Summary of a meeting of the Scientific Committee for the
Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods), April 1998
Scientific projects
1. Yukon project
Dr. Danks reported that sales of the book Insects of the Yukon were modest but steady.
Sales may have been reduced somewhat because authors were given reprints and copies of the
book to ensure that the knowledge was disseminated fully. The book had been widely
publicized, through mailed publicity flyers, internet publicity and order form and
notifications in newsletters. Flyers were also made available at various meetings. Several
reviews are being solicited and copies of the book have been sent for review to journals.
A press release was distributed across the country through the CMN, which led to radio
interviews and to an article in the Globe & Mail. However, this article in a national
newspaper did not appear to have significantly enhanced sales, a fact that underscores the
difficulty of selling a specialized volume such as the Yukon book. The Committee discussed
other possible publicity avenues and the possibility will be followed up that support
might come from organizations that provide materials to Russia to enhance abilities to do
scientific work there.
2. Grasslands
Dr. A.T. Finnamore reminded the Committee that field collecting for the grasslands project
is being done by Dr. Finnamore, Dr. G.G.E. Scudder and Dr. R.E. Roughley. He reviewed some
initial results from matched plots, using a statistical estimation of species richness and
shared species from samples to generate statistics of great potential interest about the
number of rare species in the system. The organization of a publication on grasslands was
also discussed. It will be important for the Biological Survey to incorporate ecological
data into this project, leading to a specific scientific project rather than a general
investigation. Dr. Finnamore concluded that if the management potential for arthropods can
be demonstrated using such an approach it will help to promote the Biological Survey and
to ensure that arthropods are included in biomonitoring projects across the country. It is
important to show how the data can be used; the power of the systematics community can be
used to bring in big datasets. The priority this year will be contacting authors for the
grasslands publication.
3. Arctic invertebrate biology
Dr. R.A. Ring reported that he continues to collaborate with various people, e.g. the ITEX
program, and other collaborators are working on arctic themes including Dr. O. Kukal, Dr.
H.V. Danks and Dr. D. Levin. In the year 2000 the triennial symposium on insect and plant
cold hardiness will be held at the University of Victoria. The newsletter Arctic Insect
News continues to attract international attention and to be well received. However funding
for arctic work is limited (despite a helpful increase in support to the Polar Continental
Shelf Project). In response to questions, Dr. Ring said that although the territorial
governments take an interest in the work being done (as evidenced by the number of permits
required) he has not yet learned of funding from this source. Some other funding
possibilities were considered. Dr. T.A. Wheeler stated that McGill University is currently
reviewing its policy on field stations, including the subarctic research station at
Schefferville and the high arctic station on Axel Heiberg Island. Large-scale
infrastructure money is being sought to upgrade all of the stations. There is a chance
that the research station facilities at Schefferville and Axel Heiberg will be greatly
improved in the next few years.
Other scientific priorities
1. Arthropod fauna of soils
Dr. Behan-Pelletier reminded the Committee about the meta-project database of ecology
research projects (DERP) (see Newsletter 17(1): 14-15). This will be a valuable tool to
pool data on the various soil projects. It is hoped to have the database finalized and
ready for data input by the end of May. The project will be presented at a GIS conference
in Ottawa in June and also at the Ecological Society of America meeting in August.
Dr. Behan-Pelletier reported on an initiative to produce a report on the status of
biodiversity in Canadian agricultural soils that will be presented at the Subsidiary Body
on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA). The report is currently in the
planning stages and once a framework is established it will be sent to everyone across
Canada involved in soil biodiversity. The report is due by the end of 1998.
The 10th International Acarological Congress will be held this summer in Canberra,
Australia. Dr. Behan-Pelletier reviewed various relevant publications, and other
activities of interest, including the retirement of Dr. Dac Crossley Jr. with a symposium
on research.
2. Old-growth forests
The Committee noted that there is considerable activity and good work in old-growth
forests and considered the feasibility of capitalizing on the work by producing a
synthesis, for which some sort of specific focus is required. A subcommittee (chaired by
Dr. G.G.E. Scudder) was charged with developing these ideas further, for a possible future
workshop at the 1999 EMAN national meeting (Victoria) or a symposium at the ESC meeting,
for example, and a publication.
