Recommendations

Project Type # Outcome Report Year FEC
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
Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP)1

CBMP remains relevant by providing high quality information about biodiversity trends to support decision making at global, national, regional, and local levels.

Objective 1.1: Through dialogue with Arctic States and Permanent Participants, identify and address priorities where CBMP information could support reporting and decision-making.

  • Activity 1: CBMP Co-leads offer to arrange annual meetings with CAFF Board members, during each 2-year Arctic Council chairmanship period to gain direct input on priorities related to CBMP and to ensure progress is communicated and discussed nationally.
  • Activity 2: Initiate a process to evaluate how CBMP is most relevant and can meet future needs for States, Permanent Participants, and other stakeholders.

Objective 1.2: Ensure that the CBMP Strategy is aligned with the new Action Plan for 2020-2030.

  • Activity 1: Engage in the development of the new Action Plan for Biodiversity.
  • Activity 2: Revise the CBMP Strategic Plan as needed to support priorities in the new Action Plan for 2020-2030.

Objective 1.3: Strengthen International Collaborations that enhance the use of CBMP products and data among others via the Arctic Biodiversity Data Service (ABDS), as well as support CAFF’s framework of agreements with international biodiversity-relevant conventions and organisations.

  • Activity 1: Continue development of the Arctic Biodiversity Dashboard as a means for tracking and reporting target progress towards global biodiversity targets at national and regional scales.
  • Activity 2: Take national, circumpolar, and global needs into account when planning follow-up to the SABR for example, by creating a case study to explore how CBMP can address other reporting requirements e.g., EU directives and the Global Biodiversity Framework, or Integrated Ecosystem Assessments.
  • Activity 3: Deliver key findings and advice from the CBMP to CAFF’s partners.
  • Activity 4: Ensure that data generated by CBMP are made available via the ABDS and are accessible to relevant international partners. Ensure data interoperability with these partners where possible, e.g., the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).
  • Activity 5: Maintain strategic links with other Arctic Council groups, relevant organizations, and initiatives; and grow linkages as relevant.

Objective 1.4: Include where relevant Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge in CBMP.

  • Activity 1: Improve inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge within CBMP through a co-production of knowledge approach to inform better decision-making.
  • Activity 2: Use the Arctic Biodiversity Congress in 2022/23 as an opportunity to consider how Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge are used in CBMP and ways to enhance engagement, e.g., through associated meetings and sessions.
  • Activity 3: Include Indigenous Knowledge and Local Knowledge where relevant in revisions of Arctic Biodiversity Monitoring Plans (e.g., when considering follow-up on the State of the Arctic Biodiversity Reports).

Objective 1.5: Promote awareness of the CBMP and its value towards improving decision-making, for example develop outreach material specific to each State and PP that presents nationally relevant key findings and activities of the CBMP.

  • Activity 1: Ensure more effective, flexible, up-to-date, and interactive communication of CBMP products and outcomes, including e.g., learning materials, workshops and participatory approaches merging science and art.
  • Activity 2: CAFF Secretariat will, together with CBMP Co-leads and CBMP Steering Groups, develop, test, and promote a toolkit for use by Arctic States and PPs for dissemination of products, which can be tailored based on the product, etc. If possible, the pilot-project will be made as a follow-up to the SAFBR and START.
  • Activity 3: Where possible, support translation of key documents and findings from CBMP activities into languages other than English.
  • Activity 4: Develop national one-page updates on activities related to each of the CBMP monitoring plans that include short, country-specific progress reports on SABR follow up, where relevant.
  • Activity 5: Support development of peer-reviewed scientific articles based on CBMP efforts to ensure access in scientific literature of CBMP outcomes, e.g., through production of Journal Special Issues.
  • Activity 6: Continue to produce headline indicators.
  • Activity 7: Continue to produce annual newsletters to keep the scientific community informed of CBMP news, events, and initiatives.
  • Activity 8: Facilitate increased meaningful engagement of Permanent Participants and the knowledge systems they represent.
  • Activity 9 Facilitate increased participation of young scientists in CBMP activities, e.g., through internships.
  • Activity 10: Continue improving networking and coordination for experts e.g., through annual meetings and supporting National and Expert Networks.
Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program Strategic Plan: 2021-20252021
Arctic TEEBKey finding3.7Governance: Key Finding 3.7. The Arctic Council, as a leader in bringing together knowledge across the circumpolar North, has an important role to play for further work on Arctic ecosystem services. These ecosystem services are recognized through the values assigned to them from the perspectives of key Arctic stakeholders and rights holders.The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) for the Arctic: A Scoping Study Executive Summary2015
CBMP Terrestrial Biodiversity MonitoringKey findingMost estimates derive from total counts of all individuals, 8 populations combine some form of capture-mark-recapture approach (almost exclusively in North America) but 15 populations are based upon expert opinion, mostly in East and Central Asia. Less than half of the estimates for all populations were thought to fall within 10% of the true totals.A Global Audit of the Status and Trends of Arctic And Northern Hemisphere Goose Populations2018
Key finding7Community observations from local and traditional experts have much untapped potential as ‘early warning systems’Project Summary: Bering Sea Sub-Network II2015
CBMP Marine Biodiversity MonitoringKey findingIncreasing numbers and diversity of southern species are moving into Arctic waters. In some cases, they may outcompete and prey on Arctic species, or offer a less nutritious food source for Arctic species. State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity: Key Findings and Advice for Monitoring2017
CBMP Terrestrial Biodiversity MonitoringKey findingChanging frequency, intensity and timing of extreme and unusual weather events due to climate change are affecting some species, with unknown effects on populations.State of the Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity: Key Findings and Advice for Monitoring2021
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Recommendation2Identify measures for detecting early warnings of biodiversity change and triggering conservation actions.Move towards a stronger reliance on early warnings of ecosystem change, rather than on population trends as triggers for making decisions. Aside from catastrophic die-offs and breeding failure, impacts from changes in sea ice are often incremental, such as a reduced rate of reproduction or survival, or less energy intake from prey. Impacts may take years to be detected in population trends, especially for long-lived animals. Measures such as reduced body condition or changes in ice-dependent prey species are evidence of impacts that can be acted on before declines are detected in abundance or distribution. In some cases these earlier actions will prevent or lessen population declines. Factors to consider in selecting such measures of change include long-term costs and benefits, support by research, ability to be updated, and suitability for determining thresholds for action.Life Linked to Ice: A guide to sea-ice-associated biodiversity in this time of rapid change2013
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Advice4Monitoring nest incorporation and entanglement: Black-legged kittiwake and northern gannet (Morus bassanus) nests should be monitored for nest incorporation of and entanglement in plastic pollution.Plastic Pollution in Seabirds: Developing a program to monitor plastic pollution in seabirds in the pan-Arctic region2021
CBird: Seabird Expert Group1.4

