Streambank lupine (Lupinus rivularis) recovery strategy 2017: part 2

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Part 2 - Recovery Plan for Streambank Lupine (Lupinus rivularis) in British Columbia prepared by the Streambank Lupine Recovery Team for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment

Document information

Recommended citation

Cover illustration/photograph

Dawn Hanna

Additional copies

Additional copies can be downloaded from the B.C. Ministry of Environment Recovery Planning webpage.

Disclaimer

This recovery plan has been prepared by the Streambank Lupine 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 streambank lupine 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.

The responsible jurisdictions and all members of the recovery team have had an opportunity to review this document. However, this document does not necessarily represent the official positions of the agencies or the personal views of all individuals on the recovery team.

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 plan. The B.C. Ministry of Environment encourages all British Columbians to participate in the recovery of streambank lupine.

Acknowledgements

This recovery plan was completed by Terry McIntosh (consulting botanist; Vancouver, BC) and Dawn Hanna (botanist; Vancouver, BC) on behalf of the Streambank Lupine Recovery Team. It is based on an earlier draft prepared by Brian Klinkenberg (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC). The team acknowledges the assistance of Brenda Costanzo (Senior Vegetation Specialist, B.C. Ministry of Environment [MoE], Victoria, BC) and Lucy Reiss (Senior Terrestrial Habitat Planner, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Delta, BC), who provided advice for the recovery plan. Leah Westereng (B.C. MoE) provided technical review and policy guidance.

Recovery team members

Sylvia Letay, B.C. Ministry of Environment (Chair)
Sophie Alain, Port Metro Vancouver (on leave)
Trudy Chatwin, B.C. Ministry of Environment
Anna Mária Csergő, Ph.D., Botanist (visiting scholar at University of B.C.)
Angela Danyluk, Corporation of Delta
Dawn Hanna, Vancouver Parks
Bill Herbst, City of Port Coquitlam
Kim Keskinen, Port Metro Vancouver
Terry McIntosh, Ph.D., Botanist, Vancouver

Former team members

Brian Klinkenberg, Ph.D. (Co-Chair to May 2010), Geography Department, University of B.C.
Vicky Baker, University of British Columbia, Project Coordinator, Metropolis BC
Mike Brotherston, Corporation of Delta
Angelo Dalcin, P.Eng., Canadian Pacific Railway, Vegetation Management Specialist
Rose Klinkenberg, Botanist, Richmond
Gary Lewis, M.Sc., Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.
Ian Parnell, Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
Luanne Patterson, Canadian National Railway, Environmental Protection Officer
Sharon Peters, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Senior Project Engineer
Lucy Reiss, Environment Canada, Species at Risk Recovery Unit
Danielle Wensauer, Fraser River Port Authority, Environmental Technician
Jeannette Whitton, Ph.D., Botany Department, University of British Columbia

Executive summary

Streambank lupine (Lupinus rivularis) is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is a western North American endemic, found along the Pacific coast from southwestern British Columbia (B.C.) to northern California. There are 8 populations of Streambank lupine in B.C., known from 14 reported sites (subpopulations). 

Streambank lupine was designated as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). It is listed as Endangered in Canada on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). In B.C., streambank lupine is ranked S1 (critically imperiled) by the Conservation Data Centre and is on the provincial Red list. The B.C. Conservation Framework ranks streambank lupine as priority 1 under goals 1 (contribute to global efforts for species and ecosystem conservation) and 3 (maintain the diversity of native species and ecosystems). Recovery is considered to be biologically and technically feasible.  

Since streambank lupine was assessed by COSEWIC in 2002 (COSEWIC 2002), the general trend for known streambank lupine populations has been one of decline, as many of the populations have decreased in plant numbers and areal extent. The overall province-wide Threat Impact for this species is Very High. The greatest threats are invasive non-native/alien species, and agricultural and forestry effluents.  

The population and distribution goal for streambank lupine is to maintain the abundance of all known extant populations as well as any other extant populations that may be identified or established at a later date within the species' known and potential range. If feasible and where deemed necessary, augment existing populations in B.C. 

The recovery objectives for streambank lupine are:

1. Secure long-term protection^Footnote6 for extant populations and habitats of streambank lupine in B.C.
2. Confirm distribution within the known range of the species in B.C.
3. Address knowledge gaps relating to species' biology, habitat requirements, and population demography, and disturbance dynamics.
4. Clarify and mitigate threats to this species and its habitat including invasive plants, plant succession, and hybridization.
5. Determine feasibility of augmenting existing populations.

Recovery feasibility summary

1. COSEWICⁱ species assessment information

ⁱ COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)

2. Species status information

ⁱⁱ Data source: B.C. Conservation Data Centre (2013) unless otherwise noted.

ⁱⁱⁱ No = not listed in one of the categories of wildlife that requires special management attention to address the impacts of forest and range activities on Crown land under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA; Province of British Columbia 2002) and/or the impacts of oil and gas activities on Crown land under the Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA; Province of British Columbia 2008).

^iv No = not designated as wildlife under the B.C. Wildlife Act (Province of British Columbia 1982).

^v S = subnational; N = national; G = global; X = presumed extirpated; H = possibly extirpated; 1 = critically imperiled; 2 = imperiled; 3 = special concern, vulnerable to extirpation or extinction; 4 = apparently secure; 5 = demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure; NA = not applicable; NR = unranked; U = unrankable.

^vi Data source: NatureServe (2012).

^vii Data source: B.C. Ministry of Environment (2010).

^viii Six-level scale: Priority 1 (highest priority) through to Priority 6 (lowest priority).

3 Species information

3.1 Species description

Streambank lupine (Lupinus rivularis) is a herbaceous plant that ranges in height from 0.3 to 1.0 m (Riggins and Sholars 1993; Kozloff 2005). Although considered a perennial, it appears to be relatively short-lived (often 3–5 years). Its hollow stems are green to reddish-brown, and are smooth or slightly hairy and branched. Older stems are occasionally slightly woody at the base. Leaves are alternately arranged along the stems and mature plants lack basal leaves. Each leaf is palmately compound with 5 to 9 leaflets, most of which are up to 3.5 cm long. The leaflets are short-hairy on their undersides. The petioles or leaf stalks are relatively short, usually less than 4 cm. Streambank lupine usually flowers from May into June. Its showy inflorescence is composed of a terminal raceme with several well-separated whorls of flowers that are mostly blue-purple to lavender. The banners (upper petals) are about the same length as the wings (side petals) and keel (lower petal). Flowers are hairless except for the keel, which is finely fringed with hairs along its upper edges. Its seedpods are about 5 cm long, and minutely hairy and dark- or black-mottled when mature. In B.C., seeds appear to germinate throughout the year when conditions are favourable.

The distributions of two native lupines may overlap with the range of streambank lupine in southwestern B.C. Most similar is broadleaf lupine (Lupinus latifolius var. latifolius), a species that grows in similar habitats but at higher elevations and more inland. Broadleaf lupine was not listed for B.C. before 2001 (B.C. Conservation Data Centre 2013), although it has a natural and widespread distribution here. Broadleaf lupine is distinguished from streambank lupine by its longer leaf petioles and the placement of short hairs on the keels of the flowers. Broadleaf lupine has cilia from the claw at the base to near the middle of the keel, whereas the cilia of streambank lupine are positioned near the tip of the keel. Seashore lupine (Lupinus littoralis) is distinguished from streambank lupine by its long-hairy stems, a prostrate growth habit, and longer petioles. This species is found in B.C.; however, it is found in moist, coastal sand dune communities (Douglas et al. 1999).

Other species of perennial lupines grow within the range of streambank lupine, most commonly large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus ssp. polyphyllus), a frequently seeded, possibly native, species along highway right-of-ways in southwestern B.C. It is distinguished from streambank lupine by its larger, tighter flower clusters; larger and more numerous leaflets; and longer petioles. Tree lupine (Lupinus arboreus), an introduced species, has been reported from the Lower Mainland region but has not been observed near streambank lupine populations. Its flower petals are yellow and its stems are usually woody in mature plants. Undetermined species or possible hybrids with streambank lupine exist in the Vancouver area. A hybrid or distinct and undetermined species (C. Björk, pers. comm., 2011) occurs with streambank lupine at one site (Population 4, Blundell). This taxon is characterized by long-hairy stems, a more prostrate growth habit, and often longer petioles than streambank lupine.

3.2 Populations and distribution

Streambank lupine is a western North American endemic, found along the Pacific coast from B.C. to northern California (Figure 1; Riggins and Sholars 1993). In Canada, streambank lupine is restricted to extreme southwestern B.C. with all but one population (near Sooke on Vancouver Island) found within the Lower Mainland region.

In B.C., there are 8 populations^Footnote7 of streambank lupine, known from 14 reported sites (subpopulations) (Figure 2; Table 1). It was first reported in B.C. in 1926 from near Sooke on Vancouver Island, based on collections at the Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM) in Victoria. The remaining Lower Mainland populations have been reported since 1988, with the most recent discovered in 2013 (Population 8; Figure 2).

A lupine record from the Cowichan area on Vancouver Island (through photographs from 2007) has been tentatively identified as streambank lupine. This identification needs to be confirmed as it potentially represents a new population. Further, a collection of streambank lupine at the RBCM (V007854B) collected near Comox in 1931 needs to be examined again and its identification confirmed.

There is a 1926 historical herbarium record from the Sooke area. Although there were also reports from this area in 2001, 2006, and 2007, examination of photographs showed that these plants were not streambank lupine but probably broadleaf lupine. This site is considered historical; however, as this is a relatively large area with suitable habitat, it is possible that streambank lupine may still be found and more inventory is required.

^b Populations mentioned in COSEWIC (2002) are noted in parentheses

^c Although it was reported from the Sooke area in 2001, 2005, and 2007, examination of photographs showed that these plants were not streambank lupine but broadleaf lupine.

^d ROW = right of way

^e BNSF = Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

3.3 Habitat and biological needs

Across its North American range, streambank lupine naturally occupies open, nutrient-poor, sandy or gravelly, river or creek bank sites at low elevations proximal to the coast, generally having little competitive ground cover (COSEWIC 2002). These habitats are usually prone to flooding and are frequently scoured and modified. As such streambank lupine may use highly disturbed habitat for annual colonization to avoid competitive exclusion of other plants. In B.C., except for possibly the Sooke site, most floodplain habitats where streambank lupine is now found have been highly disturbed or completely altered by human activities. Most sites are completely artificial (human-made; S. Letay, pers. comm., 2013). Widespread dyking in the Lower Mainland has eliminated most natural flood-related disturbance regimes in the area. Typical habitats where this species survives today include railway right of ways (ROWs), roadside edges, open industrial sites, and dykes, many of which are frequently cleared of vegetation or disturbed in other ways. Some of these sites are open and mostly free of significant associated plant cover, but most of the sites house a wide variety of competitive exotic species. In B.C., streambank lupine occurs in the Coastal Douglas-fir and the Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zones.

At present, the specific soil components required for streambank lupine are unknown. However, seeds of streambank lupine readily germinate and grow in various soil types ranging from sand to commercial garden soil (T. McIntosh, pers. comm., 2013). Also, some lupine species have relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. O'Dell and Trappe (1992) could not be certain if streambank lupine was mycorrhizal or not.

Little information specific to the reproductive biology of streambank lupine is available, but it is suspected that it, like many other perennial lupine species, is capable of both self-pollination and cross-pollination (COSEWIC 2002). Seed production is common in all of the B.C. populations.

3.4 Limiting factors

Several factors may limit the survival and recovery of streambank lupine in B.C. including:

1. The requirement for frequently disturbed habitats naturally associated with riverine systems, most of which have been lost or damaged by habitat conversion along the coast.
2. The lack of special structures to aid in the long distance dispersal of seeds or fruits.
3. The isolated occurrences and extremely small number of plants noted at many sites may limit reproductive success.
4. The small and fragmented population sizes may subject the population to decreased genetic diversity and population viability.
5. Small areas of occupancy leave this species susceptible to chance destructive events including those that operate at a small scale.
6. The dependence on seasonal flooding for seed dispersal.

4. Threats

hreats are defined as the proximate activities or processes that have caused, are causing, or may cause in the future the destruction, degradation, and/or impairment of the entity being assessed (population, species, community, or ecosystem) in the area of interest (global, national, or subnational) (Salafsky et al. 2008). For purposes of threat assessment, only present and future threats are considered.^Footnote8 Threats do not include limiting factors, which are presented in Section 3.4.^Footnote9

For the most part, threats are related to human activities, but they can be natural. The impact of human activity may be direct (e.g., destruction of habitat) or indirect (e.g., invasive species introduction). Effects of natural phenomena (e.g., fire, hurricane, flooding) may be especially important when the species or ecosystem is concentrated in one location or has few occurrences, which may be a result of human activity (Master et al. 2009). As such, natural phenomena are included in the definition of a threat, though they should be applied cautiously. These stochastic events should only be considered a threat if a species or habitat is damaged from other threats and has lost its resilience, and is thus vulnerable to the disturbance (Salafsky et al. 2008) such that these types of events would have a disproportionately large effect on the population/ecosystem compared to the effect it would have had historically

