Recommendations

Project Type # Outcome Report Year FEC
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Recommendation13Increase and focus inventory, long-term monitoring and research efforts to address key gaps in scientific knowledge identified in this assessment to better facilitate the development and implementation of conservation and management strategies. Areas of particular concern identified through the ABA include components critical to ecosystem functions including important characteristics of invertebrates, microbes, parasites and pathogens.Arctic Biodiversity Assessment: Report for Policy Makers2013
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Action9

Reduce the threat of invasive alien/non-native species to the Arctic by developing and implementing common measures for early detection and reporting, identifying and blocking pathways of introduction,and sharing best practices and techniques for monitoring, eradication and control. This includes supporting international efforts currently underway, for example those of the International Maritime Organization to effectively treat ballast water to clean and treat ship hulls and drilling rigs.

9.1. Develop a strategy for the prevention and management of invasive species across the Arctic, including the identification and mitigation of pathways of introduction invasions. Include involvement of Indigenous observing networks, which include invasive and newspecies reporting, to assist with early detection.

9.2. Incorporate common protocols for early detection and reporting of non-native invasive species in the Arctic into CBMP monitoring plans.

Actions for Arctic Biodiversity, 2013-2021: Implementing the recommendations of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment2015
Key findingBiodiversity policy in the Arctic has to reflect the needs of people living in the Arctic, many of whom are indigenous.Arctic Biodiversity Congress 2014, Co-Chairs Report2014
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Action

CHALLENGE Very complex and dynamic systems.

POTENTIAL ACTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES Effective partnerships and/or a formalized system of sharing among Arctic Indigenous peoples and scientists would more effectively engage human intelligence to deal with issues, for example utilizing Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom as early warnings of environmental change

Arctic Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom: Changes in the North American Arctic2017
Arctic Species Trend Index (ASTI)Key finding5Waterfowl have increased across all flyway regions mainly due to geese, but there are differences in the underlying trends for geese/swans and for ducks. Geese and swans combined more than quadrupled in abundance between 1970 and 2011, showing positive change across regions (Figure 20), although coverage is too patchy for reliable conclusions. The increase in geese/swans is largely driven by geese, which make up the majority of this data set. Swans have been in decline since 1994. Duck abundance is 10% lower overall (Figure 19), but there are regional differences, with a halving in the Americas and a 70% increase in Africa-Eurasia.Arctic Species Trend Index: Migratory Birds Index2015
Resilience and Management of Arctic Wetlands (RAW)Key finding4Although the majority of Arctic wetlands remain relatively intact, changes are already occurring across the Arctic and wetland resilience is needed to buffer further damage. Wetlands are vulnerable to substantial indirect damage e.g. through global warming, changes to p recipitation patterns, altered hydrological flows, and environmental pollutants. Such damage also constitutes a broader threat to migratory animal populations. These diverse threats to wetland ecosystems emphasize the need for landscape scale management with a focus on conservation, protection and maintained resilience.Resilience and Management of Arctic Wetlands: Key Findings and Recommendations2021
Resilience and Management of Arctic Wetlands (RAW)Recommendation7Inventory and review existing national policies relating to wetlands with an eye on using a watershed approach and identifying conflicting or inconsistent goals, overlapping or unclear responsibility among governmental departments and entities, and gaps in communication. Identifying and addressing these issues would enable more effective governance of wetlands and balancing conservation and Indigenous and other user needs to achieve more effective stewardship.Resilience and Management of Arctic Wetlands: Key Findings and Recommendations2021
Resilience and Management of Arctic Wetlands (RAW)Key finding1.2.3Arctic Indigenous Peoples and Wetlands Management: Most management and conservation plans, as well as other official information on wetland protected areas, fail to document Indigenous resource use in a systematic or functional way and as a result, do not provide a complete picture of resource use and management within the areas.Arctic Wetlands and Indigenous Peoples Study: An assessment of Indigenous engagement in wetland protected areas2021
Arctic TEEBKey finding2.4Arctic ecosystem services: Arctic ecosystem services provide benefits to a range of stakeholders at various scales, both directly and indirectly – and the stakeholders who benefit from services and those who affect the availability of the same services are not always the same.The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for the Arctic: A Scoping Study Executive Summary2015
Arctic TEEBKey finding6.1Way forward: Engagement of Arctic Indigenous organizations and a broad range of stakeholders in participatory development of knowledge and policy alternatives is central to a successful TEEB Arctic study. Follow-up work to this scoping study should be structured so that those who wish to contribute can do so through a range of avenues.The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for the Arctic: A Scoping Study Executive Summary2015
CBMP Terrestrial Biodiversity MonitoringKey findingTo interpret changes in population size, there is an increasing need to understand whether these are due to shifts in range, changes in reproductive success or changes in annual survival.A Global Audit of the Status and Trends of Arctic And Northern Hemisphere Goose Populations2018
CBMP Freshwater Biodiversity MonitoringKey findingInstruments such as the European Water Framework Directive promote routine monitoring of lake and river FECs. But where a country, ecoregion, or FEC is not covered by such instruments, monitoring is irregular, has poor spatial coverage, or is absent.State of the Arctic Freshwater Biodiversity: Key Findings and Advice for Monitoring2016
CBMP Marine Biodiversity MonitoringAdvice

