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Moose - Nova Scotia Mainland population Alces alces americana Endangered -2003

The native population of moose in Nova Scotia is limited to approximately 1000 individuals in isolated sub-populations across the mainland. The population has declined by at least 20% over the past 30 years with much greater reductions in distribution and population size over more than 200 years, despite extensive hunting closures since the 1930's. The decline is not well understood but involves a complex of threats including: over harvesting, illegal hunting, climate change, parasitic brainworm, increased road access to moose habitat, spread of white-tailed deer, very high levels of cadmium, deficiencies in cobalt and possibly an unknown viral disease.
Moose on Cape Breton Island are not risk as they are abundant and the result of a re-introduction of moose from Alberta in the 1940’s.

Boreal Felt Lichen Erioderma pedicullatum Endangered -2003

This small, inconspicuous lichen has experienced a dramatic decline of over 90% in occurrences and individuals over the last two decades. Boreal Felt Lichen is now known in Nova Scotia from only one site that includes three individuals all within an area of only a few hundred square meters. The primary threats to Boreal Felt Lichen are atmospheric pollutants and acid precipitation which can cause the death of individuals and disrupt reproduction. The lichen can also be threatened by forestry and other land use practices if they disrupt the moist microclimate that is essential for the species.

Tubercled Spikerush Eleocharis tuberculosa Threatened -2003

This Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada on the shores of only five lakes in Nova Scotia. One population is considered a distinct endemic form (E. tuberculosa, forma pubnicoensis) Some populations of this species in the United States are also at risk. Threats to this species are linked to: its small, very localized populations, human alteration and loss of lakeshore habitats, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV’s and other recreational activities.

Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus Threatened -2003

In Nova Scotia, the Ribbon Snake exists as a small, isolated post-glacial relic population confined to the southwest part of the province. This semi-aquatic snake is restricted to specialized habitats on lakeshores and other wetland habitats. Little is known about the species. As such, it is unique and due to its apparently small population is susceptible to demographic and environmental fluctuations. In addition, the species is threatened by habitat loss due to shoreline development.

The Atlantic whitefish is a species endemic to Nova Scotia, meaning that it breeds nowhere else in the world. In Nova Scotia it is found only in the Tusket and Petite Riviere watersheds and may have been extirpated from the Tusket River system. Little is known about this species and no population estimate for the species exists. Past and present threats to the species include: hydro-electric development, predation by non-native fish species (e.g. chain pickerel, smallmouth bass), acidification and fishing.

An aquatic species of Atlantic Coastal Plain species known in Canada only from two lakeshores in southwestern Nova Scotia. One of these populations is within Kekimkujik National Park and is protected. Research has recently verified that these plants are not capable of sexual reproduction and the species persists here only through asexual reproduction. The abundance of this species can vary dramatically at these sites over time. Threats to the species include shoreline alteration, human and vehicle disturbance and eutrophication (nutrient enrichment).

About one hundred pairs of this seabird breed in Canada. All but a few pairs are in a small number of colonies in Nova Scotia. The size of the population and the number of breeding sites have declined markedly in the past fifty years. Predation by gulls on eggs and young, human disturbance at colonies and coastal development all pose significant threats to this species.

This Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada on the shores of only three lakes in Nova Scotia. Populations in the United States are also at risk. Threats include: human alteration and loss of lakeshore habits, water pollution, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV's and other recreational activities.

This Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada in only five wetland bogs in southwestern Nova Scotia. Threats to this species include the draining, alteration and development of bog habitats.

This highly disjunct plant species is found in Canada at only six sites in Digby Neck and Brier Island. At some sites the populations have declined substantially or have disappeared altogether. This is due to habitat loss and degradation caused by the draining of wetlands and the invasion of habitat by weeds and shrubs. These invasions may be the result of nutrient enrichment by large populations of Herring and Greater black-backed Gulls.

There have been one to five pairs of Peregrine Falcons nesting in Nova Scotia during the past five years. During the previous forty years, this falcon was absent from the Province and a large part of Canada. The decline was primarily due to the use of organochlorine pesticides. Through extensive recovery efforts the situation for this species has improved; however, it is too soon to determine if the population is secure.

There may be 2,500 Wood Turtles widely dispersed across river habitats in Nova Scotia, but information suggests that this species is declining. Like other turtles, this species is of concern because even low mortality rates of adults can have serious population impacts. Threats to wood turtles in Nova Scotia include alteration and destruction of river and stream habitats and translocations of turtles by people.

An Atlantic Coastal Plain species of shrub that is found in Canada only on six lakeshores in southwestern Nova Scotia. Three of these populations, discovered in the past three years, are large and indicate that the plant is more abundant that previously thought. However, there is still concern that this long-lived perennial may have limited sexual reproduction in Nova Scotia, where it is at the northern limit of its range.

Listed 2003
Moose - Nova Scotia Mainland population Alces alces americana Endangered -2003	The native population of moose in Nova Scotia is limited to approximately 1000 individuals in isolated sub-populations across the mainland. The population has declined by at least 20% over the past 30 years with much greater reductions in distribution and population size over more than 200 years, despite extensive hunting closures since the 1930's. The decline is not well understood but involves a complex of threats including: over harvesting, illegal hunting, climate change, parasitic brainworm, increased road access to moose habitat, spread of white-tailed deer, very high levels of cadmium, deficiencies in cobalt and possibly an unknown viral disease. Moose on Cape Breton Island are not risk as they are abundant and the result of a re-introduction of moose from Alberta in the 1940’s.
Boreal Felt Lichen Erioderma pedicullatum Endangered -2003	This small, inconspicuous lichen has experienced a dramatic decline of over 90% in occurrences and individuals over the last two decades. Boreal Felt Lichen is now known in Nova Scotia from only one site that includes three individuals all within an area of only a few hundred square meters. The primary threats to Boreal Felt Lichen are atmospheric pollutants and acid precipitation which can cause the death of individuals and disrupt reproduction. The lichen can also be threatened by forestry and other land use practices if they disrupt the moist microclimate that is essential for the species.
Tubercled Spikerush Eleocharis tuberculosa Threatened -2003	This Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada on the shores of only five lakes in Nova Scotia. One population is considered a distinct endemic form (E. tuberculosa, forma pubnicoensis) Some populations of this species in the United States are also at risk. Threats to this species are linked to: its small, very localized populations, human alteration and loss of lakeshore habitats, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV’s and other recreational activities.
Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus Threatened -2003	In Nova Scotia, the Ribbon Snake exists as a small, isolated post-glacial relic population confined to the southwest part of the province. This semi-aquatic snake is restricted to specialized habitats on lakeshores and other wetland habitats. Little is known about the species. As such, it is unique and due to its apparently small population is susceptible to demographic and environmental fluctuations. In addition, the species is threatened by habitat loss due to shoreline development.
Listed 2002
*Redroot* (Lachnanthes caroliana) Theatened -2002	An Atlantic Coastal Plain species, known in Canada only from a small number of lakeshores in Nova Scotia. The populations are small and very restricted in distribution. Threats to the species include; human alteration and loss of lakeshore habitats, water pollution, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV’s and other recreational activities.
*Atlantic Whitefish* (Coregonus huntsmani) Endangered -2002	The Atlantic whitefish is a species endemic to Nova Scotia, meaning that it breeds nowhere else in the world. In Nova Scotia it is found only in the Tusket and Petite Riviere watersheds and may have been extirpated from the Tusket River system. Little is known about this species and no population estimate for the species exists. Past and present threats to the species include: hydro-electric development, predation by non-native fish species (e.g. chain pickerel, smallmouth bass), acidification and fishing.
*Canada Lynx* (Lynx canadensis) Endangered -2002	Lynx formally occurred in areas of suitable habitat across mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. The current population is very small and restricted to two areas in the highlands of Cape Breton Island. Historic and current threats to Lynx include: harvesting, competition from bobcats and coyotes, habitat loss, disease and climate change.
*Bicknell’s Thrush* (Catharus bicknelli) Special concern -2002	Bicknell's Thrush is of concern because of habitat change, low numbers, patchy distribution, and low reproductive potential. However, little is known about this secretive species. It breeds in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the northeastern United States. In Nova Scotia, it is currently restricted largely to Cape Breton Island, although historically it was found on a few offshore islands in the southwest part of the province. Habitat has been altered in Nova Scotia over the last century by infestations of spruce budworm and forest management practices.
Listed 2001
*American Marten,* - Cape Breton Island population (Martes americana) Endangered - 2001	The Cape Breton population of Marten is likely less than 50 animals. At present there is no evidence of breeding and there has been extensive loss and degradation of suitable habitat. Marten were trapped extensively throughout Nova Scotia since the 1700's until the season was closed in the early 1900's due to low numbers. The species was thought to have been extirpated from the mainland and several re-introductions have been attempted. There have been some very recent records of Marten in southwest Nova Scotia. However, the status of the Marten on the mainland is considered "data deficient." More research is required.
Golden Crest, (Lophiola aurea) Threatened - 2001	An Atlantic Coastal Plain species of plant found in a six wetlands in southwestern Nova Scotia. These are the only locations for this plant in Canada. Historically, two populations were lost and the extant populations are all under some threat. Threats include alteration of wetland and shoreline habitat through land use change, water level manipulation and eutrophication (nutrient enrichment).
Water Pennywort, (Hydrocotyle umbellata) Endangered - 2001	An aquatic species of Atlantic Coastal Plain species known in Canada only from two lakeshores in southwestern Nova Scotia. One of these populations is within Kekimkujik National Park and is protected. Research has recently verified that these plants are not capable of sexual reproduction and the species persists here only through asexual reproduction. The abundance of this species can vary dramatically at these sites over time. Threats to the species include shoreline alteration, human and vehicle disturbance and eutrophication (nutrient enrichment).
