biodiversity adaptation working group - ouranos

Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group

Adaptation State of Play Report December 2018

Table of Contents

Introduction and Report Approach ...............................................................................................................................1

Biodiversity in Canada .....................................................................................................................................................3

ConservationtoDate ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

Governance .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4

StatusandTrends ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Legislation,RegulationsandPolicy ...................................................................................................................................... 7

TheImportanceofBiodiversity ............................................................................................................................................ 9

Climate Change and Biodiversity .................................................................................................................................10

Howwillclimatechangeaffectbiodiversity? ..................................................................................................................... 10

Howwillhumanclimatechangeadaptationeffortsaffectbiodiversity? ...........................................................................11

Howdoesbiodiversitycontributetoclimatechangeadaptation? ....................................................................................12

Whatisthecostoflosingbiodiversity? ............................................................................................................................. 12

Current State of Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity ..............................................................................16

ResultsfromSubjectMatterExpertInterviews .................................................................................................................17

Theme1:Science ..................................................................................................................................................... 17

Theme2:Partnerships ............................................................................................................................................. 19

Theme3:Communications ...................................................................................................................................... 21

Theme4:Policy,ProgramsandFunding .................................................................................................................. 22

Theme5:IndigenousLeadership ............................................................................................................................. 24

Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................................26

Appendix A: Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group Members – March 2018 ....................................................27

Appendix B: Examples of Projects to Address Biodiversity in a Changing Climate ...........................................29

Appendix C: References ................................................................................................................................................39

1Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report

Introduction and Report Approach

AchangingclimatepresentsawiderangeofthreatsgloballywhichiswhytheUnitedNationshasidentifiedclimatechangeasoneofthemajorchallengesofthetwenty-firstcentury.3InCanada,wearealreadyexperiencingshiftingweatherpatternsthatthreatenfoodproduction,thawingpermafrostthatimpactsinfrastructure,andrisingwaterlevelsthatincreasetheriskofflooding.Oureconomy,infrastructure,healthandsocialwell-beingareatrisk,asareourecosystemsandallthespeciesthatdependonthem.Withoutdrasticactiontoday,adaptingtotheseimpactsinthefuturewillbemoredifficultandcostly.Recognizingthatclimatechangewillalsobringopportunitiesiskeytoadaptingforthefuture.

ToaddressclimatechangeadaptationinCanada,Canada’sClimateChangeAdaptationPlatformwasformedin2012.4 TheAdaptationPlatformhasassembledWorkingGroupsthatincluderepresentativesfromfederal,provincialandterritorialgovernments,industry,academia,Indigenouscommunitiesandnongovernmentalorganizations,toidentifyrisksandopportunitiesassociatedwithachangingclimate.EachWorkingGroupbringsexpertiseand/oracommoninterestinspecificissuesorsectors–memberscontributetheirexpertisetowardsestablishinganddirectingpriorities.TheobjectiveoftheBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupistoprovideaforumtoadvancebiodiversityconservationandadaptationtoclimatechangeinCanada.

ThegoaloftheBiodiversity Adaptation Working Group State of Playreportisto:

1. ProvidetheWorkingGroupwithacommonunderstandingofclimatechange-relatedissuesandconcernsaffectingbiodiversityinCanada

2. Provideanoverviewofthecurrentstateofbiodiversityconservationactivities,includinggapsandopportunities

Thekeyfindingsfromthereportwillprovideacommonbaselineformovingforward,andwillprovideabasisfortheWorkingGroup’s2018-22WorkPlan.

Althoughthereportfocusesprimarilyonadaptation,theWorkingGrouprecognizesthefundamentalroleofclimatechangemitigationtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsincombinationwithadaptationtoenhanceresilience.Maximizingclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationthroughbiodiversity-basedactionsiscriticaltodeliveringnature-basedclimatesolutions.

BiodiversityisdefinedbytheConventiononBiologicalDiversityas“the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.1”

Adaptationtoclimatechange,asdefinedbytheIPCC(2007),isanadjustmentinnaturalorhumansystems inresponsetoactualorexpectedclimaticstimuliortheireffects,whichmoderatesharmorexploits beneficialopportunities.2

2 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report

ThemethodologyforproducingthereportincludedresearchandtargetedinterviewswithsubjectmatterexpertsfromtheWorkingGroupaswellassectorexpertsacrossCanada.Toinformthecontentofthereport,intervieweeswereaskedabout:

• climatechangethreatstobiodiversity

• actionsthatarebeingtakentoaddressthreats(projects,initiativesorinnovations)

• opportunitiesforclimatechangeadaptationtobenefitbiodiversity

• threatstobiodiversityasaresultofclimatechangeadaptation

• legislationthatimpactsbiodiversityinachangingclimate

• lessonslearnedinclimatechangeadaptation

• BiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupneedsgoingforward

Theinterviewresponseswerethensynthesizedtoformthebasisofthereport.Althoughnotcomprehensive,thereportisalaunchingpointfortheWorkingGrouptocollaborateacrosssectorstoensurethatbiodiversityconsiderationsareattheforefrontofCanada’sclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationplanningandimplementationactivities.


Biodiversity in Canada

Conservation to DateCanadawasthefirstdevelopedcountrytoratifythe1992UnitedNationsConventiononBiologicalDiversity5andtheCanadianBiodiversityStrategy6wasendorsedbyfederal,provincialandterritorialMinistersin1996.AlljurisdictionsjointlydevelopedCanada’sBiodiversityOutcomesFramework7,whichcomplementstheStrategyandwasadoptedin2006.Inaddition,2020BiodiversityGoalsandTargetsforCanada8intheStrategicPlanforBiodiversity2011-20209continuetoguidefurtheractions.BothCanada’s4thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiological Diversity(2009)10andCanada’s5thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiological Diversity(2014)11providefairlyextensive(thoughnotexhaustive)anddetailedoverviews ofinitiativesinCanadathatsupportbiodiversityconservationandsustainableuse.Theseinitiativesinclude:

• Parksandprotectedareas

• Speciesatriskrecoveryplanning

• National,provincial,territorial,regionalandmunicipalbiodiversitystrategies

• Ecosystem-basedland-useplanninginitiatives

• Habitatstewardshipprograms

• Environmentalnon-governmentalorganizationsprotectionandstewardshipactivities

• EnvironmentalFarmPlansforsustainablefarmingpractices

• Forestcertificationforsustainableforestmanagement

• Resourceextractionsectorsincorporatingbiodiversityconcernsintobusinessplans

• CitizenSciencestewardshipandmonitoringactivities

CanadawillsubmititsnextnationalreporttotheConventiononBiologicalDiversitybyDecember2018–thereportwillincludeanassessmentofprogressoneachofthe19biodiversityconservationtargets.

Canadahasfederallegislationandmanyregulationsinplaceforbiodiversityconservation.SignificantinvestmentshavebeenmadetoprotectnaturalareasthroughCanada’sNaturalAreasConservationProgram12,aswellastoconserveandrestorewetlands,throughtheNorthAmericanWaterfowlManagementPlan13.TheprovincesofOntarioandQuebechavedevelopedbiodiversitystrategiesandmostprovincesandterritorieshavestrengthenedorupdatedlegislationandpoliciesforprotectingwildlifeandrecoveringspeciesatrisk.ThefederalHabitatStewardshipProgram14andOntario’sSpeciesatRiskStewardshipFund15areexamplesofprogramsintendedtoassisttherecoveryofspeciesatrisk.However,mostprogramsdonotmakereferencetobiodiversityinachangingclimate.

ManymunicipalitiesacrossCanadahaveincorporatedbiodiversityprotectionandconservationintotheirplans,includingthedenselypopulatedcitiesofVancouver,TorontoandMontreal.Attheindividuallevel,anincreasingnumberofCanada’sfarmersareadoptingEnvironmentalFarmPlanstoimplementpractices,suchasplantingshelterbeltsandmanagingriparianbuffersthatincreasediversityontheirfarms.AnincreasingnumberofCanadiansareparticipatinginCitizenSciencebiodiversitymonitoringinitiativessuchastheBreedingBirdAtlas16andBumbleBeeWatch17.


AgreateremphasisisbeingplacedonincorporatingIndigenousandTraditionalKnowledgeinbiodiversityconservationandland-usemanagementplansacrossalllevelsofgovernment,non-governmentalorganizationsandtheprivatesectorinCanada.Thecollectiveknowledge,leadershipandlandstewardshipofIndigenouscommunitiesprovideimportantinsightsthatcomplementscientificresearch.Community-basedadaptationactionsthatareledbyIndigenouscommunitieswillcontributetolocal,nationalandglobalclimatechangeadaptationsolutions.Buildingresilienceinthefaceofclimatechangeisfundamentallyaboutfood,waterandenergysecurityandindependence,whereIndigenouscommunitiesareself-sufficientandarenotdependentonimportingwhatisneededfortheirsurvivalandexpression.18

Marineandcoastalbiodiversityconservationandfreshwaterinitiativesincludetheestablishmentofmarineprotectedareas19andGreatLakesWatershedbiodiversityinitiatives,anexampleofthelatterbeingtheLakeSimcoeProtectionPlan20.

Inaddition,thereisamovetowardsquantifyingineconomictermsthebenefitsandcostsoftheprotectionorlossoftheecosystemservicesthatbiodiversityprovides–forexample,theimportanceofnaturalinfrastructure,suchaswetlands,tohelpreducetheimpactsofclimatechange.

GovernanceCanada’sFederal-Provincial-Territorial(FPT)AssistantDeputyMinisters’(ADM)BiodiversitySteeringGroup(CWBSG)deliversMinisterialprioritiesandgovernsDirectorandworking-levelFPTcommittees(CanadianWildlifeDirectorsCommitteeandtheBiodiversityWorkingGroup*)toadvancenationalconservation,wildlifeandbiodiversityissues.TheCWBSGwasoriginallyformedinresponsetoa2006requestfromFPTDeputyMinistersformoreADM-leveloversightofsharednationalworkonbiodiversity.ThepurposeoftheCWBSGistoengageinstrategic,high-leveldiscussionsoncross-cuttingissuesinordertoprovideadvicetoFPTMinistersresponsibleforconservation,wildlifeandbiodiversity.TheCWBSGservesastheprimaryforumforadvancingworkonthepriorityareasidentifiedbyFPTministers,aswellasonotherissuesidentifiedinthe2020BiodiversityGoalsandTargetsforCanada.

* Note: The Biodiversity Working Group is limited to federal, provincial, territorial governments and operates independent of the Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group. The latter focuses on biodiversity and climate change adaptation, and includes members from relevant organizations across Canada.

A greater emphasis is being placed

on incorporating Indigenous and

Traditional Knowledge in biodiversity

conservation and land-use management

plans across all levels of government,

non-governmental organizations and the

private sector in Canada.

Natural Infrastructure – Why Wetlands Matter

Wetlandsprotectusfromwaterpollutionbycleaningourwater.Theyprotectusfromfloodingbyreducingwatersentdownstream.Theyprotectusfromdroughtbyholdingwaterwhenconditionsaredry.Theyprotectusfromclimatechangebystoringcarbon.21


Status and TrendsNumerousassessmentshavebeenconductedinCanadaoverthepastdecadetoexaminethevulnerabilityofecosystemsandbiodiversitytoclimatechange.Theseassessmentshaveincludedgovernmentandnon-governmentalstudiesofparksandprotectedareas,waterresourcesandtheforestsector.Otherassessmentshaveexaminedhowchangesinecosystemservicesaffectsocio-economicwell-beingandhowtoassesstheculturalimplicationsofchangestoecosystemservices.22Thestatusandtrendsofecosystemserviceshavenotbeenassessedatthenationalscale.Suchanassessmentcouldbuildonextensiveexistingphysicalandsocialscientificdatabutwouldrequiremoredataformanyregionsofthecountry.Importantly,itwouldalsorequireacollaborativestrategytointegratethedata.

Recentestimatesindicatethatthereareabout80,000knownspeciesinCanada,excludingvirusesandbacteria.Thesespeciesaredividedamongfivedifferentkingdoms:

• protozoakingdom(about1%oftheknownspeciesinCanada)

• chromistkingdom(about4%oftheknownspeciesinCanada)

• fungikingdom(about16%oftheknownspeciesinCanada)

• plantkingdom(about11%oftheknownspeciesinCanada)

• animalkingdom(about68%oftheknownspeciesinCanada).23

However,manyofthesespeciesareindecline.TheWorldWildlifeFundreport,Living Planet Report Canada2017Indexshowsthathalfofourmonitoredvertebratespecies(451of903)areindecline.Andofthose,theindexshowsanaveragedeclineof83percent.24

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Engagement Mechanismson Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity

Ministers responsible forConservation, Wildlife

and Biodiversity

Deputy Ministers responsible forConservation, Wildlife

and Biodiversity

Assistant Deputy Minister-level Conservation, Wildlife and

Biodiversity Steering Group (CWBSG)

Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee (CWDC)

Biodiversity Working Group (BWG)

The World Wildlife Fund report, Living

Planet Report Canada 2017 Index

shows that half of our monitored

vertebrate species (451 out of 903) have

declined between 1970 and 2014.


