SPECIES AT RISK ACTList of Wildlife Species at Risk (referral back to COSEWIC) OrderP.C.2018-5320182
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Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Environment, pursuant to subsections 27(1.1) and (1.2) of the Species at Risk ActaS.C. 2002, c. 29refers the assessment of the status of the Yukon Draba (Draba yukonensis) back to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) for further consideration; andapproves that the Minister of the Environment include in the public registry established under section 120 of that Act the statement that is attached as the annex to this Order and that sets out the reasons for the referral back to COSEWIC.Statement Setting Out the Reasons for Referring the Assessment of the Yukon Draba (Draba yukonensis) Back to COSEWICYukon Draba is a small herbaceous mustard plant. At the time of COSEWIC’s assessment in 2011, the only occurrence known worldwide was in a single meadow complex in southwestern Yukon. The meadow complex is under threat from industrial activities, nearby human habitation, invasive species, trampling by humans and forest encroachment. Given the rarity of suitable habitat within the range of natural dispersal, the restricted range and extreme population fluctuations as understood at the time of the assessment, COSEWIC proposed that the Yukon Draba be designated as endangered. However, since the publication of the assessment, COSEWIC has advised that a reassessment is warranted based on new information regarding the species range in Canada and its population dynamics.