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The following is a summary of just some of the achievements of this ambitious
project. Many of these achievements are firsts for Canada. This project:
- Integrates information on a large number (over 1 600) and variety of
Canada’s wild species. These general status assessments help to prioritize
which species are in most urgent need of attention: many species are secure;
some are at risk, may be at risk, or are sensitive; others are poorly known and
require study.
- Alerts Canadians to species that may require attention to prevent their
extinction, before the species are in “critical condition.” Early warning of a
species in trouble increases the success and cost-effectiveness of conservation
programs.
- Summarizes the identity and distribution of non-native wild species (Exotics)
across Canada. Few Canadians are aware of the proportion of our fauna and
flora that are introduced and of their potential impacts on native species.
- Identifies the gaps in our knowledge about wild species in Canada.
Directing attention and expertise towards filling these gaps is essential for a
more accurate and comprehensive picture of the general status of Canadian
wild species.
- Establishes local networks of people with information to share about
Canada’s wild species. People identified during this process form part of a
coordinated knowledge base critical to this, and future, general status reports.
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