Title: Cemar Routine Monitoring of Macroalgal and Phytoplankton Diversity
Description:
Abstract:
We have identified three locations with an exposed and a sheltered
site each. To monitor each site we have devised a system of transect based
stratified sampling (based on the natural zonation of the coastal habitat) to
estimate percent cover of algal species on the beach (useful for a variety of
standard statistical procedures). We are also compiling 'complete' species
inventories during our trips so that we can apply a new type of analyses,
Taxonomic Distinctness, which will allow us to compare our contemporary data to
historical records for the region. Our intention is to maintain this program
over a few decades. This project will, if supported in the long term, provide
a valuable data set for understanding floristics in this important and unique
region. NSERC's recent reallocation has highlighted the critical shortage of
taxonomic experts capable of identifying the organisms that constitute Canada's
biodiversity. The value of biodiversity to society is lost if the know-how to
survey, identify, protect and access available species does not exist.
Furthermore, long-term monitoring is essential if we are going to set a
baseline for future comparisons and distinguish natural patterns of species
fluctuations versus perturbations caused by human impact. Our routine
monitoring of algal biodiversity in the Bay of Fundy is designed to address all
of the previous issues.
Type: Bay
Waterbody or Watershed Names: Bay of Fundy
Biological diversity is important to the maintenance of healthy
ecosystems and also represents an essential component of a nation's resources.
We aim to catalogue this diversity to assist in its conservation and
utilization. Routine monitoring of both macroalgal and phytoplankton diversity
is essential to the long-term appreciation of this resource.
Additional Information OR Comments: Contact Dr. Sanders for data.
Sample Site Locations: We have identified three locations with an exposed and a
sheltered site each. To monitor each site we have devised a system of transect
based stratified sampling (based on the natural zonation of the coastal
habitat) to estimate percent cover of algal species on the beach (useful for a
variety of standard statistical procedures).
The projects included in this program (Census of Marine Algae in the Bay of
Fundy; and Census of Marine Red Algae in Canada) will ultimately use genetic
barcoding to identify ultimately all of the species of marine macroalgae in
Canada. Both of these are ambitious projects that will use genetic tools to
establish unequivocally the full species complement under each theme and then
to provide detailed information in the form of morphological, anatomical and
distributional notes for each species.
