Terms of Reference

Guidance on the identification of Critical Habitat in the riparian zone for freshwater species at risk

National Peer Review - National Capital Region

March 3-5, 2020
Ottawa, ON

Chairperson: Eva Enders and Justine Mannion

Context

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for identifying the Critical Habitat for aquatic species at risk listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). According to SARA, Critical Habitat is defined as “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species”. For aquatic species, the Critical Habitat may include areas in the riparian zone that need to be protected under a Critical Habitat Order. In the DFO 2015, “Guidelines for the identification of Critical Habitat for aquatic species at risk”, riparian zones are defined as features outside the aquatic ecosystem, which support the establishment and maintenance of deep and shallow pool features, supply food for migrating and juvenile fish of many species, and influence water temperature (e.g., tree shade). However, as the current riparian zone definition is based on the requirements of only a few fish species, it may not represent the features that support most freshwater fishes and mussels’ life cycle process taking place in Critical Habitat (i.e., functions). Guidance is required that builds upon and complements the Department’s existing approaches to identify riparian critical habitat, in order to make scientifically-defensible decisions about the identification of Critical Habitat in the freshwater riparian zone.

As specified in SARA (s. 41(1)(c) and 49(1)(a)), every Recovery Strategy and Action Plan developed for a species listed in Schedule 1 of the Act as Threatened, Endangered or Extirpated^{Footnote 1} must identify that species’ Critical Habitat, to the extent possible. Currently, there is no national guidance on the identification of Critical Habitat in riparian zone for aquatic species at risk. Consequently, DFO’s Species at Risk Program has requested that DFO Science develop a scientific guide for the identification of riparian Critical Habitat for freshwater species at risk.

Objectives

The specific objectives of the working paper developed for this peer-review are to:

1. Identify the suite of features that riparian habitat provides for freshwater fishes and mussels’ functions,
2. Provide guidance on how to determine when riparian habitat features constitute Critical Habitat,
3. Provide, where available, Science Advice on the extent of the riparian zone that is important for features that constitute Critical Habitat,
4. Present case studies illustrating the use of the guidance for practitioners.

Expected Publications

• Science Advisory Report
• Proceedings
• Research Document

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Species at Risk Program, Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program)
• Provincial Government
• Academia
• Industry
• Non-government Organizations

References

DFO. 2015. Species at Risk Act (SARA) Guidelines for the Identification of Critical Habitat for Aquatic Species at Risk. Unpublished Report, January 2015, Ecosystem Management Branch, Ottawa, Canada, 43 p.