ABSTRACT
The geography of Canada is highly varied. A large portion of the country is arctic, but temperate regions span the continent from rainforests in British Columbia in the west to rich deciduous hardwood forests in the east. The present patterns of species distribution across Canada have been affected by several important factors. As a northern temperate country, Canada's flora is not as rich as that of a tropical region or biodiversity hotspot, but is nevertheless diverse and fascinating. Canada is also a member of the Nature Serve network, which includes conservation and biodiversity data sources across Canada and the USA. Canada has supported the development of Environmental Farm Plans to encourage land management in accord with the principles of biodiversity conservation. Canada has developed a multilevel system for the protection of at-risk populations and species of certain taxa, with legislation for their protection and recovery at both the Federal level and within certain provinces.
