1998 marks the start of the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP), which collects biological, chemical, and physical data to detect variability in eastern Canadian waters. The program samples three fixed stations up to twice monthly and four sections twice yearly, alongside ecosystem trawl surveys. The data is managed by OBIS Canada and originates from the DFO Maritimes region.
Use Cases
- Analyze seasonal and interannual variability of plankton abundance from fixed station time-series data.
- Correlate biological samples from ecosystem trawl surveys with physical and chemical measurements.
- Model plankton community changes across different geographic sections like the Cabot Strait Line and Halifax Line.
- Investigate long-term trends in marine ecosystem indicators starting from the program's 1998 inception.
Strengths
- Long-term monitoring program with data collection starting in 1998.
- Systematic sampling at three fixed stations and along four defined sections following established protocols.
Limitations
- Specific sample sizes, row counts, and data completeness metrics are unknown.
- Spatial coverage is limited to specific stations and sections in the DFO Maritimes region, not a comprehensive survey of all Canadian waters.
- Temporal resolution varies, with sections sampled only 1-3 times per year and stations sampled during ice-free conditions.
Provenance
- Source
- OBIS Canada, originating from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Maritimes region Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP).
- Collection Method
- Field sampling at fixed stations and along sections, plus collection on ecosystem trawl surveys, following established common protocols.
- Time Range
- Program implemented in 1998; ongoing monitoring.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Eastern Canadian waters, specifically fixed stations (Shediac Valley, Halifax Station 2, Prince-5) and sections (Cabot Strait, Louisbourg, Halifax, Brown’s Bank) in the DFO Maritimes region.