| Part ofa series on |
| Canadian wildlife |
|---|
 |
.svg) Canada portal |
Thewildlife of Canada orbiodiversity of Canada consist of over 80,000 classified species,[a] and an equal number thought yet to be recognized.[3] Knownfauna andflora have been identified from five kingdoms:[4]protozoa represent approximately 1% of recorded species;chromist (approximately 4);fungi (approximately 16%);plants (approximately 11%); andanimals (approximately 68%).[2][1] Insects account for nearly 70 percent of documented animal species in Canada.[2] More than 300 species are found exclusively in Canada.[5]
There are 20 major ecosystems – ecozones – in Canada: 15 terrestrial and 5 marine.[6] Canada's major biomes are thetundra,boreal forest,grassland, andtemperate deciduous forest. Since the end of the lastglacial period, Canada has consisted ofeight distinct forest regions,[7] with approximately half of its land area covered by forests (roughly 8 percent of the world's forested land).[8]
Due to human activities, invasive species andenvironmental issues in the country,[9] there are currently more than800 species at risk of being lost.[10] About 65 percent of Canada's resident species are consideredsecure.[4]Protected and conservation areas have been established to preserve and restore Canadian flora and fauna species.[11] Approximately 5000 Canadian animal species and 30,000 Canadian plant species are restricted from export for international trade.[12]
Canada is characterized by a wide range of bothmeteorologic andgeological regions that are divided intofifteen terrestrial and five marine ecozones,[14] such as the forests ofBritish Columbia andCentral Canada, theprairies ofWestern Canada, thetundra ofNorthern Canada, and the marine ecosystems of theArctic,Atlantic Canada andPacific coast. The largest marine ecozone is theArctic Archipelago (which covers about 15 percent of Canada, or 1.5 million km2), whereas the largest terrestrial ecozone is theBoreal Shield (covering 20 percent of Canada, or 1.9 million km2).[15]
Canada's major biomes are thetundra,boreal forest,grassland, andtemperate deciduous forest.[16]British Columbia has a multitude of smaller biomes, including: asubalpine forest which extends intoAlberta, atemperate rainforest along the coast, asemi arid desert located in theOkanagan Valley andalpine tundra in the higher mountainous regions.[16]
Over half of Canada's landscape is intact and relatively free of human development.[17] Theboreal forest of Canada is considered to be the largestintact forest on earth, with around 300,000 square kilometres (120,000 sq mi) undisturbed by roads, cities or industry.[18] TheCanadian Arctic tundra is the second-largest vegetation region in the country consisting of dwarfshrubs,sedges andgrasses,mosses andlichens.[19] TheCanadian Prairies atemperate grassland withshrubland andnorthern mixed grasslands are used for rearing livestock and cultivating crops.[20] Only seven percent of Canada's land is suitable for large scaleagricultural production.[21]
Canada has over 2,000,000 lakes—563 greater than 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi)—which is more than any other country hosting a multitude of unique ecosystems.[22] Canada is home to about twenty five percent (134.6 million ha) of the world'swetlands that support a vast array of local ecosystems.[23]Canada's waterways have their own ecosystems; with the two longest rivers being theMackenzie River, that begins atGreat Slave Lake and ends in theArctic Ocean, with its drainage basin covering a large part of northwestern Canada, and theSaint Lawrence River, which drains theGreat Lakes into theGulf of St. Lawrence ending in theAtlantic Ocean. The Mackenzie, including its tributaries is over 4,200 square kilometres (1,600 sq mi) in length and lies within the second largestdrainage basin of North America, while the St. Lawrence 3,058 square kilometres (1,181 sq mi) in length, drains the world'slargest system of freshwater lakes.[24]
There are approximately 200 mammal species, over 460 bird species, over 40 amphibian species, over 40 reptile species, and over 1,200 fish species in Canada.[3] Invertebrates present include 55,000 species of insects and 11,000 species of mites and spiders.[25]
TheGreat Lakes region is home to theblack bear,Virginia opossum,American red squirrel,North American beaver, andstriped skunk; birds includeeastern bluebird,red-winged blackbird,robin,wood thrush,woodpecker,oriole,bobolink,crow,hawk,bittern,heron,black duck, andloon. Theboreal forest region containsmoose,caribou,Canada lynx,timber wolf,marten,porcupine,snowshoe hare, andchipmunk. TheRocky Mountain region fauna included thegrizzly bear,mountain goat,bighorn sheep,elk,cougar, andflying squirrel.[26]
ThePacific ecozone is home to themountain goat,mountain beaver, a vast variety ofmice, andstriped skunk; birds includenorthern pygmy-owl,band-tailed pigeon,black swift,northern flicker,crow,rufous-sided towhee, andblack brant. Residence species of theGreat Plains ecoregion includes thedesert cottontail,deer mousegophers,plains bison, and several types of prairie dogs (black-tailed,white-tailed, andgunnison's), alongside manyprairie birds. TheArctic expanse includes fauna such as themusk ox andreindeer,polar bear, andArctic fox,arctic hare, andlemming; with birds such as thesnowy owl,willow ptarmigan,snow bunting andarctic tern.[26]
