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Impact Area

Biodiversity

What is biodiversity and why does it matter?

Biodiversity is the collection of life that makes up our natural world.

This includes the variety of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms that work together to create healthy, balanced ecosystems that sustain life.

Biodiversity is important because it supports everything in nature that we need to survive and has a direct impact on our health and well-being. It provides food, fresh water, shelter, energy and medicine. Biodiversity also supports business and recreational activities that contribute to the economy.

Five major threats to biodiversity

Up to one million plant and animal species are at risk of extinction, many within decades, according to a recent United Nations report. This sobering statistic underscores the significant decline in global biodiversity. What’s causing populations of so many species to decline?

The short answer is us. Humans.

  1. Habitat loss and degradation:

    When areas containing wildlife habitat are destroyed, they no longer provide the food, water and shelter species need to survive.

  2. Climate change:

    As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, many species cannot adapt and their populations plummet.

  3. Pollution:

    Contaminants that enter our air, soil and water can pose serious problems for ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.

  4. Invasive species and disease:

    Invasive species often have no native predators, allowing them to outcompete native plants and animals. This loss of biodiversity can reduce the resiliency of native ecosystems and disrupt food webs.

  5. Species over-exploitation:

    The overuse of wild plants and animals by people depletes populations, taking more from nature than it can provide.

Mallard hen sitting in shoreline pollution.
A turtle sunning itself on a log in a healthy wetland
A turtle sunning itself on a log in a healthy wetland ©
The world’s biodiversity clock is ticking Get the story

The world’s biodiversity clock is ticking

Read now

Our approach to solving the biodiversity crisis

Ducks Unlimited Canada and our conservation partners are bringing life back to threatened ecosystems through habitat protection and restoration. We believe the battle for biodiversity can be won when citizens worldwide understand the value of nature. Solutions to halt and reverse the alarming trend of species loss are in sight, and we’re hard at work delivering them.

We are focused on the future; this is our approach to safeguarding biodiversity.

See Our Approach

What is Ducks Unlimited Canada doing to support biodiversity?

The conservation actions required to halt and reverse biodiversity have been core to the work that we have been doing for decades.

Read about our multi-pronged approach to biodiversity that includes research, education, advocacy, industry partnerships, and landscape-scale conservation operations.

The conservation long game

The conservation long game

Reversing biodiversity decline will take big-picture thinking and focused action

Restoring wetlands will jumpstart nature’s great comeback

Restoring wetlands will jumpstart nature’s great comeback

Canada’s most unassuming ecosystems are the key to recovery

The biodiversity lens
Biodiversity, Conservator

The biodiversity lens

From global gatherings to backyard bio-blitzes, biodiversity is a welcome view in the panorama of conservation in Canada.

Biodiversity, pollinators and conservation
Biodiversity, Pollinators, Science

Biodiversity, pollinators and conservation

Discover how conserving and restoring natural habitats like wetlands and grasslands can put the brakes on biodiversity decline. Learn about conservation strategies that support pollinators and maintain diverse ecosystems.

How messy croplands help farmers and pollinators
Biodiversity, Pollinators, Science

How messy croplands help farmers and pollinators

Messy areas not only support pollinators but also have the potential to boost crop yields and bring economic benefits to the farm gate.

Room for reptiles: Building a home for threatened species in B.C.
Biodiversity, Invasive Species, Pacific Coast, Pacific Interior, Wetland restoration, Wetlands

Room for reptiles: Building a home for threatened species in B.C.

A team of field staff from Ducks Unlimited Canada have been creating ideal habitat for the turtles.

More ecosystems where we are making an impact

Our conservation efforts impact diverse areas across the entire country—including your community.

Wetlands

Wetlands

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence

Great Lakes – St. Lawrence

Boreal Forest

Boreal Forest

Grasslands

Grasslands

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