Research Document 2020/048

Information in support of a Recovery Potential Assessment of Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) in Ontario

By Burridge, M.E., Andrews, D.W., and Bouvier, L.D.

Abstract

The presence of Warmouth was first reported in the Canadian waters of Lake Erie in 1966. In April 1994, of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recommended that Warmouth be designated as a species of Special Concern. Subsequently, Warmouth was listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) when the Act was proclaimed in June 2003. In May 2015, the status was re-examined and designated Endangered. The reason given for this designation was that Warmouth “has a very small distribution in Canada, occurring only within the Lake Erie drainage. It exists at a few locations and is subjected to continuing decline in habitat quality due to a complexity of ecosystem modifications to its preferred vegetated habitat, primarily from the establishment of dense beds of non-native aquatic plants and eutrophication resulting from agricultural runoff.” Results of a population status assessment ranked all three populations (Rondeau Bay, Long Point Bay and Point Pelee) as poor. A threat assessment indicated that the greatest threats to Warmouth populations are aquatic vegetation removal, and natural system modifications due to the establishment of exotic plants and wetland draining for agricultural purposes. The Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) provides background information and scientific advice needed to fulfill various requirements of SARA. This research document provides the current state of knowledge of the species including its biology, distribution, population trends, habitat requirements, and threats, which will be used to inform recovery plans. Mitigation measures and alternative activities related to the identified threats, that can be used to protect the species, are also presented. This information may be used to inform the issuing of SARA Section 73 permits.

Research Document 2020/048 (PDF, 2,539 KB)

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