In Quebec, a protected area is defined as "a territory, in a terrestrial or aquatic environment, geographically delimited, whose legal framework and administration aim specifically to ensure the protection and maintenance of biological diversity and of associated natural and cultural resources.[1]
Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks
Floristic habitat
Under the "Endangered or Vulnerable Species Act", the ministry can also designate a plant habitat to protect a threatened or vulnerable plant. The fifty flora habitats cover 51 kilometres (31.69mi).[5]
The twenty-four national parks of Quebec, which protect 11,077.22 kilometres (6,883.07mi) of territory,[6] are protected areas intended to protect territories representative of the natural regions of Quebec or sites of exceptional character. Its territories are also open to the public for educational and intensive recreational purposes.[7]
The province also has six national park reserves in Nunavik which protect 26,831 kilometres (16,672.01mi).[8] Although their legal status is lower, it offers a level of protection similar to that of national parks.
Aquatic reserves are areas similar to biodiversity reserves; these areas aim to protect hydrographic basins and marine environments that have little or no modification by man. The first aquatic reserve, the estuaire-de-la-Rivière-Bonaventure aquatic reserve was created in 2009 (1.8 kilometres (1.12mi))[9] Eight other reserves are currently planned.
There are 5 biodiversity reserves in Quebec which protect 2,286 kilometres (1,420.45mi) of territory.[10] This type of zone aims to maintain biodiversity in the various natural regions of Quebec. 76 new biodiversity reserves are planned in Quebec and will cover an area of 58,419 kilometres (36,299.88mi)[11]
Ecological reserves, which number 70, protect 949 kilometres (589.68mi) of territory.[12] These are territories primarily devoted to conservation, education and research. Most of these protected areas, which are small in size, protect distinctive environments, such as a swamp, forest, or watershed. Most of the ecological reserves are closed to the public, with the exception of three, namely the ecological reserves of Forêt-la-Blanche, Serpentine-de-Coleraine and Tourbières-de-Lanoraie. This is the highest level of protection offered by the province[13]
Exceptional forest ecosystems are territories designated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Fauna which protect various forest environments. These territories are protected, on public lands, by virtue of the "forest law".[14] There are 3 types of exceptional forest ecosystems: “Old-growth forests” (92 sites, 223 kilometres (138.57mi)),[15] the rare forests (35 sites, 28 kilometres (17.40mi))<refMinistry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks of Quebec, ed. (June 11, 2008). "Quebec Protected Areas Register: Exceptional forest ecosystem (rare forest)"(PDF). p.4. Retrieved September 1, 2008..</ref> and the refuge forests (18 sites, 18 kilometres (11.18mi))[16] On private land, owners must be informed of these sites and show an interest in voluntary conservation measures so that these exceptional forest ecosystems are protected.
Wildlife habitat
A wildlife habitat is a territory offering various species an environment necessary for the basic needs in terms of shelter, reproduction and food, of the 11 types of wildlife habitats, 7 are recognized as protected areas: the "concentration areas of aquatic birds" (735 sites, 3,876 kilometres (2,408.43mi)).,[17] the containment areas of the white-tailed deer (114 sites, 2,526 kilometres (1,569.58mi)),[18] the "habitats d’une espèce faunique menacée ou vulnérable" (habitats of threatened or vulnerable wildlife species) (2 sites, 653 kilometres (405.76mi)),[19] the bird colonies (133 sites, 8 kilometres (4.97mi)).,[20][21] the muskrat habitats (173 sites, 136 kilometres (84.51mi)),[22] the heronries (99 sites, 30 kilometres (18.64mi))[23] and the "mud flats" (32 sites, 1 kilometre (0.62mi))[24][25]
Wildlife refuge
Wildlife refuges serve to protect wildlife habitats of national or regional importance or the habitat of species designated as threatened or vulnerable.[26] There are currently 11 wildlife refuges protecting 23 kilometres (14.29mi)[27]
Municipal or non-governmental level
Natural environment of voluntary conservation
Voluntary conservation (Private Stewarship) is an approach that allows the owner to commit to the preservation of the natural heritage of his property through a non-governmental approach.
It is a community approach to conservation. Conservation organizations (land trust) are non-profit, non-governmental organizations whose mission is the conservation of nature. These organizations were set up across Quebec, Canada and around the world, by citizens who take the initiative to preserve the natural elements that are close to their hearts. Thus, conservation organizations assist owners who want to ensure that their land is protected for generations to come, they reconcile conservation and land use, they protect and enhance their properties through extensive and educational activities, they promote an integrated approach to land use planning.
On private land, this approach is the most promising for guaranteeing the preservation of biodiversity. Donations, conservation easements or acquisitions for conservation purposes ensure the conservation of sites in perpetuity and provide certain tax advantages for the landowner who undertakes to do so.
In Quebec, the Network of Protected Natural Environments brings together owners and managers who work for the conservation of natural heritage across Quebec. It plays a unique role in consolidating a network of partners and encouraging the sharing of conservation know-how as well as promoting the preservation of nature through voluntary conservation on private land.
