Updated recovery potential modelling of Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta) in Canada

Abstract

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has assessed Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta) in Canada as Endangered. Population modelling is presented to assess the impacts of harm and determine abundance and habitat recovery targets in support of a recovery potential assessment (RPA). This analysis demonstrated that Lake Chubsucker were most sensitive to perturbations to adult survival. Population viability analysis was used to identify potential recovery targets. Demographic sustainability (i.e., a self sustaining population over the long term) can be achieved with population sizes of ~ 33,600 individuals of age-1 and older with a catastrophe frequency of 15% per generation and desired persistence probability of 99% over 100 years. Such a population would require 0.41 km2 of lacustrine habitat or 0.12 km2 of riverine habitat.