Maps Link Atmosphere and Biodiversity

The atmosphere has a powerful influence on the biological world—affecting everything from the kinds of plants and animals that can live in certain regions to the economic activities we undertake in these landscapes. To learn more about these connections, scientists at Environment Canada are combining atmospheric maps of available heat, weather extremes and pollution with maps of land use and biodiversity.

The Integrated Mapping Assessment Project, launched in January 1999, involves collecting maps of certain areas of the country, superimposing them over one another—typically on a computer screen—and then analyzing and interpreting the spatial correlations. The maps are produced at various scales, from local to global, although the initial focus of the study has been on regions of Ontario, where a plethora of detailed, high-quality climate maps are already available. Using regional maps is also an important part of the project's goal of bringing national issues—such as climate change—to a level that municipal decision-makers can understand and take action on.

Although the project is still in its infancy, early mapping efforts have shown strong support for several scientific hypotheses—including the fact that available heat is a powerful trigger in the natural world, and a major influence on land use. Maps of land use that have been combined with those of available heat (expressed in corn heat units (CHUs) and growing degree days) have been used to show that the location, intensity and profitability of agriculture are affected by climate. For example, CHUs over 2800 and 3200, respectively, have been historically linked to the disappearance of wetlands and woodlots. This suggests that, particularly in rural areas, the degree or two of warming that is expected to take place over the next several years due to climate change will eliminate many natural habitats by making them more suitable to human economic activities—such as farming.

Integrated mapping has also been used to examine the connection between biodiversity and the atmosphere. One study, which used international biodiversity protocols, revealed a link between climate and the diversity and growth of forest species—a factor that could affect conservation practices in the future. Scientists are also exploring the possibility that, although a warmer landscape can support greater biodiversity, increases in species may come primarily from exotic or non-native species, similar to the invasions of zebra mussels and purple loosestrife.

Environment Canada is hoping to expand its work over the next several years to include other regions of the country and other atmospheric phenomena such as extreme weather events, frost, soil moisture, acid loading, ground-level ozone and other pollution. In January 2000, the Department will host a workshop on integrated mapping to encourage its partners—including government and non-government organizations, industry and academics—to create an integrated look at how communities function by adding their maps to the project and filling gaps in information. Understanding how atmosphere and biodiversity are connected will teach people much about the effects of climate change on local ecosystems, and give decision-makers the tools to minimize and adapt to these effects before it is too late.

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