The United Nations designated May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity, to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues around the world.  To celebrate this year, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario created a quiz to test your knowledge about Ontario’s biodiversity.

In honour of World Environment Day, June 5th, we’re happy to announce we have a winner – they will be contacted directly to get their prize.

Here are the results with the correct answers highlighted:

Biodiversity Quiz

1. In simple terms, what is biodiversity?

1. The variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms (77% got it correct!)
2. The number of species on Earth
3. The genetic variations between species
4. The diversity of ecosystems in the world

2. What composes biodiversity?

1. The variety of species on Earth
2. The genetic variability of each species
3. The variety of different ecosystems in the world
4. All of the above (85% got it correct!)

3. What are the major ecozones in Ontario?

1. Boreal Shield, Hudson Plains and Mixed Woods Plains (85% got it correct!)
2. Boreal Forest and Tundra
3. Carolinian Forest and Hudson Plains
4. Great Lakes, Tundra, Forest

4. What percent of Ontario’s lands are protected in parks?

1. 12%
2. 17%
3. 37%
4. 9% (62% got it correct!)

5. How many species at risk have been identified in Ontario, by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) (as of September 2010) ?

1. 207 (62% got it correct!)
2. 56
3. 560
4. 315

6. What is the leading cause of endangerment for Ontario’s species at risk?

1. Invasive species
2. Habitat loss and degradation (92% got it correct!)
3. Pollution
4. Disease

7. What are ecosystem goods and services?

1. The benefits from spending time in the outdoors, close to biodiversity – e.g., camping
2. The benefits humans derive from biodiversity – including food, wood and other raw materials; as well as natural functions such as pollination of crops, prevention of soil erosion and water purification (77% got it correct!)
3. The variety of life on Earth

8. What is the purpose of Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights?

1. To protect, conserve and restore the integrity of the environment
2. The protection and conservation of biological, ecological and genetic diversity
3. The protection and conservation of natural resources, including plant life, animal life and ecological systems
4. All of the above are purposes of the Environmental Bill of Rights (85% got it correct!)

9. What international agreement aims to conserve the world’s biodiversity?

1. Convention for Biological Diversity (77% got it correct!)
2. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
3. United Nations Environment Programme
4. Kyoto Protocol

10. What government ministry is responsible for protecting Ontario’s biodiversity?

1. Ministry of Natural Resources
2. Ministry of the Environment
3. All ministries, because the entire Ontario government is responsible (85% got it correct!)
4. Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry