Conference Information
Linking Landscapes Symposium
Planning for Restoration of our Urban and Rural Environments

Canada’s major urban centres and human population needs are growing rapidly and as a result habitats are being increasing fragmented without any functional linkages between them. Habitat fragmentation is a key factor in the loss of biodiversity and numerous studies have quantified declining species number and abundance in fragmented habitats.

At the same time the uncontrolled growth of human population centres poses a threat
to the environmental health and quality of life for all species. Without careful planning which puts the environment first, we have the capacity to overtake the landscape to the long term detriment to ourselves and other species. The need to adapt in the face of climate change and restore our environment is coming to the forefront of landscape planning today.

The conference will focus on landscape (both aquatic and terrestrial) ecology and practical approaches to improving ecological function through proper planning and restoration to ensure all species needs are met.

Key questions to be answered for example are - What are the issues and needs in different areas? How do we document impacts and plan for the future to recover species at risk of extinction? Are there genetic impacts of fragmentation that can be mitigated? How do planners achieve a balance between habitat retention and restoration and development of the landscape for humans?  What should our landscape look like? How much habitat is enough? What is the quality of habitat needed? How do we achieve all this?
        
One key aim of the conference is, to share what works and what needs improvement and develop a list of recommendations that the respective groups or individual members can distribute and/or implement after the conference. We’d like to help both land managers and environmental biologists do their bit to help our society plan for the future in Ontario and across Canada.