Assessment objectives

This State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report (SAMBR) is the first integrated reporting outcome from the CBMP Marine Plan.

Where it has been possible, the SAMBR: • describes current and/or historical baseline status of identified FECs; • evaluates historical and contemporary trends; • considers how changes in biodiversity may be linked to stressors; • describes differences that have occurred within the Arctic Marine Areas (AMAs); • describes status of Arctic biodiversity monitoring; • identifies research priorities, knowledge gaps; and • provides advice for monitoring and management.

The Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) (Meltofte 2013) provides the fundamental baseline to make trend assessments in SAMBR possible. Six Marine Expert Networks (Sea ice biota, Plankton, Benthos, Fishes, Seabirds and Marine mammals) provide the framework to implement the CBMP Marine Plan and generate the information required for SAMBR.

Mandate for the assessment

The Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP) is working with partners across the Arctic to harmonize and enhance long-term marine monitoring efforts. These efforts are led by a Marine Steering Group with expertise from six Marine Expert Networks.

In April 2011, these scientists and community experts released the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Plan, an agreement between six Arctic coastal nations and many national, regional, Indigenous and academic organizations on how to monitor Arctic marine ecosystems. The Plan has been endorsed by Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council.

Implementation is underway. This coordinated approach will facilitate more powerful and cost-effective assessments through the generation of, and access to, improved circumpolar datasets.

The State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report (SAMBR) is the first assessment derived from the implementation of the Circumpolar Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Plan.

Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment

Other (please specify)

Arctic Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Plan is the first of four pan-Arctic biodiveristy monitoring plans developed by the CBMP to improve the ability to detect and understand the causes of long-term change in the composition, structure and function of Arctic ecosystems. This "umbrella" plan for monitoring the Arctic marine environment works with existing monitoring capacity to facilitate improved and cost-effective monitoring through enhanced integration and coordination. This will allow for earlier detection of trends and more effective policy and management response.

URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted

State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report: https://arcticbiodiversity.is/marine Arctic Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Plan: https://www.caff.is/marine/marine-monitoring-plan

System(s) assessed

• Marine

Species groups assessed

Sea Ice Biota, Plankton, Seabirds, Benthos, Fishes, Marine mammals

Provisioning

Regulating

Supporting Services/Functions

Cultural Services

Drivers of change in systems and services

Yes

Impacts of change in services on human well-being

No

Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed

Yes

Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment

Yes

Year assessment started

2015

Year assessment finished

2017

If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish

Periodicity of assessment

Repeated

If repeated, how frequently

4 year intervals

Website(s)

https://arcticbiodiversity.is/marine

Report(s)

Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)

https://youtu.be/Fk3dW7eqACE

Journal publications

Training materials

Other documents/outputs

Data and graphics: http://geo.abds.is/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/search?resultType=details&fast=index&_content_type=json&from=1&to=20&sortBy=relevance&_cat=SAMBR

Tools and approaches used in the assessment

• Modelling
• Geospatial analysis
• Indicators

Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component

Multi-stakeholder engagement through workshops; communication; conferences etc

Key stakeholder groups engaged

Scientists, Indigenous peoples, NGOs, policy and decision makers tec

The number of people directly involved in the assessment process

10-100

Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge

Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment

Assessment reports peer reviewed

Yes

Accessibility of data used in assessment

This report and associated materials, data and graphics can be downloaded for free at: www.arcticbiodiversity.is/marine

Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions

A summary report for policy makers providing key findings and advice for monitoring was delivered to a meeting of the foreign Ministers of the Arctic states in May 2017. The ministerial declaration from this meeting welcomed the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program’s State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report as the first of its kind, welcomed the summary report, and encourage further efforts to address monitoring needs and to develop biodiversity status reports for other Arctic ecosystems. Work is now underway to follow-up on the findings of the report.

Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment

No

Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews

Capacity building needs identified during the assessment

Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity

Network and sharing experiences, Access to funding, Sharing of data/repatriation of data, Workshops, Developing/promoting and providing access to support tools, Communication and awareness raising

How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders

Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment

How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders