With over 80,000 species calling Canada’s ecosystems home, biodiversity is critical to a healthy environment and healthy human communities.
In our campaign Vanishing: The Biodiversity Crisis in Canada, the Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective explores five key drivers of biodiversity loss across the country.
Through photographs and videos, expert interviews and research, we hope we have shed light on the biodiversity crisis unfolding across Canada, and on the complex interdependencies among species, habitats, and ourselves.
One key issue contributing to the biodiversity crisis in Canada is habitat loss.
What is habitat loss?
Habitat loss is the number one contributor to biodiversity decline in Canada. It refers to the process by which natural ecosystems are destroyed or significantly altered, resulting in the displacement or extinction of species that depend on these environments for survival.
Habitat loss is primarily driven by human activities, including urban development, deforestation, agriculture, oil and gas exploration, water diversion, and industrialization.
What are the impacts of habitat loss?
The loss of critical habitats can have a direct and profound impact on biodiversity. Habitat loss can lead to:
Extinction of species: When habitats are lost, the species that call them home can be forced out of their habitats or driven to extinction.
Ecosystem disruption: Ecosystems are made up of complex, interconnected interactions between and among species and their environments. The loss of key species disrupts these interactions, leading to ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.
Reduced ecosystem services: Healthy ecosystems provide essential services that we all benefit from, including clean water and air, climate regulation, and soil fertility. Habitat loss impacts these services, which has far-reaching implications on environmental health and our own well-being.
Fragmentation: As habitats are fragmented, species can become isolated. This reduces their ability to find food sources, mates, or migrate. In turn, this can lead to decreased genetic diversity, making populations more vulnerable to disease and environmental changes.
What are examples of habitat loss in Canada?
In Canada, the impact of habitat loss is far and wide. Studies show that 94% of land species are negatively affected by urbanization and agriculture.
For example, the loss of old growth forests in British Columbia contribute to the loss of certain species of lichen. The loss of lichen means there is less food available for ungulates, like endangered southern mountain caribou. Many other species that depend on these areas are also in quick decline, including larger mammals like grizzly bears and wolverines.
What can we do to address habitat loss?
By learning about habitat loss and the other drivers of biodiversity loss we explore in this campaign, we hope individuals are encouraged to think about biodiversity in their own communities, and get involved in addressing the crisis.
Tackling habitat loss across Canada requires a multi-pronged approach. For proposed solutions, read our campaign document.
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