4.1 Threat assessment

The threat classification below is based on the IUCN-CMP (World Conservation Union–Conservation Measures Partnership) unified threats classification system and is consistent with methods used by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre and the B.C. Conservation Framework. For a detailed description of the threat classification system, see the CMP website (CMP 2010). Threats may be observed, inferred or projected to occur in the near term. Threats are characterized here in terms of scope, severity, and timing. Threat "impact" is calculated from scope and severity. For information on how the values are assigned, see Master et al. [PDF] (2009) and table footnotes for details. Threats for the streambank lupine were assessed for the entire province (Table 2).

^f Threat numbers are provided for Level 1 threats (i.e., whole numbers) and Level 2 threats (i.e., numbers with decimals).

^g Impact – The degree to which a species is observed, inferred, or suspected to be directly or indirectly threatened in the area of interest. The impact of each threat is based on Severity and Scope rating and considers only present and future threats. Threat impact reflects a reduction of a species population or decline/degradation of the area of an ecosystem. The median rate of population reduction or area decline for each combination of scope and severity corresponds to the following classes of threat impact: Very High (75% declines), High (40%), Medium (15%), and Low (3%). Unknown: used when impact cannot be determined (e.g., if values for either scope or severity are unknown); Not Calculated: impact not calculated as threat is outside the assessment time (e.g., timing is insignificant/negligible [past threat] or low [possible threat in long term]); Negligible: when scope or severity is negligible; Not a Threat: when severity is scored as neutral or potential benefit.

^h Scope – Proportion of the species that can reasonably be expected to be affected by the threat within 10 years. Usually measured as a proportion of the species' population in the area of interest. (Pervasive = 71–100%; Large = 31–70%; Restricted = 11–30%; Small = 1–10%; Negligible < 1%).

ⁱ Severity – Within the scope, the level of damage to the species from the threat that can reasonably be expected to be affected by the threat within a 10-year or 3-generation timeframe. Usually measured as the degree of reduction of the species' population. (Extreme = 71–100%; Serious = 31–70%; Moderate = 11–30%; Slight = 1–10%; Negligible < 1%; Neutral or Potential Benefit > 0%).

^j Timing – High = continuing; Moderate = only in the future (could happen in the short term [< 10 years or 3 generations]) or now suspended (could come back in the short term); Low = only in the future (could happen in the long term) or now suspended (could come back in the long term); Insignificant/Negligible = only in the past and unlikely to return, or no direct effect but limiting.

4.2 Description of threats

The overall province-wide Threat Impact for this species is Very High.^Footnote10 The greatest threat is invasive non-native/alien species (Table 2). Details are discussed under the IUCN level 1 headings.

IUCN-CMP Threat 1. Residential & commercial development

1.2 Commercial & industrial areas

Residential and commercial development has greatly impacted streambank lupine in the past. Residential development is unlikely to affect populations in future, however, given the locations of populations near commercial sites or railway right-of-ways. In 2004, Site 2c for streambank lupine was eliminated by building construction and paving. A portion of Site 2b was destroyed by construction of a parking area. Further, a 2007 upgrade of the surface of a dyke top trail along the Pitt River (Population 7) destroyed some individuals of streambank lupine. In 2010, 5–10% of mature plants were destroyed at subpopulation 3c, in preparation for a construction project. In the latter case construction was halted and a monitoring program was designed to protect the remaining streambank lupines and their habitat from further damage while construction was completed. Commercial and industrial development is not expected to be a significant threat to streambank lupine in the next 10 years.

IUCN-CMP Threat 4. Transportation & service corridors

4.1 Roads & railroads

Many populations of streambank lupine occur within railway right-of-ways or roadside edges and one subpopulation lies within a hydro right-of-way. Subpopulations 5a and 5b were partially destroyed through road expansion. Although expansion of roads at a few sites is possible, there are no current plans for expansion. This threat should be monitored as it is likely that if a project went forward, it could result in a significant amount of streambank lupine habitat being lost.

IUCN-CMP Threat 5. Biological resource use

5.2 Gathering terrestrial plants

Because streambank lupine is an attractive plant with showy flowers, some Lower Mainland populations have been subject to flower, seed, and whole plant collecting (R. Klinkenberg, pers. comm., 2005; D. Hanna, pers. comm., 2012). The implications of loss from harvesting seed from rare wild populations have been addressed (Guerrant et al. 2004; Menges et al. 2004). Removal of seeds and the potential seedling cohort from small populations of rare plants may place these populations at greater risk of extirpation. Although collecting could occur at all sites, it is not likely to occur at more than a few sites in the next 10 years, if at all based on known previous collecting. It is expected that collecting would be no more than a few flowers or seeds at any one site and so is thought to have a low impact.

IUCN-CMP Threat 6. Human intrusion and disturbances

6.1 Recreational activities

Several streambank lupine populations occur in areas easily accessed by people. Plants may be trampled by walkers or damaged by vehicle parking; however, the number of individual plants affected is thought to be negligible.

IUCN-CMP Threat 7. Natural system modifications

7.2 Dams & water management/use

In the Lower Mainland portion of its B.C. range, suitable natural riverbank and floodplain habitat for streambank lupine has been significantly reduced by extensive development. As well natural disturbance regimes such as flooding and channel movement have been altered. This likely resulted in the loss of streambank lupine sites in the past. However this is considered a past threat as it is not likely that there will be any new construction and upgrading of dykes in the next 10 years that will threaten current sites.

7.3 Other ecosystem modifications

As many populations of streambank lupine occur within right-of-ways, maintenance activities including mowing and brushing occur at most sites. Depending on frequency and scheduling, these activities may damage or kill plants and disturb the habitat either by damaging the soil surface or covering the ground with litter.

IUCN-CMP Threat 8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes

8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species, 8.2 Problematic native species

Recovery team members and volunteers have removed invasive plants at some locations because of potential impacts on the streambank lupine. Because most of the introduced species are fast growing, they have the potential to physically overwhelm streambank lupine. As well, these species are mostly prolific seed producers and thus have the potential to outcompete streambank lupine seedlings for water and nutrients. Exotic species that are present at most sites where streambank lupine is found include Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and species of vetch (Vicia spp.). Also, because streambank lupine prefers open habitats, trees such as the native black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and the exotic white poplar (Populus alba) are colonizing the sites, thereby shading out streambank lupine.

8.3 Introduced genetic material

Genetic "swamping" through hybridization with other lupines, in particular the introduced tree lupine, was identified as a threat to streambank lupine throughout its range in southern B.C. by COSEWIC (2002). This species could become a problem in B.C. since it does occur in the Lower Mainland. However, it has not been observed near streambank lupine populations. Steps have been taken in the United States to remove tree lupine from some sites (Wozniak 2000). Other lupines, including the unidentified, hairy-stemmed lupine that is similar in many respects to streambank lupine, have been observed in a few sites in the Lower Mainland, most importantly Population 4 (Blundell).

IUCN-CMP Threat 9. Pollution

9.3 Agricultural & forestry effluents

Many populations of streambank lupine occur within railway right-of-ways or roadside edges. Maintenance of these areas sometimes involves herbicide spraying as a method of weed control. Spraying has occurred at a few sites in the past and may be used at these same sites and others in future. The use of herbicides has decreased or ceased at sites where several subpopulations occur (e.g., 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 7). Participation by local governments and railway companies has resulted in no spray zones at locations where this species grows. Signs indicating "No Spray" zones have been erected at one site.

9.4 Garbage & solid waste

Many streambank lupine populations occur in areas easily accessed by people. Debris left by people can alter, destroy, or disturb the habitat. Threats to extant populations include dumping (sand/gravel fill) and general garbage left by people using the area. In 2004, a portion of a site at Alaska Way (affecting subpopulation 2a) was removed and covered with gravel fill.

IUCN-CMP Threat 11. Climate change and severe weather

11.2 Drought

The impacts of climate change on streambank lupine are unknown. However, climate change does pose a potentially significant threat because, as Gayton (2008) notes, the species most vulnerable to extinction will be those with small populations, slow rates of dispersal, restrictive elevation and climate requirements, and/or those whose habitat is limited or occurs in patches. There is potential for streambank lupine populations to be affected by climate change and projected trends (i.e., warmer and drier summers, and reduced summer soil moisture within the species' range). It is impossible to speculate on the effects that increased winter rainfall and more extreme weather events, as is predicted for coastal B.C., will have on the plant, habitats, and associated pollinator species.

5. Recovery goal and objectives

5.1 Recovery (population and distribution) goal

The population and distribution goal for streambank lupine is to maintain the abundance of all known extant populations as well as any other extant populations that may be identified or established at a later date within the species' known and potential range. If feasible and where deemed necessary, augment existing populations in B.C.

5.2 Rationale for the recovery (population and distribution) goal

There is a lack of information about the historical abundance and distribution of streambank lupine. Aside from the one extirpated site (subpopulation 2c) and 1 historical site (population 1) there is no direct evidence that this species was previously more abundant or widespread in southwestern B.C. However, there has been substantial disturbance and alteration of the habitat in which the species is currently found. Therefore, it is reasonable to infer that this species probably existed at more sites and/or with larger population sizes in the past. Since habitat that has been destroyed by development will not be restored to historical levels or conditions, restoration at these extirpated sites is not technically feasible.

5.3 Recovery objectives

The recovery objectives for streambank lupine are:

1. Secure long-term protection^Footnote11 for extant populations and habitats of streambank lupine in B.C.
2. Confirm distribution within the known range of the species in B.C.
3. Address knowledge gaps relating to species' biology, habitat requirements, and population demography, and disturbance dynamics.
4. Clarify and mitigate threats to this species and its habitat including invasive plants, plant succession, and hybridization.
5. Determine feasibility of augmenting existing populations.

6. Approaches to meet objectives

6.1 Actions already completed or underway

The following actions have been categorized by the action groups of the B.C. Conservation Framework (B.C. Ministry of Environment 2010). Status of the action group for this species is given in parentheses.

Compile status report (complete)

• COSEWIC status report completed (COSEWIC 2002).

Send to COSEWIC (complete)

• Streambank lupine assessed as Endangered (November 2002).

Planning (complete)

• B.C. Recovery Plan completed (this document, 2013).

Habitat protection, habitat restoration, and private land stewardship (in progress)

• Mapping and inventory of lupines at all Lower Mainland locations from 2009 to 2013.
• A reconnaissance for new streambank lupine was conducted via boat in the Pitt River area in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010; via boat along Fraser River from Pitt Meadows west to Delta; and on the lower Gold Creek in Maple Ridge by recovery team members in 2009.
• Contact and continuing engagement with all stakeholders by the recovery team since 2005. An educational brochure was developed in 2006 (updates are now needed).
• Population stabilization methods, with guidance by the recovery team, are underway for lower Fraser Valley populations in cooperation with stakeholders and landowners, including site maintenance mitigation activities, vegetation management guidelines, fencing, parking lot barriers, signage, and site mapping.
• No brushing zones established in 2007 at two Port Coquitlam sites (Pitt River Dyke, 7 and Kingsway North, 5b).
• "Endangered Species Live Here" notice signs were erected at Port Coquitlam sites 5a and 5b and also at Delta site 2a in 2009.
• Invasive plant removal by recovery team members in 2008 and 2009 at a Delta site (Alaska Way, 2a); in 2009 at Richmond (Blundell, 4); in 2010 at Coquitlam (Watkins Creek, 6), Richmond (Blundell, 4) and Delta (Chatterton, 3c); in 2012 at Delta (Chatterton, 3c and 3d).
• Invasive plant removals were undertaken by the landowner at Coquitlam (Watkins Creek, 6). However, this population is now extirpated. Part of it has been overgrown and the other portion destroyed by housing development. In 2008, a planting plan for riparian restoration was tailored to avoid competition with streambank lupine, and a gravel/cobble bench was constructed to increase potential streambank lupine habitat at that site.
• Invasive plant removals were undertaken by volunteers under the direction of a recovery team member at Delta (Alaska Way, 2a) and Port Coquitlam (Port Coquitlam Kingsway south 5a) sites in 2010.
• In 2010, attempts were made to rescue a number of mature dying plants from the Chatterton site (3C) in Delta after being damaged in preparation for a construction project. Plants were gathered and taken to VanDusen Gardens but none survived. Construction was halted and a monitoring program was designed to protect the remaining lupines and their habitat from further damage while construction was completed. An environmental management consultant worked with the recovery team to identify mitigation options, resulting in translocation of seedbank soils and avoidance to impacts on existing streambank lupine plants at the Chatterton site (#3c).
• A 200-m no-spray zone on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway track was established in 2008 by the BNSF Railway company in Delta from the BNSF site (3a) west of the Chatterton site (3c and 3d) in response to maps the recovery team provided. BNSF Railway company has also agreed to restrict mowing in the area until after lupine seed set. BNSF Railway employees continue to assist the recovery team with reconnaissance surveys for new streambank lupine populations.
• Members of the recovery team met with staff from Metro Vancouver Regional Parks in 2011 to set up a trial for translocation of seeds to a suitable site at Deas Island Regional Park, a protected area about 4 km west of Population 3. Seeds have germinated and mature flowering plants are present in 2013 (T. McIntosh, pers. comm., 2013)

6.2 Recovery planning table

^k Threat numbers according to the IUCN-CMP classification (see Table 2 for details).

