Cherry birch (Betula lenta) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13
Technical summary
Cherry birch
bouleau flexible
Range of Occurrence in Canada: north shore of Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Extent and area information
The shoreline area around the one known population where local dispersal is feasible.
The one known population plus 2 adjacent recent historical sightings.
Population information
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
The open site is prone to periodic severe storms off Lake Ontario.
Rescue effect (immigration from an outside source)
Current status
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC): Endangered (2006)
Recommended Status and Reasons for Designation
Reasons for Designation: A widespread deciduous tree of eastern North America that is known from a single small population in Ontario. This population has declined considerably over the past four decades with fewer than 15 trees remaining in the wild. Its habitat is surrounded by residential development and the population is at continued risk from storms, erosion and habitat loss and degradation.
Applicability of criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population): Meets Endangered A2ac based on a loss of about 72% of trees in a single generation as noted by direct observation and is also associated with a decline in area of occupancy and quality of habitat.
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): Meets Endangered B1ab (ii, iii, v) +2ab (ii, iii, v) due to the very small extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, presence of a single population and continuing decline in area of occupancy, quality of habitat and number of mature trees.
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline): Meets Endangered C1 + 2a (i, ii) based on the very small population size, likely continued decline of at least 20% in 2 generations and the single population has fewer than 250 mature trees.
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): Endangered D1 with only 14 trees and two saplings remaining.
Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): Not available.
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