Spalding's campion (Silene spaldingii) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11
Technical Summary
Silene spaldingii
Spalding’s campion – silène de Spalding
Extent and Area Information
Population Information
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
- Current threats most directly affecting the species are likely the invasion of non-native species reducing available habitat and several years of drought forcing extended periods of dormancy that could reduce viability and cause plant deaths.
- Potential and historic threats pertain primarily to habitat loss, habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, and agricultural practices such as chemical spraying (herbicides), livestock grazing and trampling, and fire suppression.
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)
Quantitative Analysis
[provide details on calculation, source(s) of data, models, etc] : N/A
Current Status
COSEWIC: Endangered (May 2005)
Status and Reasons for Designation
Status: Endangered
Alpha-numeric code: B1ab (iii)+ ab (iii); C2a (i, ii); D1
Reasons for Designation: This long-lived perennial herb is a globally imperiled species restricted to two small areas west of the Rockies with only a single population in southern British Columbia. The Canadian population is one of the largest populations known but may contain fewer than 250 mature plants. These are at risk from ongoing habitat loss and degradation especially by introduced weeds.
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population): Insufficient data
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): Meets Endangered B1ab (iii)+ 2ab (iii) with extent of occurrence and area of occupancy well below critical levels and continuing decline in quality of habitat due to alien weed invasions. This perennial herb does not undergo extreme fluctuations in number of plants but does exhibit a high degree of dormancy during unsuitable growing seasons giving the impression that plants are completely absent or highly reduced in number during some growing seasons. The probability of a rescue effect from nearby US sub-populations is likely very low.
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline): Meets Endangered C2a (i, ii) with a continuing decline inferred based on alien weed expansion; the number of mature individuals are well below the critical level of 2500 and likely <250 plants, all at a single location.
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): Meets Endangered D1 with likely fewer than 250 plants.
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): Insufficient data.
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