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This paper is a collaborative interdisciplinary examination of the scientific, political, and cultural determinants of the conservation status of mammal species that occur in both Canada and the USA. We read Canada's Species at Risk Act as a document of bio-cultural nationalism circumscribed by the weak federalism and Crown–Indigenous relations of the nation's constitution. We also provide a numerical comparison of at-risk species listings either side of the US–Canada border and examples of provincial/state listings in comparison with those at a federal level. We find 17 mammal species listed as at-risk in Canada as distinct from the USA, and only 6 transboundary species that have comparable levels of protection in both countries, and we consider several explanations for this asymmetry. We evaluate the concept of 'jurisdictional rarity', in which species are endangered only because a geopolitical boundary isolates a small population. The paper begins and ends with reflections on interdisciplinary collaboration, and our findings highlight the importance of considering and explicitly acknowledging political influences on science and conservation-decision making, including in the context of at-risk-species protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat conservation has become prevalent over the last few decades due to critical population declines worldwide. Our purpose was to assess whether Brock Fenton's research career coincided with increasing bat conservation research in Canada and North America. Fenton has made significant contributions to bat research during a long and productive publishing career accompanied by participation in research organizations like the North American Society for Bat Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. His conservation research as well as efforts to raise public awareness about these animals has coincided with work for the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and its equivalent (Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario) in ON. To assess the impact of his career, we quantified the relative amount of his peer-reviewed publications with a conservation focus and compared this with the level of conservation-related presentations at annual North American Society for Bat Research conferences. In the same manner, we assessed how often conservation-focused applications were funded by the Ecology and Evolution section of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council—Canada Discovery grant program. Although it cannot be said with authority that Fenton actually initiated the increase in bat conservation research, our results indicate that his research efforts coincide with and presumably had considerable influence in driving this area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Geographer is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Foreign Policy Journal (CFPJ) is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple Summary: The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada's most endangered endemic mammal and is found exclusively on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. In the 1990s, the wild population drastically declined to fewer than 100 animals, primarily due to habitat alterations. In 1997, a conservation breeding-for-release program was established to supplement wild marmot populations as part of the National Recovery Plan. Retrospective analyses of captive breeding studbook records since 2000 indicate that among animals of proven fertility, the proportion of breeding pairs weaning a litter of pups is only 53%, which is less than optimum to support the reintroduction of animals to increase the wild population. Factors associated with the female were found to have the greatest impact on the odds of successfully weaning a litter, including age of the female and her previous success, although the age of the male also had an effect. A comparison of adrenal function between new and established breeding pairs, and successful and unsuccessful breeding pairs, indicated lower fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in established and successful pairs. This suggests that certain pairings are associated with lower stress than others, possibly reflecting social buffering of the stress response. The results of these analyses will be used to inform the captive management breeding program as it continues to supplement the wild populations of this endangered species. The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is Canada's most endangered endemic mammal. In 1997, a conservation breeding-for-release program was established to supplement wild marmot populations. Retrospective analyses of captive breeding studbook records since 2000 indicate the age of the sire and the dam significantly impacted the odds of successfully weaning a litter. Dams and sires between 5 and 7 years of age had more than double the odds of reproductive success compared to older animals. Successful reproduction by the dam in the previous year also doubled the odds of successfully weaning a litter in subsequent years. Assessment of adrenal function via fecal glucocorticoid analyses indicated established breeding pairs had decreased stress compared to new pairs (5.74 ± 0.28 ng/g vs. 7.60 ± 0.34 ng/g; p < 0.0001). Pairs that were ultimately successful at weaning pups in a breeding season had decreased stress compared to unsuccessful pairs (6.05 ± 0.34 ng/g vs. 7.22 ± 0.28 ng/g; p = 0.0006). These endocrine results suggest social buffering via familiarity and breeding/pair bond formation may be decreasing stress in established and successful pairs, respectively. The results of this study will be used to assist in the captive breeding management of this species to optimise numbers of animals produced to supplement the wild populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid Earth's ongoing sixth mass extinction event, numerous measures have been proposed to recover the populations of species at risk of extinction. However, the methods and objectives of different species' recovery plans sometimes conflict with each other, causing a conundrum we refer to as recovery–action antagonism. Recovery–action antagonism reduces the cost‐effectiveness of conservation programs and can increase the extinction risk of nontarget species. We describe a method to identify interactions between recovery actions, including antagonisms proposed for different at‐risk species in a given location. The method includes a process to evaluate potential drivers of recovery‐action antagonism and other interaction types using principal coordinates analysis and distance‐based redundancy analysis. We illustrate various applications of the method through case studies performed in Pelee Island and Rouge National Urban Park, two biodiverse areas in Ontario, Canada. Potential antagonism was identified between 1.5% (Pelee) and 5% (Rouge) of the evaluated recovery actions. Although the rate of antagonism was low in our case studies, the method allows the identification of a variety of interactions, which can help to prioritize similar and complementary actions that will benefit a large number of species while minimizing actions that may have competing outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear features are pervasive across the boreal forest of Canada, negatively impacting several wildlife species. Understanding how wildlife responds to different types and characteristics of linear features is necessary for coordinated landscape restoration. Currently, linear feature restoration is focused on recovering threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) which may have unintended impacts on other boreal species like moose (Alces alces). Understanding how moose respond to different linear features can help ensure restoration is targeted and effective. We used GPS data from seven moose collected between 2008 and 2010 to investigate response to linear features and to determine how moose response was influenced by characteristics of linear features like the surrounding habitat and regeneration. At the landscape scale, moose selected areas closer to seismic lines when they were in areas with lower densities of seismic lines and higher densities of harvest blocks and wildfires. This response was stronger during winter. Moose selected areas closer to pipelines when they were in areas with lower densities of other linear features, harvest blocks, and wildfires and were indifferent to roads at the population‐level. At the fine scale, during winter, moose selected areas closer to seismic lines regardless of vegetation height or the surrounding habitat, but were indifferent to seismic lines during summer, and were indifferent to roads and pipelines during summer and winter. Combined, our results suggest that there are characteristics of seismic lines which make them attractive to moose regardless of the regeneration height on the seismic lines, providing further evidence that effective linear feature restoration will need to address the fact that linear features increase landscape permeability and provide forage for multiple boreal wildlife species. Our results also further illustrate the importance of considering how linear feature restoration efforts focused on caribou may shift the distribution of other boreal wildlife species. Ultimately, conservation efforts for threatened species should recognize that conservation efforts focused on one species may have unintended consequences for interacting species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While agriculture is a driver of global biodiversity loss, agricultural lands provide important habitat for many species. The Canadian Species at Risk Act exists to protect species from extinction, however, it does not afford adequate protection for species or their habitats on private lands. Under the federal legislation, only listed migratory or aquatic species are protected on private land, necessitating an approach of voluntary stewardship by landowners. Therefore, it is critical to understand their attitudes and willingness to protect species at risk on their private land. Building on previous research with older farmers, this article presents a case study of young farmers in Prince Edward Island where almost all of the land is privately owned, with almost half representing farmland. Using an online survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews, the knowledge and attitudes of young farmers (18–50 years) and their willingness to engage in voluntary stewardship and protection of species at risk on their land was investigated. Similar to older farmers (51 years and older), almost all participants knew what was meant by the