3. Invasions and reductions
Dr. S.A. Marshall suggested that it was time for the Survey to coalesce its interests in
this subject and plan a workshop or symposium on invasions and reductions in the Canadian
arthropod fauna. He proposed that the Survey hold a symposium at the EMAN national meeting
in 2000 when there is the possibility of support for participants, with a publication to
follow. A subcommittee will draw up a list of people to be invited. Progress will be
reported at the next Committee meeting.
4. Survey project on faunal analysis and gaps in expertise
Dr. J. Huber reported that he and Dr. R.S. Anderson have contacted a number of people
willing to assemble data for this project for their taxa of expertise, covering all of the
groups of insects. The final protocol will be distributed, and data received, over the
next six months. Ultimately the data will be put onto an updatable web site. The project
is intended to lead to verified information about the numbers of species and taxonomic
expertise; and to Survey documents developed from that information to help lobby for more
taxonomic resources.
5. Survey publicity
Dr. Danks reported on the Survey’s poster prepared for the Ecological Monitoring and
Assessment Network national meeting at Charlevoix in January 1998. Its preparation had
been complicated by several events, including the January ice storm. The poster was
accompanied at the EMAN meeting by publicity materials on the Survey and its publications.
Unfortunately, the poster session there was not well situated, but the poster will be
available for use at future meetings. It was agreed to investigate the possibility of
producing additional posters for wider use.
Dr. Shorthouse reported that he has been attempting to put together a series of
transparencies that illustrate the work of the members of the Biological Survey that could
be used to illustrate relevant presentations.
6. Monitoring of continuing priorities for work on the Canadian fauna
Information relevant to existing, but no longer fully active, Survey projects was
reviewed, including information about arthropods of peatlands, arthropods of springs,
arthropods of large rivers, arthropod ectoparasites of vertebrates, arthropods of the
Queen Charlotte Islands, arthropods of caves and alvars, long-term research, environmental
appraisal and agroecosystems.
7. Other priorities
The Committee reviewed information about other matters of concern, including endangered
species, funding for biodiversity projects and error rates in identifications.
Liaison and exchange of information
1. Canadian Museum of Nature
Dr. Mark Graham, Director of Research, reported that since the October meeting of the
Committee the Museum had undertaken a corporate strategy that involved consultations with
many groups across the country, including some of the members of the Committee. The
results have been analyzed and the final report containing the Museum’s objectives
and the framework for work planning and budgeting over the next several years is being
prepared. The four main themes that emerged were: 1) to increase national service and
impact; 2) to make the work of the Museum more visible and available; 3) to implement some
basic operating systems; and 4) to increase self-generated revenues. The Federal
Biosystematics Partnership is updating its memorandum of understanding which serves as the
group’s operating procedures. The Federal Biosystematics Partnership has held
discussions with NSERC to determine what sort of support is available to fund graduate
students working in biosystematics, and the Committee agreed to help in this initiative.
The Museum is also a partner in the second year of the Canadian Biodiversity
Infrastructure Initiative. This year some pilot projects will be implemented within the
project. The Biodiversity and Systematics school will be held for the third year this
summer in conjunction with Queen’s University. The Museum has hired a new research
scientist, Dr. Michael Caldwell, an expert in mesozoic reptiles. Dr. André Martel has
accepted the position of assistant director at Bamfield Marine Research Station, a
position jointly funded by the CMN and the Bamfield Station. The Museum’s Collection
Division is now implementing its collections management information system. A software
package, Multi-MIMSY, has been purchased and installed. Long-range planning is underway
for the Museum’s main display building, the Victoria Memorial Museum Building. As
part of that effort there will be updates to the current arctic exhibit as well as a
travelling exhibit on the arctic.
2. Biological Resources Program, ECORC
Dr. Behan-Pelletier, BRP, on behalf of Dr. J. McKenzie, confirmed that the MOU for the
Federal Biosystematics Partnership will soon be sent to Agriculture’s Assistant
Deputy Minister for endorsement. She emphasized that the objective of the MOU is to
recognize that the Federal Biosystematics Partnership is primarily to undertake
collaborative endeavours including but not limited to taxonomic research and to ensure
that the importance of biosystematics is recognized, emphasized and supported in Canada. A
request has also been sent to Agriculture’s ADM from the Biological Resources Program
to sign an MOU with the U.S. National Biological Service to participate in the development
and maintenance of the North American Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). ITIS
is a result of a partnership of U.S. federal agencies, which was formed to satisfy their
needs for scientifically credible taxonomic information and common authoritative
nomenclature for all North American species. The ECORC web site
[http://res.agr.ca/ecorc/crop2.htm] has a series of web pages on many of BRP’s
systematic studies. Dr. Peter Mason (formerly of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in
Saskatoon) has recently been hired at ECORC and is working in the entomology group with
Dr. Jim O’Hara. Dr. Mason will be continuing his research in biological control. Dr.
