Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) in Canadian Pacific Waters: recovery strategy: chapter 23

Appendix C: Threat attributes Terminology

Table 6:   Details on Terms Used for Assessment of Threats to the Pacific Population of Basking Shark

Attribute Level of Effect Description
Extent Widespread Across the species range.
Localized  
Unknown  
Occurrence Historical Contributed to decline but no longer affecting the species.
Current Affecting the species now.
Imminent Is expected to affect the species very soon.
Anticipated May affect the species in the future.
Unknown  
Frequency One-time  
Seasonal Due to migration or particular seasons.
Continuous Ongoing.
Recurrent Reoccurs from time to time, but not on annual/seasonal basis.
Unknown  
Severity High Very large population-level effect.
Medium  
Low  
Unknown  
Causal Certainty High Evidence causally links the threat to stresses on population viability.
Medium Correlation between the threat and population viability, expert opinion, etc.
Low Assumed or plausible threat only.
Level of Concern High Overall level of concern for recovery of the species, taking into account all of the above factors.
Medium  
Low  

Terms were obtained from Environment Canada’s “Guidelines for Identifying and Mitigating Threats to Species at Risk” (Environment Canada, 2008).

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