Declinesinbiodiversityarelargelytheresultofhumanactions.Theprincipalpressuresthatdirectlyexacerbatebiodiversitylossincludehabitatloss,climatechange,pollution,unsustainableharvest,invasivespeciesandthecumulativeandcascadingeffectsofallofthesefactorscombined.25

Theinternationalgoverningbodyonbiodiversity,theConventiononBiologicalDiversity,hassettargetsforimprovingbiodiversityaroundtheworldinanattempttohaltorreversedecliningbiodiversitytrends.Canadaiscontributingtotheachievementoftheglobaltargetsthroughits2020BiodiversityGoalsandTargetsforCanada,buteffortsneedtobeexpeditedtoaccountfortheimpactsofclimatechange.Improvingbaselineknowledgeandacoordinatedecosystem-basedconservationapproachwillbecriticaltoachievingCanada’sbiodiversitygoals.

Current Status of Wildlife Species by Group in Canada according to the World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Index26:Mammals–monitoredpopulationshaveshrankby43percentonaverage,between1970and2014(basedon549monitoredpopulationsof106species).

Fish–populationshavedropped20percentonaveragebetween1970and2014(basedondatafrom2,527monitoredpopulationsof365species).

Birds–overallpopulationsincreasedby7percentonaveragebetween1970and2014;however,somebirdgroups–grasslandsbirds,shorebirds,ducksandgeese,hawksandowls–showwidelydifferingtrends.

Amphibians and Rep iles–populationsdeclinedby34percentonaveragebetween1970and2014(basedondatafrom139monitoredpopulationsof46species).

Current Status by Biomes in Canada according to Canada’s 5th National Report to the Convention on Biodiversity27:Forests–nationally,theextentofforestshaschangedlittlesince1990;howeverforeststructure(includingspeciescomposition,ageclassesandsizeofintactforestpatches)waschangedsubstantiallyoverthepastcenturyduetohumaninfluence,especiallysincetheadventofmechanizedharvesting,whichbroughtwithitanexpansionofroadnetworks.

Grasslands–priortothe1990s,97%oftallgrass/savannahhadbeenlostinsouthernOntario,70%inthePrairiesand19%ofbunchgrass/sagebrushhaddisappearedinBC.

Wetlands–highlossofwetlandshasoccurredinsouthernCanadaandincoastalareasthroughoutCanada,andlossanddegradationcontinue.

Lakes and Rivers–seasonalchangesinmagnitudeofstreamflows,increasesinriverandlaketemperatures,decreasesinlakelevelsandhabitatlossandfragmentationcontinuetooccur.

Coastal–estuaries,saltmarshesandmudflatsarebelievedtobehealthyinlessdevelopedcoastalareas,whereastheextentandqualityofcoastalecosystemsaredecliningindevelopedareasasaresultofhabitatmodification,erosionandrising sea levels.

Marine–overthepast50years,marinebiodiversity,drivenbyacombinationofphysicalfactorsandhumanactivities,suchasoceanographicandclimatevariabilityandoverexploitation,hasdeclined.Whilecertainmarinemammalshaverecoveredfrompastoverharvesting,manycommercialfisherieshavenot.

Ice across Biomes and Permafrost–decliningextentandthicknessofseaice,warmingandthawingofpermafrost,acceleratinglossofglaciermassandshorteningoflake-iceseasonshavebeenoccurringacrossCanada’sbiomes.Impacts,apparentnowinsomeareasandlikelytospread,includenegativeeffectsonspeciesandfoodwebs.


Legislation, Regulations and Policy

Canadahasseveralnationallegislativeframeworksforadvancingbiodiversityconservation.Theseinclude:

• Species at Risk Act29–oneofthemainconservationtoolstoprotectspeciesatrisk,maintainhealthyecosystemsandpreserveCanada’snaturalheritage

• Migratory Birds Convention Act30–helpstoprotectandconservemigratorybirds,aspopulationsandindividualbirds,andtheirnests

• Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act31–helpstofulfillCanada’scommitmentsundertheConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species32bycontrollingillegaltradeinspeciesandsafeguardingCanadianecosystemsfromtheintroductionofspeciesconsideredtobeharmful

• Canada Wildlife Act33–allowsfortheconservationandstudyofwildlifeandthecreationofNationalWildlifeAreas

Inadditiontolegislativeframeworks,Canadahasmultipleregulationsthatprovidelegallyenforceablemechanismstoensurethatscientificresearchorcommercialactivitiesareundertakeninanenvironmentallysustainablemanner.Someoftheseregulationsrequirereporting,monitoring,researchandinformationsharing.

Workcontinuesacrossalllevelsofgovernmenttoassessthestatusofwildspeciesandrecoverspeciesatrisk.Severaljurisdictions,includingtheNorthwestTerritories,NewBrunswick,ManitobaandBritishColumbia,havestrengthenedorupdatedlegislationandpoliciesforprotectingwildlifeandrecoveringspeciesatrisk.Governmentsaimtoapplyanecosystemapproachtospeciesrecoverythroughjointstewardshipinitiatives.

Habitatconservationisanotherkeyareaandopportunityforincludingbiodiversityconservation.Inthecaseofwetlands,NewBrunswick,PrinceEdwardIsland,NovaScotiaandQuebecaretheonlyprovinceswithcomprehensivewetlandprotection legislation.However,Ontario’sWetlandConservationStrategy34referencesanonetlossofallwetlandsby2025–thiswillbenefitbiodiversityandcreatevaluethroughnaturalinfrastructure.TheYukonTerritoryisdevelopingawetlandpolicy,theProvinceofManitobahascommittedtodevelopingaBorealWetlandsConservationPolicythatwouldincludeaNo-NetLossapproach,andtheNorth American Wetlands Conservation Act35facilitatestheprotectionandrestorationofnaturalinfrastructureforclimateresilienceandecosystemservices.Inaddition,Quebechasseveralkeypiecesofrecentlegislationthatintegratesclimatechangeadaptationconsiderationsforbiodiversity–Bill13236 respects the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water,andtheupdatetoQuebec’sEnvironmental Quality Act37.

Withregardtoforestry,thereissignificantworkledbytheCanadianCouncilofForestMinisters38onClimateChangeAdaptationinForestryManagement.Jurisdictionshavevaryingpolicyandprogramsinplacetoadapttoclimatechangeimpacts.Forexample,theProvinceofBritishColumbiahasundertakenalong-termassistedmigrationadaptationtrialtoaddressthevulnerabilityoftreespeciesandecosystemstoshiftingclimaticenvelopes.Industryandgovernmentsarealsoconductingvulnerabilityassessmentstoidentifyclimatechangerisks,andtheappropriateadaptationstrategiesneededtoconservebiodiversity.

TheNorthwestTerritoriesismodernizingtwolandsactsandiscurrentlyengagedindiscussionstomergetheirProtectedAreaslegislation,Waters Act,Forest Management and Protection ActandEnvironmental Rights and Protection Acts.Itisnotclearwhethertheconsolidatedlegislationwillidentifyclimatechangeadaptationforbiodiversitybutattheveryleastthereisanopportunitytohaveitincluded.

Growingunderstandingofrapidandunexpectedchanges,interactions,andthresholds,especiallyinrelationtoclimatechange,pointstoaneedforpolicythatrespondsandadaptsquicklytosignalsofenvironmentalchangeinordertoavertmajorandirreversiblebiodiversitylosses.28


Policies to support biodiversity and conservationTheConventiononBiologicalDiversityisaglobalandnationalinstrumentforpromotingandguidingeffortstoconservebiodiversity.AspartofCanada’scommitmentundertheConvention,theCanadianBiodiversityStrategywasdevelopedtodeterminethemeasureswhichwererequiredtomeettheobligationsoftheConventionandtoenhancecoordinationofnationaleffortsaimedattheconservationofbiodiversityandthesustainableuseofbiologicalresources.

TheStrategyclearlyrecognizesthatgovernmentscannotactalonetoensuretheconservationofbiodiversityandthesustainableuseofbiologicalresourcesandtherefore,invitesandencouragesallCanadianstotakeactioninsupportoftheStrategy.Canada’sbiodiversitygoalsandtargetsfor2020complementtheStrategyandtheBiodiversityOutcomesFramework,andfocusonCanada’sbiodiversityprioritiesinthecomingyears.TheyguidefurtheractionontheconservationandsustainableuseoflivingresourcesinCanadaandprovidethebasisformeasuringandreportingonprogress.

Severalprovincesandterritorieshaveintroducedbiodiversitystrategiesandpoliciesandhavedevelopedstrategicplansfortheirjurisdictions;andatthefederallevel,theFederalSustainableDevelopmentStrategyforCanada2016-201939detailsactionsforprotectingnature.

GovernmentsandstakeholdershavealsoundertakennumerousassessmentsofthevulnerabilityofecologicalsystemsandbiodiversitytoclimatechangeinsectorsandregionsacrossCanada.Thisalsoincludescollaborativeworkbyfederal,provincialandterritorialgovernmentsontoolsandassessmentsforadaptationplanningrelatedtoparksandprotectedareas,waterresourcesmanagementandtheforestsector.Forexample:

• TheGovernmentofCanadaisworkingwithpartnerorganizationsandspecialiststodeveloptoolsandapproachestobetterunderstandandsupportclimatechangeadaptationinparksandprotectedareasinCanada.AseriesofregionalreportswereproducedbyParksCanada,summarizinghistoricalclimatetrendsandfutureclimateprojectionsatParksCanadaheritageplaces,aswellasclimatechangeimpactsfromrecentandforecastedchanges;

• TheCanadianParksCouncilClimateChangeWorkingGroup,co-chairedbyParksCanadaandGovernmentofNorthwestTerritories,isprovidingaforumforcross-jurisdictionalsharingoftools,informationandbestpracticesformainstreamingclimatechangedecision-makingintoparkandprotectedareamanagementplanningandoperations,andpromotingtheconceptofparksandprotectedareasasnaturalsolutionsthroughnewapproaches,tools,andcommunicationopportunities.TheWorkingGrouphasalsodevelopedaClimateChangeAdaptationFrameworkforParksandProtectedAreas,whichisnowbeingappliedatseveralParksCanadaheritageplaces;

• CanadianForestService’sForestChangeprogramprovidesinformationabouttheimpactsofclimatechangeonCanada’sforestsandonhowtoadapttochangingclimateconditions.Theinitiativereportsonindicatorsthatreflectpasttrendsin,andfutureprojectionsof,changesacrossCanada.Italsoprovidesadaptationtoolsandresourcesforforestmanagers.

Policies that support biodiversity and conservation through climate change actionThroughtheadoptionoftheParisAgreementinDecember2015,theinternationalcommunityagreedthattacklingclimatechangeisanurgentpriority.ToimplementcommitmentsCanadamadeundertheParisAgreement,FirstMinistersreleasedtheVancouverDeclarationonCleanGrowthandClimateChange40onMarch3,2016,whichledtothedevelopmentofa Pan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange41.

ThePan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange(PCF)isthefederal,provincial,andterritorialplantoreduceemissions,growtheeconomyandbuildclimateresilience.AdaptationandResilienceisakeypillarofthePCF,andtheAdaptationandClimateResilienceWorkingGroupReport42whichinformedthePCFunderscoredthesignificantrisksthatclimatechangeimpactsposetothenaturalenvironment,andincludedanareaforactiononpromotinghealthyecosystemsandhealthypeoplebyadvancingecosystemresilienceasanadaptationsolution.


Opportunities for improving coherenceRecognizingthattherearemultipleacts,regulations,frameworksandstrategiestoprotectandenhancebiodiversityandecosystemhealthinCanada,opportunitiesexistforimprovingorcontributingtoexistingornewlegislative,regulatoryandpolicyframeworks.

Forexample,theGovernmentofCanadahastabledlegislationthatproposeschangestothecurrentCanadian Environmental Assessment Act43whichmaypresentopportunitiesforintegratingclimatechangeandbiodiversityconsiderationsintotheenvironmentalimpactassessmentprocess.

DespitethefactthatexistinglegislationsuchastheSpecies at Risk Actdoesnotexplicitlymentionclimatechange,thishasnotpreventedscientistsandothersfrommakinglinkageswhenassessingthestatusofspeciesandtakingclimatechangeintoconsideration.Strengthenedcoordinationbetweenthebiodiversityconservationcommunityandtheclimatechangeadaptationcommunitycouldhelptoadvancethisintegration.

FurthereffortscanbemadetoimplicitlyconsidertheimpactsofclimatechangeonbiodiversityinlegislativeandpolicyframeworksinCanada.ThereisanurgentneedforstrengthenedcoordinationandthetranslationofscientificknowledgeandIndigenousknowledgetosupportdecisionmaking.

The Importance of BiodiversityBiodiversityisfundamentaltoalllifeonearth,includinghumanlife.Fromtheorganismsinoursoiltothebirdsandinsectsthatpollinateourplantsandagriculturalcrops,itistheinteractionsoflifeformswithintheenvironmentthatmakeEarthuniqueamongalloftheplanets.Itisnotonlyimportanttolifeontheplanet,itislifeontheplanet.Withoutbiodiversity,thereisnolife.

