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Acknowledgements

The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in �������� (COSSARO) wishes to acknowledge and thank the observers who attended and contributed to the 2024 species assessment meetings. Observers represented a Métis Community, government offices, companies, industry associations, academic organizations and conservation organizations (listed in alphabetical order). The observers’ attendance and interest in the work of COSSARO were helpful and are appreciated.

• Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS)
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
• Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
• Hydro One
• Lakehead University
• �������� Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
• �������� Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)
• �������� Nature
• Red Sky Metis Independent Nation
• Royal �������� Botanical Gardens

As members of COSSARO, we are grateful to the Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP), as well as the Hon. Todd McCarthy, who acted as interim minister while Minister Khanjin was on leave, and their team at the MECP that serves as the Secretariat and provides support to COSSARO. We are grateful to the following MECP team members who worked hard to support COSSARO in 2024:

• Adam Byers
• Sarah Parna
• Germain Collinge Ménard
• Travis Coulter
• Hailey Huffman
• Alyssa Fiedler
• Lucy Ellis
• Glenn Desy

We are also grateful to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) for providing important �������� species data to COSSARO that enabled our assessments. In particular, we wish to thank Colin Jones (Provincial Zoologist, Invertebrates with the NHIC) who serves as a Province of �������� member on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In this role he was able to support COSSAROs access to and understanding of COSEWIC considerations related to species assessments that provides historical contexts of past assessments and knowledge that is invaluable to our provincial species assessments.

Introduction

The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in �������� (COSSARO) is an independent committee of experts which considers which plants and animals should be classified as at risk in ��������.

The Endangered Species Act, 2007, (ESA)gives the committee legal recognition and specific responsibilities:

• maintaining criteria for assessing and classifying species
• keeping a list of species that should be assessed and classified (or reclassified) in the future
• assessing, reviewing and classifying species
• submitting reports regarding the classification of species and providing advice to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

COSSARO can consist of up to 12 members with expertise in scientific disciplines, community knowledge or Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge. A quorum of 8 members is required for voting purposes.

In 2024, COSSAROs activities involved holding 2 virtual meetings as directed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), resulting in MECP staff, COSSARO members and Observers to participate online. The 2 COSSARO meetings assessed 14 species or populations. Of those 14 species assessed, no species were deferred to 2025. Voting on the 14 species was completed at the 2 meetings held on:

• April 4 to 5, 2024
• October 23 to 24, 2024

Derek Parks was appointed as Chair of COSSARO in July 2024. Prior to this, he was a member of the committee and was designated as Deputy Chair. No other new or existing members were appointed or reappointed to COSSARO.

Summary of status assessments

The table below summarizes the results of the assessments completed on 14 species or populations in 2024. These species are grouped by types of fauna or flora for ease of review. The order is the same used in Attachment 2 to this report.

From the table below, the following observations are offered: no species or populations assessment were deferred to 2025 and 3 species or populations retained the same status. One species or population increased in the status level (For example, moved upwards from Special Concern to Endangered). Four species or populations decreased their status, with 3 going from Threatened to Special Concern and 1 from Endangered to Threatened. Of the 6 species or populations that were not previously assessed, 3 were assigned a status of Endangered, 1 was assigned a status of Threatened and 2 were assigned a status of Special Concern.

Notes:

• Not Listed means the species had not been formerly assigned a status in ��������.
• All English, French and Indigenous names of species are included in Status Reports, where known. Indigenous names are highlighted with an asterisk and these names are not intended to be inclusive of all cultures and languages. Indigenous names are not based upon western scientific methods.

Summary of 2024 COSSARO meetings and operations

Meetings

The 2 meetings held by COSSARO for 2024 were held virtually, with ministry staff facilitating with Committee members and observers to ensure participation via Teams Meetings and secure voting for assessment recommendations.

April 4 to 5, 2024

Virtual meeting held with the Committee assessing 8 species or populations, with another species or population being deferred until the fall 2024 meeting.

A sub-committee to evaluate assessment modifiers was struck, with 3 members engaged to review modifiers utilized by the committee for assessments and determine changes or modification to modifiers need to be utilized. The sub-committee would report back in the Spring 2025 meeting with observations and modifications for the committee to review and finalize the criteria.

Approximately a dozen observers from various public, private and Indigenous organizations attended virtually the Spring 2024 meeting.

