Climate Change Science Initiative

The Climate Change Science Initiative (CCSI) recognizes the importance of:

• improving our predictions of climate change in Canada's three oceans and its inland water sheds;
• understanding potential impacts of climate variability on aquatic ecosystems;
• anticipating some of the emerging issues that have not been adequately investigated; and
• identifying potential socio-economic effects.

The CCSI responds to the ecosystem assessment and management strategies outlined in the 5 Year Research Plan and supports the following key priority areas;

• Fish Population and Community Productivity – understanding factors controlling populations and how climate may affect carrying capacity.
• Habitat and Population Linkages - quantifying effects of human-induced and natural changes to habitats and the aquatic resources they support.
• Climate Change / Variability - understand and forecast changes, provide scientific information for developing adaptation strategies.
• Ecosystem Assessment and Management Strategies - undertaking ecosystem modelling to support evaluation of management strategies; developing ecosystem status reports to meet the needs of diverse clients.