What is the real SHAPE of nature in Canada?
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada is bringing together an accessible and comprehensive look at the science measuring the health of lands, waters, and wildlife in Canada.
Nature in Canada at a glance
species in Canada are on the Edge of Extinction.
Photo: Rusty patched bumblebee
by USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
ecosystems in Canada are ranked as Globally Vulnerable, Imperiled & Collapsed.
Photo: Garry Oak meadow by Nick Kenrick
Many of the ecosystems provide habitat for many species of global and national conservation concern.
There are 100 laws across Canada that are intended to protect provide some protections to biodiversity, but none provide comprehensive protection for species and ecosystems.
Almost 80% of wild species in Canada are undiscovered or poorly documented.
To meet the goal of protecting 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030, 1.65 million km² of new protected and conserved areas will need to be created in the next eight years.
This is equivalent to an area larger than the province of Quebec.
The SHAPE of nature in Canada
SHAPE stands for species, habitats, actions, policies, and evaluations. Take a look at the topics below, and click to explore our evaluations for each.
Stay tuned for more as we continue to track the science behind the shape of nature in Canada.
Species
Habitats
Actions
Policies
S1
Edge of Extinction
S2
Globally Threatened Species
S3
Species at Risk
S4
Endemic Species
S5
Knowledge of Species
S6
State of Canada's Trees
H1
Globally Threatened Ecosystems
H2
Peatlands
Coming Soon
H3
Roads
Coming Soon
A1
Protected & Conserved Areas
Coming Soon
A2
Recovery Plans for Species at Risk
Coming Soon
P1
Biodiversity Laws, Policies & Plans
P2
Provincial & Territorial Species at Risk Laws
P3
Delays in Protecting Species at Risk
Coming Soon
Species
S1
Edge of Extinction
S2
Globally Threatened Species
S3
Species at Risk
S4
Endemic Species
S5
Knowledge of Species
S6
State of Canada's Trees
Habitats
H1
Globally Threatened Ecosystems
H2
Peatlands
Coming Soon
H3
Roads
Coming Soon
Actions
A1
Protected & Conserved Areas
Coming Soon
A2
Recovery Plans for Species at Risk
Coming Soon
Policies
P1
National Biodiversity Policies
P2
Provincial & Territorial Species at Risk Laws
P3
Delays in Protecting Species at Risk
Coming Soon
One of the challenges of the biodiversity crisis is that there is no single definitive measure to track our progress. We can understand our progress to fight climate change by monitoring the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But there is no one measure for the health of wildlife and ecosystems.
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