Small White Lady’s-slipper government response statement

Photo: Sam Brinker

Protecting and recovering species at risk in Ontario

Species at risk recovery is a key part of protecting Ontario’s biodiversity. The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) is the Government of Ontario’s legislative commitment to protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitats.

Under the ESA, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (the Ministry) must ensure that a recovery strategy is prepared for each species that is listed as endangered or threatened. A recovery strategy provides science-based advice to government on what is required to achieve recovery of a species.

Within nine months after a recovery strategy is prepared, the ESA requires the Ministry to publish a statement summarizing the government’s intended actions and priorities in response to the recovery strategy. The response statement is the government’s policy response to the scientific advice provided in the recovery strategy. In addition to the strategy, the government response statement considered (where available) input from stakeholders, other jurisdictions, Indigenous communities and organizations, and members of the public. It reflects the best available local and scientific knowledge, including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, at this time and may be adapted if new information becomes available. In implementing the actions in the response statement, the ESA allows the Ministry to determine what is feasible, taking into account social and economic factors.

The Recovery Strategy for the Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripredium candidum) in Ontario was completed on January 28, 2016.

Protecting and recovering Small White Lady’s-slipper

The Small White Lady’s-slipper is listed as an endangered species under the ESA, which protects both the plant and its habitat. The ESA prohibits harm or harassment of the species and damage or destruction of its habitat without authorization. Such authorization would require that conditions established by the Ministry be met.

Small White Lady’s-slipper is native to eastern North America, and its range extends across 18 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Less than 10% of the species' range occurs in Canada, and the total area occupied by Small White Lady’s-slipper in Ontario may be less than 150 hectares. Based on the 2014 assessment and status report on the Small White Lady’s-slipper in Canada by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, there are three populations of Small White Lady’s-slipper known to be extant in Ontario, one occurring in Hastings County and two in Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation). The current status of several additional populations in Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) is unknown. One population in Norfolk County is considered historical (not reported in the past 20 years) and four populations at additional locations are considered extirpated.

It is estimated that the majority of the Ontario population occurs in Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) which lies on the delta of the St. Clair River as it opens into Lake St. Clair. The current abundance of Small White Lady’s-slipper in Ontario is unknown, as the most recent survey data that is available to the Ministry for the majority of the existing populations is from 2003. Additionally, inconsistencies in the approaches used to survey for this species (e.g., counts of stems versus counts of clusters) have complicated estimation of abundance.

The most significant threats to the species are associated with the development of land for residential use and associated infrastructure (e.g., roads, drainage ditches), and the resulting suppression of fire and alterations to site hydrology. Suppression of the natural fire regime enables woody species such as Eastern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) to establish and thatch (grasses) to accumulate. These changes to the vegetation community increase competition for sunlight, alter surface temperature and moisture, and reduce the availability of locations for Small White Lady’s-slipper to establish. Developments that alter site drainage are a significant threat, as moisture availability is a primary limiting factor for Small White Lady’s-slipper. Changes associated with development can also lead to encroachment by invasive plants such as European Common Reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) which compete with Small White Lady’s-slipper for necessary resources. Modified habitat conditions may also lead to increased presence of Yellow Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum) which has been known to hybridize with Small White Lady’s-slipper. The extent and severity of the potential threat of hybridization is not clear. Additional threats to the species that are occurring at one or more sites include inappropriately-timed mowing, haying, or grazing activities; shoreline erosion; inadvertent trampling; and illegal collection.

The availability of up to date information about the species' extent of occurrence will be a key factor in successful implementation of recovery actions for Small White Lady’s-slipper. Working collaboratively with Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) to fill knowledge gaps related to the species will support the effective implementation of recovery actions. A challenge for recovery of the species is that most of Ontario’s known extant and historical populations of Small White Lady’s-slipper are associated with the tallgrass prairie and oak savannah ecological communities, which are extremely rare in Ontario. There are established techniques that may be employed to restore prairie and savannah habitat at locations where Small White Lady’s-slipper habitat has been degraded. As such, approaches to recovery will focus on monitoring and research to address knowledge gaps, and undertaking active management actions to improve habitat quality at existing locations of Small White Lady’s-slipper.

Actions

Protecting and recovering species at risk is a shared responsibility. No single agency or organization has the knowledge, authority or financial resources to protect and recover all of Ontario’s species at risk. Successful recovery requires inter-governmental co-operation and the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. In developing the government response statement, the Ministry considered what actions are feasible for the government to lead directly and what actions are feasible for the government to support its conservation partners to undertake.

Government-supported actions

The government endorses the following actions as being necessary for the protection and recovery of Small White Lady’s-slipper. Actions identified as "high" will be given priority consideration for funding under the ESA. Where reasonable, the government will also consider the priority assigned to these actions when reviewing and issuing authorizations under the ESA. Other organizations are encouraged to consider these priorities when developing projects or mitigation plans related to species at risk. The government will focus its support on these high-priority actions over the next five years.

