Ministry of Environment Endangered Species and Ecosystems

FAQs: Endangered Species and Ecosystems

What do Rare and Endangered really mean?

Rare means not common. Many species and ecological communities are naturally rare. Relative rarity does not necessarily mean that a species and ecological community is endangered. Endangered means that a species or ecological community is at risk of becoming extinct. Ranking is the process of determining the degree of extinction risk. In BC, the Conservation Data Centre is responsible for assigning provincial ranks. For a description of ranks and how they are determined, please read NatureServe Conservation Status and Ecological Communities in British Columbia: Conservation Status Assessment Factors (pdf 258 KB).

How can you tell if a species or ecological community is truly rare or just hasn't been found very often?

If the species or ecological community is known from a common, relatively unthreatened habitat in a remote region and/or is not a showy, easily observed species, then it may be more common than the number of observations indicate. Only by targeted surveys can this question be answered. Some species and ecological communities have indeed been down-listed after such surveys. Until the survey can be done, though, the precautionary principle requires the Conservation Data Centre to rank the species or ecological community based on existing information.

Why should we care about rare invertebrates?

The greatest part of the biodiversity of British Columbia is made up of invertebrates - a group that we know the least about! We do not even know what species are found in the province or the extent of their ranges, let alone the roles that they play in the diverse ecosystems in the province. For example, many bees, flies, butterflies or beetles are key pollinators. They are critical components in the food chain. There are many plants that are dependent on fungal associations with their roots, invertebrates are important vectors in this process. Insects and other soil-dwelling creatures help create productive soil. There are many predaceous or parasitic invertebrates that are vital in the control of unwanted plants or other invertebrates that may be considered pests.

Why are we concerned about elements whose range just barely reaches into BC but may be common elsewhere?

One cannot assume that just because an element is at the edge of its range in BC that it is doing well elsewhere. For example, the Oregon Spotted Frog is declining across its range. Other species, such as the golden paintbrush and Columbia Sharp-tailed Grouse, are doing better at the edge of their ranges than in the centre. Furthermore, range edge populations often have special conservation value. They have often adapted to live in different habitats than populations in the centre of the range, and have developed unique genetic characteristics that should be preserved to maintain the strength and diversity of the species as a whole. In the case of climatic change, it may be the population at the edge of the range that can best adapt to a new environment.

Where can I find the rank of a species or ecological community elsewhere in North America?

Visit the NatureServe web site and use NatureServe Explorer. This is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals, and ecological communities of the United States and Canada. Through the NatureServe site you can also link to Conservation Data Centres and Natural Heritage Programs in other states and provinces. From the NatureServe home page, click on the Network Directory.

Links to other FAQ topics

BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer
Red, Blue and Yellow Lists
Ecological Communities
Known Locations of Species and Ecosystems