Recovery Strategy for the Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) in Canada [proposed] – 2012

Species at Risk Act
Recovery Strategy Series

Photo: Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder

Document Information


Recovery Strategy for the Van Brunt's Jacob's-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) in Canada [PROPOSED] – 2012

Cover page of the publication: Recovery Strategy for the Van Brunt's Jacob's-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) in Canada – 2012

Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder

Photo: Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder

Recommended citation:

Environment Canada. 2012. Recovery Strategy for the Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) in Canada [Proposed], Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series, Environment Canada, Ottawa, iv + 27 pp.

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 (SAR) Public Registry.

Cover illustration: © Matthew Wild, Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service – Quebec region

Également disponible en français sous le titre :
“Programme de rétablissement de la polémoine de Van Brunt (Polemonium vanbruntiae) au Canada [Proposition]”

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2012. All rights reserved.
ISBN
Catalogue No.

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 of the Environment is the competent minister for the recovery of the Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder and has prepared this strategy, as per section 37 of SARA. It has been prepared in cooperation with the Government of Quebec (ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs) and the Government of New Brunswick (Department of Natural Resources).

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 Environment Canada, or any other jurisdiction alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this strategy for the benefit of the Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder 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 Environment Canada and other jurisdictions 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.

Vincent Carignan and Matthew Wild (Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service – Quebec region) as well as the members of the National recovery team for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder contributed to the development of the present recovery strategy. Simon Joly (Institut de recherche en biologie végétale), André Sabourin (consultant), Andréanne Blais (Conseil régional de l'environnement du Centre-du-Québec) and Patricia Désilets (Ministère de Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs) provided information on the Quebec occurrences and Sean Blaney and Stephen Gerriets (Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre) provided information on the New Brunswick occurrences. Matthieu Allard (Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service – Quebec Region) produced the maps of the species’ critical habitat. Marie-José Ribeyron and Ewen Eberhardt (Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service – National Capital Region), Karine Picard, Alain Branchaud, Caroline Bureau and Emmanuelle Fay (Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service – Quebec region) as well as Samara Eaton and Andrew Boyne (Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service – Atlantic Region) provided comments on an earlier version of this document.

Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae Britt.) is a perennial herb of the family Polemoniaceae. It is endemic to the central Appalachians, in eastern North America, and is considered at risk throughout its range. Van Brunt Jacob’s-ladder is found in wet, open to semi-open, rarely shaded areas that are prone to seasonal flooding (e.g. marshy alder or willow stands, riparian meadows associated with rivers or streams, wet clearings, and basins or depressions with herbaceous vegetation). The species was evaluated as Threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in November 2002 and was listed under the same status in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act in January 2005.

There are an estimated 20 000 mature individuals of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in Canada. However, a recent study suggests that this figure, which is based on visual estimates, could be an underestimate of the actual population. There are 14 occurrences[1] of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in Canada, including two that are historical.

The main threat to Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder is habitat loss through agricultural activities, forest harvesting, residential development, infrastructure construction and habitat degradation through canopy closure or activities such as the use of all-terrain vehicles.

Recovery of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder is considered technically and biologically feasible. The population and distribution objectives are to maintain the population size and area of occupancy of all naturally-occurring extant occurrences in Canada. The recommended recovery approaches aimed at achieving these objectives are detailed in the Broad strategies and approaches section.

The critical habitat for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in Canada is identified in this recovery strategy as the suitable habitat within 30 m of each observation point[2] in the eleven naturally-occurring extant occurrences.

One or more action plans for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder will be completed within five years of the publication of this recovery strategy on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Under section 41(1) of the Species at Risk Act, the competent minister must determine whether recovery of the listed wildlife species is technically and biologically feasible. On the basis of the following criteria established by Government of Canada (2009), recovery of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder is considered biologically and technically feasible because the answers to the following questions are “yes” or “unknown”:

  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. Mature (flowering) individuals have been observed in all extant Canadian occurrences. In addition, Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder can reproduce both sexually and vegetatively.

  2. Sufficient suitable habitat is available to support the species or could be made available through habitat management or restoration.

