Small-flowered lipocarpha (Lipocarpha micrantha) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 2

Executive Summary

Lipocarpha micrantha

Species information

Lipocarpha micrantha is a small annual sedge.  Mature plants have stems and leaves up to 10cm long and 0.5mm wide.  The flowers are inconspicuous in heads 2-6mm long.

Distribution

Lipocarpha micrantha is found from Brazil north to southern Canada.  Its range in Canada is extremely fragmented, with confirmed populations in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and on Sable Island, Lake of the Woods, in Northwestern Ontario.  An additional population was discovered in 2000 on Pound Net Bay, Rainy Lake, in northwestern Ontario and likely still persists there.  Several populations in southern British Columbia, southern Ontario and southern Quebec have been extirpated.

Habitat

This species is confined to moist sandy beaches with some protection from waves.  It does not tolerate competition or organic sediment.  This habitat is highly prized for development.  As a consequence much of it has been destroyed.

Biology

Lipocarpha micrantha is an annual species.  As such it may remain dormant and undetected for years if water levels are unfavourably high.  It is very sensitive to habitat conditions, and relatively minor alterations may render an area unliveable for this species.

Population sizes and trends

Four of seven documented populations in Canada have been extirpated.  The remaining populations are subject to extreme natural fluctuations, and are very sensitive to development and artificial manipulation of water levels.

Limiting factors and threats

Habitat destruction is directly linked with the loss of three populations, and remains a threat for one of the remaining populations.  Artificial manipulation of water levels also threatens the viability of existing populations.  Natural population fluctuations make this species especially susceptible to habitat alteration.

Special significance of the species

This is the only member of the genus Lipocarpha in Canada.  It may enhance the value of shoreline vegetation as forage for waterfowl.  It is not known to be of value in any cultural or economic practice.

 

COSEWIC MANDATE 

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) determines the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, and nationally significant populations that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on all native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, lepidopterans, molluscs, vascular plants, lichens, and mosses.

COSEWIC MEMBERSHIP

COSEWIC comprises representatives from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal agencies (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biosystematic Partnership), three nonjurisdictional members and the co-chairs of the species specialist groups. The committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

DEFINITIONS

 

Species : Any indigenous species, subspecies, variety, or geographically defined population of wild fauna and flora.

Extinct (X) : A species that no longer exists.

Extirpated (XT) : A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.

Endangered (E) : A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.

Threatened (T) : A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.

Special Concern (SC)* : A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.

Not at Risk (NAR)* : A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk.

Data Deficient (DD)*** : A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.

* : Formerly described as “Vulnerable” from 1990 to 1999, or “Rare” prior to 1990.

** : Formerly described as “Not In Any Category”, or “No Designation Required.”

*** : Formerly described as “Indeterminate” from 1994 to 1999 or “ISIBD” (insufficient scientific information on which to base a designation) prior to 1994.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list.

Environment Canada          Environnement Canada

Canadian Wildlife Service          Service canadien de la faune

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.

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