Knowledge gaps: Filling gaps in knowledge helps us better understand key elements and functions of the ecosystem that can help explain change and understand the system:

  • Encourage the monitoring of relevant physical parameters alongside some FECs that are particularly sensitive to their effects, including sea ice biota and plankton.
  • Expand monitoring programs to include important taxonomic groups and key ecosystem functions. These gaps are likely due to logistical challenges or lack of expertise in specific fields.
  • Expand monitoring programs to include those utilizing both TK and science, involvement of Indigenous organizations and build capacity to provide a co-production of knowledge platform.
State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity: Key Findings and Advice for Monitoring2017
CBMP Terrestrial Biodiversity MonitoringAdvice

Methods : Increased attention to methodology facilitates more precise and comparable results, standardized data collection, and ability to link regional monitoring to circumpolar efforts.

  • Standardize how data is collected, managed, and reported, including field and sampling protocols, data collection methods, terminology, database harmonization and management, tools for data archiving and specimen libraries, including identification and curation.
  • Create a harmonized, accessible, and long-term taxonomic framework for Arctic monitoring.
  • Complete baseline studies and structured inventories to improve circumpolar data across FECs.
  • Promote multi-species studies and long-term time series data.
State of the Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity: Key Findings and Advice for Monitoring2021
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Key finding5Changes in Arctic biodiversity are creating both challenges and opportunities for Arctic peoples.Arctic Biodiversity Trends 2010 – Selected indicators of change2010
Inspiring Arctic Voices Through YouthGoalOpportunities for youth engagement and increasing levels of leadership continue to expand.CAFF Arctic Youth Engagement Strategy: 2021-20262021
CBird: Seabird Expert Group2.1

Ensure sustainable harvest.

2.1.1. Strict regulations of egg collecting; collaboration options with AMBI should be considered.

International Black-legged Kittiwake - Conservation Strategy and Action Plan2021
CBird: Seabird Expert GroupCommercial activities Objective Minimize adverse effects on Ivory Gulls from commercial activities. Action• Evaluate effects of commercial activity on Ivory Gulls. • Prepare guidelines to industry operations to minimize their impacts on Ivory Gulls.International Ivory Gull Conservation Strategy and Action Plan2008
Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Arctic MiningAdvice

A lack of trust and coordination:

(1) within and among permitting agencies;

(2) among agencies and the mining industry; and

(3) across agencies, mining industry, and the public, especially in relation to Indigenous communities. Lack of coordination, meaningful communication (e.g., listening), transparency and follow-through among parties often results in enduring mistrust and missed opportunities for collaboration that could benefit biodiversity. Coordination and agreement on good sustainability practices could result in an improved public image and greatertrust of the mining industry.

Advice to address Key Finding A:

Government agencies could:

  • Engage with industry and communities early and, as possible, outside of the permitting process, with the caveat that conflicts of interest can be an issue during the permitting process.
  • Ensure in the pre-project phase, alignment within and between government entities involved.
  • Ensure effective communication of relevant information, helping to minimize misinformation that is sometimes conveyed about proposed mining projects.
  • Support creation and maintenance of an entity to help facilitate sustainable mining practices.

Mining industry could:

  • Engage with communities and permitting agencies early and often, recognizing that industry may not have all of the answers early in the process.
  • Continue to engage regularly with agencies and communities after permits are granted.
  • Recognize the importance of participation and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and communities, especially Elders.
  • Create agreements with communities to ensure participation and interests are considered that can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes.
  • Engage local people in research design, data gathering and analysis (Challenge E).
  • Provide support for and participate in national and international sustainable mining initiatives, groups or networks (e.g., the International Council on Mining and Metals, Convention on Biological Diversity’s Mainstreaming Biodiversity in the Energy and Mining, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing and Processing, and Health Sectors).

CAFF could:

  • Continue to facilitate workshops and other opportunities for dialogue, partnerships, and other actions to help build common understanding and trust among parties.
  • Continue to increase awareness about and help facilitate opportunities for cross-sector engagement. For example, continue to invite industry to biodiversity meetings and conferences; and collaborate on sessions, presentations and events at mining industry meetings and conferences.
  • Work with Permanent Participants and industry to facilitate design of good practices for engaging communities and government agencies throughout all aspects of mining operations.
Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Arctic Mining Challenges and Proposed Solutions2019
Actions for Arctic Biodiversity 2025-2035Action2

Promote sustainable use of Arctic biodiversity.

2.1 Enhance science and Indigenous Knowledge and monitoring to support sustainable management of species and ecosystems.

2.2 Contribute to sustainable management of species and ecosystems, using an ecosystem approach.

2.3 Protect and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples including the rights to use, manage, and conserve their lands and waters.

Actions for Arctic Biodiversity 2025-20352025
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