    Yes. According to COSEWIC (2002), areas of a sufficient size are available to maintain the species. Due to its ecological adaptability, it can colonize various wet habitat types, some anthropogenic, such as moist fallow fields and logging road ditches. Potential habitat is reportedly found in the valleys surrounding Quebec populations, within the current extent of occurrence of the species. Habitat does not appear limiting in New Brunswick as there is much unoccupied habitat within the southwestern New Brunswick range of the species with characteristics similar to occupied sites.

  3. The primary threats to the species or its habitat (including threats outside Canada) can be avoided or mitigated.

    Yes. The threats of greatest concern (agriculture, forestry, canopy closure) can be avoided or mitigated through the proposed recovery approaches.

  4. Recovery techniques exist to achieve the population and distribution objectives or can be expected to be developed within a reasonable timeframe.

    Yes. The necessary awareness tools could easily be developed. With respect to the conservation of occurrences appropriate effective tools already exist.

Date of Assessment: November 2002

Common Name (population): Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder

Scientific Name: Polemonium vanbruntiae

COSEWIC Status: Threatened

Reason for Designation: Few extant populations occupying very small habitats at risk from agricultural impacts, logging and other development pressures, and recreational activities.

Canadian Occurrences: QC, NB

COSEWIC Status History: Designated Threatened in April 1994. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2002.

* COSEWIC – Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

Approximately 10% of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder global range is located in Canada. The species was listed as Threatened in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) (S.C. 2002, c. 29) in January 2005. It is designated Threatened in Québec under An Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species (R.S.Q. c. E–12.01) since 1996. The species has no official status in New Brunswick.

NatureServe (2010) gives the species a global conservation rank of G3G4 (vulnerable/apparently secure), a Canadian national rank of N1 (critically imperilled) and sub–national ranks of S1 (critically imperilled) in both Quebec and New Brunswick.

Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder is an herbaceous perennial of the family Polemoniaceae. The stems are upright, 40 to 140 cm tall. The leaves are composed of 7 to 21 ovate to oblong leaflets. The panicled[3] flowers, which are blue–violet in colour, are 15 to 25 mm in diameter and have 5 petals and 5 sepals; the stamens are yellow. The fruit is an ovoid capsule containing brownish–black seeds (COSEWIC, 2002). The plant often grows in dense patches due to its propagation by horizontal rhizomes.

Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder is endemic to the central Appalachians, in eastern North America (Figure 1). It ranges from West Virginia northward to the southernmost part of Quebec, New Brunswick and eastern Maine. It is sporadic throughout its entire range and more common in New York State (COSEWIC, 2002).

Figure 1. Distribution of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in North America (adapted from COSEWIC, 2002)

The number of mature individuals of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder currently known in Canada is approximately 20 000. However, a recent study by researchers at Université de Montréal’s Institut de recherche en biologie végétale suggests that this figure, which is based on visual estimates, could be an underestimate (Pellerin and Brouillet, 2005).

In Canada, there are 14 occurrences of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder, 11 in Quebec and three in New Brunswick (Table 1). In Quebec, two occurrences are historical (Saint–Christophe–d’Arthabaska and Wotton). In New Brunswick, an occurrence that had last been reported in 1885 at Trout Lake was rediscovered in 2009. The occurrence reported at Hoyt (Sunbury County) is believed to be the result of introduced specimens (Hinds, 1983).

Table 1: Occurrences of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in Canada.
Name of Occurrence CDPNQ/
ACCDCa
ID
County Province Status of Occurrence Abundance Year
Observed
Area Occupied
(m²)b
Stoke River 5610 Le Val–Saint–François QC Extant 2300
300
1000–5000
1994
2001–2
2009
5 300
Ham–Nord –
Développement– Boisvert–West
5606 Arthabaska QC Extant 300
330
1075
1994
2001–2
2010
5 600
Ham–Nord –
Développement– Boisvert– East and South
5608c
East sector


