Lupinus kuschei

Most of the global population of this species is in the southwestern Yukon Territory, with additional occurrences in northern British Columbia and east-central Alaska. Three disjunct sites have also been mapped in northwest Alaska. Over 40 occurrences are estimated, 10 in Alaska, 8 in British Columbia, and over 25 in the Yukon. Appears to be relatively common within its preferred habitat, at least at some sites. Significant die-offs at a number of Yukon sites have been recently noted, attributable to herbivory by Canada geese in some areas and with unknown cause in others. Threats elsewhere in the range appear to be low, as a number of sites are in remote protected areas and the species has some resilience to disturbance, although off-road vehicle use could be an issue in some situations.

Most of the global population is found in the southwestern Yukon Territory, with additional populations documented in northern British Columbia and east-central Alaska. Three disjunct populations have also been mapped in northwest Alaska. Considering the northwest Alaska occurrences to be disjunct for the purpose of range mapping, range extent calculated using GIS tools is approximately 250,000 km2. The E-Flora BC website shows additional reports in southern British Columbia that are not currently mapped as occurrences by the BC CDC; however, these reports are questionable (B. Bennett pers. comm. 2008). Confirmation of identification would also be beneficial for mapped occurrences in northeastern BC (i.e. those further from the core of the range in the southwestern Yukon) (B. Bennett pers. comm. 2008).

Currently, there are ten occurrences mapped in Alaska and eight in British Columbia. None of these have been designated historical, but BC occurrences were apparently last observed 1971-1975, so would benefit from re-confirmation. There are >25 distinct populations known in the Yukon (B. Bennett pers. comm. 2008). Delineating distinct occurrences can be challenging for this species because, along rivers and on sand dunes, it forms groups of more or less separate clumps and stands which likely interbreed.

In the Yukon, herbivory is a threat; large numbers of individuals have had their crowns and roots eaten by Canada Geese causing large die-offs (B. Bennett pers. comm. 2008). Other large unexplained die-offs have occurred in the Tetlin National Wildlife Area on the Nebesna River (B. Bennett pers. comm. 2008). Rangewide, increased use of sand dunes by visitors with off-road vehicles could pose a threat in some areas. Threats in Alaska and British Columbia are unknown, but in general threats to many of the populations are believed to be low by virtue of their remote locations and the apparent resilience of this species.