LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN ARCTIC LAKES AND PONDS USING DIATOMS AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS

Long-term monitoring data are required to make effective environmental decisions. Unfortunately, such direct measurements are rarely availab le. Long-term data are especially sparse in arctic tundra regions, whe re logistic concerns often preclude the implementation of standard mon itoring programs. However, paleolimnological techniques, such as the u se of diatom assemblages preserved in dated lake and pond sediment pro files, can provide proxy data of past environmental changes. This pape r summarizes some of the ways biological-based paleolimnological techn iques can be used in arctic tundra environments to monitor environment al changes. Specific examples include studies of climatic change, airb orne contaminants, and local disturbances.