Conserving plant species at risk in Canada: land tenure, threats, and representation in federal programs

J.L Mccune,Peter D.S Morrison,Nicole L Klenk

doi:10.1139/facets-2019-0014

Abstract

Fully 37% of species listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) are plants or lichens. The law does not automatically protect species on private land, and it is unknown how many at-risk plants grow mainly on private land. We analyzed official status reports and related documents for 234 plant species at risk to determine land tenure and evaluated differences in threats and changes in status. We also assessed how well plants were represented in two federal programs: the Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP) and the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP). Of SARA-listed plant species, 35% have the majority of their known populations on private land while <10% occur mostly on federal land. Species growing mainly on private land were no more or less likely to decline in status over time compared with others. Plant species at risk were less likely than other taxonomic groups to be found on land protected under the NACP. The proportion of HSP projects targeting plants is well below the expected proportion based on the number of listed species. We recommend that policy-makers promote and prioritize actions to increase the representation of plant species in federally funded programs, especially on private lands.

Highlights

Land securement is achieved through many means, but is primarily facilitated through increasing voluntary stewardship, community awareness, and public engagement in conservation efforts through landowner contact, targeted outreach, and public education
The primary goal of the project is the permanent securement of high priority habitat for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)- and Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act (NSESA)-listed species of Atlantic coastal plain flora (ACPF)
The first objective of the project was to secure in perpetuity priority habitat for species of Atlantic coastal plain flora listed under the NSESA as Endangered, Threatened or Vulnerable, or identified by COSEWIC as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern

Summary

Project goal and objectives

The primary goal of the project is the permanent securement of high priority habitat for Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)- and Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act (NSESA)-listed species of Atlantic coastal plain flora (ACPF). The first objective of the project was to secure in perpetuity priority habitat for species of Atlantic coastal plain flora listed under the NSESA as Endangered, Threatened or Vulnerable, or identified by COSEWIC as Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern. The second objective of the project was to raise awareness of, and support for the protection of priority coastal plain habitat among key landowners, local communities, targeted user groups and the general public. The third objective of the project was to engage local citizens in habitat monitoring and long-term stewardship of priority coastal plain habitat through support and expansion of the Nature Trust’s volunteer Rare Plant Monitoring program and Property Guardian program

Outline of the work completed

Results

An assessment of achievements and lessons learned