Ecosystem condition accounts

Ecosystem condition accounts organize biophysical data on the quality of ecosystems and provide information on how ecosystem condition is changing over time. Ecosystem condition accounts cover the ecosystem types included in the extent accounts.

Condition variables and indicators are selected to represent key abiotic and biotic characteristics that describe the physical, chemical, compositional, structural and functional state of different ecosystems, as well as certain landscape- and seascape-level characteristics. These measures provide information on ecosystem health and in turn, ecosystem capacity to support the delivery of ecosystem services.

Statistics Canada does not yet produce a full set of ecosystem condition accounts. Selected data on ecosystem condition, including forest disturbance, urban greenness, sea surface temperature and salinity, are available in recent editions of the report Human Activity and the Environment, such as “Accounting for ecosystems in Canada.” In addition, new condition data will be developed on an ongoing basis as part of the development of the Census of Environment.

For further details on ecosystem condition accounts, see the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting manual, Chapter 5.

Access publications, data tables and methodological information through the following links: