Introduction

Overview

To fulfill the legislative commitments of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA), the Government of Ontario has published the 2016 Five-Year of Review of Progress Towards the Protection and Recovery of Ontario’s Species at Risk. The document includes progress reports for 27 species at risk, and highlights recent activities by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF or “Ministry”) in its role as leader of the province’s species at risk program.

Under section 11(11) of the ESA, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry must ensure that a review of progress towards the protection and recovery of a species is conducted not later than five years from the publication of the government response statement (GRS) for that species. The review provides an opportunity for the government to report on its progress in supporting the protection and recovery of a species, including progress on implementing actions set out in the GRS. In doing so, the review may help to identify implementation gaps or other opportunities for adjusting actions to help achieve the recovery goal for the species.

The first review on progress towards the protection and recovery of a species was the 2014 State of the Woodland Caribou Resource Report, followed by the 2015 Five-Year Review of Progress Towards the Protection and Recovery of Ontario’s Species at Risk for 13 species. A review of progress towards protection and recovery is now required for the 27 species that had GRS published by MNRF in 2011: eight mussel species (Kidneyshell, Northern Riffleshell, Rayed Bean, Round Hickorynut, Round Pigtoe, Salamander Mussel, Snuffbox and Wavy-rayed Lampmussel); one bird species (American White Pelican); seven reptile species (Common Five-lined Skink - Carolinian population, Common Five-lined Skink - Southern Shield population, Gray Ratsnake - Carolinian population, Gray Ratsnake - Frontenac Axis population, Eastern Foxsnake - Carolinian population, Eastern Foxsnake - Georgian Bay population, and Queensnake); seven plant species (Bent Spike-rush, Cucumber Tree, Forked Three-awned Grass, Hoary Mountain-mint, Small Whorled Pogonia, Virginia Mallow and Wood-poppy); one amphibian species (Fowler’s Toad); one lichen species (Pale-bellied Frost Lichen); and two insect species (Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle and Rapids Clubtail – a dragonfly). There are a total of 19 reports for the 27 species; 14 are single-species reports and five are multi-species reports.

A photograph of a rocky Canadian Shield landscape that is inhabited by species at risk such as Common Five-lined Skink, Eastern Foxsnake and Gray Ratsnake
Photo: Joe Crowley

This document consists of two parts: the introduction is an update of recent Ministry activities as they relate to Ontario’s species at risk program; the species chapters provide detailed information on progress made toward the protection and recovery of the 27 species listed above. The 2016 report also references the comprehensive overview of the species at risk program that was developed as part of the 2015 report; the information provided represents select updates to the Species at Risk Program Status (2008 - 2015).

Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List

On June 15, 2016, Ontario Regulation 230/08 was amended to make changes to the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List as recommended to the Minister by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) in their report. Of note, Eastern Wolf has been renamed and is now known as the Algonquin Wolf. This species’ status changed from special concern to threatened; it therefore now receives both species and habitat protection under the ESA. Eastern Milksnake was removed from the SARO List as it was reassessed by COSSARO as not at-risk. The species is widespread across its range and, despite some localized declines, the total estimated adult population size in Ontario is likely greater than 10,000 individuals.

Other 2016 changes include: two snail species (Broad-banded Forestsnail and Proud Globelet) and the Tri-colored Bat were added to the SARO List as endangered; the Eastern Box Turtle was added as an extirpated species; the Yellow-banded Bumblebee was added as special concern; and a shorebird, the Red-necked Phalarope, was added to the list as special concern.

As of December 2016, there are 108 endangered, 59 threatened, 48 special concern and 16 extirpated species on the SARO List for a total of 231 listed species.
  • 108
    endangered
  • 59
    threatened
  • 48
    special concern
  • 16
    extirpated
As a result of the changes to the SARO List, species protection now applies to 183 species listed as endangered, threatened or extirpated; habitat protection is afforded to the 167 species listed as endangered or threatened.

The provincial record of species at risk

Ministry staff at the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) track Ontario’s species at risk by collecting, reviewing and managing species information that is incorporated into the comprehensive provincial database known as Land Information Ontario (LIO). As of June 2016, LIO contained more than 275,000 observations and information on over 35,000 occurrences of species at risk in Ontario.

