The North Atlantic Region of the United States and Canada boasts diverse habitats, from coasts to mountains, that support endemic and rare plant species. However, recent conservation actions and prioritization efforts in this region have neglected to include plants. We have conducted a conservation assessment for vascular plants that occur in the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative. Using the best scientific data, we have developed a list of vascular plant species of concern for the region. We have refined the list with the input of Natural Heritage and other regional botanists and experts. For each species, we have determined regional conservation responsibility, developed regional ranks, updated global ranks, provided a comprehensive review of climate change analyses, documented known threats, and identified gaps in conservation efforts. This project relied heavily on the knowledge and expertise of the Natural Heritage botanists in the region and the existing element occurrence data, conservation status assessments, and methodology of NatureServe and the Natural Heritage Network. The primary outcome is a prioritized list of rare plant species for conservation actions, with a comprehensive analysis of rarity, threats, trends, legal protection, inclusion in State Wildlife Action Plan revisions, conservation status, habitat, and climate change.
The final report for this project was completed in September 2017 and revised slightly in December 2017.
Project Objectives:-Assess regional responsibility of rare vascular plant species in the North Atlantic LCC Region-Assess the regional and global conservation statuses of rare vascular plant species in the North Atlantic LCC Region-Develop methodology for regional prioritization of rare plants
