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BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report

Berula incisa
cut-leaved water-parsnip

 
Scientific Name: Berula incisa
Scientific Name Synonyms: Berula erecta
English Name: cut-leaved water-parsnip
   
Provincial Status Summary
Status: S3?
Date Status Assigned: April 30, 2019
Date Last Reviewed: April 30, 2019
Reasons: At least ten verified extant occurrences are known for this species in the province. The viability of all occurrences has not yet been assessed, but at least 5 have good to excellent viability and a total of ca. 100,000 individual plants have been reported. The estimated extent of occurrence is 14,000 square km and the estimated area of occupancy is 40 square km. Both short and long-term habitat and population trends are unknown, but are believed to be relatively stable, other than the loss of one population to development. The species appears to be a strong disperser and competitor, though it may be vulnerable to threats such as wetland draining, degradation of wetlands and livestock trampling in riparian areas.
 
Range
Range Extent: F = 20,000-200,000 square km
Range Extent Comments: The estimated extent of occurrence is 23,320 square km, calculated using GIS tools. From Cultus Lake in the west, to Osoyoos Lake and Kamloops. 
Area of Occupancy (km2): E = 26-125
Area of Occupancy Comments: The estimated area of occupancy is 48 square km, or 12-4 square km grid cells.
 
Occurrences & Population
Number of Occurrences: B = 6 - 20
Comments: At least ten verified extant occurrences are known for this species in the province. The dominance of the immense population near Cultus Lake in the Fraser Valley suggests that the species could be found elsewhere nearby, in suitable habitat. However, despite several searches west to Sumas Mountain and east to Hope, no other sites have been discovered (F. Lomer, pers. comm. 2008).
Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: C = 4 - 12
Comments: The viability of all occurrences has not yet been assessed, but at least 5 have good to excellent viability.
Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: B = 1 - 3
Comments: At least one occurrence receives formal protection within White Lake Grasslands Protected Area and another is located on Department of National Defense lands.
Population Size: F = 10,000 - 100,000 individuals
Comments: The number of plants has not been reported from all known sites, but plants are abundant at 3 or 4 locations. Believed extirpated in the Fraser Valley, it was rediscovered at Cultus Lake in 2008, where the population is immense within a beaver dam complex (F. Lomer, pers. comm.).
 
Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected)
Degree of Threat: Moderate, non-imminent threat
Comments: The habitat appears to be in good condition at most sites. Livestock trampling in riparian areas may be a potential threat, but plants appear to tolerate the trampling that has occurred at several locations in the past. Summer grazing may be less tolerated than spring grazing. Berula erecta has persisted at one site where the drainage regime was altered, however, hydrological changes remain a non-imminent but serious threat at all sites since other wetland vegetation in the region have been severely damaged as a result of such changes (F. Lomer, pers. comm. 2006). Wetland draining and degradation of wetlands as a result of forestry activities or commercial development are other potential threats that could be considered of low-moderate scope and moderate severity.
 
Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences)
Short-Term Trend: F = Decline of 10-30%
Comments: Most populations in B.C. have not been monitored; therefore short-term population trends are unknown. However, at least two occurrences (EO#2 and EO#4) have been known for over 10 years and conditions appear to be relatively stable, and another has been lost to development, reflecting a population decline of 10 percent.
Long-Term Trend: U = Unknown
Comments: There is insufficient information available to determine long-term trends.
 
Other Factors
Intrinsic Vulnerability: C=Not intrinsically vulnerable
Comments: This species appears to have high fecundity and does not appear to be limited by its dispersal ability. At one location, Berula erecta co-dominates with Typha latifolia, where space permits (F. Lomer, pers. comm. 2008).
Environmental Specificity: D=Broad. Generalist or community with all key requirements common.
Comments: Berula erecta is a semi-aquatic perenniel wetland plant, found in marshy areas and along streams in the Okanagan Valley. It is widespread across its entire range, has high fire tolerance, low drought tolerance, may be toxic to livestock and is adaped to both fine and medium-textured soils (USDA 2008).
Other Rank Considerations:
 
Information Gaps
Research Needs:
Inventory Needs: Surveys of known sites to evaluate their status, and a directed inventory of suitable habitat in the Okanagan and Fraser Valley to determine if more populations exist.
 
Stewardship
Protection: Land managers should be informed of the populations of rare plants within their managed areas and species specific management within protected areas is needed.
Management: Inform public and private landowners of the existence of populations and importance of habitat conservation.
 
Version
Author: Donovan, M.
Date: May 05, 2015
 
References
USDA, NRCS. 2008. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Available: http://plants.usda.gov/ (accessed 21 October 2008).
 

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. 2015. Conservation Status Report: Berula incisa. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 5, 2026).