Monitoring long-term ecological changes through the ecological monitoring and assessment network: Science-based and policy relevant

Ecological monitoring and its associated research programs have often provi ded answers to various environmental management issues. In the face of chan ging environmental conditions, ecological monitoring provides decision-make rs with reliable information as they grapple with maintaining a sustainable economy and healthy environment. The Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) is a national ecological monitoring network consisting of (1 ) about 100 case study sites across the country characterized by long-term multi-disciplinary environmental work conducted by a multitude of agencies (142 partners and counting); (2) a variety of less comprehensive yet more e xtensive monitoring sites; (3) a network where core monitoring variables of ecosystem change are measured; and (4) geo-referenced environmental observ ations. Environment Canada is the coordinating partner for the network thro ugh the EMAN Co-ordinating Office. EMAN's mission is to focus a scientifica lly-sound policy-relevant ecosystem monitoring and research network based o n (a) stabilizing a network of case-study sites operated by a variety of pa rtners, and (b) developing a number of cooperative dispersed monitoring ini tiatives in order to deliver unique and needed goods and services. These go ods and services include: (1) an efficient and cost-effective early warning system which detects, describes and reports on changes in Canadian ecosyst ems at a national or ecozone scale; and (2) cross-disciplinary and cross-ju risdictional assessments of ecosystem status, trends and processes. The ear ly warning system and assessments of ecosystem status. trends and processes provide Environment Canada and partner organizations with timely informati on that facilitates increasingly adaptive policies and priority setting. Ca nadians are also informed of changes and trends occurring in Canadian ecosy stems and, as a result, are better able to make decisions related to conser vation and sustainability.