The future looks bleak for Canada's species at risk. This report takes a strong look at the courses of the current biodiversity decline and of the many inadequacies of the federal Species at Risk Act. But the report also looks at glimmers of hope - species that have been on the brink of extinction but where their decline was reversed through a concerted action between governments and the public.

Canada's Endangered Species at Risk!

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.23-No.02 - Spring 2004

What is Biodiversity?

a look at biodiversity

Garry oak and flowers Photo: Michael Wheatley

In his groundbreaking report, The Value of the World’s Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital, Dr. Robert Constanza valued ecosystem services as worth an astounding 33 trillion (USD), larger than the world’s combined Gross National Product (15).

The term biodiversity, coined by zoologist E.O. Wilson in the 1980’s, essentially means the web of life. From the mighty blue whale to the tiniest microorganism, biodiversity refers to the biological diversity of life on earth. Structurally, biodiversity consists of ecological diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity.

Ecological diversity includes the diversity of habitats, of species living in them, and of the ecological processes that take place within these habitats. From the arctic tundra of the far north to the tropical rainforest jungles of Borneo, from the pocket desert country of the Okanagan Valley to the fragile Carolinian forests of southern Ontario, ecological diversity consists of the ecological relationships between the trees, rivers, lichens, birds, butterflies, mammals, fishes, reptiles, soil, air and water that comprise a particular region.

Burrowing Owl

Burrowing owl Photo: Robert McCraw

On a broad level species biodiversity refers to all the different living organisms on earth. This includes plants, animals, fungi, zoo plankton and tiny microbes. More specifically, species biodiversity refers to the variety of species within a given geographic area.

Genetic diversity is the variety of genes within species. Individual genes are the most basic unit of biodiversity. Made up of DNA sequences on chromosomes, genes encode information templates for specific body functions and characteristics. The different shape, features and colours among dogs, or the different hair and eye colour in humans are examples of genetic diversity (14).

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye Salmon Photo: Graham Osborne

Although many essential services provided by biodiversity are free and often taken for granted, their value is indispensable. Biological diversity is important because it is literally the stuff of life. Bees pollinate our crops, old-growth forests filter our water, microorganisms decompose waste material and plants provide us with oxygen. Biodiversity also provides us with important medical and genetic resources – it is literally the foundation of life for both past and future generations.