Recovery Strategy for the Lakeside Daisy in Canada [Final] 2011: Recovery

The global distribution of Lakeside Daisy is shown in Figure 2. Lakeside Daisy is found only in the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island Regions of Ontario. The species is found at nine sites² on the Bruce Peninsula and 20 sites on the south shore of Manitoulin Island or surrounding islands. At least 95% of its global distribution is in Canada. Outside Canada, Lakeside Daisy is known from only two natural populations: a very small occurrence in Mackinac County, Michigan, and at Marblehead Quarry, Ohio. It has also been reintroduced at three sites in Illinois and one site in Ohio (COSEWIC 2002).

¹ A site or element occurrence (EO) may include several populations (sometimes call subpopulations), which are considered together if they are within 1 km proximity of each other. Population is a general term to discuss clusters of plants without specifically discussing the boundaries of the area.

The list of sites in this recovery strategy differs from the list found in COSEWIC (2002). On western Manitoulin Island, Lakeside Daisy occurs semi-continuously on the south shore of the island from Meldrum Bay to just west of Portage Bay, a distance of approximately 50 kms. COSEWIC (2002) divides this part of the species range into a large number of sites. For this recovery strategy, sites or element occurrences (EO) were reevaluated following the definition used by the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC), meaning that all populations within one kilometre of each other, and not separated by a major barrier (such as a lake or large highway), constitute one "site" or element occurrence. Recent field work since 2002 was also used to inform this re-evaluation.

A list of sites for Lakeside Daisy with ownership and abundance is given in Table 2. A map showing the global distribution of Lakeside Daisy is given in Figure 2.

Although restricted in range, Lakeside Daisy may be abundant or even dominant at locations where it occurs. In the 2002 COSEWIC report, the Canadian population was cited at over 6.8 million mature reproducing individuals, far exceeding COSEWIC's 'stable population' threshold for a Threatened species (<1,000 mature individuals). Abundance however for Lakeside Daisy is hard to quantify due to the difficulty of determining what constitutes one individual for this rhizomatous plant. Counts by different observers for the same population have sometimes varied by more than one order of magnitude. Current population trends are unknown due to lack of monitoring information; however, there has been no evidence of "continuing declines" range-wide. It is accepted that some populations may decline as a result of natural disturbances, such as flooding of alvars, adjacent to predominantly wetland ecosystems, driven by beaver activity. For this reason, declines to the species should be measured over ten years or three generations (COSEWIC 2009).

Figure 2 - Map

Figure 2. Global Distribution of Lakeside Daisy (dot locations are approximate).

Table 2: Site by site ownership and abundance information for Lakeside Daisy and the number of critical habitat polygons identified.
Legend: C = Corporate; CR = Conservation Reserve; FN = First Nation; NGO = non-governmental organization; M = Municipal; NP = National Park; O = Ontario (Crown); PP = Provincial Park; Pr = Private. Note, all municipal sites are in the Township of Burpee-Mills except Burnt Island, now part of Northeastern Manitoulin & Islands (NEMI). JVJ - J. Jalava, 2007, 2008; J2 - J. Jones 1998-2008; JM - J. McGuire, 2006; LC - L. Campbell, 2002 COSEWIC Report; MJO - M. Oldham 1994; M&V - Morton & Venn, 2000 or pers. comm. 2007. *Population counts by LC are consistently higher, sometimes by orders of magnitude, than counts or estimates by other surveyors of the same site.

Based on recent field work (Jones 2008), the index of area of occupancy (IAO)³ for the species is now calculated at 114 km². This calculation was made using GIS to plot all known polygons of Lakeside Daisy mapped during survey work, as well as centroid coordinates for any additional populations that have not had detailed field work (approximately 9 additional populations). A count was then made of the total number of 1 x 1 km grid squares that contain the species. The resulting 114 km² should be considered a low estimate because the unsurveyed populations are probably larger than just one or a few points, and may fall into additional grid squares. With an IAO of this size, it is possible that in a new evaluation, Lakeside Daisy may no longer qualify as Threatened.

³ Index of area of occupancy is an estimate of the number of 1X1 km grid squares occupied by extant populations.

On the Bruce Peninsula, all Lakeside Daisy occurrences are in protected areas, except one that also falls partially on First Nations land. Of the 20 occurrences in the Manitoulin Region, portions of 9 occurrences are within protected areas. Some of these portions are extremely large (>77 ha, for example). Thus, of the 29 sites for Lakeside Daisy, 18 are protected either wholly or in part within protected areas (national park, provincial park, or property owned by environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs)). Lakeside Daisy populations totaling 260 hectares are within protected areas. See section 2.5 for a list of protected areas where Lakeside Daisy occurs.

The goal of this recovery strategy is to maintain over the long-term, self-sustaining populations of Lakeside Daisy in its current range in Canada. Specifically, recovery for Lakeside Daisy in Canada is interpreted as a change in the species status from its current Threatened designation to Special Concern, or lower, as assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The population and distribution objectives for Lakeside Daisy are:

1. Prevent an overall, continuous decline in the number of populations in each of the two core areas the species occupies (Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Region).
2. Maintain the species' range at its current index of area of occupancy (114 km²)⁴ and the current extent of occurrence⁵ (2,340 km²).

⁴ This IAO is a estimate calculated by Parks Canada for this recovery strategy, using all available information, much of it more recent than COSEWIC (2002) (see details above in 2.1).

⁵ Extent of occurrence is the area included in a polygon without concave angles that encompasses the geographic distribution of all known populations of a wildlife species (COSEWIC 2009).

It should be noted that Lakeside Daisy occupies a restricted and naturally rare habitat type; therefore, even if threats are reduced or mitigated, it will probably always be rare and localized in Ontario and globally.

The objectives above are based on criteria that are used by COSEWIC when assessing a wildlife species' risk of extinction (COSEWIC 2009), and specifically on those under which Lakeside Daisy was designated in 2002 (COSEWIC). The species was designated as Threatened because of its "small distribution range and decline or fluctuation". By meeting these objectives, the recovery goal of long-term persistence of this species throughout its current range can be achieved.

Objective 1: This addresses the previously identified decline in number of populations (COSEWIC 2002). The term "continuous" refers to the COSEWIC indicator of past or future population declines over ten years or three generations (whichever is longer). Thus, one event, for example a Lakeside Daisy alvar flooding out, adjacent to a wetland ecosystem, would not constitute a 'continuous decline'. The maintenance of the species in its two core areas, will potentially preserve the species genetic diversity and local adaptations.

Objective 2: The species' current index of area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are within the range used by COSEWIC to classify a species as Endangered. However, for the species to qualify as Endangered or Threatened, there should also be continuing declines of those values, observed, inferred, or projected. Ensuring that the current extent of occurrence and IAO are maintained, will ensure that Lakeside Daisy populations persist through its current range, and will help prevent the species from being evaluated as "declining" in the future.

Recovery of Lakeside Daisy will largely be addressed through ecosystem-based actions as well as actions specifically to benefit the species. First and foremost, the broad strategy is to protect remaining examples of high quality alvar that contain Lakeside Daisy. Much good alvar still exists, so rehabilitation of degraded sites is a lower priority and is in no way a substitute for the protection and stewardship of extant high quality sites. Assessing what types of protection are appropriate for individual sites is a high priority.

Recovery efforts for Lakeside Daisy and alvars in the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Region will be done in coordination with the Pitcher's Thistle - Dune Grasslands recovery team, which is also working in the Manitoulin Island - Lake Huron Region. There is some overlap in membership between the two teams, as well as in agency staff that are handling both recovery efforts. Many threats, actions, and issues are the same in both recovery strategies, so working together will conserve resources, prevent duplication of efforts, and perhaps reduce confusion for stakeholders. The two teams plan to prepare coordinated action plans by 2015. It is recommended that recovery of alvars in the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Region also coordinate with recovery efforts for any other SAR (for example, Massasauga Rattlesnake) being undertaken in the region.

Broad approaches will primarily be protection of existing populations, reduction of threats to habitat, promoting site stewardship, and public education.

Evaluation of site-appropriate conservation tools is a required approach because alvars occur in many different types of ownership and jurisdiction, so a variety of different protection measures is needed. Recovery in protected areas will be based on management actions such as monitoring the impact of recreational use (or other threats) on Lakeside Daisy and alvars, constructing barriers or boardwalks to control access, and establishing appropriate zoning for areas with Lakeside Daisy. Outside protected areas, some examples of site-appropriate conservation tools may include tax incentive programs, conservation easements, funding for habitat protection such as fencing, etc. Acquisition of high priority sites, if they become available, may also be an approach. Encouraging compliance and enforcement is also a necessary approach where other management measures fail to protect Lakeside Daisy or other alvar SAR. Approaches and management activities will be guided by the needs of the species as shown by monitoring.

Threats reduction will largely be done through protection of existing populations (above), promoting good stewardship (see next). A number of approaches will be required based on threats present, as demonstrated by monitoring. Some approaches may include working with land managers on site-appropriate management such as posting signage and constructing barriers to reduce damage by pedestrians and vehicles. Researchers carrying out field studies, and those conducting monitoring in alvar habitat, need to be cautioned on the potential problem of trampling from their foot traffic, and instructed how to prevent creating such impacts.

Recovery on municipal lands will require coordinating and sharing habitat information with planning agencies, facilitating discussion of legal and policy approaches, and helping with site-appropriate management planning. Working with the aggregates industry on protection and restoration of alvars during and after extraction will also be an approach. On private and First Nations lands, actions will require working cooperatively with owners on best management practices.

Communications to engage the public in valuing and protecting alvars is vital. A key to encouraging good stewardship is helping landowners and managers understand what they have on their lands. As well, many alvars on municipal lands have a public right-of-way through them, so educating the public about conscientious use will also be an approach. For populations occurring on First Nation lands, communications and outreach will be needed to gain assistance from the community in protecting alvars and Lakeside Daisy habitat. Cooperating with local partners, such as local stewardship councils, fish and game clubs, etc., to promote awareness and protection of publicly accessible alvars, will also be necessary.

Timelines and benchmarks for these goals are given in Section 2.6 Measuring Progress.

Critical habitat is defined in section 2(1) of the Species at Risk Act (2002) as "the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed species and that is identified as the species critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species". In a recovery strategy, critical habitat is identified to the extent possible, using the best available information. Ultimately, sufficient critical habitat will be identified to completely support the population and distribution objectives.

The critical habitat identified in this recovery strategy contributes to a substantial portion of the targets outlined in objectives 1 and 2 (Section 2.2), but does not fully meet the objectives. In total, 58 polygons totaling 260 hectares are identified at 18 sites on the Bruce Peninsula and the Manitoulin Region, capturing some of the largest populations of the species, covering over 50% of the total index of area of occupancy, and over 80% of the total extent of occurrence. Recent surveys funded by the Species at Risk Program have resulted in many extensions to the known distribution of Lakeside Daisy. At this time, we do not have adequate information to determine which of those populations should be identified as critical habitat to achieve the objectives. A schedule of studies, which outlines the work required to complete the identification of critical habitat, is included below is required (see Section 2.4.4). In the meantime, implementation of the broad strategies and approaches listed in 2.3 will aid in meeting the population and distribution objectives.

Critical habitat was identified using confirmed records on The Bruce Peninsula and in provincial parks, crown lands, and lands owned by non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) in the Manitoulin Region.

Lakeside Daisy has a very narrow habitat preference (Jalava 2008; Brownell and Riley 2000; Reschke et al. 1999) and is restricted to alvar pavements. This habitat can occur as part of several open vegetation community types on The Bruce and Manitoulin Region (Lee et al. 1998), including:

ALO1-1

Dry Lichen-Moss Open Alvar Pavement

ALO1-3

Dry-Fresh Little Bluestem Open Alvar Meadow ⁶

ALS1-1

Common Juniper Shrub Alvar

ALS1-2

Creeping Juniper - Shrubby Cinquefoil Dwarf Shrub Alvar

ALS1-3

Scrub Conifer - Dwarf Lake Iris Shrub Alvar

ALT1-4

Jack Pine - White Cedar - White Spruce Treed Alvar

BBO2

Carbonate Bedrock Open Beach

⁶ Some patches of ALO1-1 and ALO1-3 in which Lakeside Daisy is found are smaller than 0.5 ha (the minimum size criterion for ELC mapping) and occur within habitat mosaics that include patches of shrub (ALS1-2) and/or treed alvar (ALT1-3, ALT1-4). However, only the open alvar habitat (ALO), within these mosaics, is considered critical habitat.

