DRAFT – December 3, 2002
The Diversity of Life in Canada’s Three Oceans: A Science Plan
Introduction
A workshop sponsored jointly by the Census of Marine Life (CoML) and the Department
of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) was held on February 25 – March 1, 2002 at White Point
Beach Lodge, Nova Scotia. The workshop was organized by the Centre for Marine
Biodiversity (CMB). The CMB is an incorporated not-for-profit organization that
provides a focal point for biodiversity related research being conducted in government
institutes, universities, museums and by non-government organizations in Atlantic
Canada.
The objectives of the workshop were to:
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identify the present knowledge and knowledge gaps about marine biodiversity in
Canada’s three oceans;
identify the present state of knowledge on major processes affecting biodiversity;
develop a 5 – 10 year plan outlining data collection and research directions to
address gaps; and
establish a national committee on marine biodiversity to implement and adapt the
plan.
The overarching Convention for the protection of marine ecosystems (although it does
not specifically mention the oceans) is the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD), which came into force in 1993. This Convention provides guidance on the
structure of a natural science plan. It covers three levels of biodiversity (ecosystem or
seascape diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity); and specifies the need for
systems of protected areas and the protection of endangered species. A follow-up meeting
in 1995 led to the Jakarta Ministerial Statement on the implementation of CBD (which
specifically includes protection of marine biodiversity). Canada is a signatory.
The Convention infers that three categories of research activities are required. Inventories
of the temporal trends in biodiversity are a first step. Secondly, studies on processes that
control biodiversity are required in order to interpret the observed trends. Thirdly,
monitoring activities are necessary to track future distributions. In summary the scientific
work to be done in support of the convention can be viewed as a three-by-three matrix
(i.e. inventories, research on processes, and monitoring are to be carried out on
ecosystem, species and genetic diversity). This is the conceptual framework that guided
the workshop. The proceedings are published by Zwanenburg et al. (in press).
Elements of the Science Plan
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Development of Institutions in Support of Biodiversity Research
Inventories of Biodiversity
Monitoring of Biodiversity
Research on Processes Controlling Biodiversity
Development of Institutions in Support of Biodiversity Research
Short-term (2 years)
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Establish a national steering committee on marine biodiversity to help implement and
adapt the science plan.
Make a presentation to NSERC to establish a funding stream for marine biodiversity.
Prepare submissions Universities) to establish Networks and/or Centres of Excellence
for Marine Biodiversity (NSERC).
Seek CFI funding (University) for collections, databases, observatories (platforms).
Consolidate CMB in the Atlantic Provinces and foster parallel initiatives for the
Pacific and Arctic Oceans and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Seek DFO National Science Directors Committee support for the plan.
Update national (make it searchable) inventory of expertise in marine taxonomy (key
to taxonomic groups) with identification of gaps. Develop strategy for/and initiate
training and recruitment to rebuild taxonomic expertise (taxonomists and parataxonomists) Similar to PEET.
Clarify federal biodiversity governance, activities and interests to facilitate creation of
funding stream (need a map of biodiversity research organizations / researchers in
Canada)
Investigate alternative funding sources. Develop an inventory (e.g. NGOs, oil and
gas industry)
Identify threats to collections (all steering committee members)
Medium term (5 years)
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Integrate Canadian marine institutions within the global governance structure for
biodiversity
Establishment of secure long-term funding for monitoring activities
Connect the process research with the monitoring and inventory research.
Safeguard collections at risk (NSDC to agree that collections are important).
Implement the taxonomy training and recruitment strategy
Develop a (virtual) dynamic atlas (e.g. virtual data centre)
Long term (10 years)
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Review efficacy of Canadian institutions in support of biodiversity monitoring and
research
Inventories of Biodiversity
Short term (2 years)
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Establish (agree on) metadata base standards (NSDI used so far) for species diversity.
Need to determine how to build the registries while maintaining compatibility with
other database initiatives. Establish protocols so that data can be made accessible.
Identify impediments/constraints to creating regional registries of species diversity
(abundance and distribution for species of special concern).
Complete regional registries (metadata) for species diversity, and identify knowledge
gaps - What, how many, where and when. Identify location and contents and
inventory collections updating existing data on CHIN.
Select methodology for delineation of geographic patterns of benthic and pelagic
ecosystem types including communities and habitats .
Collate information on within species genetic diversity of marine species, and where
possible identify losses.
Medium term (5 years)
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Expand regional databases by filling gaps (go back to collections, verification)
Using common classification schemes delineate geographic patterns of benthic and
pelagic ecosystem types based on available information and identify gaps
Within species (genetic/population) diversity (activities to be added).
Long term (10 years)
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Complete inventories of existing species diversity information accessible on web
Areas of disturbance of marine ecosystems types mapped
Within species (genetic/population) diversity (activities to be added).