Asthesecondlargestcountryintheworld–10millionsquarekilometresalongwiththousandsofkilometresofcoastline– andwithitsrangeofecosystemsandclimates,fromArctictundratotherainforest-liketreetopcanopiesofBC’scoastalforests,Canadaisrichinbiodiversity.Unfortunately,Canadiansoftenfailtomaketheconnectionbetweenbiodiversityandecosystemservices,andtakeforgrantedthefundamentalconnectiontocleanairandwater,foodsupplyandsecurity,and asustainableeconomy.

TheEconomicsofEcosystemsandBiodiversity45identifytheseecosystemservicesas:

a) Provisioningservices:food,shelter,medicines,freshwater,cleanair,biochemicalsandenergy

b) Regulatingservices:floodcontrol,erosionprevention,carbonsequestration,pestanddiseasecontrol,croppollinationandclimateregulation

c) Supportingservices:nutrientcycling,soilformation,seeddispersal,pollinationandprimaryproduction

d) Culturalservices:spiritual,cultural,inspirational,recreational,educationalandscientificdiscovery

Asindicatedearlierinthereport,thestatusandtrendsofecosystemserviceshavenotbeenassessedatthenationalscaleinCanada.Theundertakingofsuchanassessmentcouldhelppositionbiodiversityconservationasahighpriorityinallclimatechangeadaptationstrategies.

There is an urgent need for

strengthened coordination and the

translation of scientific knowledge

and Indigenous knowledge to support

decision making.

TheMillenniumEcosystemAssessmentdefines“ecosystemservices”as“thebenefitspeoplederivefromecosystems”.Besidesprovisioningservicesorgoodslikefood,woodandotherrawmaterials,plants,animals,fungiandmicro-organismsprovideessentialregulatingservicessuchaspollinationofcrops,preventionofsoilerosionandwaterpurification,andavastarrayofculturalservices,likerecreationandasenseofplace.44


Climate Change and Biodiversity

How will climate change affect biodiversity?

InCanada,therateofwarminghasincreasedatnearlydoubletheglobalaverage(approximately0.85°C,from1880to2012).48Thesetemperaturechangeshavehadbothdirectandindirectimpactsonbiodiversityinterrestrial,freshwaterandmarinesystems.Butclimatechangemeansmuchmorethanjustwarmerweather.Shiftingpatternsofrainfallandsnowfall,shrinkingglaciers,decliningsnowcoverandseaiceextent,risingsealevelandchangesinextremeweathereventsareallconsequencesofachangingclimate.Thesechangespresentunprecedentedthreatstobiodiversity.

Oneofthechallengesiswhetherspeciescanadaptfastenoughtochangingecosystems.Evensmallchangesintheabundanceofspeciescanhavecascadingeffectsonecosystemcompositionandstructureandtheservicesthoseecosystemsprovide.Somespeciesmaybenefitfromclimatechangebutitisexpectedthatmanyspecieshavenothadorwillnothavetimetoadapttochangingecosystems,andwillbenegativelyimpactedasaresult.

Thekeythreatstobiodiversityinclude(butarenotlimitedto)habitatlossandfragmentation,invasivespecies,pollution,increasinghumanpopulationandoverharvesting.Climatechangecannowbeaddedtothosethreatsandcanalsoactasanacceleratorforsomeofthosethreats.Somekeyclimatechangethreatsinclude:

1. Climateisamajorfactorinthedistributionofspeciesacrosstheglobe;changesintemperatureandprecipitationwillhavecascadingeffectsonfoodwebs.Thegeographiclocationofclimaticenvelopeswillshiftsignificantly,possiblyeventotheextentthatspeciescannolongersurviveintheircurrentlocations.Problemswillarisewhenthereisasynchronybetweenthetimingofclosely-linkedphenologicalevents,suchastheemergenceofinsectsandthearrivalofmigratoryspeciesdependentuponthosefoodsourcesfortheirbreedingsuccess.

2. Alteredprecipitationregimescanresultintoolittlewaterforplantsandanimals,leadingtodirectorindirectimpactsonspeciessuchasdehydration,increaseddisturbancefromdisease,pestsorwildfireorevendeath.Conversely,toomuchwaterfromextremestormeventsmaycausecatastrophicfloods,damagingbothecosystemsandthehumancommunitieslivingdownstream.Theseeventsareincreasinginfrequency,intensity,scaleandgeographicscope,wellbeyondthehistoricnorm.

3. Theincreasedfrequency,intensityandextentofwildfiresduetowarmingandincreaseddroughtconditionsmaypushconditionswellbeyondthetolerancelimitsoffire-adaptedspeciesandecosystems,andintroduceincreasedrisktofire-sensitivespeciesandecosystems.

4. InvasiveAlienSpeciesaredefinedasharmfulorganismswhoseintroductionorspreadthreatensCanada’senvironment,economy,orsociety.49Ourchangingclimateisenablingthespreadofinvasivealienspeciesnewregionswheretheyarenotnative–thisposessignificantgrowingthreatsinCanadaastheresultantecologicalimpactsareoftenirreversible.Onceestablishedtheyareextremelydifficultandcostlytocontrolanderadicate.

Theimpactsofclimatechangeonsocietyareoccurringearlierandmorefrequentlythanpredicted.46

Ecosystemsarealreadyshowingnegativeimpactsundercurrentlevelsofclimatechange...whichismodestcomparedtofutureprojectedchanges….Inadditiontowarmingtemperatures,morefrequentextremeweathereventsandchangingpatternsofrainfallanddroughtcanbeexpectedtohavesignificantimpacts onbiodiversity.47


5. ReductionsandlossofseaIce,permafrostandfreshwatericecoverwillhaveincreasedeffectsonbothaquaticandterrestriallife.Theseimpactsareofparticularconcernforspeciesthataredependentonicecoverforcertainperiodsoftheyear,ortomeetcriticalresourcerequirements.

6. Climateimpactsmayalsoacceleratehabitatloss,degradationorfragmentation.Enhancinghabitatconnectivityisoneofthegreatestconservationneedsforhuman-dominatedlandscapes.Justlikehumansrelyontransportationcorridors,wildlifealsoneedstotravelacrossthelandscape.

Theclimatehasalwaysbeenchanging–itisnotstaticandneitherareearth'secosystems.However,human-causedclimatechangeisexpeditingtheprocesswithdramaticimplicationsforallspecies,includinghumans.Alongwiththechallenges,therewillbeopportunitiestoworktogethertowardsustainablesolutions–butactionneedstohappennow.

How will human climate change adaptation efforts affect biodiversity? Climatechangeseriouslythreatensbiodiversity,yethavinghealthyecosystemsisakeystrategyforenablingecosystemsandspecies,includinghumans,tobemoreresilientandadapt.Asaresult,therearesomeclimateadaptationinitiativesthattargetimprovedecosystemhealthasaprimaryorsecondaryobjective;however,therearemanyadaptationinitiativesandactionsthatdonotconsiderecosystemhealthaspartoftheirdecisionmakingprocess,andmaythereforebeharmfultobiodiversityobjectives.

Potential Positive ImpactsNatural or Green Infrastructure (versus built or grey)–InvestmentsinnaturalInfrastructuremaybemorecosteffectivethanbuiltinfrastructurewhilealsobenefitingbiodiversitybyprovidinghabitat.Currently,themajorityofcoastalandmunicipalclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationeffortsfocusonbuiltinfrastructurewhichdoesnotbenefitbiodiversity.Forexample,theconstructionofbuiltinfrastructuresuchasseawallstoaddressrisingsealevelscannegativelyimpactcoastalspeciesandecology.Theprotectionorrestorationofnaturalshorelineswhichcanadapttochangingsealevelsmaymeetbothbiodiversityandadaptationobjectives.

Invasive Alien Species Management Plans–Interventionormanagementplansthataddressinvasivespeciesdueto climatechangeshouldbenefitlocalbiodiversity(i.e.,reducedcompetitionforfoodorhabitatordegradationofhabitat;e.g.,dog-stranglingvineisrapidlyspreadingandchokingoutnativespecieswhichnegativelyimpactsentireecosystems.)

Potentially Negative or Unknown ImpactsGreen Energy–TheemphasisongreenenergyatalllevelsofgovernmentisapositivemovetowardsmeetingCanada’sgreenhousegasemissionstargets,whichinturnwillbenefitbiodiversitybyreducingwaterandairpollution.However,italsomayhavenegativeimpacts:

• Solarfarmsmaytakeupproductiveagriculturallandsandwildlifehabitats

• Windfarmshavebeenshowntocausebatandbirdmortalitieswhenbuiltalongbirdmigrationcorridors

• Useofagriculturalfarmlandsforproductionofethanolforgascannegativelyaffectwildlifehabitat

• Hydrologicaldamsfloodlargeareasofnaturalhabitatandcanpreventorhinderaquaticspeciesmigration

Assisted Migration–Thedeliberateactionofmovingplantorwildlifespeciestoamoresuitablelocationtoensurebettersurvivalratesisapracticethatisgainingattentionandinterestintheconservationcommunity.Giventheuncertaintyofhowspecieswilladaptandmigratewithoutintervention,aswellastheuncertaintyinhowspeciesassemblagesandecosystemswillshiftduetochangingclimateenvelopes,itbecomesdifficulttoensurethatwearemovingtherightspeciestotherightlocations.Theuncertaintyofhowsuccessfullyspecieswillsurviveandthriveintheirnewlocationismatchedwiththeuncertaintyofhowthenewlocationwillrespondtotheirarrival–whatifwecreatetheperfectconditionsforecosystemcollapsebyintroducingthewrongspecies?


Canada’sAssistantDeputyMinistersresponsibleforconservation,wildlifeandbiodiversityinCanadahaverecommendedthatCanada’sclimatechangeresponsebedesignedinsuchawaytobemutuallybeneficialinthecontextofclimatechangeandbiodiversityconservation.50

How does biodiversity contribute to climate change adaptation?Theconservationandsustainableuseofecosystemsandthebiologicalresourcesthatmaintainthemisexpectedtomoderatesomeofthenegativeimpactsofclimatechange.Byconservingbiodiversityandenhancingitsresilience,weimprovetheadaptivecapacityofourecosystemstocope.Whilethebusinesscaseforbiodiversityissolid,thereisalackofawarenessandunderstandingofexistingevidenceandsupport,aswellasareluctancetointegrateandincorporatebiodiversityandecosystemservicesintopolicyanddecisionmaking.

IntheirBiodiversity and Climate Change Submissionreport,Canada’sfederal,provincial,andterritorialAssistantDeputyMinistersresponsibleforconservation,wildlifeandbiodiversityhaveidentifiedthefollowingthreeoverarchingmessages:

• Biodiversityandtheservicesthatitprovidesareessentialforhumanhealthandwell-being.

• Healthy,biologicallydiverseecosystemscanincreaseclimateresiliencebyreducingthevulnerabilityofcommunitiestoclimatechangeandincreasingtheircapacitytorecoverfromclimatechangeimpacts.

• Adaptationandmitigationapproachesthatsupportthesustainablemanagement,conservation,andrestorationofbiodiversityprovidelong-termsolutionstoclimatechangeandhelptoensurethatpeoplecontinuetobenefitfromtheecosystemservicesthataresupportedbyhealthyanddiverseterrestrialandaquaticecosystems.51

What is the cost of losing biodiversity?Theimportanceofbiodiversityandthenaturalworldisindisputable–ecosystemservicescontributetohumanhealthandaproductiveandresilientenvironment.Inspiteoftheecological,culturalandeconomicimportanceoftheseservices,ecosystemsandthebiodiversitythatunderpinsthemarestillbeingdegradedandlostatanunprecedentedscale.Onemajorreasonforthisisthatthecontributionofecosystemstohumanwelfareisstillunderestimatedandnotfullyrecognizedinmostplanninganddecisionmaking,inotherwords,thebenefitsoftheirservicesarenot,oronlypartly,capturedinconventionalmarketeconomics.52ThechallengeismeasuringandconveyingtheeconomicvalueofbiodiversitytoinstillitsimportantroleinthemindsofallCanadiansandallsectors–especiallythosesectorsthatimpactthelandscape.Increasingly,thereisastrongerbodyofevidencethatreinforcesthesocial,cultural,economicandecologicalbenefitsofbiodiversityandthecostsCanadiansfacewhenitisdegradedordisappears.

Forexample,pollinatorsplayahugeroleinCanada’sagriculturalsector–manycropsaresustainedbypollinators. TheestimatedvalueofhoneybeesalonetocroppollinationinCanadaisover$2billion.53Despitethecriticalimportanceofpollinatorstotheeconomyandtheenvironment,researcharoundtheworldisshowingdisturbingdeclinesinpollinatorpopulationsduetoanumberofinteractingstressorsincludingdiseaseandpests,exposuretopesticides,reducedhabitat andclimatechange.54

While the business case for biodiversity

is solid, there is a lack of awareness

and understanding of existing evidence

and support, as well as a reluctance to

integrate and incorporate biodiversity

and ecosystem services into policy and

decision making.


