Definitions of Abbreviations used on Natural Heritage Resource Lists
The following ranks are used by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to set protection priorities for natural heritage resources. Natural Heritage Resources, or "NHR's," are rare plant and animal species, rare and exemplary natural communities, and significant geologic features. The criterion for ranking NHR's is the number of populations or occurrences, i.e. the number of known distinct localities; the number of individuals in existence at each locality or, if a highly mobile organism (e.g., sea turtles, many birds, and butterflies), the total number of individuals; the quality of the occurrences, the number of protected occurrences; and threats.
- S1 -
Critically Imperiled; At very high risk of extirpation in the jurisdiction due to very restricted range, very few populations or occurrences, very steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
- S2 - Imperiled;
At high risk of extirpation in the jurisdiction due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors.
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- S3 - Vulnerable;
At moderate risk of extirpation in the jurisdiction due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors.
- S4 - Apparently secure;
At a fairly low risk of extirpation in the jurisdiction due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but with possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent declines, threats, or other factors.
- S5 - Secure;
At very low or no risk of extirpation in the jurisdiction due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, with little to no concern from declines or threats.
- S#B - Breeding status of an animal within the state
- S#N - Non-breeding status of animal within the state. Usually applied to winter resident species.
- S#? - Inexact or uncertain numeric rank.
- SH -
Known from only historical records but still some hope of rediscovery. There is evidence that the species or ecosystem may no longer be present in the state, but not enough to state this with certainty. Examples of such evidence include (1) that a species has not been documented in approximately 20-40 years despite some searching and/or some evidence of significant habitat loss or degradation; (2) that a species or ecosystem has been searched for unsuccessfully, but not thoroughly enough to presume that it is no longer present in the jurisdiction.
- S#S#- Range rank; A numeric range rank, (e.g. S2S3) is used to indicate the range of uncertainty about the exact status of the element. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank.
- SU - Unrankable; Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.
- SNR- Unranked; state rank not yet assessed.
- SX - Presumed extirpated from the state. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.
- SNA- A conservation status rank is not applicable because the element is not a suitable target for conservation activities.
Global Ranks
are similar, but refer to a species' rarity throughout its total range. Global ranks are denoted with a "G" followed by a character. Note GX means the element is presumed extinct throughout its range, not relocated despite intensive searches of historical sites/appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered. A "Q" in a rank indicates that a taxonomic question concerning that species exists. Ranks for subspecies are denoted with a "T". The global and state ranks combined (e.g. G2/S1) give an instant grasp of a species' known rarity.
These ranks should not be interpreted as legal designations
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FEDERAL STATUS
- The Division of Natural Heritage uses the standard abbreviations for Federal endangerment developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Endangered Species and Habitat Conservation.
| LE - Listed Endangered |
LT - Listed Threatened |
PE - Proposed Endangered |
PT - Proposed Threatened |
| C - Candidate (formerly C1 - Candidate category 1) |
E(S/A) - treat as endangered because of similarity of appearance |
T(S/A) - treat as threatened because of similarity of appearance |
SOC - Species of Concern species that merit special concern (not a regulatory category) |
STATE LEGAL STATUS
- The Division of Natural Heritage uses similar abbreviations for State endangerment:
| LE - Listed Endangered |
PE - Proposed Endangered |
SC - Special Concern - animals that merit special concern according to VDWR (not a regulatory category) |
| LT - Listed Threatened |
PT - Proposed Threatened |
C - Candidate |
For information on the laws pertaining to threatened or endangered species, please contact:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for all FEDERALLY listed species;
- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Plant Protection Bureau for STATE listed plants and insects
- Department of Wildlife Resources for all other STATE listed animals
CONSERVATION SITES RANKING
Brank is a rating of the significance of the conservation site based on presence and number of natural heritage resources; on a scale of 1-5, 1 being most significant. Sites are also coded to reflect the presence/absence of federally/state listed species:
CONSERVATION SITE RANKS |
LEGAL STATUS OF SITES |
| B1 - Outstanding significance |
FL - Federally listed species present |
| B2 - Very High significance |
SL - State listed species present |
| B3 - High significance |
NL - No listed species present |
| B4 - Moderate significance |
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| B5 - Of general Biodiversity significance |
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
