Alberta is a diverse place. The province has six major ecosystem types called Natural Regions, each with distinctive geographical and climatic conditions that support an enormous variety of plants and animals:

1. Boreal Natural Region
2. Canadian Shield Natural Region
3. Foothills Natural Region
4. Grassland Natural Region
5. Parkland Natural Region
6. Rocky Mountain Natural Region

From alpine-associated species on the mountain tops of the Rockies, to grassland and wetland-associated species on the rolling prairies, to forest-dwelling species of the northern boreal forest, more than 60,000 species have found some place to dwell in Alberta.

Yet, only about 3,000 species (roughly 4% of Alberta’s biodiversity), have been described and named. These species are the usual suspects we all recognize, like large furry mammals, flowering plants and trees, birds, and some insects, such as dragonflies, butterflies, and bees. The vast majority of species, unknown to all of us, are mostly micro-organisms like insects and bacteria that are too small to see with the naked eye.
 

The ABMI monitors approximately 2,500 of Alberta’s species. This includes well-known species like Moose, American Robin, and Common Wild Rose, as well as species we know very little about, like various armoured mite and lichen species. ABMI data has even supported the discovery of 14 species of armoured mites in Alberta, new to science. It is amazing what you can find if you just go and look!

The ABMI monitors seven taxonomic groups as listed below.
 

* as of March, 2019