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Information in support of the identification of critical habitat for Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel (Gonidea angulata)

Regional Peer Review Process – Pacific Region

February 10-11, 2016
Penticton, BC

Chairperson: Sheena Majewski

Context

When an aquatic species is listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as Threatened, Endangered or Extirpated, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is required to identify and protect habitat required for the survival and recovery of the species, which is linked to the population and distribution objectives established in a recovery strategy.  The identification is based on the best available information and is typically provided in the form of scientific advice (peer-reviewed research document and scientific advisory report).

In support of the requirements under the SARA, DFO Science has been asked to undertake a habitat assessment for Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel, based on the national Guidelines for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Aquatic Species at Risk (DFO 2015Footnote 1). This advice may be used to inform the identification of critical habitat in a recovery strategy or an action plan for this species.

Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel are currently listed under the SARA as a species of special concern. As such population and distribution objectives have not been identified in a recovery strategy. However, the species has been assessed by the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as Endangered. If it is also assessed by the SARA as Endangered, it is expected that critical habitat will be identified during the Recovery Potential Analysis peer-review process, prior to the listing decision.

Objectives

Element 1: Describe the habitat properties that Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel need for successful completion of all life-history stages. Describe the function(s), feature(s), and attribute(s) of the habitat, and to the extent possible, describe how the biological function(s) are supported by the specific habitat feature(s).

This information can be provided in a summary table.

Element 2: To the extent possible, provide information on the spatial extent of the areas in the distribution of Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel that are likely to have these habitat properties.

Clear maps in the highest resolution available are required for this element. Effort should be made to quantify and geo-reference the amount of habitat of various types as thoroughly as possible. Advice on both the total amount and geographic location of the habitats is needed for the subsequent elements. Guidelines for quantifying the quality and quantity of habitat available at present, and needed for a species to achieve recovery goals for abundance, range and number of populations, are available in DFO (2007).

Provide a clear statement on whether the identified habitat is sufficient for the survival and recovery of the species, given putative population and distribution objectives. If current data is inadequate to determine whether identified habitat is sufficient, or if it is not sufficient, provide a clear statement explaining why the best available information is inadequate and identify the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to provide advice necessary to support complete identification of critical habitat (e.g. schedule of studies, data required, modeling approaches that should be used). Provide advice on the degree to which the supply of suitable habitat meets the demands of the species both at present and when the species has recovered.

Element 3: Identify the activities most likely to destroy the habitat properties identified in elements 1 and 2 and provide information on the extent and consequences of these activities.

The activities identified may be occurring within or outside the boundaries of the habitat identified in Element 2. The activities should be both likely to occur and likely to result in impacts to the functions, features and attributes.

Provide the threshold level (if available) at which the activity will render the habitat unable to serve its function when needed by the species. Provide an explanation as to how the activity may impact habitat function including a consideration of whether timing plays a role in the activity (i.e. mechanism through which the impact occurs, such as a pathway of effects).

If this advice refines or expands previously identified critical habitat, provide a clear indication of whether any change is advised to the activities likely to result in the destruction of critical habitat identified in the recovery strategy. The identified activities should be consistent with the threats identified in the species’ management plan. If this is not the case, this advice should provide an explanation for any inconsistency.

Element 4: Identify knowledge gaps necessary to support the full identification of critical habitat. 

If one or more of the elements cannot be addressed completely and thus habitat necessary for survival and recovery cannot be identified fully, provide a clear statement explaining why the best available information is inadequate and identify the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to provide advice necessary to support complete identification of critical habitat (e.g. data required, modelling approaches that should be used).

Expected Publications

Participation

References

Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2010. Management Plan for the Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel (Gonidea angulata) in Canada [Final]. Species at Risk Act Management Plan. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Vancouver. iv + 52 pp.

DFO. 2007. Documenting Habitat Use of Species At Risk and Quantifying Habitat Quality. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2007/038.


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