South sector
Arthabaska QC Extant 3300
13 000
3000
3000
1994
2001–2
2009
2010
4 500
Arthabaska QC Extant 1000
12
435
2001–2
2009
2010
8 500
Ham–Nord–Domaine des Sept–Chutes 19767 Arthabaska QC Extant 112 2010 1 400
Saints–Martyrs– Canadiens 5609 Arthabaska QC Extant 1000
900
300
330
1994
2001–2
2009
2010
830
Saint–Camilled 10807 Les Sources QC Extant 2000
114 660
134 299
128 419
53 390
2001–2
2005
2007
2008
2009
2 600
Saint–Joseph–de –Ham–Sud 10808 Les Sources QC Extant 300
0
300
2001–2
2009
2010
1 700
Mont–Carrier–Sud 5601 Le Val–Saint–François QC Extant 100
70
200
1994
2001–2
2009
200
Saint–Adrien 5605 Les Sources QC Extant 30 2002 Unknown
Saint–Christophe– d’Arthabaska 5603 Arthabaska QC Historical Unknown 1943 Unknown
Wotton 5604 Les Sources QC Historical 0 2001 Unknown
Dipper Harbour Creek 1048748/
1048749e
Saint John NB Extant 500–1000
250–1000
2005
2009
13 100
Trout Lake 1048735 Charlotte NB Extant Unknown
100
1885
2009
Unknown
Hoyt Sunbury NB Introduced Unknown 1983 Unknown

Sources: Hinds (1983), COSEWIC (2002), Gouge (2003), Brouillet and Pellerin (2005), Jean (2007), S. Clayden (2007, ACCDC pers. comm.), CDPNQ (2008, 2011), Joly (2009), Leclerc (2009), Sabourin (2010)
a Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec; Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Center
b This area was measured during the 2009 or 2010 field seasons.
c Since the East and South sectors are less than 1 km apart (< 800 m), they were recently (2011) merged into a single occurrence (ID 5608) according to the NatureServe (2010) methodology. However, these sectors have been monitored as two distinct units since 1994 and the data is reported accordingly.
d This occurrence has been the object of a study to develop a more accurate counting method for the species. This results in relatively high fluctuations in the reported number of individuals at the site. For example, Jean (2007) reports 114 660 individuals for 2005 whereas Pellerin and Brouillet (2005) report 72 000 plants.
e Since these two occurrences are less than 1 km apart (< 400 m), they are merged into a single occurrence (ID 1048748/1048749) (CDPNQ, 2011).

In Canada, Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder occurs in wet, open to semi–open, rarely shaded habitats that are prone to seasonal flooding (e.g. marshy alder or willow stands, riparian meadows associated with rivers or streams, wet clearings, and basins or depressions with herbaceous vegetation) (COSEWIC, 2002; Comité FloraQuebeca, 2009). Although the species is presumed to have low dispersal capabilities, as observed through its absence in suitable habitat next to extant occurrences (Désilets et al., 2011), it has been known to occupy transitional zones, such as wet uncultivated or abandoned fields, or logging road ditches (COSEWIC, 2002). The maintenance of some degree of open canopy appears to be important to the survival and growth of individuals.

Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder often occurs near the foot of slopes and seepage areas submitted to spring or seasonal flooding, but not to permanent flooding or flooding that persists during the entire growing season. This water regime is an important element of the species’ habitat. The flat or gently sloping terrain on which the species occurs promotes sediment accumulation, which enriches the soils. The foot of slopes and other sites where lateral drainage or runoff occurs are favourable to the formation of rich, deep, moist soils. This substrate generally contains few or no stones (COSEWIC, 2002).

The plant species most commonly associated with Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder are Speckled Alder (Alnus incana subsp. rugosa), Canada Bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana), sedges (Carex spp.), Flattop White Aster (Doellingeria umbellata), Joe–pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum), willows (Salix spp.), Broad–leaved Meadowsweet (Spiraea latifolia) and Tall Meadow–rue (Thalictrum pubescens)(COSEWIC, 2002).

