BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Gymnocarpium continentale
Nahanni oak fern
| Scientific Name: | Gymnocarpium continentale |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Synonyms: |
Gymnocarpium jessoense
Gymnocarpium jessoense ssp. parvulum |
| English Name: | Nahanni oak fern |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S5 |
| Date Status Assigned: | April 30, 2019 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | April 30, 2019 |
| Reasons: | Gymnocarpium jessoense ssp. parvulum is ranked S3 in BC. This taxon occurs in remote areas with extensive suitable habitat over a large area in BC. Recently, numbers of known sites increased as a result of a national parks inventory. Additional populations are almost certain to occur. In these remote mountain locations, it is also very unlikely that they will be significantly threatened. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | F = 20,000-200,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | Gymnocarpium jessoense ssp parvulum occurs over a relatively large range in BC. |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Area of Occupancy Comments: | Only two of the records contains data on occupied area (over ca. 800 square meters in those locations). |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | BC = 6 - 80 |
| Comments: | There are 8 known occurrences. Although collections are few, the taxon occurs in remote areas with extensive appropriate habitat, and additional populations almost certainly occur. Recent inventory in the national parks revealed more locations (Williston, 2003; Williston, 2004). |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | U = Unknown |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | C = 4 - 12 |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Only four of the known sites have population data with approximately 42 to 140 plants in those four sites. |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | Unthreatened |
| Comments: | There are no known threats to this species or its habitat at this time. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Long-Term Trend: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | U=Unknown |
| Comments: | There is no evidence that this species is intrinsically vulnerable. |
| Environmental Specificity: | D=Broad. Generalist or community with all key requirements common. |
| Comments: | Gymnocarpium jessoense ssp. parvulum occurs in a variety of habitats at higher elevations in the moutains including on talus, in sandstone crevices and other cracks in rock, in gravel and along mountain trails. |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Penny, J.L. |
| Date: | November 24, 2004 |
| References | |
|
Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger, and J. Penny. 2002. Rare Native Vascular Plants of British Columbia, 2nd ed. B.C. Conserv. Data Centre, Terrestrial Inf. Branch, Victoria. 358pp.
|
|
|
Williston, P. 2003. Species at Risk in Rogers Pass National Historic Site. A Report to Parks Canada, Glacier/Mount Revelstoke National Parks, Revelstoke, BC. 14pp.
|
|
|
Williston, P. 2004. Vascular plant species at risk in the Beaver Valley, Glacier National Park. Rep. prepared for Parks Can. by Gentian Botanical Research, Smithers, BC. 27pp.+app.
|
|
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. 2004. Conservation Status Report: Gymnocarpium continentale. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 5, 2026).