Recovery Strategy for Pitcher's Thistle in Canada [Final Version] 2011

Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series Recovery Strategy for Pitcher's Thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) in Canada November 2010
RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVAL STATEMENT
DECLARATION
CONTRIBUTORS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STATEMENT
RESIDENCE
PREFACE
RECOVERY FEASIBILITY SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. BACKGROUND
1.1. Species Assessment Information from COSEWIC
1.2. Species Status
1.3. Description of the Species and Its Needs
1.3.1. Species description
1.3.2. Habitat needs of Pitcher's Thistle
1.3.3. Biological needs of Pitcher's Thistle
2. POPULATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
2.1. Trends
3. THREATS
3.1. Threat Classification
3.2. Description of Threats
3.3. Potential Threats
4. RECOVERY OF PITCHER'S THISTLE
4.1. Population and Distribution Objectives
5. ACTIONS ALREADY COMPLETED OR UNDERWAY
6. APPROACHES RECOMMENDED TO MEET RECOVERY OBJECTIVES
7. CRITICAL HABITAT
7.1. Information Used to Identify Critical Habitat Locations and Attributes
7.2. Critical Habitat Identification
7.3. Activities Likely to Destroy Critical Habitat
7.4. Schedule of Studies to Delineate Critical Habitat
7.5. Additional Information Requirements about the Species
8. MEASURING PROGRESS
9. STATEMENT ON ACTION PLANS
10. REFERENCES
APPENDIX A: Effects on the Environment and Other Species
APPENDIX B: Site by Site Abundance of Pitcher's Thistle

SARA is the Act developed by the federal government as a key contribution to the common national effort to protect and conserve species at risk in Canada. SARA came into force in 2003 and one of its purposes is "to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity."

In the context of species at risk conservation, recovery is the process by which the decline of an endangered, threatened or extirpated species is arrested or reversed, and threats are removed or reduced to improve the likelihood of the species' persistence in the wild. A species will be considered recovered when its long-term persistence in the wild has been secured.

A recovery strategy is a planning document that identifies what needs to be done to arrest or reverse the decline of a species. It sets goals and objectives and identifies the main areas of activities to be undertaken. Detailed planning is done at the action plan stage.

Recovery strategy development is a commitment of all provinces and territories and of three federal agencies - Environment Canada, Parks Canada Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada - under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. Sections 37-46 of SARA (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/the_act/default_e.cfm) spell out both the required content and the process for developing recovery strategies published in this series.

Depending on the status of the species and when it was assessed, a recovery strategy has to be developed within one to two years after the species is added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Three to four years is allowed for those species that were automatically listed when SARA came into force.

In most cases, one or more action plans will be developed to define and guide implementation of the recovery strategy. Nevertheless, directions set in the recovery strategy are sufficient to begin involving communities, land users, and conservationists in recovery implementation. Cost-effective measures to prevent the reduction or loss of the species should not be postponed for lack of full scientific certainty.

This series presents the recovery strategies prepared or adopted by the federal government under SARA. New documents will be added regularly as species get listed and as strategies are updated.

To learn more about the Species at Risk Act and recovery initiatives, please consult the SARA Public Registry (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/) and the web site of the Recovery Secretariat.



Parks Canada Agency 2011. Recovery Strategy for Pitcher's Thistle ( ) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Parks Canada Agency. Ottawa. x + 31 pp

Additional copies can be downloaded from the SARA Public Registry (http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/).

Rafael Otfinowski

Également disponible en français sous le titre:
« Programme de rétablissement du chardon de Pitcher (Cirsium pitcheri) au Canada »

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of the Environment, 2010. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-100-17326-9
Catalogue no.: En3-4/88-2011E-PDF

Content (excluding the illustrations) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source.

The Parks Canada Agency led the development of this federal recovery strategy, working together with the other competent minister(s) for this species under the Species at Risk Act. The Chief Executive Officer, upon recommendation of the relevant Park Superintendent(s) and Field Unit Superintendent(s), hereby approves this document indicating that Species at Risk Act requirements related to recovery strategy development (sections 37-42) have been fulfilled in accordance with the Act.

signatures

All competent ministers have approved posting of this recovery strategy on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk (1996), the federal, provincial, and territorial governments agreed to work together on legislation, programs, and policies to protect wildlife at risk throughout Canada. The Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c.29) (SARA) requires that federal competent ministers prepare recovery strategies for listed Extirpated, Endangered and Threatened species.

The Minister of the Environment presents this document as the recovery strategy for the Pitcher's Thistle under SARA. It has been prepared in cooperation with the jurisdictions responsible for the species, as described in the Preface. The Minister invites other jurisdictions and organizations that may be involved in recovering the species to use this recovery strategy as advice to guide their actions.

The goals, objectives and recovery approaches identified in the strategy are based on the best existing knowledge and are subject to modifications resulting from new findings and revised objectives.

This recovery strategy will be the basis for one or more action plans that will provide further details regarding measures to be taken to support protection and recovery of the species. Success in the recovery of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the actions identified in this strategy. In the spirit of the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, all Canadians are invited to join in supporting and implementing this strategy for the benefit of the species and of Canadian society as a whole. The Minister of the Environment will report on progress within five years.

Prepared by Judith Jones, Jarmo Jalva and Brian Hutchinson, with input from the Pitcher's Thistle - Dune Grasslands Recovery Team.

Dedication: The Pitcher’s Thistle - Dune Grasslands Recovery Team hereby dedicates this recovery strategy in memory of two of its dedicated members, Dr. Anwar Maun (1935-2007), Professor Emeritus, University of Western Ontario, and Dr. John Morton (1928-2011), Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo. Their tireless efforts in the conservation of dune systems and Pitcher’s Thistle, is a continuing inspiration to us all.

Thanks are due to Brian Hutchinson, past chair of the Recovery Team (2001-2005), and Will Kershaw, past co-chair (2001-2004). Bob Gray and Karen Hartley (both of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources--OMNR), lent their administrative skills in support of the Team. Many past Recovery Team members are thanked: Robin Bloom (CWS), Linda Chiupka (Parks Canada), Terry Crabe (Consultant), Burke Korol (Ontario Parks), Andrew Promaine (Parks Canada Agency), and the late Dr. Anwar Maun (University of Western Ontario). Thanks to these Technical Advisors for their many contributions: Dr. Marlin Bowles (Morton Arboretum, Lisle Illinois), Dr. Steve Marshall (University of Guelph), Mike Oldham (OMNR), Geoff Peach (The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation), Mike Penskar (Michigan Natural Features Inventory), and Don Sutherland (OMNR).

In addition, the following individuals and their organizations contributed expertise, time or information to this recovery strategy: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Midhurst District; Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre (OMNR); Kara Brodribb (OMNR / Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)); Laura Bjorgan (OMNR); Dave Loftus (OMNR); Rodger Leith (OMNR); and John Riley (NCC). Peer reviews of the draft recovery strategy were undertaken by two anonymous reviewers. Team member Jane Bowles contributed significantly to the development of the original draft.

Thanks also to the network of volunteers and landowners on Manitoulin Island for on-the-ground monitoring work that has helped inform this strategy.

• Gary Allen, Parks Canada Agency, Recovery Team Chair
• Norah Toth, Ontario Parks, Recovery Team Co-Chair
• Wasyl Bakowsky, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Holly Bickerton, Consulting Biologist
• Dr. Jane Bowles, University of Western Ontario
• Eric Cobb, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Martha Coleman, University of Hawaii at Manoa
• Dr. Robin Davidson-Arnott, University of Guelph
• Talena Kraus, Ecological Consultant
• Alistair MacKenzie, Ontario Parks
• Angela McConnell, Canadian Wildlife Service
• Dr. John Morton, University of Waterloo
• Dr. Rafael Otfinowski, Parks Canada Agency
• Chris Risley, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
• Suzanne Robinson, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all SARA recovery strategies, in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. However, it is recognized that recovery actions may inadvertently lead to effects in the natural environment beyond the intended benefits. The results of the SEA are summarized below and briefly outline the potential positive and negative environmental impacts as a result of the proposed recovery strategy and resultant mitigation.

The most effective methods of recovery will be to reduce or eliminate threats to the dune ecosystems that are the habitat of Pitcher's Thistle. This approach will seek to maintain dunes in a natural state, thus protecting the habitat for other dune species as well. By maintaining the processes that keep dunes dynamic, a variety of dune stages are maintained, providing sufficient habitat for many other species (at least 46 rare or at-risk species are known to occur on dunes on Lake Huron or Lake Superior in Ontario).

Furthermore, most approaches proposed in this recovery strategy involve outreach, education, use of policy, as well as research, inventory, and monitoring, which have little or no environmental impact. In addition, recovery action planning will be coordinated with other recovery teams, further reducing the likelihood of negative impacts to any listed species-at-risk. No significant negative impacts to the natural environment are expected from this recovery strategy.

Specific activities within National Parks, such as population control of deer or geese, or removals of exotic species such as Common Reed (Phragmites australis), may require further assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA).

A more detailed discussion is contained in Appendix A Effects on the Environment and Other Species.

SARA defines residence as: a dwelling-place, such as a den, nest or other similar area or place, that is occupied or habitually occupied by one or more individuals during all or part of their life cycles, including breeding, rearing, staging, wintering, feeding or hibernating [Subsection 2(1)]. The concept of residence under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) does not apply to this species. Residence descriptions, or the rationale for why the residence concept does not apply to a given species, are posted on the SARA public registry: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/ sar/recovery/residence_e.cfm.

The Species at Risk Act (SARA, Section 37) requires the competent Minister to prepare a recovery strategy for all listed Extirpated, Endangered or Threatened species. The Parks Canada Agency and Environment Canada (on behalf of the competent minister) co-led the development of this recovery strategy with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, in cooperation and consultation with the Pitcher's Thistle - Dune Grassland Recovery Team. The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ontario Parks, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources reviewed the document. The proposed strategy meets SARA requirements in terms of content and process (Sections 39-41).

