A Standardized Ecosystem Classification for the Coordination and Design of Long-term Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring in Arctic-Subarctic Biomes

Abstract

A Canadian Arctic-Subarctic Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (CASBEC) is proposed as a standardized classification approach for Subarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecosystems across Canada and potentially throughout the circumpolar area. The CASBEC is grounded in long-standing terrestrial ecosystem classification theory and builds on concepts developed for ecosystems in British Columbia, Quebec, and Yukon. The fundamental classification unit of the CASBEC, the plant association, is compatible with the lower-level classifications of the Arctic Vegetation Classification (AVC), the Canadian National Vegetation Classification (CNVC), and the United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and is used to generate a classification and nomenclature for Arctic and Subarctic terrestrial ecological communities. The use of a multi-scalar ecosystem framework, such as that developed by the British Columbia Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification, provides an ecological context to use classified plant associations to delineate and define climatically equivalent regional scale climate units (biogeoclimatic subzones) and ecologically equivalent local-scale site units within biogeoclimatic subzones. A standardized framework and taxonomy of ecosystem classification for Subarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecological communities will facilitate the planning, coordination, and applicability of terrestrial ecological monitoring and research. The CASBEC classification and high-resolution ecosystem mapping are being used to develop an effective experimental design, to select ecosite types for long-term monitoring, and to extrapolate results to landscape scales in the Experimental and Reference Area of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay. Widespread adoption of the CASBEC could provide a spatial and functionally scalable framework and a common language for interpreting, integrating, coordinating, and communicating Arctic and Subarctic monitoring, research, and land management activities across the Canadian North and around the circumpolar area.

Evidence of eutrophication in Arctic lakes

“…Hamilton et al (2001) attributed the high values to the phosphorus-rich bedrock composition of the area associated with the volcanic formations at the northern end of the island (Williamson et al 2013). The south of the island, near Cambridge Bay, sits over base-rich limestone till (McLennan et al 2018) that tends to have lower P concentrations (Porder and Ramachandran 2013). Hamilton et al (2001) also indicated that although TP values were high, the type of phosphorus present was bound to particles and inaccessible to phytoplankton.…”

A DNA Barcoding Survey of an Arctic Arthropod Community: Implications for Future Monitoring

“…The dominant plant community type in this area is Nontussock-sedge, dwarf-shrub, moss tundra (CAVM G3) [30]. Several finer-scale eco-sites are represented in the area, defined by winter snow cover and moisture regimes [31]: exposed upland, xeric to mesic habitats are dominated by Dryas integrifolia, Saxifraga oppositifolia, and Carex rupestris; snow-protected, mesic sites are characterized by Cassiope tetragona, Dryas integrifolia, and Salix reticulata; protected lowland sites are dominated by Salix richardsonii and Carex aquatilis, and mosses. The area is underlain by cobbly bouldery limestone till with granite inclusions; in upland (xeric) habitats, stones occupy up to 90% of the surface area [31].…”

Implement and Analysis on Current Ecosystem Classification in Western Utah of the United States and Yukon Territory of Canada

“…The researchers can use GIS technology and Spatial Analysis Modeling to efficiently produce the different maps for the landowner, management companies, and government agencies. In addition, plant ecologists had sophistical experiences in [18,30,33,44,[52][53][54][55][56][57] to develop the vegetation classification and ecoregion map with a nested structure using biogeoclimatic principles. The map products were delivered by the scaled-based ecosystem classification and represented them with a high relation among the long-term climate condition, climax vegetation, and dominant plant species.…”