Blunt-lobed woodsia (Woodsia obtusa) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 1

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COSEWIC Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary – April 2007

Common name : Blunt-lobed woodsia

Scientific name : Woodsia obtusa

Status : Threatened

Reason for designation : A species with a highly fragmented distribution in Canada where it is known only from southeastern Ontario and southwestern Quebec at eight small localized sites. One additional population is now considered to be extirpated. The fern occurs almost exclusively on warm and relatively dry calcareous rocky slopes. The total Canadian population consists of fewer than 1400 mature plants. The primary threat is at the largest population due to the anticipated loss of habitat quality and decline in the fern population as a consequence of the presence and spread of an exotic invasive shrub. Most sites, however, are in protected areas or undisturbed sites where recruitment is occurring.

Occurrence : Ontario, Quebec

Status history : Designated Threatened in April 1994. Status re-examined and designated Endangered in May 2000. Status re-examined and designated Threatened in April 2007. Last assessment based on an update status report.