Species Detection Survey Protocols

SPECIES DETECTION SURVEY PROTOCOLS

RARE PRAIRIE PLANT SURVEYS

Fish and Wildlife Branch Technical Report No. 2015-20 May 2015

www.environment.gov.sk.ca/

RARE PRAIRIE PLANT SURVEY PROTOCOL

First Edition 2015

PUBLISHED BY:

Fish and Wildlife Branch Ministry of Environment 3211 Albert Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 5W6 [email protected]

SUGGESTED CITATION FOR THIS MANUAL Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. 2015. Rare Prairie Plant Survey Protocol. Fish and Wildlife Branch Technical Report No. 2015-20. 3211 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan. 8pp.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Alberta’s Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Ministry, the Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC) and the Canadian Wildlife Service are gratefully acknowledged for provision of their rare prairie plant survey guidelines. Sensitive Species Inventory Guidelines April 2013 (AB ESRD); Guidelines for Rare Vascular Plant Surveys in Alberta (ANPC 2012) and Occupancy Survey Guidelines Prairie Plant Species at Risk (Henderson 2009) provided a base reference and content source for personnel conducting respective species surveys in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Rare Prairie Plant Survey Protocol acknowledgements: Sue McAdam and Sarah Vinge-Mazer have compiled much of the respective Saskatchewan species-specific survey protocol parameters and lead edits of the Saskatchewan protocol versions based on the Alberta Sensitive Species Inventory Guidelines April 2013 document. The Research Permit Process Renewal working group (Karyn Scalise, Sue McAdam, Ben Sawa, Sarah Vinge-Mazer, Andrea Benville, and Ed Beveridge) has also contributed to reviews of the Saskatchewan protocol along with additional ministry-external reviewers.

COVER PHOTO CREDITS Candace Elchuk, Rare Plant Rescue

CONTACT [email protected]

COPYRIGHT Brand and product names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of brand names does not constitute an endorsement.

Except as noted, all illustrations are copyright 2015, Ministry of Environment.

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20.0 RARE PRAIRIE PLANT SURVEY PROTOCOL

20.1 INTRODUCTION This survey protocol provides instructions on survey techniques and data collection for the occupancy (presence/not detected) of rare vascular prairie plants.

20.1.1 Inventory Group This protocol is designed to assist with surveys for prairie plants that are considered rare in Saskatchewan. Rare prairie plants include: 1) those listed as S1 to S3 by the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC); 2) those included on the SKCDC tracking list; 3) those listed under the Wild Species at Risk Regulations, and; 4) those listed under the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA).

This survey protocol is suitable for detecting numerous other rare and potentially at-risk vascular prairie plant species reported in the Annotated Catalogue of Saskatchewan Vascular Plants and in the Flora of Saskatchewan fascicles; many of which have not yet been assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

20.1.3 Status and Distribution For further information on the status of prairie plants in Saskatchewan, please visit the SKCDC. Additional information may be provided in COSEWIC Status Reports and in the SARA Registry documents.

20.1.4 Biology Plants vary widely in distribution, taxonomy, ecology, and habitat. As of 2013, most listed prairie plants were vascular plants. Identification characteristics and habitat affiliations for listed plant species are available from references including Moss 1983; Kershaw and colleagues 2001; Flora of Saskatchewan, Virtual Herbarium of Plants at Risk in Saskatchewan, and Flora of North America 2012.

20.2. SURVEY STANDARDS The standards provide instructions on the areal extent of surveys to be conducted. They also provide information on experience, capabilities, minimum equipment needs, survey conditions, and permit requirements.

20.2.1 Survey Area Extent Surveys must be conducted in areas with SKCDC observations as well as in any areas that provide suitable habitat for rare species. The proposed project area, plus the appropriate setback distances must be assessed. All suitable habitat within this area must be surveyed.

Remnant areas that are within the survey area extent must be surveyed. Some rare species, such as Water Hyssop (Bacopa rotundifoliia) are found in remnant habitats within cultivated fields. Dwarf Woollyheads (Psilocarphus brevissimus var. brevissimus) and other species can emerge from the seedbank within the area of cultivation. These plants, and other rare species often have few other occurrences in Saskatchewan, and illustrate the importance of small remnant sites to biodiversity conservation.