Biodiversitysupportsmanyotherindustriesaswell–forestry,fishing,ranching,mining,tourismandmore–and,itisthefoundationforhealthycommunitiesonmanylevels–recreationalopportunities,floodreduction,cleanerwater,tonamejustafew.InAlberta,manyranchersknowthatconservingbiodiversitythroughvariousbestmanagementpracticesmeansbettergrazinglandsfortheircattletranslatesintoahealthierandmorerobustcommodity–i.e.,biodiversityisgoodforbusiness.

Inthelongterm,itismuchmoreeconomicalandeffectivetoconserveandprotecthealthyintacthabitats,suchaswetlands,ratherthanimplementingambitiousrestorationorre-creationprojectsinattemptstoreturnthehabitattoitsoriginalstate– whichinachangingclimatemaybecomehardertoqualifyandquantify. Forexample,soilerosioncausedbyhighwindsandwaterrun-offinthe St.LawrenceRiver,GreatLakesandFraserRiverBasinshascosttheagriculturalsectorhundredsofmillionsofdollarsinrehabilitationprograms.Preventativeplanningandactionsthatkeepecosystemsintactisthebestoptionavoidingthehighcostsofrebuildingthem.

Thisevidencereinforcesthegreatrolethatbiodiversityplaysinensuringasustainablefuture.Biodiversityconservationshouldbepositionedaspartofthesolution–the“naturalsolution.”Becauseclimatechangeisalreadyhavinganimpactonbiodiversityanditisprojectedtobecomeaprogressivelymoresignificantthreatinthecomingdecades,thebusinesscasefornaturalsolutionsneedstobedeveloped.Biodiversityanditsassociatedecosystemserviceswillnotonlyhelpclimatechangeadaptation,theyareessentialtoclimatechangeadaptation.

Biodiversity conservation should be

positioned as part of the solution –

the “natural solution.”


Protected and conserved areas: a natural solution to climate change55

Protectingandrestoringhealthy,resilientecosystemsisa“naturalsolution”forclimatechange.

Protecting biodiversity means conserving speciesProtectedareasaresafehavensforspecies.Theyprovidespaceforplantsandanimalstopersist,adaptormigrateastheirhabitatschangewiththeclimate.

Protecting biodiversity means more clean water and airEvenifyoulivefarfromaprotectedarea,youbenefitfromitsecosystemservices.BanffNationalPark,forexample,protectstheBowRiverBasinwatershed–andcleandrinkingwaterfor1.2millionpeople.Suchprotectionbecomesevenmoreimportantduringextremeweatherevents,suchasdroughtsandfloods,broughtaboutbyclimatechange.

Biodiversity plays an important role in carbon dynamicsThroughphotosynthesis,vegetationinnaturalecosystemscancaptureandstorecarbondioxide,amajorgreenhousegas.Treesinforestsandphytoplanktoninoceansdoagreatjobatthis,butthey’renottheonlycarbon“sinks.”WetlandplantsinsaltmarshesalongCanada’scoastappeartostoreasmuchcarbonperhectareasmanyforestedlands.Aswithallecosystems,protectedareascanalsobecarbon“sources”,duetocarbonreleasefromnaturalprocessessuchasdecompositionorwildfire.Understandingthisbalanceisimportanttogreenhousegasaccountingandguidingmanagementactions.

Protecting, restoring and sustainably managing biodiversity means more climate resilienceConservingbiodiversitykeepsecosystemsinaresilientdesiredstate.Diverseecosystemsaregenerallybetterabletocopewiththeimpactsofclimatechange.Ahealthyforestwithmanytreespecies,forexample,canrecoverbetterfrominsectpests.

Ecological networks are keyPlantsandanimals,likepeople,arestrongerinacommunity.Protectinghabitatandimprovingecologicalconnectivitywillnotonlyhelpspeciesmigrateandadapttochangingclimaticconditions,butcanreduceotherstressessuchasfragmentationandinvasivespecies.

Conservation areas are living laboratoriesScientistsinconservationareasmonitorchangesinecosystems–includingmeltingglaciers,shiftingmigrationpatternsandtrendsinwildfires,thuscontributingtothebigpictureonclimatechange.Protectedspacesprovidetheclearestsignalofhowclimatechangewillimpactbiodiversity,withoutalltheadditionalimpactsfromhumanactivities.

Indigenous Knowledge gives us a more complete view of climate changeTheknowledgeofIndigenouspeoplesisawellthatrunscountlessgenerationsdeep.LearningfromIndigenouspeoplesstrengthensourunderstandingofclimatechangeandbiodiversityandguidesusinourchoiceofadaptationstrategies.

Biodiversity inspires peopleOurbiodiversityinspiresustodosomethingaboutclimatechange–andgivesustheknowledgeweneedtomake adifference.

Focus on Protected and Conserved Areas


Indigenous Protected and Conserved AreasThe Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE) comprises Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens of Canada who have worked together to make progress on Pathway to Canada Target 1: “By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.” The following information derives from their Report: We Rise Together: Achieving Pathway to Canada Target 1 through the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in the spirit and practice of reconciliation.56

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)isthetermchosenbyICEtodescribeavarietyoflandprotectioninitiativesintheCanadiancontext.ExamplesincludeTribalParks,IndigenousCulturalLandscapes,IndigenousProtectedAreasandIndigenousconservedareas.

IntheCanadiancontext,IPCAsrepresent:

• amodernapplicationoftraditionalvalues,IndigenouslawsandIndigenousknowledgesystems,

• anexerciseinculturalcontinuityonthelandandwaters,

• afoundationforlocalIndigenouseconomies,opportunitiestoreconnecttothelandandhealboththelandandIndigenouspeoples,

• anacknowledgementofinternationallaw,suchasCanada’sTreaties,UNDRIP,CBDandotherrelevantinstrumentsandcommitments,

• anopportunityfortruereconciliationtotakeplacebetweenIndigenousandsettlersocieties,andbetweenbroaderCanadiansocietyandthelandandwaters,includingrelationshipsinpre-existingparksandprotectedareas,and

• aninnovativeexpressionofSection35(ConstitutionAct1982).

IndigenousgovernmentsareresponsibleforsettingtheconservationstandardsforIPCAs.Assuch,theymusthavefullscopetodesigntheirIPCAstomeettheirindividualanddiverseneeds.WhileIPCAsembodyacommongoalforconservingtheecologicalandculturalvaluesimportanttoIndigenouspeoples,theprioritiesandobjectivesofindividualIPCAsmayvarygreatly.Assuch,theymaytakevariousshapesandformsbasedontheobjectivesforthearea.Buttheysharesomecommonalities.

IPCAsshould:

• promoterespectforIndigenousknowledgesystems

• respectprotocolsandceremony

• supporttherevitalizationofIndigenouslanguages

• seedconservationeconomiesifpossible

• conserveculturalkeystonespeciesandprotectfoodsecurity

• adoptintegrated,holisticapproachestogovernanceandplanning

IPCAsarefirstandforemostdesignedtobenefitIndigenouscommunities,buttheyhaveconsiderablepotentialtobenefitallCanadians.WhenprotectedandconservedareasacrossCanadaincrease,morelandsandwatersarerelievedofthestressesofunsustainablehumanandindustrialdevelopment.Theresultisbiodiversityconservationandhealthierecosystems,whichinturnbenefitallCanadiansintheformofcleanairandwater,improvedhumanhealth,andthemitigationofrisksfromclimatechangeanddisease.Inthisway,IPCAscanbeexpectedtoprovideavarietyofecosystemservicesforgenerationstocome.

Focus on Protected and Conserved Areas – continued

When protected and conserved areas

across Canada increase, more lands

and waters are relieved of the stresses

of unsustainable human and industrial

development.


Current State of Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity

ThefollowingsectionhighlightstheresultsofinterviewswiththeBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupandotherrecommendedsubjectmatterexpertsfromacrossCanada.Asindicatedintheintroductionofthereport,theinterviewsfocussedonthefollowingquestions:

• climatechangethreatstobiodiversity

• actionsthatarebeingtakentoaddressthreats(projects,initiativesorinnovations)

• opportunitiesforclimatechangeadaptationtobenefitbiodiversity

• threatstobiodiversityasaresultofclimatechangeadaptation

• legislationthatimpactsbiodiversityinachangingclimate

• lessonslearnedinclimatechangeadaptation

• BiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupneedsgoingforward

Keyideasandcommentsfromtheinterviewsweresynthesizedintofourmainthemes,withafifththemeemergingthroughWorkingGroupdiscussionsfollowingthefirstdraft:

1. Science–knowledgeneedsandresearchpriorities

2. Partnerships–potentialforcollaboration

3. Communications–messagingneedsandopportunities

4. Policy,ProgramsandFunding–legislation,landscape-levelinitiativesandresources

5. IndigenousLeadership–theintegralroleofIndigenouspeoples

ThecontentforeachthemehasbeencondensedunderStrengths,WeaknessandOpportunitiesintheformofthoughts,suggestions,andideasfrominterviewedExperts.EachofthethemesidentifiesimportantinsightsforplanningfutureworkonclimatechangeadaptationandbiodiversityinCanada.PleasenotethattheopinionsandideasdocumentedinthissectiondonotsignifyagreementacrosstheBiodiversityWorkingGroup–theyreflectthediverseperspectivesofthesubjectmatterexpertsthemselves.InthecaseofthefifththemeonIndigenousLeadership,atargetedliteraturereviewwasconductedonIndigenousLeadershipandBiodiversityAdaptation,andthecontentisderivedfromthesekeysources.

Duplication: Note that some comments are relevant in more than one section and therefore appear more than once.


Results from Subject Matter Expert Interviews

Strengths Weaknesses•Thereisawealthofscientificinformationanddatatobuildon–fromprofessionalscientificworktoCitizenScienceprogramstoIndigenousandTraditionalKnowledge.

•IndigenouspeoplescanprovideleadershipintheircapacityasstewardsofthelandandinthesharingofIndigenousknowledge.

•Withthebenefitofsharedresearch,modelsandbestmanagementpractices,andifweareproactive,wecanadapt.

•Industryisworkingwithleadersandacademicsinthefieldofclimatechange–theirknowledgecouldbehelpfultomanyconservationpartnerships.

•Byidentifyingandaddressingfactorsthatcaneffectivelybemanaged,wemay reducetheimpactsofthosefactorsthat wecannotmanage.

•Ecosystemservicesarepartoftheclimatechangesolution.

•Baselinedataneedstobeimprovedandbettershared.Therearedifferentgovernmentdepartmentsamassingdataandmapping–effortsneedtobemorecoordinatedwithingovernmentandcollaborativewithexternalpartners.

•Thereisastrongneedforcoordinatedresearchtomeasureandunderstandbiodiversityandbiologicaloutcomes,aswellasdataandmodelingtomakepredictionsintothefuture,toinformdecisionmakingandevaluateprograms andprojects.

•Moreopensourcedata(GIS)andfacilitationofsharingofdataamongsttheconservationanddevelopmentcommunitiesisneeded.

•Thereisahugebodyofknowledgeatalllevelsofgovernment,butnotaclearpictureofhowitinterrelates.

•Thelinksbetweenscienceandpolicyneedtobeimproved.

•Canadalacksanationalbiodiversitymonitoringapproach.

• Biodiversitycoversabroadspectrumacrossjurisdictionalboundaries–insteadoffocussingononeissue,thereshouldbecollaborativeconservationeffortswithallgroupsandinterestsaffectingthelandscape.

•Thereislittleguidanceavailableonintegratingclimatechangeadaptationstrategiesintocontemporaryconservationplanningframeworks.

•Weneedtobetterunderstandtheimpactsofclimatechangeonbiodiversityinurban,rural,non-protectedbutrelativelyuntouched(e.g.,boreal)andprotectedandconservedlandscapes.

•Weneedasystemorcommonapproachforvaluingnaturalassetsandecosystemservices;i.e.,determinetheeconomic,health,socialandculturalbenefitstheyprovideandtheconsequencesorcostsassociatedifweremovesomeofthosevaluesfromthelandscape.

•Itisdifficulttodeterminethevalueofecosystemsandtheservicesthattheyprovide.Forexample,thebenefitstomentalhealthorculturalheritagearedifficulttoquantifybutinvaluabletoacommunity.

•Restoringlandscapestotheiroriginalstateisgoingtobedifficult,ifnotimpossible,toachieveinachangingclimate.

•Thereisinsufficientfundingandresourcestoimplementpriorityresearchprojectsthatwillachievedesiredresiliencyoutcomes.

•Weneedtothinkaboutecosystemresilienceandincludeanadaptationlensinourmanagementapproach,particularlythewaywemanagesinglespecies.

• Topreserveentireecosystemsweneedtostudyandmanagethemmoreholistically.

•Climatechangeadaptationisabouthowwedobusinesstodayandmakingitworkwithouttakingallthatwepossiblycanoutofthelandandexacerbatingconditions.

THEME 1: ScienceOverarching key message: Thereisaneedformorecohesiveandcoordinatedbiodiversityresearchonclimatechangeimpactsandadaptation.


•Managementactionsthatledtorecoveryinthepastmaynothavethesamedesiredeffectinthefuture.

