OTH62 - Community-partnered research across the Hudson Bay Lowlands and marine domain of southern Hudson Bay - sponsored by the CMN*

*Canadian Museum of Nature

Indigenous stewardship and conservation initiatives within the Hudson - James Bay Lowlands and adjacent marine areas have stimulated research about carbon, biodiversity, and causes and consequences of environmental change. Across this region, unique terrestrial, wetland, and marine ecosystems support critical habitat and provide globally significant carbon stocks and sinks. However, this region is undergoing climate-driven changes to sea ice, ecohydrology, and permafrost, together with economic development, that may bring new challenges to First Nations communities and drive feedbacks to the global carbon budget. Understanding the impacts and planning for a sustainable future require bridging Indigenous and scientific knowledge systems and extending analyses across boreal - peatland - coastal zone - bay transitions. This session aims to bring together researchers across disciplines and spanning terrestrial, aquatic, and marine realms, to share knowledge of the region and relevant knowledge garnered elsewhere. 

Co-Chairs: Zouzou Kuzyk, University of Manitoba 

Sarah Finkelstein, University of Toronto 

Martin Lawrence, Mushkegowuk Council 

Alison Cassidy, Parks Canada 

Nicole Balliston, University of Waterloo