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Setback distances for rare prairie plants found in Activity Set-back Distance Guidelines for Prairie Plant Species at Risk (Henderson 2009) and the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines (2015) must be used as a minimum standard. The Henderson (2009) setback distances are based on the level of disturbance associated with the project and have been adopted in the Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines (2013). The setback distances are to be used for all species in the Inventory Group described in Section 20.1.1 of this document.

20.2.2 Personnel Due to the large diversity of prairie plants and the variation between regions, identification requires rigorous training. Henderson (2009) and Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC) (2012) emphasize the importance in using personnel with significant experience with local flora and this cannot be overstated. Personnel should have at least 120 days of taxonomic field experience (ANPC 2012). Some rare plant species and groups like bryophytes, lichens, and some more taxonomically complex vascular plant groups, require considerably more than several months’ experience to correctly search for, locate and identify them (ANPC 2012). Thus qualifications of survey personnel must be appropriate for the target species. Teams of personnel, rather than individuals, are most efficient for maximizing detectability of endangered or threatened plants. The team lead should have at least a decade of experience with local flora (Henderson 2009).

Personnel must have specific training in plant anatomy terminology, plant taxonomy and be competent in the use of floras to distinguish plants (ANPC 2012). Personnel must be able to identify target plant species, identify suitable habitat as presently known, and be familiar with the survey methodology. They must also have the ability to estimate the approximate number of plants in each plant population. Personnel must know the best time of year to survey for the target plants. Personnel must have a well-developed search image for rare prairie plants and be able to distinguish between similar species. Some species may be confusingly similar and considerable study is required to correctly identify them. For example, Kelsey’s Cryptanthe may be mistaken for Tiny Cryptanthe with inadequate botanical experience.

Plants must be identified to the lowest accepted taxonomic level (e.g., variety or subspecies in some cases) and according to the most recently accepted taxonomic treatment (current taxon and synonymy lists can be found on the SKCDC website). Field personnel may not be able to identify all taxa in the field due to the diagnostic character size, location or other features that are difficult to distinguish, and that require dissection under a microscope. Specimen collection, where appropriate, will enable further study in a lab, or examination by a taxon specialist. See the Permit Requirements 20.2.8.1 section for instructions on collecting voucher specimens.

20.2.4 Time of Year Rare plant associations may have species in different developmental stages. Surveys must be carried out when the plants are in flower and/or fruit. Some plants germinate only when specific environmental conditions are suitable. Table 20.2 provides examples of flowering and fruiting periods for select plants when they are most detectable. The SKCDC is actively collecting data on phenology in order to be able to provide more accurate and more precise flowering and fruiting times. Section 20.2.5 provides a schedule of specific calendar dates for conducting surveys.

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Table 20.1. Flowering and fruiting times for vascular plant Species at Risk in Saskatchewan. Seasonal Timing Species Flowering Fruiting Slender Mouse-eared cress (Transberingia bursifolia ssp. Late May-June May-June virgata) Soapweed (Yucca) (Yucca glauca) June-July Year-round Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis var. Late Jun-July July occidentalis) Smooth Goosefoot (Chenopodium subglabrum) Late June-July Aug.-Sept. Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) Late June-July July-Sept. Small-flowered sand verbena (Tripterocalyx micranthus) June-July July Hairy Prairie-clover (Dalea villosa var. villosa) July-Aug. Aug.-Sept. Tiny Cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima) June-July July-Aug. Dwarf Woolly-heads (Psilocarphus brevissimus var. July July-Aug. brevissimus)

20.2.5 Search Effort At least two, but preferably three surveys, must be completed at each sample site within the survey area extent (see Section 20.2.1) during the growing season. Separate surveys must be timed to maximize the detectability of as many potential rare species at the site as possible. More than two visits may be required for dry grasslands and early or late-blooming species (ANPC 2012).