Walrus,dolphins,seals,sea turtles,whales andsharks inhabit Canada's coastal waters.[26] Seal species includeharbor seal,harp seal,hooded seal,grey seal,bearded seal,northern fur seal,northern elephant seal,ringed seal,Steller sea lion, andCalifornia sea lion among others. Salt-water fish including theAtlantic cod,Pacific salmon,hake,haddock andhalibut; alongside crustaceans such aslobster,snow crab andshrimp are theprimary commercial species.[27]Walleye (AKA pickerel),northern pike,rainbow trout,largemouth bass and theblack crappie are common fresh-water fish species found throughout the country.[28] Canada hosts manyamphibian, includingsalamanders as well asfrogs andtoads and many species ofreptile, includingturtles,lizards, andsnakes.[26]
Many of North America's migratory birds, includingsongbirds,waterfowl andshorebirds, take up residence in Canada during the spring and summer.[29] In addition to native and migratory mammals, many Eurasian mammals were introduced to Canada either intentionally or accidentally. Among them are domestic mammals, such as thehorse,pig,sheep,dog,cat, andcattle, and wild mammals, such as thebrown rat and thehouse mouse.[26]
.jpg)
Since the end of the lastglacial period, Canada has consisted ofeight distinct forest regions.[30] According toEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, the nation hosts approximately 17,000 identified species of trees, flowers, herbs, ferns, mosses and other flora.[31] Approximately 95 percent of the vascular plants in Canada are of theflowering variety.[32] Roughly half of Canada is covered by forest, totalling around 2.4 millionkm2 (0.93 millionsq mi).[33] Over 90% of Canada's forests are owned by the public (crown land, and the majority beingprovincial forests).[34] About half of the forests are allocated forlogging.[35]
The Great Lakes region flora includeswhite pine,hemlock andred maples,yellow birch, andbeech trees.The Maritimes region is dominated by thered spruce, while theblack spruce is prevalent in theeastern Laurentian, withspruce in thewestern Laurentian. Thebalsam fir,white cedartamarack,white birch, andaspen andjack pine are also found in the eastern portion of the country. The tundra is home to theaspen,bur oak,balm of Gilead,cottonwood andbalsam poplar.[36]
The west coast has thewestern hemlock,red cedar,Douglas fir,Sitka spruce, andwestern white pine being dominate. The Rocky Mountain region consistent ofalpine fir,Engelmann spruce,lodgepole pine andmountain hemlock.[37] Other native plants seen across Canada include;American ginseng,trillium cernuum,red bearberry,bog Labrador tea,purple prairie clover,sand cherry,Pallas' wallflower,little evening primrose,showy orchis andcommon eelgrass.[36]
Canada'sSpecies at Risk Act (SARA) is the federal government legislation to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct.[38] The goal of the act is to protect endangered or threatened organisms and their habitats.[39] Provinces, territories and large municipalities also have their own species andhabitat conservation regulations.[40]
Although Canada has a low percentage ofendemic species compared to other countries; pollution,loss of biodiversity, over-exploitation of commercial species, invasive species and habitat loss have threatened many species.[41] More than 800 species are listed as being at risk of extinction, including 363 classified asendangered species, —190threatened species, —235 special concern, and 22 extirpated (no longer found in the wild).[10][42]
In addition to the extirpated species, at least 19 have become completely extinct,[42] with 30 species no longer found in Canada.[43] These include theDawson's caribou,sea mink,great auk,Labrador duck,passenger pigeon,deepwater cisco,longjaw cisco,Banff longnose dace, andblue walleye.[44]
Species at risk include theCanada lynx,polar bear,sea otter,wolverine,black-footed ferret,northern fur seal,steller sea lion,hooded seal,North Atlantic right whale,sei whale andwhooping crane.[10]
Over 1400invasive species of fish, plants, insects and invertebrates have been introduced to Canada through intentional and unintentional means.[45] Over 450 invasive flora and over 400 invasive insects have been identified.[46] TheGreat Lakes region (Laurentia bioregion) is home to nearly 200 invasive species, making it one of Canada's most heavily affected ecosystems.[47] Freshwater ecosystems are disproportionately more imperilled compared to terrestrial ecosystems.[48]
Invasive species such as thesea lamprey,zebra mussels,European green crab, themountain pine beetle,round goby,Asian long-horned beetle,emerald ash borer,didymo,spongy moth, andAsian carp have altered local habitats and caused essential ecosystems to decline or fail,[49] driving native species towards extinction.[50]
The most invasive flora species are thepurple loosestrife,yellow iris,dog-strangling vine,knapweed, andleafy spurge.[49] The fungi causingDutch elm disease is another notable invasive.[49] These species can spread aggressively, outcompete native wild vegetation and overwhelm agricultural crops.[49]
Approximately 12.1 percent of the nation's landmass and freshwater are consideredconservation areas, including 11.4 percent designated asprotected areas.[51] Approximately 13.8 percent of Canada's territorial waters are conserved, including 8.9 percent designated as protected areas.[51] Terrestrial areas conserved have increased by 65 percent in the 21st century, while marine areas conserved have increased by more than 3,800 percent.[51] Conservation and protected areas have different mandates depending on the organization which manages them, with some areas having a greater focus on ecological integrity, historical preservation, public usage, scientific research, or a combination of usages.[52] Some regions within Canada's largest conserved areas are heavily commercialized featuring grand buildings such as theBanff Springs Hotel andChateau Lake Louise.
