BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Lupinus lepidus
prairie lupine
| Scientific Name: | Lupinus lepidus |
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| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Lupinus lepidus var. lepidus
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| English Name: | prairie lupine |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S1 |
| Date Status Assigned: | April 30, 1996 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | April 30, 2019 |
| Reasons: | There are currently 10 known occurrences of Lupinus lepidus in British Columbia, 3 of which are considered extant. The range extent is 462 square kilometres and the area of occupancy is 12 square kilometres. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | C = 250-1,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | The range extent for Lupinus lepidus, calculated using a convex hull, is 462 square kilometres; known from the Sooke Hills north to Duncan. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | C = 3-5 |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | The area of occupancy, using a 2km x 2km grid cell for extant occurrences, is 12 square kilometres. |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | A = 1 - 5 |
| Comments: | There are currently 10 known occurrences of Lupinus lepidus in British Columbia, 3 of which are considered extant. |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | A = None (zero) |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | B = 1 - 3 |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Lupinus lepidus is primarily threatened by fire (or lack of) and development. Secondary impacts of fire suppression include Scotch broom encroachment, competition, shading, and changes to soil chemistry. Ryan and Douglas (1996b) state that the taxon may be particularly vulnerable to Cytisus scoparius, which fixes nitrogen and colonizes disturbed xeric sites but is more highly competitive than L. lepidus. Fire suppression has led to increased ingrowth from competing native woody species, which limits habitat for L. lepidus. Suppression of natural disturbance regimes has also led to increased competition from herb and grass vegetation and increased thatch build up, which limits "safe sites" for germination. All of the former L. lepidus sites were likely maintained by periodic fires. Urbanization, infrastructure and other types of development, and habitat loss have been major factors in causing habitat fragmentation and limiting the taxon's dispersal to appropriate habitat. Recreational activity, trampling, trail development, and herbivory from native and introduced species may also threaten L. lepidus. Roadside improvements (Beacon Hill Park) and sewer pipeline installation (Somenos Lake) were responsible for destroying two of the populations. Demographic collapse may also threaten the taxon. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | E = Decline of 30-50% |
| Comments: | Three new populations (Mount Braden, Mount Wells and Mount Helmcken) have been documented since the status report was published in 1996 (Ryan and Douglas 1996b). The Mount Wells population was discovered in 2000 following a fire. Subsequently, a lack of disturbance and ingrowth of Scotch broom led to a decline in and possible loss of this population, which was last observed in 2004 (Douglas and Ryan 2006; Roemer 2007). This represents a 33% loss of sites, but this species is a seed-banker and it is possible it may reappear at Mount Wells in a favorable year, thus the short term trend is essentially unknown. |
| Long-Term Trend: | A = Decline of >90% |
| Comments: | There are seven extirpated or non-verified populations (Ryan and Douglas 1996b). In total, four or five of about seven sites have been lost since the turn of the 20th century, which represents at least 57% (substantial) loss of sites. Long term decline in habitat trends is even more substantial. A 95% decline in Garry Oak habitat between 1800 and 1997 has occurred (Lea 2002). This decline has undoubtedly contributed to losses for this species. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | C=Not intrinsically vulnerable |
| Environmental Specificity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Maslovat, C., Penny, J. and R. Batten |
| Date: | June 14, 2021 |
| References | |
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Douglas, George W., and Michael Ryan. 2006. Conservation evaluation of the Prairie Lupine, Lupinus lepidus var. lepidus, in Canada. Can. Field-Naturalist 120(2): 147-152.
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Fairbarns, M., and J.L. Penny. 2003. Rare plant locations in Uplands Park, Victoria.
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Roemer, H. 2007. A survey for the endangered prairie lupine (Lupinus lepidus) in the Sooke Hills. A project carried out for the Capital Regional District. Victoria, B.C. 28 pp.
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Ryan, M., and G.W. Douglas. 1996b. Status Report on Prairie Lupine, Lupinus lepidus var. lepidus, in Canada. Unpubl. rep. submitted to the Comm. on the Status of Endangered Wildl. in Can. Ottawa. 26pp.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2021. Conservation Status Report: Lupinus lepidus. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Apr 18, 2024).