term 'species at risk' but were not familiar with the federal Act. As with older farmers, almost all agreed that such species should be protected and were willing to change their land management strategies in order to do so. While recognizing their own important role in protecting species at risk, farmers also said that provincial government should engage with them, providing more education and, in some cases, financial compensation to enable them to protect species at risk on their farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many Indigenous languages in Canada are facing the threat of extinction. While some languages remain in good health, others have already been lost completely. Immediate action must be taken to prevent further language loss. Throughout Canada's unacceptable history of expunging First Nations' ways of life, systemic methods such as residential schools attempted to eradicate Indigenous cultures and languages. These efforts were not entirely successful but Indigenous language and culture suffered greatly. For Indigenous communities, language loss impaired intergenerational knowledge transfer and compromised their personal identity. Additionally, the cumulative effects of assimilation have contributed to poor mental and physical health outcomes amongst Indigenous people. However, language reclamation has been found to improve well-being and sense of community. To this objective, this paper explores the historical context of this dilemma, the lasting effects of assimilation, and how this damage can be remediated. Additionally, we examine existing Indigenous language programs in Canada and the barriers that inhibit the programs' widespread success. Through careful analysis, such barriers may be overcome to improve the efficacy of the programs. Institutions must quickly implement positive changes to preserve Indigenous languages as fluent populations are rapidly disappearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) include economic benefit predictions that influence whether project proposals proceed to the construction and operational phases of development. Decision-makers often reason these benefits outweigh the potential adverse effects to environmental and social valued components, e.g. endangered species. But rarely are the economic impacts monitored and audited. This paper evaluates predicted and actual economic benefits through a predictive audit of three coal mines in the critical habitat of endangered caribou in British Columbia, Canada. Based on data collected from publicly available documents, including financial reporting, we compare the predicted employment and corporate tax revenue against the projects' actual performance for these two indicators. Economic impacts were significantly overestimated for both indicators: only 59% of forecasted employment and 34% of forecasted tax revenue materialized. The results challenge the credibility of trade-off analyses that underpin rationales for these project approvals and more broadly raise questions about the confidence and uncertainty of economic predictions in other EIAs and decision rationales. The study echoes existing calls for rigorous economic follow-up and demonstrates the critical role of predictive audits in that undertaking. • We undertake a predictive audit of three coal mines in BC, Canada. • We audit two direct economic benefit indicators: employment and corporate tax revenue. • Both indicators were significantly overstated in the mines' EIAs. • The mines' regulatory approval rested on inaccurately predicted trade-offs. • Predictive audits are crucial to assess the credibility of trade-off analyses in EIAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the status of endangered species can be challenging because the efficacy of conservation actions is often uncertain. Conservation aquaculture has been the main recovery action for endangered white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Transboundary Reach of the upper Columbia River. Using long-term mark-recapture data (2002–2018), we predicted variation in growth rates due to genetic, environmental, and competition effects to evaluate the efficacy of the aquaculture program. Environmental conditions (by season and country) and competition had the greatest effects on growth. Growth, length-at-age, weight-at-age, and condition factor were higher for fish residing in reservoir habitats (US) compared to those in riverine habitat (Canada). Growth declined over the study period but growth in length for larger fish remained higher in the US as fish > 100 cm fork length in Canada were not growing. Small differences in growth among families indicate that differences in genetics among parents spawned in the hatchery had negligible effects on growth in the wild. Our estimate of substantive negative density-dependent growth in Canada is important for management of conservation aquaculture for sturgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare habitats result from the geochemistry, history, or topography of the environment. They shelter regionally rare species (i.e., those with only a few mentions) and are threatened by global changes and human activities. On the clay plains of western Québec, the scattered highest hills emerged from the proglacial lake Ojibway (10,200–8200 BP) as islands and were potentially colonised 2000 years before their present