IMPORTANT AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE AREA:
South Okanagan - Lower Similkameen Valley

Location

Site names: South Okanagan and Lower Similkameen valleys
Province/Territory: BC
County/Region/District(s): Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District
Closest City/Town: Penticton is the largest town in the valley
UTM/Geographical Coordinates: Penticton UTM:49 °27' N, 19°37'W

Maps: See Fig 1. in Cannings et al. 1998

Other:

 

Physical Description

Area (please specify units): The area is defined in Cannings et al. 1998 as the “South Okanagan Ecosystem study area”. This area is approximately 150,000 ha (Cannings et al. 1998). It is a large region, but it is being managed as a unit by participants in the South Okanagan Conservation Strategy, who are:BC Ministry of Environment, the Nature Trust of BC, Canadian Wildlife Service, Royal BC Museum, and the University of BC.

The Okanagan falls into the ecological region classification of “North American Desert - Western Interior Basins and Ranges” (Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 1997).The region is quite dry due to a rain shadow from westward mountains.Five different biogeoclimatic zones (Meidinger and Pojar, 1991) are found within the Okanagan ecological region:

Most of the species of concern are usually found in the lower-elevation habitat types, however some species (i.e. Ambystoma macrodactylum) occur at high elevations. (See Meidinger and Pojar 1991.)

Water Bodies: The main lakes occurring in the Okanagan valley are Skaha, Tugulnuit, Vaseux, Okanagan, Osoyoos and Deadman's Lakes. The Okanagan River passes directly through two of the four lakes.There are approximately 40 small headwater lakes in the region. The Similkameen river valley does not have any lakes. Numerous small creeks feed into the Okanagan and Similkameen rivers. (See Cannings et al. (1998) for further details).

 

Land Ownership

Representatives of stake-holders in the region are:

Name: Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District
Organization/Affiliation: Local Government
Address: 101 Martin St.
City/Town: Penticton    Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V2A 5J9
Telephone: (250) 492-0237    Fax: (250) 492-0063
E-mail:

Name: Orville Dyer
Organization/Affiliation: Ministry of Environment
Address: Suite 201, 3547 Skaha Lake Rd
City/Town: Penticton,    Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V2A 7K2
Telephone: (250) 490-8244 Fax:
E-mail: Orville.Dyer@gov.bc.ca

Name: Ken Redpath
Organization/Affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Service
Address: P.O. Box 340
City/Town: Delta    Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V4K 3Y3
Telephone: (604) 940-4700 Fax:
E-mail:

Name:Tom Slater
Organization/Affiliation: Canadian Wildlife Service
Address: 954A Laval Crescent
City/Town: Kamloops    Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V2C 5P5
Telephone: 250 374 9115    Fax: 250 374 6287
E-mail: t_slater@ducks.ca

Name: Ron Erickson
Organization/Affiliation: The Nature Trust BC
Address: 909-100 Park Royal South
City/Town: West Vancouver    Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V7T 1A2
Telephone:   Fax:
E-mail:

Name: Dick Cannings
Organization/Affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of BC
Address: 6270 University Blvd
City/Town: Vancouver Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V6T 2A9
Telephone: (250) 496-4049    Fax:
E-mail: cannings@vip.net

Name: Rob Cannings
Organization/Affiliation: Royal BC Museum
Address: 675 Belleville Street
City/Town: Victoria Province/Territory: BC
Postal Code: V8V 1X4
Telephone: (250) 356-8242    Fax: (250)387-5360
E-mail: rcannings@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Are the land owners/managers aware of the importance of the site to amphibian and reptile conservation?
The above representatives are aware of the importance of the site.

Are they aware of this site nomination, and if so did they participate in the process?
Dick Cannings, Orville Dyer, and Tom Slater are aware of this nomination, and provided some advice, but they did not directly participate.

