1. Landscape-level…

1. Landscape-level Protection
Ontario needs to change its current approach for conservation. Rather than protecting individual species, Ontario needs to protect landscapes rather than individual species. Switching to a landscape-style conservation program is more efficient and cost-effective, and arguably more effective than our current species-based approach.
What is landscape-style protection? Instead of protecting a species in a particular area, we focus on protecting a larger area. For example, we protect a river valley, a length of connected woodland, or a watershed. In doing this we can protect multiple species and habitats. We protect corridors used by species to disperse, forage, and migrate. Corridors are becoming increasingly important as a method for species to respond to pressures associated with climate change. In addition, protecting larger areas we conserve population variability for multiple species. This allows species to maintain genetic diversity. If there is genetic diversity, a species may be able to adapt to climate change through new mutations or phenotypic plasticity. As well, genetic diversity prevents reduced fitness that may occur in small isolated populations due to inbreeding.
Finally, we protect the many ecosystem services required both by humans and by the species living within the protected areas. These services include clean air, erosion protection, carbon storage in above- and below-ground biomass, and buffering against rapid nutrient loading into watersheds (via passing more slowly through the soil and being taken up by plants along the way).

2. Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
There is too much uncertainty involved in protecting single species. We must research the species, write assessments, monitor the species, review the status of the species, and make changes if needed. This approach has led to a backlog of species waiting to be assessed. There is simply not enough time to address each species. There is a better option provided by landscape-scale protection.

3. Keeping the Land Natural
One last comment relates to human access. We need to reduce human impacts on our protected areas. Ever visit one of Ontario’s major parks? Algonquin maybe? Ever notice how developing protected areas into “tourist sites” tends to create more harm than good for these areas? Do not advertise the new protected areas. Do not develop them into tourist attractions with parking lots, roads, visitor centres, and guided activities. They can allow backcountry-style camping and low-impact use such as hiking and canoeing. This way people can still appreciate the areas without placing too much pressure on the ecosystem. Thank you for considering my comments. I am looking forward to an improved conservation strategy for Ontario.