Find information about species and natural communities of conservation concern, public lands, and sensitive reso
In 1972, the Missouri General Assembly passed an Act (Section 252.240 RSMo.) charging MDC with establishing a list of endangered species and providing protection for them. Section 4.111 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri regulates these species.
In 1981, the Nature Conservancy, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) created the Missouri Natural Heritage Program (MONHP) to identify species and natural communities of conservation concern in Missouri.
Since 1983, the MONHP has been part of MDC, where it continues its strong commitment to conserving rare and endangered plants and animals and high-quality natural communities.
The MONHP receives biological data from the Missouri Natural Features Inventory, field biologists, universities, scientific literature, herbaria and other individuals and organizations. This information provides an understanding of the abundance, distribution, condition and conservation needs of these sensitive elements. There are currently more than 18,000 element occurrence records of more than 800 sensitive species and natural community types in Missouri.
Species and natural communities are evaluated and ranked on the basis of their global and statewide status. These ranks are revised as new information becomes available; changes in ranking can be the result of changes in species populations or in changes in our knowledge of the species.
The data is managed with Biotics, a geographic information system-based software from NatureServe. Through NatureServe, MONHP is part of an international network of biological and ecological databases.
The Missouri Natural Heritage Program (MONHP) identifies species and natural communities of conservation concern in each Missouri county. You can use this database to get accurate and current information for conservation planning, environmental review, scientific research, land acquisition and planning for economic development.
Heritage Search
Name | State Rank | Global Rank | State Status | Federal Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Sarsaparilla
Aralia nudicaulis
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
A Moss
Atrichum crispulum
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
Jamaica Swamp Sawgrass
Cladium jamaicense
|
Critically imperiled
Code: S1
|
Secure Taxonomic subdivision: Secure
Code: G5T5
|
||
Dry chert cliff
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Dry limestone/dolomite cliff
|
Apparently secure Secure
Code: S4S5
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Dry-mesic limestone/dolomite forest
|
Apparently secure
Code: S4
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
False Mermaid
Floerkea proserpinacoides
|
Unrankable
Code: SU
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
Hardpan prairie
|
Critically imperiled Imperiled
Code: S1S2
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Fir Clubmoss
Huperzia porophila
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Apparently secure
Code: G4
|
||
Western Silvery Minnow
Hybognathus argyritis
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Apparently secure
Code: G4
|
||
Plains Minnow
Hybognathus placitus
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Apparently secure
Code: G4
|
||
Eastern Black Rail
Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis
|
Unrankable
Code: SU
|
Vulnerable Taxonomic subdivision: Critically imperiled
Code: G3T1
|
Threatened
Code: T
|
|
Northern Crawfish Frog
Lithobates areolatus circulosus
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Apparently secure Taxonomic subdivision: Apparently secure
Code: G4T4
|
||
Sturgeon Chub
Macrhybopsis gelida
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Vulnerable
Code: G3
|
||
Mesic bottomland forest
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Mesic limestone/dolomite forest
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Moist chert cliff
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Moist sandstone cliff
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
||
Gray Myotis
Myotis grisescens
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Vulnerable Apparently secure
Code: G3G4
|
Endangered
Code: E
|
Endangered
Code: E
|
Little Brown Myotis
Myotis lucifugus
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Vulnerable Apparently secure
Code: G3G4
|
||
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
|
Vulnerable
Code: S3
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
Ghost Shiner
Notropis buchanani
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
Blacknose Shiner
Notropis heterolepis
|
Imperiled
Code: S2
|
Secure
Code: G5
|
||
Ozark - Warmwater - Creek
|
Unranked
Code: S?
|
Not ranked
Code: GNR
|
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Title
Federal Status
The federal status is derived from the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Passage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 gave the United States one of the most far-reaching laws ever enacted by any country to prevent the extinction of imperiled animals and plants. Protecting endangered and threatened species and restoring them to the point where their existence is no longer jeopardized is the primary objective of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Program.
- E: Endangered:
- Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
- T: Threatened:
- Any species which is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.
- C: Candidate:
- Plants or animals which the Service is reviewing for possible addition to the list of endangered and threatened species.
- PE: Proposed Endangered:
- Species officially proposed for listing as endangered; final ruling not yet made.
- PT: Proposed Threatened:
- Species officially proposed for listing as threatened; final ruling not yet made.
Title
State Status
Rule 3CSR10-4.111 of the Wildlife Code of Missouri and certain state statutes apply to state Code listed species.
- E: “Endangered”:
- Determined by the Department of Conservation under constitutional authority.
Title
Global Rank
A numeric rank (G1 through G5) of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the Element (i.e., species, subspecies, or variety) globally. Other factors in addition to the number of occurrences are considered when assigning a rank, so the numbers of occurrences suggested for each numeric rank below are not absolute guidelines.
- G1: Critically Imperiled:
- Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extinction. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals (<1,000) or acres (<2000) or linear miles.
- G2: Imperiled:
- Imperiled globally because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extinction or elimination. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000 to 3,000) or acres (2,000 to 10,000) or linear miles (10 to 50).
- G3: Vulnerable:
- Vulnerable globally either because very rare and local throughout its range, found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction or elimination. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals.
- G4: Apparently Secure:
- Uncommon but not rare (although it may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery), and usually widespread. Apparently not vulnerable in most of its range, but possibly cause for long-term concern. Typically more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
- G5: Secure:
- Common; widespread and abundant (although it may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery). Not vulnerable in most of its range. Typically with considerably more than 100 occurrences and more than 10.000 individuals.
- G#G#: Range Rank:
- A numeric range rank (e.g., G2G3) is used to indicate uncertainty about the exact status of a taxon. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank (e.g., GU should be used rather than G1G4).
- GNR: Not Ranked:
- Status has not been assessed.
- GU: Unrankable:
- Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends. Note: Whenever possible, the most likely rank is assigned and the question mark qualifier is added (e.g., G2?) to express uncertainty, or a range rank (e.g., G2G3) is used to delineate the limits (range) of uncertainty.
- GH: Possibly Extinct/Extirpated:
- Known from only historical occurrences, but may nevertheless still be extant; further searching needed.
- GX: Presumed Extinct:
- Believed to be extinct throughout its range. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.
Subrank:
- T: Taxonomic Subdivision:
- Rank applies to a subspecies or variety.
Qualifiers:
- ?: Inexact Numeric Rank:
- Denotes inexact numeric rank. (The ? is not used in combination with range ranks.)
- Q: Questionable Taxonomy:
- Distinctiveness of this entity as a taxon or community at the current level is questionable; resolution of this uncertainty may result in change from a species to a subspecies or hybrid, inclusion of this taxon in another taxon, or inclusion of this community within another community, with the resulting Element having a lower-priority (numerically higher) conservation status rank.
Title
State Rank
A numeric rank (S1 through S5) of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the Element (i.e., species, subspecies, or variety) within the state. Other factors considered when assigning a rank include: abundance, population trends, distribution, number of protected sites, degree of threat, suitable habitat trends, level of survey effort and life history. Thus, the number of occurrences suggested for each numeric rank below are not absolute guidelines. Missouri species of conservation concern typically do not fall within the range of S4-S5.
- S1: Critically Imperiled:
- Critically imperiled in the nation or state because of extreme rarity or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals (<1,000).
- S2: Imperiled:
- Imperiled in the nation or state because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the nation or state (1,000 to 3,000).
- S3: Vulnerable:
- Vulnerable in the nation or state either because rare and uncommon, or found only in a restricted range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals.
- S4: Apparently Secure:
- Uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread in the nation or state. Possible cause of long-term concern. Usually more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
- S5: Secure:
- Common, widespread, and abundant in the nation or state. Essentially ineradicable under present conditions. Typically with considerably more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.
- 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 (e.g., SU is used rather than S1S4).
- S?: Unranked:
- Species is not yet ranked in the state.
- SU: Unrankable:
- Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting information about status or trends.
- SE: Exotic:
- An exotic established in the state; may be native in nearby regions (e.g., house finch or catalpa in eastern U.S.)
- SA: Accidental/Nonregular:
- Accidental or casual in the state (i.e., infrequent and outside usual range).
- SP: Potential:
- Potentially occurring in the state but no occurrences reported.
- SR: Reported:
- Element reported in the state but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting (e.g., misidentified specimen) the report.
- SRF: Reported Falsely:
- Element erroneously reported in the state and the error has persisted in the literature.
- SH: Historical:
- Element occurred historically in the state (with expectation that it may be rediscovered). Perhaps having not been verified in the past 20 years, and suspected to be still extant.
- SX: Extirpated:
- Element is believed to be extirpated from the state.
Qualifiers:
- ?: Inexact or Uncertain:
- Denotes inexact or uncertain numeric rank. (The ? qualifies the character immediately preceding it in the SRANK. The ? is not used in combination with range ranks.)