The national meeting of the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network took place in
Victoria, B.C., 19-23 January 1999. The meeting was preceded by field trips, workshops and
other activities. More than 350 people attended the meeting, which covered a range of
subjects. Plenary and other sessions considered the EMAN program and its current general
activities, designed to consolidate an EMAN business plan, to design and promote core
monitoring as an early warning system, and provide input to Canada’s biodiversity
agenda. Several presentations and posters focussed on liaisons and cooperative endeavours
and the necessary plans, involving EMAN and other agencies. Scientific studies covering a
wide range of topics related to monitoring or impacts especially at various EMAN sites
were reported on. One day was devoted to field trips, focus groups and public
involvements. One morning considered environmental research in aboriginal communities and
traditional knowledge.
In all, nearly 100 presentations (in plenary or joint concurrent sessions) were made,
and numerous posters were presented. The Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial
Arthropods) displayed a poster about the coordination and scientific roles of the Survey,
and provided information leaflets about the Survey and its publications.
MacMillan Coastal Biodiversity Workshop
including a component on biodiversity of rainforest arthropods
A special series of workshops focusing on biodiversity in coastal zones of British
Columbia and Canada will be held on May 16 - 28, 1999 at the Bamfield Marine Station.
These workshops, for which enrolment for the individual parts is possible, are offered
to senior undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and government employees
interested in a unique hands-on experience in coastal biodiversity research and surveys
Plenary Session
The first day of the program (May 16) includes a series of seminars by four leading
scientists working in the field of biodiversity, Dr. Geoffrey Scudder, Centre for
Biodiversity Research, UBC, Dr. Gerhard Pohle, Huntsman Marine Science Centre and the
Atlantic Reference Centre, Dr. Max Taylor, Centre for Biodiversity Research, UBC, and Dr.
André Martel, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, and BMS. These seminars will put the
four special activities of the workshop in the general context of biodiversity issues in
coastal Canada. A general discussion for all participants is scheduled.
Workshop Activities
Evaluating biodiversity of intertidal and subtidal invertebrates; (May 17 - 19); Dr.
Gerhard Pohle, HMSC and ARC
Algal diversity and use of molecular techniques in algal biosystematics; (May 19 - 21);
Dr. Gary Saunders, UNB; Dr. Louis Druehl, BMS and SFU
Arthropod diversity in the temperate rainforest; (May 22 - 24); Dr. Neville Winchester,
UVic
Diversity of plants and vertebrates on small coastal islands; (May 25 - 27); Dr. Martin
Cody, UCLA
Concluding Activities Wrap-up Discussion (May 27)
Guided hike in the West Coast Trail area, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (May 28)
Conservation of Arthropod Biodiversity in Temperate Rainforests
The workshop section on Conservation of Arthropod Biodiversity in Temperate Rainforests,
led by Dr. Neville Winchester, Biology Department, University of Victoria, with
participation from guest speakers such as Dr. Richard Ring, provides a primer for
participants to evaluate concepts of temperate forest arthropod biodiversity.
Lectures cover the evaluation of arthropod biodiversity concepts using examples from
case studies. The focus will be on developing a project to establish a long-term baseline
in terrestrial systems to assess differences (species and process) over time. Pertinent
literature in relation to forests, insects and biodiversity studies will be reviewed as a
basis for critical discussion. A set of presentations will also be devoted to canopy work
from a provincial, national and international perspective.
Fieldwork includes access to the high canopy, and participants will be introduced to
access techniques, sample design and use of canopy trapping techniques.
Laboratory work on selected arthropod groups will be used to train participants in
identification, species taxonomy, trapping, and all aspects of specimen preparation,
including an introduction to data management and diversity measures using BIOTA.
Application
Applications must include a statement of interest, university transcripts (undergraduate
or graduate students only) and a short CV (no more than 4 pages). Please send your
application by mail or fax to the address below before March 31, 1999; there is an
enrolment limit of 15 participants.
Fees
(Fees include room and board; partial enrolment for one or more workshop activities is
possible)
Undergraduate and graduate students $400 ($100/activity)
Postdoctoral fellows and faculty members $600 ($150/activity)
Other public and private sector employees $800 ($200/activity)
Location
Bamfield Marine Station
Bamfield, British Columbia V0R 1B0, Canada
(250) 728-3301 (phone);
(250) 728-3452 (fax) www.bms.bc.ca
Workshop on Biodiversity Monitoring
The Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) organized a one-day workshop
on February 6, 1999, sponsored by the Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network, to
consider how recommendations for a scientifically-sound and cost-effective core set of
monitoring activities for biodiversity at EMAN sites across Canada might be assembled. The
18 people attending the workshop represented expertise covering a wide range of taxa and
subjects. Both specific procedures and general concerns and requirements were addressed. A
report on the workshop will be made available on the EMAN web site
(http://www.cciw.ca/eman/intro.hml) within a few months.
EMAN National Meeting