The Bras d’ Or Lake is subject to greater extremes of temperature and salinity than is the surrounding ocean. With global warming, summer maxima are increasing and winter ice cover is declining. These changes, rapid by ecological time scales, are producing changes in the structure and function of the ecosystem that can have profound effects on the benefits derived by the human population.
The Àros na Mara Centre will serve as the centre for measuring local impacts of climate change in the Bras d’ Or ecosystem, and provide a sound base for applied research into adaptation to climate change for ecological and economic sustainability. Currently, Meteorologist Jonathan Buffet in collaboration with CCBCVI oversees the privately owned and operated Cape Breton Weather Mesonet station, at Iona Port wharf.
