Soapweed (Yucca glauca) COSEWIC assessment and status report 2013: chapter 12
Soapweed was previously assessed by COSEWIC in 1985 as Vulnerable (Fairbarns 1985) and in 2000, as Threatened (Csotonyi and Hurlburt 2000). In 2003, it was reassessed under new criteria when the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was implemented and was designated as Threatened by COSEWIC and listed on SARA Schedule 1. The three species of yucca moth associated with Soapweed were all assessed as Endangered by COSEWIC and are also listed under SARA Schedule 1 (COSEWIC 2002, COSEWIC 2006a, COSEWIC 2006b).
In 2003, the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development approved the listing of Soapweed and Yucca Moth as 'Endangered' under Alberta's Wildlife Act based on recommendations from the Alberta Endangered Species Conservation Committee. At present, however, only Soapweed is listed in Alberta (ASYMRT 2006), but protection of plants and their habitat is not required under this legislation. All three moth species do, however, benefit indirectly from protection of the host plant.
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development developed a Recovery Plan for Soapweed and Yucca Moth in Alberta (2006-2011) (ASYMRT 2006), and in 2011, Environment Canada adopted the provincial plan and amended the plan to make it into a SARA-compliant Recovery Strategy (Environment Canada 2011). An update to the Alberta Recovery Plan is currently in preparation.
Soapweed is common throughout most of its range and has been ranked as globally secure (G5; NatureServe 2011). In Canada, Soapweed has a conservation status of critically imperilled (N1) while in the United States it is considered secure (N5; NatureServe 2011). Soapweed is critically imperilled (S1) in Alberta and considered introduced in Saskatchewan (SNA) (NatureServe 2011; Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre 2011).
Soapweed is apparently secure to secure (S4S5) in Montana, apparently secure (S4) in Wyoming, vulnerable (S3) in Iowa, and imperilled (S2) in Missouri ; however, it has not been ranked in most of the states in which it occurs (NatureServe 2011).
The Onefour population of Soapweed is on provincial land under lease to the federal government (considered to be federal lands) and is protected under SARA. The Onefour population also occurs within the Onefour Heritage Rangeland Natural Area designated by Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation (Parks Division), although relatively little public access occurs at the Onefour Soapweed population. Natural Areas protect sites of local significance and provide opportunities for low-impact recreation and nature appreciation activities. Land use in the Natural Area is regulated by the Alberta Public Lands Act.
The Pinhorn population occurs on provincial lands leased to the Pinhorn Grazing Association. This grazing reserve provides access to pasture for local ranchers, recreational opportunities for the public and access for resource extraction and development.
Critical habitat for Soapweed and Yucca Moth was described in the Soapweed and Yucca Moth Recovery Plan (ASYMRT 2006) as 182 ha at the AAFC Onefour Research Substation and the 2.65 ha at the Pinhorn site (Alberta Soapweed and Yucca Moth Recovery Team 2006). This description was identified as Critical Habitat in the federal recovery strategy (Environment Canada 2011).
The Rockglen population occurs on private land, with a single clone occupying the roadside, which is under jurisdiction of the province of Saskatchewan. It is unknown whether the landowner is aware of the Soapweed, and no critical habitat has been designated for this site.
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