Recovery Strategy for the Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa) in Canada [Proposed] 2011
- Preface
- Recommendation and Approval Statement
- Acknowledgements
- Executive Summary
- Recovery Feasibility Summary
Species at Risk Act
Recovery Strategy Series
Baikal Sedge Recovery Team. 2011. Recovery Strategy for the Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa, vi + 22pp.
For copies of the recovery strategy, or for additional information on species at risk, including COSEWIC Status Reports, residence descriptions, action plans, and other related recovery documents, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry.
Cover illustration: Jennifer Line
Également disponible en français sous le titre
« Programme de rétablissement du carex des sables (Carex sabulosa) au Canada »
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment,
2011. All rights reserved.
ISBN ISBN to come
Catalogue no. Catalogue no. to come
Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source.
The federal, provincial, and territorial government signatories under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996) agreed to establish complementary legislation and programs that provide for effective protection of species at risk throughout Canada. Under the Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA), the federal competent ministers are responsible for the preparation of recovery strategies for listed Extirpated, Endangered, and Threatened species and are required to report on progress within five years.
The Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency and the Minister of the Environment are the competent ministers for the recovery of the Baikal Sedge and have prepared this strategy, as per section 37 of SARA. It has been prepared in cooperation with the Yukon Government, affected First Nation governments, local Renewable Resources Councils and local community organizations as per section 39(1) of SARA.
Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this strategy and will not be achieved by the Parks Canada Agency, Environment Canada or any other jurisdiction alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this strategy for the benefit of the Baikal Sedge and Canadian society as a whole.
This recovery strategy will be followed by one or more action plans that will provide information on recovery measures to be taken by the Parks Canada Agency, Environment Canada and other jurisdictions and/or organizations involved in the conservation of the species. Implementation of this strategy is subject to appropriations, priorities, and budgetary constraints of the participating jurisdictions and organizations.
The Parks Canada Agency led the development of this federal recovery strategy, working together with the other competent minister(s) for this species under the Species at Risk Act. The Chief Executive Officer, upon recommendation of the relevant Park Superintendent(s) and Field Unit Superintendent(s), hereby approves this document indicating that Species at Risk Act requirements related to recovery strategy development (sections 37-42) have been fulfilled in accordance with the Act.
Sean Sheardown
Superintendent, Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada
Anne Morin
Field Unit Superintendent, Yukon Field Unit
Alan Latourelle
Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada
All competent ministers have approved posting of this recovery strategy on the Species at Risk Public Registry.
This document was written by:
Kelly Milner, Kelly Milner Consulting
Pippa Shepherd, Species at Risk Coordinator, Parks Canada
Jennifer Line, Consultant
The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following people who assisted with information, reviews and other help in preparing the recovery strategy:
Bill Barrett Jr
Bruce Bennett
Syd Cannings
Richard Cherepak
Heather Clarke
Karen Clyde
Bruce Downie
Lloyd Freese
Mike Gill
Micheal Jim
Larry Joe
Leslie Kerr
John Meikle
Lee Mennell
Wendy Nixon
Geraldine Pope
Linda Pringle
Dave Sembsmoen
Patrick Yarnell
Baikal Sedge (Carex sabulosa) is a perennial plant that usually grows in active, shifting dune environments. The species is currently listed as Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. Inventory work since the COSEWIC assessment in 2005 has shown that there are nearly three times as many populations in Canada as originally thought.
Recovery is considered technically and biologically feasible. Baikal Sedge is naturally rare in Canada and occurs in isolated populations within a restricted geographic area. The main threats to Baikal Sedge are 1) the potential for invasion by exotic species that exclude native vegetation, 2) recreational use impacts, 3) community development, and 4) natural successional change. Baikal Sedge occurs in specific dune environments and may primarily reproduce through clones, which makes the plant vulnerable to disease and other impacts. Four of the 14 known populations of Baikal Sedge are found within protected areas. Two populations are found in areas of active use within Yukon communities (Carcross and Whitehorse) and may be impacted by a variety of human disturbances.
The population objective for Baikal Sedge is to maintain at least 11 of the known populations in Yukon. Species found at 10 or fewer locations may be assessed as Threatened under criterion B (small distribution range & decline or fluctuation) of COSEWIC's 2010 assessment criteria, and our goal is eventual down-listing of the species. To prevent declines in the total number of mature individuals and the current area of occupancy, the populations to be maintained must include those with plants in a vigorous state of health in dunes with sufficient natural processes (ie/wind) required to maintain suitable habitat over the long term. The distribution objective is to prevent a decline in the extent of occurrence, by maintaining populations across the currently known range of the species in Yukon. Each dune ecosystem will be managed collaboratively to the extent possible to ensure the long-term persistence of healthy populations throughout the range.
Critical habitat is "the habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species' critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species." (Species at Risk Act, s 2). A partial identification of critical habitat supporting the survival and recovery of Baikal Sedge is included in this recovery strategy. The identification is based on the best currently available information and includes the largest Baikal Sedge population in Yukon (representing 75% of the total Canadian population) and another cluster of small populations that count as a single population in this strategy. Further work is required to identify additional habitat to support the recovery of this species and achieve the population and distribution objectives.
One or more action plan(s) will be posted on the SARA Public Registry by March 2016.
Recovery of Baikal Sedge is considered biologically and technically feasible based on the following criteria:
| Criteria | Feasibility |
|---|---|
| 1. Individuals of the wildlife species that are capable of reproduction are available now or in the foreseeable future to sustain the population or improve its abundance. | Yes. We do not currently know the rate of sexual reproduction within Baikal Sedge populations in Yukon, however the species is believed to reproduce primarily asexually through rhizomes and has successfully maintained itself up to this point. |
| 2. Sufficient suitable habitat is available to support the species, or additional suitable habitat could be made available through habitat management and restoration. | Yes. At this time there is sufficient habitat, however one of the threats to Baikal Sedge in Yukon is changes to habitat as a result of natural succession and the encroachment of other species. Habitat management might be an option should it become necessary in future. |
| 3. The primary threat to the species or its habitat (including threats outside of Canada) can be avoided or mitigated. | Yes. Threats can be mitigated through the actions outlined in Table 4, however some threats will need to be better understood to determine whether and how they can be avoided or mitigated. |
| 4. Recovery techniquesexist to achieve the population and distribution objectives, or can be expected to be developed within a reasonable timeframe. | Yes, however some recovery techniques will need to be better understood to determine whether or not they will be effective. |
*Criteria from Environment Canada (2009).