Brown, M. G. C. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

Evaluating transboundary connectivity to support cross-border conservation between Canada and the United States

Landscape connectivity is considered critical for maintaining biodiversity. Many jurisdictions have identified the importance of considering connectivity in land use plans, and connectivity has recently been included as a metric in international conservation agreements. Consequently, there is a need for measures of connectivity that can be applied at national and international scales; however, evaluating connectivity across international boundaries remains a challenge due to inconsistencies in mapping data, and differences in sociopolitical systems. Canada and the United States of America (USA) share a long international border, and thus, there is a need and opportunity to develop transboundary connectivity plans for this international region. We extended a previously published pan-Canadian multi-species connectivity model into the USA to produce a seamless and high-resolution omnidirectional connectivity map for the two countries. We identify several significant animal movement corridors across the transboundary region and show that about 20% of connectivity hotspots in the region are covered by protected areas. We also demonstrate the potential of the map for identifying important areas for wildlife movement and the spread of zoonotic diseases. Our map will be useful for supporting transboundary connectivity conservation between Canada and the USA and our modelling approach can easily be applied to other countries to support their own connectivity initiatives.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Avian influenza viruses in wild birds in Canada following incursion of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from Eurasia in 2021/2022

Following detection of novel highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in Newfoundland, Canada in late 2021, avian influenza surveillance in wild birds was scaled-up across Canada. Herein, we present results of Canadas Interagency Surveillance Program for Avian Influenza in wild birds during the first year (November 2021 - November 2022) following the incursions of HPAIV from Eurasia. Key objectives of the surveillance program were to (i) detect the presence, distribution and spread of HPAIV and other avian influenza viruses (AIVs), (ii) detect wild bird morbidity and mortality associated with HPAIV, (iii) identify the range of wild bird species infected by HPAIV, and (iv) characterize detected AIV. A total of 6,246 sick and dead wild birds were tested, of which 27.4% were HPAIV positive across 12 taxonomic orders and 80 species. Geographically, HPAIV detections occurred in all Canadian provinces and territories, with the highest numbers in the Atlantic and Central flyways. Temporally, peak detections differed across flyways, though the national peak occurred in April 2022. In an additional 11,295 asymptomatic harvested or live captured wild birds, 5.2% were HPAIV positive across 3 taxonomic orders and 19 species. Whole genome sequencing identified HPAIV of Eurasian origin as most prevalent in the Atlantic flyway, along with multiple reassortants of mixed Eurasian and North American origins distributed across Canada, with moderate structuring at the flyway scale. Wild birds were victims and reservoirs of HPAIV H5N1 2.3.4.4b, underscoring the importance of surveillance encompassing samples from sick and dead, as well as live and harvested birds to provide insights into the dynamics and potential impacts of the HPAIV H5N1 outbreak. This dramatic shift in presence and distribution of HPAIV in wild birds in Canada highlights a need for sustained investment in wild bird surveillance and collaboration across One Health partners.

zoology↗