NCI 2024
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    Canada is home to an extensive range of ecosystems including tundra, forests, grasslands, freshwater environments, and oceans. The country spans nearly 10 million km² (3.9 million mi²), making it one of the largest by area and features a long coastline bordered by three oceans. Forests and woodlands cover a substantial portion of Canada, constituting a significant share of the world’s forests. Additionally, Canada contains a large fraction of the world’s wetlands, which cover a notable part of its national territory. The country is rich in freshwater resources, with thousands of rivers and over two million lakes nearly covering a tenth of its national territory.

    While Canada has relatively few endemic species, it supports a diverse array of wildlife, including over 70,000 identified species with many more yet to be studied. Among these, a modest number of species of vascular plants, mammals, freshwater fish, and molluscs are uniquely found in Canada.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 58.2 57 N/A
    Land Management 49 117 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 46 123 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 25 166 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 68 33 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 49 29 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 100 1 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 46 54 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 7 143 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 60 108 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 88 80 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 56 89 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 95 65 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 100 1 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 39 40 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 5 9 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries 0 39 N/A
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 100 22 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 55 164 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 77 8 N/A
    Total Management Cost 83 141 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 69 12 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 34 117 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 70 3 N/A
    Control of Corruption 84 11 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 82 8 N/A
    Future Trends 48 50 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 48 50 N/A


    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Canada’s terrestrial protected areas encompass 933,930 km² (360,592 mi²), reflecting a steady increase in both the number and coverage of these areas since 1992, reaching 9.4% of the land by June 2009. The network includes over 4,850 protected sites ranging from historic national parks like Banff, established in 1885, to internationally significant sites such as the Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary, a RAMSAR site recognized for its Arctic tundra and marshes, as well as smaller areas that preserve unique and endangered ecosystems.

    Around 45,280 km² (17,483 mi²) of Canada’s oceanic territories are also protected, comprising both coastal terrestrial areas with marine components and specific marine protected areas. Among these is the Gully Marine Protected Area, the largest underwater canyon in eastern North America, located 200 km (124 miles) off Nova Scotia’s coast, highlighting Canada’s commitment to preserving significant marine environments.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     A variety of pressures are causing degradation, fragmentation, and changes in the structure and composition of many ecosystems. Habitat loss and fragmentation are intensifying due to the combined effects of urbanization and industrial activities such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, and oil and gas development. Additional stressors include air and water pollution, invasive alien species, and wildlife diseases, all of which exacerbate the pressure on ecosystems and species.

    Climate change is further impacting ecosystems throughout Canada, prompting concerns about their vulnerability and ability to adapt. Moreover, not all existing management practices in Canada are equipped to handle these heightened, cumulative, and intricate challenges.

    Capacity and Governance

     The Canadian government has undertaken several initiatives to combat its biodiversity crisis, including expanding and enforcing a robust network of protected areas like national parks and wildlife reserves. These are vital for preserving essential habitats and are a cornerstone of the nation’s biodiversity efforts. Key legislation, such as the Species at Risk Act, provides legal protection to wildlife at risk, supporting Canada’s commitment to its Biodiversity Strategy. This aligns with global goals under the Convention on Biological Diversity, aiming to protect 25% of Canada’s land and inland waters. Additional policies integrate biodiversity considerations into sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and urban planning, ensuring a comprehensive approach to environmental conservation.

    Future Trends

     Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy outlines a comprehensive set of global objectives and targets aimed at stopping and reversing biodiversity loss by the year 2030. The strategy is designed to foster a balanced and sustainable interaction between humans and nature. It encompasses a variety of initiatives and actions that promote conservation efforts, enhance sustainable practices, and encourage the responsible use of natural resources. This forward-thinking plan emphasizes the integration of biodiversity considerations into broader societal and economic activities, ensuring that ecosystem health and biodiversity are central to policy-making and community engagement across the nation.


    Biodiversity

    The country’s northern regions, including the Arctic tundra and boreal forests, are characterized by cold, harsh climates and unique wildlife. The tundra supports species such as the polar bear, Arctic fox, and caribou, while the boreal forests are home to moose, black bears, wolves, and a variety of bird species like the common loon and the boreal owl. These forests also host a diverse range of plant life, including coniferous trees like spruce, fir, and pine.

    Canada’s temperate rainforests, primarily located along the Pacific coast in British Columbia, are among the world’s most productive and biodiverse ecosystems. These lush forests are home to towering trees such as the western red cedar and Douglas fir and support a variety of wildlife, including black bears, cougars, and the iconic spirit bear (a rare white variant of the black bear). The region’s rivers and coastal waters are crucial habitats for salmon, which in turn support a range of predators and scavengers.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Canada only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 222 (#48) 19 8.1% 7 3.2%
    Birds 495 (#70) 22 4.4% 3 0.6%
    Reptiles 50 (#122) 6 12.0%
    Amphibians 46 (#61) 1 2.2%
    Fishes 1,106 (#39) 57 5.2% 6 0.5%
    Plants 5,058 (#66) 18 0.4% 308 6.1%


    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Canada

    From peaks to shores, the nature’s grandeur unfolds

    Score:

    58.2 / 100

    Rank:

    57 / 180