Land, Ecosystems and Biodiversity
4.1 Chapter Summary

Canadian Context

• Canada has a large landmass with a diversity of landscapes, including the largest wetlands area in the world.
• On a global scale, anthropogenic ecosystem changes have caused substantial and largely irreversible loss of biodiversity. In Canada, human activities and land uses also place considerable stress on landscapes and biodiversity. Human stresses on biodiversity and ecosystem vary considerably across the country because of the diversity of ecosystems and because of the many different human uses.
• Species diversity is a key indicator of biodiversity change and overall ecosystem health. The majority of species in Canada are listed as ‘secure’. Knowledge of species diversity in Canada is extensive but incomplete - as more species are assessed, the number of species at risk has increased. Habitat loss caused by human activity is the key stressor on species in Canada. Invasive alien species also pose a significant threat to species.
• Protecting species means protecting habitat. Canada’s protected area network is growing. It currently represents approximately 10% of Canada’s land mass - ranking 16th among OECD countries. However, the overall amount of habitat protection in Canada is not always enough to preserve biodiversity and ecological integrity because habitat protection does not always occur where it is most needed and, in some cases, protected area can be too small to support particular species.

Energy Sector

• Compared to other land uses, the energy system does not have a large physical footprint; however, a number of activities across the value chain can have significant impacts to land, ecosystems and biodiversity. These activities include:

• surface extraction of coal, uranium and oil sands;

• sub-surface extraction of oil and gas, including well sites, production facilities and access roads;

• hydro dams and diversions;

• energy transportation/distribution, including pipelines and other downstream oil and gas activities.
  

• Hydrocarbon spills occur across the entire energy system value chain and can result in soil and water contamination. While the incidence of small spills is much more frequent, large spills account for most of the volume spilled. Ocean transportation poses a significant risk to marine and coastal ecosystems.
• In terms of fossil fuel industries, the exploration and extraction of oil and gas involves several activities that can have local and regional impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity. Current and projected future growth in oil sands production is expected to result in significant regional impacts. Downstream transportation and storage of oil and gas from producers to end users can result in spills.
• In terms of electricity generation, impounding water in reservoirs and altering natural patterns of streamflow for hydroelectric generation can significantly impact river ecosystems and biodiversity. Surface extraction of coal and uranium for thermal-electric power generation can have significant land impacts. As well, radioactive waste from nuclear generation is an important public concern that needs to be managed. Emerging small-scale renewables (wind, solar, biomass) generally require larger amounts of land than conventional sources, but tend to be more flexible in terms of siting.
• Current knowledge related to ecosystem health and biodiversity in Canada and globally is limited and has several areas of uncertainty. Increased scientific effort to improve our understanding of ecosystem processes, related stresses from human activity, and their effects on species and biodiversity is needed from both a national and energy system perspective.