Biodiversity
Quick Links:
- What is Biodiversity?
- Values of Biodiversity
- The State of Biodiversity
- Event - Celebrating International Biodiversity Day
- Invasive Alien Species
- 12 Different Ways to Support Biodiversity
- Educational Resources
- Global to Local Strategies for Biodiversity
- Contact Information
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, and can be observed at different scales: genes, species and ecosystems.The Values of Biodiversity...
- Foundation of all life and our prosperity
Biodiversity is responsible for building the soil in which we grow food for our families . . . the gas in our trucks . . . the electricity in our homes . . . That is to say everything we currently use for survival, economic growth and the high quality of life we enjoy in Alberta is the result of 3.5 billion years of continuous interactions of solar energy with an almost infinite diversity of life forms. From hawks and gophers to grasshoppers and bacteria, these life forms have evolved to play a part in a very complex system of interactions involving nutrients, water and sunlight. Some of these interactions are obvious, but the vast majority are unknown.
- Unknown or option value
Of the estimated 10-100 million life forms on the planet today, we can identify only 1.5 million and we currently use just 7,000 for food and food production. Only 20 plants comprise 80 per cent of the world's food production. Though hybridized and genetically engineered today, these food species evolved and still depend on the foundation of biodiversity. Biotechnology, hybridizing, and medicines have their roots in the natural world. There may one day be a specific human value for a plant or animal species, or a natural interaction of which we are not yet aware. It could be in the Rainforests of Brazil or on a farm in Alberta!
- Intrinsic value
The modern, Industrial Developed World has tended to place no dollar value on natural life forms that do not benefit us in obvious, economic ways. In recent years, however, there has been a major societal trend towards looking at the natural world in a new (old) way. This is showing in the booming interest in traditional Native knowledge, spiritualism, holistic health care (wellness) and increasing awareness of the interdependence of ecosystems. Society is changing the way it looks at the natural world; re-examining how we value other species and recognizing their intrinsic right to continue their evolutionary journey along with humans. - Quality of life value
The importance of human connections with the natural environment for our long-term physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is just beginning to be rediscovered and understood. From outdoor recreation to simple awareness that "wildlife" actually still exists on the Prairies, the healthy condition of the natural environment has enormous benefits to human health. Scientists, economists and other researchers have barely begun to quantify benefits in areas ranging from reduced health care costs to future economic opportunities in rural areas. For health care, while recent psychology studies show our interactions with healthy landscapes are increasingly linked to improved state of mind and productivity, biodiversity also has another value in treatment: many of our medicines originally came from wild plant and animal species. For example, Aspirin came from a substance found in willow bark; the drug digitalis (to treat heart disease) is derived from the wild foxglove; insulin comes from cattle and hogs and the yew tree in British Columbia is a source of taxol, an anti-cancer agent (Source: Alberta Environment). Perhaps for the overwhelming majority of farmers and ranchers, it's the personal connections with the outdoors that make a diverse rural landscape so vital to the quality of life on the farm.
- Future generation value
We have scant knowledge of how all the known and unknown species interconnect to sustain the "Web of Life" on Earth. How many species can we remove or damage from one strand of the web before it is weakened beyond repair? What are the long-term impacts of toxins on biodiversity, and ultimately, on human health? No level of science, industry, society or resource management knows the answer. We only know that we are losing species at rates unprecedented in the Earth's history.
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. The full report concludes that
“ the changes that have been made to ecosystems have contributed to substantial net gains in human well-being and economic development, but these gains have been achieved at growing costs in the form of the degradation of many ecosystem services…”[such as clean water, food, forest products, flood control, and natural resources]….
“The bottom line of the MA findings is that human actions are depleting Earth’s natural capital, putting such strain on the environment that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted. At the same time, the assessment shows that with appropriate actions it is possible to reverse the degradation of many ecosystem services over the next 50 years, but the changes in policy and practice required are substantial and not currently underway.”
