conditions, and to explore spatio-temporal trends in diatom assemblages in a warming Arctic. Spatial trends from contemporary samples suggest that certain diatom assemblage clusters are specific to the high Arctic zone, and that these differ taxonomically between lakes and streams. Paleolimnological records show spatially and temporally heterogeneous and highly variable magnitudes of diatom compositional change across the study region. Areas where the least amount of change occurred include northernmost Québec, Baffin Island, and the Central Canadian Archipelago. Sites in Northeastern NWT showed moderate change, whereas the greatest changes were recorded in the northernmost sites (Ellesmere Island), the southernmost sites (southern Hudson Bay), and near the Beaufort Sea coast. Many lakes that register striking assemblage compositional shifts can clearly be linked to trajectories of recent Arctic warming. The results from this study will be key to establishing the foundation for future assessments of global and regional trends across the Arctic.

Circumpolar analysis of lake macrophyte communities for setting the baseline for future assessment

Seppo Hellsten, Finnish Environment Institute; Patricia Chambers, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Aquatic macrophyte richness is typically decreasing towards northern hemispheres with increasing altitude. Harsh climate is restricting distribution of helophytes on the littoral zone and number of submerged vascular plants is decreasing and replaced by mosses. In this study we collected extensive lake macrophyte data consisting of 440 lakes situated on sub-arctic zone and covering all northern countries except Russia. Main aim was to establish a baseline for current macrophyte species distribution and composition in different broad lake types. Species richness varied a lot with several lakes without any species or only with aquatic mosses. Share of aquatic mosses increased with increasing latitude whereas highest richness was reached at latitude of 68 degree, where a lot of low altitude lakes exist. Spatial analysis showed that communities were quite isolated between different continents whereas similar communities were found in the Fennoscandia. Most of the lakes were in pristine condition but there were some marks of nutrient enrichment indicated by presence of lemnids. This study confirmed the role of aquatic macrophytes as a part of lake biota also in northernmost area of globe. Study was a part of the circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program (CBMP) organised by secretariat of CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna).

Biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates across the circumpolar region: evidence of latitudinal declines in richness in Arctic rivers and lakes

J. Lento; B. Levenstein; J. Culp; W. Goedkoop; J. Aroviita; M. Baturina; D. Bogan; J. Brittain; K. Chin; C. Docherty; A. Einarsson; N. Friberg; J. Heino; T. Hrafnsdóttir; D. Jacobsen; D. Lau; O. Loskutova; A. Milner; H. Mykrä; A. Novichkova; J. Ólafsson; A.K. Schartau; R. Shaftel

Across the Arctic, variation in warming rates, development, and biogeography may be expected to contribute to changes in biodiversity of freshwater organisms. Critical to detecting such changes is the quantification of existing biodiversity patterns across the Arctic region; however, assessments of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in Arctic freshwaters have been largely regional in scope. As part of the CBMP-Freshwater Arctic biodiversity assessment, we evaluated alpha and beta diversity across the circumpolar region using data collected from all Arctic countries. In both lakes and rivers, rarefied alpha diversity decreased with increasing latitude. This trend was most evident above 68°N, and reflected the loss of EPT taxa and increased dominance of Diptera. Species turnover contributed more to beta diversity than nestedness within the majority of ecoregions. Comparison of composition among ecoregions indicated that high Arctic islands exhibited a great deal of nestedness with lower latitude mainland stations, and were thus characterized by a subset of the taxa found at lower latitudes. These broad-scale diversity patterns can be used to make predictions about compositional changes that may be expected with continued climate change.

Drivers of freshwater fish biodiversity depend on location and isolation in the circumpolar Arctic

Sarah Laske, US Geological Survey; Svenning, Martin, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA); Amundsen, Per-Arne, UiT The Arctic University of Norway; Christoffersen, Kirsten, University of Copenhagen; Erkinaro, Jaakko, Natural Resources Institute Finland; Guðbergsson, Guðni, Marine and Freshwater Research Institute; Hayden, Brian, University of New Brunswick, Canadian Rivers Institute; Heino, Jani, Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Environment Centre, Biodiversity; Kahilainen, Kimmo, University of Helsinki; Lento, Jennifer, University of New Brunswick; Orell, Panu, Natural Resources Institute Finland; Östergren, Johan, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Power, Michael, University of Waterloo, Waterloo; Rafikov, Ruslan Romakkaniemi, Atso, Natural Resources Institute Finland; Solbakken, Jan-Idar, Sámi University of Applied Sciences; Swanson, Heidi, University of Waterloo; Whitman, Matt, US Bureau of Land Management; Zimmerman, Christian, USGS Alaska Science Center

Fish are an important component of freshwater ecosystems but remain poorly studied and monitored throughout much of the Arctic. The biodiversity of these species maintains the structure, function, and integrity of these ecosystems; however, current anthropogenic forces (e.g., climate and land-use) are initiating rapid changes in freshwater systems that threaten biodiversity. To describe the complex spatial patterns of biodiversity across the circumpolar Arctic, we examined alpha and beta diversity using data gathered for the Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity Monitoring Plan. There are c. 125 species of freshwater fish that occur across the Arctic; we have data on 44% of species. Freshwater fish incidence data showed high turnover of species across geographic regions, with few fishes (< 10) occurring across regions. Detailed analysis of three regions indicated little difference in overall beta diversity. However, significant differences in diversity components resulted from variation in alpha diversity and species composition for island versus mainland fish communities. Describing patterns of diversity across large spatial scales is one of the first steps in accurately determining the status of freshwater fishes, what stressors play a role in biodiversity change, and how freshwater fish biodiversity should be monitored.

