Assessing Cumulative Ecological Effects of Development in Saugeen Ojibway Traditional Territory

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Assessing the effects of cumulative stressors on ecosystem structure and function presents one of the most important yet vexing problems for environmental management. This issue has particularly been highlighted by First Nations who are concerned about multiple developments being undertaken in their Traditional Territories which represent a significant land base in Canada. Measurements to quantify cumulative effects must reflect the long lived and widespread effects of such cumulative stressors. Recent advances in food web ecology have identified ecosystem structures that are essential for the maintained and stable functioning of the ecosystems upon which we rely. Specifically, the role of top predators and distinct energy channels in the maintenance of ecosystem function have been highlighted, and it is these very structures that must be maintained in the face of human pressures. The goal of this research program is to test the implementation of such measurements in assessing cumulative effects in the Traditional Territories of the Saugeen Ojibway Nations (specifically the Bruce Peninsula and Lake Huron). Gradients in cumulative stressors have already been established for the region. This work will build on that knowledge to test the hypothesis that fundemental food web structures vary predictably with cumulative stress. Thus, this research program promises to both develop meaningful metrics for quantifying cumulative effects in cooperation with First Nations that have an established record of environmental management in their Traditional Territories.