Behan-Pelletier reported a 20% increase in BRP’s operating budget this year. Partly
as a result of this, Dr. Gary Gibson will be able to go on a work transfer to CSIRO in
Australia.
3. Entomological Society of Canada
Dr. Hugh Danks, President, ESC, reminded the Committee that the Society has undergone a
number of major changes in the past year as a result of decisions made following a major
Strategic Review. For example, the change over of the Society’s procedures for
scientific publishing is now complete. As a result the Society is in a position to save
considerable money in this fiscal year. The last volume of the Memoirs of the
Entomological Society of Canada (no. 171) - now discontinued - was published late in 1997.
Substantial changes in Society committees and Society rules and guidelines had also
stemmed from the Strategic Review. Dr. Danks confirmed recent changes in two very
important positions within the Society. The new Scientific Editor responsible for The
Canadian Entomologist is Dr. Jean Turgeon and the new Secretary of the Society is Dr. Rick
West. Dr. Danks explained that other progress with Society affairs will be made when the
ESC Executive Council holds its mid-term meeting.
4. Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network
Dr. Patricia Roberts-Pichette reported that the EMAN national meeting was held in
Charlevoix, Quebec in January. Attendance was down somewhat this year (approximately 200)
but more people left the meeting with a better knowledge of the direction EMAN is taking.
The location of the poster session was poor (the Biological Survey had a poster at the
meeting) but next year’s session promises to be better organized. Presentations were
made by some of the members of the Committee. Dr. A.T. Finnamore was presented with the
Patricia Roberts-Pichette award. The next EMAN national meeting will be held in Victoria
during the third week of January 1999. The arthropod working group has completed its
protocol report outlining the minimum needs for monitoring — the protocols are not
meant to hamper research or necessarily to replace required methods but if there is no
particular reason to use other methods then it would be useful to adopt the EMAN
protocols.
5. Canada/MAB
Dr. Roberts-Pichette, Executive Secretary Canada/MAB, reported that the MAB committee met
for the first time in five years last January. There is active work on the issue of
biosphere reserves. The biosphere reserves have formed into a non-profit association - the
Canadian Biospheres Reserves Association. Recognition is pending for three reserves –
Clayoquot Sound and Mount Arrowsmith (BC) and Kejimukujik National Park (NS). Dr.
Roberts-Pichette also reported briefly on other initiatives.
6. Canadian Forest Service
Dr. J. Huber, on behalf of Dr. Ben Moody, reminded the Committee that the Canadian Forest
Service has set up a Biosystematics Working Group to look at the needs in forestry for
systematics. The first meeting held in March was attended by representatives of the forest
regional collections (except for the Newfoundland collection which lacks a curator). The
group has been charged with doing an assessment of taxonomic needs in forestry for the
next 2-5 years, including a thorough evaluation of the existing systematic collections and
resources and the directions of work. Dr. Huber noted that a number of relevant people
have retired or will soon be retiring. Examples are also being found of how the various
Canadian Forest Service collections have been used to solve particular problems or address
particular issues, so helping promote the use of Forestry’s collections. Dr. Huber
mentioned that the Canadian Forest Service intends to support the MOU put forward by the
Federal Biosystematics Partnership.
7. Parasitology module, Canadian Society of Zoologists
Dr. D. Marcogliese reported that the perch project is ongoing and the stickleback project
has been received enthusiastically by both parasitologists and non-parasitologists. The
parasitology module is also developing the EMAN protocols for inventorying parasites. The
Directory of Parasitologists is now on the web and continues to be updated in that format
[http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/parasites/module.htm]. A hard copy will not be produced
again. Dr. Marcogliese also reported on some other publications, funding and initiatives
of interest to the Committee. He commented that the Biodiversity Convention Office once
again has a biofund. However, funds appear to be available only to the Canadian Wildlife
Service, an instance where again the CWS has control at the expense of Canada’s
effort in biodiversity.