 

Amphibian and Reptile Species

Species Status Number of
Individuals
References
Pygmy Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma douglasii
SOCP=priority 1
GSWG=Extirpated
COSEWIC=Extirpated
BC status=Red
CDC = G5SH
0 Powell and Russell 1992
Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Northern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria coerulea
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G5S4S5
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Western Skink
Eumeces skiltonianus
SOCP= priority 3
GSWG = Secure
COSEWIC = in review
BC status = Yellow
CDC =G5S4
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Night Snake
Hypsiglena torquata
SOCP= priority 1
GSWG = At Risk
BC status = Red
CDC = G5S1
Known from 7 sites in the Okanagan / Similkameen only, more may exist.No data on abundance Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
SOCP = priority 2
GSWG = Sensitive
COSEWIC = in review
BC status = Blue
CDC = G5S3
There are fewer than 300 den sites in the Okanagan6 Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Rubber Boa
Charina bottae
SOCP = priority 3
GSWG = Sensitive
COSEWIC = in review
BC status = Blue
CDC = G5S3S4
There are fewer than 300 den sites in the Okanagan Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Western Yellow Bellied Racer
Coluber constrictor mormon7
SOCP = priority 3
GSWG = Sensitive
BC status = Blue
CDC =G5S3S4
There are fewer than 300 den sites in the Okanagan Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Gophersnake
Pituophis catenifer deserticola
SOCP = priority 3
GSWG = Sensitive
COSEWIC = in review
BC status = Blue
CDC = G5T5S3
There are fewer than 300 den sites in the Okanagan Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Valley Garter snake
Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC =G5S5
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al.
1999 Hlady 1990
Western Terrestrial Gartersnake
Thamnophis elegans
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G5S5
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
SOCP = priority 2
GSWG=Secure/Sensitive
BC status = Blue
CDC = G5S3S4
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Tiger Salamander
Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum8
SOCP = priority 1
GSWG = Secure/At Risk
COSEWIC = in review
BC status = Red
CDC = G5S2
3,000-10,000 Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Longtoed Salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum columbianum
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G5S5
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Great Basin Spadefoot Toad
Spea intermontana
SOCP = priority 2
GSWG = Sensitive
COSEWIC = Vulnerable
BC status = Blue
CDC = G5S3
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1998
Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Pacific Treefrog
Pseudacris regilla
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G5S5
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Western Toad
Bufo boreas
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G4S4
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Spotted Frog
Rana luteiventris
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G4S4
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999
Hlady 1990
Wood Frog
Rana sylvatica
GSWG = Secure
BC status =Yellow
CDC = G5S5
No estimate for the Okanagan region has been made Cannings et al. 1999 Hlady 1990
  1. SOCP = South Okanagan Conservation Plan (Hlady 1990)
  2. GSWG = General Status Working Group (if Canada and provincial ranks are different, they are entered as “Canada/provincial”
  3. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
  4. Colour ranks from Cannings et al. (1999). Red species are to be considered for designation as provincially endangered or threatened, and Blue species are of management concern.
  5. Conservation Data Centre, BC
  6. The estimate for the number of den sites was provided by Mike Sarell (ophiucon@vip.net), a contractor who studies snakes in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys
  7. Collins (1997) considers Coluber constrictor mormon to be a separate species, Coluber mormon.
  8. The taxonomy of A. tigrinum is complicated and unresolved. Collins (1997) separates the species into A. tigrinum (which occurs in Canada in Manitoba and Ontario) and A. mavortium (which occurs in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba).

 

Other Species

Species Status Importance of Site References
Scarlet Ammannia
Ammannia robusta
COSEWIC=Endangered   Cannings et al. 1998
Toothcup Meadowfoam
Rotala ramosior
COSEWIC=Endangered   Cannings et al. 1998
Sage Thrasher
Oreoscoptes montanus
COSEWIC=Endangered Entire BC range is within S. Okanagan Hlady 1990
Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia
COSEWIC=Endangered Extirpated Cannings et al. 1998
White-headed Woodpecker
Picoides albolarvatus
COSEWIC=Threatened Entire Canadian range is within S. Okanagan Hlady 1990
Yellow-Breasted Chat, BC population
Icteria virens auricollis
COSEWIC=Threatened   Hlady 1990
The above are provided as examples.There are 7 other vertebrate and 25 plant species in Canada that only occur in the South Okanagan valley. Many of these are listed by various agencies.The Okanagan provides habitat for 30% of BC's Red-listed vertebrates. See Hlady 1990 and Cannings et al. 1998

 

Site Criteria

1. Species of Conservation Concern
The South Okanagan - Lower Similkameen area harbours 1 red-listed amphibian, 1 blue-listed amphibian, 2 red-listed reptiles, and 5 blue-listed reptiles (BC provincial listings, see Cannings et al. 1999). The Pygmy Short-horned lizard has become extirpated, and Great Basin Spadefoot Toad is considered vulnerable by COSEWIC.The South Okanagan - Lower Similkameen region has one of the highest concentrations of amphibian and reptile species at risk of extirpation in Canada, and most of these species have very limited ranges in Canada. The entire Canadian range of the Pygmy Short-horned Lizard and the Night Snake is within The South Okanagan - Lower Similkameen region.

