Criteria & Indicators of Sustainability Class 3 Presentation 1

Conceptual Basis Ecosystems are complex Ecosystems are complex Cannot monitor or measure only one factor Cannot monitor or measure only one factor Need to identify key factors and then describe them (Criteria) Need to identify key factors and then describe them (Criteria) Criteria are too general so need specific items we can measure and report on (indicators) Criteria are too general so need specific items we can measure and report on (indicators)

Criteria and indicators Use of canary in a coal mine Use of canary in a coal mine Criteria is breathable air Criteria is breathable air Canary is the indicator (live or dead) Canary is the indicator (live or dead) Ecosystem criteria and indicators more complex and numerous Ecosystem criteria and indicators more complex and numerous

Developing C&I Need to monitor the 4 life support systems of earth: energy, water, air and physical environment Need to monitor the 4 life support systems of earth: energy, water, air and physical environment Each have several sub systems Each have several sub systems We interact with them in a multitude of ways We interact with them in a multitude of ways

Developing C&I How are the life support systems being impacted? How are the life support systems being impacted? Need to identify the key factors that will tell us how their function is being affected Need to identify the key factors that will tell us how their function is being affected

Problem Need to have clear cause and effect (do we know when there is a problem, is the indicator confounded by other interactions) Need to have clear cause and effect (do we know when there is a problem, is the indicator confounded by other interactions) Need to have information about ecosystem that will be monitored Need to have information about ecosystem that will be monitored Must be efficient (can we afford it) Must be efficient (can we afford it)

Use Most advanced use is in forestry Most advanced use is in forestry Limited use in water Limited use in water Air and physical environment usually limited to factors that affect human health and safety (chemicals, noise, particulates) Air and physical environment usually limited to factors that affect human health and safety (chemicals, noise, particulates)

Water Most jurisdictions use chemical standards and point source pollution to rate water quality Most jurisdictions use chemical standards and point source pollution to rate water quality ENGO’s have tried to have governments use indicators of biological integrity ENGO’s have tried to have governments use indicators of biological integrity

Example:Water ENGOs recommended use of indices when Water Pollution Control Act amended in US ENGOs recommended use of indices when Water Pollution Control Act amended in US Reason: Reason:  Focuses on attributes of biological system  Compares to minimally impacted water body  Problem: requires professional judgement not simple compliance check with chemical standard

Example for fresh water* * Karr, J.R Biological Integrity: a long neglected aspect of water resource management. Ecol. Appl. 1: Indicator531 # Native sp # benthic sp Water column spp Long lived Intol spp Tol spp Rating of indicator for region and stream size CRITERIA Spp Richness & Composition

Water Example cont. IndicatorRatingRatingRating % Omnivores < >20 % Insect. Cyprinids > <20 % piscivores >5>5>5>51-5<1 CRITERIA: Trophic composition

Water Example cont. CRITERIA: Fish abundance and condition IndicatorRatingRatingRating # Individuals % Hybrids 00-1 >1>1>1>1 % Disease, abnormalities <22-5 >5>5>5>5

Water Example cont. Determine Index of Biotic Integrity by summing rating Determine Index of Biotic Integrity by summing rating Compare actual score to rating table Compare actual score to rating table What are the benefits over chemical standards? What are the limits to this system?

Terrestrial example: Forests in Canada Criterion 1: Criterion 1: Criterion 1: Criterion 1: Conserve biodiversity Conserve biodiversity Criterion 2: Criterion 2: Criterion 2: Criterion 2: Ecosystem health and productivity Ecosystem health and productivity Criterion 3: Criterion 3: Criterion 3: Criterion 3: Conserve soil & water resources Conserve soil & water resources

Forests in Canada Criterion 4: Criterion 4: Criterion 4: Criterion 4: Global ecological cycles Global ecological cycles Criterion 5: Criterion 5: Criterion 5: Criterion 5: Multiple benefits to society Multiple benefits to society Criterion 6: Criterion 6: Criterion 6: Criterion 6: Societies responsibility Societies responsibility

Indicator E.g. Biodiversity E.g. Biodiversity  Ecosystem  Species  Genetic Name some specific indicators that you think will help describe the state of each indicator

Indicator Societies responsibility Societies responsibility  Aboriginal and treaty rights  Participation by natives  Sustainability of forest communities  Fair & Effective Decision making  Informed Decision making Name some specific indicators that you think will help describe the state of each indicator

Questions