Canada's conserved areas

National conserved areas

Key results

• At the end of 2021, Canada had conserved
  • 13.5% of its terrestrial area (land and freshwater), including 12.6% in protected areas
  • 13.9% of its marine territory, including 9.1% in protected areas
• Terrestrial area conserved has increased by 75% in the last 20 years and by 19% in the last 5 years
• Marine area conserved has increased by more than 2 700% in the last 20 years and by almost 900% in the last 5 years. However, marine area conserved increased very little in 2020 and 2021

Proportion of area conserved, Canada, 1990 to 2021

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Terrestrial area includes both land and freshwater. Area conserved includes area protected as well as other effective area-based conservation measures. In Canada, marine and terrestrial other effective area-based conservation measures were formally recognized in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Trends are estimated based on site establishment dates rather than when they were formally recognized. For more information on the definition of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, please refer to the Data sources and methods. Canada's terrestrial territory is 9 984 670 square kilometres (km²) and its marine territory is approximately 5 750 000 km². Overlaps among protected areas and among other effective area-based conservation measures were accounted for. Data are current as of December 31, 2021.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

Canada is currently aiming to conserve 25% of our lands and 25% of our oceans by 2025, and 30% of each by 2030. In 2015, Canada established its 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada. Target 1 states: "By 2020, at least 17 percent of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures." At the time, 10.5% of Canada's terrestrial area and around 1% of its marine area were recognized as protected. Marine OECMs were first formally recognized in 2017 and terrestrial OECMs in 2018.^{Footnote 2}

Trends are estimated based on the date a site was established, rather than the date when it was recognized as a Protected Area or OECM. For example, the Sahtu Regional Land Use Plan (a terrestrial area) was established in 2013; the OECMs within the plan were recognized for the first time in 2018. Another example is the Northeast Channel Coral Conservation Area, a marine refuge that was established as a fishery area closure in 2002 and recognized as an OECM in 2017. As such, the totals for a previous year may change as data are updated.

The distribution and size of conserved areas is variable. Larger terrestrial conserved areas tend to be located in northern Canada, where there is less intensive use of land for agriculture, settlements, and road networks. Larger marine conserved areas tend to be located in offshore areas or in northern Canada, where human uses are often less intensive. In landscapes and seascapes with competing uses, conserved areas tend to be smaller but more numerous.

Conserved areas, Canada, 2021

Navigate data using the interactive map

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Terrestrial area includes land and freshwater. Data are current as of December 31, 2021.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

Conserved areas, by ecological area

Canada's territory can be divided into 31 terrestrial and marine ecozones. Terrestrial ecozones are further divided into 215 terrestrial ecoregions. A representative conserved areas network should conserve biodiversity across all of Canada's ecological areas. 

Conserved areas, by ecozone

An ecozone is a broad area of the Earth's surface that has a distinct climate and biodiversity.

Key results

• All of Canada's ecozones have some level of protection, ranging from less than 1% to almost 40% of the ecozone being conserved
• Six (6) terrestrial ecozones, the Tundra Cordillera, the Taiga Cordillera, the Pacific Maritime, the Montane Cordillera, the Arctic Cordillera and the Southern Arctic, have more than 20% of their area conserved
• Three (3) marine ecozones, the Arctic Basin, the Offshore Pacific and the Eastern Arctic, have more than 20% of their area conserved
• 13.4% of the Canadian area of the Great Lakes is conserved

Proportion of area conserved, by ecozone, Canada, 2021

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Area conserved includes area protected as well as other effective area-based conservation measures. Data are current as of December 31, 2021.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

Terrestrial ecozones with high levels of urbanization and development or widespread agriculture tend to have small proportions of conserved area. For example, the Mixedwood Plains (in southern Ontario and along the St. Lawrence River) has only 2.4% of its area conserved and the Prairies has 6.1%. On the other hand, terrestrial ecozones with a high proportion of conserved area tend to be remote or have high recreation value. For example, ecozones in the western mountain ranges have 19% or more of their area conserved.

Recent efforts have rapidly increased the amount of area conserved in some marine ecozones. Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area in the Arctic Basin is the largest marine protected area in Canada, increasing the proportion of the ecozone protected from less than 1% to 37.8%. Marine refuges in the Offshore Pacific, Newfoundland-Labrador Shelves and Gulf of St. Lawrence have helped to conserve more than 10% of each of these ecozones. However, the Hudson Bay Complex, Western Arctic and Southern Shelf ecozones have less than 5% of their area conserved.

Each ecozone is unique, and conservation involves the inclusion of areas that are representative of different parts of the ecozone and sites of special value. Challenges to establishing conserved areas include competition from other uses, such as agriculture, industry or urban development, and limitations on the extent of ecologically intact areas available within the ecozone.

Conserved areas, by ecoregion

Ecoregions are subdivisions of ecozones characterized by distinctive regional attributes. These include climate, landforms, vegetation, soil, flora and fauna.