Sustainable forestry and species at risk - the MNRF 2015 Forest Values Collection Project

Most of Ontario’s Crown forests are managed by forest companies operating under long-term Sustainable Forest Licences issued by the province. A licence holder is required to work with the Ministry to prepare and implement a forest management plan for the licensed area. To be approved, a forest management plan must describe how the license holder will undertake sustainable forestry practices. MNRF is responsible for collecting information on forest “values,” such as plant and animal species, soil and water, and providing that information to license holders in advance of undertaking forestry operations.

In 2015, MNRF initiated a two year forest values collection project to gather high-priority values information, including information for 10 species. Six of these species are at risk: Common Five-lined Skink and Pale-bellied Frost Lichen, which are both included in this review, Blanding’s Turtle, Wood Turtle, American Ginseng and Massasauga. Three crews, consisting of staff from the Ministry’s Southern Ontario Region office, four district offices and Algonquin Park, completed 1,200 surveys and collected information for more than 830 values, including species information, turtle nesting sites, stick nests and unmapped streams.

Recovery strategies and management plans

As of December 2016, MNRF has successfully completed development of recovery strategies for 118 species at risk. Progress is being made toward the development of recovery strategies for an additional 49 endangered and threatened species. The Government of Ontario is cooperating with federal agencies on the development of the majority of these strategies, and strategically prioritizing development of recovery strategies for the remaining species under the ESA.

As of December 2016, the Government of Ontario has developed management plans for 10 special concern species under the ESA, with management plans for four species still required. A recovery strategy or management plan for 36 species listed as special concern under the ESA will be prepared for these species by the appropriate federal agency under the national Species at Risk Act.

Government response statements

The Ministry publishes a government response statement to identify and communicate how the Government of Ontario will support the recovery of a species; it is a policy response to the scientific advice provided in the species’ recovery strategy. A GRS includes the government’s recovery goal for the species, and the actions it will lead or support to help achieve that goal.

As of December 2016, government response statements have been published for 111 species listed as endangered, threatened or special concern on the SARO List.

Research and monitoring

The Ministry conducts research and monitoring for aquatic and terrestrial species at risk in Ontario to inform policy and resource management decision-making. Some research and monitoring projects undertaken by MNRF for species featured in the 2016 review are:

  • Ontario Parks staff at Rondeau Provincial Park carry out an annual monitoring program using photo recognition technology to estimate the size of the Fowler’s Toad population in the park. The resulting data will improve knowledge about the species’ demographics, natural limiting factors, habitat use and dynamics, as well as the impact of human activities.
  • A research project compared genetic structure and diversity of six at-risk mussel species, including Kidneyshell, Snuffbox and Wavy-rayed Lampmussel, to more common mussel species. The results will inform improved management of unionid species in Ontario with the goal of preventing further population declines.
  • A study confirmed that the invasive Rusty Crayfish, a non-native invasive species, is negatively impacting on native crayfish such as the Northern Clearwater Crayfish, a primary prey of Queensnake. Further research is needed to confirm whether Queensnake will also prey on Rusty Crayfish.

Newly-published MNRF research demonstrates the growing interest in both landscape-level ecosystem management and the effects of climate change on species and habitats. For example:

  • An MNRF-led research team conducted an in-depth study of trends in body condition, survival and abundance of Polar Bears in relation to longer ice-free seasons in Hudson Bay. More than 900 bears from the Southern Hudson Bay population were captured during the years 1984-1986, 2000-2005 and 2000-2009. The results led the team to conclude that, if the current trend in longer ice-free seasons continues, declines in body condition and abundance of the Southern Hudson Bay Polar Bear population will likely continue.
  • A landscape “agro-ecosystem” study in southern Ontario was undertaken to determine if there is an optimum time of the year to harvest hay while reducing Bobolink mortality and increasing the species’ reproductive success. By studying the effects of various hay management strategies, it was concluded that a modest delay in the timing of the first hay cut may result in substantial increases in Bobolink reproductive success with only a small decline in hay quality.

Compliance monitoring and enforcement activities

The Ministry is responsible for administering and enforcing the ESA and its regulations. Compliance monitoring and enforcement are critical to the successful implementation of the Act, and are included as government-led actions in all GRS.

Between 2008, when the ESA came into force, and June 2016, there were 47 convictions under the Act resulting in fines ranging from $250 to $30,000 and 90 days incarceration. In addition, several ongoing investigations continued and enforcement officers issued more than 15 stop orders to individuals who were carrying out, or were about to carry out, an activity that would likely contravene the species or habitat protection provisions of the Act.

