We all benefit from a rich mix of natural life around us. We call this natural variety “biodiversity”. Without a healthy diversity of plants, animals and other life forms, we wouldn't survive. The connections among these living things keep our environment working. A healthy environment helps to:
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● clean the air we breathe
● recycle, purify and store the water we drink
● transform our wastes into resources
● provide us with food, fuel and shelter
● stabilize and moderate our climate
● provide the resources we use for industry and recreation
● nurture and feed our spirits.
The environment does these things for all of us. It will continue to do so if we just protect it and let it function naturally.
Learn More
On this site you can:
Explore Ontario's Biodiversity
Discover what's living in Ontario, by group of animal or plant, by ecological regions or by political boundaries.
A Biodiversity Primer for Ontario
- What is biodiversity?
- Why you should care about biodiversity?
- Different levels of biodiversity
- The importance of connections
- How ecosystems function
- Threats to biodiversity
- Reducing the threats to biodiversity
- Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy: "Protecting What Sustains Us"
- What can you do to help?
- Resources and more information
- Appendix A: The Benefits of Healthy Ecosystems
- Appendix B: Glossary
Scope of Biodiversity in Ontario
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- Vascular Plants
- Freshwater Mussels
- Crayfish
- Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies)
- Butterflies
- Freshwater Fishes
- Amphibians
- Reptiles
- Birds
- Mammals
The Economics of Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity in Ontario
There are many links between nature and economy. In addition to its inherent value, Ontario’s biodiversity has economic value associated with the goods and services it provides. Ecosystem services include nature’s benefits to us, such as providing us with food, regulating our air and water quality, and moderating the effects of extreme weather we experience, as well as the recreational and spiritual opportunities we enjoy.
Explore Ontario's Ecological Landscapes
- Hudson Bay Lowlands
- Ontario Shield
- Mixedwood Plains
- Great Lakes
Read Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy
Learn how the people of Ontario are working to protect what sustains us.
Download the Strategy and its 15 targets.
Link to Resources
Find out what resources are available through links foundin the Make Connections section of this website.
Photography
Girl with magnifying glass by Wayne Eardley. Maple tree from iStockPhoto.com.
