Lindley’s false silverpuffs (Uropappus lindleyi) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 8
Limiting Factors and Threats
The most immediate threat to U. lindleyi in British Columbia is habitat destruction through housing development on private property. All five extant U. lindleyi populations occur on the Gulf Islands and all but one population occurs entirely on private land, most of which are ocean view properties. These view properties, along with waterfront properties, are the most desirable sites for housing developments in this area. Information from Salt Spring Island is typical of the trend in housing development on the Gulf Islands. A marked increase in housing development on Salt Spring Island is related to population numbers that have increased 78% between 1986 and 2001. Growth projections indicate a further increase of 43% by 2026 (Linda Adams, pers. comm. 2003).
Habitat destruction also indirectly threatens the species by increasing the natural fragmentation of populations. The resulting significant habitat fragmentation limits the ability of the species to become established in new locations or re-establish extirpated populations.
Much of the remaining habitat suitable for U. lindleyi has been heavily altered due to invasion by introduced species. This habitat degradation poses a significant and urgent threat to U. lindleyi, and other native species and their habitats in the Garry oak ecosystem on southeastern Vancouver Island and the adjacent Gulf Islands.
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