Whooping Crane Nesting Area and Summer Range (11246)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Whooping Crane Nesting Area and Summer Range
Central coordinates: Latitude: 60.3300, Longitude: -113.2500
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 200 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 9361.01394
Protected area coverage (%): 96.90
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Whooping Crane nesting area and summer range is located approximately 75 km west of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. The site, which straddles the border between the Northwest Territories and Alberta, encompasses the northeastern portion of Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent wetlands. Habitats within this area are poorly drained and interspersed with numerous shallow water wetlands, most with marl bottoms. The wetlands are generally separated by narrow ridges that support black spruce, tamarack, willows, and dwarf birch. Within the wetlands, the dominant species are bulrush, sedge, and cattail. The large upland areas between the marsh complexes support coniferous and mixed forests dominated by white spruce, black spruce and aspen.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Whooping Crane Nesting Area and Summer Range was initially identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Recent analysis shows that this site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of global significance for one threatened bird species (Whooping Crane).
Manageability of the site: Whooping Crane Nesting Area and Summer Range intersects or contains one protected areas consisting of Wood Buffalo National Park Of Canada managed by Parks Canada.
Delineation rationale: The Whooping Crane KBA straddles the border between the Northwest Territories and Alberta, and encompasses the northeastern portion of Wood Buffalo National Park and adjacent wetlands.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Ongoing | |
| Other options | Other threat | Ongoing |