Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus

Species information

This chapter provides a review of progress towards the protection and recovery of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus in Ontario from 2007 to 2017.

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is a perennial, low-spreading cactus that has segmented green stems that are rounded and flattened, measuring 5 to 12 centimetres in length with clusters of barbed bristles. It produces large yellow flowers that have red centres and which bloom in June.

In Canada, it is found only in southern Ontario, where it grows in dry sandy habitats that are in the early stages of succession, typically near shore dunes and sand barrens. The two known Ontario locations are at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve on Pelee Island and Point Pelee National Park, known collectively as the Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannas. Ontario’s responsibility is for the site at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve on Pelee Island, which contains 11 individuals of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. The federal government is responsible for the site at Point Pelee National Park, which contains approximately 2,000 individuals. There are an additional five known populations of planted Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus elsewhere in southwestern Ontario which are isolated from the two protected sites, and are not protected under federal or provincial species at risk legislation. A further four populations are believed to be extirpated from Ontario for more than half a century.

The species faces several threats to its survival and recovery, including loss and degradation of habitat due to vegetation succession, shoreline erosion and the elimination of natural disturbance regimes that would refresh the habitats upon which it depends. Horticultural collection, reduced genetic fitness, plant pathogens, and invasive plant species (for example, Daylily (Hemerocallis species), Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) and White Sweet-clover (Melilotus alba)) are also considered threats.

The survival and recovery of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus may be influenced by other factors as well. Its reliance on various bee species for pollination and on birds and mammals for seed dispersal may be a limiting factor where pollinators and dispersers are in short supply or where unsuitable habitat (for example, forests) acts as a barrier to pollinator movement.

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is listed as endangered at both the provincial level (Species at Risk in Ontario List) and federal level (Schedule 1 under the Species at Risk Act). Globally, it is considered to be secure (NatureServe Explorer).

Provincial status

Prior to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA or “the Act”), the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) assessed Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus as endangered, and it was regulated under the previous Endangered Species Act in 1987. COSSARO reassessed Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus in 2010 and reconfirmed its status as endangered. Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus continues to be listed as endangered under the ESA. In future assessments, COSSARO may consider information gained through protection and recovery actions regarding the species’ threats and trends in population and distribution.

Species and habitat protection

Protecting Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus and its habitat are key components in the implementation of the ESA and continue to be government-led actions, as identified in the government response (GRS) statement. As a species that was regulated under the previous Endangered Species Act, Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus has received species and habitat protection since 1987 and retained these protections under the ESA. The Act prohibits the species from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken and its habitat from being damaged or destroyed. Habitat protection for this species is based on the general habitat definition in the Act. The ESA does not require a habitat regulation to be developed for transition^{footnote 1[1]} species such as Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus.

Any person who negatively impacts Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus or its habitat without prior authorization may be prosecuted under the ESA.

Recovery strategy

A recovery strategy for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus was published on January 11, 2013, which was in advance of the date required by the ESA. Recovery strategies are advice to government and represent the best available scientific knowledge. The strategy identifies the habitat needs of the species and the threats that it faces, while recommending objectives and approaches for its protection and recovery. The recovery strategy also includes recommendations on the areas of habitat to be considered in the development of a habitat regulation.

Government response statement

The government published the GRS for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus on October 11, 2013 which was within the timeframe required by the ESA. The GRS is the Government of Ontario’s species-specific policy on what is needed to protect and recover a given species, and includes the associated recovery goal.

To help achieve this goal, the government leads, supports and prioritizes recovery actions identified in the GRS. Common actions for the government to lead as it works towards achieving a species’ recovery goal are provided in section 2.5 of the Species at Risk Program Status (2008-2015). Actions in the GRS for the government to lead that are specific to this species, and not included in the typical actions in section 2.5 are:

• Continue to develop and implement best management practices (BMPs) to restore the early successional stages of the Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannas ecosystem and maintain suitability of the species' habitat at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve
• Co-operate with federal partners where appropriate to implement protection and recovery actions identified in the "Recovery Strategy for the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in Canada" by Environment Canada

The GRS for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus also lists three actions the government supports others to undertake for the species. These government-supported actions fall under the objectives identified in the GRS, which are:

• Increase community awareness and involvement in ongoing recovery actions
• Improve knowledge of the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus' habitat and population levels

Supporting our partners

Supporting partners to undertake activities to protect and recovery Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program is an important government-led action in the GRS for the species. Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program the government has supported six projects ($326,500) designed to contribute to the protection and recovery of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. One project focused exclusively on Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, and five projects were focused on multiple species at risk, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. In addition to the government funding, partners reported they were successful in securing additional funding ($98,137) from other sources. This amount includes in-kind support in the form of time and expertise provided by volunteers.

Stewardship partners reported that 43 individuals volunteered 1,067 hours of their time towards protection and recovery activities for multiple species at risk, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, which has an estimated value of $20,640. Stewardship partners reported that through both their efforts and the efforts of their volunteers to implement actions contained in the GRS, they were successful in enhancing habitat that will benefit multiple species at risk, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. In addition, stewardship partners reported providing focused outreach on Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus through signage and restoration guidelines, as well as ecosystem-based outreach on multiple species, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, through published materials and workshops.

The remainder of this section highlights a project supported through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program as well as the corresponding government-supported recovery actions for the species.

Between 2007 and 2009 a stewardship partner received funding to complete three successive projects under the overall Lake Erie Sand Spit Recovery Project. The first year of the project focused exclusively on Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus with the work expanding in subsequent years to include the immediate surrounding area with an assortment of restoration and outreach efforts. The project objectives relevant to Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus were the:

• Protection of dune habitat at Laverne Kelly Memorial Park through the installation of boardwalks and signage
• Enhancement of dune habitat through planting of native species
• Completion of botanical inventories with a focus on species at risk
• Encouragement of community participation in local conservation initiatives
• The establishment of permanent monitoring plots

Key project activities included: installation of boardwalks; posting of signage; site occupancy surveys; landowner outreach and educational events; stewardship activities; and installation of protective fencing. The project results were used to document current distribution and abundance of the target species at risk as part of a long term study and to identify areas in need of targeted restoration efforts in the future.

This project supports the GRS objectives to increase community awareness and involvement in ongoing recovery actions and to improve knowledge of the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus' habitat and population levels. The outreach and education component of the restoration projects may increase general public awareness of the species and interest in its recovery. The botanical inventories allowed for a thorough search of the area to determine if Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus was present in suitable habitat areas and to maintain a current inventory.

Species at Risk Stewardship Fund

• 
  $326,500

  for multi-species projects that included Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus

• 
  $98,137

  in additional funding and in-kind support

• 
  6

  projects included Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus

• 
  43

  volunteers

• 
  1,067

  volunteer hours

Occurrences of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus in Ontario

Six populations^{footnote 2[2]} of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus have been documented in Ontario. Two are considered to be extant (i.e., observed within the past 20 years) and four are considered to be extirpated.

Since 2008, the government’s central repository at the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) has received 24 records of the species, with observations occurring for both extant populations. These records are based on observations between 2003 and 2014 and come from a variety of sources. Records submitted have helped to refine where the species is known and has been known to occur and can provide additional information on the species’ habitat and threats.

The two extant populations of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus have maintained a consistent viability assessment since 2008 and appear to maintain steady population sizes while fluctuating year-to-year in patch size and number of growth clumps. Both of these populations are found within very limited distribution areas in southwestern Ontario allowing for easier monitoring of the growth and size of the occurrences.

As of the most recent surveys, one population (Point Pelee) is considered to have excellent viability and is locally common, while the other (Fish Point) has poor viability and continues to be restricted to a small number of clumps.

The four extirpated populations of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus in Ontario have been assessed as such since prior to the implementation of the ESA in 2008. The last documented occurrences for each of the extirpated populations occurred between 1883 and 1948. It is possible that there are observations of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus that have not been submitted to the government. Encouraging the submission of observations of this species to the government is included in the GRS as a government-led action. Submission of species observations to the government increases our knowledge of where they occur and can play an important role in assessing the viability of species populations.

Everyone is encouraged, or may be required by an authorization or approval, to submit observations of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, and any other species at risk observed, to the NHIC for incorporation into the provincial record of observations.

Summary of progress towards meeting the recovery goal

Summary of progress

Progress has been made towards the majority of the government-led actions and all of the government-supported actions outlined in the GRS for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. The Government of Ontario has directly undertaken actions to:

• Co-operate with federal partners where appropriate to implement protection and recovery actions identified in the “Recovery Strategy for the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) in Canada” by Environment Canada
• Educate other agencies and authorities involved in planning and environmental assessment processes on the protection requirements under the ESA
• Encourage the submission of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus data to the government’s central repository at the NHIC
• Undertake communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario
• Protect the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus and its habitat through the ESA
• Support conservation, agency, municipal and industry partners, and Indigenous communities and organizations to undertake activities to protect and recover the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. Support will be provided through funding, agreements, permits (including conditions) and/or advisory services
• Establish and communicate annual priority actions for government support in order to encourage collaboration and reduce duplication of efforts

Government-supported actions are organized under recovery objective focus areas. Progress has been made towards all of the government-supported recovery objectives and the majority of the associated actions identified in the GRS for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus.