Key results

• 93% of Canada's ecoregions have some level of protection, ranging from less than 1% to 100% of the ecoregion being conserved
• Of the 215 ecoregions in Canada,
  • 72% (155 ecoregions) have less than 17% of their area conserved
  • 12% (25 ecoregions) have between 17% and 30% of their area conserved
  • 16% (35 ecoregions) have more than 30% of their area conserved

Figure 7. Proportion of area conserved, by ecoregion, Canada, 2021

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Area conserved includes area protected as well as area conserved with other measures. Data are current as of December 31, 2021.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

The area conserved varies greatly among ecoregions. Ecoregions that have the highest proportion of area conserved are associated with large protected areas. For example, the Peace-Athabasca Delta ecoregion has 94.4% of its area conserved (Wood Buffalo National Park) and the Mount Logan ecoregion has 100% of its area conserved (Kluane National Park and Reserve). On the other hand, ecoregions in urban or agricultural landscapes have the lowest proportion of area conserved. The Lake Simcoe and Lake Erie - Lake Ontario ecoregions each have less than 3% of their area conserved.

Terrestrial conserved areas, within each province and territory

Key results

• The proportion of terrestrial area (land and freshwater) conserved varies by province and territory. It ranges from 4.5% in Prince Edward Island to 19.6% in British Columbia
• Additions in 2021 include:
  • over 50 new protected areas in Quebec, with 8 862 km² reported^{Footnote 3} 
  • 6 new conserved areas in Yukon, totalling 35 419 km²

Proportion of terrestrial area conserved, by province and territory, Canada, 2021

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Terrestrial area includes land and freshwater. Data are current as of December 31, 2021.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

Each province and territory has set aside areas for conservation. Compared to the previous year, the following provinces increased terrestrial areas conserved:

• British Columbia, from 19.5% to 19.6%
• Yukon, from 11.8% to 19.1%
• Quebec, from 12.9% to 16.7%
• Prince Edward Island, from 4.2% to 4.5%

An increasing number of Indigenous protected areas and OECMs are being established. Recent examples include:

• Central Purcell Mountains Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area in British Columbia
• Tłı̨chǫ Lands Indigenous Conserved Area and Edéhzhíe Indigenous Protected Area in the Northwest Territories
• Thaidene Nëné Wildlife Conservation Area, Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve and Thaidene Nëné Territorial Protected Area in the Northwest Territories
• Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland Provincial Park in Alberta

These areas are managed cooperatively between jurisdictions and Indigenous people, or by Indigenous people.

Terrestrial conserved areas, by reporting jurisdiction

Key results

• Over 65% of all terrestrial areas conserved are reported by provincial and territorial jurisdictions
• Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada are responsible for over 26% and almost 9% of Canada's terrestrial conserved areas, respectively

Terrestrial area conserved, by reporting jurisdiction, Canada, 2021

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Terrestrial areas include land and freshwater. Terrestrial area protected under the jurisdiction of the National Capital Commission is too small to see in the figure. Data are current as of December 31, 2021
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

Marine conserved areas, by reporting jurisdiction

Key results

• In 2021, no additional marine conserved areas were recognized
• At the end of 2021, marine refuges covered about 275 000 km² of Canada's marine territory^{Footnote 4} 
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada are responsible for 79% and 15% of Canada's marine conserved areas, respectively

Marine area conserved, by reporting jurisdiction, Canada, 2021

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Data are current as of December 31, 2021.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.

In 2019, Canada surpassed its 2020 marine conservation target of 10%, by conserving 13.8% of its marine territory. This was largely due to the addition of the Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area which added 319 411 km² of protected area. In 2020, marine area recognized as conserved increased to 13.9%.

Marine refuges are long-term fisheries area closures that have been assessed as meeting Canada's criteria for marine other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada each have specific but complementary mandates for establishing marine protected areas:

• Oceans Act marine protected areas (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) are established to maintain ecological integrity and to conserve marine species and their habitats. This includes species that are fished, endangered or threatened marine species, as well as unique habitats and areas of high biological productivity or biodiversity
• National marine conservation areas (Parks Canada) are established to conserve representative examples of Canada's natural and cultural marine heritage and to provide opportunities for public education and enjoyment
• National wildlife areas and migratory bird sanctuaries (Environment and Climate Change Canada) are established to conserve habitat for a variety of wildlife including migratory birds and endangered species

Areas established by these departments, along with provincially established areas, contribute to the conservation network. The primary goal of this network is to provide long-term conservation of marine biodiversity, ecosystem function and special natural features.

The different jurisdictions conserve areas for different purposes,^{Footnote 5}  and control the amount of human activity (such as transportation, fishing or recreation) that is allowed. Marine conservation efforts include a wide range of management and stewardship activities. Examples include support for the recovery of species at risk, prevention and mitigation of the impact of aquatic invasive species, and strengthening of Canada's response to ship-source marine pollution.

