CIMP 210: Development of a Biological Monitoring Program to Detect Change in Stream Health Along the Dempster–Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk-Corridor

The objective of this project is to establish stream biomonitoring program along the DITC to study the effects of road development on stream ecosystem health. We used the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) protocol (e.g., using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of environmental condition), collect water quality measurements along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway and Dempster Highway north of Tsiigehtchic. The results of this project will produce important information on the severity of ecological impacts in streams associated with road development in the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA) and Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) that can be used by resource boards to develop management plans protecting aquatic habitat and ecosystem services. This project was funded by the Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program (Project CIMP#210) and reflects a collaboration between researchers at Wilfrid Laurier University and Environment and Climate Change Canada.