Laurentian to play role in aquatic network

Laurentian University and 10 other Canadian universities have received $4.4 million in funding to create the NSERC Canadian Network for Aquatic Ecosystem Services (CNAES).

The network will play a key role in ensuring knowledgeable and well-informed stewardship of Canada’s wetlands, lakes and rivers.

The CNAES is a consortium of 27 researchers from 11 universities, Canadian government scientists, industrial partners and environmental and technology associations that conducts research and training in aquatic ecosystems.

The funding is from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), in conjunction with $4.3 million in support funding from partner organizations.

“This is a tremendous move forward for those of us working in freshwater ecology and related fields,” said John Gunn, Canada Research Chair for Stressed Aquatic Systems and Director of the Vale Living With Lakes Centre at Laurentian University.

“The CNAES represents our foremost researchers nationwide, working in the academic, governmental and industrial sectors to improve the long-term health of our waterways and wilderness areas.

“We are gratified by the SNG funding, and by the support of our partners in government and industry, to help us continue our fieldwork and our partnerships with First Nations in the Attawapiskat watershed and other regions of Northern Ontario.”

Gunn is one of six CNAES principal investigators based at Laurentian University; also named as principal investigators with CNAES are Daniel Campbell, Tom Johnston, Bill Keller, John Bailey and David Pearson.

“Our network addresses research concerns related to large northern wetlands, connections between healthy forests and healthy rivers, and lake ecosystems in Canada,” said Don Jackson, an aquatic ecologist in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto and Director of CNAES.

“Canada is subject to significant global environmental stressors, as well as pressures to develop its natural resources. The CNAES will help to develop the tools and knowledge needed to advise government, industry and other stakeholders in decisions regarding development and environmental protection.”

The first full meeting of the CNAES will be held at Laurentian April 29-30 at the Vale Living With Lakes Centre.

Participants in the CNAES include: University of British Columbia, University of Guelph, Laurentian University, McGill University, University of New Brunswick, Nipissing University, Université du Québec à Montréal, University of Toronto, Trent University, University of Waterloo and Western University.

Research partner organizations include: Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, DeBeers Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Kongsberg Maritime, Le Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, NRCan – Canadian Forest Services and Parks Canada.