The following is a brief history that lead to the formation of CARMA.
1998 The Arctic Council ministers directed CAFF to "identify elements of a program to monitor circumpolar biodiversity" and to "assess the effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems".
1999 Roveniemi, Finland: a group funded by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) assembled to discuss the formation and elements of a circumpolar monitoring network for Rangifer.
2000 Iceland: CAFF group gathered to develop a framework for a circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program. Rangifer confirmed as key indicator species and official Network endorsed.
2001 Minary, NH, USA: core group met and received general direction to formalize a Rangifer Monitoring Network.
2004 Vancouver, BC, Canada: Official launch of the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network (CARMA).
2005 CARMA invited to become an official Network under the CAFF's Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program
CARMA has held annual gatherings since 2004
- CARMA - 1 (2004)
Agreement on mission statement
Goal and objectives - CARMA - 2 (2005)
Outline elements of project for International Polar Year
Agreement on protocol development - CARMA - 3 (2006)
Implementation plan for CARMA-IPY project in anticipation of funding
Reference herd concept agreement
Presentation of body condition manual - CARMA - 4 (2007)
Review of existing data holdings and data gaps,
Data management and data sharing policies
Expansion of reference herd concept
Demography manual tabled
Introduction of some synthesis tools - CARMA - 5 (2008)
Update on data management and website intiatives
Developed ideas for continuation of CARMA after IPY funding ends
Developed list of synthesis and decision support tools