Conservation and management strategies from CAFF.
Access all strategies documents from CAFF.
Documents from the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)
Only 12% of the world’s shorebird species have been examined for plastics ingestion. Over half of those species contained some form of plastic.
Shorebirds are long-distance migrants that move between some of the cleanest and most polluted habitats on Earth during their annual cycle. With global concern over declining trends in many shorebird populations, evaluating threats to shorebird species and their habitats is a first step towards developing plans for conservation. This is well underway for many threats, such as habitat loss, harvest, and climate change, but relatively little attention has been given to the threat of plastics pollution on shorebird populations.
This work was conducted under the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) and International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Fellowship as a contribution to the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI), Americas Flyway 2019-2025 Action 5.2 to “promote studies that assess the prevalence and impacts of plastic contamination in shorebird populations in the Arctic.
Working with Indigenous Communities on Migratory Birds - case studies of relevance to the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI).
MAY 2021
This mid term evaluation provides a summary of 2019-2020 activities and advice for implementation for the Arctic Migratory Birds Intiative (AMBI).
Revised after mid-term evaluation January 2021.
Note: This document provides a list of objectives and actions that have been revised after the 2019-2020 AMBI Mid-term evaluation. Actions were revised to offer better clarity and provide opportunities for changing context and increasedopportunity for implementation.
This document is intended to be an accompanying document to the original Work Plan 2019-2025, which contains more information and context for AMBI activities.
PHASE 2 REPORTMay 2021
Arctic wetlands are globally important as wildlife habitats and migration pathways, and through the role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, carbon storage and other ecosystem services
This document outlines the need for youth engagement and why it is valuable; it also addresses some key considerations and possible opportunities that CAFF should take into account as it implements future work. This strategy is directed to the CAFF Management Board and the broader Working Group and was developed with direct input from youth leaders who served as key advisers in developing this document. While youth can be defined across a broad spectrum of ages, CAFF has historically focused its work on three sub-groups including:
The project goal is to provide guidance for the incorporation of biodiversity objectives and provisions into plans, operations, and other aspects of mining activities in the Arctic.
In 2013, CAFF produced the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA). This assessment identified the primary factors impacting biodiversity across the Arctic and included recommendations to policy makers on how to address those stressors. One of the stressors is development, including resource extraction. Recommendation #4 of the ABA encourages all those working on development activities in the Arctic to incorporate biodiversity considerations in their planning and operations.
The black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla, hereafter kittiwake) is a small pelagic seabird and is the most numerous gull species in the world. It has a circumpolar distribution, and breeds in the arctic and boreal zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It’s breeding distribution is widespread and ranges across the North Atlantic from the west coast to the Barents Sea, including Arctic Canada, Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Greenland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, mainland Norway, Svalbard, Murman Coast, Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. In the Pacific, the kittiwake breeds in the Russian Far East and Alaska, USA. The kittiwake spends most of the non-breeding period offshore. Most of those breeding in the North Atlantic spend the winter in the North-West Atlantic, over the shelf, slope and deep waters off Newfoundland and Labrador and south of Greenland, whereas the Pacific birds stay in cool, productive waters north of the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone.
Integrating Activities for Advanced CommunitiesD7.2- DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE Rif FIELD STATION
Project No.730938 INTERACT
Rif Field Station Ecosystem MonitoringRif Field Station Ecosystem MonitoringFreshwater and Terrestrial Monitoring PlanMay 2018
Developed with the direction of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP) as part of INTERACT Work Package 7
Work Package 7: Improving and harmonizing biodiversity monitoring International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT)Aarhus University, Copenhagen, April 25-26, 2018
Work Package 7: Improving and harmonizing biodiversity monitoring International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT)Raufarhöfn, June 11-12, 2019
This crosswalk analysis compares AMBI programme objectives and actions with those identified in complementary migratory bird agreements, conservation plans, environmental cooperation frameworks, and development agreements in the East Asian-Australasian flyway region.
This crosswalk analysis compares AMBIprogramme objectives and actions with those identified in complementary migratory bird agreements, conservation plans, environmental cooperation frameworks, and development agreements in the African-Eurasian flyway region.
The Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative African-Eurasian Flyway Workplan 2019-2023 available in English, French (Français), Portuguese (Português), and Spanish (Español).
This report identifies key challenges and possible solutions for incorporating biodiversity considerations into mining operations in the Arctic.
The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program's (CBMP) Strategic Plan is intended to explain the overarching goals of the CBMP for the period 2018-2021, and to outline actions to deliver on those goals. It will guide the management of the program and help ensure the programs continued relevance to the needs of the Arctic States, Permanent Participants, scientific and Arctic communities, and other partners.
