1. Case Studies in EI Measurement: Fathom Five & Banff National Parks
Gilles Seutin
Parks Canada
World Park Congress 2003

2. Summary Monitoring at Parks Canada Fathom Five National Park
Banff National Park
Challenges
Lessons Learned

3. Monitoring at Parks Canada
Currently more than 700 projects
Increase over the last 10 years
In general:
Ad-hoc, project-based
Poor indicators of overall park management objectives/effectiveness
Weak links to greater ecosystem monitoring

4. Recommendations for adjustments
From Project Outputs…
Project Management Plan
Recommendations for adjustments
measurable targets
Project
Report
Output
monitoring

5. … to Management Outcomes
Park Management Plan
assessment and recommendations
measurable management targets
State of Park
Report EI
monitoring

6. Bruce/Fathom Five Ecosystem
Great Lakes Ecosystem
Bruce/Fathom Five Ecosystem

7. FFNP – Monitoring Framework
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Social
Ecological Sustainability
Shoreline Dev.
2 indicators
Water Level
1 indicator
Water Quality
5 indicators
Fish Population
3 indicators
Lower Trophic
Invasive Species
Species at Risk
Cultural Resources
Partnerships
Education
Visitor Use
Reason
Affect nearshore aquatic habitat
Target
0 new crib docks
no loss of fish habitat
Residential Dev.
Dock Facilities

8. FFNP – Indicators

9. FFNP – Report Card

10. Banff National Park

11. BNP – Ecosystem Model

12. BNP – Conceptual Model

13. BNP – Indicators
Objective: Maintain and restore native vegetation communities
Target
Target: 50% of long-
term fire cycle
Indicator: Area burned

14. BNP – Report Card Objective Indicator Target Condition
Maintain and restore native vegetation communities
Area of land burned
Maintain 50% of long-term fire cycle
() Burned area achieved for park overall
Forest composition
() Whitebark pine in decline

15. Comparison Fathom Five NP: Linked to ecoregional monitoring
Comprehensive
Good communication of results
Banff NP:
Linked to management objectives
Targeted
Uses conceptual models by ecosystem
Both:
Few monitoring targets

16. Challenge: Comprehensiveness
direct management-related issues
short term results ( )
PMP provides direction, active management
Monitoring of
Mgnt. Issues
PARK MONITORING PROGRAM
Monitoring of
Core EI Indicators
comprehensive assessment of park EI
medium to long term results (> 10 years)
monitoring framework/EIS provides direction

17. Challenge: Coordination
National
(System-wide)
Local
(Park-specific)
Bio-Regional
(Ecozone)
PMP-driven indicators, local human use issues
focal species, ecosystem
monitoring, fragmentation
Typical Indicators
water/air quality, AVHRR, phenology, land use changes

18. Challenge: Agree on Framework and Approach
Biodiversity
Functions
Stressors
Species richness
Succession
Land-use patterns
Population dynamics
Productivity
Habitat fragmentation
Trophic levels
Decomposition
Pollutants
Nutrient retention
Climate
Goal
Objective
Indicator
Target
Ecological Integrity
Manage damage to vegetation
Vegetation trampling index (VTI)
VTI not to exceed 4.0

19. Challenge: Communicate Results

20. Lessons Learned Need linkages to management objectives
Need comprehensive coverage of EI
Need system-wide consistency
Need integration with greater ecosystem reporting
Need clear indicators and targets
Need effective communication of results
Need integrated data management