Protecting What Sustains Us

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2 Welcome! Why are we here today? What is Biodiversity and the Biodiversity Crisis? Context behind Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy, incl. The Biodiversity Science Forum 2010 State of Ontario s Biodiversity Report Workshop Objectives and Format

3 Biodiversity: a basic definition biological diversity means 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 a part: this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. (CBD 1992)

4 Why is biodiversity so important? The Biodiversity Crisis 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) Ethics (e.g., intrinsic/inherent value) The CURRENT RATE of extinction underlies the biodiversity crisis Current loss rate estimated at ,000 species per year 10-10,000X above natural background extinction rate

5 Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy The broader context 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity 1995 Canadian Biodiversity Strategy 2004 Our Sustainable Future 2005 Ontario s Biodiversity Strategy Common objective to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.

6 Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy is a strategy that belongs to the people of Ontario Three key parts Long-term Strategic Directions - identifies vision, goals, principles, threats, and opportunities Action Plan for Establishment of Ontario's Biodiversity Council

7 Strategic Directions Ontario s Biodiversity Action Plan Engage Ontarians Increase Awareness Strengthen Education Promote Stewardship Engage Private Landowners Improve incentives Work Together Integrate into Land Use Planning Prevention Pollution Invasives Species at Risk Ecosystem representation/integrity Improve Understanding 37 Actions

8 Ontario Biodiversity Council and Working Groups Ontario's Biodiversity Council Action 8 Biodiversity Science Forum Action 28 Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network Action 1 Stewardship Network of Ontario Action 3

9 Biodiversity Science Forum Action # 28 Establish an Ontario Biodiversity Science Forum to focus the biodiversity science agenda and foster science partnerships by identifying knowledge gaps and recommending science priorities Function Provide advice to Ontario s Biodiversity Council and direct science needs and initiatives to support biodiversity conservation Improve our understanding of ecosystem functions and relationships Evaluating existing and aiding the development of new habitat/ecosystem and species/population management guides, best management practices and other conservation tools Identify knowledge gaps and emerging trends Focus on strengthening science linkages and partnerships to support implementation of the strategy Support enhanced science transfer and training

10 2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Action # 33 Report Report on the State of Ontario's Biodiversity every five years and issue a report by 2010 that will Define biodiversity reporting standards (scientific criteria and indicators) Establish benchmarks for biodiversity in Ontario to allow future reports to track progress in meeting conservation goals Identify challenges, risks, threats, and opportunities

11 2010 State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report: Vision Accessible View of biodiversity that people can understand and relate to Science-based Science-based assessment; transparent about gaps in knowledge; risks identified Repeatable Global Conservation Framework for future reports to assess change over time in a meaningful way Acknowledges the global context and obligation to steward Ontario's biodiversity Trends and assessment information improve ability to conserve the biological wealth of Ontario

12 Biodiversity Science in 2010: International Year of Biological Diversity Biodiversity White Papers MNR Biodiversity Outcome Framework State of Ontario's Biodiversity Report public report on benefits, threats, and current condition Science-based Linked to goal 2010 target and CBD Ecosystem Status and Trends Report National by ecozone Detailed for decision Makers Can. Council of Resources Ministers Report Ontario Biodiversity Strategy Progress Report public report tracking progress on OBS goals and action items includes gaps and recommendations

13 Workshop Goals: Peer review of White Papers from external audience Highlight the role of science in policy making, determine how to achieve biodiversity goals, and identify linkages between science and policy Focus biodiversity science agenda and foster science partnerships Identify the State of Science and Knowledge, and Critical Gaps Evaluate existing and aid the development of new habitat/ecosystem and species/population management guides, best management practices and other conservation tools

14 Workshop Format facilitated to achieve goals in 3 sessions Session 1: Setting the context Science needs policy Session 2: Tools for using science, and gaps in science Session 3: Where do we go from here?