Nature reserve in a private environment
Gault-de-l'Université-McGill Nature Reserve
A nature reserve is private land recognized by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks for its biological, wildlife, plant, geological or other value[28] The level of protection of these territories can vary greatly from one reserve to another. Quebec's 33 nature reserves protect only 25 kilometres (15.53mi) of the province.[29]
Wildlife management areas
Although it is not a protected area, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune also has several types of wildlife management territories, including protected areas, outfitters and the ZECs.
Wildlife reserves are public hunting and fishing grounds dedicated to the conservation, development and use of wildlife as well as, incidentally, the practice of recreational activities. There are currently has 21 wildlife reserves in Quebec covering a territory of 66,886 kilometres (41,561.03mi) and 524 kilometres (326mi) of salmon rivers.[30] They are all administered by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec with the exception of the wildlife reserves of Duchénier, Dunière[31] and those located on salmon rivers which are managed by local organizations.
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. Protected areas are those areas in which human presence or the exploitation of natural resources is limited.
Conservation in Australia is an issue of state and federal policy. Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with a large portion of species endemic to Australia. Preserving this wealth of biodiversity is important for future generations. 25% of Australia is managed for conservation.
This is an index of conservation topics. It is an alphabetical index of articles relating to conservation biology and conservation of the natural environment.
Habitat conservation is a management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore habitats and prevent species extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range. It is a priority of many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one ideology.
There are four categories of protected areas in India, constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Tiger reserves consist of areas under national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. There are 53 tiger reserves in India. As of January 2023, the protected areas of India cover 173,629.52 square kilometres (67,038.73 sq mi), roughly 5.28% of the total geographical area of the country.
The Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, also known as Sépaq, is the agency of the Government of Quebec that manages parks and wildlife reserves. Sépaq falls under the authority of the Minister of Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs and its head office is located in Quebec City. It employs about 3400 people.
Guanacaste Conservation Area is an administrative area which is managed by the Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion (SINAC) of Costa Rica for conservation in the northwestern part of Costa Rica. It contains three national parks, as well as wildlife refuges and other nature reserves. The area contains the Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site, which comprises four areas.
Since declaring independence in 1981, Belize has enacted many environmental protection laws aimed at the preservation of the country's natural and cultural heritage, as well as its wealth of natural resources. These acts have established a number of different types of protected areas, with each category having its own set of regulations dictating public access, resource extraction, land use and ownership.
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small, landlocked nation nestled in the southern slopes of the Eastern Himalaya. To its north lies the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and to the west, south and east lies the Indian states of Sikkim, Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The wildlife of Canada or biodiversity of Canada consist of over 80,000 classified species, and an equal number thought yet to be recognized. Known fauna and flora have been identified from five kingdoms: protozoa represent approximately 1% of recorded species; chromist ; fungis ; plants ; and animals. Insects account for nearly 70 percent of documented animal species in Canada. More than 300 species are found exclusively in Canada.
Deforestation is one of the most serious environmental issues in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's current forest cover as of 2017 was 29.7%. In the 1920s, the island had a 49 percent forest cover but by 2005 this had fallen by approximately 26 percent. Between 1990 and 2000, Sri Lanka lost an average of 26,800 ha of forests per year. This amounts to an average annual deforestation rate of 1.14%. Between 2000 and 2005 the rate accelerated to 1.43% per annum. However, with a long history of policy and laws towards environmental protection, deforestation rates of primary cover have decreased 35% since the end of the 1990s thanks to a strong history of conservation measures. The problem of deforestation in Sri Lanka is not as significant in the southern mountainous regions as it is in northern and lowland southern Sri Lanka, largely due to the nature of environmental protection.
Grands-Jardins National Park is a provincial park, located in the Unorganized Territory of Lac-Pikauba, in the Charlevoix Regional County Municipality, an administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, in Quebec, Canada.
The Okomu National Park, formerly the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary, has been identified as one of the largest remaining natural rainforest ecosystem. Due to the high biodiversity seen in the Okomu National Park, a Wildlife Sanctuary was first established there.
The Natashquan is a river in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. It flows south into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
The exceptional forest ecosystems of Quebec are stands of trees of outstanding interest for biodiversity that are intended to be preserved for future generations. They are protected by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife of Quebec.
The Réserve faunique des Chic-Chocs is a wildlife reserve of Quebec located in east of Parc national de la Gaspésie, in the administrative region of Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, in Quebec, Canada.
The national parks of Quebec are provincial parks created by the government of Quebec to protect territories representative of natural regions of the province or sites of exceptional character, while making them accessible to the public for education and/or recreation. As of 2023, there are 28 such parks in Quebec, which protect an area of 42,765.57 kilometres (26,573.29 mi), or about 2.8% of the territory of the province. All but four parks are administered by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq). Those four are administered by Nunavik Parks. In addition, Sépaq jointly administers a National Marine Conservation Area with Parks Canada as part of the country's national park system.
The aquatic reserve of Estuaire-de-la-Rivière-Bonaventure is an aquatic reserve of Quebec, in Canada, located near the town of Bonaventure in the Gaspé Peninsula. The mission of this protected area of 218.73 hectares is to preserve the estuary of the Bonaventure River, one of the ten barachois estuaries in Quebec. On the islands of the estuary one can find several rare species in Quebec including the Macoun's gentian, the Anticosti aster and mat muhly as well as twenty-seven other rare plant species in the Gaspé.
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