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Threats to Endangered Species in Canada

Title:

Threats to Endangered Species in Canada

Venter, Oscar, Brodeur, Nathalie N., Nemiroff, Leah, Belland, Brenna, Dolinsek, Ivan J. and Grant, James W.A. (2006) Threats to Endangered Species in Canada. BioScience, 56 (11). pp. 903-910. ISSN 0006-3568

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2006)56[903:TT...

Abstract

We quantified the threats facing 488 species in Canada, categorized by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) as extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Habitat loss is the most prevalent threat (84%), followed by overexploitation (32%), native species interactions (31%), natural causes (27%), pollution (26%), and introduced species (22%). Agriculture (46%) and urbanization (44%) are the most common human activities causing habitat loss and pollution. For extant species, the number of threats per species increases with the level of endangerment. The prevalence of threat types varies among major habitats, with overexploitation being particularly important, and introduced species particularly unimportant, for marine species. Introduced species are a much less important threat in Canada than in the United States, but the causes of endangerment are broadly similar for Canadian and globally endangered species.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Biology
Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Authors:Venter, Oscar and Brodeur, Nathalie N. and Nemiroff, Leah and Belland, Brenna and Dolinsek, Ivan J. and Grant, James W.A.
Journal or Publication:BioScience
Date:November 2006
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):10.1641/0006-3568(2006)56[903:TTESIC]2.0.CO;2
Keywords:endangered species, threats, habitat loss, introduced species, pollution
ID Code:7540
Deposited By: Danielle Dennie
Deposited On:10 May 2011 20:04
Last Modified:18 Jan 2018 17:30

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