October 23 to 24, 2024

Virtual meeting held with the Committee assessing 6 species or populations.

A discussion on updating the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the committee was discussed, as ministry staff indicated that a new government directive was requiring all government agencys and committees to update and complete a new ToR. The Chair and ministry staff have drafted the ToR and will discuss with the Committee at the spring 2025 meeting.

The fall 2024 COSSARO meeting attracted about a dozen observers virtually online.

Updates regarding other matters

The website for continued to be helpful in keeping �������� citizens apprised of COSSARO activities. COSSARO members appreciate the MECP team continuously updating and operating the website on behalf of the committee.

COSSARO currently has a subcommittee reviewing existing criteria modifiers used in the COSSARO assessments. The intention of modifying or strengthening these modifiers is to ensure a defensible assessment and classification of a species or population. This subcommittee is struck when the committee finds criteria modifiers to be too ambiguous for certain species or populations, or when technology or scientific advancements may allow for improvements in the modifier criteria utilized by the Committee to be implemented.

COSSARO and ministry staff have updated and drafted the Terms of Reference for the committee. Review and finalization of the Terms of Reference are anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2025.

2025 plan

COSSARO is planning for a virtual spring meeting and anticipates an in-person meeting in the fall for 2025. COSSARO members believe that in-person meetings are more constructive for discussing and evaluating species and connecting with observers and other agencies that support the work this committee completes on behalf of the minister.

In addition to species assessments considered at the previous COSEWIC meeting, COSSARO is always available to review any other species at the request of the minister, should new information become available that may change a species or population’s classification under the ESA.

Other species that may be assessed in 2025 are those which have been subject to the provision of additional and/or new data provided in the form of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge and community knowledge. COSSARO is placing an emphasis on ensuring that assessments are based upon the best available scientific information, including information obtained from community knowledge and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge.

COSSARO encourages public participation in our meeting as observers, we try and provide meeting dates to allow participation in observing the committee. The months and focus for the 2025 meetings are as follows:

April 2025 (subject to confirmation)

• Assessment focused on COSEWIC species assessed in November 2024.

September 2025 (Subject to confirmation)

• Assessment focused on COSEWIC species assessed in spring 2025.

Species Scheduled for Assessment

As a committee, we greatly appreciate information provided by others that aid in the species or population assessments and thus do our best to provide the public with our anticipated species or population assessments to allow contributions from all.

Species or populations scheduled for assessment during 2025 are as follows:

April 2025 (Subject to confirmation)

• Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)
• Short-billed Dowitcher hendersoni/griseus (Limnodromus griseau)
• Lilliput (Toxolasma parvum)
• Butler's Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri)
• Short-fruited Rush (Juncus brachycarpus)

Fall 2025 (Subject to confirmation)

• Macropis Cuckoo Bee (Epeoloides pilosula)
• Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
• Pugnose Minnow (Opsopoedus emiliae)
• Cupped Fringe Lichen (Heterodermia hypoleuca)
• Pale-bellied Frost Lichen (Physconia subpallida)
• Big-tooth Whitelip (Neohelix dentifera)
• Massasauga (Carolinian and Great Lakes or St. Lawrence populations) (Sistrurus catenatus)
• Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
• Round-leaved Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia)

Attachment 1: 2024 COSSARO membership

Ian Barrett, M.Sc. 
Senior Biologist, Senior Manager of Environmental Projects, Colville Consulting Inc.

Shannon Catton, M.Sc. 
Senior Ecologist and Project Director, GEI Consultants

Glenn Cunnington, Ph.D. 
Project Manager, Integrated Watershed Management Initiatives, District Municipality of Muskoka

Jillian deMan, B.Sc. (Hons.) 
Sr. Ecologist, Water & Natural Resources, Environment AECOM

Gary Epp, Ph.D. 
Practice Lead for Ecology, AECOM

Allison Featherstone, B.Sc. 
Ecologist, Senior Management Team, LGL Limited Environmental Research Associated

Shelley Lohnes, H. B.Sc., Vice-President 
Branch Lead and Senior Ecologist, GEI Consultants

Derek Parks, M.Sc., Director 
Sr. Aquatic Specialist, Parks Environmental Inc.