^l Essential (urgent and important, needs to start immediately); Necessary (important but not urgent, action can start in 2–5 years time); or Beneficial (action is beneficial and could start at any time that was feasible)

6.3 Narrative to support recovery planning table

6.3.1 Habitat protection and private land stewardship

It is essential to secure long-term habitat protection for known populations of streambank lupine. This can be achieved by continuing to inform landowners and land managers of its location on their property and of the needs of this species. Ongoing invitations to landowners to participate in recovery planning and encouraging them to develop stewardship agreements will benefit the persistence of streambank lupine. Developing appropriate protection mechanisms, including stewardship agreements, and developing and implementing site management plans and best management practices will continue to be important. Site management plans for each population of streambank lupine will include such things as invasive plant and succession control and protection from human disturbance, which may include fencing.

It is essential to monitor trends in each of the subpopulations, to address knowledge gaps in terms of population demographics, to assess the effects of threats to the subpopulations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of recovery actions. A standardized monitoring program conducted at regular intervals can contribute to a body of information on such things as recruitment levels, subpopulation cycles, and individual plant longevity. As well, a standardized monitoring program can help gauge the impacts and threats from such sources as introduced invasive plant species and from vegetation succession.

6.3.2 Species and population management

Further information is required on specific habitat requirements and other ecological factors affecting streambank lupine. Research towards a better understanding of disturbance dynamics will help manage existing sites in terms of determining disturbance threshold levels for anthropogenic sites.

Using the results of research into habitat requirements and ecology of streambank lupine will allow recovery team members to assess the potential for sites to establish new populations.

Currently, there is a lack of information about streambank lupine's seed bank germination rates and longevity, seed dispersal mechanisms, and seedling and juvenile development. Research is needed to help develop protocols that would determine the feasibility of translocation of seeds to establish any needs for propagule treatment and site preparation.

7. Information on habitat needed to meet recovery goal

Threats to streambank lupine habitat have been identified and habitat appears to be limiting for this species. To meet the population and distribution goal for this species, it is recommended that specific habitat attributes be identified for streambank lupine and locations of habitat are geospatially described on the landscape to facilitate management to mitigate habitat threats.

7.1 Description of survival/recovery habitat

A general description of habitat requirements for streambank lupine in B.C. is provided in Section 3.3. Specific habitat requirements for the species and the relationship to regularly disturbed habitats still need to be determined. When this work has been completed, it would be beneficial if the habitat needed for survival/recovery of the species was spatially identified for streambank lupine in B.C. (see section 7.2).

7.2 Studies needed to describe survival/recovery habitat

A schedule of studies outlining the work necessary to identify survival/recovery habitat for streambank lupine is provided in Table 4.

8. Measuring progress

The performance indicators presented below provide a way to define and measure progress toward achieving the population and distribution goal and recovery objectives. The overall indication that the recovery (population and distribution) goal is being met is if the population monitoring over an appropriate amount of time indicates that the annual numbers of flowering individuals at all locations are stable (e.g., fall within an acceptable range required for long-term persistence).^Footnote12 Performance measures are listed below for each objective for the next 5 years.

Measurable(s) for objective 1

• Five known extant sites have stewardship agreements by 2017.

Measurable(s) for objective 2

• Population and habitat status at existing sites has been confirmed by 2015.
• Inventory of potential habitats has been conducted and documented by 2017.

Measurable(s) for objective 3

• A prioritized research strategy has been developed by 2015.
• Priority research has been initiated by 2016.
• Trends in population and changes to area of occupancy (to the extent possible) have been assessed by 2018.

Measurable(s) for objective 4

• Impact of threats to the populations has been investigated by 2015 and threat reduction and/or mitigation at all extant populations have been initiated by 2018.

Measurable(s) for objective 5

• Research has been conducted to determine feasibility of augmenting populations by 2017.

