Reference Sources for CNVC Botanical Nomenclature
CNVC botanical nomenclature follows nominal scientific reference standards, wherever possible, within 3 lifeform categories: vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens. Since taxonomy is always being revised, these standards are in constant flux. CNVC scientific nomenclature is current to these standards effective April 2014 (non-vasculars) and April 2015 (vasculars). Vernacular (common) names are compiled from a variety of sources, in English and French, to best reflect Canadian usage. In a few cases, CNVC has adopted nomenclature that deviates from the applicable national or international standards because of provincial/territorial preferences for alternative species names. Nomenclature will be updated periodically as reference standards are revised or completed. Reference sources consulted in developing the CNVC species list are provided below for each lifeform category:
Vascular Plants
For vascular plants, CNVC follows taxonomy and scientific & vernacular nomenclature (English and French) of VASCAN (April, 2015). VASCAN largely follows the taxonomy of the Flora of North America (FNA), which is increasingly recognized as the standard for vascular plant scientific names in North America. VASCAN also includes some taxonomic updates for species published in early volumes of FNA.
References:
Brouillet, L.; Coursol, F.; Meades, S.J.; Favreau, M.; Anions, M.; Bélisle, P.; Desmet, P. 2010+. VASCAN, The database of vascular plants of Canada. Available: http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/search (accessed: May 2015).
Desmet, P.; Brouillet, L. 2013. Database of vascular plants of Canada (VASCAN): a community contributed taxonomic checklist of all vascular plants of Canada, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and Greeland. PhytoKeys 25:55-67.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 18+ vols. New York and Oxford.
Bryophytes
The term “bryophyte” incorporates 3 groups of non-vascular plants: mosses, liverworts and hornworts. For bryophytes, CNVC accepts the taxonomy and scientific nomenclature of the Bryophyte Flora of North America (BFNA), which comprises volumes 27, 28 and 29 of the Flora of North America (FNA). CNVC scientific nomenclature is current to this standard effective April 2014. At that time, only FNA volume 27 (mosses) was published. Taxa included in FNA volume 28 (mosses) follow Anderson et al. 1990 and Anderson 1990. Taxa included in FNA volume 29 (liverworts/hornworts) follow Stotler and Crandall-Stotler 1977. Updates to CNVC nomenclature will be made when these FNA volumes are available.
References:
For lichens, CNVC generally follows the taxonomy and scientific nomenclature of Esslinger’s cumulative online checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. In a few cases, names from Brodo et al 2001 were preferred to facilitate ecological reporting (e.g., CNVC retains usage of Cladina spp.).
References:
Anions, M.; botanist; pers. comm. (March 2015).
Brodo, I. M.; Sharnoff, S.D.; Sharnoff, S. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.
Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council. 2011. Wild species 2010: The general status of species in Canada. National General Status Working Group, n.p.
Esslinger, T.L. 2015. A cumulative checklist for the lichen-forming, lichenicolousand allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. Version 20. North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. Available: http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~esslinge/chcklst/chcklst7.htm (accessed: May 5, 2015).
Esslinger, T.L.; Egan, R.S. 1995. A sixth checklist of the lichen-forming, lichenicolous, and allied fungi of the continental United States and Canada. Bryologist 98(4):467-549.
Fournier, R. 2006. Liste des lichens de l'Est du Canada/Checklist of lichens of Eastern Canada.