The survey periods for the preferred three surveys are: May 15-June 20 June 21-July 31 Aug. 1 – Sept. 15 Surveys must be separated by at least 4 weeks (28 days)

If only two surveys are to be conducted, the survey periods are: May 15 – July 1 July 2 – Sept. 15 Surveys must be separated by at least 7 weeks (49 days)

The Ministry of Environment emphasizes the importance of collecting and reporting on search effort even when no target plants are located (Henderson 2009). This information is to be recorded on the SurveyData worksheet within the Species Detection loadform.

20.2.6 Environmental Conditions A compendium of environmental condition standards (Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment 2013) has been prepared to complement the survey protocols for Saskatchewan. The full range of values for the respective environmental condition (e.g., temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, noise, etc.) has been provided in the standards document with the expectation that appropriate value range(s) will be applied as per the survey protocol parameters.

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Climatic conditions can strongly influence the detectability of many of Saskatchewan’s endangered and threatened plants. Plant phenology can be affected by weather conditions. Dry or cold spring conditions may reduce the numbers of plants and significantly decrease the detectability of the species at a site (Henderson 2009, ANPC 2012). If poor conditions exist, surveys should be conducted over a number of growing seasons and moisture conditions (ANPC 2012). Alternatively, surveys may be deferred to a future year when conditions are more appropriate.

Personnel must review regional weather conditions during the growing season to determine the best survey timing and appropriate survey effort. Weather conditions can reduce the efficacy of plant surveys. Wind can move plants, making them difficult to detect, therefore conduct surveys only when winds do not exceed a moderate breeze, Beaufort 4 (20-29 kph). Precipitation can also reduce the detection of rare plants. Conduct plant surveys only when there is no more than light rainfall. Surveys may not take place when there is more than a light dusting of snow on the ground to prevent the obscuring of small plants and basal leaves. In addition, light availability can affect the detection of plants. Avoid performing surveys within an hour of sunrise or sunset because shadows make plants less detectable. Surveys may be conducted under clear to overcast skies as fog and smoke may interfere with observations. Surveys carried out under this set of weather conditions will reduce the chance of missing plants due to poor survey weather.

20.2.7 Equipment List . GPS unit . Survey flags . Survey poles . Camera with macro capability . Ruler . Hand lens . Species Detection Loadform . Plant press . Regionally appropriate flora

20.2.8 Permit Requirements Notification is requested for rare prairie plant surveys, unless voucher specimens are collected. Notification implies the appropriate survey protocol(s) will be used and data forms submitted. Survey protocols and the respective loadform are available on the ministry Research Permit downloads webpage. Properly conducted surveys and reliable data submissions are vital tools required to understand and manage wildlife populations and their habitat. Data submissions also facilitate and expedite environmental assessment reviews by Fish and Wildlife Branch.

20.2.8.1 Collection of Voucher Specimens Research permits are required for voucher specimen collection. Permit conditions require that surveys and corresponding data collection, using the loadform, be conducted according to standardized protocols. Collecting rare plants is discouraged for conservation reasons. Photographs of diagnostic features may remove the need to take plants or plant parts for identification. Take several close-up photos showing a ruler (for scale) and characteristic plant parts as outlined in the description of the species in the appropriate flora.

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If collection is required, photograph the plants in situ with a ruler and if possible, take only the key parts necessary for identification. It is strongly recommended that a full specimen be taken of any previously unrecorded plant taxon found in Saskatchewan. Taking of rare plants is to be limited to those plants that require dissection for correct identification and for which collecting will result in the loss of less than four percent of the individuals in the local population (ANCP 2012, Lancaster 2000). Collecting and preparing plants must be done in compliance with Collecting and Preparing Plant Specimens for Identification (Storrie 2009). Submissions of specimens must follow Section 20.4.

20.3 SURVEY METHODS The survey methods section discusses the procedures for conducting rare prairie plant surveys (Henderson 2009, SKCDC 2014).

20.3.1 Procedures Rare prairie plant surveys must be carried out following Henderson (2009) and SKCDC (2014). Failure to detect a plant species at risk during surveys is considered “not detected” rather than definitive evidence that the species is absent from the area.

