Title

The alarming state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada

Authors

Jessica E. Desforges, Carleton Univ, Dept Biol, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; Carleton Univ, Inst Environm & Interdisciplinary Sci, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Julia Clarke, Carleton Univ, Dept Biol, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; Carleton Univ, Inst Environm & Interdisciplinary Sci, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Evaline J. Harmsen, Carleton Univ, Dept Biol, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; Carleton Univ, Inst Environm & Interdisciplinary Sci, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Alex M. Jardine, Carleton Univ, Dept Geog & Environm Studies, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Jessica A. Robichaud, Carleton Univ, Dept Biol, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; Carleton Univ, Inst Environm & Interdisciplinary Sci, 1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2022

Abstract

Little is known about the current state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada, one of the countries with the greatest amount of surface waters in the world. To address this knowledge gap, we compiled a list of all available assessments of conservation status for freshwater species (over 3000 taxa) and further evaluated the overall status of six distinct taxonomic groups, focusing on organisms reliant on fresh waters (i.e., aquatic plants, invertebrates (with a focus on freshwater mussels), fishes, herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), birds, and mammals). Overall, 11.7% of all freshwater species of plants and animals assessed were found to be "at risk" (i.e., listed as "Threatened", "Endangered", or "Extirpated") and 17.9% identified as "Special Concern". We found that 37.9% of species lacked sufficient data to enable their status to be assessed. Data gaps in Canada's assessment of its freshwater species were most prevalent in invertebrates (excluding freshwater mussels). Given the alarming state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada, we conclude by providing recommendations that focus on evaluating temporal trends and informing conservation actions.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES

First Page

352

Last Page

365

Comments

LSU Author: Chakrabarty, Prosanta--Louisiana State Univ, Dept Biol Sci, Museum Nat Sci, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA

See article for full list of authors.

Recommended Citation

Desforges, J. E., Clarke, J., Harmsen, E. J., Jardine, A. M., & Robichaud, J. A. (2022). The alarming state of freshwater biodiversity in Canada. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES, 79 (2), 352-365. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0073