surroundings. This study aims to determine if the effect of this earlier colonisation is still visible today in comparison with nearby formerly submerged hills. To do so, vascular plants and bryophytes were sampled for all habitats (i.e., old-growth forest, wet rock, and dry rock) at matched pairs of formerly emerged and submerged hills with known disturbance histories. Hourly temperature and relative humidity were recorded the top and bottom of each hill for one year. We found that former islands housed richer bryophyte communities than formerly submerged hills while the opposite was true for vascular plants. Old-growth forest was the richest habitat. Although hilltop temperatures are higher than those of the plains, the former islands that made up the higher hills were colder and wetter than the smaller, formerly submerged hills. This did not affect the diversity of bryophytes, but it did have an impact on the diversity of most vascular plant life forms. We believe that the rugged higher hills create more microclimatic heterogeneity and are fire and climate refugia. Disturbances explains a higher vascular plant diversity on lower hills. We conclude that no former island effect exists as such, but rather a complex climate and fire refugia resulting of a more rugged topography in former islands that allowed old-growth dependent species to accumulate through millennia in the right habitat structure. These results give new perspectives to discriminate apparently common habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protecting habitat of species at risk is critical to their recovery, but can be contentious. For example, protecting species that are locally imperilled but globally common is often thought to distract from protecting globally imperilled species. However, such perceived trade-offs are based on the assumption that threatened groups have little spatial overlap, which is rarely quantified. We compiled range maps of terrestrial species at risk in Canada to assess the geographic overlap of nationally and globally at-risk species with each other, among taxonomic groups, and with protected areas. While many nationally at-risk taxa only occur in Canada at their northern range edge, they are not significantly more peripheral in Canada than globally at-risk species. Further, 56% of hotspots of nationally at-risk taxa are also hotspots of globally at-risk species, undercutting the perceived trade-off in their protection. While strong spatial overlap across threat levels and taxa should facilitate efficient habitat protection, less than 7% of the area in Canada's at-risk hotspots is protected, and two-thirds of nationally and globally at-risk species in Canada have less than 10% of their Canadian range protected. Our results counter the perception that protecting nationally versus globally at-risk species are at odds, and identify critical areas to target as Canada strives to increase its protected areas and promote recovery of species at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major international agreements governing the shared use of transboundary waters rarely deal explicitly with species conservation, yet they often have major implications for aquatic, avian, and terrestrial species. To meet conservation objectives, it may be necessary to find flexibility, or "adaptive capacity" within these agreements to enable conservation measures. This study applies incident analysis to assess the adaptive capacity of the Canada–US Columbia River Treaty (CRT) to respond to evolving species conservation needs. Like many other transboundary agreements, the terms of the CRT cover power production, flood protection and irrigation, but not species conservation. We analyze the discourses and normative expectations of politically relevant actors regarding an international conflict with Canada over the use of flow modifications by US agencies to conserve an endangered species of sturgeon. Four distinct discourse coalitions formed around the issue, each with its own interpretation of the problem, normative expectations about the rules that should apply, and power to shape decision making. The incident highlights how domestic conservation laws can directly impinge upon an international transboundary water treaty, and how flexibility can be found within existing institutional arrangements for conservation purposes. However, new norms for fish conservation were not fully incorporated into the CRT and decision-making authority for conservation-related disputes became more entrenched in the Treaty's implementing agencies, potentially further excluding actors who might support fish conservation, such as environmental organizations and Indigenous governments. We recommend strategies to increase the adaptive capacity of the CRT and similar international agreements to enable species conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the magnitude and geographic patterns of genetic diversity is instrumental for recovery of endangered tree species whose persistence is limited by genetic variation. One such species is American chestnut (Castanea dentata), which has experienced a dramatic reduction in population size in North America in association with the spread of the parasitic fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica, causing chestnut blight. To examine the impact of the bottleneck and role of genetic diversity on