Biodiversity In Canada

This report focuses on Canada's experience with respect to the implementation of Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which stipulates, among other things, that each contracting party shall develop national strategies, plans, or programs for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The introduction reviews the nature of Canada's biodiversity, the importance of biodiversity to Canadians, the responsibility for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and the threats facing Canada's biodiversity. It then describes the background to the adoption of the Convention in Canada and the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, and sets out some of the key challenges faced by Canada in its implementation of the Convention and its national strategy. These are discussed in the areas of science and information for decision making, training and education, legislation and incentives, integration of biodiversity considerations into decision making, and monitoring progress. The final section reviews Canada's experience in international co-operation on biodiversity projects. The annex contains an inventory of initiatives which illustrate the degree to which biodiversity conservation and sustainable use is being incorporated into policies, plans, and programs at the local, regional, and national levels.

"This book is about the practice of biodiversity conservation in Canada. It is intended to serve the needs of conservation practitioners across the country as well as conservation students. The book provides a comprehensive overview of conservation, including its history, social aspects, applied science, and decision-making. Several case studies are also included."--

This summary describes the biodiversity concept and what it means to Canada; evolutionary perspectives and general concepts; principal land use conflicts; effects of forestry, agriculture, urbanization, and fishing; exotic and expanding species; genetically modified organisms; effects of common pollutants; biodiversity and atmospheric change; the adequacy of the protected areas network; and a socio-economic evaluation.

"In 1992, Canada became the first industrialized country to ratify the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which came into force on December 29, 1993 (United Nations Environmental Program 1994). The Convention recognizes that biological diversity is an important asset to current and future generations,affirms that conserving biociiversity is a common concernof mankind, and notes that it is vital to anticipate,prevent and attack the causes of biodiversity loss at theirsource"--Introd.