•Itwillbeincreasinglydifficulttolookbackwardstoknowwhatwillhappen inthefuture.

•Amajorcollaborativeinvestmentinscienceanddataisrequired.Weneedcomprehensivehabitatandbiodiversityinventories;i.e.,therearesomehabitatinventoriesbutthereisnotawetlandinventory,andsomeareasliketheborealarenotfullymapped.

•Themeaningfulandrespectfulco-developmentscientificinformationandIndigenousknowledgetoinformdecisionmakingandadaptationactionshould bestrengthened.

•Weneedscientiststohelpusunderstandhowwecanensurelandscapeshaveecologicalintegrity,whichmeansthattheywillbeabletoadapttoclimatechangeandbefunctionalecosystems,eveniftheyarenolongertheecosystemswithwhichscientistshavebecomeaccustomed.

Opportunities•“NoRegrets”actionsareimportantandeffectiveregardlessofclimatechange.Theseincludeputtingadaptationmeasuresintoplacebecauseevenwithoutanyclimatechangeimpacts,therewillbebenefits.Forexample,conservingwetlandsisgoodforbiodiversityevenwithoutclimatechange.

•Forminterdisciplinaryandmulti-sectorpartnershipsearlyintheresearchandconservationprocesses.

•Identifysenior-levelchampionstosupportfoundationalresearchaswellastheimplementationofpilotprojectsattheorganizationallevel.

•Identifyandunderstandcurrentimpactsandanticipatefuturescenarios.

•Prioritizekeyclimatechangethreatsandadaptationresponsesthatareneededtoenhanceecosystemresilience.

•Seekbestpracticesacrossthecountryregardingintegratedapproachesforclimatechangeimpactsandadaptation.

•Biodiversityandclimatechangeadaptationisanemergingissueandresourceplannersanduserswillneednewtoolsandresourcestoidentifyandassessrisks–theBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupcouldbeinstrumentalindevelopingandevaluatingthesetoolsandresources.

•Organizationsthatconductspeciesresearchandconservation,suchasBirdStudiesCanadaandDucksUnlimitedCanada,mayaddvaluetotheBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroup’sefforts.

•ConductananalysisofhowecosystemserviceshelpdifferentMinistersanddepartmentsmeettheirmandates.

•TherecentAuditorGeneralreportonclimatechangeintheNorthwestTerritoriesframestheissuesandneedsverywell;oneofthereport’smainareasofexaminationwasbiodiversityandwildlifeadaptationefforts.

Science – continued


Strengths Weaknesses•Manygroupsareinstrongpositionstodeliverclimatechangeadaptationinitiatives,includinggovernments,academia,non-governmentalorganizations,andIndigenouspeoplesatthenational,provincialandregionallevelsinvolvedinspecies-andhabitat-specificinitiatives.

•Partnershipsareatthefoundationofconservation–thepartnershipmodel,particularlyforon-the-groundactivities,hasproveneffective.

•Thereisgoodforwardthinkingfromnon-governmentalorganizations–thiscouldbeagreatopportunityforgovernmentsandindustrytobenefit.

•Biodiversityconservationispartofclimatechangeadaptationsolutionsacrossallsectorsandsilos.

•Industryisworkingwithleadersandacademicsinthefieldofclimatechange–theirknowledgecouldbehelpfultomanyconservationpartnerships.

•Non-governmentalorganizationsareworkingwithIndigenousandcommunityleadersandacademicsinthefieldofconservationandclimatechange–theirknowledgecouldbehelpfultomanyadaptationpartnerships.

•Interdisciplinarycollaborationisessentialandwillbenefitgovernments,sectorsandbiodiversity.

•CertainregionsofCanadaarebetterrepresentedbytheBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupStateofPlayReport,e.g.,fromQuebecwestward.

•CertainorganizationsandsectorsarenotwellrepresentedintheBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupStateofPlayReport(e.g.theAlbertaBiodiversityMonitoringInstitute,Saskatchewan’sWaterSecurityAgency,theUniversityofPrinceEdwardIsland’sClimateChangeLabandotheracademicresearchgroups,etc.).

•Thefederalgovernmentshouldworkwithprovincial,territorialandmunicipalgovernmentstodevelopastrategyforaddressingclimatechangeadaptationneedsforbiodiversity–therearemechanismsinplacetosupportthisworkthatcouldbeleveraged.

•Thereisahugebodyofknowledgeatalllevelsofgovernment,butnotaclearpictureofhowitinterrelates.

•Canadiangovernmentsarenotwellpositionedtoworkcloselywithenvironmentalconservationorganizations,industry,academia,landownersandallCanadians.

•ItisnotwellunderstoodacrossdepartmentshowecosystemserviceshelpdifferentMinistersanddepartmentsmeettheirmandates–thiscouldalsobesaidforindustry.

•Duplicationofeffortswillcontinuetooccurifamorecoordinated,multi-sectorapproachisnottaken.Non-climatestresses,suchashabitatfragmentationandinvasivespecies,persistandneedtobereduced.

•Needtoaddressallecologicalsystems–terrestrial,freshwaterandmarineecosystemsandworkwiththerelevantsectorstoidentifysolutions.

•Challengesexistwithmigratoryspecies;i.e.,conservationoccursinCanadabutamoreholisticandmulti-jurisdictionalinternationalapproachisrequiredformigratoryspecies.

THEME 2: PartnershipsOverarching key message: Thereisaneedtoleveragethediversityofpotentialpartnersinbiodiversityadaptation,andtakeamoremulti-disciplinaryapproachtoidentifyingsolutions.


Opportunities•Biodiversitycoversabroadspectrumacrossjurisdictionalboundaries–insteadoffocussingononeissue,therecouldbecollaborativeeffortswithallgroupsaffectingthelandscape.

•Wehavetheopportunitytostrengthenbiodiversityconservationnetworks.

•Interdisciplinaryandmulti-sectorpartnershipsneedtobeformedearlyintheresearchandconservationprocess.

•Therearepotentialleadershipopportunities,includingecosystems(naturalinfrastructure)asanadaptationsolution,betweengovernmentsandbusinesses.

•MaximizepartnershipswithIndigenousgovernmentsandorganizations.Indigenouspeoplesarekeypartnersinbiodiversityconservationandclimatechangeadaptation.

•Workwithsectorstoadapttheirexistingprogramswithbiodiversityconservationandclimatechangeinmind.

•Encourageandfostermulti-stakeholdercollaborationworksthroughknowledgeconsortiumsthatincludeindustry,environmentalnon-governmentalorganizations,provincesandterritories,andIndigenousorganizations.

•Workcloselywithprovincestodevelopabiodiversityandadaptationstrategy.WorkwithotherAdaptationPlatformWorkingGroups,governmentdepartmentsandsectorstoconveybiodiversitybenefitsandecosystemservices.

•Workwithothergovernmentdepartments,likeStatisticsCanada,toconveynaturalcapitalandecosystemservicesvaluesandeconomicbenefits.

•WorkmorecloselywithconservationgroupssuchastheGreenBudgetCoalition.

•Organizationsthatconductspeciesresearchandconservation,suchasBirdStudiesCanadaandDucksUnlimitedCanada,mayaddvaluetotheBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroup’sefforts.

Partnerships – continued


Strengths Weaknesses•Biodiversityhasafundamentalroleinsupportingalllifeonearth–alllivingorganisms,includinghumans,relyonandbenefitfrombiodiversity.

•Ecosystemservicesarepartoftheclimatechangesolutionbothinlandscapeconservationandasacommunicationstool.


•MostoftheAdaptationPlatformWorkingGroupsrefertobiodiversityconservationintheirStateofPlayreports(e.g.,Forestry,Coastal,Energy,Northern,etc.).

•TherearemanyexistingprogramsandprojectsinCanadathat,directlyorindirectlybenefitbiodiversityconservation.

•CanadahasmanyCitizenScienceprogramsunderwaythatcollectandsharebiodiversityinformation.

•Theterms“biodiversity”and“adaptation”arenotwellunderstood.

•Noteveryoneusesthesameterminologyintheirconservationapproaches.

•Someresearch,conservationandadaptationeffortsmaybeduplicatedduetoalackofcoordination.

THEME 3: CommunicationsOverarching key message: Thereisaneedtoovercomebarriersincommunicatingthevalueofbiodiversityforadaptation,particularlyintermsofecosystemservices.

Opportunities•Needtocommunicatehowbiodiversitycontributestoclimatechangeadaptation.

•Sharesuccessstories,bestmanagementpracticesandexamples,whichmayincludechallengesandfailures.

•Developeducationandawarenesscampaignsdesignedtodemonstratebiodiversitybenefitstofarmprofitability,andsustainability.

•ImprovecommunicationswithallconservationandadaptationgroupsandsharethegreatworkthatisunderwaybyNaturalResources Canada,theBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroupandothers,andcommunicatesuccessstoriesaswellaslessonslearned.

•BroadlypromoteCitizenScienceactivitiestomoreCanadians–thisengagementanditspotentialresultscontributetoamorecomprehensiveunderstandingofhowourclimateischanging.

•Incorporatetechnologyandapplicationdevelopment–manyCitizenScienceprograms,suchastheCommissionforEnvironmentalCooperation’sLearningEnvironmentalObserverNetwork,usemobileapplicationstorecordchangesinspeciesbehaviourandabundanceaswellaschanginghabitatconditionscausedbyclimatechangeimpactslikeincreaseddrought,invasivespeciesorforestfires.

•Potentialleadershiponcommunicationsfromotherorganizations,liketheCanadianParksandWildernessSociety.

•Exploreopportunitieswhereadaptationandmitigationbenefitsoverlap.


Strengths Weaknesses•Newfundingavailablefornational,provincial,territorialandIndigenouscollaborationtomeetCanada’sBiodiversity2020goals.

•Itismorecosteffectivetoconserveecosystemsthantorestorethem.

•Naturalsolutionsthatreducetheimpactsofclimatechangeareoftencheaperthantraditionalinfrastructuretobuild,restoreandmaintain.Thesecanenhancebiodiversityandecosystemhealth,whilealsoprotectingcommunities.

•Ecosystemservicesarepartoftheclimatechangesolution.


•Industrialsectorscouldbewellpositioned,throughinitiativesliketheMiningAssociationofCanada’sTowardsSustainableMiningInitiative,toincorporateclimatechangeadaptationforbiodiversityintotheirexistingtoolsandmodels.

•Somesectors,suchasindividualfarmbusinesses,havebeenmoredeterminedtoadaptmeasuresforextremeweatherpreparednessthanothers.Afarmer’sinvestmentinbiodiversityprojectscanresultinproductionbenefits(profitabilityandsustainability)andlessenclimatechange-relatedlosses.Thosethathaveadoptedbestmanagementpractices,likerotationalgrazingandcovercrops,havebeenlessimpactedbyclimatechange.

•TherearemanyexistingprogramsandprojectsinCanadathat,directlyorindirectly,benefitbiodiversityconservation.

•Thereisinadequatefundingandresourcestodeliveradaptationprogramstoachievedesiredresiliencyoutcomes.

•Investmentstoaddressinformationgapsastheyrelatetobiodiversity/climatechangearelacking.

•Duplicationofeffortswillcontinuetooccurifamorecoordinated, multi-sectorapproachisnottaken.Non-climatestresses,suchashabitatfragmentationandinvasivespecies,persistandneedtobereduced.

•Needtoaddressallecologicalsystems–terrestrial,freshwaterandmarineecosystemsandworkwiththerelevantsectorstoidentifysolutions.

•CanadamaynotfullymeetallofitsBiodiversity2020targets.

•Biodiversityconservationneedstobeahigherpriorityofthefederalgovernment(Biodiversity2020Goals)aspartofCanada’scommitmenttotheUnitedNationsConventiononBiologicalDiversity.

•Adaptationactivitiescantakealongtimetoimplementsoitisimportanttoputinplacemonitoringandsurveyframeworkstobeabletoassessandreportonthesuccessofadaptationmeasuresovertime.

•Projectoutcomesneedtobemorequantitative.

•Ifwedonothing,wearepossiblygoingtolosemorethanspecies–thereisthepotentialthatsomeofthebasicfunctionsofecosystemsthathumansdependonwillbelost.

•Speciesrecoverymustnotbecomethemaindriverofconservation.

•Challengesexistwithmigratoryspecies;i.e.,conservationoccursinCanadabutamoreholisticandmulti-jurisdictionalinternationalapproachisrequiredformigratoryspecies.

•Climatechangeiscomplicatingthedefinitionof“invasivealienspecies”duetoshiftingranges.

•Thereisanoveremphasisonmanaginglandscapesforclimatechangemitigationvalues(i.e.greenhousegasemissionreduction)withoutalwaysconsideringtheresilienceoftheecosystemorthebiodiversityimpacts. Weneedtobecarefulthatoutclimatemitigationsolutionsdon’tunderminetheseequallyimportantothervalues.

•Wehavefewtoolsthatreallyallowustoimplementlandscapelevelsolutionsneededforbiodiversityconservationandadaptation,mostofthemdon’tintegratelandscapelevelresilienceandadaptationquestions.

