Species of greatest conservation need are defined as aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species with small or declining populations or other characteristics that make them vulnerable. They include species currently federally or State listed as threatened or endangered, and other species identified through analysis of available data and recommendations from experts on particular taxa of Michigan (see Identification of SGCN for details).
To address SGCN needs not addressed within the landscape feature summaries, supplemental information on each SGCN is provided in the SGCN Summaries. The SGCN summaries will likely be most valuable to conservation partners focusing on a particular species or group of species. Each species summary includes information on distribution, relative abundance, associated landscape features, threats, and any information gaps or special concerns that must be addressed to effectively conserve the species.
The WAP identifies 404 SGCN within nine major taxonomic groups: mussels, snails, crayfish, insects (aquatic and terrestrial), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (Table 1). Data required to evaluate conservation needs were not available for many groups and, therefore, those groups were not included. The need for further research to fill these knowledge gaps is described in more detail in the Statewide Assessments.
Table 1. Numbers of Michigan wildlife species in each of nine major taxonomic groups State listed as threatened or endangered, special concern*, and SGCN.
Taxonomic
Group |
Total
number |
Threatened/
endangered |
Special
concern* |
SGCN |
| Mussels |
77 |
10 |
8 |
28 |
| Snails |
180 |
4 |
29 |
36 |
| Crayfish |
6 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| Insects |
15,000-
20,000 |
19 |
75 |
138 |
| Fish |
152 |
15 |
11 |
44 |
| Amphibians |
23 |
2 |
2 |
14 |
| Reptiles |
29 |
4 |
6 |
16 |
| Birds |
414+ |
21 |
21 |
99 |
| Mammals |
66 |
6 |
4 |
27 |
| Totals |
|
81 |
156 |
404 |
* Special concern species are not legally protected, but have been identified by Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) as being of concern because of declining or relict populations in the State.
+ This number includes the 233 species known to breed in Michigan, as well as species which migrate through the State.
Currently, the set of SGCN is limited to wildlife species and does not include plants. This action plan focuses predominantly on the needs of wildlife and wildlife habitats because SWG funds, which are the primary monetary support for implementation of the WAP, may not currently be used for projects that are solely for conservation of plants. However, future editions of the action plan will explore inclusion of plants that have obligate relationships with wildlife SGCN, that are indicators of high quality natural communities, or that are in need of conservation for other reasons, because they are also essential elements of the systems in which Michigan's wildlife exists.
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