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Elemental Ranking Information

In the Heritage terminology, an Element is an element of biodiversity.  It can be a species, subspecies or ecological community.

Global Ranks (GRank)

A numeric rank (G1 through G5) of relative imperilment globally of species or ecological communities.

G1 = 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 or acres)

G2 =  Imperiled globally because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres)

G3 = Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) in a restricted range (e.g., a single western state, a physiographic region in the East) or because of other factors making it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range.  (21 to 80 occurrences)

G4 = Widespread, abundant, and apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.  Thus, the Element is of long-term concern.  (81 to 300 occurrences)

G5 = Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. (More than 300 occurrences)

Note: Other factors, in addition to the number of occurrences, are considered when assigning the rank, so the number of occurrences suggested for each numeric rank above are not absolute guidelines.  These factors include population size, geographic distribution, trends, threats, environmental specificity, protection and management, and intrinsic vulnerability.

G#G# = Numeric range rank: A range between two of the numeric ranks.  Denotes a range of uncertainty about the exact rarity of the Element.

G? = Unranked: Element is not yet ranked globally.

GU = Unrankable: Status is uncertain, needs more information.

GH = Historical: Of historical occurrence throughout its range, i.e., formerly part of the established biota, with the expectation that it may be rediscovered.

GX = Extinct: Believed to be extinct throughout it range with virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.

Subrank:
T = Taxonomic subdivision:  rank applies to a subspecies or variety.

Qualifiers:
? = Inexact: denotes inexact numeric rank.

Q = Questionable taxonomy: taxonomic status is questionable; numeric rank may change with taxonomy.

State Ranks (SRank)

A numeric rank (S1 through S5) of relative imperilment within the state of species or ecological communities.

S1 = Critically imperiled in the 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 or acres)

S2 =  Imperiled in the state because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state. (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres)

S3 = Rare and uncommon in the state.  (21 to 80 occurrences)

S4 = Widespread, abundant, and apparently secure in the state, with many occurrences, but the Element is of long-term concern.  (81 to 300 occurrences)

S5 = Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure in the state, and essentially ineradicable under present conditions.  (More than 300 occurrences)

Note: Other factors, in addition to the number of occurrences, are considered when assigning the rank, so the number of occurrences suggested for each numeric rank above are not absolute guidelines. These factors include population size, geographic distribution, trends, threats, environmental specificity, protection and management, and intrinsic vulnerability.

S#S# = Numeric range rank: A range between two of the numeric ranks.  Denotes a range of uncertainty about the exact rarity of the Element.

SA = Accidental:  Accidental or casual in the state (i.e., infrequent and far outside usual range).

SE = Exotic, established in the state. May be native elsewhere in North America.
(These species are highlighted for easy idenfication on this website.)

SH = Historical: Element occurred historically in the state, (with the expectation that it may be rediscovered), perhaps having not been verified in the past 20 years and suspected to be still extant.

SR = Reported from the state, but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report.

SRF = Reported falsely: Element erroneously reported in the state and the error has persisted in the literature.

SSYN = Synonym:  Element reported as occurring in the state, but state does not recognize the taxon; therefore the Element is not ranked by the state.

SU = Unrankable: Status is uncertain, needs more information.

SX = Extirpated: Element is believed to be extirpated from the state.

S? = Unranked: Element is not yet ranked in the state.

B = Breeding.

N = Non-breeding, regularly occurring, usually migratory.