Natural resources science and research

Learn more about our six areas of science and research.

Aquatic science

Information on how we protect our fish and aquatic resources by studying their habitat and how they are affected by diseases.

Aquatic research

Learn how research is helping us better understand the province’s lake and river systems. Also, get information about:

• our research on lake ecosystems functioning
• the status and genetics of native species
• the effects of manmade factors such as fishing, invasive species and climate change
• water flow in rivers and streams
• science support for species at risk

Fish and aquatic habitat monitoring

Learn how science staff monitor and gather information about fish populations and their habitats in Ontario’s lakes and rivers.

Fish and wildlife health

Learn more about fish and wildlife health in Ontario and diseases that may be affecting their populations.

Fish ON-line

Find any lake using the Fish ON-line map to access monitoring reports and learn which species of fish are present and their population status.

Climate change science

Research on how climate change affects our natural resources.

Natural resource management and climate change

Information for natural resource managers, communities and industries to help prepare for climate change.

Managed forests and climate change

Learn how Ontario’s managed forests can help address the effects of climate change.

Forest science

Resources about the growth of our forests and how they are affected by diseases and insects.

Forest research

Learn about Ontario’s forest research programs and how they help to ensure healthy forests for future generations. Forest researchers investigate:

• the effects of tree harvesting
• tree growth and yield
• tree diseases
• forest ecology
• carbon storage
• forest genetics

Forest health conditions

Read our annual forest health conditions reports and learn more about the health risks affecting Ontario’s forests.

Forest health: pests, diseases and severe weather conditions

Learn about:

• pests, diseases, and conditions that affect forest health in Ontario
• spongy moth and other defoliators

Forest monitoring

Information about how forest management operations in Ontario are monitored and audited to assess compliance and evaluate progress and results.

Forest resources inventory

Learn about Ontario’s Forest Resources Inventory (FRI), a large-scale survey of the province’s forests and wetlands.

Tree atlas

Learn more about Ontario’s native trees and the best species to plant where you live.

Natural heritage science

Information on how we classify and manage data to help protect our natural areas. Make your own map to discover the natural features in your area and plan land use on your property.

Ecological land classification

Learn how we classify natural regions based on ecological features (bedrock, climate, physical geography and vegetation).

Make a natural heritage area map

Create a map of some of Ontario’s natural heritage areas.

Natural Heritage Information Centre

Learn about Ontario’s conservation data centre and how it tracks the province’s biodiversity.

Species at risk science

Learn how to help track and protect our species at risk.

Report rare species (animals and plants)

Report sightings of species of conservation concern (animals and plants), wildlife concentration areas, plant communities and natural areas in Ontario.

Wildlife science

Information on how we protect our wildlife by studying their habitat and the diseases that affect them.

Wildlife research

Learn how Ontario manages wildlife and wildlife habitats. Our wildlife researchers conduct studies on wildlife across Ontario. From the Hudson Bay Lowlands to Niagara Falls, they look at many wildlife species, including:

• waterfowl
• wetlands
• small mammals
• furbearers
• game birds
• large mammals
• species at risk
• northern mammals
• wildlife diseases
• landscape ecology

Chronic wasting disease

Help keep chronic wasting disease out of Ontario and learn about our surveillance program.

Fish and wildlife health

Learn more about fish and wildlife health in Ontario and the diseases that may be affecting their populations.

Rabies

Learn about:

• where rabies occurs in Ontario
• what we are doing to control rabies
• what to do if you think you’ve come into contact with rabies