Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are defined in the Delware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) as wildlife species indicative of the overall health of the state's wildlife resources. Some may be rare or declining. Others may be a vital component of specific habitats. Certain species may have a significant portion of their population in Delaware. The state's SGCN's are placed into categories based on their state or global status.

 

Tier 1
Species that are most in need of conservation action in order to sustain or restore their populations. The DEWAP focuses on Tier 1 species to analyze threats to their populations and habitats. Conservation actions are developed to eliminate or minimize these identified threats.

Tier 1 species must meet one or more of the following requirements:
                         State Status of endangered
                         Populations considered sensitive or significant in DE
                         US Endangered Species Act status as endangered or threatened
                         Global Rank of G1 or G2
                         Northeast Endangered Species & Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee (NETC) listing warranted
                         American Fisheries Society (AFS) listing as endangered or threatened

Tier 2
Species in need of conservation action but without the urgency of Tier 1 species. Distribution of Tier 2 species throughout the state help to determine where DEWAP conservation actions will be implemented.

Tier 2 species must meet one or more of the following requirements: 
                        State Rank of S1, S2, SH, or SX (if not Tier 1)
                        US Endangered Species Act candidate
                        Global Rank of G3
                        Northeast Endangered Species & Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee (NETC) concern (if not Tier 1)
                        American Fisheries Society (AFS) listing as vulnerable

*State and Global Ranking Systems are listed at bottom of page.

 

Delaware's Species of Greatest Conservation Need

 Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

 

 View Species of Greatest Conservation Need by Habitat (select various habitats from the drop-down list at the top of this report).

Select Report:

Brackfish and Marine Aquatic Freshwater Aquatic Habitats Non-Tidal Wetland Communities Not yet associated with a habitat Other Habitats Tidal Wetland Communities Upland Communities

Format:

PDF EXCEL

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State Ranking System:
S1.1 - only one occurrence within the state
S1 - extremely rare within the state (typically 5 or fewer occurrences)
S2 - very rare rare within the state (6 to 20 occurrences)
SH - historically known to occur in the state
SX - presumed extirpated from the state
SU - unknown

Global Ranking System:
G1 - imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences worldwide)
G2 - imperiled globally because of great rarity (6 to 20 occurrences worldwide)
G3 - either very rare and local throughout its range (21 to 100 occurrences worldwide) or found only locally in a restricted range
G4 - apparently secure globally but uncommon in parts of its range
G5 - secure on a global basis but may be uncommon locally