•Missedopportunityifconservationinvestmentsarenotmadebeforerestorationisrequired.

•Thereisincreasingcompetitionforfundingandotherresources.

•Needtodevelopthebusinesscaseforfundingadaptationactions.

•Fundingresourcestendtobemoredirectedtomitigation.

•Governmentsandnon-profitshavelimitedresourcessotheymustspendmoneysmartlyanddrivemultiplevaluesfromit.

THEME 4: Policy, Programs and FundingOverarching key message: Thereisaneedtointegratebiodiversityintoclimatechangepolicies,programsandfunding–andaneedtointegrateclimatechangeintobiodiversitypolicies,programsandfunding.


Opportunities•AnanalysisofhownaturalcapitalrestorationbenefitsdifferentMinistersanddepartmentsmeettheirmandatesmayhelpdeliverresourcesforon-the-groundwork.

•Buildoneffectivecurrentprogramstobenefitbiodiversityinachangingclimateandadvocateformajornewinvestmentsinconservationpartnerships.

•Measuringeffectivenessofprojectsandinitiatives,aswellaslearningfromexperiencesandreportingresults,wouldincreaseknowledgeandfurtheradvancethiskindofwork.

•Advocatefordedicatedfederalnaturalinfrastructurefundandotherfunding.

•LinktocurrentstrategiessuchasCanada’sBiodiversity2020andcomplementthegoalsofsuchstrategies.

•WorkwithotherAdaptationPlatformWorkingGroupsthatreferencebiodiversityconservationintheirStateofPlayreportsandencourageWorkingGroupsthathavenotincludedbiodiversitytodoso.

•InvolveallCanadiansinbiodiversityconservationandclimatechangeadaptationinitiatives,notjustthoseworkinginlandmanagement;e.g.nativetreeplantingingardens,etc.

•IncorporateclimatechangeasathreatmoreexplicitlyinCommitteeontheStatusofEndangeredWildlifeinCanadaandSpeciesatRiskframeworks(currentlyunderconsideration).

•Increasedfundingandnational,provincial,territorialandIndigenouscollaborationtomeetourtargetsof17%protectionby2020;andconsiderationofadditionaltargetsbeyondthattimelinethatincludeconnectivity.

•Ifresourcesareinvestedininfrastructureprojects,includingnaturalinfrastructure,biodiversityandclimatechangeadaptationandresiliencyshouldbepartoftheinvestment.

•ConductananalysisofhowecosystemserviceshelpdifferentMinistersanddepartmentsmeettheirmandates.

•Exploreopportunitieswhereadaptationandmitigationbenefitsoverlap.

•Climatechangeadaptationisabouthowwedobusinesstodayandmakingitworkwithouttakingallthatwepossiblycanoutofthelandandexacerbatingconditions.

Policy, Programs and Funding – continued


Strengths Weaknesses•Indigenouspeopleshaveastrongculturalconnectiontotheland,waterandair.Whilethisincreasestheirexposureandsensitivitytoclimatechangeimpacts,itisalsoasourceofstrength,understandingandresilience.57

•IndigenouscommunitiesandtheholdersofTraditionalKnowledgehavealonghistoryofanddeepunderstandingaboutadaptingtochangesinclimateandtheland.Withsupport,theycancontributetothedevelopmentofnewandinnovativesolutionsthatbenefitallCanadiansandactaswayfindersonthepathtoresilience.58

•Indigenousknowledgesystems,whiledefinedbythosewhopracticeandareguidedbythem,arepassedfromgenerationtogenerationthroughculture,song,language,dance,ceremonyandwitnessing.Theydrawupontheever-changingnaturalworld.Assuch,theychangeovertime,bringingforwardnewunderstandingsregardingtheEarth’secology.59

•AcrossCanada,teamsofIndigenousGuardiansareworkingtoconserveandmanagetheirlands.Theymonitorwildlife,patrolprotectedareasandreducetheimpactsofclimatechange.Intheprocess,theyhonortheirculturaltraditionsandtrainthenextgenerationofleaders.Guardiansmonitorcaribouandotherendangeredspecies,manageinvasivespecies,andworktoprotecttheborealnestinggroundsforbillionsofmigratorybirds.60

• Indigenouspeoplesareamongthemostvulnerabletoclimatechangeandexperienceuniquechallenges.Arangeoffactors,largelyrelatedtohistoricallegacies,contributetothisvulnerability,including:exposuretoisolatedandhazard-proneareas;relianceonthenaturalenvironmentforlivelihoods;socioeconomicchallenges,includingdisproportionatefiscalandpopulationpressures;sub-standardinfrastructureandlimitedaccesstoprofessionalservices,suchasland-useplanningandassetmanagementexpertise.Indigenouscommunitiesalsofacechallengesofaccesstoclimatechangeadaptationresources,programsandtools.61

•Federal,provincialandterritorialgovernmentsmustrecognizethecriticalroleofIndigenouswisdomandknowledgeinmanagingcomplexecosystemsandaddressingconservation-andprotection-relatedchallenges.TheymustalsothoroughlyunderstandIndigenousknowledgesystemsifauthenticknowledgesharingandlearningaretobetrulyreciprocal.Therefore,thereisaneedforgovernmentsatalllevelstobuildtheirinternalcapacitytograspandvalueIndigenousknowledgesystems.62

THEME 5: Indigenous LeadershipOverarching key message: ThereisaneedtocentreIndigenousvoicesandrespectfullyandauthenticallyintegrateIndigenousleadership.


Opportunities• Governmentswillworkwithregionalpartners[toimplementthePan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange],includingwithIndigenouspeoplesthroughcommunity-basedinitiatives,tobuildregionalcapacity,developadaptationexpertise,respectfullyincorporateTraditionalKnowledgeandmobilizeaction.63

• Canada’sAdaptationPlatformandregionalconsortiaandcentressupportthesharingofexpertiseandinformationamonggovernments,Indigenouspeoplesandcommunities,businessesandprofessionalorganizationsandsupportactiononjointpriorities.64

• TheIndigenousCircleofExperts(ICE)believesfederal,provincialandterritorialgovernmentsmusttakeanintegratedapproachtomeetingtheirdomesticbiodiversitygoalsandcontributingtotheglobalgood.The20AichiTargetsand19relatedCanadianbiodiversitytargetsareintendedtoworktogether.ThisapproachalignswithIndigenousworldviewsandthinkingthathaveconservedbiodiversityeffectivelyformillennia.65

• TheIndigenousCircleofExperts(ICE)recommendsthatfederal,provincial,territorialandIndigenousgovernmentscollaboratewitheducationalinstitutionstosupportandencouragefurtherresearchandcapacity-buildinginIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreas(IPCAs),suchaswithrespecttotheimpactsandmitigationofclimatechange.IPCAscanbe“beaconsofteachings”:spacesforhighereducationresearchfocusingontherecoveryandrevitalizationofIndigenousknowledgesystemsandrootedintheguidanceandteachingofElders.66

• ByusingtraditionalIndigenousskillsandprovidingopportunitiestolearnotherskills,aconservationeconomycanprovidemeaningfullivelihoodsandultimatelysupporthealthycommunities.Naturallydiverseenvironments,combinedwithvibrantculturesandhistories,createlong-termsustainableemploymentpotentialforlocalandregionalresidentsbymaximizingexistingskillsandknowledge,providingnewskills,andadequatelysupportingfamiliesnowandintothefuture.67

• Indigenouscommunitiesarefirsttoexperiencetheeffectsofclimatechangeyetcontributetheleast[intermsofgreenhousegasemissions].Therefore,Indigenoussolutionsneedtobeattheforefront.[Weneedto]upliftIndigenousworldviewsandexperienceswithinclimatediscussions.Indigenousknowledgeiskeytofindingsustainableandeffectiveclimatesolutions.68

• IndigenouswisdomandknowledgeareembeddedinIndigenouspracticesformanagingcomplexecosystemsandforaddressingconservation-andprotection-relatedchallenges.Ideally,Indigenousknowledgesystemsandwesternscienceshouldbevaluedandrespectedequally,shouldinformandcomplementeachother,andshouldbecombinedintoaseamlessapproach.69

• FirstNations(Indigenouspeoples)areinauniquepositiontobeleadersinclimatechangeinitiativesbecauseofourknowledgeofthesacredteachingsoftheland,andmustbesituatedasagentsofchangeinclimateaction,ratherthanaspassiverecipientsofclimatechangeimpacts.70

Indigenous Leadership – continued


Conclusion

AsstatedintheIntroduction,thegoaloftheState of Play: Biodiversityreportisto:

1. ProvidetheWorkingGroupwithacommonunderstandingofclimatechangerelatedissuesandconcernsaffectingbiodiversityinCanada

2. Provideanoverviewofthecurrentstateofbiodiversityconservationactivities,includinggapsandopportunities

FivekeyoverarchingmessageshaveemergedfromtheStateofPlayReport:

1. Science:Thereisaneedformorecohesiveandcoordinatedbiodiversityresearchonclimatechangeimpactsandadaptation.

2. Partnerships:Thereisaneedtoleveragethediversityofpotentialpartnersinbiodiversityadaptation,andtakeamoremulti-disciplinaryapproachtoidentifyingsolutions.

3. Communications:Thereisaneedtoovercomebarriersincommunicatingthevalueofbiodiversityforadaptation,particularlyintermsofecosystemservices.

4. Policy,ProgramsandFunding:Thereisaneedtointegratebiodiversityintoclimatechangepolicies,programsandfunding–andaneedtointegrateclimatechangeintobiodiversitypolicies,programsandfunding.

5. IndigenousLeadership:ThereisaneedtocentreIndigenousvoicesandrespectfullyandauthenticallyintegrateIndigenousleadership

Thesekeyfindingsprovideacommonbaselineformovingforwardonbiodiversityandclimatechangeadaptation,andwillprovideabasisfortheBiodiversityAdaptationWorkingGroup’s2018-22WorkPlan.


Appendix A: Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group Members – March 2018

ElizabethNelson(CurrentChair) ParksCanada

CurtisScurr AssemblyofFirstNations

JamesQuayle BCParks

RegMelanson CanadianBusinessandBiodiversityCouncil

FlorenceDaviet CanadianParksandWildernessSociety(CPAWS)

ErinDown EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(CanadianWildlifeService)

Lesley-AnneDams EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(StrategicPolicy)

DeniseJoy FisheriesandOceansandCanada

MurraySmith FisheriesandOceansandCanada

KateLindsay ForestProductsAssociationofCanada

AndrewdeVries MiningAssociationofCanada

PhyllisDale NaturalResourcesCanada(CanadianForestService)

DominiqueAuger NaturalResourcesCanada(ClimateChangeImpactsandAdaptation)

SuzanneCarrière NWTDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(WildlifeDivision)

SteveHounsell OntarioBiodiversityCouncil

RobertSiron Ouranos

ScottParker(formerCo-Chair) ParksCanada

DelaneyBoyd(formerCo-Chair) SaskatchewanMinistryofEnvironment(CISBranch)

EmilyGiles WWF-Canada


Former members and alternates who contributed to this report:

DrewBlack CanadianFederationofAgriculture

BryanPoirier EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(CanadianWildlifeService)

TaraShea MiningAssociationofCanada

JuliaThomas ParksCanada

DinahTambalo SaskatchewanMinistryofEnvironment(CISBranch)

SusanEvans WWF-Canada


Appendix B: Examples of Projects to Address Biodiversity in a Changing Climate

Thefollowingareexamplesofinitiatives,innovations,researchandtoolsundertakenbycommunities,provincial,territorialandfederalgovernments,privatesector,academiaandothersacrossCanadaforthebenefitofbiodiversityconservationinachangingclimate.

