Systematics and comparative biology of aquatic insects

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Conserving biodiversity and using biological resources in a sustainable manner has gained international prominence in the wake of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In order to meet Canada's obligations to the Rio Convention, the Standing Committee on Environment concluded that one of the fundamental goals of the Canadian Government should be to establishment of a National Inventory of Canada's biological diversity. The Committee further recommended that Canada support the creation of an international data bank of world species. As the documentation of biological diversity follows largely within the domain of systematic biologists, it is important that Canada's systematics infrastructure be maintained and enhanced. Aquatic insects command a high priority because of their importance in freshwater food chains and utility as indicators of water quality. They also include among the most important vectors of disease to humans and other animals.