| Chapter 6. Tools for Understanding and Monitoring Ecological Integrity |
| (6-14) We recommend that Parks Canada report the condition of ecological data sets in the national parks in the national and park-level State of the Park(s) Reports. |
To date, Parks Canada has not publicly reported on the condition of ecological data sets in the State of the Parks Report. |
UNDER WAY - FUNDING. The new five-year State of the Park Reports will report on the condition of park-level ecological data sets. Over the long term, the national State of the Parks Report (now called the State of Protected Heritage Areas Report) will begin reporting on the condition of data sets. The extent and timing of such reporting are subject to the availability of new funding. |
| (6-15) We recommend that in all national parks, Parks Canada design data management plans to organize, protect and make data accessible. These plans should be considered a key product of the ecosystem conservation program, while Park Management Plans should include the park's data management strategy. |
Only a few parks currently have up-to-date or adequate data management plans. |
UNDER WAY - FUNDING. The Ecological Data Management Directive will require that each national park prepare a Park Data Management Plan. The extent and timing of providing these plans are subject to the availability of new funding. |
| (6-16) We recommend that Parks Canada assign professional geographic information officers to each national park, to maintain a professional database and ensure public access. These data managers should work in close partnership with external partners in regional Conservation Data Centres. |
Many national parks currently have Geographic Information System (GIS) capacity and GIS services are also available through the Professional and Technical Services Centres and National Office. |
UNDER WAY - FUNDING. The requirement for enhanced technical capacity has been addressed in the implementation strategy that has been prepared for government consideration as part of the normal budget process. The extent and timing of providing such enhanced capacity are subject to the availability of new funding. |
| (6-17) We recommend that Parks Canada invest in the existing network of Canadian Conservation Data Centres, through direct funding, by ... |
Parks Canada currently provides funding for the conservation data centres (CDC) of Alberta and the Atlantic Provinces and is working with the CDC network in developing a national vegetation classification system and in assessing the status of species at the park level. |
UNDER WAY - FUNDING. Support for and working partnerships with CDCs have been addressed in the implementation strategy that has been prepared for government consideration as part of the normal budget process. The extent and timing of such action are subject to the availability of new funding. |