Darren Sleep, Ph.D. 
Sr. Director, Conservation Science & Strategies, Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

Toby Thorne, M.Sc.,  
Coordinator, Native Bat Conservation Program, Toronto Zoo

Attachment 2: 2024 species assessment summaries

American White Pelican, Pélican d'Amérique, Zhede* (Ojibwe) (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrohynchos) is 1 of 2 pelican species present in North America. The core of the population occurs further west in the midwestern United States and Canadian Prairies. The �������� population is part of the eastern extreme of the species’ distribution. American White Pelican was previously assessed as Threatened in �������� due to a small population size and very few locations. American White Pelican forms large colonies at relatively few locations, making it particularly vulnerable to threats such as disease or habitat change, which can impact all individuals at the location. Since the previous assessment in 2009, ��������’s population has grown with the establishment of multiple new breeding locations.

American White Pelican has been assessed and is classified as Special Concern in ��������. The increase in population size and number of locations means that the species no longer meets the criteria for Threatened. However, the species is close to meeting Criterion B and its tendency to form large colonies at few locations makes it vulnerable to becoming Threatened if threats such as disease and habitat loss occur in the future. This status differs from COSEWIC (Not at Risk), reflecting the much smaller population present in �������� compared to Canada as a whole.

Black Tern, Guifette noire (Chlidonias niger)

The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) is a gull that develops black head plumage during breeding. A small gull, the species is a long-distance migrant. It breeds across much of Canada and the United States and overwinters on the coasts of South and Central America. It is wide-ranging across ��������, nesting colonially in wetlands and often utilizes coastal wetlands.

In ��������, 42 extant element occurrences are identified through the Natural Heritage Information Centre data. A loss of 81 to 87% of occupied breeding sites and a greater than 50% decline in Index of Area of Occupancy (IAO) has been documented through coastal wetland and waterbird surveys in the past 40 years in ��������.

Threats to Black Tern include wetland loss or modification, water pollution, human interference or disturbance, invasive species, as well as potential impacts from climate change and decline in prey of aerial insects.

Black Tern was previously classified as Special Concern in ��������. It has been reassessed and is classified as Endangered in �������� based on meeting criteria A2bc. This species was assessed and determined to be Not at Risk in 1996 by COSEWIC. Ongoing trends in decline in �������� element occurrences as well as continued decline in habitat meet the criteria for Endangered in ��������.

Kirtland’s Warbler, Paruline de Kirtland (Setophaga kirtlandii)

Kirtland’s Warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) is a small songbird of the family Parulidae (North American wood-warblers). Adult males in breeding plumage have bluish-grey upperparts, a lemon-yellow throat and belly, and black streaks on the flanks and sides. Females are similar to males but their plumage is duller, with grey or brown upperparts, a pale yellow belly and less distinct breast streaks.

In ��������, this wood-warbler nests only in Simcoe and Renfrew Counties, in larger regenerating stands of even-aged Jack Pine and Red Pine, similar to the core of its global range in Michigan, and adjacent states and provinces, with 1 recent breeding observation at French River Provincial Park. There are additional breeding season observations in southwestern �������� and Quebec’s Pontiac region. The species primarily overwinters in the Bahamas.

The global population is estimated at fewer than 5,000 birds, with only about 40 to 50 mature individuals currently occurring in ��������. Birds are limited by the availability of suitable nesting habitat, and threats include wildfire suppression resulting in loss of early- successional habitats; conversion of nesting and wintering habitat for agriculture, forestry, and human development; and impacts of climate change and increasingly severe weather throughout the annual cycle. In the absence of management initiatives, forest succession may lead to loss of suitable breeding habitat in Canada, as is the case elsewhere.

Kirtland’s Warbler was classified as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, when it came into effect in 2008. The species has been reassessed and maintains its classification as Endangered in �������� based on meeting criterion D1 (fewer than 250 mature individuals).

Yellow Rail, Râle jaune (Coturnicops noveboracensis)

A single species of Yellow Rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis), a secretive marsh dwelling bird, occurs in North America. The species breeds in northern jurisdictions, with significant breeding areas in the James Bay lowlands of �������� and Quebec and overwinters on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Population trends for Yellow Rail are difficult to discern due to limited data; this species is not well represented in large-scale surveys such as the Breeding Bird Atlas but is generally assumed to have declined in recent decades in line with loss of its wetland habitat. Alongside habitat loss through natural system modification, the species is also threatened by agriculture and aquaculture, and pollution in its winter range, collisions with communications towers during migration, and climate change.

