More than 300 species unique to Canada, report says

Study from nature groups indicates that Canada is home to a unique way of life

A new report from the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Natureserve Canada has determined that more than 300 species, including mammals, insects, plants and fungi, call Canada — and only Canada — home.

Of the 308 identified, there are 54 nationally endemic species in Alberta, meaning species that are found predominately within the borders of the province. Of these, 18 are found only in Alberta.

The purpose of the report, Craig Harding, director of conservation of science and planning at the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), said — in addition to identifying the species — was to pave the way for further research and protection.

“The goal of this project was to identify hot spots where high concentrations of species that have been identified as endemic all live,” he said.

“This can help inform conservation strategies so we can understand what are areas we should target and continue to support in the right way in order to protect those species that we can only find in Canada.”

In Alberta, a good portion of the species are plants and insects, with a notable exception of an endangered whooping crane whose breeding and nesting habitats exist only on the western edge of Lake Athabasca in the Wood Buffalo National Park.

In addition to Lake Athabasca, the five hot spots of these endemic species in Alberta are found in Banff, Jasper and Waterton Lakes national parks as well as in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

In the Rockies, researchers identified the Lake Louise arnica, a colourful wildflower found on alpine slopes and rock slides at high elevations, and the Banff Springs snail, which resides in the park’s thermal springs.

The latter, according to Parks Canada, is the most endangered species in the national park and lives primarily in four of the thermal springs at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

“When you have things that are imperilled, it might be that they have a really small geography and because one small event could take them out,” Harding said.

“An example is the Banff Springs snail ... one single event in a pool can dislodge the moss that exists under the water where those snails feed and lay their eggs and that’s a really important part of their habitat.”

Harding added that some of these species are lucky in their unique habitats because they end up protected by the parks where they’re located.

“By identifying these species that are unique to Canada, it brings something to the top of the list in terms of things that are important,” he said. “Canada should be proud that we have these species.”

Across the country, almost half the known endemic Canadian species are invertebrates, including 21 butterflies, 40 moths and 25 kinds of beetles. There are also 21 mammals, 11 birds and 109 kinds of plants.

NCC biologist Dan Kraus said almost 40 per cent of the species and subspecies on the list are considered critically imperilled or imperilled and eight are already extinct, including the Dawson caribou, Labrador duck and the Vancouver Island blue butterfly.

Of the 21 mammals on the list, two-thirds are considered at risk.

“A big part of this report is kind of increasing that awareness,” he said. “If you ask the average Canadian to name an endangered species, they may not even name a Canadian species.”

Harding added that in addition to educating themselves, Albertans, if they come across one of these species, can identify them and point to their location for researchers.

“A lot of them are very hard to identify, but if you do come across them and know where they might be, let your local Alberta Environment and Parks species-at-risk biologist know,” he said. “There’s also a website and an app, inaturalist, where you can register this information.”

Because the majority of these species are considered endangered, Harding added, it’s important for visitors of these hot spots, which are also tourist destinations, to be vigilant

“Alberta should be excited we are the only place these things live and we should have a desire to protect them.”