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.
3Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
4 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
5Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
6 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
7Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
8 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
9Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
10 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
11Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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?
12 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
13Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.”
14 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
15Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
16 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
17Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
18 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
•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
19Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
20 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
21Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
Strengths Weaknesses•Biodiversityhasafundamentalroleinsupportingalllifeonearth–alllivingorganisms,includinghumans,relyonandbenefitfrombiodiversity.
•Ecosystemservicesarepartoftheclimatechangesolutionbothinlandscapeconservationandasacommunicationstool.
•Biodiversityconservationispartofclimatechangeadaptationsolutionsacrossallsectorsandsilos.
•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.
22 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
Strengths Weaknesses•Newfundingavailablefornational,provincial,territorialandIndigenouscollaborationtomeetCanada’sBiodiversity2020goals.
•Itismorecosteffectivetoconserveecosystemsthantorestorethem.
•Naturalsolutionsthatreducetheimpactsofclimatechangeareoftencheaperthantraditionalinfrastructuretobuild,restoreandmaintain.Thesecanenhancebiodiversityandecosystemhealth,whilealsoprotectingcommunities.
•Ecosystemservicesarepartoftheclimatechangesolution.
•Biodiversityconservationispartofclimatechangeadaptationsolutionsacrossallsectorsandsilos.
•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.
23Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
24 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
25Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
26 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
27Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
28 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
Former members and alternates who contributed to this report:
DrewBlack CanadianFederationofAgriculture
BryanPoirier EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada(CanadianWildlifeService)
TaraShea MiningAssociationofCanada
JuliaThomas ParksCanada
DinahTambalo SaskatchewanMinistryofEnvironment(CISBranch)
SusanEvans WWF-Canada
29Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
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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
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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
32 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
33Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
34 Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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
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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
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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
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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
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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/
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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)
3 ConventiononBiologicalDiversity.https://www.cbd.int/
4 Canada’sClimateChangeAdaptationPlatform.https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/environment/impacts-adaptation/adaptation-platform/10027
5 ConventiononBiologicalDiversity.https://www.cbd.int/
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
11 Canada’s5thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiodiversity(2014).https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ca/ca-nr-05-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/
22 Canada’s5thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiodiversity(2014).https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ca/ca-nr-05-en.pdf
23 CanadianEndangeredSpeciesConservationCouncil.2016.WildSpecies2015:TheGeneralStatusofSpeciesinCanada.NationalGeneralStatusWorkingGroup:128pp.https://www.wildspecies.ca/reports
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24 WorldWildlifeFundLivingPlanetReportCanada:Anationallookatwildlifeloss.2017.56pp.
25 WorldWildlifeFundLivingPlanetReportCanada:Anationallookatwildlifeloss.2017.56pp.
26 WorldWildlifeFundLivingPlanetReportCanada:Anationallookatwildlifeloss.2017.56pp.
27 Canada’s5thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiodiversity(2014).https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ca/ca-nr-05-en.pdf
28 Canada’s5thNationalReporttotheConventiononBiodiversity(2014).https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/ca/ca-nr-05-en.pdf
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
41Biodiversity Adaptation Working Group – State of Play Report
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.
58 WorkingGroupReportonAdaptationandClimateResilience(toinformthePan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange).2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.78pp.
59 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.
60 IndigenousLeadershipInitiative–http://www.ilinationhood.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Backgrounder-Indigenous-Guardians.pdf.
61 WorkingGroupReportonAdaptationandClimateResilience(toinformthePan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange).2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.78pp.
62 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.
63 Pan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange:Canada’splantoaddressclimatechangeandgrowtheeconomy.2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.53pp.
64 Pan-CanadianFrameworkonCleanGrowthandClimateChange:Canada’splantoaddressclimatechangeandgrowtheeconomy.2016.EnvironmentandClimateChangeCanada.Gatineau,Quebec.53pp.
65 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.
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66 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.
67 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.
68 IndigenousClimateAction–https://www.indigenousclimateaction.com/
69 WeRiseTogether:AchievingPathwaytoCanadaTarget1throughthecreationofIndigenousProtectedandConservedAreasinthespiritandpracticeofreconciliation.2018.TheIndigenousCircleofExperts’ReportandRecommendations.HerMajestytheQueeninRightofCanada.106pp.
70 Elders’StatementoftheAdvisoryCommitteeonClimateActionandtheEnvironment(ACCAE)–http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/climate_change_fmm/16-12-09_accae_elders_statement_fe.pdf