Yellow Rail was previously assessed as Special Concern in ��������. The species has been reassessed and maintains its classification as Special Concern due to ongoing habitat loss, meaning the species is likely to become Threatened if factors suspected of negatively influencing the persistence of the species are neither reversed nor managed with demonstrable effectiveness.

Finlayson’s Oakworm Moth, Anisote de Finlayson (Anisota finlaysoni)

Finlayson’s Oakworm Moth (Anisota finlaysoni) is a member of the giant silk moth family. It is a medium-sized moth: male forewing length measures 17 to 20 mm and female forewing length measures 24 to 30 mm. This species is phenotypically similar to the Orange-striped Oakworm Moth (A. sentoria).

This species has an annual life cycle, and one generation, which occurs over 4 life stages - egg, larva (with 5 instars), pupa and adult.

Finlayson’s Oakworm Moth distribution is restricted to southern �������� where it occurs at limited locations within the Mixed wood Plains ecozone, mostly restricted to the northeastern areas of Lake �������� and Lake Erie. General habitat includes open oak savannahs and woodlands; preferred habitat includes open-grown oak trees with a low density and abundance of shrubby understory.

This moth flies from mid-June to mid-July. Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of oak leaves, including White Oak (Quercus alba), Bur Oak (Q. macrocarpa), Black Oak (Q. nigra) and Red Oak (Q. rubra). Larvae mature in late August to September, overwintering as pupae in the soil until the following June.

Impacts from the spread of the non-native Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) and other larval pest species is the most serious and plausible threat to Finlayson’s Oakworm Moth. Spongy Moth defoliates oak trees, decreasing the main food supply for Oakworm moth larvae. Bacillus thuringiensis (var. kurstaki) (Btk) is routinely deployed to control Spongy Moth, which also kills Oakworm moth larvae. Additional threats include vegetation succession and fire suppression of their preferred habitat, oak savannah, which is a critically imperiled (S1) habitat type in ��������.

Finlayson’s Oakworm Moth has been assessed and classified as Threatened in ��������. While it does not meet the criteria for Threatened (criteria met include B1, B2 and B2b), it does meet the consideration of Special Concern (b and c), it also qualifies under status category modifier 3.3.1. Therefore, when the modifier is applied, the status is elevated to Threatened. Finlayson’s Oakworm Moth was not previously assessed by COSSARO.

Riverine Clubtail, Gomphe riverain (Stylurus amnicola)

The Riverine Clubtail (Stylurus amnicola) is a medium-sized dragonfly, measuring 47 to 49 mm in length. It has a slender, blackish body with yellow spots on the abdomen. In males, the abdomen terminates in a prominent club. The front of the thorax features a distinctive T-shaped thoracic collar, setting this species apart from other clubtails in the genus Stylurus (COSEWIC in press, 2023).

This dragonfly prefers riverine habitats, which vary in size from the large St. Lawrence River to medium-sized creeks. It typically occurs where the riparian canopy does not fully cover the channel’s width. Sandy substrates and clear to slightly turbid water are essential for larval development and adult breeding. After emerging from the water, adult Riverine Clubtails disperse and feed in the forest canopy before returning to find a mate and lay eggs at the water’s surface. Habitat trends or threats specific to Riverine Clubtail relate to the water quality and riparian habitat which affects larval and adult stages respectively.

There are 7 extant subpopulations of Riverine Clubtail in �������� observed since 2002. It has been documented on 7 rivers: Big Otter Creek and Big Creek in Norfolk County, Thames River in Middlesex County, Big East River near Huntsville, Aux Sables and Spanish rivers west of Espanola and the Vermilion River near Sudbury (COSEWIC in press, 2023).

Riverine Clubtail was previously classified as Endangered in ��������. The species has been reassessed and is classified as Threatened in �������� based on meeting criteria B2ab(iii). This status differs from the COSEWIC status (Special Concern) based on the number of locations. In Canada, the number of locations is greater than 10. In ��������, the number of locations is less than 10, but greater than 5.

Domed Disc, Bouton voûté (Discus patulus)

Domed Disc is a small terrestrial snail, one of three species in the genus found in Canada. The entire Canadian population of the species occurs in the Great Lakes Plains National Ecological Area. It is historically known at several sites but is currently only known to occur at a single site; a second site remains unconfirmed while surveys at other historic sites suggest the species is no longer present. Domed Disc is considered globally secure and has a large range across eastern North America. However, there is conservation concern for populations in multiple jurisdictions in the northern extent of its range. Domed Disc is likely threatened by climate change and associated weather events, modification of natural systems such as non-native species introductions, and pollution. The Domed Disc is a small snail with limited mobility, and therefore very limited ability for self-dispersal or rescue effect from neighboring populations.

Domed Disc is classified as Endangered in �������� under criterion B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii). The species has a very small geographic range (B1 and B2), regardless of whether uncertain locations are included in estimates. It occurs at fewer than 5 locations (a) and is expected to experience ongoing declines in habitat quality (b(iii)). Domed Disc was not previously assessed by COSSARO.

Cleland’s Evening - primrose, Onagre de Cleland (Onethera clelandii)

Cleland’s Evening-primrose is a biennial, sometimes annual, forb that initially grows a basal rosette of lanceolate leaves and later develops small branching flower stalk (Illinois Wildflowers 2024). The plants are capable of cross and self-fertilization and produce seeds contained within a capsule that can be up to 3/4” long (Illinois Wildflowers 2024). Seeds of the Cleland’s Evening-primrose are viable for up to several decades in the soil and require disturbance in order to germinate (COSEWIC 2024).

Cleland’s Evening-primrose typically grows in sandy and disturbed well-drained soils. Its associated plant communities are tall grass prairie, sandy savannahs, sand dunes, open fields and railway Rights-of-Ways (Illinois Wildflowers 2024).

Cleland’s Evening-primrose seeds disperse primarily within proximity to the parent plant. Secondary dispersal can occur by ornithochory (seed dispersal by birds) to greater distances. However, given the fragmentation of suitable habitat, germination and establishment of the species by means of ornithochory is unlikely.

The threats assessment conducted by COSEWIC (2023) assigned an overall threat impact of Very High to High. The assigned overall threat impact was based on the following known threats: residential and commercial development, and natural systems modifications.

Although no plants have been recorded in �������� since 2001, it is thought that it may still be present within the soil seed bank. The primary cause of decline has been habitat loss and degradation resulting from land development, suppression of disturbance and competition from non-native and native plants as a consequence of community succession.

Cleland’s Evening-primrose (Oneothera clelandii) is classified as Endangered, in �������� based on meeting criterion A2ace; B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i); D1. The species was not previously assessed by COSSARO.

Forked Bluecurls, Trichostème fourchu (Trichostema dichotomum)

Forked Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum) is a distinct species within the genus Trichostema, with no recognized synonyms or infraspecific taxa. In North America, 16 species in this genus are accepted, and in ��������, two species occur: Forked Bluecurls and Fluxweed (T. brachiatum).

Forked Bluecurls is considered a single designatable unit, and it occupies similar habitats and climatic conditions across its northern range, even though subpopulations can be separated by over 250 km. The species is presumed native to ��������, with the earliest record from 1971 near Turkey Point. It is currently found in three extant subpopulations in southwestern ��������.

In ��������, Forked Bluecurls has 3 known subpopulations in the southwest, indicating its rarity and absence from most potential habitats. Additional localized sites might exist on unsurveyed private lands. Historically, the first record in �������� from 1971 near Turkey Point remains extant today. One adventive subpopulation near St. Thomas, likely established from U.S. seeds, was seen only once in 1990 and is now considered extirpated.

Forked Bluecurls occur across eastern North America, from Texas, Florida, and the Bahamas to southeastern Canada. It is common in the southeastern United States but rare in northern jurisdictions like ��������, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Less than 1% of its global population is in Canada.

�������� holds less than 1% of the global range and population of Forked Bluecurls. The primary threat is habitat loss due to succession from fire suppression, as the species does not tolerate shade or competition from other vegetation. Forked Bluecurls may also be impacted by agricultural activities and natural resource management practices, though these can sometimes benefit the species by maintaining open habitats.

