Small-flowered sand-verbena COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 10

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Evaluation and Proposed Status

Existing protection or other status

Small-flowered sand-verbena was assigned a status of 'Threatened' by COSEWIC in 1992 based on the information in the original status report written for the species. No specific legal status is accorded small-flowered sand-verbena in any part of Canada. Nature Conservancy Rank is Global G?, Canada N1, Alberta S1, Saskatchewan S1. United States ranks: Arizona (SR), California (S1.3; 5 or fewer sites and no known threats), Colorado (SR), Kansas (S1), Montana (SR), Nebraska (S1), Nevada (SR), New Mexico (SR), North Dakota (SR), South Dakota (SH), Utah (SR) and Wyoming (S3).

Assessment of status and author’s recommendation

Small-flowered sand-verbena is historically known from Alberta (6 sites), total population 1000 plants as of the late 1980's and Saskatchewan (1 site), total population approximately 10 plants in 1981. Total population has drastically declined in 2001. Most known Alberta sites have suffered great, if not total loss, of potential habitat as active sandy areas have stabilized and been taken over by native prairie species as well as introduced weedy species. Only one plant, at Bow Island on a road cut which artificially exposed an area of blowing sand, has been found in Alberta. The sites at Lost River and Wolf Island contain no actively blowing sandy habitat. The remaining sites contain extremely limited areas of active sand. The Purple Springs site was extensively searched and no specimens were found. Although there is a fair amount of open sand in areas near the Bull Pound site no plants were found. In addition, no suitable habitat was located in the sole Saskatchewan site on the South Saskatchewan River site just east of the Alberta border.

There has been a dramatic population loss over the range of the species' habitat in Canada. This may be partially due to the severe drought the area has experienced in 2001, nonetheless, little habitat now remains for this species in Canada. Current population and habitat information suggest that an upgrade in rank from threatened to endangered is warranted. This designation is recommended given the severe habitat loss and crash in population numbers. Small-flowered sand-verbena should be resurveyed in a non-drought year to determine if numbers of plants increase to any extent.