Scientists estimate that there are more than 32,964 species native to New Brunswick, but in the absence of any biological survey of the province, this likely a conservative estimate. Not all of these species are dependent on forests, but with forests covering 85 percent of our landscape, many would be. For example, in our forests, there are 40 different species of native orchids alone. However, insects comprise the highest percentage of all forest species – representing perhaps as much as two thirds of them. The next largest group are the fungi. So when it comes to species diversity in the forest, the numbers tell a different story. Insects and mites comprise 68 percent of all known species in New Brunswick. In fact, the proportion of wasp, bee and ant species is far higher than those found among the birds, mammals fish, reptile and amphibians combined.

Biodiversity   /    Forest Types   /   Species Diversity    /   Species at Risk