Arctic freshwater biodiversity monitoring plan /

The Freshwater Plan is part of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP) of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) that is working with partners to harmonize and enhance long-term Arctic biodiversity monitoring efforts in order to facilitate more rapid detection, communication and response to significant trends and pressures. [...] Assessment and Reporting The Freshwater Plan presents a list of priority parameters and indicators for assessing biodiversity in Arctic freshwater systems based on the (1) sensitivity to environmental or anthropogenic stressors, (2) scientific validity and relevance, (3) sustainability and relevance in a monitoring capacity, (4) availability of targets and thresholds, and (5) practicality/feasibil [...] These are (1) sampling of the full range of habitats (e.g., littoral and pelagic zones in lakes, riffles and pools in rivers) that are important for the overall structure of the ecosystem and the function of the food web, (2) using fixed, sentinel sampling stations and protocols, (3) prioritizing an intensive and continuous program running at fewer well-chosen sites to evaluate temporal trends, an [...] Activities related to the Freshwater Plan will be summarized in reports that will include results of the analysis of data collected through the Freshwater Plan, as well as information on the creation, development, and assessment of aspects of the plan. [...] The remainder of this chapter outlines the background on the Freshwater Plan and its development, including program design and objectives, important concepts and terminology, the assessment process and questions it will address, and linkages to other international programs.