MTRI Co-operative Action Plan for Research, Monitoring, and Management

Transcription

1 9 Mount Merritt Road PO Box 215, Kempt, Nova Scotia B0T 1B0 Phone Fax MTRI Co-operative Action Plan for Research, Monitoring, and Management DRAFT January 2007 This document outlines the MTRI s approach for research, monitoring, and management in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. It identifies objectives, issues, priorities, and partners for actions that are a priority for members of the MTRI Cooperative. This plan incorporates the ongoing input of participants in one-on-one consultations, focus group meetings, and workshops held in January 2005, October 2005, and December. It provides the framework for prioritizing and further planning collaborative research, monitoring, and management with a particular focus on landscape connectivity and aquatic health objectives. MTRI Regional Vision: MTRI envisions creative and innovative member-directed research of the natural world and the human management of natural resources. MTRI envisions that this research is openly shared with the public and is used to promote sustainable use of natural resources in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. MTRI Mission: To advance collaborative research, monitoring, and management that promotes sustainable use of natural resources in southwestern Nova Scotia. Objectives: The following objectives have been developed by members of the MTRI Co-operative. These objectives will guide short and long term study initiatives and will help MTRI complete the deliverables of the Parks Canada Innovation Project entitled Collaborative research, management, and monitoring of aquatic health and landscape connectivity in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. 1

2 Objective 1: Maintain aquatic health of the Upper Mersey watershed. Objective 2: Maintain landscape connectivity in the area surrounding Kejimkujik and the Tobeatic Wilderness area. Objective 3: Manage riparian buffers for aquatic health and landscape connectivity. Objective 4: Contribute to species at risk research, monitoring, stewardship, and recovery in southwestern Nova Scotia. Objective 5: Support multidisciplinary research that investigates the human dimensions of sustainable resource management in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. Objective 6: Research, monitor, and manage the impacts of climate change and air pollution in southwestern Nova Scotia. Objective 7: Develop a science information management framework compatible with the Kejimkujik Information Management System that advances collaborative research. The following tables reflect a planning framework for co-operative research, monitoring, and management that identifies issues, actions, priorities for, performance targets, potential partners, and opportunities. Table elements reflect a general planning approach which will be modified as new information becomes available: Objective 1: Maintain Aquatic Health of the Upper Mersey watershed Objective 1.1 Research, monitor, and manage water quantity and quality Climate change, local land use, and pollution from distant (eg acid rain, metals) and localized sources (hormones, fecal coliform, eutrophication may be impacting water quality Long-term monitoring of water chemistry and temperature at 10 streams and 10 lakes to assess impact of acid precipitation, and climate change on aquatic health 18 streams sampled in lakes sampled in (only ph, DO, temp) Coordinated monitoring program in place which detects site specific perturbations and long term trends in water quality. Participation in community based monitoring Environment Canada (AES), Parks Canada, NSDFA, CARP, SMU Watershed Network, Dalhousie, NS Power, NSDEL, Acadia -NSERC strategic grant -EC in-kind lab analysis 2

3 Paucity of information from the region describing the relationship between land use practices and its effect on water quality. Changes in precipitation levels, and local alterations to level and flow characteristics may be impacting the ecological integrity of wetlands, lakes, and rivers Research the relationship between land use (including forestry practices) and water quality and quantity in rivers, streams, and wetlands to facilitate implementation of mitigation strategies Monitor water flow and level fluctuations Investigate impacts of water level fluctuations CABIN sampling 2005; Piezometers installed 2005, data collected 2005 & ; Hydrological analyses underway Documentation of the relationship between various land use and harvest practices and water quality implications. Documentation of precipitation, water level fluctuations and significant limnological changes in the study areas AGRG, Bowater, Parks Canada, Dalhousie Environment Canada, Parks Canada, NSP, QCFG, Blanding s turtle recovery team, -EMAN Objective 1.2 Research, monitor, and manage focal species that are indicators of water quality Salmonid species such as Monitor spring salmon Annual spring salmon brook trout may be impacted migration on Medway River counts by changes in water quality, quantity, and temperature Benthic invertebrate populations may be impacted by declining water quality Climate change or other human activity may be reducing essential trout habitat. Forestry activities near lakes, streams, and wetlands may impact food webs in those Determine the transboundary movement of brook trout from protected areas to spawning and feeding areas and seasonal refugia Monitor benthic invertebrate communities in 15 streams in the Upper Mersey watershed and examine the effects of silviculture practices on invertebrate communities Determine whether trout spawning grounds and coldwater refugia are disappearing Research the impact of forestry activities on food webs Transmitters deployed in 7 brook trout in 2005 & 8 brook trout in Samples collected 2005, data analysed Dissolved oxygen profiles measured at 5 lakes August 2005 Samples collected Documentation of existing spawning and coldwater refugia Baseline data on benthic biodiversity and populations Measurement of status change Data Trout Nova Scotia, NSDFA, QCFG, DFO, KNPNHS KNPNHS, Trout Nova Scotia Acadia, Dalhousie, KNPNHS, CARP, Bowater, Environment Canada, EMAN Acadia, NSDFA Dalhousie, Bowater, private woodlot owners -DFO -NSDFA -EMAN 3

4 habitats by altering nutrient and light inputs to aquatic systems Loons in southwestern NS have high levels of mercury relative to other loons in Canada and may have reduced Community based monitoring: LoonWatch on 15 lakes in Upper Mersey watershed (short term) and Annapolis watershed (long term) 2005, data analysed Volunteers reported loons on 30 lakes in Number of lakes surveyed breeding success ph, UV, pollution Monitor frogs in wetlands Number of wetlands monitored CARP, Bird Studies Canada, Shell, University of Saskatchewan, Parks Canada EMAN, NatureWatch, local schools, Parks Canada -Go for Green Fund -Habitat Conservation Fund Objective 1.3 Assess and mitigate the effects of exotic species on aquatic biodiversity including fish such as brook trout. Issue Actions Priority for Exotic species including smallmouth bass and chain pickerel threaten to disrupt aquatic ecology in the region Determine current distribution of smallmouth bass and chain pickerel Determine the ecological, social and economic impacts of these exotic species Determine the most effective management to prevent the introduction of exotic fish to the upper Mersey at high risk areas Updated distribution map of smallmouth bass and chain pickerel in study area. Implement management plan to identify areas at risk and prevent the introduction of exotic fish species in the upper Mersey River. Potential partners Trout NS, KNPNHS, NSDFA, QCF&G Environment Canada IASPP Objective 2: Maintain landscape connectivity in the area surrounding Kejimkujik and the Tobeatic Wilderness area. Objective 2.1 Determine functional connectivity requirements for focal species Forests may be fragmented by human activities Determine a suite of focal species that allow management at multiple scales Workshop held September 2005 Workshop and report Dalhousie, NSDEL, KNPNHS, NSDNR, AGRG, Bowater 4

5 Wildlife populations that are sensitive to forest fragmentation may not persist in the long-term Determine the connectivity requirements of flying squirrels -threshold population sizes -movement between patches -appropriate spatial scale -configuration of harvest blocks to ensure persistence Determine the connectivity requirements of species or communities that require old growth forest stands Determine the connectivity requirements of eastern pipistrelle bats Determine the connectivity requirements of fisher Fieldwork 2005 & Fieldwork underway 2007 Sampled 40 river sites for pipistrelle bats August 2005, analyses underway Low because of cost considerations Data for habitat suitability and population viability modeling Identify distribution of OG stands Model distribution of pipistrelles with landscape and site level characteristics SMU, Parks Canada, NSDNR, Bowater Mersey Paper Company, AGRG NSDNR, private woodland owners, Douglas Lumber Company, Dalhousie, SMU, Bowater, Parks Canada -NFA -NRCan -NFA -Sage Env. Fund -ESRI -SMU -NSERC -HCF NSDNR Objective 2.2 Monitor changes in landscape connectivity Local forest loss and fragmentation are poorly understood Develop maps and data to measure spatial and temporal land use change (forest cover, forest age distribution, road density, agriculture) Describe the matrix between old growth stands identified in NSDEL s SOUF layer and other data Final report June Maps and imagery of landscape change & Fragstat data to quantify fragmentation, Potential partners AGRG, KNPNHS, NSDNR Maps and summary description AGRG, NSDEL, Bowater for funding 5

