Agriculture and the Environment

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, encompasses all life on Earth. Biodiversity refers to the great variety of species and ecosystems and the ecological processes of which they are a part. It includes all living organisms, both wild and domesticated, as well as the ecosystems in which they live.

Biodiversity, including genetic resources, and species and ecosystem diversity, is of great importance to agriculture in Canada since it provides many environmental and economic benefits to agro-ecosystems. As a natural-resource-based industry, agriculture depends on a healthy diversity of organisms and ecosystems that are its foundation. It is because of this close relationship that natural-resource-based industries, such as agriculture, have a direct impact on biodiversity.

The Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) recognizes that conserving biodiversity is important for agriculture, and has therefore listed biodiversity as one of its environmental goals. The objective is to ensure compatibility between biodiversity and agriculture, with key priorities being habitat availability, species at risk, and economic damage to agriculture caused by wildlife. To assist the sector in contributing to the environmental goals of the APF, implementation measures or tools such as on-farm environmental scans, environmental farm plans and equivalent regional environmental plans will be introduced. These will play a role in reducing the risks of farming activities and enhancing the benefits to biodiversity. In addition, AAFC's 'Greencover' program, which aims to promote sustainable land use, will result in enhanced biodiversity and habitat. Details on environmental farm planning and the Greencover program can be found on the APF website.

Background

In 1992, Canada joined with some 100 nations (now greater than 170) in signing the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy (CBS) was drafted to implement Canada's commitment under this Protocol, and AAFC's Biodiversity Action Plan describes a broad range of AAFC's biodiversity-related initiatives. This plan is intended to define the Department's strategy to work with its partners on issues related to biological diversity from an agricultural perspective. Two accompanying documents, Biodiversity Initiatives- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Biodiversity Initiatives- Canadian Agricultural Producers provide an overview of the broad range of biodiversity conservation initiatives in which the Department and the agricultural and agri-food sector are involved.

Activities

AAFC works in partnership with other departments, industry and non-government groups to address key biodiversity issues facing Canadian agriculture. These include factors concerning agricultural practices, habitat conservation and fragmentation, species at risk, diversity of domesticated species, invasive alien species, and biotechnology.

Agricultural Practices:

Agricultural practices such as tillage, wetland drainage, grazing, and use of fertilizers and pesticides can affect biodiversity, although, when applied properly, the impact on wild flora and fauna is minimized. Likewise, wildlife impacts agriculture and may cause crop and livestock losses.

Help is available to ensure that farmers have the information and tools needed to preserve biodiversity. AAFC's Research Branch develops best management practices that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity, while the Prairie Farm and Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) aids farmers in all parts of the country in implementing these practices. For example, PFRA provides technical assistance on conservation practices, crop productivity management, sustainable grazing systems, cattle production, resource management planning and adoption of sustainable land uses.

Habitat Conservation and Fragmentation:

The loss and fragmentation of habitat in agro-ecosystems are major factors in the decline of many North American wild flora and fauna. Over the past century, the conversion of some wetland and wooded areas to agricultural land has reduced wildlife habitat. Nevertheless, the indicator of Availability of Wildlife Habitat on Farmland, which is part of AAFC's Agri-Environmental Indicator (AEI) Project found that, with some exceptions, most wildlife "habitat uses" were supported by an increasing agricultural habitat area throughout Canada between 1981 and 1996. To download the Availability of Wildlife Habitat on Farmland chapter of the AEI report, please click here.

Land management programs delivered by PFRA also play a part in improving biodiversity by creating habitat for many endangered species. For example, the Community Pasture Program provides habitat for endangered species such as the Ferruginous Hawk, the Burrowing Owl, and the Swift Fox. The Shelterbelt Program involves the distribution of tree seedlings to plant on farms and in fields. As a result, critical habitat is restored and/or created to benefit a variety of wildlife species.

Species at Risk:

The protection of threatened and endangered species is a priority issue both within Canada and internationally. As of May 2002, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) determined that there are 402 species at risk in Canada, of which 11 are extinct. Most invertebrates, micro-organisms, and lower plants have not yet been evaluated to determine their status.

As part of the National Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk, the federal government has established the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund (IRF) to support federal organizations in their efforts to meet the requirements of the proposed Species at Risk Act. AAFC has a number of IRF projects under way including: the "Recovery of Endangered Species Inhabiting Garry Oak Ecosystems," the "AAFC Endangered Species Extension Project," "Piping Plover Stewardship on PFRA Community Pastures," and "Sustainable Grazing and Sage Grouse on Federal Lands."

The Endangered Species Recovery Fund (ESRF) is a joint initiative of Environment Canada and World Wildlife Fund (Canada) which sponsors conservation projects to recover species at risk. This fund is available to non-government organizations such as universities, natural history societies, research institutes and non-profit conservation groups.

Diversity of Domesticated Species:

Domesticated species represent a small fraction of the world's biota but provide over 90% of the world's food supply. On a global scale, the total number of cultivated varieties of crops or breeds of livestock is not fully known. However, there is concern that the genetic variation of crops and breeds of livestock is declining. Indicators of domesticated biodiversity are needed to ensure the long term economic security of the sector.

PFRA's Shelterbelt Centre works to create a gene bank for native shrubs to preserve and enlarge the genetic diversity of the shrubs used for conservation plantings.

