Definitions
What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the biological and genetic diversity of all the animals and plants in the NWT.
What are ecoregions?
Ecoregions are large natural regions characterized by distinctive regional climate, physical features, vegetation, soil, water, and fauna. The PAS uses the ecoregions of A National Ecological Framework for Canada (1999) which is a nested hierarchical ecosystem classification.
The PAS uses ecoregions to ensure that the effects of large-scale climate and physiography on the diverse ecological values in the NWT are taken into account in protected area decisions. A goal of the PAS is to protect core representative areas in each ecoregion of the NWT.
Of the 194 ecoregions in Canada, 42 lie fully or partially within the NWT (see map here). Of these, 23 ecoregions are more than 75% within the NWT requiring NWT conservation action. While the NWT has a conservation planning responsibility for the remaining 19 ecoregions, conservation actions should be shared with other jurisdictions. Eight ecoregions are more than 75% outside the NWT, requiring conservation action for ecological representation by other jurisdictions (see map here).
What are core representative areas?
Core representative areas are intact areas that represent the biological diversity of an ecoregion. ‘Intact’ means an area that is largely undisturbed by development and is contiguous. The PAS states that resource-based development will not be permitted in core representative areas. NWT communities and land use planning boards have already proposed many special natural and cultural areas for protection or conservation measures, and these areas contribute to core representative areas. Identifying core representative areas and ensuring that the full range of biodiversity in an ecoregion is represented require additional scientific analysis.
What are special features?
Special features are unique, rare, and sensitive features on the landscape. Depending on where you are in the world, special features could include elements like old growth forests, endangered animals and plants, waterfalls, salt marshes, sand dunes, artesian springs, high value fish streams, or caves – any features or species that require special consideration in land stewardship. Special features can also be sacred sites or other important cultural sites identified by local communities.
