Conservation Status Rankings
Amphibians and reptiles face more threats than any other group of at-risk species in Canada. In fact, herpetofauna are one of the fastest declining groups on Earth. In order to categorize the likelihood of a species becoming extinct, we assign them a conservation status. However, there are multiple conservation status ranking systems across the province, country, and world! Making sense of them can get confusing, so here is the breakdown of what exactly each one means:
Global
For global classification, the NatureServe conservation status system is used. NatureServe and its member programs and collaborators use a rigorous, consistent, and transparent methodology to assess the conservation status (extinction or extirpation risk) of species of plants, animals, and fungi, as well as the conservation status of ecosystems.
GX — Presumed Extinct
Not located despite intensive searches and virtually no likelihood of rediscovery.
GH — Possibly Extinct
Known from only historical occurrences but still some hope of rediscovery. Examples of evidence include (1) that a species has not been documented in approximately 20-40 years despite some searching and/or some evidence of significant habitat loss or degradation; (2) that a species has been searched for unsuccessfully, but not thoroughly enough to presume that it is extinct or collapsed throughout its range.
G1 — Critically Imperiled
At very high risk of extinction or collapse due to very restricted range, very few populations or occurrences, very steep declines, very severe threats, or other factors.
G2 — Imperiled
At high risk of extinction or collapse due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
G3 — Vulnerable
At moderate risk of extinction or collapse due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors.
G4 — Apparently Secure
At fairly low risk of extinction or collapse due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but with possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent declines, threats, or other factors.
G5 — Secure
At very low risk or extinction or collapse due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, and little to no concern from declines or threats.
COSEWIC
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an independent advisory panel to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada that meets twice a year to assess the status of wildlife species at risk of extinction. Members are wildlife biology experts from academia, government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector responsible for designating wildlife species in danger of disappearing from Canada.
COSEWIC uses the best biological information on a species deemed to be in some danger of disappearing from Canada to assess the risk status of that species. It reviews research information on population and habitat status, trends, and threats; uses community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge; and applies assessment criteria based on international standards.
Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.
Extirpated (XT)
A wildlife species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere.
Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened (T)
A wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.
Special Concern (SC)
A wildlife species that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Data Deficient (DD)
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species’ risk of extinction.
Not At Risk (NAR)
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.
Learn more: https://www.cosewic.ca/index.php/en-ca/
SARA
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) separates the scientific assessment process (done by COSEWIC) from the federal listing decision. This approach ensures that scientists can provide fully independent recommendations, and that decisions affecting Canadians are made by elected officials who can be held accountable for those decisions.
The purposes of this Act are to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened.
Extinct (X)
A wildlife species that no longer exists.
Extirpated (XT)
A wildlife species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but exists elsewhere.
Endangered (E)
A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened (T)
A wildlife species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction.
Special Concern (SC)
A wildlife species that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.
Data Deficient (DD)
A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species’ risk of extinction.
Not At Risk (NAR)
A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.
Provincial
The Conservation Data Centre (CDC) assigns provincial Conservation Status Ranks using the NatureServe system that reflect how at risk species and ecological communities are of being lost in B.C.. These ranks can be used to inform conservation priorities.
SX — Presumed Extirpated
Species or ecosystem is believed to be extirpated from the province. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.
SH — Possibly Extirpated
Known from only historical records but still some hope of rediscovery. There is evidence that the species or ecosystem may no longer be present in the province, but not enough to state this with certainty. Examples of such evidence include (1) that a species has not been documented in approximately 20-40 years despite some searching and/or some evidence of significant habitat loss or degradation; (2) that a species or ecosystem has been searched for unsuccessfully, but not thoroughly enough to presume that it is no longer present in the province.
S1 — Critically Imperiled
At very high risk of extirpation in the province due to very restricted range, very few populations or occurrences, very steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
S2 — Imperiled
At high risk of extirpation in the province due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
S3 — Vulnerable
At moderate risk of extirpation in the province due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors.
S4 — Apparently Secure
At a fairly low risk of extirpation in the province due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but with possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent declines, threats, or other factors.
S5 — Secure
At very low or no risk of extirpation in the jurisdiction due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, with little to no concern from declines or threats.
BC List
Based on their provincial Conservation Status Rank, each species and ecosystem is assigned to the red, blue or yellow list to help set conservation priorities and provide a simplified view of the status of B.C.’s species and ecosystems. These lists also help to identify species and ecosystems that can be considered for designation as “Endangered” or “Threatened.”
Red List
Any species or ecosystem that is at risk of being lost (extirpated, endangered or threatened)
Blue List
Any species or ecosystem that is of special concern
Yellow List
Any species or ecosystem that is apparently secure or secure (least risk of being lost)