Invasive Alien Species (also referred to as exotic species):

The significant threat that invasive alien species can pose to biodiversity, the economy, and recreational activities is increasingly being recognized, both internationally and domestically. An example of an invasive alien species which has a significant impact on agricultural lands is the Leafy Spurge, which is native to Europe and Asia, and is now established in the southern prairie provinces and southwest Ontario. It poses a significant agricultural threat since the plant contains chemicals that are poisonous to cattle and it invades native rangelands. AAFC is involved in efforts to deal with the threat of invasive alien species on agricultural lands.

Biotechnology :

Biotechnology is transforming agricultural research and the development of new products. Many applications have concentrated on the transfer of agronomically valuable traits such as disease resistance and pest resistance. Assessing and managing the risks related to living modified organisms (LMOs) is done through the regulatory framework administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). On an international level, the Biosafety Protocol addresses the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs that may have the potential to adversely affect biodiversity. The Protocol establishes an advance informed agreement procedure for imports of LMOs, incorporates the precautionary principle and details information and documentation requirements.

The Convention on Biological Diversity requires the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that result from the use of genetic resources, including appropriate access to genetic resources and transfer of relevant technologies. Canada also provides resources. Just as humans depend upon the products of agriculture, agriculture depends upon biological resources and ecosystems that provide the raw materials to produce new and better food plants, breeds of animals, and other products. International access to diverse genetic resources is necessary for us because all major Canadian crops and domestic animals originated in other parts of the world. Canada must continue to be involved in global cooperative efforts in conservation and germplasm exchange in order to maintain a broad genetic base that will ensure a competitive position in the international market place. AAFC has carried out studies to develop a more complete understanding of the range of benefits that could arise from the use of agricultural genetic resources and to identify potential mechanisms available for the equitable sharing of the benefits. Benefit sharing could provide a powerful incentive for ensuring a healthy diversity of agricultural genetic resources in the future. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has taken a lead role in the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, an international agreement to conserve such genetic resources and enhance their use.

AAFC's Research Branch has developed a science theme to address the issue of biodiversity and agriculture. The focus of this team is to develop knowledge, to take action in order to conserve and facilitate the use of biological and genetic resources that are important to agriculture, and to minimize adverse impacts on biodiversity beyond the farm gate. Team priorities includes biosystematics, genetic resources, new germplasm, effects on habitats and ecosystems, and biodiversity management.

Further Information

Contacts within the Environment Bureau:
Coleen Hyslop
Pat MacGregor
Alexandre Lefebvre - (Availability of Wildlife Habitat on Farmland Indicator from the Agri-Environmental Indicator Project)

Related Documents:

Executive Summary: Biodiversity supports human societies ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually. Despite its importance, however, ecosystems are being degraded and species and genetic diversity reduced at an alarming rate due to the impact of our growing population and increasing resource consumption rates. The global decline of biodiversity is now recognized as one of the most serious environmental issues facing humanity.

Recognition of the world-wide impact of the decline of biodiversity inspired the global community to negotiate the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Canadian delegation was an active participant in these negotiations. The Prime Minister signed the Convention at the Earth Summit in June 1992 and, in December 1992, Canada became the first industrialized country to ratify it. The three objectives of the Biodiversity Convention are: the conservation of biodiversity; the sustainable use of biological resources; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources.

One of the key obligations for parties that have ratified the Convention is to prepare a national strategy. The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy is a response to this obligation and has been developed as a guide to the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention in Canada, and to enhance co-ordination of national efforts aimed at the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources.

Executive Summary: Biodiversity is the wide range of characteristics found among living organisms and their ecological settings. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has long recognized the need to conserve biodiversity and has initiated and worked with other federal departments, provinces, and producers on a number of programs important to the conservation and protection of biodiversity. AAFC's Action Plan for biodiversity has been developed subsequent to the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, a national commitment through the Convention on Biological Diversity. This document focuses on matters within the mandate of AAFC. The intent of this Action Plan is to define the Department's strategy to work with our partners on issues related to biological diversity from an agricultural perspective.

Executive Summary: This document describes Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada initiatives that contribute to biodiversity conservation and to the sustainable use of biological resources. This compilation reflects only AAFC initiatives affecting ecosystems, wild flora and fauna, and genetic resources. It does not reflect the wide range of activities currently being carried out at the provincial and municipal levels of government.

Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to inventory the involvement of agricultural producers in Canadian projects that address biodiversity initiatives through a literature review and through interviews of program administrators and staff. Activities affecting ecosystem biodiversity, specific plant and animal species, and genetic resources are profiled, in addition to non-regulatory guidelines intended to assist producers implementing environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

The assembled inventory shows that Canadian agricultural producers are active participants in maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Grasslands are being managed to maximize both wildlife habitat and forage production, riparian and woodlot habitats are being enhanced, and the impacts of agricultural activities on water resources are being actively mitigated. Producers are planning for their communities' future by participating in numerous research projects and by implementing environmental farm plans. Endangered wildlife species, such as the Burrowing Owl and the Swift Fox, are being re-introduced on private agricultural lands. Producer motivation varies depending upon the program and the individual; however, an interest in conservation and environmental stewardship is reflected in the number and intensity of activities documented in this report.

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