The tool predicts which terrestrial vertebrate species (amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles) have suitable habitat based on land cover and climate, at sites that are 6.44 x 6.44 kilometers (4 x4 miles). You can use to tool to estimate the total number of species, the number of species for each taxonomic group, the number of Species at Risk, the number of species associated with wetlands or grasslands at each site, and which species have suitable habitat at each site.

Anyone is welcome to use the public version of the tool. See our terms of use.

Projects & Initiatives

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What data went into the tool?

The predictions are based on individual species distribution models using species observations, habitat data, and climate data.

Q: Why can’t the tool be applied across Canada?

This tool was developed using data from species in the Prairie Ecozone of Canada. The project team is developing a similar tool for Eastern Canada.

Q: Why is 329 the maximum number of species on the legend?

We built distribution models for 329 species in Prairie Canada. Many species have geographic ranges smaller than the total study area so the maximum number of species at a site is lower than 329.

Q: Why do urban areas have a high predicted number of species?

Urban areas in Prairie Canada typically have major rivers running through them, which are areas with high predicted biodiversity. Urban areas can include many different habitats in a small area, so contain species that use many different habitat types, like forests, rivers, and wetlands.

Q: Is the public version the same as the data presented in the paper?

There are two main differences: (1) the predictions are coarser in the public tool and (2) we updated the tool predictions to use 2020 land cover, whereas the models in the paper were fit using 2015 land cover.

Q: What habitat types were included?

Land cover categories were simplified to focus on distinct habitat types that affect biodiversity patterns. We separated: wetland, open water, native grassland, tame grass, annual cropland, forest, and human settlement.

Q: How do management activities affect predicted biodiversity?

The tool is built based on land cover; for example, the tool predicts different numbers of species in fields that are annual cropland versus fields that are native grassland. The tool does not account for differences in management activities on the same habitat type, such as grazing intensity in different grassland fields.

Find information, guidance and troubleshooting tips.

Jeope Wolfe

Why is the search bar not working?

Using the arrow to the left of the search bar, make sure that both options are selected (ArcGIS World Geocoding Service allows searching by city name or address; Predicted Number of Species and Species List allow searching by quarter section (legal land description)).

What does it do?