Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring

3860903871_5864a2da4d_b1minniThe Arctic is has entered into a cycle of intensive pressure and change involving a new set of challenges and stressors, with climate change at the forefront. A warming climate in the Arctic is projected to set off many environmental changes some of which are already being felt.  CAFFs Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP) has developed a five-year strategy to implement an integrated and sustained Arctic biodiversity monitoring network. This strategy set up four ecosystem-based Expert Monitoring Groups (EMGs) based on the Arctic’s major biomes: marine, freshwater, coastal, and terrestrial.

The terrestrial EMG is responsible for developing a pan-Arctic, integrated terrestrial biodiversity monitoring plan that serves as a monitoring framework that ensures better coordination between existing terrestrial monitoring networks and more efficient and effective delivery of the results of this monitoring to decision-makers, stakeholders and the general public.  Their goal will be to promote, facilitate, coordinate and harmonize terrestrial biodiversity monitoring activities among circumpolar countries, and to improve on-going communication amongst and between scientists, community experts, managers and disciplines both inside and outside the Arctic. Such coordination will enable more efficient and effective arctic terrestrial biodiversity monitoring The net result of this approach will be improved ability to detect, understand, report on and respond to change in the composition, structure, and function of arctic ecosystems and the biodiversity they support. 

The primary objective of the Terrestrial Expert Monitoring Group is to develop a multi-disciplinary, integrated, pan-Arctic long-term terrestrial ecosystem-based biodiversity monitoring and assessment plan.

To assist the Plan´s development, the TEMG has produced a Terrestrial Monitoring Expert Group Background Paper.

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