Table 2. Threat Assessment Table
Threat Level of Concern1 Extent Occurrence Frequency Severity2 Causal Certainty3
Habitat loss or degradation
Agricultural activities High Localized Current Continuous High Moderate
Residential development Moderate Localized Anticipated Continuous High Moderate
Forest harvesting Moderate Localized Current Unknown Moderate Moderate
Infrastructure construction Low Localized Current One–time Moderate Moderate
All–terrain vehicles Low Localized Current Unknown Low Low
Activities or natural processes
Canopy closure Low Widespread Current Continuous Unknown Low

1 Level of Concern: signifies that managing the threat is of (high, medium or low) concern for the recovery of the species, consistent with the population and distribution objectives. This criterion considers the assessment of all the information in the table.

2 Severity: reflects the population–level effect (High: very large population–level effect, Moderate, Low, Unknown).

3 Causal certainty: reflects the degree of evidence that is known for the threat (High: available evidence strongly links the threat to stresses on population viability; Medium: there is a correlation between the threat and population viability e.g. expert opinion; Low: the threat is assumed or plausible).

Threats are listed in order of decreasing level of concern. Most of the information in this section relates to the Quebec occurrences since, at the time of writing the COSEWIC report, they were the only extant occurrences for which information was available. Many of these occurrences have been monitored since 1994. The extent to which these threats apply to New Brunswick occurrences has not been determined.

Agricultural activities
Agricultural activities such as mowing, ploughing, drainage and the cultivation of Christmas trees are particularly harmful in wet or riparian meadows. They can affect the drainage conditions to which Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder are associated thereby reducing the vigour of plants. More directly, these activities can lead to some individuals being cut before they produce seeds and to the loss of suitable habitat. The Wotton occurrence was extirpated between 1991 and 2000 following the establishment of a Christmas tree–growing operation, and part of the Stoke River occurrence was affected following ploughing and mowing of a nearby field (COSEWIC, 2002). The expansion of agricultural activities also poses a threat to the Saint-Camille and Mont–Carrier–Sud occurrences.

Forest harvesting
Timber harvest, for reasons mentioned above, is also harmful to the species. This activity has caused the disappearance of part of the Saints–Martyrs–Canadiens occurrence (Blais, 2011) and may have affected one of the occurrences in the New Brunswick range (S. Clayden, personal communication).

Residential development
Home or cottage construction could harm part of the Ham–Nord Développement–Boisvert–West occurrence in the medium term by removing suitable habitat (Blais, 2011).

Infrastructure construction
Road infrastructure pose another threat to the species by altering drainage. It can also lead to the physical separation of once–connected occurrences (e.g. Saint–Adrien) (A. Sabourin, personal communication). Dam construction could also pose a problem although no projects are currently planned near Van Brunt Jabob’s–ladder occurrences (COSEWIC, 2002).

All–terrain vehicles
Trails for all–terrain vehicles can lead to trampling of individuals and disturbance of habitat which has been observed in the Développement–Boisvert–East occurrence (COSEWIC, 2002).

Canopy closure
The natural process of plant succession could result in a decline in Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder habitat quality by causing canopy closure and reducing the amount of available light. Although plant succession is a natural process, the lack of habitat available combined to the limited dispersal capabilities of the species in the context of a fragmented landscape is such that natural succession would be a threat. This threat could be aggravated by land management practices aimed at managing other natural processes that prevent plant succession (control of beaver populations, bank stabilization, etc.).

The potential for finding additional sites and the number of viable occurrrences required to ensure the survival of the species in Canada has not been determined. In the absence of greater certainty, the population and distribution objectives for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder are to maintain the population size and area of occupancy of all naturally–occurring extant occurrences in Canada. The Hoyt occurrence was excluded because it is believed to be the result of introduced specimens.

Conservation and stewardship

The Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs du Québec is in the process of developing a conservation plan for the recovery of Quebec occurrences of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder (Désilets et al., 2011) although no final plan is currently available. Through land acquisition and conservation easements, the Société de conservation des milieux humides du Québechas been able to establish two nature reserves on private property and to protect all or part of the habitat of some of the occurrences identified as priorities (Développement Boisvert East and South; Saint–Martyrs–Canadiens). No steps have yet been taken for the recently (re)discovered occurrence in New Brunswick.