Forked Bluecurls is a small annual mint that grows in sparsely vegetated, dry, acidic, sandy, or gravelly soils. It occupies both natural and anthropogenically disturbed habitats. In ��������, it is closely associated with anthropogenic features like forest access roads and powerline rights of way. The species completes its lifecycle in one growing season, flowering from late July to early September.

In summary, Forked Bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum) is classified as Endangered in �������� based on small distribution range with few locations and continuing habitat decline. Meets criteria B1(a)(b)(iii)+2(a)(b)(iii).This differs from the COSEWIC classification of Threatened, because the species is found in 2 other provinces and is not at imminent risk of extirpation from Canada. The species was not previously assessed by COSSARO.

Prairie-dock, Silphe térébenthine (Silphium terebinthinaceum)

Prairie-dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) is taxonomically distinct and is a member of the family Asteraceae (Aster family). This long-lived perennial has a “vase-like” rosette of basal leaves that emerge from a taproot system. Prairie-dock flowers are borne in a panicle on long green or reddish-purple stalks that can reach between 1 to 3 m in height (Illinois Wildflowers Information 2024). Flowers are composite, 5 to 6 cm across, with 15 to 30 ray florets. Prairie-dock blooms from late August to October.

Prairie-dock is typically found growing in mesic to wet-mesic prairies, fens, roadsides, railway embankments, thickets, and dry woods (COSEWIC in press, 2024). It occurs in tallgrass prairies, mineral meadows, cultural meadows and cultural thicket communities where sun exposure is high and woody plant cover is low.

Prairie-dock is a native species to North America with a range from Arkansas and Georgia in the southern states to Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa and Ohio and �������� in the north (NatureServe 2024). In �������� its range is limited to the Carolinian Zone from Essex and Lambton Counties in southwest �������� to Brant and Norfolk Counties in the central part of southern �������� (COSEWIC in press, 2024). Its range does not extend to other parts of Canada. The greatest concentration of the species is in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. For most of its range in the United States it is not ranked, including in the states adjacent to �������� (Michigan and Ohio).

Prairie-dock experiences continued threats primarily related to the diminishing tallgrass prairie habitat in �������� (COSEWIC in press, 2024). The threats assessment conducted by COSEWIC (2023) assigned an overall threat impact of High to Medium based on i) natural system modifications, ii) residential and commercial development, transportation and service corridors, and pollution.

Prairie-dock is classified as Special Concern in �������� based on meeting the following criteria: c) “the wildlife species is near to qualifying, under any criterion, for Threatened status”. The species is near to qualifying for Threatened status under criteria C1 as there are estimated to be less than 10,000 mature seed-producing individuals, and there is an estimated continuing decline in total number of mature individuals. Prairie-dock was not previously assessed by COSSARO.

White Wood Aster, Aster à rameaux étalés (Eurybia divaricata)

White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata) is a perennial that grows 30 to 90 cm tall, with leaves deeply and irregularly serrated, with lower heart-shaped leaves and upper elongated leaves. It flowers in the fall with yellow and purple florets. The species thrives in dry to moist woodland habitats, often found on well-drained, sandy soils. It may also be found in rich, moist soils in ��������. It is a species that takes advantage of openings in forests and is often found along edges of forests and trails. White Wood Aster is found in forests across Eastern North America, primarily in the Carolinian Zone of Canada and specifically in the Niagara Region of �������� and southwestern Quebec (O’Hara 2022; COSEWIC in press, 2023). In ��������, White Wood Aster is found in Niagara, Norfolk County and City of Quinte West regions. There are 46 subpopulations in ��������, 38 extant, 2 historical and 6 extirpated (COSEWIC in press, 2023).

The recent COSEWIC reassessment resulted in the discovery of many new locations. However, despite the increase in number of subpopulations in ��������, persistent and ongoing threats to White Wood Aster are considered to affect �������� to a greater extent than the rest of the Canadian population, which occurs in Quebec. The additional locations considered result in the species not meeting criteria for Endangered or Threatened. However, ongoing threats and management of the species under individual landowners may mean the species may become Threatened if threats are not reversed or managed. The species qualifies for the application of Special Concern in ��������. White Wood Aster was previously classified as Threatened in ��������. The result of reclassification is considered non-genuine, reflecting an increase in number of known populations since the last assessment.

