Biodiversity

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the variety and abundance of all life on Earth -- plants, animals (including humans) and other organisms -- and all the genetic variation and natural communities formed and depended on for survival.

Biodiversity encompasses all living species on Earth and their relationships to each other. This biological diversity can be observed at different scales from ecosystems, to species, to genes. Here is a breakdown from Environment Canada:

Ecosystem Diversity Species Diversity

the abundance of differences among ecosystems (e.g., rivers, forests, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, alpine meadows, oceans)
ecosystem components like soil, air, water, plants, and animals interact to provide ecological goods and services (e.g., waste decomposition, nutrient cycling, carbon capture, oxygen production)

Species Diversity

the abundance of differences among species (e.g., plants, amphibians, fish, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, micro-organisms)
interesting facts: did you know that the wood bison is the largest land native animal in North America? (With a weight of up to 900kg, that's about the weight of eleven average Canadian men!) Also, the presence of certain plants and animals can be an indicator of the health of the environment. For example, lichens such as 'old man's beard', cannot grow in polluted areas as they tend to concentrate pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and heavy metals.

Genetic Diversity

differences at the genetic level within species and individual plants or animals
species living at the edge of their geographical range may be genetically different from the rest of the population
genetic characteristics may determine whether an individual or limited population survives disease or disaster when others do not

The Values of Biodiversity...

Foundation of all life and our prosperity
Unknown or option value
Intrinsic value
Quality of life value
Future generation value

The State of Biodiversity

The global decline of biodiversity is now recognized as one of the most serious environmental issues facing humanity.

Ecosystems
In terms of the health of world ecosystems, the key source of information is the United Nations' Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) which includes a biodiversity synthesis.

Read More about the State of Biodiversity

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Event - International Biodiversity Day (May 22nd)

The United Nations proclaimed May 22nd of each year as International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

The 2008 theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity, “Biodiversity and Agriculture,” seeks to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture not only to preserve biodiversity, but also to ensure that we will be able to feed the world, maintain agricultural livelihoods, and enhance human well being into the 21st century and beyond. The Convention website contains information on both the 2008 theme and themes of previous years.

On the Canadian Biodiversity Information Network website you can learn about how to plan a local biodiversity event to increase awareness, knowledge and to inspire people to support biodiversity. For related lesson plans and interactive youth websites, please see the section below.

Invasive Alien Species

After habitat loss, alien (non native) species that become invasive are considered a next main direct driver of biodiversity loss across the globe, threatening the integrity and economic value of Alberta’s ecosystems. Invasive aliens are species introduced deliberately or unintentionally outside of their natural habitats that can quickly out-compete native species and significantly alter an ecosystem. International Biodiversity Day 2009 is focused on just this theme in order to highlight the threat of invasive alien species and how we can respond to it as stewards of our land or community.

You can find out how to identify invasive alien plants in Alberta and some of the management options through the Alberta Invasive Plants Council’s fact sheets. Farmers can also refer to the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development website for weed control.

However, the most effective, economical, and ecologically sound approach to managing invasive plants is to prevent their invasion in the first place. Some techniques to prevent the spread of invasive plants include revegetating disturbed sites with desired plants, and the early detection and removal of small patches of the identified weeds. Many stewardship groups for example, are leading the way by organizing weed pulls to control the spread of some of the more noxious alien invasive plant species in parks or community areas. More information to follow…

12 Different Ways to Support Biodiversity

While International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22nd) provides an opportune moment to highlight biodiversity through events and other awareness activities on that day, there are many opportunities for you to support biodiversity throughout the year! What follows is a list of some key ways you can help support biodiversity - whether it's in your backyard, on the farm, at school or in the community at large. Every little bit helps!

Get out and enjoy the biodiversity around you!
Help monitor local wildlife
Create wildlife habitat
Join a local stewardship group and help protect and restore biodiversity in your community
Get a conservation easement on your land
Grow to protect genetic diversity
Help restore a riparian area
Help restore a wetland
Reduce pesticide use
Eat organic foods
Save trees and switch to tree-free billing
Take the one tonne challenge - reduce the fumes that cause acid rain and global warming

Educational Resources

Videos
Along with a whole series of resources about the convention, the website for the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (based in Montreal) has a couple of informative, powerful videos listed:

Action Now for Life on Earth talks about the International Biodiversity Convention target to reduce biodiversity loss by the year 2010, the importance of biodiversity for life on Earth, and the actions being taken by the global community for the realization of this target.
Biodiversity & Climate

Youth/ Students
From the convention website, is the Youth Web Portal focused on the 2008 theme Biodiversity, Food and Farming for a Healthy Planet which includes information on taking action, related games that can be printed off, and lesson plans for teachers. There is also a website for kids which includes some fun interactive games to introduce younger children to biodiversity.

More information coming soon!

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Global to Local Strategies for Biodiversity

Convention on Biological Diversity
Mounting concern over the decline of biodiversity globally, led to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) being signed by many nations at the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development, or Earth Summit, in 1992. The CBD has three main goals: to protect biodiversity; to use biodiversity without destroying it; and, to share any benefits from genetic diversity equally. The CBD website gives you access to a detailed look at the Convention as well as enabling you to keep in touch with upcoming discussions of biodiversity issues at the international level.

Canadian Biodiversity Strategy
Canada was the first industrialized nation to ratify the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in December 1992, making it legally binding for the country. The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy was published in 1995 to provide a ‘framework for action at all levels that will enhance our ability to ensure the productivity, diversity and integrity of our natural systems and, as a result, our ability as a nation to develop sustainably. It promotes the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of our biological resources, and describes how we will contribute to, and be involved with, international efforts to implement the Convention’ (excerpt). Environment Canada has overall responsibility for implementation of this strategy and has a dedicated Biodiversity Convention Office. That office undertakes work on Forest Biodiversity, Invasive Alien Species, Urban Biodiversity, the Global Taxonomy Initiative and the 2010 Target.

The 2010 Biodiversity Target
In March 2002, Canada and the other nations of the Convention on Biological Diversity committed themselves to 'achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth' (otherwise known as the 2010 Biodiversity Target).

Alberta's Biodiversity Strategy
The initial steps in developing a province-wide biodiversity strategy are underway guided by an Interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group. You can learn more about what the Government of Alberta is currently doing to conserve biodiversity on the Sustainable Resource Development website. More information coming soon!

Municipalities are a significant front-line manager of biodiversity, tasked as they are with municipal land-use planning, developing and managing local infrastructure and making policy for the area. Of all tiers of government, councils also have the greatest opportunity to interact directly with the community, show leadership within the community and offer vital support and encouragement to local land and property owners to conserve native flora and fauna. Around the world, municipalities are getting involved in some degree of biodiversity planning for their municipal area and accessing a variety of sources are available to help (see Green Communities Guide as one example). More information coming soon!

In Alberta, the City of Edmonton is one of 19 cities around the world to participate in an international study of local governments' involvement in biodiversity protection. The 3-year project is called the "Local Action for Biodiversity Project", and is being headed by the international organization Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI). Click here for link to their website for more information.

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