In 2010, the Conseil régional de l’environnement du Centre–du–Québec (CRECQ) initiated a habitat stewardship project for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in the Centre–du–Quebec region. Activities included inventories in certain occurrences and surveys in other suitable habitats in order to suggest conservation measures to concerned land–owners. This non–governmental organization recently published a conservation plan for the Quebec occurrences of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder (Blais, 2011)

The Jardin Botanique de Montréal is involved in ex situ conservation measures of the Saint-Camille and Stoke River occurrences as well as being involved with public awareness of the species. Meetings have been held with the landowners on whose property these occurrences are found to increase their awareness of the species.

Monitoring and research

A five–year demographic study was initiated in 2005 by the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale for the Saint–Camille occurrence (Brouillet and Pellerin, 2005; Boisjoly, 2007; Jean, 2007; Leclerc, 2009). As part of this project, Brouillet and Pellerin (2005) also characterized the soil conditions and species associated with this occurrence and implemented a new monitoring protocol during 2005 only.

Table 3. Recovery Planning Table
Threat or Limitation Priority Broad Strategy to Recovery General Description of Research and Management Approaches
All High Conservation and stewardship of the species and its suitable habitat • Develop a conservation strategy that includes:
a) protection using legal tools (e.g. land acquisition and stewardship agreements, etc.)
b) the identification and mitigation of threats through best management practices for landowners and land managers
Knowledge gaps Medium Survey and monitoring • Adopt a standardized methodology for conducting inventories (accurate counts) and monitoring extant and historic occurrences
• Specify the limits for the critical habitat at the Trout Lake and Dipper Harbour Creek occurrences
• Survey for new sites in appropriate habitats
Knowledge gaps Medium Research • Establish what constitutes a viable population size
• Examine the genetic diversity of the Quebec occurrences
All Medium Communication and outreach Proceed with the development and implementation of a communication strategy with partner agencies, interest groups, private landowners and the general public.

The Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder colonizes a variety of open or semi–open wetlands. The biophysical attributes of suitable habitat for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder include:

  1. marshy alder or willow stands, riparian meadows associated with rivers or streams, wet clearings, and basins or depressions with herbaceous vegetation;
  2. foot of slopes and seepage areas where lateral drainage or runoff are favourable to the formation of rich, deep, moist soils;
  3. soils subjected to seasonal flooding (no permanent flooding)
  4. exposure to sunlight through a relatively open canopy;
  5. most commonly associated species are Speckled Alder, Canada Bluejoint, Virgin’s Bower, sedges, Flattop White Aster, Joe–pye Weed, willows, Broad–leaved Meadowsweet and Tall Meadow–rue.

Critical habitat for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in Canada is identified in this recovery strategy as the suitable habitat within 30 m of each observation point in the eleven naturally–occurring extant occurrences (Appendix A). This distance was selected on the basis of study results that examined the edge effects of land–use activities that may affect the availability of resources and population growth of many plant species (see Henderson, 2010). When the 30 m surrounding adjacent observation points overlapped, they were merged into a single polygon containing critical habitat. Any element contained within the polygon that does not correspond to the attributes of suitable habitat (ex. house, road, mature forest) is not considered critical habitat.

In Quebec, the data used to map critical habitat was collected in 2009 and 2010 by taking GPS coordinates (observation points) along the outer limits of patches of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder. The only exception was the Saint–Adrien occurrence that was not visited and for which the 2002 data available in the CDPNQ was used. The Dipper Harbour Creek data (New Brunswick) was collected in a similar fashion to the Quebec data during the 2009 field season; however the area between the two observations at this occurrence has not been surveyed. The Trout Lake data corresponds to a single observation point (unknown number of individuals) and further field work will be necessary to draw more specific critical habitat limits.

Destruction is determined on a case by case basis. Destruction would result if part of the critical habitat was degraded, either permanently or temporarily, such that it would not serve its function when needed by the species. Destruction may result from a single activity or multiple activities at one point in time or from the cumulative effects of one or more activities over time (Government of Canada, 2009).