Under the objective to increase community awareness and involvement in ongoing recovery actions considerable progress has been made towards all of the actions.

• Increase community awareness about the need to protect Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus by minimizing collection and other human disturbances, such as trampling (Action No. 1 – High Priority); and
• Develop and distribute educational materials to promote the protection and recovery of the Lake Erie Sand Spit Savanna ecosystems (Action No. 2).

Six of the projects supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program contained components aimed at implementing the first and second actions directly through public outreach events, signage, the development of materials for distribution, and the completion of public restoration projects. Volunteers and community members were involved in many of the restoration and monitoring projects as additional fulfillment of the first action.

Under the objective to improve knowledge of the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus’ habitat and population levels limited progress has been made towards the associated action.

• Coordinate with federal partners to develop a standardized monitoring protocol to monitor Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus population size and dynamics, age and health demographics, habitat conditions and threats (Action No. 3).

Although considerable work has been funded through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program to monitor and track Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus populations, distribution, and habitat conditions, limited work has been completed to develop a standardized monitoring protocol. The data collected from these supported projects may be utilized in the future to develop an appropriate protocol. In addition, continuation of the regular monitoring for this species may identify new populations or expansions of the currently occupied area should they occur.

The recovery goal for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is to maintain, and where possible enable increases in the population size at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve in Ontario. Effort made towards the government-led and government-supported actions has helped to make progress towards the recovery goal for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. For example, targeted restoration efforts are seeking to increase available habitat for the species, and targeted outreach work has been completed to ensure local residents are aware of savanna species at risk. In addition, the provincial record of observation indicates that the population at the Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve has remained consistent in both the overall classification and the viability since 2008.

Recommendations

As stated in the GRS, this review of progress can be used to help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the species. Based on progress to date, the overall direction provided in the GRS for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus should continue to guide protection and recovery of the species, particularly those actions identified as high priority in the GRS. Relative to actions that have received a stronger level of support, the following action has received less support and may be prioritized in future activities and associated decisions regarding the protection and recovery of the species:

• Coordinate with federal partners to develop a standardized monitoring protocol to monitor Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus population size and dynamics, age and health demographics, habitat conditions and threats (Action No. 3).

Although progress has been made towards continuing to develop and implement best management practices (BMPs) to restore the early successional stages of the Lake Erie Sand Spit Savannas ecosystem and maintain suitability of the species' habitat at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve (government-led action), further work could be done to fully implement this action.

Moving forward, protecting and recovering Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus will continue to be a shared responsibility that will require the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program for Ontario. The government can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake a project. By working together, progress can continue to be made towards protecting and recovering Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus in Ontario.

Summary of progress towards the protection and recovery of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (2007 to 2017)

Provincial status

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus was also listed under the previous Endangered Species Act, and has retained the same status since transition to the ESA. Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus has received species and habitat protection since 1987.

Species-specific documents and guidance published by the government

• Recovery Strategy for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (2013)
• Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus: Ontario Government Response Statement (2013)

Supporting our partners

• Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, the Government of Ontario has enabled its stewardship partners to conduct six projects ($326,500) that have supported the protection and recovery of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. One project focused exclusively on Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, while the other five projects focused on multiple species at risk, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus.
• The government’s support helped its stewardship partners to involve 43 individuals who volunteered 1,067 hours of their time towards protection and recovery activities for species at risk, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus. The estimated value of these voluntary contributions, as well as additional funding and in-kind support, is $98,137.
• Stewardship partners reported that through their actions large areas of habitat were enhanced for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus and other species at risk that inhabit the same ecosystem.
• Stewardship partners reported providing outreach on multiple species at risk, including Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, to individuals through outreach events and published materials.

Occurrences and distribution

• Six local populations of Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus have been documented in southwestern Ontario. Currently, two of these populations are extant, whereas the remaining four have been considered extirpated for more than half a century. Since 2008, the status of each population and the estimated viability have remained consistent, suggesting that the extant populations continue to persist.

Related information

Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act

Natural Heritage Information Centre

Ontario’s Endangered Species Act

Ontario’s Endangered Species Act Regulation 242/08

Ontario Recovery Strategy and Government Response Statement for Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus

Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act

Species at Risk in Ontario List

Species at Risk Stewardship Program