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Nature & Natural Resources

Nature & Natural Resources      > Nature   > Natural Regions   > Land Area & Resources   > Water   > Fish & Oceans   > Forests   > Wildlife   > Useful Links Nature Many people use the word biodiversity when referring to nature. Biodiversity is shorthand for biological diversity and refers to thevariety of genes, species and ecosystems which are part of nature. Ecosystems have the capacity to keep our environment balanced andhealthy by contributing to: a stable climate; soil generation; nutrient recycling; water renewal and absorption; the resilience ofrenewable resources. Canada is steward of a significant share of the earth's natural ecosystems, including: 20 % of remaining naturalareas; 25 % of wetlands ecosystems; 9 % of renewable fresh water; 15 % of forests; 16 % of Arctic ecosystems ...more. Natural Regions Canada is divided in 39 natural regions, each with distinctive characteristics such as physiography, vegetation, wildlife andenvironmental conditions. These natural regions provide the basis for selection and establishment of new national parks. National parksprotect samples of major natural environments that represent Canada’s natural heritage. Canada’s goal is to create a nationalpark to represent each of the 39 regions. Twenty-three are currently represented by national parks or reserves, and work is under way toestablish new parks to represent the remaining 16 natural regions ...more. Land Area & Resources Canada is the world's second-largest country, surpassed only by the Russian Federation. Canada extends over almost 10 million km2,occupying two-fifths of North America and 7 percent of the world's land mass. Forests and other wooded areas cover almost 50 percent ofCanada's land area. In fact, Canada has 10 percent of the world's forests and significant reserves of water, natural gas, oil, gold,coal, copper, iron ore, nickel, potash, uranium and zinc. Vast natural areas, especially in the tundra region and the mountains, cover 70percent of Canada and represent 20 percent of the world's remaining wilderness areas (Antarctica excepted) ...more. Water Whether contained by the shores of a northern lake, rushing in torrents down the slopes of the continental divide, moving majesticallytoward the sea, or crashing with fury on rock-bound coasts, the awe and creativity inspired by water are a global response. Canada, withan abundance of water, spawns a culture particularly rich in water imagery. Canadian water systems are a valuable resource, sustainingour industry, vegetation, and health. But upon careful reflection a deeper relationship can be revealed: water sustains our Canadianspirit. It forms a link between citizens from every region across the land ...more. Fish & Oceans Surrounded by the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and home to the Great Lakes, Canada is one of the foremost maritime nations on the planet. Canada boasts the world's: longest coastline (243,792 km) – stretched out as a continuous line, it would circle the equatormore than 6 times (25 % of world's coastline); largest offshore economic zone (200 nautical miles) – 3.7 million square kilometres, equivalent to 37 % of Canada's total landmass; largest freshwater system – Canada's 2 million lakes and rivers cover 7.6 % of ourlandmass or 755,000 square km; longest inland waterway (3,700 km) – from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Lake Superior;largest archipelago – Canada's Arctic islands, including 6 of the world's 30 largest islands, cover 1.4 millionsquare km; and world’s greatest tidal range – 16 metres in the Bay of Fundy ...more. Forests Canada's forests are the product of millennia of evolution—ecosystems of diverse complexes of plants, animals,soil, water and air. While they host the same basic life forms as forests throughout the world, Canada's forests bringtogether species and ecosystems distinct to our country. The life these forests support has an intrinsic value thatunderpins its social, cultural and economic importance. With 10 % of the world's temperate and boreal forests (anestimated 30 % of the world's boreal forest), Canada is one of the few developed nations still richly endowed with largeareas of natural forest ...more. Wildlife The management of wildlife in Canada is shared by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada handles wildlife matters that are the responsibility of the federal government. These include protection and management of migratory birds as well as nationally significant wildlife habitat. Other responsibilities are endangered species, control of international trade in endangered species, research on wildlife issues of national importance, and international wildlife treaties and issues. By and large, provincial and territorial wildlife agencies are responsible for all other wildlife matters. These include conservation and management of wildlife populations and habitat within their borders, issuing licenses and permits for fishing, hunting and trapping, guidelines for safe angling and trapping, and outfitting policies ...more. Useful Links   > State of Canada's Forests   > Underwater World   > Canadian Waters