The critical habitat of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder may be destroyed through multiple anthropogenic activities:

These examples do not represent an exhaustive list of the activities likely to destroy the critical habitat of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder.

The performance indicators presented below propose a means of determining and measuring the progress made towards the achievement of the population and distribution objectives. The specific progress made towards the implementation of the recovery strategy will be measured every five years against the following performance indicator:

• the population size and area of occupancy are maintained at each of the naturally–occurring extant occurrences of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder in the species’ Canadian range.

One or more action plans for Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder will be completed within five years of the publication of this recovery strategy on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Blais, A. 2011. Plan de conservation de la polémoine de Van Brunt (Polemonium vanbruntiae B.) au Centre–du–Québec. 46 pp.

Boisjoly, M. 2006. Étude démographique de la polémoine de Van Brunt. Rapport de recherche. Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Montréal, Quebec. Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs, Québec. 17 pp.

Brouillet, L. and S. Pellerin. 2005. Étude démographique de la polémoine de Van Brunt. Rapport de recherche. Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Montréal, Quebec. Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs, Québec. v +12 pp. + appendices.

CDPNQ. 2008. Polemonium vanbruntiae : Sommaire des occurrences du Québec. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec. Gouvernement du Québec, ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs, Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs, Québec. 3 pp.

CDPNQ. 2011. Fiche signalétique Polemonium vanbruntiae (polémoine de Van Brunt). Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec. Gouvernement du Québec, ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs, Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs, Québec. 6 pp.

Comité Flore québécoise de FloraQuebeca. 2009. Plantes rares du Québec méridional. Guide d'identification produit en collaboration avec le Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec (CDPNQ). Les Publications du Québec, Québec. 406 pp.

COSEWIC. 2002. COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium vanbruntiae) in Canada – Update. Committee on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 24 pp.

Désilets, P., L. Couillard, J. Letendre et G. Jolicoeur. 2011. Plan de conservation de la polémoine de Van Brunt (Polemonium vanbruntiae) : Espèce menacée au Québec. Gouvernement du Québec, ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs, Québec. 15 p.

Gilbert, C. 1998. Aspects of community ecology, population growth, and genetic structure applied to the conservation of Polemonium pectinatum (Polemoniaceae), a rare and threatened sub–steppe perennial. PhD Thesis, University of Washington, Washington.

Gouge, A. 2003. Inventaire de la polémoine de Van Brunt (Polemonium vanbruntiae) au Québec en 2002. Société de conservation des milieux humides du Québec, Québec. 8pp.

Government of Canada. 2009. Species at Risk Act Policies, Overarching Policy Framework [Draft]. Species at Risk Act Policy and Guidelines Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. 38 pp.

Hinds, H.R. 1983. Rare vascular plants of New Brunswick. National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, 41 pp.

Jean, M. 2007. Étude démographique de la Polémoine de Van Brunt. Projet d’initiation à la recherche. Institut de Recherche et biologie végétale, Université de Montréal. 26 pages.

Joly, S. 2009. Suivi démographique et caractérisation de l’habitat essentiel de la Polémoine de Van Brunt (Polemonium vanbruntiae) au Québec. 18 pp.

Lachance, A. 2010. Polémoine de Van Brunt– Inventaires et explorations au Centre–du–Québec en 2010. Rapport du consultant préparé pour le Conseil régional de l’environnement du Centre–du–Québec.

Leclerc, L–T. 2009. Étude démographique de la Polémoine de Van Brunt. Projet d’initiation à la recherche. Institut de Recherche et biologie végétale, Université de Montréal. 21 pages.

NatureServe. 2002. Element Occurrence Data Standard. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. [Accessed: February 11, 2011].

NatureServe. 2010. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. [Accessed: January 26, 2011].

Pellerin, S. and L. Brouillet. 2005. Étude démographique de la polémoine de Van Brunt. Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Montréal, 12 pp.

Sabourin, A. 2010. Recherche et inventaire de la polémoine de Van Brunt (Polemonium vanbruntiae) dans le région administrative du Centre–du–Québec. Rapport du consultant préparé pour le Conseil régional de l’environnement du Centre–du–Québec. 9 pp.

