Source: http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=1AE40CC6-1
Timestamp: 2017-12-13 05:10:43
Document Index: 716274441

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 4']

Species at Risk Public Registry - Recovery Strategy for the Cliff Paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola) in Canada - 2016 [Proposed]
Recovery Strategy for the Cliff Paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola) in Canada - 2016 [Proposed]
Photo: © Ross Vennesland
Part 1 - Federal Addition to the Recovery Strategy for Cliff Paintbrush ( Castilleja rupicola ) in British Columbia , prepared by Environment Canada.
Part 2 - Recovery Strategy for Cliff Paintbrush ( Castilleja rupicola ) in British Columbia , prepared by the Cliff Paintbrush Recovery Team for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment.
Environment Canada. 2016. Recovery Strategy for the Cliff Paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola) in Canada [Proposed]. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Canada, Ottawa. 20 pp. + Annexes.
« Programme de rétablissement de la castilléjie des rochers (Castilleja rupicola) au Canada [Proposition] »
Recovery Strategy for the Cliff Paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola) in Canada - 2016
In the spirit of cooperation of the Accord, the Government of British Columbia has given permission to the Government of Canada to adopt the Recovery Strategy for Cliff Paintbrush ( Castilleja rupicola ) in British Columbia (Part 2) under Section 44 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Environment Canada has included a federal addition (Part 1) which completes the SARA requirements for this recovery strategy.
Part 1 – Federal Addition to the Recovery Strategy for Cliff Paintbrush ( Castilleja rupicola ) in British Columbia prepared by Environment Canada.
The Minister of the Environment is the competent minister under SARA for the Cliff Paintbrush and has prepared the federal component of this recovery strategy (Part 1), as per section 37 of SARA. To the extent possible, it has been prepared in cooperation with the Province of British Columbia as per section 39(1) of SARA. SARA section 44 allows the Minister to adopt all or part of an existing plan for the species if it meets the requirements under SARA for content (sub-sections 41(1) or (2)). The Province of British Columbia provided the attached recovery strategy for the Cliff Paintbrush (Part 2) as science advice to the jurisdictions responsible for managing the species in British Columbia. It was prepared in cooperation with Environment Canada.
Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this strategy and will not be achieved by Environment Canada, or any other jurisdiction alone. All Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this strategy for the benefit of the Cliff Paintbrush and Canadian society as a whole.
The recovery strategy sets the strategic direction to arrest or reverse the decline of the species, including identification of critical habitat to the extent possible. It provides all Canadians with information to help take action on species conservation. When the recovery strategy identifies critical habitat, there may be future regulatory implications, depending on where the critical habitat is identified. SARA requires that critical habitat identified within federal protected areas be described in the Canada Gazette , after which prohibitions against its destruction will apply. For critical habitat located on federal lands outside of federal protected areas, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change must either make a statement on existing legal protection or make an order so that the prohibition against destruction of critical habitat applies. For critical habitat located on non-federal lands, if the Minister of Environment and Climate Change forms the opinion that any portion of critical habitat is not protected by provisions in or measures under SARA or other Acts of Parliament, and not effectively protected by the laws of the province or territory, SARA requires that the Minister recommend that the Governor in Council make an order to extend the prohibition against destruction of critical habitat to that portion. The discretion to protect critical habitat on non-federal lands that is not otherwise protected rests with the Governor in Council.
The following sections have been included to address specific requirements of SARA that are not addressed in the Recovery Strategy for Cliff Paintbrush ( Castilleja rupicola ) in British Columbia (Part 2 of this document, referred to henceforth as “the provincial recovery strategy”) and/or to provide updated or additional information.
Under SARA, there are specific requirements and processes set out regarding the protection of critical habitat. The section “Existing and Recommended Approaches to Habitat Protection”, and other statements in the provincial recovery strategy referring to protection of habitat may not directly correspond to federal requirements. Recovery measures dealing with the protection of habitat are adopted; however, whether these measures will result in protection of critical habitat under SARA will be assessed following publication of the federal recovery strategy.
The provincial recovery strategy for Cliff Paintbrush contains a short statement on socio-economic considerations. As a socio-economic analysis is not required under Section 41(1) of SARA, the “Socio-economic Considerations” section of the provincial recovery strategy is not considered part of the federal recovery strategy for this species.
3 Cheam Peak (subpopn. 2) 2007 2050 m “several plants in bloom” Unknown (Unverified)
4 Finlayson Peak, Skagit Valley Provincial Park (SVPP) (subpopn. 1) 1975 2150-2200 m “few plants” Unknown (Failed to find)
4 Whitworth Peak, SVPP(subpopn. 2) 1988 2150-2200 m “few plants” Unknown (Failed to find)
5 Mount Lindeman, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park (CLPP) 1984 1981 m “few plants” Extant
9 Klesilkwa Mountain 1992 1950 m “few plants” Extant
10 Church Mountain 1984 unknown “few plants” Extant
11 Thompson Peak 1984 >2000 m “few plants” Extant
12 Mt. Liumchen, Liumchen Ecological Reserve 1984 1700-1800 m “few plants” Extant
13 Mt. McGuire 1999 1600-2000 m “locally abundant” Extant
14 Foley Peak 1999 1800-2200 m “few plants” Extant
Environment Canada has determined the Population and Distribution Objective for Cliff Paintbrush in Canada is:
Abundance and distribution information for this species shows thirteen extant populations restricted to high-elevation sites of the Chilliwack and Skagit River drainages in the Cascade Range of southwestern B.C. Current knowledge suggests that Cliff Paintbrush is naturally rare in B.C. with an estimated population of 370 plants (COSEWIC 2005, Conservation Data Centre 2014). One population of “unknown” status was not reconfirmed during surveys conducted in 2003. Targeted surveys at this location for this population (#4) are recommended to determine whether it is still extant. An additional subpopulation reported from Cheam Peak in 2007 (Population #3, subpopulation 2) is also of unknown status, requiring verification of location and extent of occurrence. As Cliff Paintbrush habitat is often inaccessible, it is possible that additional populations exist and may be discovered with a continued survey effort. Cliff Paintbrush has a restricted geographic range and is naturally rare on the landscape and will likely always remain rare within Canada. With only 13 known extant populations in Canada, it is important that all known populations including any re-confirmed historical, and/or newly discovered sites (i.e., plants/populations that may be found during future inventories) are maintained.
This section replaces the “Identification of the species' critical habitat” section in the provincial recovery strategy.
The 2009 provincial recovery strategy for Cliff Paintbrush noted that critical habitat could not be identified at that time (nor is it required in the provincial process), owing to a lack of information on habitat and area requirements for the species. Environment Canada has reviewed the available information and concluded that sufficient information is available to identify critical habitat at this time. More precise boundaries may be mapped, and additional critical habitat may be added in the future if additional information supports the inclusion of areas beyond those currently identified.
Critical habitat can only be partially identified at this time. Critical habitat cannot yet be identified for population #4 (i.e., all three subpopulations at Finlayson Peak, Whitworth Peak, and Whitworth Peak south) owing to unknown “extant” status and location uncertainty. For similar reasons, critical habitat cannot yet be completely identified for Cheam Peak (i.e. Population #3, subpopulation 2). A schedule of studies (Section 6.2) outlines the activities required to identify additional critical habitat necessary to support the population and distribution objectives for the species. The identification of critical habitat will be updated when the information becomes available, either in a revised recovery strategy or action plan(s).
Cliff Paintbrush is found at high elevations within the Chilliwack and Skagit River drainages of southwestern British Columbia. Critical habitat is identified for thirteen extant populations of Cliff Paintbrush; these are linked with the population numbers provided in section 4 (and the provincial recovery plan, except for the added Mount Outram population) below:
The areas containing critical habitat for Cliff Paintbrush (totalling 687.6 ha) are presented in Figures 1-8. Critical habitat for Cliff Paintbrush in Canada occurs within the shaded yellow polygon(s) (unit(s)) shown on each map, where the biophysical attributes described in the above section are present. Within these polygons, unsuitable habitat such as forested and/or dense-shrub communities, and elevations below 1600 mFootnote 4, are not identified as critical habitat, unless they occur within the 50 m critical function zone of individual plant(s) (as described above). Existing anthropogenic features (e.g., active roads or trails) do not possess the biophysical attributes required by Cliff Paintbrush and they are not identified as critical habitat. The 1 km x 1 km UTM grid overlay shown on these figures is a standardized national grid system that highlights the general geographic area containing critical habitat, for land use planning and/or environmental assessment purposes.
Figure 1 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population # 3 at Cheam Peak and #14 at Foley Peak in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Population # 3 is surrounded by 1 grid square, and population # 14 is surrounded by 2 grid squares.
Figure 2 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population #15 at MacDonald Peak and population # 5 Mount Lindeman, British Columbia. The map shows 2 grid squares at the location of population # 15 at McDonald Peak and 5 grid squares at the location of population # 5 at Mount Lindeman.
Figure 3 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population # 6 at Marmot Mountain, British Columbia. The location is surrounded by 2 grid squares.
Figure 4 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population # 7 at Mount Brice, British Columbia. The location is surrounded with 1 grid square.
Figure 5 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population # 8 at Mount Rideout, British Columbia. The location is surrounded with 1 grid square.
Figure 6 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population # 11 at Thompson Peak and population # 9 at Peak Klesilkwa Mountain, British Columbia. There are 2 locations for population # 9 surrounded with 4 grid squares. The location for population # 11 surrounded with 5 grid squares.
Figure 7 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush population # 10 at Church moutnain, population # 12 at Liumchen Mountain, and population # 13 at Mount McGuire, British Columbia. There is 1 location for population # 13 surrounded by 8 grid squares, one location for population # 10 with 3 grid squares, and one location for population # 12 with 4 grid squares.
Figure 8 shows a map with standardized 1 × 1 km grid squares that contain polygons of critical habitat of the Cliff Paintbrush populations # 16 at Mount Outram, British Columbia. There is 1 location this population surrounded by 2 grid squares.
Conduct targeted, comprehensive surveys in areas of suitable habitat within the proximity of the observations of Cliff Paintbrush at Population #4 and Population #3 (subpopulation 2) to determine if these records are extant and to identify their location. Critical habitat could not be identified for one population (comprised by three subpopulations) and one additional subpopulation owing to their "unknown" status, and/or the high location uncertainty associated with records. Recent, comprehensive, targeted surveys are lacking. Without further information on the status and location of these populations, it is unknown whether there is sufficient critical habitat identified for Cliff Paintbrush. 2016-2021
One or more action plans for Cliff Paintbrush will be posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry by 2021.
This section replaces the “Effects on Other Species” section in the provincial recovery strategy.
Part 2 - Recovery Strategy for Cliff Paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola) in British Columbia, prepared by the Cliff Paintbrush Recovery Team for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment. - March 2009
Needs of the cliff paintbrush
Table 1. Known records for cliff paintbrush in British Columbia.
Table 2. Status ranks of cliff paintbrush.
Table 3. Recovery feasibility.
Table 4. Recovery planning table for cliff paintbrush.
Table 5. Performance measures to evaluate recovery objectives.
Table 6. Schedule of studies to identify critical habitat.
Figure 1. Illustration of cliff paintbrush
Figure 2. North American and global range of cliff paintbrush
Figure 3. British Columbia locations for cliff paintbrush
Figure 4. Alpine habitat of cliff paintbrush
Cliff Paintbrush Recovery Team. 2009. Recovery strategy for cliff paintbrush (Castilleja rupicola) in British Columbia. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC. 18 pp.
This recovery strategy has been prepared by the Cliff Paintbrush Recovery Team, as advice to the responsible jurisdictions and organizations that may be involved in recovering the species. The British Columbia Ministry of Environment has received this advice as part of fulfilling its commitments under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada , and the Canada - British Columbia Agreement on Species at Risk .
This document identifies the recovery strategies that are deemed necessary, based on the best available scientific and traditional information, to recover cliff paintbrush populations in British Columbia. Recovery actions to achieve the goals and objectives identified herein are subject to the priorities and budgetary constraints of participatory agencies and organizations. These goals, objectives, and recovery approaches may be modified in the future to accommodate new objectives and findings.
Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that may be involved in implementing the directions set out in this strategy. The Ministry of Environment encourages all British Columbians to participate in the recovery of cliff paintbrush.
Kym Welstead, B.C. Ministry of Environment
Brenda Costanzo, B.C. Ministry of Environment
Kathleen E. Wilkinson, Contractor
Ted Lea (retired), B.C. Ministry of Environment
Cliff Paintbrush Recovery Team
The British Columbia Ministry of Environment is responsible for producing a recovery strategy for cliff paintbrush under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada. Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service participated in the preparation of this recovery strategy.
The original strategy was prepared by Kathleen Wilkinson for the Cliff Paintbrush Recovery Team. The team would like to acknowledge the help of the following in preparing this recovery strategy: Josh Brokaw (Assistant Curator, Marion Ownbey Herbarium, Washington State University); Adolf Ceska (Botanist and Environmental Consultant, Victoria, BC); Brenda Costanzo (Plants at Risk Biologist, Ecosystems Branch, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC); Mark Egger (Botanist, Seattle, WA); Matt Fairbarns (Botanist and Environmental Consultant, Victoria, BC); Lisa Fox (Fraser Valley Conservancy, Abbotsford, BC); David Giblin (Herbarium Collections Manager, University of Washington, Seattle, WA); Tanya Harvey (Botanist, Eugene, OR); Ted Lea (Vegetation Ecologist, Ecosystems Branch, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Victoria, BC); Frank Lomer (Botanist and Environmental consultant, New Westminster, BC); Lucy Reiss (Species at Risk Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Delta, BC); Shyanne Smith (Recovery Group Implementation Co-ordinator, Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team, Victoria, BC); Katrina Stipec (B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Victoria, BC); Ross Vennesland (Species at Risk Recovery Specialist, Parks Canada, Vancouver, BC); Sue Vrilakas (Botany Data Manager, Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland, OR); and Kym Welstead (Species at Risk Biologist, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Surrey, BC).
Cliff paintbrush is currently listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act and is known in Canada to be restricted to 15 populations in southwestern British Columbia including two historic records – one from the Coast Mountains and one from the Chilliwack River drainage of the Cascades Mountain Range. In 2005, the number of individuals in the province was estimated at fewer than 250 plants. Cliff paintbrush also occurs in Washington and Oregon, where it is more common and widespread.
Cliff paintbrush is a short, herbaceous perennial that occurs in rock crevices; on rocky ridges and slopes, talus, and scree at high elevations in the subalpine to primarily alpine vegetation zones. The plant is likely a facultative parasite, and likely on different host species. Cliff paintbrush is believed to be pollinated by hummingbirds and bees. Reproduction is solely by seeds, which are likely dispersed by wind, birds, and small mammals.
Potential threats to this species include resource extraction, recreational use, and climate change.
The long-term goal is to enable the persistence and maintenance of self-sustaining populations of cliff paintbrush with limited occurrence in the Cascade Mountain Range of British Columbia.
Confirm the presence and the population sizes at all current known locations and determine if additional populations exist in the Cascade Mountains by 2012.
Determine level of threat to populations by 2012 and establish mitigation measures as needed.
Address knowledge gaps relating to species biology, particularly reproductive success, and habitat requirements; and establish population trends through monitoring by 2013.
No critical habitat can be identified for cliff paintbrush in Canada at this time. It is expected that critical habitat will be proposed following the completion of outstanding work required to quantify specific habitat and area requirements for the species, further research on the biology of the species, and monitoring of the populations to determine population trends. Consultation with affected landowners and organizations will also be necessary.
An action plan will be completed by 2013.
A perennial of restricted occurrence found on cliffs, rock outcrops and ridges at high elevations. The small, fragmented populations consist of scattered individuals, likely fewer than 250 plants, which are exceptionally vulnerable to stochastic events.
The cliff paintbrush is a multi-stemmed, herbaceous perennial, growing 10–20 cm in height from a slightly woody base (Figure 1). Each stem is unbranched and sparsely covered with long, soft, curly hairs. Leaves are alternate, and most are divided into 3–5 (sometimes 7) narrow, somewhat spreading lobes. The lower leaves are occasionally undivided. The relatively few flowers occur in compact clusters at the top of the stems. Each greenish flower has four stamens, and is 25–45 mm long, with a short-hairy beak-like upper lip that is the same length or longer than the tube at the base, and a much shorter, three-toothed and thickened lower lip. Below, the flowers are much shorter, usually deeply five-lobed bright scarlet or crimson bracts that have both short and long hairs. Each calyx is 15–25 mm long, long-hairy, with two main lobes that are subdivided into two short (1–5 mm long) blunt to sharp segments. The fruit is a capsule that contains many net-veined seeds.
Two other species of paintbrush occur in the same area, but small-flowered paintbrush (Castilleja parviflora) usually has purple to pinkish or white bracts that are three-lobed above the middle, rather than deeply five-lobed; and the crimson bracts of alpine paintbrush (Castilleja rhexifolia) are unlobed.
Figure 1. Illustration of cliff paintbrush. Line drawing by Elizabeth Stephen in Pojar 2000, with permission. Source: COSEWIC 2005.
Figure 1 represents an illustration of the cliff paintbrush. It displays a single plant with roots and one unbranched stem covered with long curly hair and is about 10 cm long. The plant has alternate leaves divided to 3-5 narrow lobes, with the lower leaves occasionally undivided. The stem also has a flower cluster on its top. Flower has 4 stamens about 25-45mm long. Figure 1 also has a separate illustration of a flower with short-hairy beak-like upper lip that is the same length or longer than the tube at the base, and a much shorter, three-toothed and thickened lower lip. Below the flower is much shorter, usually deeply five-lobed bracts that have both short and long hairs. Each calyx is 15–25 mm long, long-hairy, with two main lobes that are subdivided into two short (1–5 mm long) blunt to sharp segments.
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With the exception of one historical record from British Columbia's Coast Range, the only known locations for cliff paintbrush are in the Cascade Mountains from central Oregon through Washington and into southwestern British Columbia (Figure 2).
In Washington the plant is currently listed as SNR (status not yet assessed) by NatureServe (NatureServe 2008), but the species is listed as common in the western North Cascade Range (Douglas 1971; Taylor and Douglas 1995) and is considered uncommon but not rare in the state (Egger, pers. comm., 2007; Giblin, pers. comm., 2007). The plant is widely distributed in Washington, threats are minimal, and the population trend is likely stable (Egger, pers. comm. 2007; Giblin, pers. comm. 2007).
Figure 2. North American and global range of cliff paintbrush highlighted in grey. Source: COSEWIC 2005.
Figure 2 represents a map of the global range of cliff paintbrush in North America. The plant is found in the Cascade Mountains from central Oregon through Washington and into southwestern British Columbia.
In Oregon, cliff paintbrush is more prevalent than was previously believed, there is a low level of threat, and populations appear to be stable (Vrilakas, pers. comm., 2007). The species is now considered to be of conservation concern but not currently threatened or endangered. NatureServe ranks this species in Oregon as S3 (vulnerable to extirpation or extinction; NatureServe 2008).
Approximately 15% of the global distribution of the plant occurs within Canada, all in British Columbia. Known Canadian populations are restricted to the Chilliwack and Skagit River drainages plus one historical occurrence in the Coast Mountains above Lion's Bay (Table 1; Figure 3). The latter population has not been relocated since the initial observation from 1912, and is potentially extirpated. The total extent of occurrence of extant populations in Canada was estimated at <1000 km2 and area of occupancy at 200–300 m2. Numbers in the province were estimated at less than 250 plants (COSEWIC 2005).
Figure 3. British Columbia locations for cliff paintbrush.
Figure 3 displays a map of the locations of cliff paintbrush in southwestern British Columbia. The map uses different symbols for extant and historic sites, and shows the locations of parks and protected areas. Two historical locations of cliff paintbrush are in Tomyhoi Peak and in the Coast Mountains above Lion's Bay. Extant locations of the plant include 1 in Mount Cheam, 2 Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, 4 locations in Skagit Valley Provincial Park, 1 location on Klesilkwa Mountain, 1 location on Thompson Peak, 1 location on Mount McGuire, 1 location on Mt. Liumchen, 1 location on Church Mountain, and 1 location on Foley peak.
Population/subpopulation numbers
1 Tomyhoi Peak 1901 (historical) Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
2 Mt. Brunswick, Coast Mtn. Range 1912 (historical) Unknown Unknown Unknown Cypress Provincial Park?
3 Mt. Cheam 1954 Unknown South slope; rocky, open 1829-2100 m Provincial Crown Land
3 Mt. Cheam 1981 Unknown Exposed outcrop crevices on mountain slope 1829-2100 m Provincial Crown Land
3 Mt. Cheam 2006 At least 20 plants Exposed steep rocky slope, S-facing 1829-2100 m Provincial Crown Land
4 Finlayson Peak 1975 Few plants Mountainside below peak 2150-2200 m Skagit Valley Provincial Park
4 Whitworth Peak 1988 Few plants SE slopes 2150-2200 m Skagit Valley Provincial Park
4 Unnamed Mountain 1988 Unknown Rocky alpine peak and ridge 2150-2200 m Skagit Valley Provincial Park
5 Mount Lindeman 1984 Few plants Unknown 1981 m Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
6 Marmot Mountain 2003 1 plant/1m2 Sparsely vegetated moist scree, 20% slope, SW aspect
rocky alpine ridge 2020-2032 m Skagit Valley Provincial Park
7 Mt. Bryce 2003 3 plants /5 m2 Sparsely vegetated rocky peak, sheltered rocky outcrops, slope 40%, NW aspect 2120-2167 m Skagit Valley Provincial Park
8 Mt. Rideout 2003 2 plants /2 m2 Alpine scree/fine talus, slope 5%, SW aspect Unknown Provincial Crown Land
9 Klesilkwa Mountain 1992 Few plants Alpine scree/fine talus, N slope 1950 m Provincial Crown Land
10 Church Mountain 1984 Few plants Subalpine south limestone cliff Unknown Provincial Crown Land
11 Thompson Peak 1984 Few plants Unknown Above 2000 m Provincial Crown Land
12 Mt. Liumchen 1974 1 plant Gravelly soil below limestone ridgetop 1700–1800 m Provincial Crown Land
12 Mt. Liumchen 1984 Few plants Base of cliffs on SE slopes 1700–1800 m Provincial Crown Land
13 Mt. McGuire 1984 Few plants On SE slopes; in scree and at base of cliffs 1600-2000 m Provincial Crown Land
13 Mt. McGuire 1997 Occasional On scree slopes above treeline 1600-2000 m Provincial Crown Land
13 Mt. McGuire 1999 Locally abundant On steep rocky ridge; rock crevices 1600-2000 m Provincial Crown Land
14 Foley Peak 1999 Few plants Dry, exposed, rocky alpine 40% slope; SW aspect 1800-2200 m Provincial Crown Land
15 Macdonald Peak 2006 – new since Status Report Small patch 30 × 30 cm; scattered plants Granite slab cliff, rocky ledge in high subalpine, N slope 1848-1878 m Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park
Since the COSEWIC assessment and status report was prepared in 2005, cliff paintbrush has been recorded at one new location at Macdonald Peak, and re-discovered at one historic location on Mt. Cheam (see Table 1).
Detailed population information is unavailable for most recorded occurrences; however, based on the known records, the British Columbia population numbers appear to be very small. The available data for the populations range from noted as from one to three plants, scattered, or a “few” plants for all except two populations. The latter were described as being “locally abundant” and as “at least 20 plants observed” (CDC 2006). The alpine habitats occupied by the plant are quite isolated and remote from the major anthropogenic disturbances that have adversely affected so many rare species. It is therefore expected that populations in the province are relatively stable, similar to the situation in Washington and Oregon. However, it is not possible to determine the rate of change in geographic distribution and/or population trend in British Columbia based on limited existing data.
Current status of the species is summarized in Table 2. Cliff paintbrush is a priority 3 species under goals 1 and 3 of the B.C. Conservation Framework
Global G3 Nature Serve 2008
United States N2N3 Nature Serve 2008
Washington SNR Nature Serve 2008
Oregon S3 Nature Serve 2008
Canada N2N3 BC CDC 2008
British Columbia S2, Red-listed BC CDC 2008
The primary source for the following information is the COSEWIC status report (2005).
Cliff paintbrush is found in the Alpine Tundra and Mountain Hemlock biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia (Province of B.C. 1991). The plant occurs at moderate to high elevation (from approximately 1600 to 2300 m) in the subalpine to alpine zones, and inhabits rocky ridges, outcrops, and crevices, exposed slopes, dry to mesic cliffs, scree, and talus, with various aspects.
Cliff paintbrush grows primarily on gravelly or stony soils derived from volcanic igneous rock (Figure 4), although it was noted as growing on or adjacent to limestone rock on two of the occurrences provided by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre (2006). Associated species include woolly pussytoes (Antennaria lanata), alpine paintbrush (Castilleja rhexifolia), golden fleabane (Erigeron aureus), Davidson's penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii var. menziesii), spreading phlox (Phlox diffusa), villous cinquefoil (Potentilla villosa), spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga bronchialis), Lyall's goldenweed (Tonestus lyallii), dwarf snow willow (Salix nivalis), moss campion (Silene acaulis), and spike trisetum (Trisetum spicatum).
Climatic conditions for the region are characterized by warm, dry summers and wet winters, with abundant snow at higher elevations.
There does not appear to be a lack of suitable habitat for the plant within its range in British Columbia, although microhabitat preferences have not been determined.
Figure 4. Alpine habitat of cliff paintbrush.
Photo: © Mark Egger
Cliff paintbrush is likely a facultative parasite, but the host species are unknown. Many Castilleja species parasitize plants from a wide range of species (Heckard 1962; Ceska, pers. Comm., 2007; Egger, pers. comm., 2007) which suggests that some grasses may act as hosts in some B.C. locations. Based on observations of the Castilleja genus as a whole, plants appear to be more vigorous, with earlier flowering if they are growing as a parasite on another plant (Heckard 1962; Egger, pers. comm., 2007). However, in many observed occurrences, such as in rock crevices, the cliff paintbrush does not appear to be parasitic.
As noted in the COSEWIC status report (2005), the plant likely requires cross-pollination and may be pollinated by bees or hummingbirds. Egger (pers. comm., 2007) indicates that Rufous Hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) are likely pollinators in Washington, and this may be the case in British Columbia as well. Reproduction appears to be solely by seeds, which are likely dispersed by gravity, wind, birds, and small mammals.
The ecological role played by cliff paintbrush is unknown. Given its small numbers in British Columbia it seems unlikely that it is an important food source for pollinating insects or herbivores, or is a significant colonizer of new or disturbed sites.
