Environmental Trends 2007

Species Conservation

Threats to Species at Risk in British Columbia

Habitat loss from urbanization currently affects the greatest percentage of B.C. species at risk.

Source: COSEWIC ( Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) 2005 and Venter et al. 2006.

Note: Assessed as nationally at risk by COSEWIC

Examples of human disturbance: recreation, tourism, vehicle and vessel traffic; extraction: logging, mining, fishing, groundwater depletion; infrastructure: roads, power lines, dams, pipelines.

• Most of the B.C. species assessed to be nationally ‘at risk’ are currently affected by at least two of several immediate, broad-scale threats, including habitat loss, non-native species, overexploitation, pollution, native species interactions (such as predators) or other natural causes (e.g., forest fires). While climate change is expected to affect many species, this is mostly a long-term threat.

• Habitat loss is the greatest threat to most (86 per cent) of the species at risk in B.C. With continued population growth and development activities, habitat loss and alteration will continue to be a critical issue affecting many species.

• The second greatest threat to B.C. species is the introduction of non-native species. These may compete with or prey upon native species, modify their habitat or have other effects.

• The greatest threat to marine mammals and marine fish was found to be overexploitation.

• Pollution is a particular threat to marine mammals, marine fish, and amphibians.

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