The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme, Freshwater: monitoring the ecological response to climate change in Arctic freshwater ecosystems

Date/time: December 2, 13:00-14:30

Room: Mesanin 1

Session organizers: Willem Goedkoop, Swedish University of Agricultural Science and Joseph Culp, University of New Brunswick and Environment Canada on behalf of the CBMP Freshwater Steering Group

Arctic freshwater ecosystems are facing unique challenges through the interaction of natural and human-induced stressors resulting from climate change and industrial development. This session will examine trends in biodiversity of Arctic freshwaters and address the challenges inherent in monitoring these systems across the circumpolar Arctic, drawing upon the circumpolar assessment structure developed by the Freshwater Steering Group (FSG) of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP). Panel presentations will highlight the importance of monitoring freshwater biodiversity while providing an overview of recent and historical monitoring activities. A discussion period will focus on strategies to detect change in Arctic freshwaters using existing monitoring data.

• Tom Christensen, CBMP and Aarhus University:  Overview of CBMP activities
• Willem Goedkoop, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences:  Summary of CBMP-freshwater activities and links to other ongoing projects/initiatives
• Kirsten Christoffersen, University of Copenhagen and the University Centre in Svalbard:  Evidence of a longer growing season in Greenland lakes and the consequences for biota
• Jón Olafsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries:  Warming up: Arctic freshwater ecosystems as sentinels for climate change
• John Brittain, University of Oslo:  The challenges of monitoring biodiversity in relation to climate change in high Arctic streams
• Gudni Gudbergsson, Institute of Freshwater Fisheries:  Recent and general decline of Arctic char in Iceland
• Hanna-Kaisa Lakka, University of Helsinki:  The monitoring possibilities of Arctic freshwaters using Arctic tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus arcticus) as an indicator species
• Joseph Culp, University of New Brunswick/Environment Canada:  Summary of existing freshwater data within the circumpolar Arctic and identification of monitoring gaps

Session theme: Understanding cumulative effects and managing impacts