Reduce predation.

1.4.1 Remove non-native predators in key breeding colonies.

International Black-legged Kittiwake - Conservation Strategy and Action Plan2021
CBird: Seabird Expert Group4.1Improve feeding conditions. 4.1.1. Systematically identify important feeding grounds throughout the year. 4.1.2. Identify and quantify diet during breeding and non-breeding season. 4.1.3. Conduct comprehensive, multidisciplinary studies of environmental drivers in wintering grounds (climate and food availability). 4.1.4. Assess the direct and indirect effects of fisheries on kittiwakes.International Black-legged Kittiwake - Conservation Strategy and Action Plan2021
CBird: Seabird Expert GroupAction4.3

Commercial activities:

8. Identify eiders populations and habitats at risk from oil pollution,

9. Reduce eider mortality caused by commercial fisheries activities.

Circumpolar Eider Conservation Strategy and Action Plan1997
CBird: Seabird Expert GroupAction3.5Communications and consultation: 18. Determine appropriate communication approaches and produce materials to deliver specific messages. 19. Emphasize communication to operators of ships at sea, the fishing industry and tour boat operators. 20. Produce educational materials aimed specifically at children. 21. Issue joint scientific reports of activities relating to murre conservation. International Murre Conservation Strategy and Action Plan1996
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action5Support measures under the AEWA Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG) International Working Group (IWG) to prevent illegal killing 5.1 Assist the AEWA LWfG IWG and the Birdlife Norwegian/Greek cooperation project cooperation project with the translation and dissemination of awareness-raising and education materials in key areas for the species within the Russian Arctic amongst indigenous and local communities. 5.2 Support the UNEP/AEWA Secretariat in engaging key Range States on a diplomatic level through Arctic Council member and observer country embassies AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: African Eurasian Flyway2021
Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative (AMBI)Action4

Work with partners to increase the number and quality of population estimates of Arctic-breeding waterbirds in the Central and East Asian Flyways

4.1 (All countries): Work with partners such as EAAF Partnership, Wetlands International and other partners to improve population estimates for AMBI priority species by supporting collation of up-to-date information on estimates and trends.

4.2 (All countries): Cooperate with partners such as the EAAF Partnership Waterbird Monitoring Task Force, Wetlands International, BirdLife International and the Global Flyway Network to strengthen monitoring of Arctic-breeding migratory waterbirds along the flyway, particularly in the Yellow Sea and Southeast Asia.

AMBI Work Plan 2019-2025: Central and East Asian Flyways2021
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Recommendation6Develop guidelines and implement appropriate spatial and temporal measures where necessary to reduce human disturbance to areas critical for sensitive life stages of Arctic species that are outside protected areas, for example along transportation corridors. Such areas include calving grounds, den sites, feeding grounds, migration routes and moulting areas. This also means safeguarding important habitats such as wetlands and polynyas.Arctic Biodiversity Assessment: Report for Policy Makers2013
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Action2

Incorporate resilience and adaptation of biodiversity to climate change into plans for development in the Arctic.

2.1. Prepare a reference guide for resource managers on sea-ice-associated biodiversity in times of rapid change (Life Linked to Ice).

2.2. Arctic Resilience Report.

2.3. Prepare three regional assessments with information to assist local decision-makers andstakeholders to develop adaptation tools and strategies to deal with climate change andother environmental stressors and produce an overall integrated report on adaptationactions (Adaptation Actions for a Changing Arctic (AACA) Part C).

2.4. Ensure accessibility of science results relevant to maintaining and increasing resilience ofbiodiversity to climate change through the ABDS and outreach.

2.5. Follow-up on the recommendations of the Life linked to Ice and related research.

Actions for Arctic Biodiversity, 2013-2021: Implementing the recommendations of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment2015
Key findingBiodiversity underpins sustainable development in the Arctic, including economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions. Although there is widespread understanding of the importance of economic development for the well-being of Arctic peoples, there is less understanding of the importance of biodiversity for human well-being, including livelihoods, food security and ecosystem services. Economic development in the Arctic should proceed within the constraints of ensuring the long term sustainability of biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides.Arctic Biodiversity Congress 2014, Co-Chairs Report2014
AdviceMainstream biodiversity; build partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders to seek innovative solutions and expand the responsibility for taking care of biodiversity.Arctic Biodiversity Congress 2014, Co-Chairs Report2014
Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA)Key finding4Increase financial and other support for indigenous peoples and organizations to actively engage in research and science initiatives and to effectively address their concerns.Arctic Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom: Changes in the North American Arctic2017
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