MB6: Proteus Partnership: mainstreaming biodiversity information in the extractives sector

Date: Friday October 12, 2018

Location: Valtuustosali, City Hall

Time: 8:30-10:00

There is a need to improve biodiversity data, knowledge and decision making by increasing the capacity to develop innovative partnerships that involve a variety of Arctic stakeholders. Increasingly the private sector is an important actor to respond to biodiversity challenges, while contributing to better biodiversity data for use by all. Through the Proteus Partnership companies in the extractives industry provide financial support for the collation and maintenance of key global biodiversity spatial datasets. Beyond the important financial support to biodiversity data, Proteus provides a platform which brings companies together with the conservation community to share knowledge and good practice, develop capacity, and place biodiversity data into real-world contexts. Encouraging scientific, policy, NGO, academia and industry audiences to interact and providing the opportunity to communicate and collaborate around key Arctic biodiversity issues is critical, as outlined in the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment recommendations. Partnership development, particularly with industry, can result in innovative solutions and more advanced responsibility for protecting critical biodiversity. This session will facilitate inter-disciplinary discussion on the opportunities provided by innovative partnerships such as Proteus to mainstream biodiversity into private sector operations, and will consider how this model of collaboration can be further developed in the Arctic.

Chair: Neville Ash, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)

Format: Series of presentations followed by discussion

Presenters:

1. Improving global data and strengthening business approaches for biodiversity management: Matt Jones, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) 
2. Biodiversity data in decision making, how global data support businesses: Melania Buffagni, Eni 
3. How to increase our knowledge on biodiversity in an area prone for development? Jürgen Weissenberger, Equinor 
4. Facilitated discussion: Lessons for data sharing and the way forwards: Neville Ash, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) 

Abstracts:

Improving global data and strengthening business approaches for biodiversity management

Matt Jones, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)

Since 2003, Proteus has been a collaborative vehicle through which UN Environment's specialist biodiversity assessment arm (UNEP-WCMC) has worked with leading members of the extractives sector to improve access to biodiversity data, knowledge and strengthen business approaches to biodiversity management. Through the Proteus Partnership companies provide financial support for the collation and maintenance of key global biodiversity spatial datasets. Beyond the important financial support to biodiversity data, Proteus provides a platform which brings companies together with the conservation community to share knowledge and good practice, develop capacity, and place biodiversity data into real-world contexts.

Biodiversity data in decision making, how global data support businesses

Melania Buffagni, Eni, with input from ExxonMobil, Shell, Equinor

Global biodiversity data allow companies to create consistent approaches to biodiversity issues within their management systems and operations, making it easier to adopt good practices on biodiversity impact mitigation. Lessons from the application of global biodiversity data and tools, such as the Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool, in company risk assessments and along the asset lifecycle are highly relevant in any environmental context, including the Arctic. Practical examples from the application of biodiversity mitigation approaches based on global data show how these challenges can be faced, particularly in data-poor and under-studied areas. There are clear opportunities to improve global data so that they can be applied in an operational context and support the application of the mitigation hierarchy.

How to increase our knowledge on biodiversity in an area prone for development?

Jürgen Weissenberger, Equinor

Exact knowledge on species presence is a prerequisite for thorough risk assessment of any anthropogenic activity in general and industrial development. Information on species presence for all taxonomic groups is primarily obtained from site visits. Experts visit the area and make observations and take and analyses samples. In recent times additional methods have been added to collect information, e.g. aerial surveys with unmanned vehicles, remote sensing and tracking of mammals and birds that are equipped with satellite tags. The Arctic includes many regions where access is difficult due to remoteness and harsh weather conditions, thus limiting the information we have available. Some areas like Chukchi Sea and Barents Sea have been in focus for intense survey activities giving us a wealth of knowledge. Understanding the reasons why a species is found on a specific site at a specific time allows us to infer species presence data for places or times where no field data exists, as well as to make predictions for new situations, e.g. reduced presence of ice or changed water temperatures. The (Marine Animal Ranging Assessment Model Barents Sea) MARAMBS project uses available observation data for marine mammals and sea birds in the Barents Sea and correlates those with other factors, such as water temperature, salinity, distance to land to create habitat maps. An additional computational layer mimics the behaviour of this highly mobile animals, swimming, flying, migrating, resting and more. This so-called agent based modelling allows us to assess species presence on a dynamic environment with changeable conditions for ocean currents and weather. The paper will show examples of this modelling effort currently done by the MARAMBS project that is financed by the Norwegian research foundation and a group of oil companies.