The International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT)is an EU funded initiative working towards building capacity to help identify, understand,predict and respond to environmental changes across the Arctic.INTERACT Work Package (WP) 7 Improving and harmonizing biodiversity monitoring is ledby the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Arctic Council Working Group. Theoverall goal of WP7 is to test the circumpolar Freshwater and Terrestrial Arctic biodiversitymonitoring plans of CAFFs cornerstone program, the Circumpolar Biodiversity MonitoringProgram (CBMP), at INTERACT stations. The goal of the CBMP monitoring plans is to harmonize and integrate efforts to monitor theArctic's living resources through a network of scientists, governments, Indigenousorganizations, and conservation groups. Through this harmonization and integration, themonitoring plans facilitate more rapid detection, communication, and response to thesignificant pressures affecting the circumpolar world.
Arctic Migratory Birds InitiativeArctic Migratory Birds InitiativeEast Asian-Australasian Flyway Workshop Report
A draft set of Arctic biodiversity principles was developed, based on the findings and recommendations of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA). Basing the principles on the ABA ensures they are well-grounded in science, in line with Arctic Council priorities and will provide a robust framework for mainstreaming applications. We sought advice from ten people with experience in biodiversity mainstreaming and conducted a literature and website review. Results from the interviews and review are summarized and discussed.
The Arctic Invasive Alien Species (ARIAS) Strategy and Action Plan sets forth the priority actions that the Arctic Council and its partners are encouraged to take to protect the Arctic region from a significant threat: the adverse impacts of invasive alien species. These priority actions span terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems. The actions take environmental, cultural, and economic perspectives into consideration, including drivers, impacts, and response measures.
Implementation Strategy for the Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative (AMBI) Americas Flyway. Detailed implementation strategies for priority action areas from the AMBI Workplan. The AMBI is a CAFF project that seeks to protect Arctic lifestyles and peoples through migratory bird conservation.
This report provides an implementation evaluation of the first half of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI).
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) African Eurasian Flyway Scientific Poster
Provides a summary overview of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) Americas Flyway in a scientific poster.
Provides a summary overview of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) Circumpolar Flyway in a scientific poster.
Provides a summary overview of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) in a scientific poster.
A one page description of the priority species, actions and activities of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI): East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
(in Mandarin)
This project plan outlines the goals and actions to be undertaken in an Arctic Invasive Alien Species project.
The CAFF Working Group of the Arctic Council has initiated a process to reduce the risks of Invasive Alien Species to the Arctic by developing and eventually implementing common measures for early detection and reporting, identifying and blocking pathways of introduction, and sharing best practices and techniques of monitoring, eradication and control.
This documents describes the proceedings and discussions of the groups first workshop conducted in Akureyri March 30-1 April, 2016.
Proceedings of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative implementation workshop held in Texel, the Netherlands, April 5-7, 2016.
(in Korean)
The Circumboreal Vegetation Mapping (CBVM) project is an international collaboration among vegetation scientists to create a new vegetation map of the boreal region at a 1:7.5 million scale with a common legend and mapping protocol. This report and map contributes to the CBVM effort by developing maps of bioclimatic zones, geographic sectors with similar floristic variability, and vegetation in boreal Alaska, Yukon, northwestern British Columbia, and a mountainous portion of southwest Northwest Territoriestermed the Alaska-Yukon region. It further develops the mapping from the initial classification and proto-type mapping efforts for southwestern Alaska and western Canada to this broader area.
This report summarizes the initial set of satellite data products included in the CAFF Land Cover Change (LCC) Initiative. The LCC Initiative has been developed to harness the potential of remote sensing for use in Arctic biodiversity monitoring and assessment activities.
A one page description of the priority species, actions and activities of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI).
A one page description of the priority species, actions and activities of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI): African-Eurasian Flyway.
A one page description of the priority species, actions and activities of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI): Americas Flyway.
A one page description of the priority species, actions and activities of the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI): Circumpolar Flyway.
REVISED
The Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) is designed to improve the conservation status and secure the long-term sustainability of declining Arctic breeding migratory bird populations. This work plan identifies key actions over four years.
AMBI will have a positive impact on societies for whom migratory birds are a source of livelihood and spiritual inspiration. AMBI also provides an early implementation of Recommendation #8 of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment to reduce stressors on migratory species range-wide.
This report documents the results and next steps of the first Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI) expert workshop that took place in Montreal, Canada on February 9th 2014.
This document details the CAFF Communications Strategy including goals, audiences and potential techniques to employ to reach audiences. This document is considered a "living" document, subject to frequent changes.
The report presents the results of the scoping study on ecosystem services and the application of a TEEB approach and methodology in the Arctic and concludes with options for follow-up work.
