Abstract
A Canadian Arctic-Subarctic Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (CASBEC) is proposed as a standardized classification approach for Subarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecosystems across Canada and potentially throughout the circumpolar area. The CASBEC is grounded in long-standing terrestrial ecosystem classification theory and builds on concepts developed for ecosystems in British Columbia, Quebec, and Yukon. The fundamental classification unit of the CASBEC, the plant association, is compatible with the lower-level classifications of the Arctic Vegetation Classification (AVC), the Canadian National Vegetation Classification (CNVC), and the United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and is used to generate a classification and nomenclature for Arctic and Subarctic terrestrial ecological communities. The use of a multi-scalar ecosystem framework, such as that developed by the British Columbia Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification, provides an ecological context to use classified plant associations to delineate and define climatically equivalent regional scale climate units (biogeoclimatic subzones) and ecologically equivalent local-scale site units within biogeoclimatic subzones. A standardized framework and taxonomy of ecosystem classification for Subarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecological communities will facilitate the planning, coordination, and applicability of terrestrial ecological monitoring and research. The CASBEC classification and high-resolution ecosystem mapping are being used to develop an effective experimental design, to select ecosite types for long-term monitoring, and to extrapolate results to landscape scales in the Experimental and Reference Area of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay. Widespread adoption of the CASBEC could provide a spatial and functionally scalable framework and a common language for interpreting, integrating, coordinating, and communicating Arctic and Subarctic monitoring, research, and land management activities across the Canadian North and around the circumpolar area.
Highlights
The Canadian Arctic-Subarctic Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (CASBEC) is an initiative led by science staff of Polar Knowledge Canada’s Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut (McLennan et al, in press)
Ecosystem units developed through the CASBEC are based on standardized plant association units evolving from developing Canadian Arctic-Subarctic classification initiatives under the Canadian National Vegetation Classification (CNVC, 2015)
All ecosite series within a biogeoclimatic subzone occurring on non-zonal site conditions are termed “azonal.” Azonal site conditions modify the effects of regional climates because of factors such as rapid soil drainage on coarse, rocky sites, persistent seepage or waterlogging in depressions, deep winter snow accumulation, excessive wind exposure, or seasonal flooding
Summary
The Canadian Arctic-Subarctic Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (CASBEC) is an initiative led by science staff of Polar Knowledge Canada’s Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut (McLennan et al, in press). The objective in developing the CASBEC is to develop a standardized approach to classifying, naming, and interpreting Arctic and Subarctic terrestrial ecological communities at a range of scales, to support more coordinated research and monitoring activities across the Canadian North. CNVC work focussed on forest ecosystem classification, but funding provided under the International Polar Year, and more recently by the Yukon Government and Polar Knowledge Canada, has resulted in the development of draft vegetation classifications for both Subarctic and Arctic vegetation communities in the Canadian North (Lévesque et al, 2013; MacKenzie, 2013; MacKenzie and Meidinger, 2018). Linkage to the international AVA/ AVC provides the opportunity for future development of a correlated ecosystem classification that can coordinate and support circumpolar monitoring and research initiatives. We outline the structure of the CASBEC and discuss how the CASBEC can provide an ecosystembased template for designing and coordinating terrestrial monitoring and research objectives across the Canadian North and eventually across the circumpolar regions
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