Conservation Evaluation of Howell's Triteleia, Triteleia howellii, an Endangered Lily in Canada

In Canada, Triteleia howellii is restricted to Quercus garryana stands and grass-dominated meadows on southeastern Vancouver Island in southwestern British Columbia. Nine sites have been confirmed in recent years while three other sites are considered extirpated. These Canadian sites represent the northern range limits of T. howellii. Threats to existing populations vary in intensity. Although most populations are protected to a certain extent from direct habitat destruction, introduced species pose a serious potential threat to the continued existence of most populations. Managing sites for T. howellii is difficult because little information is available regarding the general biology of this species

Conservation Evaluation of the Small-flowered Tonella, Tonella tenella, in Canada

In Canada, the Small-flowered Tonella, Tonella tenella, is restricted to the west side of Saltspring Island in the Gulf Islands of southwestern British Columbia. This population represents the northern limits of the species which is disjunct from its main range in southern Washington (Columbia River gorge), through Oregon to central California. In British Columbia, Tonella tenella is associated with rock outcrops and dry, steep, sparsely forested talus slopes at elevations of 50 to 300 m. The population on Saltspring Island is on private property and not directly imperilled at this time. There is, however, a potential for housing development in the future on this waterfront site, thus the authors consider the species endangered

Conservation Evaluation of Slender Collomia, Collomia tenella, in Canada

In Canada, Slender Collomia, Collomia tenella, is restricted to the Princeton area in southwestern British Columbia. The single population represents the northern limits of the species, which ranges from southwestern British Columbia, south in the western United States to Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. In British Columbia, C. tenella is associated with an eroded section of a steeply sloping, southeast-facing sandy ridge. Population numbers fluctuate and in some years plants fail to appear. The major threats to C. tenella are through drilling for coalbed methane gas, sand removal for road construction, housing development and off-road recreational vehicles

Conservation Evaluation of Stoloniferous Pussytoes, Antennaria flagellaris, in Canada

In Canada, Stoloniferous Pussytoes, Antennaria flagellaris, is restricted to the Similkameen River valley south of Princeton, in south-western British Columbia. The three populations represent the northern limits of the species which ranges from southwestern British Columbia, south in the western United States to Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada and California. In British Columbia, Antennaria flagellaris is associated with eroded, unstable, calcareous clay seepage slopes on open, southerly aspects. This habitat is infrequent in the Similkameen River area and the few existing plant populations could easily be extirpated through slight changes in drainage through drilling for coalbed methane gas, road-building, or housing development

Conservation Evaluation of the Pacific Population of Dwarf Woollyheads, Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus, in Canada

In Canada, Dwarf Woolly-heads, Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus, is restricted to the Similkameen River valley, south of Princeton in southwestern British Columbia and the extreme southeast and southwest corners of Alberta and Saskatchewan, respectively. This paper deals with the three British Columbia populations which represent the northwestern limit of the species which ranges from south-central British Columbia, southward in the western United States to Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, California and Baja California, Mexico. In British Columbia, P. brevissimus is associated with calcareous vernal pools and ephemeral pond edges in large forest openings. This habitat is rare in the area the few existing populations could easily be extirpated or degraded through slight changes in groundwater levels, coalbed methane gas drilling, housing development or recreational vehicles

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British Columbia, Canada’s most westerly province, has a bounty of biological diversity. British Columbia’s snowclad peaks, rain-drenched forests, arid grasslands, all sizes of rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and a long and rugged coast provide habitats for more species of living organisms than are found anywhere else in Canada. However, this very diversity means that there is much to be discovered about these organisms — their distribution, abundance, habitat requirements, and interrelationships with their environment. Increasing our knowledge of this biodiversity will help us with the complex task of sustainably managing our land and waters