The sustainable renewal of the Canadian economy has huge dependencies. These dependencies are on how effectively can the Govt. of Canada make fruitful investments in the Ecosystem. Hence, according to a sustainability report from The World Economic forum’s most recent Global risk report. It reveals that the top five threats for survival are environmental. As an example, we can mention the 2013 southern Alberta floods which caused $2billion in insurable losses. Therefore, it needs heavy investing in the ecosystems to bring sustainable developments to the Canadian economy.
This is simply a demonstration of the number of losses that occur. This is when during the city planning the natural ecosystem is not taken into consideration. Yet another disaster happened in the same year. A major flood in the city of Toronto resulted in insured property damage of approximately $850 million. The two disasters are one of the costliest in the history of the Canadian economy.
Some more realistic research includes The Canadian Food Inspection Agency. According to the estimates, the annual impacts of invasive species on the Great Lakes and the agriculture and forestry sectors account for $30 billion per year. Furthermore, regards to Forestry, The Canadian forest Service estimates that the Emerald Ash Borer invasion will result in a huge amount. Hence, this needs heavy investing of $ 2 billion in tree damage. This also includes the removal and replacement over the next 30 years.
WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM?
Known as the Ecosystem, this is a segment of a country or defined area. It includes all the living organisms. Also, comprises species including plants, trees, and other living things. Defined in a more sophisticated way as the interaction between two. These interactions are between the living organisms and the non-living components in a particular area.
A variety of the types of natural ecosystems found in Canada are forests & wetlands. Furthermore, includes grasslands, tundra lakes, rivers, and the coastal and marine systems. Modified according to the needs of natural ecosystems. This happened after a series of transformations made for and by humans in form of investments. The transformation or the modifications of these ecosystems is into urban centers and agricultural lands. Therefore, the care of these transformed ecosystems is the sole responsibility of the Govt. and environmental agencies in sustainable Canada.
FORESTS & WETLANDS CANADA- A KEY PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM:
While we discuss further the ecosystems in Canada. We must know that the forests in Canada cover a huge land of the whole area of Canada, i.e. 40% of the area. These are huge figures for a country that is massive in area. Hence, 2nd only to Russia in forest percentage to the area, and total covered area. This area is a huge 347 million hectares and accounts for approximately 9% of the total World’s forests. Forests are a great source of natural resources for the economy as they provide food, timber, medicines, and other less obvious services. Includes water filtration, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration as part of the services. These services are claimed to be less obvious ones. Automatically, the more the covered area, the more investment needs to be done.
The wetlands in Canada also play a huge part in their ecosystems known formally as ecology. It covers over approximately 150 million hectares in Canada or 15% of Canada and a huge quarter i.e. 25% of the World’s Wetlands. As compared with the rest of the World’s Wetlands. A quarter i.e. 25% is considered huge although it doesn’t seem huge in writing. These are essential resources for water filtration, water flows, and obviously flood control. Flood control and water flows are a major part of the environmental sustainability aspects in Canada that needs investing higher amounts annually.
ECOSYSTEM AT RISK IN CANADA & DAMAGE CONTROL MEASURES:
Impacts associated with the risks can be heavy in terms of sustainable developments. To the Eco-system, the number of risks associated is huge in terms of magnitude in Canada. The Canadians, however, may not be aware of the number of risks their Eco-system and economy are facing. These risks include the loss of fish and the loss of animals to hunt.
Also, includes the flowering plants that help in delivering functions for the pollinators as well as many of our crops. Highly critical for sustenance is reducing the huge amount of risks faced by the Ecosystem. This is so that the citizens keep enjoying the goods and services provided in the ecology.
Other major resources from the Ecosystem at risk are the Wetlands. The role of the Wetlands is also huge in flood and erosion control. Therefore, it needs necessary investing in sustainability projects for the Wetlands. They also play a major part in pest management, groundwater recharge and retention, pollution abatement, and the key maintenance of biodiversity. Part of the recreational assets used in Canada is bird watching & waterfowl hunting. The losses need to be controlled as it would lead to huge costs for the region. These costs are in terms of damage and maintenance due to flooding. Other vital grey areas that need investing for sustainable developments are mainly for the sake of damage control measures when flooding is expected.