Environmental Trends 2002

Wildlife

Has the Range of the Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse Changed?

Population Status of Columbia Sharp-Tailed Grouse

SOURCE: BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection 2001. The delineations represent ecosections, as described in Ecoregions of British Columbia, D. Demarchi, 1993.

Has the range of Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse changed?

• Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse retained their provincial status as a species of Special Concern in 2002. These birds have disappeared over much of their range in northwestern North America, and this pattern is continuing in southern British Columbia. The grasslands and clearcuts/sedge meadows of south-central British Columbia appear to be the last remaining habitats occupied by this very sensitive species.

• The distribution of this subspecies in British Columbia has contracted markedly over the past 100 years, and as much as 70% of the population may have been lost.

• Based on an evaluation of provincial ecosections, Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse are stable in 59%, declining in 19% and extirpated in 22% of their historical range in British Columbia.

• Urban and agricultural development, and forest encroachment from fire suppression are major threats to Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse and their habitat.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].