Indicators of ecosystem health are diverse and complex. However, the ability of the ecosystem to function effectively and continue to provide those essential ecological (or ecosystem) services and goods, accounts for a good portion of the most common indicators (e.g. water and air quality).
Species
Another important source of indicators of ecosystem health is the status of wildlife species dependent on that ecosystem. Status can be determined in terms of the presence/absence of certain species, such as species known to be at risk or sensitive to changes in their environment, or the health of a species, its population numbers (relative abundance) and general diversity.
Globally, amphibians and pollinators appear to be showing declines in populations. In Alberta, ASRD notes that declines in some amphibian species have already been documented, most notably for the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) which vanished from many sites around the province in the late 1970s, and the Canadian toad (Bufo hemiophrys), which has declined in the parkland regions.
In Canada, there are now 565 species listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in various risk categories, including 235 Endangered, 143 Threatened, 152 Special Concern, and 22 Extirpated Species (i.e. no longer found in the wild in Canada).
Further Sources of Biodiversity Data
The following information sources also provide up-to-date statistics about biodiversity and/or state of species and ecosystems in Canada and Alberta.
-
Environment Canada's
Canadian
Biodiversity Information Network contains information on biodiversity in
Canada.
-
The
Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Program monitors the changing state of
Alberta’s species, habitats, and ecosystems. More than 2000 species and
habitats are tracked by the ABMI using remote sensing and field sampling
protocols over a grid of 1656 sites distributed evenly throughout the
province.
- Learn about the state of Alberta’s ecological communities on-line at the Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre housed by Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. The centre collects, updates, analyzes and disseminates information about the location, condition, status, and trends of selected species and plant communities in Alberta. One objective is to help government agencies and conservation groups identify critical areas in need of protection. If you would like to report an observation/siting of any of the species being tracked in Alberta, you can obtain information and a form from ANHIC.
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!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! Your
local nature club, provincial or national park or outdoor education
centre may organize nature walks and talks. To find out if there is a
nature club near you, see the Federation of Alberta Naturalists’ listing
of nature clubs in
- Help monitor local wildlife.
Honey bees, some amphibians and birds, are showing global declines in
population numbers or in some cases their status is simply unknown.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) estimates that at least
one-third of known amphibian species are threatened with extinction. To
raise awareness to address the amphibian extinction crisis, 2008 has
been dedicated as the Year of the
Frog. There are many
established programs that members of the public can participate in to
help gather information on local wildlife populations - and you don’t
have to be an expert! You can
take part in the nation-wide survey of pollinators organized by
Pollination Canada, or the Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program, or
become a Frogwatch-Alberta volunteer observer.
From December 14th and January 5th, both novice and experienced
birders can participate in one of the organized Christmas Bird Counts
occurring all over
- Create wildlife habitat, in your
backyard, on the farm, in the school grounds or in the land around your
business. You can help by planting a variety of plants, shrubs and trees
to attract and support local wildlife like birds, bees and butterflies
on your land. Putting up bird and/or bat boxes is another way to attract
wildlife, as is leaving a wild area. Native plants in particular are
adapted to the conditions of your area and also support local wildlife.
An overview of native plants in
Schools can get creative by developing wildlife gardens as places to learn about wildlife and native plants. Evergreen may be a good source of hands-on help for schools undertaking greening projects.
For farmers, the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company can help you go through an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) process to identify and address environmental risks and opportunities in your operation while maintaining water, air, soil quality and biodiversity. Ducks Unlimited Canada also supports farmers in implementation of the biodiversity planning beneficial management practice with their program “Natural Advantage, The On-Farm Wildlife and Biodiversity Planning Service.” - Join a local stewardship group and help
protect and restore biodiversity in your community.
