Rarity and Endemism
Canadian arctic rare plant Native plants restricted to a relatively small geographic area (but may be locally common) or that occur sparsely over a wide area within the region north of the northern limit of continuous North American forest (adapted from McJannet, C.L., G.W. Argus, S. Edlund, and J. Cayouette. 1993. Rare Vascular Plants in the Canadian Arctic. Canadian Museum of Nature, Syllogeus No. 72. Ottawa.).
Canadian rare plant Native plants occurring within Canada that are either restricted to a limited area and/or occur in low numbers within each of the Canadian provinces and/or territories in which they occur. (adapted from Argus, G. W. and K. M. Pryer. 1990. Rare Vascular Plants in Canada: Our Natural Heritage. Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa.).
Canadian endangered/threatened Plant taxa designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as being endangered or threatened in Canada. Adapted from the COSEWIC Species at Risk plant lists. Available on the Internet at: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/. Site last updated 26 April 1999 (at time of access).
Canadian endangered species A species facing imminent extirpation from or extinction in Canada.
Canadian threatened species A species likely to become endangered in Canada if limiting factors are not reversed.
Endemic family A family of plants completely restricted in their current natural distribution to a specific geographic area; in this case within the geographic area treated by the TDC. The Leitneriaceae (monotypic, Leitneria floridana) is the only endemic North American family under the classification followed here.
Endemic genus A genus of plants with all species completely restricted in their current natural distribution to a specific geographic area, in this case within the geographic area treated by the TDC. Some genera are restricted to the North American mainland, north of Mexico (e.g., Bigelovia, Calycanthus), while others are endemic to Hawaii (e.g., Argyroxiphium, Labordia) or Puerto Rico (e.g., Neorudolphia, Pentalinon). A total of 349 genera are endemic to the geographic area of the Synthesis. None is known to be endemic to Canada or to Greenland. Hybrid genera are not included.
Endemic taxon, state- and province-level Plants with their current natural geographic range restricted to one of the 70 geographic regions covered by the Synthesis. State- and province-level endemism has been assessed for species, subspecies, and varieties only. Hybrids are not included. In some cases, endemic taxa may occur within multiple states. However, these additional state-level records are based upon introductions, questionable reports, or populations that are thought to be extirpated. Two examples of endemic taxa that occur in multiple states are Phlox drummondii ssp. drummondii and Argemone albiflora ssp. texana, both of which are endemic to Texas. Depending upon the query preference, there are two methods for determining endemism for any particular geographic unit, both of which will produce slightly different results. The first method is to click on "Endemic taxon, state- and province-level" category within the biological attributes query window (under "Rarity and Endemism"), and then click on the particular state or region desired within the geography query window. This will provide all endemic taxa of that state or region, plus those that are introduced, questionable and/or extirpated from the geographic area designated (note that Justicia crassifolia appears in the query result as a Florida endemic, but it is also Extirpated/Historic in Georgia.) The second method is to click on the restricted (R) button in the geography query window, then click on the geographic state or region desired, followed by the intersection (*) button on the biological attributes query window; followed by the "Endemic taxon, state and province-level" category. This will produce a list of exactly those endemic taxa known to occur only within the geographic area selected, but without any introduced, questionable or extirpated occurrences (note that Justicia crassifolia does not appear in this query result, since it is not restricted to Florida, but occurs in Georgia as an Extirpated/Historic occurrence.)
Single state occurrence A significant number of North American taxa are very restricted distributionally, and limited to a single U.S. state, Canadian province, or island. Some 10,206 taxa, or 36% of the North American flora, are restricted to a single state or geographic area. Of these, 5,569 taxa are state-level endemics; i.e., restricted to these areas only. Introduced waifs and other exotics known from single state-level occurrences account for 1,496 taxa or approximately 5% of the North American flora. These are taxa that have been introduced from foreign countries into North America. The remaining 3,139 taxa or 11% of the flora are native plants known from a single state or province in North America, but extend elsewhere into other parts of the world, such as Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, or Asia. For additional information, please see: Endemic taxon, state- and province-level.
Extinct plant Native plants no longer extant anywhere on earth, not relocated despite thorough searching of historical and other appropriate habitat.
Extirpated or historically-occurring plant Native plants that are formerly known from a particular U.S. state, territory, or Canadian province but thought no longer to be present there, yet known to be extant elsewhere. Includes taxa that have not been verified or seen in the wild for a significant time period. For the purpose of the Synthesis, these plants have been determined to be extirpated primarily by the various state-level U.S. Natural Heritage Programs and Canadian Provincial Conservation Data Centers.
State-level rare plant Native plants that occur in limited areas and/or in low numbers within a particular U.S. state, territory, or Canadian province. For the purpose of the Synthesis, these plants have been determined to be rare primarily by the various state-level U.S. Natural Heritage Programs and Canadian Provincial Conservation Data Centers.
U.S. endangered/threatened Plant taxa designated in the Federal Register as having endangered or threatened status under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Adapted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Endangered SpeciesLists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants at Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations 17.11 and 17.12 and current as of May 31, 1999. Available on the Internet at: http://www.fws.gov/r9endspp/listdata.html. Official government documents should be consulted for the most current information.
U.S. endangered species According to the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the term "endangered species" means any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of the Class Insecta determined by the Secretary to constitute a pest whose protection under the provisions of this Act would present an overwhelming and overriding risk to man.
U.S. threatened species The term "threatened species" means any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. |