Species at Risk Field Guide |
There are currently 1,197 plant and 434 animal species, or subspecies, in British Columbia Canada that are blue or red-listed (total of 1,631). By comparison 76 plants and 130 animals are federally listed under the Species at Risk Act. Many of these species are observed on a regular basis without the observer even knowing they are a species that is endangered, at risk, or has been deemed important. The following database provides a list of these species at risk, organized by biogeoclimatic zone, for easy field identification. This database is currently being used to conduct species at risk presence / absence surveys for government authorities. A map of the biogeoclimatic zones has been included at the bottom of the page for easy reference. |
Search for Species at Risk Vascular Plants |
Country | Province | Biogeoclimatic Zone | Abbreviation | Type |
Canada | British Columbia | Alpine Tundra | AT | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Spruce - Willow - Birch | SWB | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Boreal White and Black Spruce | BWBS | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Sub-Boreal Pine - Spruce | SBPS | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Sub-Boreal Spruce | SBS | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Mountain Hemlock | MH | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir | ESSF | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Montane Spruce | MS | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Bunchgrass | BG | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Ponderosa Pine | PP | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Interior Douglas-Fir | IDF | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Coastal Douglas-Fir | CDF | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Interior Cedar - Hemlock | ICH | View |
Canada | British Columbia | Coastal Western Hemlock | CWH | View |
Species at Risk Protection in BC |
Species at risk are protected on federal lands under the Species at Risk Act. Municipalites require professional biologists to conduct desktop reviews to identify potentail species at risk that could occur on development sites and develop management strategies where works could affect those species. Large projects typically require presence/absence surveys to confirm if listed species are using the site. Wildlife species are protected under the provincial Wildlife Act and federal Migraotry Bird Convention Act. Regionally significant fish and marine mammals are protected under the federal Fisheries Act. Wildlife permits, Fisheries Act Authorizations, and municipal development permits are examples of approvals required to work near species-at-risk habitat. |
July 2017. This Peregrine falcon was observed in the support structures to the loading walkway onto the Tsawwassen ferry terminal prior to ferry arrival and loading. The falcon was perching after chasing a number of sea gulls. Peregrine falcon is listed as special concern under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act. The pealei subspecies is found along the coast and is provincially blue-listed. |
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July 2017. Blue heron rookery on the bluffs adjacent the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal in Delta, BC. Up to 50 pairs of herons can be found in rookeries like this, which can be found nesting in the spring and early summer. The adjacent Roberts Bank provides ideal foraging habitat where the herons can wade in shallow water and consume fish. The blue heron is a blue-listed species in British Columbia and identified as special concern under schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act. |
BC Biogeoclimatic Zone Map (Click to Zoom) |
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