The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program provides data and information to track Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues. Canada's conserved areas indicators report the amount and proportion of Canada's terrestrial (land and freshwater) and marine area that is recognized as conserved. Well-managed conserved areas are one way to protect wild species and their habitats for present and future generations. Habitat conservation is a measure of human response to the loss of biodiversity and natural habitat. As the area conserved in Canada increases, more lands and waters are withdrawn from direct human development stresses, thereby contributing to biodiversity conservation and improving the health of ecosystems. In turn, healthy ecosystems provide benefits such as clean water, mitigation of climate change, pollination and improved human health. Information is provided to Canadians in a number of formats including: static and interactive maps, charts and graphs, HTML and CSV data tables and downloadable reports. See the supplementary documentation for the data sources and details on how the data were collected and how the indicator was calculated.Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: https://www.canada.ca/environmental-indicators

The maps show a multiyear ground deformation rate caused by small-scale deformation processes in Canada, measured in meters per year. Horizontal-east and vertical deformation components were computed from data acquired on ascending and descending orbits. This horizontal-east/vertical 2D decomposition is approximate and assumes constant viewing geometry and the absence of horizontal-north deformation.In the line-of-sight (LOS) map computed from ascending orbit data, a negative signal approximately corresponds to either subsidence or eastward motion, while a positive signal corresponds to uplift or westward motion. In the LOS map computed from descending orbit data, a negative signal approximately corresponds to either subsidence or westward motion, while a positive signal corresponds to uplift or eastward motion.In the horizontal-east map, a negative signal corresponds to westward motion, while a positive signal corresponds to eastward motion. In the vertical map, a negative signal indicates subsidence, while a positive signal indicates uplift.The maps were calculated from Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar data collected between 2017 and 2024 during the snow-free season. Interferometric analysis of Sentinel-1 data was performed using GAMMA Software (https://www.gamma-rs.ch), and the long-term deformation rate was computed with the Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS) Software Version 10 (https://doi.org/10.1080/07038992.2024.2424753) at the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada.Long-wavelength signals caused by postglacial rebound and tectonic motion were filtered to enhance the visibility of small-scale deformation processes, such as those originating from landslides and mining. Field studies have confirmed only a few of these processes to date. The maps are expected to contain processing artifacts, which will be addressed in future work.References:Samsonov, S. V., & Feng, W. (2023). Deformation Retrievals for North America and Eurasia from Sentinel-1 DInSAR: Big Data Approach, Processing Methodology and Challenges. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 49(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/07038992.2023.2247095Samsonov, S. V. (2024). Multidimensional Small Baseline Subset (MSBAS) Software for Constrained and Unconstrained Deformation Analysis of Partially Coherent DInSAR and Speckle Offset Data. Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 50(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/07038992.2024.2424753Limitation of Liability :The information contained on this website is provided on an “as is” basis and Natural Resources Canada makes no representations or warranties respecting the information, either expressed or implied, arising by law or otherwise, including but not limited to, effectiveness, completeness, accuracy or fitness for a particular purpose. Natural Resources Canada does not assume any liability in respect of any damage or loss based on the use of this website. In no event shall Natural Resources Canada be liable in any way for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other damages based on any use of this website or any other website to which this site is linked, including, without limitation, any lost profits or revenue or business interruption.

Provincial and Municipal Dikes in ManitobaDikes have been built to prevent flooding of communities and specific areas during runoff and flood events. This layer demonstrates the location of many provincial- and municipal-owned dikes in Manitoba; Elevations have been provided where they are known, and noted as “elevation under review” where they are uncertain. 

Timing windows are the period(s) during the year when work may be carried out in and about water bodies with the lowest risk to fish and wildlife species and habitat. Timing windows and terms and conditions vary based on regional differences in fish and wildlife species and habitat, and geography. The timing window of least risk to fish and fish habitat must be applied to all activities in water bodies, as well as tributaries that have a risk of depositing sediment into water bodies. Windows of least risk are designed to protect all fish species known to occur in a water body.

These structure, isopach and zero edge files are part of a series of stratigraphic framework maps for the Saskatchewan Phanerozoic Fluids and Petroleum Systems (SPFPS) project.The series of stratigraphic framework maps for the Saskatchewan Phanerozoic Fluids and Petroleum Systems (SPFPS) project have been produced using 2 km equi-spaced modified grids generated from Golden Software’s Surfer 9 kriging algorithm. The dataset used to produce each of the maps in this series was created using data from several projects completed by the Ministry (Christopher, 2003; Saskatchewan Industry and Resources et al., 2004; Kreis et al., 2004; Marsh and Heinemann, 2006; Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources et al., 2007; Heinemann and Marsh, 2009); these data were validated and edited as required to facilitate correlations between the various regional projects. In addition, to minimize edge effects during contouring, the senior author also generated stratigraphic data from wells in adjacent jurisdictions.