6 Objective 2.3 Maintain functional connectivity for focal species between protected areas Need to engage owners of Survey local public smaller and non-commercial to determine opportunities land holdings to contribute to and limitations, including landscape connectivity and land owner viewpoints for biodiversity protection. management strategies which would facilitate Obstruction to fish migration may exist in the region. Need to test effectiveness of best practices for connectivity There is a perceived need to increase connectivity between protected areas. Cost/benefits of advancing connectivity must be assessed. connectivity Identify and remove aquatic obstructions to fish migration: dams, culverts, and bridges (but recognize problem of smallmouth bass migration) Determine acceptable quantified targets for landscape connectivity, and then monitor these Workshop with stakeholders to discuss costs and benefits / barriers and opportunities for connectivity between Tobeatic, Rossignol, and Kejimkujik. Implement appropriate best practices for maintaining landscape connectivity in aquatic ecosystems, between protected areas, and between stands old forests Fieldwork underway Number of land owners who Bowater, local contribute to a co-operative foresters, EAC, land approach to sustainable resource owners. management while protecting valued species. Number of obstructions identified versus number mitigated or removed. Evaluation process to monitor effectiveness required. Development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to address protected area connectivity needs. Number of landowners and proportion of landscape using best practices KNPNHS, QCFG, Landowners, NSDNR, NSDEL, Bowater, Parks Canada, CARP, Acadia, Dalhousie Local woodlot owners and operators NSDEL, KNPNHS, Dalhousie, Land owners. NFA, NSWOOA, Bowater, NSDEL, Parks Canada EIILF 6

7 Objective 3: Manage Riparian and Wetland Buffers for Aquatic Health and Landscape Connectivity Objective 3.1: Determine the characteristics of an effective buffer Buffer characteristics may not be adequate to protect aquatic health and landscape connectivity. Buffers may not be adequate to protect species at risk habitat. Loss of wetland habitat may be impacting on aquatic systems health. Prioritize riparian areas for conservation Determine appropriate indicators that managers can use to measure effectiveness of buffers Determine the role of riparian buffers for landscape connectivity and maintaining aquatic health in lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands Determine the requirements of species at risk in riparian and wetland buffers Determine the extent and significance of wetland habitat loss to aquatic health Determine the value of riparian forests compared to upland forests of the same type Field work 2005, Field work 2005, ; analyses underway 2007 Forest birds sampled 2005, Identification and monitoring of indicator species which reflect effectiveness of buffers. Documented understanding of SAR riparian habitat requirements. Documented understanding of cause and effect relationships. Optimization of buffer configuration and location. Bowater, NSDNR, Dalhousie, NFA, Acadia Bowater, Acadia, Blanding s Turtle and Eastern Ribbon snake Recovery Teams Dalhousie, Bowater -NFA -NSDNR HCF -EC Science Horizons -Service Canada -NSERC -NSDNR -Bowater -NFA -Service Canada -NFA -NSDNR HCF Objective 3.2 Determine the tools necessary to protect riparian areas There is a requirement to map Identify GIS and Low and project riparian buffers remote sensing needs for already for study and management mapping riparian buffers undertaken purposes. along streams, lakes, rivers, at UNB and petlands Necessary buffer mapping available to UNB, Bowater, researchers and land managers AGRG, NSDNR The standard guidelines for Determine appropriate Documentation and application of buffers NSDNR, Bowater 7