9. Effects on other species

No negative effects are anticipated on non-target species, natural communities or ecological processes as a result of the recommended recovery activities. Efforts undertaken to broaden support for the protection of streambank lupine should benefit all species at risk. Also, surveys to confirm existing and potential new populations of streambank lupine may have a positive effect by identifying additional locations for other species at risk. Species at risk that possibly overlap in the geographic range and occur in similar habitat as streambank lupine are the Pacific Water Shrew (Sorex bendirii; SARA-listed Endangered); Vancouver Island Beggarticks (Bidens amplissima; SARA-listed Special Concern, provincial Blue list), and Henderson's checkermallow (Sidalcea hendersonii; provincial Blue list).

10. References

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2013. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Min. Environ., Victoria, BC. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

B.C. Ministry of Environment. 2010. Conservation framework. B.C. Min. Environ., Victoria, BC. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Conservation Measures Partnership. 2010. Threats taxonomy. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 2002. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Streambank Lupine Lupinus rivularis in Canada. Ottawa, ON. vi + 36 pp.

Douglas, G.W., D.V. Meidinger, and J. Pojar. 1999. Illustrated flora of British Columbia. Volume 3: Dicotyledons (Diapensiaceae through Onagraceae). B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks and Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.

Gayton, D. 2008. Impacts of climate change on British Columbia's diversity: a literature review. Forrex Forest Research Extension Partnership [PDF; 877 KB], Kamloops, BC. Forrex Series 23. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Government of Canada. 2009. Species at Risk Act policies, overarching policy framework – draft [PDF; 644 KB]. Min. Environ., Ottawa, ON. 38 pp. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Guerrant, E.O. Jr., P.L. Fiedler, K. Havens, and M. Maunder. 2004. Revised genetic sampling guidelines for conservation collections of rare and endangered plants. In Guerrant, E.O. Jr., K. Havens, and M. Maunder. Ex-situ conservation: supporting species in the wild. Society for Ecological Restoration International, Centre for Plant Conservation. Island Press, London, ON.

Kozloff, E.N. 2005. Plants of Western Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Master, L., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Bittman, G.A. Hammerson, B. Heidel, J. Nichols, L. Ramsay, and A. Tomaino. 2009. NatureServe conservation status assessments: factors for assessing extinction risk. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Menges, E.S., E.O. Guerrant Jr., and S. Hamze. 2004. Effects of seed collecting on the extinction risk of perennial plants. In Guerrant, E.O. Jr., K. Havens, and M. Maunder.

Ex-situ conservation: supporting species in the wild. Society for Ecological Restoration International, Centre for Plant Conservation. Island Press, London.

NatureServe. 2004. A habitat-based strategy for delimiting plant element occurrences: guidance from the 2004 working group [PDF; 82.6 KB]. Arlington, VA. [Accessed January 24, 2011]

NatureServe. 2012. NatureServe explorer: an online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. Arlington, VA. [Accessed January 27, 2010]

O'Dell, T.E. and J.M. Trappe. 1992. Root endophytes of lupine and some other legumes in northwestern USA. New Phytol. 122(3):479–485.

Province of British Columbia. 1982. Wildlife Act [RSBC 1996] c. 488. Queen's Printer, Victoria, BC. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Province of British Columbia. 2002. Forest and Range Practices Act [RSBC 2002] c. 69. Queen's Printer, Victoria, BC. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Province of British Columbia. 2008. Oil and Gas Activities Act [SBC 2008] c. 36. Queen's Printer, Victoria, BC. [Accessed May 23, 2012]

Riggins, R. and T. Sholars. 1993. Lupines. In Hickman, J.C. The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California. University of California Press.

Salafsky, N., D. Salzer, A.J. Stattersfield, C. Hilton-Taylor, R. Neugarten, S.H.M. Butchart, B. Collen, N. Cox, L.L. Master, S. O'Connor, and D. Wilkie. 2008. A standard lexicon for biodiversity conservation: unified classifications of threats and actions. Conserv. Biol. 22:897–911.

Wozniak, J. 2000. Reversing invasion of Lupinus arboreus (Yellow Bush Lupine), an invasive species of northern California sand dune communities. [Accessed April 2, 2004]

Personal communications

Curtis Björk, Botanist. Clearwater, BC. 2011.
Quentin Cronk, Ph.D., Director, University of British Columbia Botanical Garden. Vancouver, BC. 2005.
Dawn Hanna, Botanist. Vancouver, BC. 2011.
Rose Klinkenberg, Botanist. Richmond, BC. 2005.
Sylvia Letay, Ecosystems Officer, B.C. Ministry of Environment. 2013.
Terry McIntosh, Ph.D., Botanist, Vancouver, BC. 2013.