This inventory, conducted from September 26th to October 3th, 2019, aimed to describe the community structure of macroalgae and benthic macroinvertebrates of five small estuaries of the Upper North Shore of Quebec, namely Barthélemy Bay and the Colombier, Mistassini, Franquelin and Saint-Nicolas rivers. This inventory is part of a doctoral study of Valentine Loiseau on the global changes in the St. Lawrence system, mainly the study of marine benthic communities in response to changes of salinity, to ensure proper management of the environment in the face of future changes. The main objective is to describe the structure and the levels of specific diversities of mediolittoral communities of benthic macroinvertebrates and macroalgae along a salinity gradient. These five small estuaries were selected because of their similar size, hard substrates and easy access. Three levels of hypoosmotic stress (low, medium, high) and one control level (seawater) were used for each of the selected estuaries, with eight quadrats per stress level. Quadrat positions were randomly selected but had to meet two criteria: (1) regular height in the foreshore to control the influence of other stresses (temperature, exposure); and (2) presence of at least one macroalga to maintain homogeneity. A percentage cover by macroalgal and macroinvertebrate species was estimated, and then all organisms were weighed by species and size group. The salinity of the nearest water point was measured at mid-tide with a portable refractometer and a Castaway-type CTD (Conductivity-Temperature-Density) probe. The inventory was done using a stratified random sampling design and the sampling unit was a quadrat measuring 25 x 25 cm. The three files provided (DarwinCore format) are complementary and are linked by the "eventID" key. The "event_information" file includes the generic information of the quadrat, including date and location. The "additional_information_event_and_occurrence" file includes salinity and substrate type of the quadrat, as well as the total weight of all individuals of the same species caught in the quadrat extrapolated to one square metre of surface. For nudibranchs and barnacles, weight was estimated from the size of the individuals so that they were not removed from the environment. The "taxon_occurrence" file includes the taxonomic inventory of macroalgal and benthic macroinvertebrate species observed in the quadrat, identified to the lowest possible species or taxonomic level and biomass by identified species.For quality control, organisms were identified on the field using the following guide: Chabot, Robert et Anne Rossignol. 2003. Algues et faune du littoral du Saint-Laurent maritime : Guide d'identification. Institut des Sciences de la mer de Rimouski, Rimouski ; Pêches et Océans Canada (Institut Maurice-Lamontagne), Mont-Joli. 113 pages. The taxonomy was checked against the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) to match recognized standards and using the R obistools and worrms libraries. The WoRMS match was placed in the "scientificNameID" field of the occurrence file. All sample locations were spatially validated. This project was funded by DFO Coastal Environmental Baseline Program under Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. This initiative aims to acquire environmental baseline data contributing to the characterization of important coastal areas and to support evidence-based assessments and management decisions for preserving marine ecosystems.

This digital dataset is the compilation of an analysis of the in situ stress regime in several regions of Alberta and northeastern British Columbia conducted by Dr. Sebastian Bell under a contract with the Alberta Geological Survey from 1999 to 2004. The dataset includes both new and previously published estimates for vertical stress gradients, minimum horizontal stress gradients, and stress orientation. Understanding the state of stress in the subsurface has always been important in the development of energy resources. The recent development of unconventional oil sand and low permeability hydrocarbon deposits, waste fluid disposal, greenhouse gas sequestration, and potential geothermal energy extraction all require knowledge of the state of stress to operate safely and economically. A lack of understanding of the state of stress in a given project area has the potential to negatively affect the economics of such projects and may expose operators to increased liabilities. Regional-scale studies of the stress regime indicate that in southern and central Alberta the vertical stress (Sv) is the largest principal stress. The Sv magnitude is determined from the overburdened load and is calculated by integrating the bulk density log from ground surface to the depth of interest. This dataset contains 724 vertical stress gradient measurements from 126 wells in Alberta. The minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) can be evaluated using a variety of tests. While leak-off tests and fracture breakdown pressures have been used in the past for estimating the magnitude of the Shmin, mini-fracture tests (also known as DFITS) are currently considered a more accurate and consistent method. This dataset includes only mini-fracture test data, consisting of 106 minimum horizontal stress gradient measurements in 83 wells. Alberta was one of the first regions in the world where stress mapping began, originating in the pioneering 'borehole breakout' developments of Dr. Bell from the Geological Survey of Canada in Calgary and Dr. Gough from the University of Alberta. The Shmin orientations can be determined from borehole breakouts, which are spalled cavities that occur on opposite walls of a borehole. This dataset contains 214 stress orientation measurements from 133 wells.

The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program provides data and information to track Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues. Canada's conserved areas indicators report the amount and proportion of Canada's terrestrial (land and freshwater) and marine area that is recognized as conserved. Well-managed conserved areas are one way to protect wild species and their habitats for present and future generations. Habitat conservation is a measure of human response to the loss of biodiversity and natural habitat. As the area conserved in Canada increases, more lands and waters are withdrawn from direct human development stresses, thereby contributing to biodiversity conservation and improving the health of ecosystems. In turn, healthy ecosystems provide benefits such as clean water, mitigation of climate change, pollination and improved human health. Information is provided to Canadians in a number of formats including: static and interactive maps, charts and graphs, HTML and CSV data tables and downloadable reports. See the supplementary documentation for the data sources and details on how the data were collected and how the indicator was calculated.Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: https://www.canada.ca/environmental-indicators

The Geological Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin was designed primarily as a reference volume documenting the subsurface geology of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. This GIS dataset is one of a collection of shapefiles representing part of Chapter 29 of the Atlas, In-situ Stress in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Figure 10, Stress Trajectories Determined from Breakouts. Shapefiles were produced from archived digital files created by the Alberta Geological Survey in the mid-1990s, and edited in 2005-06 to correct, attribute and consolidate the data into single files by feature type and by figure.

The maps show a multiyear ground deformation rate caused by small-scale deformation processes in Canada, measured in meters per year. Horizontal-east and vertical deformation components were computed from data acquired on ascending and descending orbits. This horizontal-east **This third party metadata element follows the Spatio Temporal Asset Catalog (STAC) specification.**