8 riparian buffers may not adequately address valued resource protection requirements. Some riparian buffers are vulnerable to blowdown. Modifying forest harvest practices in riparian areas may have economic consequences. Need to communicate research findings to land management practitioners. design of buffers for a variety of riparian habitats Determine best practices to reduce blowdown in riparian buffers Determine the economic implications of riparian buffer regulations Educate foresters/land managers, owners about research results at demonstration sites that are close to MTRI with good road access. Already undertaken at Acadia which address area specific valued resource protection needs. Documentation and application of strategies which mitigate blowdown problems. Documentation of cost-benefit relationship of modified versus unmodified harvest practices. level of understanding about study activities and resulting impact mitigation strategies. NSCC, Bowater, JDI Local foresters, Acadia NSCC, Bowater, local foresters, landowners, Dalhousie, Acadia Objective 4: Contribute to species at risk research, monitoring, stewardship, and recovery in southwestern N.S. Issue Actions Priority for 1. Recovery of species at risk including Blanding s turtle, southern ribbon snake, Atlantic coastal plain flora and other designated species Provide researcher work space/accommodation. 4.2 Write recovery strategies and plans for boreal felt lichen, eastern mountain avens, and mainland moose Number of SAR researchers using MTRI facilities. Completion of approved recovery strategies and plans. Parks Canada EC, SMU Watershed Network, CARP, AGRG, Bowater, Dalhousie, NS Power, NSDEL, NSDFA (FINS), NS Dept. of Education PIFFSAR -NSDNR -Environment Canada -ESRF -HSP 4.3 Advance community-based monitoring of SAR 4.4 Research the distribution of boreal felt lichen in SNBR Number of volunteers engaged in SAR stewardship. Number of rare lichens identified. 8

9 Objective 5: Support multidisciplinary research about the human dimensions of sustainable resource management in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. Develop best practices for 5.1 Provide accommodations and support for Opportunistic sustainable resource study proposals as they arise. management on working landscapes and protected areas. 5.2 Provide logistical support for interviews and workshops including the following: -Rehman s project Place-based governance in the SNBR -Miner s project Resilience Analysis of SNBR -McCleave s project Regional integration of national parks in Canada -Beazley s CURA proposal Enhancing capacity for sustainable watershed management in Atlantic Canada Final reports of research projects Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, Resilience Alliance, University of Waterloo, Dalhousie University -SHRC CURA Objective 6: Research, monitor, and manage the impacts of climate change and air pollution in the southwestern Nova Scotia. Climate change threatens local and global ecological integrity 6.1 Community based monitoring: IceWatch on 15 lakes in Upper Mersey watershed 6.2 Research and monitor thermal structure of two study lakes: Menchan and Mountain Volunteers on 20 lakes collecting data Thermistors installed June 2005, data collection ongoing 1.1 Participation in community based monitoring 1.2 Data collection on Mountain and Menchan lakes 1.2 Published reports on climate change and implications in SW Nova Scotia Parks Canada, EMAN, CARP Parks Canada, Acadia Air pollution impacts including acid 6.3 Develop NSERC 1.3 Funding for multi-year Environment -NSERC 9

10 precipitation and mercury deposition may be impacting ecological integrity in southwestern Nova Scotia where local geology does not provide a buffer for acidity and regional climate results in disproportionate pollution deposition Strategic Project Grant proposal 6.4 Community based monitoring of lichens, water quality, loons Proposal due April 2007 research program under NSERC Strategic Project Grant 1.4 Participation in community based monitoring Canada, NSERC, Parks Canada, Dalhousie University, Trout NS, Bird Studies Canada Objective 7: Develop a science information management framework compatible with the Kejimkujik Information Management System which serves to advance collaborative research. Need to implement information 7.1 Develop research documentation management system with and information management system permitting, metadata and dataset for studies conducted in the Southwest System indocumentation and storage Nova Biosphere Reserve area which place 2005, compatible with Kejimkujik and reflect state of the art procedures and work other agencies. technology. ongoing Need to construct multi-layered spatial database to support research activities conducted in common geography. 7.2 Develop procedures facilitating a data management framework that optimizes the opportunity for relational analysis in a temporal and spatial context. System inplace 2005 Documented information management protocols which optimize quality assurance and appropriate accessibility. Documented system which can provide relational analysis capability in a timely fashion to a variety of clients. Potential partners KNPNHS, All researchers, AGRG. KNPNHS, All researchers, AGRG. 10