No definitive information is available on biologically limiting factors for the cliff paintbrush.
The isolated occurrences and extremely small number of plants noted at many sites (B.C. CDC 2006) may limit reproductive success. Although most plants observed in British Columbia are described as healthy (Ceska, pers. comm., 2007; Lomer, pers. comm., 2007; Smith, pers. comm., 2007), almost no quantitative data is available regarding number of flowering stems, fruit and seed production, germination rate, and seedling survival. The small population sizes may subject the population to decreased genetic diversity and decreased population viability (Schaal and Leverich 2004), although research by Ellstrand and Elam (1993) suggests that species with a history of small, persistent population size are less susceptible. Small populations are also susceptible to catastrophic loss of individuals through random natural events.
Because the cliff paintbrush is at the extreme northern limit of its range in southern British Columbia, cold temperatures and growing seasons occasionally cut short by inopportune frosts may contribute to low numbers. As previously stated, the plant is more abundant in Washington and Oregon. Although the plant is capable of producing many seeds in the United States (Hitchcock et al. 1984), this may not be the case in British Columbia. Even if many seeds are produced it is possible there is low seed germination and/or seedling survival.
The availability of pollinators at a critical time may be a limiting factor, but this is regarded as unlikely, at least in Washington, for the cliff paintbrush (Giblin, pers. comm., 2007).
Other limiting factors potentially include herbivory and loss of populations from avalanches because the species occupies steep slopes in the alpine and subalpine.
There is no evidence to indicate that cliff paintbrush populations and their habitat are currently exposed to any significant threats because of their relatively isolated, high subalpine and alpine locations. There are some potential threats, however, and these are described below.
Although the relatively isolated high-elevation rocky sites where the cliff paintbrush occurs would not be subject to direct impacts from logging, the Crown land could be considered for mineral mining or gravel extraction in the future. If site access improves in the future the threat free status could change. For example, if logging roads are extended close to plant locations, or if mining of high-elevation sites takes place.
Although all recorded populations of cliff paintbrush are situated in areas used for recreation (including four in Skagit Valley Provincial Park, two in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, and one possibly in Cypress Provincial Park), several of these locations are inaccessible except by helicopter. Other populations may be reached by hiking strenuous trails with considerable elevation gain. It is therefore considered unlikely that trampling and picking of flowers and other disturbance to habitat by outdoor recreationists is a significant threat to the species at this time.
The only threat identified by the cliff paintbrush assessment and Status Report (COSEWIC 2005) was climate change, because it may cause habitat alteration. There appears to be a trend for summers to become warmer and drier within the species range. With longer growing period, population sizes may increase and/or the species may extend its range farther north. It is difficult to speculate on the effect increased winter rainfall and more extreme weather events (as is predicted in coastal B.C.) will have on the plant and its habitat. The effects of climate change on likely pollinator species (hummingbirds and bees) are also unknown.
A recovery team has been established for the cliff paintbrush and the species is incorporated into the South Coast Conservation Program, a landscape-level conservation initiative covering the south coast of British Columbia. Because there are no significant threats, no species-specific actions have been undertaken to protect the cliff paintbrush in British Columbia.
Little information is available on the cliff paintbrush in British Columbia. The species has been recorded from only 13 extant locations and, for many records, there is little or no information on numbers, habitat, associated species, or factors affecting the plant at the site.
Therefore, the following knowledge gaps are considered for the species at this time:
Presence of additional populations
Microhabitat and microclimatic requirements
Reproductive capacity of populations
Short- and long-term land-use plans for sites where cliff paintbrush occurs
Pollinator species, their habitat requirements, and population trends
Degree of parasitism and host species
If augmentation of populations through ex situ propagation is considered at any time in the future, knowledge of propagation requirements would be useful. These have been described for other species of Castilleja (Guppy 1997), but not specifically for the cliff paintbrush.
Recovery of the cliff paintbrush is considered feasible, based on technical and biological considerations.
1. Are individuals capable of reproduction currently available to improve the population growth rate or population abundance? Yes. Observers indicate that at least some plants appeared healthy and were producing seed (Ceska, pers. comm., 2007; Lomer, pers. comm., 2007).
2. Is sufficient suitable habitat available to support the species or could it be made available through habitat management or restoration? Yes. Sufficient habitat appears to be currently available to support the species.
3. Can significant threats to the species or its habitat be avoided or mitigated through recovery actions? Yes. There are no known significant threats to the species at this time. Potential threats can be avoided or mitigated.
4. Do the necessary recovery techniques exist and are they demonstrated to be effective? Yes. Necessary, effective recovery techniques exist to recover the species.
The species occurs as small, isolated populations in British Columbia where it is at the northern limits of its range and current knowledge suggests that the plant is naturally rare in B.C. Because the historical record from the Mt. Brunswick (Coast Mountains) has not been re-located, this location is not included in the recovery efforts. Maintaining multiple populations will help to mitigate the effects of catastrophic loss at any one site, which in this case could result from such factors as demographic collapse, avalanches, or herbivory. It does appear possible to maintain most existing populations where they are currently found, simply by ensuring that they are not under threat from human activities. Active manipulation, such as propagation or transplanting, is not recommended at this time.
The objectives are designed to achieve the long-term goal of persistence and maintenance of the species within its limited occurrence in the Cascade Mountain Range of B.C.
Rationale: Many sites where cliff paintbrush have been recorded were visited only once, sometimes many years ago, and information on population size and/or habitat conditions is incomplete or lacking (see Table 1). To ensure the persistence of populations, it must be determined if they are extant.
Rationale: Projected land use should be determined for all known sites to determine whether there will be future threats to the species from such activities as extension of logging roads and mineral exploration. If threats exist, tenure appropriate threat mitigation measures should be applied.
Address knowledge gaps relating to species biology, particularly reproductive success and habitat requirements; and establish population trends through monitoring by 2013.
Rationale: This information will assist in updating the population and distribution objectives and, combined with inventory results, could result in a change of status for the plant in Canada. It will also assist with an assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on cliff paintbrush and its potential survival in Canada over a longer time period.
Table 4 summarizes the recommended recovery approaches to achieve the objectives.
Threat or need addressed
Necessary 1 Knowledge gap Inventory
Examine known recorded sites to determine if cliff paintbrush is still present; record habitat conditions and population numbers.
Conduct a targeted inventory of potential habitat to see if the plant occurs in additional locations in the Cascade Mountains.
Necessary 2 Resource extraction, recreational use Determine level of threat
Determine proposed land use and potential threats affecting the plant and its habitat, and suggest appropriate mitigation options.
Necessary 2 Resource extraction, recreational use Communication and coordination
Explore regulatory options to protect the species on Crown lands.
Ensure that appropriate government departments and agencies (e.g., ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Lands, Forests and Range, Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources, Fraser Valley Regional District) are aware of plant's locations and need for protection.
For populations within provincial parks, ensure that protection strategies for the plant are included in park management plans.
Provide signage that rare species are present at sites that are accessible by recreationists.
Necessary 3 Knowledge gap, demographic collapse Monitoring, research
Conduct surveys every 2-5 years over a 10- or 15-year period to determine population viability and help determine population trends.
Determine microhabitat characteristics (soil and climatic conditions).
Determine levels of parasitism and potential host plants.
Table 5 outlines the recommended performance measures to evaluate progress in achieving recovery objectives.
Additional populations are found or locations are considered low potential.
Presence of known populations is confirmed and population sizes are known.
Protection has been provided for known populations if required.
Appropriate government agencies (Ministry of Forests and Range; Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources) and agencies are aware of the plant's locations, need for protection, and protection measures are in place.
Strategies for protecting the plant in provincial parks are included in park management plans.
Signs indicating that rare plant species are present are erected at sites accessible by recreationists.
Proposed land use is known for all populations and potential threats are identified.
All known populations confirmed as extant or not present at the time of the survey.
More detail provided regarding habitat conditions and population sizes.
Above information is used to help predict high-potential sites for additional surveys.
Clearer understanding of viability of known populations.
Standardized monitoring provides information on species biology and microhabitat requirements.
Based on information provided through inventory, monitoring, and reporting of results, a population trend emerges for cliff paintbrush.
The general habitat characteristics (high alpine rocky slopes, ridges, crevices, scree, gravelly soil) are known for cliff paintbrush. However, many sites where the plant has been recorded have been visited only once, sometimes many years ago or during an unusually unfavourable growing season (BC CDC 2006), and information on population extent of occurrence and/or detailed habitat conditions is incomplete or lacking (see Table 1). In addition, it is quite possible that additional populations exist within the Cascade Mountain range.
Table 6 outlines activities to more fully delineate critical habitat and the anticipated outcomes from these activities. Further detail on methodology for these activities can be found in Table 4.
1. Re-survey existing populations Determine extent of occurrence and fill in information gaps regarding population numbers and habitat conditions using BC Conservation Data Centre Rare Plant Survey forms 2012
2. Identify additional populations through targeted surveys of high-potential habitat Determine extent of occurrence and add to knowledge regarding overall population numbers, habitat conditions 2012
3. Characterize microhabitat conditions during above surveys Add to knowledge of soil conditions, microclimate, and hydrology to determine plant physiological tolerances 2012
4. Assess species biological requirements Gain knowledge of life history including dispersal ability 2012
5. Map critical habitat for each extant population Using results obtained from Activities 1-4 allows for mapping more quantitatively defined critical habitat 2012
6. Monitor to assess population viability and population trends Results obtained determine which populations are likely to be viable over the long term and critical habitat is modified as necessary 2012
All known populations of cliff paintbrush occur on provincial Crown land: four of these are situated in Skagit Valley Provincial Park and two are in Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park. Provincial parks fall under the administration of the B.C. Park Act (Queens Printer 1996). Within provincial parks, natural resources, including plants, cannot be removed, damaged, or disturbed except as authorized by a park use permit. Strategies for protecting cliff paintbrush should be included in relevant park management plans.
None of the other populations are currently protected, but the species has the potential to be added to the list of species for protection under the provincial Wildlife Amendment Act (2004).
If protection of all populations is not considered feasible, an alternative approach could be to prioritize locations for protection based on criteria such as numbers of plants present, connectivity of the population to other locations of the species, productivity of the habitat, and significance of the location for maintaining the species distribution.
Appropriate provincial government departments, ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Lands, Forests and Range, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and the Fraser Valley Regional District should be made aware of the plant's locations, need for protection, and protection measures that are proposed or in place.
No negative effects are anticipated on non-target species, natural communities, or ecological processes as a result of the recommended recovery activities. Protecting sites under legislative tools may have a beneficial effect by preserving habitat for additional species, natural communities, and ecological processes. Also, surveys to confirm existing and potential new populations of cliff paintbrush may have a positive effect by identifying additional locations for other species at risk. Appendix A lists species at risk that may occur in habitat similar to cliff paintbrush.
The high-elevation alpine locations where the cliff paintbrush occurs are not currently slated for any form of industrial use and therefore recommended recovery objectives are not anticipated to cause any socioeconomic impacts at this time. If known locations are protected and no recreational use is allowed, this will have a low to moderate impact on recreational users.
It may be possible to combine recovery planning for this species with efforts to recover other plant species at risk that occupy a similar habitat in the Cascades Mountain range under the South Coast Conservation Program. These species are listed in Appendix A. At this time, however, a single-species approach to recovery is recommended for the cliff paintbrush.
For successful implementation in protecting species at risk there will be a strong need to engage in stewardship on a variety of land tenures. Stewardship involves the voluntary cooperation of landowners to protect species at risk and the ecosystems they rely on. It is recognized in the preamble to the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) that “stewardship activities contributing to the conservation of wildlife species and their habitat should be supported”. It is recognized in the Bilateral Agreement on Species at Risk, between British Columbia and Canada that: “stewardship by land and water owners and users is fundamental to preventing species from becoming at risk and in protecting and recovering species that are at risk” and that “cooperative, voluntary measures are the first approach to securing the protection and recovery of species at risk”.
British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). 2008. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Min. Environ., Victoria, BC. http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp [Accessed Jan. 2007]
British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). 2006. Element occurrence records for cliff paintbrush. B.C. Min. Environ. Victoria, BC.
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 2005. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the cliff paintbrush Castilleja rupicola in Canada. Ottawa, ON. 18 pp. www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status_e.cfm
Douglas, G.W. 1971. The alpine-subalpine flora of the North Cascade Range, Washington. Wasmann J. Bot. 29:129–168.
Ellstrand, N. and D. Elam. 1993. Population genetic consequences of small population size: implications for plant conservation. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 24:217–242.
Guppy, A. 1997. Cultivation of Castilleja. Botanical Electronic News No. 156.
Heckard, L.R. 1962. Root parasitism in Castilleja. Bot. Gaz. 124:21–29.
Hitchkock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J.W. Thompson. 1984. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 4: Ericaceae through Campanulaceae. Univ. Washington Press, Seattle, WA.
Mussio, R., W. Mussio, and T. Ernst. 2005. Backroad mapbook road and recreational atlas: Southwestern British Columbia, 4th ed. Backroad Mapbooks, Coquitlam, BC.
NatureServe. 2008. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life, v. 7.0. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. [Accessed 22 Oct. 2008].
Pojar, J. 2000. Scrophulariaceae in G.W. Douglas, D. Meidinger, and J. Pojar, eds. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Vol. 5: Dicotyledons (Salicaceae through Zygophyllaceae) and Pteridophytes. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, BC. 389 pp.
Province of British Columbia. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. Res. Br., B.C. Min. For. Victoria, BC. Spec. Rep. Ser. 6. 330 pp.
Queens Printer. 1996. British Columbia Park Act [RSBC1996] Chapter 344.
Schaal, B. and W.J. Leverich. 2004. Population genetics in ex situ plant conservation. Pages 267–285 in E.O. Guerrant, K. Havens, and M. Maunder, eds. Ex situ plant conservation: supporting species survival in the wild. Island Press, Washington, DC.
Taylor, R.J. and G.W. Douglas. 1995. Mountain plants of the Pacific Northwest. Mountain Press, Missoula, MT. 457 pp.
Adolf Ceska, January 2007. Private Consultant and Botanist, Victoria, BC.
Mark Egger, January 2007. Botanist, Seattle, WA.
David Giblin, January 2007. Herbarium Collections Manager, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Frank Lomer, January 2007. Private Consultant and Botanist, New Westminster, BC.
Shyanne Smith, January 2007. Botanist, Victoria, BC.
Susan Vrilakas, January 12, 2007. Botany Data Manager, Oregon Natural Heritage Information Program.
Species at Risk with high potential to occur in similar locations as cliff paintbrush.
B.C. Conservation Framework Priority
B.C. Conservation Framework Goal
Anemone drummondii var. drummondii Alpine anemone S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Cryptogramma cascadensis Cascade parsley fern S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Draba lonchocarpa var. thompsonii Lance-fruited draba S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Elmera racemosa var. racemosa Elmera S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Epilobium glaberrimum ssp. fastigiatum Smooth willowherb S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Polemonium elegans Elegant Jacob's-ladder S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Smelowskia ovalis Short-fruited smelowskia S2S3 Blue n/a 3 3
Viola purpurea var. venosa Purple-marked yellow violet S1S3 Red n/a 2 3
Asplenium adulterinum Corrupt spleenwort S2S3 Blue n/a 2 1
Papilio indra Indra Swallowtail S1 Red n/a 1 3
Aplodontia rufa Mountain Beaver S3 Blue Special Concern 4 2
Gulo gulo ssp. luscus Wolverine, luscusssp. S3 Blue Special Concern 2 2
Ursus arctos Grizzly Bear S3 Blue Special Concern 2 2
“Distinct” ecological features are here referred to as those that are distinguishable at a scale relevant to the critical habitat identification (through use of detailed ecosystem mapping or aerial photos), which, at that scale, appear as ecologically contiguous features with relatively distinct boundaries (e.g., cliffs, banks, or slopes, drainage basins, seepage plateaus, or distinct vegetation assemblages), and which comprise the context for a species occurrence. Cliff Paintbrush has been identified at a ”site“ level scale (1:15,000 scale of reference).