This report presents the results of the scoping study on ecosystem services and the application of a TEEB approach and methodology in the Arctic. The report includes: 1) Results from compiling and synthesizing information, issues, current practices, methodologies and perspectives on Arctic ecosystem services and their values in relation to decision making, 2)List and discussion of policy areas identified during the scoping study for potential follow up using TEEB methodology, and 3) Way forward options, including, but not limited to, application of TEEB methodology to policy focus areas, and consideration of options for practical implementation of TEEB at a range of jurisdictional and spatial scales.
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Arctic Scoping Study is an early implementation pilot project that follows up on specific recommendations of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA).
TEEB aims to bring biodiversity into mainstream decision makingmaking nature an important part of policy related to business, social and economic development, not just policy directly related to environmental management.
TEEB is a global initiative coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). TEEB draws attention to the benefits that people gain from nature (ecosystem services), including food from fishing and hunting, maintenance of culture, water, enjoyment of wilderness, nature and wildlife, and provision of raw materials. Equally important but less obvious benefits include climate regulation and flood control. TEEB also brings attention to the costs to society when ecosystems are damaged and when plant and animal populations are lost. TEEB provides an analytical approach, tools and guidance that can help make the range of natures benefits more visible when politicians, businesses and others make decisions that might affect these benefits or put them at risk.
This document will faciliatate the implementation of initiatives under the Circumpolar Portected Areas Network (CPAN) to establish an adequate and well managed network of protected areas that have a high probability of maintainng the dynmaic biodiversity of the Arctic region in perpetuity.
A document designed to coordinate monitoring activities of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP), as both working groups of the Arctic Council have vested interests in the biological effects of various impact factos including climate change.
A planning document that identifies five priority objectives to give the Cooperative Strategic for the Conservation of Biological Diversity in the Arctic Region (1997) effect.
Proposes objectives, means, details of data ownership, and initial analytical tools of sharing seabird information across the Arctic on the internet to improve conservation efforts by providing a tool to analize seabird status and trends information on a circumpolar scale.
A report that aims to facilitate circumpolar implementation of initiatives to conserve, protect and restore murre populations in the Arctic.
An Internaitonal Ivory Gull Conservation Strategy and Action Plan developed to gain more insight into how this under-studied bird responds to increasing threats from disappearance of sea ice habitat, natural resource exploration and increased contaminant loads and to facilitate circumpolar implementation of initiatives to conserve and protect the Ivory Gull in the circumpolar Arctic.
A strategy for developing indices and indicators for monitoring Arctic biodiversity in the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP). Targeted and consistent reporting will help meet the program's information and communication needs.
Available in Russian / на русском языке
The concept paper behind the International Arctic Vegetation Database (IAVD), and international project to produce a complete database on vascular plants, bryophytes and liches that exist in the Arctic.
Highlights potential cooperative actions between CAFF and Wetlands international with a focus on inclusion of Wetland International's global and flyway initiatives in the Circumpolar Biodiversity monitoring Program (CBMP).
Drastic decline in eider populations, combined with their circumpolar distribution, increased hunting pressures and cultural significance led CBird to develop a Circumpolar Eider Conservation Strategy and Action Plan to facilitate circumpolar efforts to conserve, protect and restore eider populations.
Lessons learned from the ECORA project, acase study to adopt and implement integrated ecosystem management strategies and action plans in three Model Areas representing different ecosystems and anthropogenic pressures in Russia.
The ECORA project aimed to secure the integrity of some of the world’s last remaining pristine areas and support the livelihoods of indigenous and local peoples. The development objective of the project was the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Russian Arctic. The immediate objective was the adoption and initial implementation of integrated ecosystem management strategies and action plans in three Model Areas representing different ecosystems and anthropogenic pressures.
Available in Russian/на русском языке
Provides an overall conservation fromework for the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) and strategic direction relating to the goals of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
A strategy for integrating Arctic community-based monitroing efforts into the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP).
The CBVM intends to produce an internationally agreed upon circumboreal vegetation map with a common legend and language for use in decision making.
A project plan that outlines the vision, background, purpose and framework for an internationally agreed upon Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure (ASDI).
Outlines the need for and the process to create an internationally agreed upon Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure that will provide for access to spatially related reliable information over the Arctic to facilitate monitoring and decision making. It is a pan-Arctic cooperative initiative based on input from the National Mapping Organisations of all eight Arctic Council countries.
This report introduces the topic of incidental take of seabirds in commercial fisheries and describes the fisheries industries, seabird bycatch and impacts in Alaska (U.S.A.), Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Russia, and provides national recommendations.
The report analyzes various human activities and the disturbances they may cause in Arctic seabird colonies and makes recommendations to reduce the harm in such activities.
A series of thematic goals and recommendations arising from Arctic Flora and Fauna: Status and Conservation, the science-based overview of Arctic biodiversity and key conservation issues.