population dynamics and recovery, we conducted a population genetic assessment of native American chestnut populations in the understudied northern range in Canada and along a transect towards the center of the U.S. range. Leaf tissue from 13 natural populations in Canada (N = 7) and northern U.S. (N = 6) were genetically characterized using 16 microsatellite loci and compared to a sample of reference Castanea species. Genetic diversity and population structure were assessed within and among populations to determine population connectivity and the presence of admixture with other Castanea spp. Populations throughout the range displayed high genetic diversity and significant inbreeding, with no significant difference in diversity between those at the center and edge of the range. We found evidence of infrequent interspecific hybridization in some Canadian populations but no relationship between admixture and tree health, assessed in a previous demographic survey. Unexpectedly, Canadian populations clustered separately from U.S. populations. American chestnut appears to have retained substantial genetic diversity following the population bottleneck, which is at odds with the limited incidence of blight resistance/tolerance in extant populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine Fraser River Sockeye Salmon Designatable Units (DUs) were assessed as Threatened or Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC; 2017), and are currently under consideration for addition to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). This document is the second of two parts for the Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for these DUs. The first part of the RPA involved quantitative analysis of abundance data and generation of recovery targets, and estimating the probability of achieving these recovery targets under a range of modelled productivities and rates of en route mortality. This second part of the RPA provides an overview of biology and habitat requirements, an assessment of threats and factors potentially limiting recovery, an inventory of potential mitigation activities to increase survival and/or productivity, and a final discussion surrounding allowable harm. The major threats impacting these DUs were assessed in a multi-day workshop, held October 27th to 29th, 2020, with a range of subject-matter experts, and were identified to be climate change, geological events, natural systems modifications, fishing, pollution, and hatchery competition. These threats were subsequently reviewed during this peer-review process and revised according to group consensus. All nine DUs are faced with a unique and complex suite of threats and limiting factors depending on their geographic location, yet all DUs range from a High to Extreme level of threat risk. Based on the threats assessment, over the next three generations (2021-2032) it is expected that there will be a population level decline of 31-70% (High Risk) for DU10 Harrison (U/S)-L, DU16 Quesnel-S, DU21 Takla-Trembleur-S, and DU24 Widgeon-RT; a population level decline of 31-100% (High-Extreme Risk) for DU2 Bowron-ES, DU14 North Barriere-ES, DU17 Seton-L, DU22 Taseko-ES; and population level decline of 71% to 100% (Extreme Risk) for DU20 Takla-Trembleur-EStu. Alleviating the numerous and complex threats to these DUs will be difficult, especially as many of the threats are exacerbated by climate change. It will be critical to ensure that efforts are appropriately coordinated through effective governance to successfully mitigate the cumulative impacts of these diverse threats. Given the information presented in this RPA (Part 1 & 2), it is apparent that all sources of anthropogenic harm should be minimized to give these populations a chance to rebuild. It is our recommendation that the only activities allowed that cause mortality are those that are in support of the recovery, and in some cases survival of the DUs (i.e. DU20 Takla-Trembleur-EStu, DU2 Bowron-ES), and all sources of anthropogenic harm should be reduced to the maximum extent possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 90% of recent human‐caused extinctions are wild species known from only one nation. These nationally endemic species represent one of the greatest global conservation responsibilities for any country. To meet this responsibility, we must first identify nationally endemic species. We developed the first comprehensive inventory of the 308 plant, animal, and fungi species and infraspecies only found in Canada, of which approximately 90% are of global conservation concern. Our analysis also identified 27 spatial concentrations of endemic species, many of which are associated with glacial refugia, islands, coasts, and unique habitats. Nationally endemic species have not been the primary focus of endangered species conservation in Canada and other countries. Our analysis provides a case study on how national inventories of endemic species can be developed and applied to support species assessments and place‐based conservation. Prioritizing endemic species for conservation can build on sentiments of sense of place and national responsibility to foster public interest. We propose a species conservation framework that highlights the critical role of national endemism in preventing global extinctions. Greater conservation focus on endemic species will support national and