6.1 Definition

Species that can be considered species of conservation concern include:

  • species identified as nationally endangered or threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, which are not protected in regulation under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
  • species identified as provincially vulnerable based on lists of Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, Extirpated, or Extinct Species of Ontario that are updated periodically by the OMNR (Appendix P)
  • species that are listed as rare or historical in Ontario based on records kept by the Natural Heritage Information Centre in Peterborough (S1 is extremely rare, S2 is very rare, S3 is rare to uncommon)
  • species whose populations are known to be experiencing substantial declines in Ontario
  • species that have a high percentage of their global population in Ontario and are rare or uncommon in the planning area
  • species that are rare within the planning area, even though they may not be provincially rare
  • species that are subjects of recovery programs (e.g., the Black Duck Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan)
  • species considered important to the municipality, based on recommendations from the Conservation Advisory Committee

Habitat for these species is exclusive of those habitats for species covered under the Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species of the Natural Heritage Component of the Provincial Policy Statement.

6.2 Ecological function/effects of loss

The ecological function of this habitat is to ensure that associated species can maintain long-term, viable populations. Loss or degradation of this habitat may threaten the global existence of some species, and lead to accelerated declines of species already at risk. At the local level, the loss of species will result in loss of biodiversity.

6.3 Identification of habitat of species of conservation concern

Preliminary estimates in 1996 indicate, at the provincial scale, there were at least 105 species of conservation concern (not including species designated vulnerable by OMNR’s Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario). Thirteen Ontario species are nationally endangered; at least 57 species have a high percentage of their global population in Ontario; and 35 species of birds in Ontario are experiencing significant population declines. These numbers are based on long-term data, such as 25 years of breeding bird survey data. Experts are aware of declines in other groups of wildlife, such as amphibians however; they do not have long-term data on these species.

In this guide, the species of conservation concern do not include species that have been designated threatened or endangered by the OMNR. These species are protected under the Habitat of Endangered and Threatened Species component of the Natural Heritage section of the Provincial Policy Statement and there are methods for determining the significant portions of their habitat. Yet, some of the methods described in this guide may be useful for finding any rare species. Refer to Appendix P for a list of endangered, threatened, rare, vulnerable, or declining wildlife species of Ontario.

Many species of conservation concern are uncommon or rare species that normally do not exhibit high population densities (red-shouldered hawks, lynx). Others have fairly specialised habitat requirements or narrow tolerances for survival that are poorly understood. Other species may be uncommon because their habitat is rare. Because of the sensitive nature of these species, even seemingly minor alterations to their habitats often result in their disappearance. Protection of their habitats in the municipality will help to maintain local populations and contribute to their recovery.

6.3.1 A suggested approach to habitat identification

Although there is often little specific information about the habitat requirements of many species of conservation concern, most of these species can still be protected within a Natural Heritage System. To accomplish this, the planning authority will need to answer the following questions:

What species of conservation concern are likely to occur in the municipality?

Appendix F provides a list of information sources that can be used to identify many habitats of species of conservation concern that are found in the planning area. The OMNR Ecologist will know which endangered, threatened, or rare species listed in Appendix P occur or are likely to occur in the planning area. Bird Studies Canada and the OMNR recently prepared a list of Ontario breeding landbirds with high conservation priority. Appendix G provides lists of plants and animals, describes their distribution, and gives an indication of where they may be found.

Where are these species likely to be found in the municipality?

The information sources listed in Table I-3 in Appendix I may provide locations of some of these species, but most will not be located easily. Therefore, it is suggested that the planning authority consider forming a Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of experts familiar with the flora and fauna of the municipality (see Section 3.4). Atlas data indicates areas where species of conservation concern may occur.

Many species and habitats of conservation concern will be contained within the other natural heritage features and areas of the Natural Heritage Component of the Provincial Policy Statement (significant woodlands, wetlands, valleylands, ANSIs, fish habitat) as well as the other components of Significant Wildlife Habitat. It is common to find several species of conservation concern in close proximity. Therefore, the planning authority should focus its effort on habitats and species of conservation concern that will not be adequately protected through the identification of these other components.

Which of these species should the planning authority protect under this component of The Natural Heritage Policy?

The planning authority is urged to protect species of conservation concern and their habitats in the following order of priority:

  • globally rare
  • nationally rare
  • provincially rare
  • regionally rare
  • locally rare species
  • species of concern to the planning authority

Ontario’s wildlife species have been ranked for rarity by staff at the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) in Peterborough. Planning authorities can obtain these lists from the OMNR ecologist or from the NHIC website (Appendix F). In addition, Table Q-3 in Appendix Q provides a list of criteria that the planning authority can use to determine species of conservation concern. This does not include species designated as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Many species (globally rare etc.) are not designated.

6.3.2 Summary

The following guidelines summarise the process of identification of species and habitats of conservation concern.

  • Contact the OMNR ecologist and Appendices G and P for a list of potential species of conservation concern that are known for the planning area, based on provincial and regional lists. Additional species may be added to this list based on recommendations from the Conservation Advisory Committee.
  • Afford the highest priority for protection to habitats of the rarest species regardless of where they are found.
  • Next, concentrate protection efforts on species of conservation concern that are most threatened and/or currently unprotected because their habitats are found outside other natural heritage features. Refer to the habitat matrices (Appendix G) for information regarding the habitat requirements of some of these species.
  • Conduct field investigations of sites that may be important to these species, but have not had their conservation importance assessed. See Table Q-3 in Appendix Q for criteria that could be used to evaluate these sites. See Appendix D for information about how to conduct field investigations and Appendix G for the habitat requirements of species.