Arctic CouncilThe Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative Work Plan 2015-2019Toimprovetheconservationstatusandsecurethelong-termsustainabilityofdecliningArcticbreedingmigratory birdpopulations.Species:ShorebirdsRegion:Global/CanadaFormoreinformation:https://oaarchive.arctic-council.org/bitstream/handle/11374/1446/CAFF_AMBI_Doc1_Work_Plan_2015-2019_AC_SAO_CA04.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

British Columbia ParksLiving Lab Program – Various Research ProjectsTheLivingLabProgrampromotesB.C.’sprotectedareasasplacestolearnabouttheeffectsofclimatechange,howtomitigate(lessen)theeffects,andhowtosharethisinformation.Theprogramencouragesresearchinprotectedareas.B.C.’sprotectedareasarelessdevelopedthanmuchoftherestoftheprovince,soparkscanhelpusunderstandhowundevelopedecosystemsreacttoclimatechange.Researchinparkscanalsotellushowlandandwaterconnectivitybetweenparkswillmakeadifferenceforspeciesastheclimatechanges.Thiskindofinformationwillhelpwhenmakingdecisionsonwhatactionstotakebothinsideandoutsideparks.Formoreinformation:http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/partnerships/living-labs/

Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice (CCACoP) Interactiveonlinecommunitydedicatedtoadvancingknowledgeandactionintheareaofclimatechangeadaptation. TheCCACoPservesasalocationwhereresearchers,experts,policy-makersandpractitionersfromacrossCanadacancometogethertoaskquestions,generateideas,shareknowledge,andcommunicatewithothersworkinginthefieldofclimatechangeadaptation.OneofthemaingoalsoftheCCACoPistosupportallCanadianprovincesandterritoriesintheirefforts toincorporateclimatechangeadaptationintoplanningandpolicies.Region:Ontario/NationalFormoreinformation:https://ccadaptation.ca/en/landing

Commission for Environmental CooperationArctic Shorebird Habitat: Climate Change Resilience AnalysisTomodelArcticmigratoryshorebirdhabitatneedsforredknotsandsemi-palmatedsandpipersBiomeorHabitatType:TundraRegion:ArcticFormoreinformation:http://www.cec.org/our-work/projects/arctic-migratory-birds-initiative-ambi-%E2%80%93-americas%E2%80%99-flyway-action-plan


Commission for Environmental CooperationBlue Carbon ProjectToadvancetheconservationandrestorationofcoastalbluecarbonhabitatsbyimprovingdata,mappingandapproachestocarbonmappingandstorageBiomeorHabitatType:marinecoastalhabitatsRegion:NorthAmericaFormoreinformation:http://www3.cec.org/islandora/en/item/11723-blue-carbon-in-tidal-wetlands-pacific-coast-canada-examples-from-pacific-rimCanadaExample:https://www.squamishwatershed.com/blue-carbon-project.html

Commission for Environmental CooperationEcosystem Function and Traditional KnowledgeUnderits2015-2016project,UsingEcosystemFunctionandTraditionalKnowledgeTogethertoBuildResilienceandAdapttoClimateChangeinNorthAmerica,theCECfacilitatedtheexchangeoftools,methodologiesandassessmentsdevelopedinCanada,MexicoandtheUnitedStatestosupportthedevelopmentofecosystem-basedlocaladaptationincommunitiesvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechange.Region:Global/CanadaFormoreinformation:http://www3.cec.org/islandora/en/item/11768-ecosystem-function-and-traditional-ecological-knowledge-building-resilience-and

Commission for Environmental CooperationMarine Protected Areas Project – Rapid Vulnerability Assessment ToolTohelpmarineprotectedareamanagersevaluatetheimplicationsofclimatechangeforthehabitatsoftheirsites. BiomeorHabitatType:MarineProtectedAreasRegion:NorthAmericaFormoreinformation:http://www3.cec.org/islandora/en/item/11733-north-american-marine-protected-area-rapid-vulnerability-assessment-tool-en.pdf

Conservation OntarioClimae Change: Building Resiliency for Healhy Waersheds and PeopleToassistOntario’sconservationauthoritiesrespondtoclimatechangeimpacts,includingbiodiversityBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:Ontario

Convention on Biological DiversityAICHI Targe GuidesBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsFormoreinformation:https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/

Ducks Unlimited CanadaCanadian Wetlands RoundtableWorkshopsonwetlandsandclimatechange(stakeholderandgovernmentparticipants)BiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:National


Ducks Unlimited CanadaConducting,supportingandaggregatingpeerreviewedscienceontherelationshipbetweenpeatandmineral-basedwetlandsandtheirimpactsonclimatechangeadaptationandmitigation.BiomeorHabitatType:Wetlands,Grasslands,AssociatedUplandHabitats,BorealForestRegion:Prairies,WesternBorealForest

Ducks Unlimited CanadaGeneratingbaselinewetlandinventoriesthroughoutportionsoftheborealforbettermonitoringandinvestigatingestablishingbenchmarksofdistributionsofhabitatsandbiodiversitytoidentifylandscapesthataremoresensitivetoclimate-inducedchanges.BiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:National

Ducks Unlimited CanadaDelta Marsh ProjectProjectDescription:Commoncarpexclusiongatesinstalledatsevenentrypointsresultinginvegetationstabilizationandbiodiversityenhancement;DUCrebuiltmultipleearthendykesaftersevereflooding,highwaterandicedamagebreachedthebarrierbetweenthemarshandLakeManitoba.BiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:Prairies,WesternBorealForest

Ducks Unlimited CanadaEcological goods and services study on the effects of wetland drainage in a tributary of the Souris and Assiniboine rivers in Western ManitobaBiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:Broughton’sCreek,WesternManitoba

Ducks Unlimited CanadaEcological goods and services study on the effects of wetland drainage in a tributary of the Assiniboine River in east-central SaskatchewanBiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:East-centralSaskatchewan

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research Division Boreal Caribou StudyToexaminetheimpactofclimatechangeonfireregimeandhowthiswillimpactcaribouherdsBiomeorHabitatType:BorealForestRegion:NorthernCanada

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research DivisionPolar Bear StudyPolarbearsareaugmentingtheirdietstoincludeeatingseabirdeggs–toxinsoftenaccumulateineggs–andarethesetoxinsnowendingupinpolarbears.Researchisbeingundertakentounderstandtheseimpacts.BiomeorHabitatType:TundraRegion:NorthernCanada


Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research DivisionProeced Areas NeworkToensurethatcorridorsareinplacetoprovideresiliency,redundancyandconnectivitytoallowspeciestoadapttoachangingclimate.BiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research DivisionPeary Caribou StudyProjectDescription:ModellingtolookattheimpactofsevereweathereventsonavailabilityofPearycaribou.BiomeorHabitatType:BorealForestandTundraRegion:NorthernCanada

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Wildlife Research DivisionGreat Lakes Coastal Wetlands ProjectGoal:UseradarandsatelliteimagerytodeterminesizechangesonwetlandextentandcharacterasavulnerabilityassessmenttoinformconservationinitiativesBiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:Ontario

Fisheries and Oceans CanadaAquatic Climate Change Adapation Services ProgramProjectDescription:ResearchprojectstoexpandunderstandingofhowclimatechangewillimpactthedeliveryoftheDepartment’sprogramsandpoliciesandthedevelopmentofapplied-scienceadaptationtoolsandstrategiestoenabletheintegrationofclimatechangeconsiderationsintothedeliveryofthoseprogramsandpolicies.BiomeorHabitatType:MarineandfreshwaterRegion:Canada

Fisheries and Oceans CanadaModelling ool for biogeochemical changes prediction and incorporation of climae change ino he implemenation of an MPA Nework in he Gulf of S. LawrenceProjectGoal:TorefineandvalidateaclimatemodellingtooltoprovidegeographicallydetailedprojectionsoffuturechangesinbiogeochemicalconditionsfortheGulfofSt.Lawrence,ScotianShelfandtheGulfofMainBiomeorHabitatType:MaineProtectedAreasRegion:GulfofSt.Lawrence

Fisheries and Oceans CanadaProgram for Ecosysem-Based Research and Advice ResearchprojectsandscientifictooldevelopmentwhichsupportnationalprioritiesformanagingecosystemsinourdomesticwatersBiomeorHabitatType:MarineRegion:Canada


Fisheries and Oceans CanadaUnderstanding the impact of a changing climate on interactions between Pacific sardine and Pacific herring populations in British ColumbiaProjectGoal:Toprovidetheinformationnecessarytoexploretheeffectoffutureclimatechangepredictionsonhabitatoverlapandthepotentialforcompetitionbetweenthesespecies.BiomeorHabitatType:MarineRegion:WestCoast

Fisheries and Oceans CanadaIncorporating Climate Change into Marine Protected Area Network PlanningProjectGoal:DevelopmethodsforincorporatingclimatechangeconsiderationsintotheplanningprocessforsettingupMPAs BiomeorHabitatType:MarineProtectedAreasRegion:Canada

Friends of the GreenbeltA Green Infrastructure Guide for Small Cities, Towns and Rural CommunitiesProjectGoal:Tosupportsmallcities,townsandruralsettlementswiththeintegrationofgreeninfrastructureintotheircommunities.Region:UrbanareasFormoreinformation:http://www.greenbelt.ca/report_green_infrastructure

Green Shores Program Toimprovebenefitsandalignmentofhumandevelopmentandcoastlines,theStewardshipCentreforBChasdevelopedtheGreenShoresprogramtopromoterestorativeandprotectivepracticesofnaturalshorelinesinresidential,commercialandpublicspaces.Insteadofusingartificialbarriers,developersareencouragedtomimicnatureinlandscapedesign.Region:BCCoastlineFormoreinformation:http://stewardshipcentrebc.ca/Green_shores/

Intact Centre for Climate AdaptationClimate Change Adaption: A Priorities Plan for CanadaProjectDescription:Identifieskeythreatsandrecommendedactionsforanumberofdifferentsectorsandintereststoreducetheeffectsofclimatechangeandenhanceresilience.Chapter2addressesclimatechangethreatstobiodiversityandrecommendedactions.Chapter3addressesFreshwaterResources.BiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:NationalFormoreinformation:https://uwaterloo.ca/environment/sites/ca.environment/files/uploads/files/CCAP-Report-30May-Final.pdf

Intact Centre for Climate AdaptationNatural Infrastructure PreservationProjectDescription:Quantifyingtheeconomicvalueofnaturalinfrastructurepreservationtolimitfloodrisk.BiomeorHabitatType:WetlandsRegion:Nationalapplication;researchbasedinsouthernOntarioFormoreinformation:http://www.intactcentreclimateadaptation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/When-the-Big-Storms-Hit.pdf

http://www.greenbelt.ca/report_green_infrastructure


International Council for Local Environmental InitiativesFinding the Nexus: Exploring Climate Change Adaptation and BiodiversityProvidesguidanceandkeyinformationonhowclimatechangeadaptationcanbelinkedtoimportantmunicipalissuessuchasclimatechangemitigation,biodiversity,publichealth,water,urbanplanningandeconomicdevelopmentBiomeorHabitatType:AllHabitatsRegion:NationalFormoreinformation:http://www.icleicanada.org/

Memorial University, St. JohnsStudying Invertebrates’ Ability to Adapt to Climate ChangeProjectGoal:TodetermineifinvertebratescouldsurvivethepressureiftheymigratetodeeperwaterbecauseofclimatechangeBiomeorHabitatType:MarineRegion:NewfoundlandandLabrador

Nature Conservancy of CanadaClimate Change ChecklistBiomeorHabitatType:Allhabitats

NatureServe CanadaClimate Change Vulnerability IndexProjectDescription:IdentificationofplantandanimalspeciesthatareparticularlyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechangeBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:CanadaFormoreinformation:http://www.natureserve.org/conservation-tools/climate-change-vulnerability-index

Northwest Territories Government Development of a Conservation NetworkProjectGoal:TomanagelandssothatlandscapeconnectivityismaintainedforallspeciesBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:NorthwestTerritories

Northwest Territories GovernmentPredicting Future Potential Climate-Biomes for the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and AlaskaProjectDescription:linkingspecies-specificdataandlocaldetailsoflandscapeecologytoprojectedclimatechangesimpacts,landmanagerscanmakeinformeddecisionsabouthowtoadapttoachanginglandscapeBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:NorthwestTerritories

Northwest Territories GovernmentUpdating the Climate Change Strategic FrameworkProjectGoal:Toupdatethe2006NWTBiodiversityActionPlanwithanewgapanalysistoensureactionsformaintainingbiodiversityinlightofachangingclimateareinplace.Completeclimatechangeforestvulnerabilityassessmentsin selectedareas.BiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:NorthwestTerritoriesFormoreinformation:http://www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/climate-change


Office of the Auditor General of Canada ReportReport 2—Adapting to the Impacts of Climate ChangeProjectDescription:AuditfocusedonfederalprogressinadaptingtoclimatechangeBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:Nationalhttp://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_cesd_201710_02_e_42490.html

Ontario Biodiversity CouncilCommunicating Biodiversity and Climate ChangeProjectDescription:Areportthatprovidesaframeworkfordevelopingeffectivecommunicationsthatcanultimatelymovethe needleoneducatingandengagingthepubliconbiodiversityconservationanditsimportancewithregardstoclimatechange.BiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:OntarioFormoreinformation:http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/communicating-biodiversity-climate-change/

Ontario Biodiversity CouncilOntario’s Biodiversity Strategy (OBS) – Strategic Directions to 2020ProjectDescription:Enhancingecosystemresilienceinachangingclimatethroughhabitatprotection,restorationandstewardshipby:

• Integratebiodiversityintoprovincialclimatechangestrategiestoachievebothadaptationandmitigationgoals (OBStargets11-14).

• Value,maintain,restoreandenhanceecosystemservices(OBStarget14).• Developandimplementplansandstrategiestoprotectandconservebiologicaldiversityatthelandscapeand

municipallevelsthroughtheestablishmentofnaturalheritagesystems(OBStarget12).• Expandtheprotectedareassystem(OBStarget13).