Willowleaf Aster, Aster très élevé (Symphyotrichum praealtum)

The Willowleaf Aster (Symphyotrichum praealtum) is a native perennial plant within the Asteraceae family. Known for its tall growth and narrow leaves, it thrives in open habitats such as tallgrass prairies, savannas, and anthropogenically disturbed areas like roadsides. The plant reproduces primarily through clonal growth and has limited dispersal capabilities. In ��������, the Willowleaf Aster is restricted to the Great Lakes Plains, with 7 subpopulations currently extant. Over 98% of mature individuals are concentrated in a single subpopulation located in Windsor-LaSalle.

The species’ extent of occurrence in �������� is 7,872 km², with an index of area of occupancy of 72 km². Both measurements fall below thresholds for Threatened status. Despite this, the population is not severely fragmented, and no extreme fluctuations have been observed. Globally, the Willowleaf Aster is secure, with its range spanning central and eastern North America, from northern Mexico to southern ��������. In Michigan, the closest region biologically relevant to ��������, the species is considered vulnerable (S3). However, the potential for migration from Michigan to �������� is limited by habitat fragmentation and dispersal limitations.

The Willowleaf Aster is dependent on ecological disturbances such as fire or grazing to maintain its open habitats. Without these disturbances, habitat succession results in encroachment by woody vegetation, which significantly reduces habitat suitability. In ��������, the species’ reliance on a single dominant subpopulation and its restricted habitat make it particularly vulnerable. Historical declines have been observed in its extent of occurrence (36% reduction since 1999) and the number of subpopulations. These declines are largely attributed to habitat loss and natural succession. Despite these challenges, recent increases in the total number of mature individuals, driven by monitoring and transplanting efforts, suggest some recovery potential.

The Willowleaf Aster remains at risk of further decline without continued conservation measures to address ongoing threats such as habitat succession, urban development, and fire suppression.

Conservation actions focusing on habitat management and restoration will be essential to secure the long-term viability of this species in ��������. Willowleaf Aster was previously assessed as Special Concern in ��������. It has been reassessed and classified as Threatened based on an increase in estimate of abundance and the identification of additional subpopulations.

Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, Rainette grillon de Blanchard (Acris blanchardi)

Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) is a small frog found from Minnesota and Wisconsin eastward through Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio south to Kentucky and West Virginia. It is semi-aquatic and remains in, or close to, permanent water bodies. It is found in a wide variety of permanent water bodies including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, especially in shallow water near shore where there is substantial vegetative cover. The species has declined throughout the northern portion of its range in the United States and shows no sign of recovery. This species was found in extreme southwest �������� on Pelee Island and also on Point Pelee. Other records from �������� are unconfirmed. There are 8 occurrences in the NHIC Element Occurrence database, all of which are either historic or extirpated. The last confirmed observation in Canada was 47 years ago despite considerable search effort, and it has been reassessed and continues to be classified as Extirpated from ��������.

Mudpuppy, Necture tacheté (Necturus maculosus)

Mudpuppy is the largest salamander in Canada, with adults ranging from 20 to 49 cm total length. Mudpuppy is a permanently aquatic salamander, with prominent reddish, external gills which are retained throughout its life. Adult coloration ranges from a cream or rusty brown to grey or black, with scattered, darker blotches or spots.

Mudpuppy occurs throughout much of eastern North America. The distribution of Mudpuppy includes most of the east-central United States, from the Appalachian Mountains west to the Great Plains and from Louisiana in the south into the southern portions of Manitoba, �������� and Quebec.

Mudpuppy is widely distributed in the southern portions of ��������, particularly along the edge of the Great Lakes and associated drainages, the St. Lawrence River and in the Ottawa River basin. Current and historic records indicate that this species is found as far north as Thunder Bay in the west and Blanche River in the east.

A threats calculation for this species assigned the overall threat impact as High. Pollution, Natural System Modification, Residential and Commercial Development, Biological Resource Use and Invasive and other problematic species are considered to be the primary threats to this species.

Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is classified as Special Concern in ��������. Mudpuppy does not currently meet criteria to be considered Endangered or Threatened, however inferred declines in number of mature individuals and locations, as well as ongoing threats to the species, may result in this Mudpuppy becoming Threatened if threats are not reversed or managed. This species was not previously listed in �������� under the Endangered Species Act, 2007.