Selecting indicators for monitoring ecological integrity at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada (Nova Scotia).

摘要

This study focuses on the assessment of ecological integrity. The primary aim is to develop a suite of indicators for monitoring ecological integrity and transboundary impacts at Kejimkujik, with a focus on the upper Mersey watershed. The conceptual approach is to identify potential indicators using Parks Canada's ‘Framework for Assessing Ecological Integrity’. The framework's broad categories of stressors, biodiversity and ecosystem function are used to develop specific indicators appropriate to the priorities at Kejimkujik. Elements of a general process for selecting indicators of ecological integrity are identified through consultations with key experts and a review of existing monitoring initiatives. This process is then applied to Kejimkujik to select a suite of indicators most reflective of ecosystem structure, function and transboundary stressors in the upper Mersey watershed. A modified Delphic approach is employed, which involves a series of expert consultations to facilitate collective problem solving. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)