Table A–1. Information concerning Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder critical habitat.
Occurrence name Province Centroid Area
(m²)
Land tenure
Latitude Longitude
Stoke River QC 45,55501 −71,88317 17 850 Non federal
Ham–Nord –
Développement–Boisvert West
QC 45,83015 −71,64851 5 999 Non federal
Ham–Nord –
Développement–Boisvert East and South
QC 45,82682
(East sector)
−71,62905
(East sector)
29 265
(19412 in East sector;
9853 in South sector)
Non federal
45,81910
(South sector)
−71,63191
(South sector)
Ham–Nord–Domaine des Sept–Chutes QC 45,83786 −71,66273 3 639 Non federal
Saints–Martyrs–Canadiens QC 45,86860 −71,55588 7 915 Non federal
Saint–Camille QC 45,74134 −71,68061 11 113 Non federal
Saint–Joseph–de–Ham–Sud QC 45,72690 −71,64084 10 888 Non federal
Mont–Carrier Sud QC 45,53383 −71,89291 4 600 Non federal
Saint–Adrien QC 45,82700 −71,73600 2 800 Non federal
Dipper Harbour Creek NB 45,11632
(North sector)
−66,45653
(North sector)
15 600
(4700 in North sector; 10 900 in South sector)
Non federal
45,11247
(South sector)
−66,45380
(South sector)
Trout Lake NB 45,17616 −66,76458 2 815 Non federal

Figure A–1: Location of Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder occurrences in Canada.

Figure A-1 is a map showing the location of all Van Brunt's Jacob's-ladder occurrences in Canada.

Figure A–2: Polygon containing critical habitat at Stoke River.

Figure A-2 is a map showing the location of the Stoke River critical habitat.

Figure A–3: Polygon containing critical habitat at Ham–Nord–Développement–Boisvert West.

Figure A-3 is a map showing the location of the Ham-Nord-Développement-Boisvert West critical habitat.

Figure A–4: Polygon containing critical habitat at Ham–Nord–Développement–Boisvert East and South (East sector)

Figure A-4 is a map showing the location of the Ham-Nord-Développement-Boisvert East and South (East sector) critical habitat.

Figure A–5: Polygon containing critical habitat at Ham–Nord–Développement–Boisvert East and South (South sector).

Figure A-5 is a map showing the location of the Ham-Nord-Développement-Boisvert East and South (South sector) critical habitat.

Figure A–6: Polygon containing critical habitat at Ham–Nord–Domaine des Sept–Chutes.

Figure A-6 is a map showing the location of the Ham-Nord-Domaine des Sept-Chutes critical habitat.

Figure A–7: Polygon containing critical habitat at Saints–Martyrs–Canadiens.

Figure A-7 is a map showing  the location of the Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens critical habitat.

Figure A–8: Polygon containing critical habitat at Saint–Camille.

Figure A-8 is a map showing the location of the Saint-Camille critical habitat.

Figure A–9: Polygon containing critical habitat at St–Joseph–de–Ham–Sud.

Figure A-9 is a map showing the location of the St-Joseph-de-Ham-Sud critical habitat.

Figure A–10: Polygon containing critical habitat at Mont–Carrier Sud.

Figure A-10 is a map showing the location of the Mont-Carrier Sud critical habitat.

Figure A–11: Polygon containing critical habitat at Saint–Adrien.

Figure A-11 is a map showing the location of the Saint-Adrien critical habitat.

Figure A–12: Polygon containing critical habitat at Dipper Harbour Creek.

Figure A–13: Polygon containing critical habitat at Trout Lake.

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.

The potential for this recovery strategy to inadvertently lead to adverse effects on the environment and other species was considered. Given that the recommended activities are limited to non-intrusive activities, such as population surveys and monitoring, it may be concluded that this strategy will not entail any significant adverse effects.


1 An area of land and/or water in which a species or natural community is, or was, present (NatureServe, 2002).

2 Each observation point represents one or several individuals in an occurrence.

3 A compound inflorescence formed by a cluster of clusters along a simple axis.

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