Northern shorebirds action plan: monitor

• Evaluate the ability of the current Checklist Survey database to identify trends in shorebird species distribution and abundance
• Implement PRISM (Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring) in the Canadian Arctic
• Implement recommendation in Boreal Shorebirds: An Assessment of Conservation Status and Potential for Population Monitoring
• Monitor changes in the composition and structure of Arctic shorebird communities that may result from climate change

Evaluate the ability of the current Checklist Survey database to identify trends in shorebird species distribution and abundance

Priority - high
Bird Conservation Regions (BCR) - 3, 4, 6, 7

The Northwest Territories (NWT)/Nunavut Bird Checklist Survey will soon contain 100,000 records. CWS needs to know whether the database is able to measure changes in distribution and abundance of NWT/Nunavut shorebird species. After all 2006 data is entered into the database, the data will be analyzed to see whether the following matters can be established:

• Maps showing range of NWT/Nunavut shorebird species;
• Changes in species distribution over the period 1995-2006;
• Changes in breeding status at particular locations;
• Changes in relative abundance at particular locations.

Key results:

• current and historical bird species distribution and abundance are known and compared.

Implement PRISM (Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring) in the Canadian Arctic

Priority - high
Bird Conservation Regions - 3

Since 2001, CWS has worked with Canadian and American partners to develop the Arctic component of PRISM. The objective of Arctic PRISM is to generate Arctic-wide population estimates for most North American shorebirds, and then to track trends in population over the long term. A full rationale and description of the Arctic PRISM program can be downloaded from the USGS site. CWS's Northern Shorebird Program coordinates the PRISM surveys and holds the PRISM database. The PRISM program has been operational in Arctic Canada since 2004.

A priority for proper implementation of the PRISM program is to obtain or create remote-sensed habitat classifications that reflect breeding habitat conditions in June. The first step in this process is to obtain ground control point data for parts of the Arctic where no or inadequate remote-sensed habitat classifications exist. A significant part of the Northern Shorebird Program effort will be directed to collecting this information over the next few years.

The Arctic PRISM protocol is well suited for use in general area shorebird and songbird monitoring around development sites. The PRISM protocol is being promoted for use in baseline and ongoing general monitoring programs, and CWS would like to see the PRISM protocol become an industry standard for environmental assessment and monitoring in the Canadian Arctic.

Key result:

• Population size of arctic breeding shorebird species are estimated
• Changes in population size of Arctic breeding shorebird species are tracked;
• Arctic PRISM becomes a standard protocol for use in baseline and ongoing monitoring of shorebirds and songbirds in the Arctic.

Implement recommendation in Boreal Shorebirds: An Assessment of Conservation Status and Potential for Population Monitoring

Priority - medium
Bird Conservation Regions - 4, 6, 7

The boreal region of the Northwest Territories is on the cusp of change. A large increase in industrial and human activity is expected in the Mackenzie Valley in the next 20 years. Next to nothing is known about shorebird populations in the boreal region of NWT, or how they will be affected by such change.

The three priority boreal NWT shorebird species (Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe and Solitary Sandpiper) have breeding, migration and wintering characteristics that make them difficult to survey at all points of their life cycles. The breeding season may well be the best time to monitor their populations.

The Boreal Shorebirds document (PDF; 2.16 MB) noted above provides guidance for monitoring populations of priority shorebird species in NWT's boreal forest. CWS will implement recommendations that are relevant to NWT, including the following:

• Assessment of the suitability of the North American Breeding Bird Survey, and variations thereof, to monitor boreal NWT breeding shorebirds;
• Explore feasibility of using current ground-based waterfowl surveys, and the marsh bird monitoring protocol;
• Further develop/test aerial survey methodology for surveying boreal shorebirds;
• Investigate current and potential methods of monitoring boreal breeders at temperate and southern boreal stopover sites.

Understanding the impact of impending development in the northern boreal forest on shorebird populations requires a major investment of both human and financial resources. The speed with which the Northern Shorebird Program can develop a good boreal monitoring program will be constrained by both of these factors for the foreseeable future.

Key result:

• Long-term estimates of relative abundance of Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe and Solitary Sandpipers are obtained for NWT's boreal forest;
• Baseline conditions for priority shorebird species in the Mackenzie Valley are obtained in advance of major development.

Monitor changes in the composition and structure of Arctic shorebird communities that may result from climate change

Priority - medium
Bird Conservation Regions - 3, 4, 6, 7

There is compelling evidence that climatic changes are occurring in the Canadian Arctic.

As climate and vegetation changes, shorebird communities will likely change too, although we do not know specifically how. Concrete evidence for or against recent climate-induced changes in Arctic bird communities is generally absent. Long-term monitoring at several locations across the Arctic is necessary to track changes, assist in prediction of future community status, and target conservation efforts.

Two suitable spots for long-term monitoring stations are in the Mackenzie Delta in the western Arctic and at Southampton and/or Coats Island in the eastern Arctic. Our ability to continue operating these stations into the medium future is currently being assessed.

Key results:

• Changes in bird community composition and species abundance are related to changing climate conditions;
• Predictions of impacts of future climate change on northern bird communities can be made.