ID: 1890
Presenting Author: Francis Quinby
Session: 622 - “Science isn’t just for scientists”: IA and advancing technical literacy
Status: pending
Canadian Arctic development must be informed by robust assessment of impacts on wildlife, requiring complex ecological modelling to be communicated simply and transparently to stakeholders.
Development in the Arctic is likely to increase in coming years. In Canada, impact assessments of Arctic developments must consider effects on caribou ecology. The growing abundance of remote data collection practically entails the use of contemporary, robust modelling techniques to characterize effects on caribou. Clear and simple communication is imperative to disseminate modelling outcomes to stakeholders with varying technical knowledge, and facilitate discussions regarding environmental, cultural, and economic values tied to caribou.
The Grays Bay Road and Port Project in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut involves the construction of a deep-water port and 230 km all-season road. The Project will interact seasonally with the Bathurst and Dolphin and Union caribou herds. GPS collar data from both caribou herds were used to model seasonal movements and habitat selection. Animations were created to demonstrate caribou movement and interaction with the Project’s proposed development. Multiple workshops were held with local community members to communicate findings, gather input, and address concerns. This case study highlights how complex modelling should be communicated in impact assessment. Stakeholders require clear and transparent messaging through simple language and visualizations. Models should be used sparingly and presented as tools to reveal key insights that complement the assessment.
Francis Quinby is a Quantitative Wildlife Ecologist at EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. in Whitehorse, YT. Francis is also a PhD candidate in Ecology at Trent University.