Table 3. Assessment of threats to the recovery of the eastern sand darter, Quebec populations, based on different criteria. The first column lists the threats and the following columns describe them in terms of extent, occurrence, frequency, causal certainty, severity and level of concern. A table footnote specifies that the threat “Increased sediment input and siltation” combines the threats identified in other documents "shoreline modifications," "turbidity and sediment loading" and "wave action from passing boats", since the threats in this recovery strategy are identified in terms of their impact on individuals and their habitats
Table 3. Classification of threats to the recovery of the eastern sand darter, Quebec populations.
Threats |
Extent |
Occurrence |
Frequency |
Causal Certainty |
Severity |
Level of Concern |
Habitat Loss or Degradation and Pollution |
Increased Sediment Input and Siltation (Combines the threats "shoreline modifications," "turbidity and excessive siltation" and "wave action from passing boats" set out in Boucher and Garceau, 2010, and DFO, 2011, since the threats in this recovery strategy are identified in terms of their impact on individuals or their habitats.) |
Widespread |
Current |
Continuous |
High |
High |
High |
Alteration of Flow Regimes and Fluctuation in Water Levels |
Widespread |
Current |
Continuous |
High |
High |
High |
Presence of Contaminants |
Widespread |
Current |
Continuous |
Moderate |
High |
High |
Nutrient Loading |
Widespread |
Current |
Continuous |
Moderate |
High |
High |
Barriers to Movement |
Localized |
Current |
Continuous |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Exotic Species, Invasive or Introduced |
Exotic Species and Diseases |
Localized |
Current |
Continuous |
High |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Change in the Ecological Dynamics |
Reduced Prey Availability |
Localized |
Anticipated |
Seasonal |
Low |
Unknown |
Low |
Incidental Mortality |
Incidental Harvest |
Localized |
Current |
Seasonal |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Return to Recovery Strategy for the Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) in Canada, Quebec populations