Welcome to the Ontario Biodiversity Council’s reporting portal. This site presents a dynamic, indicator-based approach to reporting on Ontario’s 13 Biodiversity Targets and on the State of Ontario’s Biodiversity. The Council recommitted to reporting on both of these items when Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy was renewed in 2023.

The site includes indicators that evaluate progress in achieving each of the 13 Targets and status and trends in three biodiversity theme areas: pressures on biodiversity; state of ecosystem, species and genetic diversity; and, conservation response.

Individual indicators are updated regularly when new data are available and a brief report summarizing what the indicators are telling us will be published on this site every 5 years beginning in May 2015.

Accessing Indicators – Indicators can be accessed using the drop down menu on the banner or by clicking the button in the centre of the Home Page. They can be viewed in three ways:

1. Indicators By Target – this page shows all of the targets arranged by each of the five Strategic Directions in Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy (presented as tabs). Clicking on an individual target reveals the relevant indicators. For some targets and Strategic Directions, indicators are listed under a category named ‘Related Indicators’.  These indicators do not directly address the target, but are related to the subject of the target.
2. Indicators By Theme – this page displays three biodiversity pressure-state-response theme areas as tabs. Clicking on a topic area within the theme reveals the relevant indicators.
3. Index of Indicators – this page displays all of the indicators on the site in a single list.

 

Individual Indicators – Each indicator has a common tab-based format that includes:

• Results – Data for the indicator in the form of maps, graphs and tables. Status is presented as objective statements of the current condition based on available data and expert review. Clicking on graphics opens a larger version of the image.
• Background Information – Brief overview of the relevance of the target or theme area to biodiversity and their relationship to the indicator.
• Data Analysis – Brief description of the sources of data and analyses used to develop the indicator [downloadable data in .xlsx format are available in this tab for some indicators – data sources are included in the spreadsheets and should be cited as appropriate].
• Links – Hyperlinks to related targets and theme areas and relevant web sites as well as a list of references cited in the indicator.
• Featured Story – Some indicators include a 5th tab where there is additional related information relevant to the target or theme area, but was not incorporated into the indicator.

Each indicator includes an assessment of trends and data confidence (see tables below) and geographic extent that appear as icons to the right of the tabs. A text description appears when you hover over the icons.

Print friendly PDFs of each indicator can be downloaded at the bottom of each indicator page. All indicators can also be downloaded in a single, bookmarked PDF under Reports on the banner.

Reports – All of the Council’s State of Biodiversity and Progress Reports in PDF format can be accessed by clicking Reports on the banner or by clicking on the Reports button on the right centre of the Home Page. Reports are arranged in chronological order with the most recent at the top of the page.

Ontario’s Ecozones – This page can be accessed by clicking Ecozone on the banner. Ontario’s four ecozones are the base unit for reporting on biodiversity trends on this site. This page includes brief descriptions of each ecozone with links to more detailed information.

Featured Stories – Featured Stories are sidebars that provide topical summaries of Ontario Biodiversity issues, success stories and programs. Featured stories present compelling information relevant to the conservation of Ontario’s biodiversity, but are not indicators because of limited data or geographic scope.  All Featured Stories on the site can be accessed by clicking Featured Stories on the banner.  When featured stories are related to a particular indicator, a 5th tab appears on the indicator allowing access to the Featured Story content.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – The content for this reporting web site was developed by the Ontario Biodiversity Council in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Guidance for this project was provided by a Council Sub-committee consisting of A. Boyd, G. Bryan, A. Dextrase, S. Higginson, S. Hounsell, R. Keen, D. Kraus, T. McIntosh, S. Watson-Leung, and T. Whillans.

The efforts of the following experts with respect to writing, data analysis, interpretation of information, and/or provision of data for specific indicators are gratefully acknowledged: K. Armstrong, H. Ball, W. Bakowsky, J. Bence, L. Chora, C. Chu, B. Crins, A. DeSellas, A. Dextrase, P. Elliott, A. Fenech, R. Gagnon, B. Henson, S. Higginson, A. Hogg, S. Hounsell, J. Jaeger, C. Jones, N. Jones, N. Lester, C. Mahler, J. McCallum, T. McIntosh, F. McKay, S. McKay, K. Middel, members of the OPS Biodiversity Network, M. Obbard, M. Oldham, J. Ortego, P. Overy, A. Paterson, D. Pathak, A. Pelletier, I. Peterman, A. Piggott, B. Pond, K. Potter, C. Risley, P. Smith, R. Spence, P. Staples, D. Sutherland, A. Todd, L. Watkins, A. Zohar, and G. Zokai.

The following experts offered assistance in preparation of the website’s Featured Stories: B. Boysen, T. Brenden, L. Brusse, M. Burley, S. Carstairs, A. Corlett, T. Cumming, S. Dasgupta, A. Dennhardt, K. Hewitt, P. Hodge, C. Jones, J. Lewington, P. Lu, B. Maurer, M. Oldham, D. Pathak, D. Phoenix, C. Sharp, and D. Sutherland.

Many thanks to the following organizations for providing data to support indicator development: Ducks Unlimited Canada, Conservation Ontario, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ontario Land Trust Alliance, Ontario Nature, Ontario Power Generation, and the Ontario Stewardship Program.

The biodiversity indicators and Summary Report were improved through constructive reviews by members of the Ontario Biodiversity Council and their member organizations and by the OPS Biodiversity Network.

Home Page Photo Credits: Carden alvar – W. Bakowsky, NHIC-OMNRF; Spotted Salmander – A. Dextrase, OMNRF; Tundra, Hudson Bay Lowlands – M. Oldham, NHIC-OMNRF; Lake St. Clair marsh – A. Woodliffe, retired OMNRF; Maple forest – L. Watkins, OMNRF; Tri-coloured Bumblebee on False Sunflower – L. Watkins, OMNRF.

Web Design: Accurate.

Questions and Comments: if you have any questions or comments regarding this reporting web site, please direct them to: info@ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca.