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Beach pinweed (Lechea maritima) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13

Technical Summary

Lechea maritima

Beach pinweed
Léchéa maritime

Range of Occurrence in Canada: New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island


Demographic Information

Generation time (average age of parents in the population)
Estimated at 8-10 years
Population trend and dynamics
Observed percentage of reduction in total number of mature individuals over the last 3 generations.
<2%
Projected percentage of reduction in total number of mature individuals over the next 3 generations.
uncertain but potentially significant
Observed percentage reduction in total number of mature individuals over any 10 years period, over a time period including both the past and the future.
Unknown
Are the causes of the decline clearly reversible?
Unknown
Are the causes of the decline clearly understood?
Unknown
Are the causes of the decline clearly ceased?
No
Observed trend in number of populations
Some fluctuation but overall seemingly relatively stable.
Stable
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?
No
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations?
No


Number of mature individuals in each population

Grand Total (Population)
At least 181 000 (N Mature Individuals)


Extent and Area Information

Estimated extent of occurrence (km 2 )
[calculated as sum of distances between population extremities for NB and PE times 1 km width]
176 km 2
Observed trend in extent of occurrence
Stable
Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence?
No
Estimated area of occupancy (km 2 )
71 km 2
Observed trend in area of occupancy
Stable
Are there extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy?
No
Is the total population severely fragmented?
No
Number of current locations
15
Trend in number of locations
Stable
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations?
No
Observed trend in quality of habitat
Decline


Quantitative Analysis

 


Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats)

  1. Habitat degradation and loss through climate change-induced increases in sea level and storm frequency and severity. This could affect portions of most populations, but especially a large portion of the 71% of known population on low dunes in southeast NB.
  2. All-terrain vehicle use
  3. Trampling (minor effects in two sites)
  4. Succession to more closed forest (potentially affecting only two small populations)

 


Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)

Status of outside population(s)?
USA: The variety is endemic to Canada. The species is globally secure, although the variety virginica is globally uncommon (G5T3) and Threatened in North Carolina.
Is immigration known or possible?
The taxon is endemic. Immigration of var. maritima over 370+ km to Gulf of St. Lawrence coast unlikely. Immigration to Bay of Fundy coast of NB (minimum ~115 km) perhaps more plausible, but dune habitat very limited there.
No
Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?
Not applicable
Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?
Not applicable
Is rescue from outside populations likely?
No

 

Current Status

COSEWIC: Special Concern 2008 – April 2008.

 


Status and Reasons for Designation

Status: Special Concern
Alpha-numeric code: None

Reasons for Designation: The Canadian populations have been recognized as an endemic variety of global significance. Plants are restricted to stabilized sand dunes within localized areas of coastline in New Brunswickand Prince Edward Island. The majority of the 15 populations, including the three largest, occur at elevations under 5 m above sea level. Here they are at increased risk from the impacts of severe storm surges resulting from rising sea levels and increased storm frequency and intensity predicted to occur as a consequence of climate change. A recent storm surge has already impacted a substantial portion of potential habitat at one of the New Brunswick sites. Other impacts have also been documented as a consequence of trampling, all terrain vehicle use, and successional changes to the species’ habitat.

 


Applicability of Criteria

Criterion A (Decline in Total Number of Mature Individuals):
Not applicable. Declines well below threshold levels.

Criterion B (Small Distribution Range and Decline or Fluctuation):
Not applicable. Although AO and EO are well below threshold levels, the species is not severely fragmented, comprises >10 populations and does not undergo extreme fluctuations in mature individuals.

Criterion C (Small and Declining Number of Mature Individuals):
Not applicable. The population exceeds threshold levels and no significant decline has been documented and the magnitude of inferred future declines are difficult to predict.

Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution):
Not applicable. Population size is too large and the Area of Occupancy is > 20 km2 and there are 15 sites

Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis):
None available

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