The Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (MBCDC) is a storehouse of information
on Manitoba’s biodiversity – its plant and animal species, as well
as its natural plant communities. The MBCDC functions under the umbrella of
NatureServe and NatureServe
Canada, a network of 75 similar centres throughout Canada, the United States
and Latin America. This network, along with a central team of scientists, maintains
science-based information about the biodiversity of the western hemisphere.
The MBCDC has developed lists of plant and animal species and plant communities,
also known as elements of biodiversity, found in Manitoba. MBCDC assigns each
of these elements a conservation
status rank, based on how rare the species or community is in Manitoba,
then collects detailed information on where the provincially rare elements have
been found. These locations, known as element occurrences, are mapped in a geographic
information system (GIS) and entered into a species
and plant community database. The MBCDC uses a scientifically and empirically
defined methodology and rigorous standards common to all CDC’s throughout
the network. The information has many uses, including conservation and development
planning, and is made available to government, the private sector, and the public.
Although the Manitoba Conservation Data Centre maintains high standards of data quality
control, it makes no warranty as to the fitness of the information for any purpose, or
that the information is necessarily accurate or complete.
The Data User is advised that the Biotics Database maintained by the Data Centre
is continually growing as new information is acquired and records are added or
updated. Please contact the CDC directly for the most up-to-date information.
Manitoba Conservation Data Centre
Box 24, 200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W3
Tel: (204) 945-7743
Fax: (204) 945-3077