New Jersey Rush, (Juncus caesariensis) Vulnerable - 2001	An Atlantic Coastal Plain species in Canada known only from sixteen bogs and fens in south eastern Cape Breton. The species grows on the edge of bogs and fens. It is locally abundant in some sites and Nova Scotia supports over fifty percent of the world's population. Land use activities that disrupt the integrity of the edge of these bogs could compromise the survival of this species.
Long's Bulrush, (Scirpus longii ) Vulnerable - 2001	An Atlantic Coastal Plain species in Canada known from ten sites in Nova Scotia. It is a very long-lived plant that forms conspicuous circular clones. It inhabits bogs and other wetlands. The populations have been impacted by wetland modification in the past and would be susceptible to wetland development in the future.
Plymouth Gentian, (Sabatia kennedyana) Endangered - 2001	An Atlantic Coastal Plain species, known in Canada only from a small number of lakeshores in Nova Scotia. The populations here are very small. Threats include: human alteration and loss of lakeshore habitats, water pollution, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV's and other recreational activities.
Listed 2000
*Blanding's Turtle* (Emydoidea blandingii) *Endangered* - 2000	Three small disjunct populations of Blandings Turtle are found in central southwest Nova Scotia comprising around two hundred adult animals in total. These turtles are genetically distinct with behavioural and physical differences that distinguish them from Blanding's Turtles in Ontario and the United States. Predators like the raccoon and human alteration of lake shores (water level) used for nesting are the major threats to this species in Nova Scotia.
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) *Endangered* - 2000	About one hundred pairs of this seabird breed in Canada. All but a few pairs are in a small number of colonies in Nova Scotia. The size of the population and the number of breeding sites have declined markedly in the past fifty years. Predation by gulls on eggs and young, human disturbance at colonies and coastal development all pose significant threats to this species.
Piping Plover, (Charadrius melodius) Endangered - 2000	In Nova Scotia only about forty breeding pairs of Piping Plovers remain. These birds are dispersed around the province on seventeen sand beaches. Despite concerted conservation efforts here and elsewhere in North America, the numbers of this species remain low. The main reasons for this include: deterioration of marginal nesting habitat due to natural events (storms, vegetation succession), human alteration of beach habitat, human disturbance during nesting and predation by birds and mammals on eggs and young.
*Harlequin Duck,* (Historonicus historonicus) *Endangered -* 2000	Less than 250 Harlequin Ducks winter on the coast of Nova Scotia. The eastern sub-species, which occurs here, has declined. Little is known about it other than that it breeds along rivers in Labrador and Newfoundland. This species is at risk because of its small population size and other factors including illegal hunting and oil spills.
Pink Coreopsis, (Coreopsis rosea) *Endangered* - 2000	This Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada on the shores of only three lakes in Nova Scotia. Populations in the United States are also at risk. Threats include: human alteration and loss of lakeshore habits, water pollution, destruction of populations and habitat by ATV's and other recreational activities.
*Thread-leaved Sundew,* (Drosera filiformis) Endangered - 2000	This Atlantic Coastal Plain plant species is found in Canada in only five wetland bogs in southwestern Nova Scotia. Threats to this species include the draining, alteration and development of bog habitats.
Eastern Mountain Avens (Geum peckii) *Endangered* - 2000	This highly disjunct plant species is found in Canada at only six sites in Digby Neck and Brier Island. At some sites the populations have declined substantially or have disappeared altogether. This is due to habitat loss and degradation caused by the draining of wetlands and the invasion of habitat by weeds and shrubs. These invasions may be the result of nutrient enrichment by large populations of Herring and Greater black-backed Gulls.
Peregrine Falcon, (Falco peregrinus anatum) Threatened - 2000	There have been one to five pairs of Peregrine Falcons nesting in Nova Scotia during the past five years. During the previous forty years, this falcon was absent from the Province and a large part of Canada. The decline was primarily due to the use of organochlorine pesticides. Through extensive recovery efforts the situation for this species has improved; however, it is too soon to determine if the population is secure.
*Wood Turtle,* (Clemmys insculpta) *Vulnerable* - 2000	There may be 2,500 Wood Turtles widely dispersed across river habitats in Nova Scotia, but information suggests that this species is declining. Like other turtles, this species is of concern because even low mortality rates of adults can have serious population impacts. Threats to wood turtles in Nova Scotia include alteration and destruction of river and stream habitats and translocations of turtles by people.
*Sweet Pepperbush, (Clethra alnifolia)* *Vulnerable -* 2000	An Atlantic Coastal Plain species of shrub that is found in Canada only on six lakeshores in southwestern Nova Scotia. Three of these populations, discovered in the past three years, are large and indicate that the plant is more abundant that previously thought. However, there is still concern that this long-lived perennial may have limited sexual reproduction in Nova Scotia, where it is at the northern limit of its range.


Wildlife Species Protected Under the Endangered Species Act in Nova Scotia Listed 2003 (Posted Ocober 27, 2003) Listed 2002 (Posted October 8, 2002) Listed 2001 (posted July 9, 2001) Listed 2000