Why conduct Ecological Monitoring?
Ecological monitoring is important for a number of reasons. Through the collection of ecological data via a standardized monitoring programme, environmental baselines representing the current status of ecosystem components can be established. Repeat observations and analysis of data can allow for the detection of changes over time – changes that are above the natural variation for established baselines. Continuing monitoring is often necessary as many ecological responses to changing conditions occur over the long term. The findings that are a result of analysing data collected from monitoring lead to the communication of status, trends and information to scientists and decision-makers about relatively gradual and/or possibly significant environmental changes that may require further attention. Ecological monitoring is used throughout the world in order to report on the state of the environment. In Canada, State of the Environment (SoE) reports involve a commitment to reporting on envi