The boundaries between alvars and other community types (e.g. forest, wetland) are often quite distinct, making them relatively easy to distinguish in the field and relatively straightforward to map.

Critical habitat on the Bruce Peninsula and the Manitoulin Region is identified using confirmed Lakeside Daisy population (or sub-population) occurrence data and the mapped boundaries of suitable alvar communities. Occurrence data for Lakeside Daisy on the Bruce Peninsula and the Manitoulin Region were gathered from all available sources (especially Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks Canada, and Jalava 2008), scrutinized and updated in 2009 and 2010 by a core group of Alvar Recovery Team members. All populations (or sub-populations) of Lakeside Daisy on the Bruce Peninsula were plotted digitally on 2006 orthophotography with 30 cm resolution (South Western Ontario Orthorectification Project 2006), and alvar community polygons as mapped by Jalava (2008) were superimposed on these to show which alvar polygons are occupied by the species. Where alvar community polygons encompass occurrences of Lakeside Daisy, those alvars are considered to be critical habitat. The entire alvar community polygons were identified as critical habitat to accommodate natural expansion of Lakeside Daisy populations within. Critical habitat polygon boundaries are the distinct change between alvar community and other vegetation community types.

For the Manitoulin Region, all records from protected areas were superimposed on Quickbird imagery (6 satellite images at 60 centimeter resolution with a date range of June 2005-August 2008). As well, field mapping from hard copies (IACI unpublished field notes 1995 and 1996 on file with NHIC) was scanned and superimposed on satellite imagery to show the extent of Lakeside Daisy within alvar polygons. Again, where alvars contain Lakeside Daisy occurrences, the entire alvar community polygon is identified as critical habitat.

Only Lakeside Daisy records with associated GPS coordinates or that were mapped precisely in the field on aerial photos were used to identify alvar polygons for critical habitat. Older pre-GPS records with poor or vague location data were superceded by newer observations of those same populations, so that only the most up-to-date information was used to identify which alvars would be critical habitat.

In the absence of disturbance associated with human activity, the sites where Lakeside Daisy populations occur are ecologically quite stable, and typically remain very sparsely vegetated for centuries (Jones and Reschke 2005; Reschke et al. 1999). Thus, the critical habitat boundaries identified here should apply for at least the next 10 to 20 years. It is recommended that the critical habitat boundaries identified here should be evaluated on a 10 year basis, to coincide with the cycle of COSEWIC evaluation of the species.

In total, 12 critical habitat polygons are identified at 9 sites on the Bruce Peninsula and 46 polygons are identified at 9 sites in the Manitoulin Region (some sites have more than one polygon; some sites are very large). The general locations of critical habitat polygons are depicted in Figures 3 and 4, with detailed maps showing the extent of each critical habitat polygon provided in Appendix B. The number of polygons at each site is shown in Table 2 in Section 2.1. Note that the number of polygons is not necessarily a good indicator of the amount of critical habitat identified, as polygon size ranges from <1/2 hectare to >77 hectares. GIS shapefiles of all the critical habitat polygons are maintained by the Federal Government.

The biophysical attributes of critical habitat include the following;

• Naturally open, sparsely treed (<60% canopy cover) areas on Silurian dolostone bedrock, on or within a few kilometers of the Lake Huron or Georgian Bay shore;
• Exposed bedrock is present; cracks, crevices, or small patches of sand on top of bedrock are present;
• Poorly drained, and water pools on top of the bedrock; most water leaves by evaporation;
• Shallow soil (<20 cm) with bare bedrock exposed; due to lack of drainage, soil exists for prolonged periods in extreme states of drought or flooding;
• Vegetation cover is very sparse, often appearing as barren; vegetation may be growing only from cracks or crevices or on patches of mosses or lichens;
• Dominant vegetation may be grass, or patches of low shrubs, or Lakeside Daisy itself, with or without scattered trees.

Examples of activities that are likely to result in the destruction of Lakeside Daisy critical habitat are listed here with the habitat features or properties they are likely to destroy. These activities would be destructive in any part of critical habitat.