international biodiversity conservation targets, including the post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Development of large single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays can make genomic data promptly available for conservation problematic. Medium and high-density panels can be designed with sufficient coverage to offer a genome-wide perspective and the generated genotypes can be used to assess different genetic metrics related to population structure, relatedness, or inbreeding. SNP genotyping could also permit sexing samples with unknown associated metadata as it is often the case when using non-invasive sampling methods favored for endangered species. Genome sequencing of wild species provides the necessary information to design such SNP arrays. We report here the development of a SNP-array for endangered Rangifer tarandus using a multi-platform sequencing approach from animals found in diverse populations representing the entire circumpolar distribution of the species. Results: From a very large comprehensive catalog of SNPs detected over the entire sample set (N = 894), a total of 63,336 SNPs were selected. SNP selection accounted for SNPs evenly distributed across the entire genome (~ every 50Kb) with known minor alleles across populations world-wide. In addition, a subset of SNPs was selected to represent rare and local alleles found in Eastern Canada which could be used for ecotype and population assignments - information urgently needed for conservation planning. In addition, heterozygosity from SNPs located in the X-chromosome and genotyping call-rate of SNPs located into the SRY gene of the Y-chromosome yielded an accurate and robust sexing assessment. All SNPs were validated using a high-throughput SNP-genotyping chip. Conclusion: This design is now integrated into the first genome-wide commercially available genotyping platform for Rangifer tarandus. This platform would pave the way to future genomic investigation of populations for this endangered species, including estimation of genetic diversity parameters, population assignments, as well as animal sexing from genetic SNP data for non-invasive samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last half century runaway wildlife declines have been simultaneous with the liberal environmental state's ascent. Despite proliferating legislation to arrest these declines, states have fuelled economic growth at species' expense. Through what tactics of power does the liberal environmental state manage this contradiction between promising species protection while authorising their obliteration? Manipulations of tense, futurity, temporal pace and scope are central. Responding to the plight of endangered caribou in Canada, the state tinkers and repeatedly resets time ("starting ... now!") while hailing the future eco‐perfect, a time just‐around‐the‐corner when caribou and the economy will flourish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty nine (42%) of Canada's 215 freshwater fish species have been assessed as at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. This study examines genomic population structure of the at-risk Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), a small (≤ 33 cm) predatory fish that in Canada has a range spanning approximately 114,000 km2 of southern Ontario. Within this range it occupies approximately ten sites that are mostly shallow, weedy, and slow-flowing. Its populations and habitat are declining. This study defines population clusters and quantifies genomic diversity within and between populations based on > 5500 loci and > 950 SNPs from genomes of 66 individuals representing the subspecies' entire Canadian range. Ordination and STRUCTURE analyses revealed four major geographic/genomic clusters centered in the Georgian Bay-Severn River, southeastern shore of Lake Huron, Niagara Peninsula, and upper St. Lawrence River. Major clusters were distinguished by relatively high Hudson Fst values (0.205–0.480), with Georgian Bay-Severn River being consistently most distinct. The Niagara Peninsula major cluster contained an additional three discernable sub-clusters differentiated by Fst values as great or greater than major clusters, despite spanning only ca. 200 km2. Genomically distinct Niagara sub-clusters occurred in Abino Drain, Big Forks Creek, and Tea Creek. Samples from sites between both major and minor clusters exhibited admixture from adjacent clusters. Despite current management of Grass Pickerel under a single designatable unit throughout its Canadian range, we map considerable geographic population structure that should help guide the designation of additional conservation units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodiversity and climate change crises have led countries—including Canada—to commit to protect more land and inland waters and to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations. Canada is also obligated to recover populations of at-risk species, including boreal caribou. Canada has the opportunity to expand its protected areas network to protect hotspots of high value for biodiversity and climate mitigation. However, co-occurrence of hotspots is rare. Here we ask: is it possible to expand the network to simultaneously protect areas important for boreal caribou, other species at risk, climate refugia, and carbon stores? We used linear programming