Biodiversity

TOSHIT RALHAN
507

What is Biodiversity?
"The variability among living organisms from all sources
including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems
and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this
includes diversity within species, between species and of
ecosystems" --Convention on Biological Diversity
"Wide array of ecosystems, ecological processes, species
and genes" --Environment Canada

Biodiversity:-A Perspective

Biodiversity and well being

Biodiversity Loss
Species extinction and habitat loss
Today, biodiversity loss is 1000 times higher than the rates
found in the fossil record

Causes of Biodiversity Loss

Habitat Destruction
Invasive Species
Over exploitation
Climate Change
Overpopulation
Pollution

http://www.iucn.org/iyb/about/biodiversity_crisis/

Why Do We Need Biodiversity?

-Intrinsic value:
Moral argument
-Extrinsic value:
Economic benefits, both direct (goods) and indirect (services)
Genetic resources
Aesthetic value and recreation

http://www.iucn.org/iyb/about/biodiversity/

Five Goals of the Canadian Biodiversity

Strategy

Conserve biodiversity and use biological resources in a

sustainable manner.
Improve our understanding of ecosystems and increase our
resource management capability.
Promote an understanding of the need to conserve biodiversity
and use biological resources in a sustainable manner.
Maintain or develop incentives and legislation that support the
conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological
resources.
Work with other countries to conserve biodiversity, use
biological resources in a sustainable manner and share equitably
the benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources.

Conservation biology of plant species in Canada

COSEWIC:(Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in
Canada) is a committee of experts that assesses and designates
which wildlife species are in some danger of disappearing from
Canada.
Jeannette Whitton

Is this all of the endangered plant species in

Canada?
800 additional species on a prioritized candidate list

How To Fix Biodiversity Loss

What is the market failure?
o Under provision of a public good
o Lack of information
o Externality
o incomplete property rights
What policies address this?
o Command and Control Regulation
o Public Education
o Permitting
o Tax Incentives
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/

Biodiversity in Canada

1973 Canada Wildlife Act

1988 Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA)
1988 RENEW
1990 Wildlife Policy for Canada
1991 Canadian Biodiversity Convention Advisory Group
1992 Statement of Commitment to Complete Canada's Network of Protected Areas
1992 The National Forest Strategy
1994-Canadian Biodiversity Science Assessment
1994 Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA)
1995 Canadian Biodiversity Strategy
1995 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
1996 Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade
Act
1996 Bill C-65 introduced
1996 National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk
1997 Canada Oceans Act
2000 Report of the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's Parks
2000 Minister's response to the Report of the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's Parks
2000 Species at Risk Act (SARA)

What are we doing?

SARA: Species at risk act (2003)

-prevent Canadian species, subspecies, and distinct
populations from becoming extirpated or extinct
-provide for the recovery of endangered or threatened
species
-prohibit harming individuals of a listed species and
their residence
-encourage the management of other species to
prevent them from becoming at risk

What are we doing?

The success of SARA
-Listing (449/551 recommended)
-Recovery plans/action strategies-few identify critical habitat to be protected
-only one species has an action strategy (Banff Springs snail, located entirely
within a National Park)
-Habitat protection principally applies to federal land (1% of BC)
-BC has NO legal protection for endangered species (94% provincial crown land
5% private land)
The B.C. Wildlife Act prevents the direct killing of wildlife. Of the 1,597 species
known to be at risk of extinction in B.C., only 4 are listed under the act
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/losing+battle+diversity+life/3768751/story.html#ixzz1CTdKllOX

What are we doing?

1997 Canada Oceans Act

success

Education and Awareness

MOTO:-Promote understanding of the importance of, and the measures

required for, the conservation of biodiversity.
Education by Example
The Antelope Creek Ranch was established in 1986 through a partnership
involving Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Wildlife
Habitat Canada, to demonstrate that sound range management can benefit the
land, wildlife, livestock production and recreation.
Alberta's Provincial Parks
Alberta has established environmental education centres known as "outdoor
classrooms" in Fish Creek, Peter Lougheed and Dinosaur Provincial
Parks.Alberta has also developed teaching resources for its provincial parks.
Canadian Museum of Nature
used $27,188,000.00 of funds appropriated by the Government of Canada in
2005. The Museum educates the public about Canadas natural heritage and the
need for its conservation.

Incentives

Albertas Woodlot Extension Program (WEP)

Albertas Woodlot Extension Programs mission is to achieve sustainable
woodlot management on private land by providing support to landowners,
land managers and others who influence land use practices in Alberta.

Tax incentive programs:

Ontario
the Managed Forest Tax
Incentive Program
Conservation Land Tax
Incentive Program
There are also community
stewardship programs also

Canadian Provinces
Ontario
o The Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program
A voluntary program administered by the MNR to provide lower
property taxes to participating landowners who agree to conserve
and actively manage their forests.
o

Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program

provides property tax relief to those landowners who agree to protect
the natural heritage value of their property

British Columbia
o Ecological Services Act
Preserves land to protect species and habitats
o Wildlife Act
Creates wildlife areas, protects endangered species,
and regulates invasive species
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Biodiversity/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_166973.html
http://wcel.org/sites/default/files/Biodiversity%20law%20and%20policy%20in%20British%20Columbia.pdf

Biodiversity Fundraising
Canadas Baillie Birdathon:
http://www.bsc-eoc.org/organization/brdathonsummary.html
Bird Studies Canada is recognized nation-wide as a leading and
respected not-forprofitconservation organization. Funds raised by
participants benefit not only the work of Bird Studies Canada, but
also designated bird observatories in the Canadian Migration
Monitoring Network,
ECs Environmental Damages Fund:
http://www.ec.gc.ca

The Environmental Damages Fund gives courts a way to guarantee that the
money from pollution penalties and settlements is directly invested to repair
the actual harm done by the pollution.

Environment Canadas Endangered Species Recovery Fund

Habitat Conservation Trust Fund: http://www.hctf.ca/

Conclusions
Canada have national long-term biodiversity plans.
The most used policies are direct regulation and provision
of information
We may be going into a 6th mass extinction period, so it is
very important to act now!

ThankYou