Recovery Strategy for the Baikal Sedge in Canada [Proposed] 2011: Measuring Progress

The performance indicators presented below provide a way to define and measure progress toward achieving the population and distribution objectives. Specific progress towards implementing the recovery strategy will be measured against indicators outlined in subsequent action plans. Table 8 summarizes the population and distribution targets for Baikal Sedge, based on the population and distribution objectives outlined in Section 5 above and the criteria that COSEWIC used to assess the species as Threatened. Table 8 also shows the current (2011) Baikal Sedge values for each COSEWIC criterion and the threshold values that result in a status assessment of “Threatened”.

Objective: Maintain at least 11 of the known populations of Baikal Sedge in Yukon

Every five years, success of recovery strategy implementation will be measured against the following performance indicators:

• Continued persistence of at least 11 of the extant populations of Baikal Sedge;
• Sufficient number of individuals in at least 11 Baikal Sedge populations maintained such that the populations will remain viable over the long term.
• Populations with plants in above average health categories (vigorous plants, presence of sufficient natural processes (ie/wind) required to maintain the dune habitat over the long term) are included among the 11 populations to be maintained over the long term.

A proposed action plan for Baikal Sedge will be posted on the Species at Risk Act Public Registry by March 2016.

Ball, P.W. and A.A. Reznicek. 2003. Carex. In: Flora of North America. Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 16+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 23. (accessed online): http://www.efloras.org/volume_page.aspx?volume_id=1023&flora_id=1

Cato, C. 2009. Baikal Sedge Conservation Project Recovery Plan Community Interview Summary: Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

COSEWIC. 2005. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa) in Canada. Committee on the Status of the Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa.

Environment Canada. 2007. “Northern Dunes, not Deserts.” Your Yukon. Column 191.

Government of Yukon. 2007. Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa) Information Sheet.

Line, J. 2010. 2009 Baikal Sedge Inventory on the Traditional Territories of the Carcross-Tagish, Champagne-Aishihik, Kwanlin Dun and Kluane First Nations Yukon, Canada. Internal unpublished report prepared for: Carcross-Tagish First Nations, Champagne-Aishihik First Nations, Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Kluane First Nation. 25 pp. + App.

Line, J. 2011. 2009-2010 Baikal Sedge Inventories in the Traditional Territories of the Carcross-Tagish, Champagne-Aishihik, Kwanlin Dun and Kluane First Nations Yukon, Canada. Internal unpublished report prepared for Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Kwanlin Dun First Nation.. In press.

Line, J. and L. Freese. 2006. The Status of Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa) in Kluane National Park Reserve: Results of the 2006 Inventory. Report prepared for Parks Canada.

National Recovery Working Group. 2005. Recovery Handbook (ROMAN). 2005-2006 Edition, October 2005. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife, Ottawa, Ontario.

Saarela, J. M. Research Scientist, Botany, Canadian Museum of Nature. Pers Com.

Wolfe, S. Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada. Pers. Com.

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all SARA recovery planning documents, in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The purpose of a SEA is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally sound decision-making.

Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. However, it is recognized that strategies may also inadvertently lead to environmental effects beyond the intended benefits. The planning process based on national guidelines directly incorporates consideration of all environmental effects, with a particular focus on possible impacts upon non-target species or habitats. The results of the SEA are incorporated directly into the strategy itself, but are also summarized below in this statement.

This recovery strategy will clearly benefit the environment by promoting the recovery of the Baikal Sedge. Activities to meet recovery objectives are unlikely to result in any important negative environmental effects, as they are mostly limited to inventory, habitat mapping and protection, increasing public awareness and engaging landowners. Activities may also inadvertently benefit non-target species. The greatest potential for environmental effects comes from invasive species removal activities, which if done carefully and following current protocols, is likely to result in a net benefit to both the Baikal Sedge and the ecosystem in which it lives.

Some recovery strategy activities (e.g., surveys involving the manipulation of animals) may require project-level environmental assessment as required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Any activities found to require project-level environmental assessments will be assessed at that time pursuant to the provisions of the Act. The SEA process has concluded that this recovery strategy will have several positive effects on the environment. No significant negative effects are expected.