Significant gaps exist in the availability of knowledge related to the abundance of Small White Lady’s-slipper in Ontario. Inventories of existing populations, followed by regular monitoring will enable the detection of changes to the species' abundance and habitat quality. The species is very sensitive to changes to its habitat, particularly changes related to moisture and sunlight. Increased knowledge about habitat conditions and the threats at each location will help to inform habitat management actions.

Actions:

1. (High) Develop and implement a standardized protocol for surveying and monitoring Small White Lady’s-slipper in order to:
   • document population abundance, extent of occurrence, demographic changes, reproductive success, habitat conditions, hydrological conditions, and the severity of threats to the species at existing locations; and,
   • determine the status of populations for which the current status is unknown.
2. Work collaboratively with Indigenous communities and organizations to record, share and transfer Traditional Ecological Knowledge on Small White Lady’s-slipper as available, including information on the historical distribution of the species and conditions of its habitat (e.g., the historical frequency of wildfire within the species' habitat). Use information gathered to inform survey protocols and habitat management actions and coordinate collaborative knowledge transfer with efforts for other species at risk plants which occur in the same ecosystem.

There are knowledge gaps regarding the effects of hydrological processes on Small White Lady’s-slipper and the probable effects of hydrological changes on the species' habitat. Similarly, studies are needed regarding the effect that hybridization with Yellow Lady’s-slipper may have on the species. Research into various aspects of Small White Lady’s-slipper’s ecology and habitat requirements, and approaches to address threats to the species will help to inform the development of survey and monitoring protocols and support effective implementation of habitat management actions.

Actions:

3. Conduct hydrological studies to better understand the habitat conditions required by Small White Lady’s-slipper and investigate the effects of potential alterations to the hydrologic regime that may be occurring at sites where the species has been found in Ontario.
4. Conduct studies that increase knowledge of:
   • the species' ecology, including its reproductive biology, population dynamics, and habitat requirements;
   • threats to the species (e.g., hybridization and invasive species); and,
   • the effectiveness and risks of habitat management practices (e.g., vegetation management techniques) used to manage habitat for the species.

Coordinating efforts for Small White Lady’s-slipper with those underway for other species occurring in similar ecosystems, such as other prairie plants, will support recovery for the species. If timed appropriately, prescribed burning or mowing can help to prevent woody vegetation encroachment and reduce thatch accumulation, which are significant threats to the species at some sites. At wetland sites, vegetation control may require other methods. Collaborating on the development of management plans, monitoring their effectiveness and continuing to share information on the species' habitat requirements will enable adaptive management and inform stewardship initiatives.

Actions:

5. (High) Work collaboratively with Bkejwanong (Walpole Island First Nation) community members and other interested Indigenous communities and organizations, land owners and land managers to develop, implement and evaluate management plans to maintain or improve the quality of habitat available for Small White Lady’s-slipper at each of the existing populations. Plans may include practices deemed to be effective and appropriate, such as:
   • changes to mowing, haying and livestock grazing practices;
   • removal of invasive plants (e.g., European Common Reed) and woody vegetation (e.g., Eastern White Cedar) posing a direct threat to Small White Lady’s-slipper in a manner that does not adversely affect Small White Lady’s-slipper;
   • prescribed burning (as appropriate);
   • redirecting recreational activities away from the species; and,
   • supporting existing community-based stewardship and land conservation initiatives that further the protection of Small White Lady’s-slipper habitat.

Collection of Small White Lady’s-slipper by orchid enthusiasts has been noted at populations in Ontario. Given the small populations that are present in the province, this has the potential to have major effects on the ability of the species to persist. Efforts to increase awareness of these risks and the protection that is provided to the species can be helpful but need to be undertaken with caution to avoid increasing the presence of people at the locations where the species occurs.

Actions:

6. Without disclosing locations of orchids, provide information to orchid enthusiasts, recreational trail users, and other stakeholders regarding the risks to Small White Lady’s-slipper from collecting and inadvertent trampling.

Implementing actions

Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program and the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. Conservation partners are encouraged to discuss project proposals related to the actions in this response statement with the Ministry. The Ministry can also advise if any authorizations under the ESA or other legislation may be required to undertake the project.

Implementation of the actions may be subject to changing priorities across the multitude of species at risk, available resources and the capacity of partners to undertake recovery activities. Where appropriate, the implementation of actions for multiple species will be co-ordinated across government response statements.

Reviewing progress

The ESA requires the Ministry to conduct a review of progress towards protecting and recovering a species not later than five years from the publication of this response statement. The review will help identify if adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the Small White Lady’s-slipper.

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank all those who participated in the development of the Recovery Strategy for the Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) in Ontario for their dedication to protecting and recovering species at risk.

For additional information

The government response statement for Small White Lady’s-slipper is available in PDF format upon request. Please email PDF requests to recovery.planning@ontario.ca.