Access to collections
Monitoring of Biodiversity
Short term (2 years)
(Monitoring working group to do all activities – DFO region leads, get NSDC support)
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Review past and present marine biodiversity monitoring activities in Canada (e.g.
AZMP, 8 years in Gaspe and lower Gulf of St. Lawrence
Identify reference areas/corridors for the monitoring of ecosystems types and species
diversity.
Select species (commercial and non-commercial) for the tracking of changes in
genetic diversity, with particular attention to species of special concern (i.e.
COSEWIC listed species)
Medium term (5 years)
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Establish pilot “observatories” ATBI (all taxon biodiversity inventory) (e.g. discovery
corridors, aka marine biodiversity observatories) in each of Canada’s three oceans
using existing and additional data
Maintain existing monitoring programs; explore possibilities to broaden to
incorporate biodiversity perspective.
Incorporate monitoring observations in state-of-the-ecosystem reports (ecosystem
type, species and genetic diversity levels).
Long term (10 years)
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Monitoring program in place, and cyclical publication of trends in indicators ongoing,
as part of state-of-the-ecosystem reports.
Research on Processes Controlling Biodiversity
Results of this research will inform the priorities of other elements of the plan.
Short term (2 years)
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Prepare research proposals and seek funding to:
 investigate utility of competing hypotheses on control of species diversity in
oceans (e.g. Huston, Hubbell), and seek funding Prepare research proposals to
identify factors of habitat to biodiversity;
 identify the size and spacing of protected areas in order to protect ecosystem types
and species diversity (and seek funding);
 address priority issues/questions on effective population size (Ne) for a range of
marine species with contrasting life histories;
 for climate change impacts on biodiversity on fluctuations of biodiversity in three
oceans (species on the edge of range, may expand because of genetic variability
associated with these edge populations);
 study Evolutionary Significant Units for marine species with contrasting life
histories;
 describe and understand human impacts on biodiversity;
 analysis of historical data including collections to infer changes in biodiversity
(e.g. h-map) natural levels of biodiversity variation;
 identify role of biodiversity in structuring ecosystem; and
 address reference points for biodiversity (e.g. ecosystem/biodiversity modelling.
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Consider the role of workshops in planning the research activities.
Biogeochemical processes
Sea-scapes
Danger zone
Dispersal of species
Identify indicator species
Effect of biodiversity on ecosystem function (see list of ten in the action,
Medium term (5 years)
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Conduct research on the key problems/hypotheses on the control of marine
biodiversity based on funds generated.
Hold an international symposium on “processes controlling marine biodiversity” in
order to generate a synthesis of extant knowledge and to identify key questions.
Long term (10 years)
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Conduct research on key questions based on conceptual advances of initial work and
empirical observations on biodiversity in reference sites and observatories (e.g.
protected vs. non-protected areas).
Next steps and Proposed Products of the Plan
The elements of the “science plan” need to be strengthened by the workshop planning
group and then reviewed by the members of CMB, the National Science Directors
Committee of DFO, and the CoML sponsors.
The plan is envisioned to cover the years (2003 to 2013). The products of the plan could
include the following:
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A comprehensive synthesis of decadal scale trends in biodiversity in the well-studied
parts of Canada’s oceans at all three levels of biodiversity – species, populations, and
communities, and (1950’s to the present). This is the inventory product.
A series of papers on the processes controlling marine biodiversity and on the
interpretations of observed pattern trends. The papers will both address the
controversial literature on the regulation of biodiversity (predominantly based on
terrestrial and freshwater observations) and the specific causes of biodiversity within
respective regional seas. These papers will partially address the “processes” activities
of the plan.
State-of-the-ecosystem reports for the “study areas” that will provide evaluations, or
report cards on biodiversity status and trends. The report cards will evaluate the
degree to which well studied areas have been impacted, and possibly the degree to
which there is resilience to human activities (if that is the case). This product will also
address the “processes” activities.
A Canadian biodiversity monitoring strategy that meets the needs of ecosystem-based
management of ocean and coastal zone activities. It is envisioned that within a decade
the diverse ocean use sectors will have adopted a common set of ecosystem
objectives that constrain their practices. These objectives will require associated
indices of biodiversity. The monitoring will provide the date products for the
indicators, as well as for decision making. The strategy will also promote monitoring
activities required for interpretation of biodiversity trends. This product obviously
addresses the monitoring activities.
A “dynamic atlas” of Canada’s marine biodiversity will be an overarching product.
This will be a tool that will help with the inventory processes and monitoring
activities in support of biodiversity conservation. The atlas, which will be accessible
on the web, will allow ongoing updates and provide access of all of the information
generated by the “science plan” to decision-makers and the general public.