Many grassroots groups in Alberta are involved
in a wide-range of activities that support biodiversity, including:
organizing community events like weed pulls and litter/garbage
clean-ups; helping build and place bird boxes with school kids; running
a habitat sign program with landowners; organizing wildlife surveys and
guided nature walks; gathering community support for nomination of a new
protected area; organizing farm demonstration sites to showcase
practices that improve aquatic and riparian habitats; and working longer
term on establishing and managing community gardens, woodlands or
wetlands. To find out if there is a group in your area organizing
activities like these, contact the Alberta Stewardship Network by
calling (toll-free): 1-877-7-ASK-ASN (1-877-727-5276) or check the
Directory of Watershed Stewardship in Alberta available from the ASN
website.
- Get a conservation easement on your land.
A conservation easement on farmland or acreages helps ensure that the
conservation and biodiversity values of the land will be preserved in
perpetuity. Find out about land trusts in your area by contacting the
Alberta Land Trust Alliance (albertalandtrust@shaw.ca)
- Grow to protect genetic diversity.
Learn about the
Bean
Keepers pilot project, in which schools can grow beans to
help protect bean diversity, with support from Evergreen and Seeds of
Diversity.
Home gardeners: check out the Seeds of Diversity website for information about heritage seeds, seed saving and plant diversity. - Help restore a riparian area.
Riparian areas are the land around water sources where water strongly
influences the immediate ecosystem which is influenced by that water.
Because of this land-water interface, these areas support high levels of
natural biodiversity. The Cows and Fish Program has a
Biodiversity and
Riparian Areas fact sheet. Landowners and land managers,
particularly farmers, can also find out what the relative health of
their riparian areas is and what actions they can take with processes
like Cows & Fish’s riparian health assessments.
Homeowners living by water can find out what you can do around the home and yard to help protect these riparian areas in the Living by Water Project, nationally, or for homeowners around lakes in - Help restore a wetland. Ducks
Unlimited Canada has a fact sheet series on natural values which
includes a
wetlands fact sheet which reminds us that wetlands are home to over
600 species of plants and animals and are second only to rainforests in
the level of biodiversity that they harbour. In
For producers, wetlands restoration is now a recognised beneficial management practice included in the environmental farm planning process. For more information go to Ducks Unlimited Canada’s website and select Wetlands Restoration Fact Sheet. - Reduce pesticide use. Pesticides
have a big impact on wildlife. A large amount of pesticides is used in
urban residential yards; often for purely cosmetic purposes. As an
alternative, organic gardening and xeriscaping (perennial cover with
water conserving plants – often native) can help you to reduce your
pesticide (and water) use. Farmers can study and practice organic
farming methods and integrated pest management techniques.
- Eat organic foods. Organic
agriculture eliminates pesticide use. Bees, and other insect
pollinators, contribute to one of the most important biological
processes on our planet - pollination - but their populations are in
global decline. Insecticides can kill bees and other important
pollinators directly or seriously affect their ability to navigate and
search for food. Herbicides eliminate the natural food sources needed by
these pollinators when crops are not in bloom. Taking the example of
- Save trees and switch to tree-free billing. Rather than writing cheques and stuffing envelopes each month, look into switching to tree-free billing and paying everything from your credit card to your cell phone bills online. Forests not only remove CO2, store carbon and water, but provide habitat. For the paper products you do have to use, try and go for recycled paper where possible, or hankies rather than paper tissues.
- Take the one tonne challenge - reduce the
fumes that cause acid rain and global warming. Find out how you
can reduce your environmental footprint and do your part to mitigate
climate change. Climate change also seriously affects biodiversity.
Reducing energy wastage in the home can help reduce the fumes that cause
acid rain and global warming. The Pembina Institute’s
One Less Tonne Tool
will help you choose actions to meet the challenge contained in the
Canada Climate Change Plan for each Canadian to cut his or her annual
emissions by one tonne, or about 20%. With every action you select, the
tool will display the emission reductions you’ll achieve (and the money
you’ll save in energy costs).
Educational Resources
VideosAlong 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 Changes
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!
Global to Local Strategies for Biodiversity
Convention on Biological DiversityMounting 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. More information coming soon! You can learn more about what the Government of Alberta is currently doing to conserve biodiversity is available on the Sustainable Resource Development website.
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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