Recovery of Pitcher's Thistle is technically and biologically feasible based on the four criteria outlined in the draft Government of Canada SARA policy (s.40):

  1. Individuals of the wildlife species that are capable of reproduction are available now or in the foreseeable future to sustain the population or improve its abundance.
    Biologically, this species has many large, self-sustaining populations and sites where thousands of individuals are present (see Appendix B). Dramatic increases in population size have been documented in recent years, so the species is capable of accomplishing sufficient reproduction for recovery. There are sufficient numbers to improve population sizes when there is adequate habitat and threats are not present.

  2. Sufficient suitable habitat is available to support the species or could be made available through habitat management or restoration.
    Many large areas of high quality habitat remain, and many sites in the Manitoulin Region are remote, pristine, and have very few or no threats present. Habitats along the southern Lake Huron coast have had more human impact but remain suitable and not occupied to capacity. Some small sites in the Manitoulin and Lake Superior Regions are becoming densely vegetated but could be maintained in a suitable state with some intervention. In addition, there are several areas of large, suitable dune habitat on southern Lake Huron that have no historic record of Pitcher's Thistle but which are suitable and where introductions could take place if deemed necessary.

  3. The primary threats to the species or its habitat (including threats outside Canada) can be avoided or mitigated.
    Many threats can be avoided or mitigated through communications actions to increase awareness about the species, liaising with other groups and agencies, erecting signage or barriers, working with management of protected areas, working with landowners on stewardship, and many other steps.

  4. Recovery techniques exist to achieve the population and distribution objectives or can be expected to be developed within a reasonable timeframe.
    Many different techniques are suggested in this strategy and are intended to directly mitigate threats. The diversity of approaches ensures that at least some actions will succeed. Since 2005, a network of volunteers and landowners has conducted annual monitoring of Pitcher's Thistle in the Manitoulin Region. Data show an increase in numbers of individuals in most populations. Successful re-introductions have been conducted on southern Lake Huron and on Lake Superior. At one site on Manitoulin Island, a group of landowners is working together on stewardship, and the resulting monitoring data show a >800% increase in the number of Pitcher's Thistles.

Pitcher's Thistle is a whitish-green perennial plant with leaves that are finely divided into narrow segments and spineless except at the tips. The plants live as a ring of basal leaves (a "rosette") for several years before forming an upright flowering stalk and thistle head of pale, pinkish-white flowers. After flowering and setting seed, the plants die. In Canada Pitcher's Thistle is only found on dunes and beach ridges on the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Optimal habitat is open, dry, loose sand with little other vegetation. The habitat is dynamic due to sand movement caused by wind, water, and ice actions. There is a balance between the processes that keep sand open and loose, and succession, the natural process that causes a gradual increase in vegetation.

Pitcher's Thistle is listed as Endangered on Schedule 1 of the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). In Ontario species is listed as Endangered on the Species at Risk in Ontario list under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA 2007). The global range of Pitcher's Thistle is completely restricted to the shores of Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, occurring in four states in the United States and Ontario.

There are 30 extant populations in Canada, all in Ontario; three are on southern Lake Huron, two are on Lake Superior, and the remaining 25 are in Manitoulin Region on Lake Huron. Pitcher's Thistle has been extirpated from some historic sites on southern Lake Huron. Since 2001 several previously unknown populations of Pitcher's Thistle were discovered in the Manitoulin Region. At the same time, there have been large increases in numbers of individuals at many known populations in that region. Based on 2008 monitoring data the current total Canadian population is around 55,000 individuals.

Threats to Pitcher's Thistle are off-road vehicles, browsing; trampling; succession, construction of human structures on beaches, erosion and blow-outs, and competition with invasive species.

The current state of Pitcher's Thistle populations varies considerably by region. Populations at Pukaskwa National Park are small, with one population appearing healthy and self sustaining, one declining and one population recently extirpated, whereas on Lake Huron, the majority of populations show increases or fluctuations. The populations in the southern Lake Huron region are small, but most seem stable. There is almost no threat of extirpation of the listed species within the next 10 years, although there could be serious losses at the edges of the range. Consequently, the following objectives are designed to ensure the survival of the listed species:

Pukaskwa National Park: Maintain the two existing populations (Oiseau Bay and Hattie Cove) at their current locations. Use the existing populations to restore Pitcher's Thistle into suitable habitat at a selected site by 2020. Maintain populations at high enough levels that yearly population sizes show natural fluctuations with declines no greater than 30%.

The Manitoulin Region: Maintain the current extent of occurrence, and the largest population of Pitcher's Thistle in the region on Great Duck Island.

The Southern Lake Huron Regions: Maintain or increase all the existing populations in Inverhuron, Pinery and Port Franks.

Recovery work will involve protection of existing populations, reductions of threats to habitat, and promoting site stewardship, public education, and policy-oriented approaches. Pitcher's Thistle populations are under several types of ownership or jurisdiction, and First Nations, municipalities, and private landowners will be important partners in recovery work.

Critical habitat is identified in this strategy for populations at Pukaskwa National Park, Pinery and Inverhuron Provincial Parks, Port Franks, and Great Duck Island.

One or more action plans will be completed by 2015

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