Van brunt’s jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11
Summary of the Status Report
Declines in the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy of Polemonium vanbruntiae are mainly of historic occurrence. Some localized recent declines at some sites have been documented. In total there are about 20,000 plants in Canada at eight locations in Quebec. Current and potential threats are mainly from logging and farming-related activities. These threats will probably continue to exist over the short, medium and long term, unless mitigative measures are taken.
Two new populations and two new subpopulations were discovered in 2001 in Quebec. It is clear that there is still a potential for future discoveries in Quebec, in watersheds where the species is known to occur and also adjacent watersheds, even though such searches often prove fruitless and must be carried out in difficult habitats. There is also a potential in southwestern New Brunswick.
Moreover, the planned and current purchases and conservation agreements with site owners, by the Société de conservation des milieux humides du Quebec and by the Ministère de l’Environnement du Quebec, suggest that the downward trends will be halted and that the species’ status will stabilize.
Further research is needed for a better understanding of the actual current status of this species, both in Quebec and in New Brunswick. This research should be part of a Canadian Polemonium vanbruntiae recovery plan and involve a partnership agreement between the COSEWIC, the Ministère de l’Environnement du Quebec, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, the SCMHQ, the Montreal Botanical Garden, as well as other public and private agencies of Canada and the two provinces.