Selection and criteria for biological indicator species for Arctic monitoring

The estuarine ecosystems are considered as key objects in the Arctic monitoring. Crustacean Saduria entomon, bivalve Portlandia aestuariorum and Cyrtodaria curriana, whitefish Coregonus muksun, C. autumnalis and C. sardinella sardinella and sculpin Triglopsis polaris (= Myoxocephalus quadricornis) are proposed for monitoring of Arctic estuaries. Review of AMAP list of species was carried out. Some species, as included in the World and National ‘Red Books’ and thus being under legislation (polar bear, atlantic and Laptev sea subspecies of walrus, falcon Falco rusticolus) must be left out of the list of species-monitors. The same is applied as in the case of species which often feed on human waste (glaucous gull, fulmar). Instead of using the rare and valuable carnivorous species, appropriately their prey is used as monitors.