Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #12:The Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring  (Arctic PRISM)

Outline
With 47 species breeding in Canada, shorebirds are a vital component of our avian biodiversity. Their spectacular migrations take them from the southern tip of South America to northernmost Ellesmere Island. These globe-spanning migrations put shorebird populations at risk, and present managers with unique challenges for conservation. Though data are limited, there is consensus among shorebird biologists that populations throughout the circumpolar arctic are in a state of decline. We are hindered in our ability to address and reverse these declines by our lack of knowledge about the species and their habitats. For most arctic species, information about breeding distribution, density and habitat requirements is minimal or lacking completely. National conservation plans in Canada and the United States assert that filling these information gaps is a high priority (Hyslop et al. 2000, Brown et al. 2000). In response to this need, a joint Canadian / American team developed the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM). This program is designed to monitor shorebirds at all stages of their life history, from the wintering to the breeding grounds, and the migratory pathways in between. Because of the remote nature of the arctic breeding grounds, completing surveys there is a logistical challenge. However, this comprehensive and crucial program is Canada’s only effort to monitor shorebirds in the Arctic. Specifically, the arctic component of PRISM will: 1. Generate population estimates for all arctic breeding shorebirds; 2. Produce maps showing shorebird distribution and abundance across the North American arctic; 3. Identify highest-quality habitats for each shorebird species; 4.Provide quantitative descriptions of shorebird habitat requirements; 5.Provide actual shorebird densities, relative abundances of shorebirds, and breeding ecology data at set survey sites. By using a “Double Sampling” technique (Bart and Earnst 2002), PRISM generates an unbiased estimate of population size; a baseline with which to gauge future change. As climate change wreaks havoc on shorebirds’ breeding phenology, and alters the tundra wetland habitats on which they depend, this baseline will become crucial in developing a management strategy. By working with all countries along the migratory pathway of shorebirds, PRISM betters our position to implement a management strategy on an international scale. References: Bart, J. and Earnst, S. 2002. Double sampling to estimate density and population trends in birds. Auk 119: 36-45. Brown, S., C. Hickey, B. Harrington. 2000. United States Shorebird Conservation Plan. Manomet Centre for Conservation Sciences, Manomet MA. 60pp. Hyslop, C., R.I.G. Morrison, G. Donaldson, I. Davidson. 2000. Canadian Shorebird Conservation Plan. Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Hull, QC. 32pp.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The strength of the new PRISM survey technique is its ability to generate an unbiased estimate of population size; a baseline estimate that is unaffected by timing of the surveys, observer effects, and detectability of the birds. Only through an understanding of the current status of population size and habitat requirements are we able to predict and manage future change. This program is the only North American effort to survey shorebirds on the breeding grounds. It will provide baseline information against which future change can be measured. As it develops, the greater PRISM effort links countries from the shorebird wintering grounds in Central and South America to the breeding grounds in the Arctic. Through involvement with the Committee for Holarctic Shorebird Monitoring, PRISM will aid in the development of a circumpolar monitoring program.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The global scale of the decline of shorebird populations necessitates a global solution. In response to this need, the Committee for Holarctic Shorebird Monitoring was established to coordinate shorebird monitoring programs on an international scale (under the auspices of CAFF). Arctic PRISM is the joint contribution of Canada and the United States.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The field work component of this project will cover the entire North American Arctic, from the Aleutians Islands, to Povungnituk, Quebec, to Alert, Ellesmere Island.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 5 June – 20 July, for 6-10 years            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The survey plots are accessed by helicopter; this represents the most significant logistical cost. Travel time between plots can be significant. To maximize efficiency, PRISM has sought collaboration with other bird groups, to develop an aerial survey technique for monitoring larger birds while traveling between plots.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

At present, logistical costs for surveys in Canada are borne largely by the Polar Continental Shelf Project and Canadian Wildlife Service. As PRISM develops further and its funding increases, it is expected that our dependency on PCSP will be reduced. q2_6_Endors : PRISM is the monitoring initiative created in response to the needs identified in the Canadian and US national shorebird conservation plans by the countries’ shorebird committees. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Ecosystems Terrestrial Processes

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
YES

The basic methodology for the arctic surveys was developed in Alaska during 1997-1999, and has been refined substantially through subsequent field work in Alaska and Canada. The IPY represents a perfect opportunity to expand this international program to full-scale implementation, as it is currently limited by restricted funding.

How will the project be organised and managed?
To date, the arctic component of the PRISM project has been managed by a Canada/US steering committee. Field projects have been managed by regional biologists from the Canadian Wildlife Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Data management and the organization of the program have been handled by the US Geological Survey. If implemented on a larger scale, PRISM would require dedicated staff to manage data analysis and field logistics.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
As PRISM begins to generate information about population trends, distribution and habitat relationships, it will be delivered to managers through a web-based data repository. To bring information about shorebird declines to the public, PRISM will link with the outreach coordinators within the USFWS and the CWS. In addition, shorebird information will be communicated through the web-based Shorebird Sister Schools Program which encourages public participation in the conservation of shorebirds and their habitats by connecting people along flyways and increasing their awareness and knowledge of local natural resources to inspire community conservation.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Part of the broader PRISM initiative is the development of a web-based, centralized data repository. This database will afford stakeholders easy access to the most up to date information available. It is also intended to promote integration of existing, small-scale surveys with the larger initiative. This database is currently under development.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Field activities in Canada are currently supported by the Canadian Wildlife Service ($60K annually) and the Polar Continental Shelf Project ($100K in kind, annually). Field activities in the US are funded by the USFWS (CAN$30K annually), and administration costs are covered by the USGS (CAN$10K). It is expected that this support will continue, and be supplemented by IPY funds, to allow for an expansion of the program during the IPY.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Guy Morrison
Canadian Wildlife Service
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0H3
Canada

Tel: (613)-998-7296
Mobile: no
Fax: (613)-998-0458
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation