Protection and Conservation of Endangered Species in Ontario

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Canada, with its vast areas of land and abundance of resources, is home to many unique and complex habits that house a number of important species. Environmental policies play a key role in the survival of many endangered animal and plant species and guide conservation efforts in Ontario. In order to protect at risk species and conserve their habitats, government officials need to place greater importance on creating effective policies that target root problems and help address fundamental issues like habitat loss, pollution and human interaction with these species and their environment. The terms at-risk species and endangered species are very similar in definition and will therefore be used interchangeably. The following is the Parks Canada (2009) definition of an at-risk species: “Species at risk are in danger of becoming extinct (gone from the world) like the dinosaurs or extirpated (gone from a certain part of the world) like the wolf in Nova Scotia. Species at risk are usually at risk because of the environmental or human-induced changes to them or their habitat on a local, regional or global scale.” In class, some of the various at-risk animal species were discussed but plant species and smaller autotrophic organisms were not detailed therefore they will be excluded for the purpose of this paper, although many of these species are just as important as animal species. This essay will look at the numerous problems these animals face in their attempt to survive. Habitat loss, pollution and human interactions (humans impeding on their habitat) are among the most pressing issues facing wild animal species such as the American Badger, the Barn Owl and the Wood Turtle and as the Environmental Commissioner... ... middle of paper ... ...Softshell. Species at Risk. http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk.php?doc_type=fact&id=97&lang=en Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. (2008a). Snuffbox. Species at Risk. http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk.php?doc_type=fact&id=284&lang=en Parks Canada. (2009). Definition of “species at risk.” Retrieved from http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/natcul/natcul1/d/i.aspx Parks Canada. (2010). Getting to Know the ‘Big Bad Wolf’: Conserving the Eastern Wolf Population in La Mauricie National Park. Spcies at Risk Success Recovery Stories. http://www.pc.gc.ca/nature/eep-sar/itm11/itm11e.aspx Venter, O., Brodeur, N., Nemiroff, L., Belland, B., Dolinsek, I., Grant, J. (2006). Threats to Endangered Species in Canada. BioScience, 56(11), 903-910. World Wildlife Fund (WWF). (2013). Overview and Impact of Threats. In Pollution Section. http://worldwildlife.org/threats/pollution

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