Supporting public participation in species at risk stewardship activities

The Ministry promotes and supports landowner and public participation in a broad range of stewardship activities through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. The program provides financial support to enable individuals and organizations to get directly involved in protecting and recovering Ontario’s species at risk. The Program consists of three components: the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund, the Species at Risk Research Fund for Ontario and the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program.

Since the Species at Risk Stewardship Program was established in 2007, Ontario has provided funding to over 2,800 projects that have supported the protection and recovery of the province’s species at risk. Collectively, these projects have implemented on-the-ground recovery actions for nearly 200 species at risk. Ontario’s stewardship partners reported that the Ministry’s support helped them to involve 28,000 individuals who volunteered 773,000 hours of their time toward the projects. Provincially funded projects have contributed to the restoration of over 33,500 hectares of habitat for species at risk. In total, stewardship partners identified that approximately four million people received information through their education and outreach activities.

Species at risk resources update

Best management practices

In 2016, the Ministry developed three new best management practice documents to be included in the Species at Risk Online Guides and Resources Toolbox:

  • Best management Practices for Mitigating the Effects of Roads on Amphibian and Reptile Species at Risk in Ontario;
  • Best Management Practices for the Salvage and Exclusion of Species at Risk Fishes from In-water Work Sites; and
  • Best Practices Technical Note: Creating Nesting Habitat for Barn Swallows.

Survey protocols

Effective protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitat requires comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of species’ occurrence and distribution. Many species at risk are inherently rare, occur at low densities, are difficult to detect, and the probability of finding some species can vary considerably with time of year, weather and search method. In response to the need for reliable, science-based survey methods for species at risk in Ontario, five survey protocols have been developed by the Ministry:

  • Survey Protocol for Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in Ontario;
  • Survey Protocol for Queensnake (Regina septemvittata) in Ontario;
  • Survey Protocol for Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) in Ontario;
  • Survey Protocol for Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) in Ontario; and
  • Survey Protocol for Ontario’s Species at Risk Snakes.

Other provincial legislation and programs related to species at risk

Invasive Species Act

Invasive species, including both plants and animals, pose a serious threat to many species at risk in Ontario. The first standalone legislation of its kind in Canada, Ontario’s Invasive Species Act, 2015 came into force on November 3, 2016. This legislation gives MNRF the tools and authorities needed to prevent, detect and quickly respond to invasive species by prohibiting activities such as possession and transport of listed species. The legislation enables the Ministry to intervene earlier and undertake rapid response actions. With the passage of this legislation, the government is taking necessary action to protect the province’s natural environment from invasive species and reduce the significant social, environmental and economic costs they pose to Ontarians.

Pollinator Health Action Plan

In 2014, the Ontario government announced the Pollinator Health Strategy to address the declining health and populations of bees and wild pollinators in Ontario. The strategy includes the Ontario Pollinator Health Action Plan that was posted for public comment in January 2016. To address pollinator health issues, actions for the government to lead have been identified in recent GRS for species at risk. The actions include working with partners and stakeholders to implement the Pollinator Health Strategy and Action Plan and further reduce overall pesticide use in Ontario through actions such as integrated pest management and education.

Climate Change Action Plan

Through the Climate Change Action Plan announced in June 2016, the Ontario government will continue to reduce greenhouse gas pollution to fight climate change. Climate change is the greatest threat to Ontario’s Polar Bears as it is causing habitat alterations and an increase in human-bear interactions in the Hudson Bay eco-region. The impacts of warmer temperatures are also threatening the traditional way of life for the Cree communities along the coasts of James and Hudson Bays. In response to the scientific advice in the recovery strategy for Polar Bear, the government response statement includes a government-led action to implement, monitor and report on progress towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by working with communities and all sectors.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

As part of the Ontario Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, MNRF is developing a Natural Resource Climate Adaptation Strategy. The strategy goals are to conserve, enhance and restore the resilience of Ontario’s natural resources and ecosystems, and adapt sustainable natural resource management to minimize the impacts of climate change. Impacts are expected to increase as climate change accelerates; it is predicted that by 2050 many ecosystems and many more species will be at-risk. The strategy will include specific actions to reduce the impacts of climate change over the period of 2016-2020, by advancing research, monitoring, operational and policy initiatives.

For additional information on the progress that has been made at the species at risk program level, please refer to the Species at Risk Program Status (2008 - 2015).