Workshop Proceedings Opening Address

Introduction

Biodiversity is a synonym for the totality and variety of life. It is a measurable entity with units, as is the case for any metric used in science. For example, species, richness, genetic diversity, ecosystem diversity, etc. This is the focus of much research that asks questions such as: How much biodiversity exists? Is it changing? What is causing the changes? It is also important to consider that biodiversity is a socio-political construct with connotations particular to the society or government that defines and employs the term.

Biodiversity is important for many reasons, including ecology (e.g., system stability, response to climate change), economics (e.g., bio-economy), human health and well-being (e.g., ecosystem goods and services), and ethics (e.g., intrinsic and inherent value).

The current rate of extinction underlies the biodiversity crisis, as the current loss rate estimated at 100-10,000 species per year, which is 10-10,000 times above natural background extinction rates.

Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy

The broader context of biodiversity conservation in Ontario involves four major strategic documents:

1992 - UN Convention on Biological Diversity

1995 - Canadian Biodiversity Strategy

2004 - Our Sustainable Future

2005 - Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy

Set as a target by the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, all efforts are focused towards meeting a common objective to significantly reduce the rate of loss by 2010. Theses strategic documents are all are underpinned by science, which recognizes that science and research play a key role in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.

The two over-arching goals of Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy (OBS) are to: 1) Protect genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity; and 2) Use and develop biological assets sustainably, and capture benefits of use for Ontarians.

Recognizing that government can be a change agent and partner in the implementation of the strategy, but cannot do it alone, OBS is for all Ontarians. The vision of OBS is to outline where we want Ontario to be in the future, for example, stopping the loss of biodiversity, living sustainably, and incorporating Ontario's strategy as part of a global effort.

Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy has three key parts: 1) Long-term strategic directions, through identifying the vision, goals, principles, threats, and opportunities;
2) Action plan for 2005-2010; and 3) Establishment of Ontario's Biodiversity Council.

Ontario's Biodiversity Action Plan

Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy outlines 7 strategies and 37 action items to address biodiversity conservation in Ontario. Many of the 37 actions identified in the OBS are directly linked to science, especially those linked to prevention and improving our understanding. Examples include:

Action #28: Establish Ontario Biodiversity Science Forum to examine ecosystem function and relationships, evaluate guides and tools, improve valuation, address knowledge gaps

Action # 33 "Report on the State of Ontario's Biodiversity every five years and issue a report by 2010 that will…"

i. Define biodiversity reporting standards (scientific criteria and indicators)

ii. Establish benchmarks for biodiversity in Ontario to allow future reports to track progress in meeting conservation goals

iii. Identify challenges, risks, threats, and opportunities

Ontario Biodiversity Council and Working Groups

Ontario's Biodiversity Council has thus far established three working groups:

1. Biodiversity Science Forum (Action Item #28)

2. Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (Action Item #1)

3. Stewardship Network of Ontario (Action Item #3)

Following from Action Item #28, the establishment of the Biodiversity Science Forum has been, and will be, key to defining biodiversity science priorities in Ontario.

2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report

The 2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report is another biodiversity science-based initiative outlined in the OBS. The development of scientific criteria and indicators for biodiversity is a key component of this initiative.

The vision for the 2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report is for the report to be accessible, with a view of biodiversity that people can relate to and understand. The report aims to be a science-based assessment that is transparent about gaps in knowledge, and identifies risks, as well as serving as a repeatable framework for future reports to assess change over time in a meaningful way. In addition, the report will acknowledge the global context and obligation to steward Ontario's biodiversity, and will be conservation-based, providing trends and assessment information that will allow for an improved ability to conserve the biological wealth of Ontario.

Biodiversity Science in 2010: International Year of Biological Diversity

The 2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report is among a suite of science-based reports that will be released to help report on our progress to halt loss the loss of biodiversity by 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, and beyond.

Both the biodiversity white papers, written by members of the Ontario Biodiversity Science Forum, and the OMNR Biodiversity Outcome Framework, will feed into three key reports that will be released in 2010. The first report is the 2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report, described above, which is linked to the goals of the 2010 target, as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity. The second is the Ecosystem Status and Trends Report, a national report that provides information on emerging trends in ecosystem health, categorized by ecozone. This highly detailed information is essential in improving decision-making on a wide variety of ecological issues. The third report is Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy Progress Report, a public report that will track progress on OBS goals and action items, and will include gaps and recommendations.

References

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (2005). Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy. Accessed August 24, 2009. URL: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR_E000066.pdf

How is Biodiversity Policy Informed by Science? >>