2. High Species Diversity - state whether the site is of national, provincial, or regional importance

3. Important Life History Requirements

 

Human Impacts

Current site usage (if any):
Agriculture, including ranching, vineyards, and orchards, occupies 61% of the Okanagan- Similkameen Regional District. Built-up uses, including residential and industrial, account for 15%. Forestry is also an important industry in the area. Tourist activities such as skiing, boating, fishing, and horseback riding, are a primary source of income for the region (Cannings et al. 1998).

Pollution:
Pesticide and fertilizer/manure run-off from agricultural activities is probably entering food chains, soil, water ways and groundwater in the Okanagan.For example, DDE levels (a breakdown product of the insecticide, DDT) are 100 parts per million in birds' eggs from orchard sites. This is 10 times higher than in non-orchard areas of the Okanagan valley (Elliott et al. 1994). DDT was used in orchards in the valley up until 1972.

Threats to habitat:
The human population in the region tripled from 20,000 in 1940 to 60,000 in 1987,and is predicted to reach 112,000 by 2021 (Cannings et al. 1998).Most agricultural and urban expansion has taken place in riparian regions in the Bunchgrass Zone. Less that 9%of the shrub steppe and grassland habitat remains in its natural state (Cannings et al. 1998). In addition, fire suppression has interrupted natural fire-dependent habitat cycles, and this has had serious negative effects on wildlife (Cannings et al. 1998).

Habitat conservation or restoration.
The South Okanagan Critical Areas Program is directing conservation activities in the region.They are involved in the purchase and management of numerous properties in the area. See Hlady 1990 and Cannings et al. 1998.

 

Recommended conservation actions for this area.

Important biological - conservation information, such as distribution and population estimates, is lacking for many of the species at risk in the South Okanagan.Critical areas for reptiles, such as hibernacula and migration routes, need to be identified and protected. Critical areas for amphibians, such as headwater lakes, also need to be identified and protected, especially from cattle. In general, areas in the valley bottom, in the Bunchgrass and Ponderosa Pine Zones, have the most species of concern, are the most degraded, and face the greatest threat from further development. Where possible, land should be bought: otherwise, conservation easements and stewardship agreements should be pursued.

Following are some specific recommendations for species at risk, from Cannings et al. 1999.

 

Other Concerned Organizations

See the list of land-owners and stake-holders.

 

Previous Work

Hlady 1990 and Cannings et al. 1998 have extensive lists of literature concerning the South Okanagan.

 

Literature Cited

Cannings, R.J., E. Durance, and L.K. Scott.1998. South Okanagan Ecosystem Recovery Plan: Scientific Assessment.Unpublished. Obtained from Orville Dyer, South Okanagan Regional Biologist. Orville.Dyer@gov.bc.ca

Cannings, S.G., L.R. Ramsay, D.F. Fraser, M.A. Fraker.1999. Rare amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals of British Columbia.Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Wildlife Branch and Resources Inventory Branch, Victoria, BC

Collins, J.T. 1997. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. Center for North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Retrieved January 5, 2000 from the World Wide Web: www.naherpetology.org/

Commission for Environmental Cooperation,1997. Ecological regions of North America. Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 393 rue St. Jaques Ouest, bureau 200, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Elliott, J.E., P.A. Martin, T.W. Arnold, and P.H. Sinclair. 1994. Organochlorines and reproductive success of birds in orchard and non-orchard areas of central British Columbia, Canada, 1990-1991. Arch. Environ. Toxicol. Contam. 26:435-443.

Hlady, D.A. 1990. South Okanagan Conservation Strategy: 1990-1995. Canadian Wildlife Service internal report. Out of print.

Meidinger, D and J. (eds.), 1991.Ecosystems of British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Research Branch.

Powell, G. L., and A.P. Russell. 1992. Status report on the short-horned lizard Phrynosoma douglasii in Canada.Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada status report.