Canada established the world's first national park management agency theDominion Parks Branch nowParks Canada in 1911.[53] In 1916, Canada and the United States signed theMigratory Birds Convention, which regulates the hunting of transcontinental migratory birds under theMigratory Birds Convention Act.[54] TheCanada Wildlife Act of 1973 goal is research on wildlife with a focus on larger species.[55] The 1985Fisheries Act regulates fishing, including the conservation and protection of fish and their spawning grounds.[56] TheNational Marine Conservation Areas Act established a system of national marine conservation areas in 2002.[57]
The primary focus of the Canadian national parks system is to preserve ecological integrity.[58]National Marine Conservation Areas, while also under federal control, do not afford the same level of protection.[59] TheCanadian Wildlife Service, a division of Environment and Climate Change Canada, manages theNational Wildlife Areas,Marine Wildlife Areas, andMigratory Bird Sanctuaries for the protection of wildlife.[60][61]Provincial and territorial governments also protect areas within their boundaries.[62]Urban parks in Canada are operated bymunicipal governments for public recreation and foliage preservation in cities.[63] Some areas such as thePolar Bear Pass, areco-managed and overseen by government and local indigenous agencies.[64]
Canada's 18UNESCO Biosphere Reserves covers a total area of 235,000 square kilometres (91,000 sq mi).[65] Canada's first national park,Banff National Park established in 1885, spans 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 sq mi)[66] of mountainous terrain, with manyglaciers andice fields, denseconiferous forest, and alpine landscapes.[67] Canada's oldest provincial park,Algonquin Provincial Park established in 1893, covers an area of 7,653.45 square kilometres (2,955.01 sq mi) is dominated byold-growth forest with over 2,400 lakes and 1,200 kilometers of streams and rivers.[68]Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area is the world's largest freshwater protected area spanning roughly 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 sq mi) of lakebed, its overlaying freshwater, and associated shoreline on 60 square kilometres (23 sq mi) of islands and mainland's.[69] Canada's largest national wildlife region is theScott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area, which spans 11,570.65 square kilometres (4,467.45 sq mi),[70] protects critical breeding and nesting habitat for over 40 percent ofBritish Columbia'sseabirds.[71]
Canada does not have afloral emblem orbird emblem at the national level.[72][73]
| Symbol | Image | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maple leaf |  Maple leaf | Perhaps the most prominent symbol of Canada has been a de facto symbol since the 1700s[74] |
| National flag | .svg) | Official symbol as of February 15, 1965 features a stylized, red, 11-pointedmaple leafcharged in the centre.[75] |
| National tree |  Maple | Official symbol since 1996.[75] |
| National animals |  Beaver | Official symbol since 1975.[75] |
 Canadian horse | Official symbol since 2002.[75] |
Canadian provinces and territories have a variety of official fauna, flora and organic matter based on the biodiversity of the area.[76]
at least 13 of our plant and animal species have disappeared entirely from the Earth and at least 20 others are no longer found in Canada.
| History |
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provinces and territories |
| ||||
| Geography |
| ||||
| Government |
| ||||
| Economy | |||||
| Demographics |
| ||||
| Society | |||||
| Culture |
| ||||
| Contents | |||||
| Research | |||||
| Search | |||||
.jpg)