Activities that destroy or remove alvar vegetation:

• Building cottages, houses, and driveways on alvar
• Building roads across alvar ecosystems
• Limestone/dolostone quarrying or removing surface material such as boulders
• Removing vegetation or clearing of soil
• Using alvar as landing areas or access routes during the logging of adjacent forests.

Activities that disturb the extremely shallow soil:

• Driving heavy machinery across alvar vegetation
• Off-trail ATV use.

Activities that reduce native species presence and introduce exotic and potentially invasive species:

• Trucking-in fill, dirt and gravel
• Off-trail ATV use as a vector for weeds
• Seeding lawns or planting non-native species
• Planting trees.

Figure 3 - Map

Figure 3. General Locations of Critical Habitat Polygons on the Bruce Peninsula.

Figure 4 - Map

Figure 4. General Locations of Critical Habitat Polygons in the Manitoulin Region.

Activities that trample and damage vegetation and soil:

• Off-trail usage by hikers or off-trail ATV use that tramples or destroys vegetation
• Camping activities such as placing a tent, fire pit, or latrine on alvar ecosystems
• Use of habitat by large groups for events.

Activities that interrupt natural ecological processes:

• Fire suppression (in alvar types which have had a history of fire) leading to closing-in and disappearance of habitat.
• Intentional burning (in other alvar types where there is little evidence of past fire) leading to destruction of the habitat.

There are several instances where trail use is beneficial to Lakeside Daisy because the light disturbance keeps the ground clear of other vegetation. Threshold levels at which trail usage could become harmful rather than beneficial have not been determined; thus, it is intended here that generally the use of existing trails and roads within critical habitat may continue. The determination of the point at which trail usage may potentially become harmful and protective action needed, is more appropriately handled by park management on a site by site basis.

This document includes a partial identification of critical habitat for Lakeside Daisy. Future identification of critical habitat elsewhere in the range of Lakeside Daisy will be undertaken as needed to ensure population and distribution objectives are met, or if the degree of risk affecting the species increases. Table 3 outlines and explains the work required to enable further critical habitat identification and mapping.

Table 3: Schedule of Studies

Critical habitat is identified for a total of 18 Lakeside Daisy sites found wholly or in part within protected areas⁷ (national park, provincial park, or property owned by ENGOs or other federal or provincial lands). There are 9 sites on the Bruce Peninsula and 9 sites in the Manitoulin Region. The sites are listed below, showing hectares of critical habitat identified and mapped at each site. The total amount of Lakeside Daisy critical habitat identified in protected areas is 260.1 hectares (23.9 ha for the Bruce Peninsula, and 236.2 hectares for the Manitoulin Region).

Ontario Nature:

Bruce Alvar Nature Reserve (8.2 hectares)

Ontario Parks:

Cabot Head Provincial Nature Reserve (4.9 hectares)

Parks Canada:

George Lake Alvar (5.3 hectares)
South of George Lake (0.3 hectares)
Overhanging Rock Point (2.2 hectares)
Halfway Log Dump (1.3 hectares)
West of Cave Point (0.4 hectares)
Emmett Lake Road (0.2 hectares)
East of Nawash Hunting Grounds (1.1 hectares).

Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy:

Black Point (11.3 hectares)

Ontario Parks:

Queen Elizabeth-Queen Mother M'nidoo M'nissing Provincial Park:
Quarry Bay (42.7 hectares)
Belanger Bay (63 hectares)
Rickley Harbour - Girouard Point (15 hectares)
Burnt Island Harbour - Christina Bay (16.8 hectares)
Southwest of Silver Lake (0.6 hectares)

Misery Bay Provincial Park
East Side (11.4 hectares)
West Side (74 hectares)

Ontario Crown Land:

Green Island (1.4 hectares).

⁷The term "Protected Areas" used in the critical habitat maps has no relation to protection requirements under SARA.

The success of Lakeside Daisy recovery will be evaluated by comparing information from monitoring and inventory with the Population and Distribution Objectives, as per Table 4. Each of the criteria is directly linked to one or more of the key objectives of this recovery strategy, as indicated.

Table 4: Performance Measures to Measure Progress of Lakeside Daisy Recovery

* This time frame is adopted from the COSEWIC assessment criteria, to account for anomalies within a shorter time frame.

One or more Action Plans will be completed by December 2015.