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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