About the indicators

What the indicators measure

These indicators report the amount and proportion of Canada's terrestrial (land and freshwater) and marine area that is recognized as conserved. Conserved areas are lands and waters where human use is limited. They include protected areas as well as other effective area-based conservation measures. Canada recognizes the international definitions of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (One with Nature 2018 [PDF; 2.12 MB] and Canada's Marine Protection Standards). Land and/or water access and use within protected areas are controlled primarily for the purpose of conserving nature (for example, a park, a conservation area or a wildlife reserve). Other effective area-based conservation measures are also managed over the long term in ways that result in the effective conservation of biodiversity. However, other effective area-based conservation measures might have been established for other purposes. In some cases, certain commercial activities and harvesting of biological resources may be allowed so long as there is no major negative impact to the conservation objectives of the area.

Why these indicators are important

Well-managed conserved areas are one way to protect wild species and their habitats for present and future generations. Habitat conservation is a measure of human response to the loss of biodiversity and natural habitat. As the area conserved in Canada increases, more lands and waters are withdrawn from direct human development stresses, thereby contributing to biodiversity conservation and improving the health of ecosystems. In turn, healthy ecosystems provide benefits such as clean water, mitigation of climate change, pollination and improved human health.

Many countries use protected areas as the core of their programs to preserve biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services. The parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, among them Canada, set an aspirational target to conserve at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters, and 10% of marine areas, by 2020. This is the 11th of 20 targets collectively known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, established in October 2010.

As part of its work towards achieving Target 1 of the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada, Canada has conserved new areas and recognized previously existing areas. The Pathway to Canada Target 1 initiative focusses on terrestrial and freshwater areas, while Fisheries and Oceans Canada leads on meeting marine conservation targets. In 2015, when the Biodiversity Goals and Targets were established for Canada, 10.5% of Canada’s terrestrial area and around 1% of its marine area were recognized as protected.

A new area-based target has been set for Canada, conserving 25% of our lands and 25% of our oceans by 2025, and 30% of each by 2030. 

Healthy coasts and oceans

These indicators track progress on the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, supporting the target: By 2020, 10% of coastal and marine areas are conserved through networks of marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. As of the end of 2021, 13.9% of Canada's coastal and marine areas was recognized as conserved through a network of marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, including 9.1% in protected areas.

These indicators are being proposed to track progress in the draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Sustainably managed lands and forests

These indicators track progress on the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, supporting the target: By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. As of the end of 2021, 13.5% of Canada's terrestrial areas and inland water was recognized as conserved through a network of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, including 12.6% in protected areas.

These indicators are being proposed to track progress in the draft 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

In addition, the indicators contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are linked to Goal 14, Life Below Water and Target 14.5, "By 2020, conserve at least 10% of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information." They are also linked to Goal 15, Life on Land and Target 15.1, "By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements."

The indicators will also contribute towards reporting on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that is currently being negotiated.

Related indicators

The Ecological integrity of national parks indicator reports on the condition of ecosystems within national parks, an important element of Canada's conserved area network.

The Global trends in conserved areas indicator compares Canada's conserved area to a peer group of countries.

Data sources and methods

Data sources

Data are taken from the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (the database). Data from federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, the authoritative data sources, are compiled by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Methods

The area conserved is estimated by means of a geographical analysis based on reported boundaries, accounting for overlaps. Separate estimates are made for protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

Caveats and limitations

In 2018, the Conservation Areas Reporting and Tracking System was converted to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database and brought formally within Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Data are regularly reviewed and updated. The completeness of the database is continuously being improved as existing conserved areas are reviewed and added to the database if appropriate. Information on the protection date for sites with previously unreported dates may influence trend calculations.

Trends are estimated based on the date a site was established, rather than the date when it was recognized as a Protected Area or other effective area-based conservation measure (OECM). As such, the totals for a previous year may change as data are updated.

Comparisons with previous reports should be made with caution, as data quality and completeness continue to improve. Privately protected land and OECMs contribute to achievement of Canada's targets, but many are not yet captured within the database.

Resources

References

Canadian Council on Ecological Areas Secretariat (2008) Canadian Guidebook for the Application of International Union for Conservation of Nature Protected Area Categories 2008. CCEA Occasional Paper No. 18. Canadian Council on Ecological Areas, Ottawa, ON. 66 pp.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2009) Development of a Framework and Principles for the Biogeographic Classification of Canadian Marine Areas. Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat, Science Advisory Report 2009/056. Retrieved on March 7, 2022.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2017) Operational Guidance for Identifying "Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures" in Canada's Marine Environment. Retrieved on March 7, 2022.

Pathway to Canada Target 1 Initiative (2018) One with Nature. A Renewed Approach to Land and Freshwater Conservation in Canada (PDF; 2.12 MB). Retrieved on March 7, 2022.

Stolton S, Shadie P and Dudley N (2013) Guidelines for applying protected area management categories including IUCN WCPA best practice guidance on recognising protected areas and assigning management categories and governance types (combined volume). Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series No. 21, Gland, Switzerland, section 2. Retrieved on March 7, 2022.

Related information

2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada

Canadian Council on Ecological Areas

Convention on Biological Diversity

Interactive map of Quebec's protected areas (French only)

Pathway to Canada Target 1

ProtectedPlanet.net