to prioritize areas for protection based on these conservation objectives, and assessed how prioritization for multiple, competing objectives affected the outcome for each individual objective. Our multi-objective approach produced reasonably strong representation of value across objectives. Although trade-offs were required, the multi-objective outcome was almost always better than when we ignored one objective to maximize value for another, highlighting the risk of assuming that a plan based on one objective will also result in strong outcomes for others. Multi-objective optimization approaches could be used to plan for protected areas networks that address biodiversity and climate change objectives, even when hotspots do not co-occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous Peoples around the northern hemisphere have long relied on caribou for subsistence and for ceremonial and community purposes. Unfortunately, despite recovery efforts by federal and provincial agencies, caribou are currently in decline in many areas across Canada. In response to recent and dramatic declines of mountain caribou populations within their traditional territory, West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations (collectively, the "Nations") came together to create a new vision for caribou recovery on the lands they have long stewarded and shared. The Nations focused on the Klinse‐Za subpopulation, which had once encompassed so many caribou that West Moberly Elders remarked that they were "like bugs on the landscape." The Klinse‐Za caribou declined from ~250 in the 1990s to only 38 in 2013, rendering Indigenous harvest of caribou nonviable and infringing on treaty rights to a subsistence livelihood. In collaboration with many groups and governments, this Indigenous‐led conservation initiative paired short‐term population recovery actions, predator reduction and maternal penning, with long‐term habitat protection in an effort to create a self‐sustaining caribou population. Here, we review these recovery actions and the promising evidence that the abundance of Klinse‐Za caribou has more than doubled from 38 animals in 2013 to 101 in 2021, representing rapid population growth in response to recovery actions. With looming extirpation averted, the Nations focused efforts on securing a landmark conservation agreement in 2020 that protects caribou habitat over a 7986‐km2 area. The Agreement provides habitat protection for >85% of the Klinse‐Za subpopulation (up from only 1.8% protected pre‐conservation agreement) and affords moderate protection for neighboring caribou subpopulations (29%–47% of subpopulation areas, up from 0%–20%). This Indigenous‐led conservation initiative has set both the Indigenous and Canadian governments on the path to recover the Klinse‐Za subpopulation and reinstate a culturally meaningful caribou hunt. This effort highlights how Indigenous governance and leadership can be the catalyst needed to establish meaningful conservation actions, enhance endangered species recovery, and honor cultural connections to now imperiled wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Threatened species lists describe the conservation status of species and are key tools used to inform decisions for biodiversity conservation. These lists are rich in information obtained during status assessment and recovery planning processes, ranging from biological attributes to actions that support recovery. Data compiled from species lists allow for analyses, including assessing trends in threats, prioritizing actions, and identifying barriers to achieving recovery objectives. For legally protected species at risk of extinction in Canada, such analyses are challenging owing to a lack of comprehensive and accessible data reflecting information compiled from listing and recovery documents. To encourage ongoing synthesis and minimise duplication of efforts, we initiated CAN-SAR: a database of Canadian Species at Risk information. This transparent, open-access, and searchable database contains information transcribed from listing documents, including listing date, and derived variables. Derived variables required interpretation for which we developed standardised criteria to record information, including classification of recovery actions. The CAN-SAR database is updateable, and will contribute towards improved recovery planning to safeguard species of conservation concern. Measurement(s) threatened species • threat classes • recovery actions Technology Type(s) document review Sample Characteristic - Organism multiple Sample Characteristic - Location Canada [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The North Atlantic Designatable Unit (DU) of Shortfin Mako Shark was assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as Endangered in April 2019, and is currently under consideration for listing under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) presented here provides information to support the listing recommendation and any recovery actions, should the species be listed. Shortfin Mako occurs throughout the Northern Hemisphere of the Atlantic Ocean. The biological characteristics of Shortfin Mako (i.e., relatively long lifespan, late maturity, and low reproductive output) make the population very susceptible to fishing pressure, which is the main threat identified in the North Atlantic. Multiple