Secretariat activities
Ongoing operations of the Biological Survey Secretariat were reviewed, including
clearing house and coordination roles, research and other items, and Dr. H.V. Danks’
travels to entomological centres on behalf of the Survey to exchange information about
relevant work. In 1997 – 1998, visits were made to Victoria, B.C.; Calgary and
Edmonton, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Guelph and Toronto, Ontario; Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue,
Quebec, and St. John’s, Newfoundland. Seminars and lectures presented, in addition to
more-or-less informal treatments of the Biological Survey, included: Insect life cycles:
ways to study their diversity, control and evolution; Spring habitats and their faunas;
Ranges of insects in the Yukon and their Beringian history; Arctic insects as indicators
of climatic change; The diversity, evolution and analysis of diapause and allied responses
in insects.
Other items
1. Reports on regional developments of potential interest
Members of the Committee summarized relevant information from different regions of the
country. For example, in British Columbia a successful first annual University of Victoria
invertebrate symposium was held. Various studies by graduate students and others were
outlined. Several other important workshops or symposia were noted, such as those on
“Structure, processes and diversity in successional forests of coastal British
Columbia”, on “Frontiers in Forestry”, and on biodiversity in the south
Okanagan (at the Canadian Society of Zoologists’ meeting). The University of British
Columbia has announced that there will be no new or replacement positions until 2000. Many
retirements are forecast over the next few years, apparently without replacements. Some
problems continue with FRBC funding, creating difficulties for multi-year projects. The
first draft for a publication on the Butterflies of British Columbia has been completed
for possible publication in the year 2000.
On the prairies, there are plans for a Prairie Ecozone assessment, which is a follow up
from the Mixedwood Plains and the Montane Cordillera assessments. The Provincial Museum of
Alberta has plans for a very large expansion. Biodiversity monitoring in forestry has
become a high profile issue in Alberta, as evidenced by workshops for example. A North
American Livestock Workers Conference will be held in June in Alberta. A rangeland ecology
group with federal and provincial agriculture departments and other partners has been
established. Dr. Rob Bourchier has been hired to work in weed biocontrol at the Lethbridge
Research Centre, and the Centre is hoping to fill a post-doctoral fellowship position for
crop entomology. Dr. Felix Sperling has accepted a position in the Department of
Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta.
In Ontario, several current projects in biodiversity at various places in the province,
including graduate students and others, were reviewed. There are plans to hire an economic
entomologist at the University of Guelph this year. A new biodiversity discovery gallery
at the Royal Ontario Museum will incorporate elements from four different forest systems
in Ontario. At the Canadian Museum of Nature, a guide will be produced to interpret how
the ice storm will affect some of the natural populations in the area. The new Museum
building is located on a wetland site and the CMN is undertaking an environmental
stewardship program to develop the site for educational and scientific purposes. The
Museum is also developing a plan to offer the public an opportunity to have species named
after them in return for a donation, not only to raise funds for systematics but in
particular to raise the profile of taxonomic work.
In Quebec, studies on biodiversity were reviewed, including the fact that there are five
graduate students in systematics and faunistics at the Lyman Museum and three new ones
will start in the fall. An entomological study of the Mont St Hilaire biosphere reserve
will be started this summer with several cooperators. The Redpath Museum has received a
grant from the Quebec government to set up an internet database on Quebec biodiversity. At
the Botanical Garden of Montreal a recent butterfly display was extremely popular.
In Newfoundland, Mr. Lloyd Hollett has finally received funding for the long-awaited
Newfoundland insectarium. A piece of land has been bought on the banks of the Humber River
at Deer Lake and construction started. The opening is planned to coincide with the annual
meeting of the Acadian Entomological Society in August. The Canadian Forest Service has
completed its move to Cornerbrook but there is no active entomologist; the collection is
in storage.
In the arctic, Dr. Ring reported that his research at high latitudes continues at a slow
pace. Environment Canada has published its second volume in the Canada Country Study on
climate and adaptation, dealing with global climate change in Canada’s arctic. He
reviewed the activities of some other arctic organizations. The Committee noted that in
terms of per capita spending on arctic research Canada ranks below Australia (and many
other countries), and Canada is attempting to get back to 1984 levels of funding.
2. Other matters
The Survey also considered the Biological Survey Foundation (the annual general meeting of
Foundation members took place, dealing especially with sales and publicity for the Yukon
book), the annual report to the Canadian Museum of Nature, updates about the Biological
Survey web site (http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/esc.hp/bschome.htm), and liaisons with
other organizations and agencies.