Biodiversity

Biological diversity (also known as biodiversity) is the distribution and abundance of living organisms and the ecological systems of which they are a part. Biodiversity includes diversity within and between species and the diversity of ecosystems across a landscape.

Upstream oil and gas activities can affect plants and wildlife on land and in marine environments. Direct impacts can occur when operations disrupt the habitat of a species — for example, by clearing land for well sites or seismic surveys.

• wildlife research
  Industry funds and supports research on species such as woodland caribou and grizzly bears to determine how they are affected by oil and gas operations.
  
  
• operating practices
  Assessment and planning to avoid impacts and better operating practices reduce impacts on wildlife and biodiversity. Narrower seismic cutlines, made possible by new technologies and techniques, greatly reduce the impact of exploration on forest resources and wildlife. This is important because cutlines, like roads and other clearings, can provide corridors for animal predators, hunters and recreational vehicles that disrupt forest ecosystems. Other advances in operating practices include greater use of native species for reclamation and scheduling oil and gas industry activities to avoid wildlife mating and nesting seasons.
  
  
• protection of wildlife habitat
  Industry associations and companies work with scientists, government officials and interest groups to identify species and habitats needing protection. In Alberta, for example, the Special Places 2000 program identified and protected many environmentally sensitive areas. Companies have given up mineral rights in substantial areas of Western Canada, such as the Whaleback area in the Alberta foothills, to allow for the creation of protected areas.
  
  
• protection of marine resources
  Extensive studies of marine ecosystems are now required before any offshore oil and natural gas activity. The impacts of projects are monitored during the work and afterwards. When negative effects are observed, they are addressed. Joint advisory bodies composed of the fishing and petroleum industries also help to ensure the impacts on marine resources are minimized.