Assessing Conservation Through a Habitat Lens

International and national biodiversity targets require protected area networks to be ecologically representative of the larger landscapes they aim to protect.

We piloted an approach to assess this in Alberta that showed:

• As of June 10, 2025, there are 102,910 km2 of protected areas and 255 km2 of “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs) within Alberta, covering 103,165 km2 or 15.6% of Alberta.
• Pine (27% or 15,393 km2), Spruce (33% or 15,938 km2), and Fens (23% or 21,348 km2) have the highest proportion of their habitat
  area conserved.
• Mixedwood (3.5% or 2,523 km2), native grass and shrublands (5.2% or 6,350 km2), and Marsh (10% or 1,389 km2) habitats have
  the lowest proportion of their habitat area conserved while having also experienced high levels of historic footprint (61%, 59%, and
  51%, respectively).
• A habitat‑representativeness approach identifies which habitats are covered specifically by protected, conserved, and OECM land
  status. Progress towards conservation goals may also be achieved through a range of other stewardship and land-use activities.