BiomeorHabitatType:AllRegion:OntarioFormoreinformation:http://ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca/obc-strategic-agenda/

Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation ResourcesAuniversity-basedresourcehubforresearchersandstakeholderssearchingforinformationonclimatechangeimpacts andadaptation.BiomeorHabitatType:allbiomesandhabitatsRegion:Ontario/NationalFormoreinformation:http://www.climateontario.ca/

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and ForestryNaturally Resilient: Natural Resource Climate Adaptation StrategyProjectDescription:ToensuretheMinistryiswellpositionedtoreduceitsvulnerabilities,fulfillitsmandate,andaddress theimpactsofclimatechangeBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:Ontario


Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesPractitioners Guide to Climate Change Adaptation in Ontario’s Ecosystems 2011ProjectDescription:Theguideintroducestheconceptsofclimatechangeadaptation,vulnerability,andrisk.Italsodescribesvulnerabilityandriskassessmenttoolsandtechniques,andaframeworkthatcanbeusedtosupportadaptivemanagementinarapidlychangingclimate.Theguideseekstoassistnaturalresourcemanagerstoidentifywaysthatclimatechangevulnerabilitiesandriskscanbeintegratedintodecision-makingprocessesthatincludeadaptationactionplans,strategies, andpolicies.BiomeorHabitatType:AllbiomesandhabitatsRegion:Ontario/National

Ontario Power GenerationRegional Biodiversity ProgramProjectGoal:Tolinkbiodiversitywithclimatechangemitigationandadaption.Projectsarefocusedon:

• Restoringorcreatinghabitatsforterrestrialandaquaticspeciesindecline;• Enhancingtheresilienceofhabitatsandecosystemstobettercopewithincreasingthreats,includingclimatechange

andinvasivespecies;and• Enhancingcriticalecosystemservices,suchasfloodattenuationorwaterqualityimprovement.

BiomeorHabitatType:Woodlands,wetlands,grasslands,lakesandriversandurbanbiodiversityprojectsRegion:OntarioFormoreinformation:https://www.opg.com/communities-and-partners/biodiversity/pages/opg-regional-biodiversity-program.aspx

OuranosEcosystems and Biodiversity ProgramThegoaloftheprogramistodevelopknowledgeandtoolstosupportadaptationfocusedonecosystemsandbiodiversitybyfacilitatingresearchprojects.Since2010,over25projectshavebeencompletedorareinprogress.ProjectExamples:• AssessmentofClimateChangeImpactsontheCaribou,theLand,andtheNaskapiNation,andIdentificationofPriority

AdaptationStrategies• Corridors,BiodiversityandEcosystemServices:AnEcologicalNetworkDesignedtoMaintainConnectivityandManage

ClimateChangeResiliencearoundMontreal• DevelopmentofaMethodologyandSamplingFrameworkforMonitoringBiodiversityinrelationtoClimateChange• EconomicAssessmentofEcologicalGoodsandServicesinaChangingClimate• Hydrological,EconomicandSpatialAnalysisToolsfortheEcologicalServicesofWetlandsintheSt.LawrenceLowlands:

AdaptationtoClimateChange• TheCC-BioProject:StudyingtheEffectsofClimateChangeonQuebecBiodiversity• ToolsforAssessingBiologicalInvasionRiskinaContextofClimateChangeRegion:QuebecFormoreinformation:https://www.ouranos.ca/en/program/ecosystems-biodiversity/

PEI PartnershipAtlantic Climate Adaptation Solutions AssociationProjectDescription:ThewebsitewasdevelopedtohelpAtlanticruralcoastalcommunitiesplanfortheeffectsofclimatechange;itincludestwotoolsandresources.BiomeorHabitatType:CoastalRegion:AtlanticCanadaFormoreinformation:https://atlanticadaptation.ca/CCAT


Province of British Columbia Natural Resources Climate Change AdaptationProjectDescription:Providingpolicy,knowledgeandtoolsrequiredtoadaptnaturalresourcemanagementtoachangingclimateinB.C.BiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:BritishColumbia

Province of British ColumbiaBC Agriculture and Food Climate Change InitiativeProjectDescription:DeveloptoolsandresourcestobenefitBC’sagriculturalsectoradapttoclimatechangeRegion:BritishColumbiaFormoreinformation:https://www.bcagclimateaction.ca/overview/about-us/

Province of Quebec2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan – Quebec in Action, Greener by 2020ReportDescription:ThereportistheProvince’sactionplanforaddressingclimatechange,particularlyintheareasoftransportation,land-useplanning(includingbiodiversityconservationandmaintenanceofecosystemservices)andenergy.Region:QuebecFormoreinformation:http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changements/plan_action/pacc2020-en.pdf

Province of Quebec2013-2020 Government Strategy for Climate Change AdaptationReportDescription:ExpressestheProvince’svisionforaddressingclimatechangebyidentifyingobjectives,strategicdirectionsandrecommendedactionsfortheconservationofbiodiversityandthemaintenanceofecosystemservices.Region:QuebecFormoreinformation:http://www.mddelcc.gouv.qc.ca/changements/plan_action/stategie-adaptation2013-2020-en.pdf

Simon Fraser UniversityACT (Adaptation to Climate Change Team)ProjectGoal:Tobringleadingexpertsfromaroundtheworldtogetherwithindustry,community,andgovernmentdecision-makerstoexploretherisksposedbytop-of-mindclimatechangeissuesandtoidentifyopportunitiesfor sustainableadaptationBiomeorHabitatType:AllhabitatsRegion:Canada

Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning Arctic Alaska Canada Climate-Biome Shift Project (AK Cliomes) and the Yukon and Northwest Territories (NWT) Climate-Biome Shift Project Finalprojectresultsanddataareintendedtoserveasaframeworkforresearchandplanningbylandmanagersandotherstakeholderswithaninterestinecologicalandsocioeconomicsustainability.Projectpartnersinclude:• Alaskaprojectfunding:USFishandWildlifeService• Canadianprojectfunding:TheNatureConservancy’sCanadaProject,DucksUnlimited,andtheGovernmentsofYTand NWT• Dataandanalysis:,EcologicalWildlifeHabitatDataAnalysisfortheLandandSeascapeLaboratory• Furtherinputwasprovidedbystakeholdersfromotherinterestedorganizations.Formoreinformation:https://www.snap.uaf.edu/projects/biome-shift


Turn Back the TideThistoolservestoinformusershowclimatechangewillimpactNewfoundlandandLabrador,aswellastherisksandopportunitiesthatareassociatedwitheachoftheseimpacts.Inunderstandinghowclimatechangewillaffecttheprovince,wecanbetterpreparetominimizeriskandseizeopportunitiesunderachangingclimate.Species:ShorebirdsRegion:NewfoundlandandLabradorFormoreinformation:http://www.turnbackthetide.ca/about-climate-change-and-energy-efficiency/impacts-of-climate-change.shtml

University of TorontoClimate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Aquatic Ecosystems in the Mississippi and Rideau Conservation Authority WatershedsRegion:MississippiandRideauConservationAuthorityWatershedsFormoreinformation:http://mvc.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RVCA-MVCA-Aquatic-habitat-CC-Vulnerability-Sept-15-2014-final2.pdf

World Wildlife Fund CanadaPlanning for a Healthy Arctic FutureToensurethatthisregion-includingwildlifeandthepeoplewhodependonhealthywildlifepopulations-canadapttoachangingclimate.Region:CanadianArcticFormoreinformation:http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/arctic/


Appendix C: References

1 ConventiononBiologicalDiversity.https://www.cbd.int/

2 IPCC2007ContributionofWorkingGroupIItotheFourthAssessmentReportoftheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange,2007.M.L.Parry,O.F.Canziani,J.P.Palutikof,P.J.vanderLindenandC.E.Hanson(eds)


4 Canada’sClimateChangeAdaptationPlatform.https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/environment/impacts-adaptation/adaptation-platform/10027


6 CanadianBiodiversityStrategy.http://www.biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=560ED58E-1

7 Canada’sBiodiversityOutcomesFramework.http://www.biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=F14D37B9-1

8 2020BiodiversityGoalsforCanada.http://biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=9B5793F6-1

9 StrategicPlanforBiodiversity2011-2020.https://www.cbd.int/sp/

10 Canada’s4thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiodiversity(2009).https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ca/ca-nr-04-en.pdf


12 NaturalAreasConservationProgram.http://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/conservation-program/

13 NorthAmericanWaterfowlManagementPlan.http://nawmp.wetlandnetwork.ca/

14 Canada’sHabitatStewardshipProgram.https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/programs/habitat-stewardship-species-at-risk.html

15 Ontario’sSpeciesatRiskStewardshipFund.https://www.ontario.ca/page/grants-protecting-species-risk

16 BreedingBirdAtlases.http://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/atlas/

17 BumbleBeeWatch.https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/

18 WorkingGrouponAdaptationandClimateResilienceFinalReport.53pages.https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/cc/content/6/4/7/64778dd5-e2d9-4930-be59-d6db7db5cbc0/wg_report_acr_e_v5.pdf

19 MarineProtectedAreas.http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/publications/mpapolicy-politiquezpm/index-eng.html

20 LakeSimcoeProtectionPlan.https://www.ontario.ca/page/lake-simcoe-protection-plan

21 DucksUnlimitedCanada.http://www.ducks.ca/our-work/wetlands/


23 CanadianEndangeredSpeciesConservationCouncil.2016.WildSpecies2015:TheGeneralStatusofSpeciesinCanada.NationalGeneralStatusWorkingGroup:128pp.https://www.wildspecies.ca/reports


24 WorldWildlifeFundLivingPlanetReportCanada:Anationallookatwildlifeloss.2017.56pp.





29 Canada’s Species at Risk Act.http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/s-15.3/

30 Migratory Birds Convention Act,1994.http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/m-7.01/

31 Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. http://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/W-8.5/index.html

32 ConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies.https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.php

33 Canada Wildlife Act.http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/W-9/

34 Ontario Wetland Conservation Strategy.https://www.ontario.ca/page/wetland-conservation-strategy

35 North American Wetlands Conservation Act,1989.http://nawcc.wetlandnetwork.ca/nawca.html

36 Quebec’s Bill 132.http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=5&file=2017C14A.PDF

37 Quebec’s Environmental Quality Act.http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cs/Q-2

38 CanadianCouncilofForestMinisters.https://www.ccfm.org/english/coreproducts-cc.asp

39 FederalSustainableDevelopmentStrategyforCanada2016-201939detailshttp://www.fsds-sfdd.ca/index.html#/en/goals/

40 VancouverDeclarationonCleanGrowthandClimateChange.https://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/03/03/communique-canadas-first-ministers

41 Pan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange.https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/themes/environment/documents/weather1/20170125-en.pdf

42 AdaptationandClimateResilienceWorkingGroupReport.https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/eccc/migration/cc/content/6/4/7/64778dd5-e2d9-4930-be59-d6db7db5cbc0/wg_report_acr_e_v5.pdf

43 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-15.2/

44 MillenniumEcosystemAssessment.https://www.iucn.org/commissions/commission-ecosystem-management/our-work/cems-thematic-groups/ecosystem-services

45 TheEconomicsofEnvironmentandBiodiversity.http://www.teebweb.org/

46 IPCC,2012:ManagingtheRisksofExtremeEventsandDisasterstoAdvanceClimateChangeAdaptation.ASpecialReportofWorkingGroupsIandIIoftheIntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange[Field,C.B.,V.Barros,T.F.Stocker,D. Qin,D.J.Dokken,K.L.Ebi,M.D.Mastrandrea,K.J.Mach,G.-K.Plattner,S.K.Allen,M.Tignor,andP.M.Midgley(eds.)]. CambridgeUniversityPress,Cambridge,UnitedKingdomandNewYork,NY,USA,582pp.

47 SecretariatoftheConventiononBiologicalDiversity(2010),Global Biodiversity Outlook 3,May,2010,p.56


48 Climatedataandscenarios:synthesisofrecentobservationandmodelingresults,chapter2.https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/publications/data-scenarios-synthesis-recent-observation/chapter-2.html

49 InvasiveAlienSpecies.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.http://biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=81BC7F85-1

50 Submission from FPT ADMS responsible for conservation, wildlife and biodiversity.

51 Submission from FPT ADMS responsible for conservation, wildlife and biodiversity.

52 InternationalUnionforConservationofNature.CommissiononEcosystemManagement.https://www.iucn.org/commissions/commission-ecosystem-management/our-work/cems-thematic-groups/ecosystem-services

53 CanadianHoneyCouncil.http://honeycouncil.ca/archive/honey_industry_overview.php

54 OntarioPollinatorHealthActionPlan.OntarioMinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs.48pp.

55 EightThingsYouShouldKnowaboutNaturalSolutionstoClimateChange.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/nature/science/climat-climate/huit-eight

56 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.

57 WorkingGroupReportonAdaptationandClimateResilience(toinformthePan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange).2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.78pp.



60 IndigenousLeadershipInitiative–http://www.ilinationhood.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Backgrounder-Indigenous-Guardians.pdf.



63 Pan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange:Canada’splantoaddressclimatechangeandgrowtheeconomy.2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.53pp.

64 Pan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange:Canada’splantoaddressclimatechangeandgrowtheeconomy.2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.53pp.





68 IndigenousClimateAction–https://www.indigenousclimateaction.com/


70 Elders’StatementoftheAdvisoryCommitteeonClimateActionandtheEnvironment(ACCAE)–http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/climate_change_fmm/16-12-09_accae_elders_statement_fe.pdf

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