Maps: See Fig 1. in Cannings et al. 1998
Other:
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).
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.
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 |
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 |
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
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.
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.
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.