international and Canadian fisheries intercept Shortfin Mako as bycatch, and the most recent assessment of the DU predicts that it is overfished relative to biomass at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). Reducing total removals in the North Atlantic to 500 mt is projected to have a > 50% probability of population recovery by 2070. For comparison, international and Canadian removals in 2019 totalled 1,863 mt and 63 mt, respectively. Considering just Canadian fleets, interception probabilities are highest from pelagic longline, with an average of 48% of observed sets encountering Shortfin Mako, followed by bottom longline (0.4% of sets) and otter trawl (0.2% of sets). The most effective Canadian mitigation measure for Shortfin Mako will be the new landings prohibition, implemented in 2020 for pelagic longline and scheduled for implementation in 2021 for fixed-gear groundfish fisheries. The effectiveness of other mitigation measures are relatively unclear and, in many cases, would require dedicated experimentation to test. The current requirement to use circle hooks may need to be revised due to new evidence that increased catchability outweighs any reduction in post-release mortality for Shortfin Mako, thus leading to greater total mortality as compared to using J-hooks. Given the current level of international fisheries removals and the extent of mitigation already in place in Canada, there is very little scope for mitigation actions by Canada to measurably affect recovery potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activity can put non‐game fishes at higher risk of extinction because of inappropriate management action. Eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), a small benthic fish classified as threatened across much of its northern range, inhabits increasingly fragmented sandy habitats and, as a non‐game fish, may be easily overlooked in conservation efforts. In this study, the authors use genotype data from nine microsatellite loci and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequencing data across its northern native range to re‐assess genetic structure and to characterize a newly discovered, geographically disjunct population. Previous microsatellite marker analyses had identified seven distinct population genetic clusters across the region sampled; the analysis of this study showed that the newly discovered population (West Lake, Ontario) exhibits a divergent structure. COI haplotype analysis suggests that a single haplotype recolonized the Great Lakes and surrounding water bodies after the Wisconsinan glacial period, and subsequent fluctuation in water levels and habitat fragmentation resulted in divergence of genetic clusters. Although the novel West Lake population has a common ancestral source with other populations in the broader region, its divergent genetic signature merits its consideration as a separate conservation unit. The analyses of this study highlight the potential conservation implications of the discovery of new populations, particularly those of at‐risk species, even within a region that has been genetically well characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has emerged as an increasingly important threat to freshwater systems. To cope with rapidly changing thermal regimes, freshwater fishes must either relocate or adjust through genetic adaptation and/or phenotypic plasticity. Short‐term responses to elevated water temperature have been well studied in freshwater fishes; however, far less is understood about change induced by long‐term exposure. Furthermore, few studies have investigated the effects of temperature on already imperilled species, which may be more sensitive to environmental change.This study investigated the effects of rearing temperature on critical thermal maximum (CTmax), agitation temperature (Tag, temperature at which fish show behavioural signs of thermal stress) and gill size in pugnose shiner, Notropis anogenus, a threatened species in Canada. Juvenile pugnose shiner were reared for 4 months across five different ecologically relevant temperatures. CTmax and Tag were measured under normoxia and acute exposure to hypoxia to test for oxygen sensitivity of the upper thermal limits in this species.CTmax increased with elevated water temperature. Tag also increased with rearing temperature and occurred, on average, 4.3°C above acclimation temperatures. The CTmax and Tag were lower when fish were exposed acutely to hypoxia. Interestingly, gill size (e.g. total gill filament length) increased with rearing temperature, which may increase oxygen uptake capacity and support increased metabolic demands of warmer waters.Overall, pugnose shiner show plasticity in several traits in response to long‐term exposure to elevated water temperature that may facilitate persistence in warmer waters. However, acute hypoxia exposure reduced thermal tolerance, stressing the importance of evaluating interactive effects of multiple stressors.Identifying source populations of pugnose shiner with greater thermal tolerance or implementing captive breeding under higher temperature regimes may improve the success of re‐introduction efforts in the face of climate change, but the consequences to fitness of increased thermal tolerance should be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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