Percentage of Species at Risk

Indicator Type: Environmental Condition

This indicator shows the percentage of Alberta species that are considered to be "at risk". This includes species that are legally listed as species at risk. This indicator covers eight groups of organisms: amphibians, freshwater fish, orchids, ferns, mammals, butterflies, reptiles, and birds. The target is to ensure that the number of species at risk remains below 5% of the overall assessed wildlife species in Alberta.

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Trend: No clear trend

What does the indicator show?

This indicator is based upon 12 species at risk, of a total 832 species that were included in the Year 2000 assessment. Another analysis will be done in 2005. The 12 species at risk are:

• Trumpeter Swan
• Ferruginous Hawk
• Peregrine Falcon
• Greater Sage-Grouse
• Whooping Crane
• Piping Plover
• Burrowing Owl
• Swift Fox
• Barren Ground Caribou
• Woodland Caribou
• American Bison
• Northern Leopard Frog

The indicator shows that Alberta is well under the target of having less than 5% of the total number of assessed species in the province at risk. Only 1.44% of Alberta species are considered to be at risk. Alberta compares favorably on a national basis, where the number of species at risk is 3.9%.

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Why is this indicator important?

The percentage (%) of species at risk is considered an indicator of the health of our environment. It also indicates the sustainability of human activities on the landscape. Sustainable activities refer here to those that can be maintained over the long term without serious negative consequences to the environment. Reporting on the percentage of Alberta species at risk provides important information to Albertans. It also assists in defining the management activities required to enhance or sustain populations of wildlife or native vegetation.

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What actions are being taken?

In 1985, the Alberta Government began a program entitled General Status of Wild Species in Alberta to identify the Species at Risk. This program led to the development of status information for a wide range of species in Alberta. It also led to coordination of a national system for ranking and comparing the status of wild species throughout Canada, entitled General Status of Wild Species in Canada.

This ongoing program (General Status of Wild Species in Alberta) will report again in 2005. The 2005 assessment will be used to identify those species whose status has changed since 2000. This may result in a change in the status designation of some species. It may also result in changes in current management programs, or the development of new management programs or initiatives.

Several ongoing wildlife initiatives include the development of strategic policy positions for three species (wolves, woodland caribou and bison) and the development of management plans for the following species:

• Sage Grouse
• Western Spiderwort
• Burrowing Owl
• Woodland Caribou
• Sprague's Pipit
• Prairie Rattlesnake
• Soapweed
• Peregrine Falcon
• Grizzly Bear
• Long-billed Curlew
• Ord's Kangaroo Rat
• Yucca Moth
• Trumpeter Swan
• Long-toed Salamander
• Harlequin Duck

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Links to additional information

Alberta Species at Risk Program: http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife/speciesatrisk/default.aspx

National Species at Risk Program: http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/default_e.cfm

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Feedback

E-mail the SOE Coordinator: SOE.Coordinator@gov.ab.ca or complete this short on-line questionnaire to provide your feedback: http://www.zoomerang.com/
survey.zgi?p=WEB224DW6P3E2K.

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