Biodiversity

From forests to tundra, oceans to desert-like badlands, and mountains to plains, Canada is abundant in a rich variety of habitats and wildlife species. Canada’s biodiversity (i.e., biological diversity) is important to its culture, economy, tourism, agriculture, and history to name just a few areas. “Biodiversity encompasses all living species on earth and their relationships to each other. This includes the differences in genes, species and ecosystems” (biodivcanada). People can expect to come across wildlife almost anywhere they travel throughout the country. Given their importance and abundance, it is no wonder that Canadian wildlife species are honoured in various ways such as is seen on most Canadian coins.

Wildlife species are an integral component to biodiversity and impacts on wildlife can have significant effects on local environments. To ensure continued habitat and wildlife integrity, federal and provincial laws protect many plant and animal species, particularly those designated as a species at risk. Furthermore, Canada is currently developing its national biodiversity goals for 2020 (see biodivcanada website), which coincides with the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020.

Canada possesses a number of remarkable geographic features that contribute to its extensive biodiversity.

• Situated in North America, Canada is the world’s second largest country and is one of only a few countries that contain large areas of intact wilderness.
• There are more lakes in Canada than in any other country in the world. Furthermore, Canada contains the greatest source of global freshwater stores. For instance, the Great Lakes Basin in southern Ontario houses 18% of the world’s freshwater.
• Wetlands cover approximately 14% of Canada’s land area. Wetlands are areas of soil that are submerged or saturated by water, such as marshes or swamps. The combination of soil, water, and the unique plants which grow in wetland environments create nutrient-rich ecosystems for many species to feed upon. These areas are important habitats for a diverse number of Canadian wildlife species and are protected by the Government of Canada as well as international conventions.
  

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• Canada is comprised of 15 terrestrial (land) ecozones and five marine (water) ecozones. The Canadian Boreal Forest, which stretches across from western to eastern Canada, is the largest ecozone in the country covering 58% of the land. It houses numerous wetlands although the majority of the system comprises coniferous forests. Many wildlife species live within, and rely upon, the forest. For example, every year over 26 million ducks and other water fowl use Canada’s Boreal Forest for breeding.

The diverse geography of Canada supports thousands of animal species found across the country. Along the coasts, one can expect to see killer whales, sea turtles, seals, salmon, shellfish, and over 7,000 other ocean dwellers (The Canadian Biodiversity Website). Among the nearly 300 species of wildlife found on land, one may come across bears, moose, deer, wolves, beavers, or racoons. Canada is also home to over 400 species of birds including the Canada goose, songbirds such as various sparrows, and numerous birds that spend their time along Canada’s shores including gulls and sandpipers. Freshwater lakes and rivers are home to large numbers of aquatic species including turtles, snakes, snails, and frogs as well as nearly 200 species of fish such as trout and perch. In addition to the above, thousands of other types of species live and thrive across Canada. Taken together, it is clear that many ecozones and a wide range of wildlife and other species help make Canada a unique and diverse place to live from coast to coast.

Spotlight on select species affected by road systems

Transportation systems and particularly roads can have an effect on a wide range of animal species and their habitats. Increasingly, researchers and practitioners (e.g., road engineers, transportation planners, or law enforcement) are discovering and implementing new ways to lessen the impact of roads on biodiversity and especially efforts to reduce collisions with wildlife. Nonetheless, there are some wildlife species that experience the impact of roads to a greater extent than other species.

Below you will find educational handouts on a selection of animals most frequently affected by road systems. These can be easily downloaded, emailed, or printed for your use. Smaller and portable reference cards also have been developed for some wildlife that can be easily stored in glove compartment boxes for road trips.

Wildlife Species Information Handouts and Reference Cards (Downloads)

Click here to go to web page. Click on image for Deer Species Information Handout

Click here to go to web page. Click on image for Moose Species Information Handout

Click here to go to web page. Click on image for Turtle Species Information Handout

• Blanding’s Turtle Reference Card
• Eastern Musk/Stinkpot Turtle Reference Card
• Painted Turtle Reference Card

Sources