The Henderson (2009) guidelines provide study design principles for the smaller census areas typical of many environment site assessments (e.g., well pads, linear corridors) and for searching for species at risk over larger landscapes. These guidelines must be applied when setting up a survey or assessment for prairie vascular plant species at risk.

The Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre has prepared Guidelines for collecting spatial data during vascular plant surveys (2014). The guidelines are compatible with the set-back and occupancy survey guidelines (Henderson 2009). Use both sets of guidelines when conducting rare prairie plant surveys in Saskatchewan.

20.4 SUBMISSIONS Please refer to the Submissions under the Standard Permit Conditions on the Ministry of Environment website. Plant and incidental observations should be submitted to the ministry ([email protected]) using the ministry Species Detection Loadform.

Collected plants must be promptly submitted to the W.P. Fraser Herbarium at the University of Saskatchewan and must follow herbarium submission guidelines, including proper labels (contact the herbarium for more information). Information on voucher specimens submitted to the W.P. Fraser Herbarium must be included on the ministry Species Detection Loadform. The identification of voucher specimens that have been confirmed by the Herbarium must also be submitted to [email protected].

iMapInvasives is the provincial system for submitting the occurrence of invasive plant or animal species. Any observations of prohibited, noxious or nuisance weeds, along with observations of any other invasive species, should be submitted using this website. An account is not required to submit observations. If you have any questions, please contact the SKCDC for more information.

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20.5 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Alberta detailed status reports for plant species at risk

Alberta Native Plant Council publications

Alberta recovery plans for plant species at risk

Collecting and Preparing Plant Specimens for Identification

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

Flora of North America

Flora of Saskatchewan Association

Guidelines for collecting spatial data during vascular plant surveys

Guidelines for Rare Vascular Plant Surveys in Alberta. 2012 Update (ANPC)

Harms, V.L. 2006. Annotated Catalogue of Saskatchewan Vascular Plants

Henderson, D.C. 2009. Set-Back & Occupancy Survey Guidelines Prairie Plant Species at Risk

Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan

Recovery Strategy for alkaline wing-nerved moss (Pterygoneurum kozlovii) in British Columbia

Species at Risk Act (SARA) Registry

Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species Background Information

Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC)

Stewart and Kantrud 1971 Wetland Classification System

The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan

W.P. Fraser Herbarium (SASK Herbarium)

20.6 LITERATURE CITED Alberta Native Plant Council (ANPC). 2012. Guidelines for Rare and Vascular Plant Surveys in Alberta: 2012 Update. [online] http://www.anpc.ab.ca/content/newsfiles/Guidelines%20For%20Rare%20Plant%20Surv eys%20in%20AB_2012%20Update.pdf Accessed June 20th, 2012

Botanical Assessment Working Group (BAWG). 2014. Fall Meeting, October 30, 2014. Saskatoon, SK.

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Environment Canada. 2012. Species at Risk Public Registry. [Online] http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm. Accessed June 20, 2012

Flora of North America. 2012. Flora of North America. [Online] http://floranorthamerica.org/. Accessed June 20, 2012.

Government of Alberta. 2012. Alberta Wildlife Act. [Online] http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=1997_143.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780 779764891&display=html. Accessed June 20, 2012

Government of Alberta. 2012. Landscape Analysis Tool (LAT). [Online] http://srd.alberta.ca/FormsOnlineServices/IndustryOnlineServices/LandscapeAnalysisTo ol/LandscapeAnalysisTool.aspx. Accessed June 25, 2012

Government of Canada. 2012. Species at Risk Public Registry. [Online] http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm. Accessed September 24th, 2012.

Harms, V.L. 2006. Annotated catalogue of Saskatchewan vascular plants. Updated 20 Nov. 2006. Saskatoon, SK. http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/Docs/AnnotatedCatalogueSKVascPlants2006.pdf Accessed Nov. 5, 2013.

Henderson, D.C. 2009. Occupancy Survey Guidelines for Prairie Plant Species at Risk. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service Prairie and Northern Region. Saskatoon, Sk. 37pp. [Online] http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2011/ec/En4-130- 2010-eng.pdf. Accessed June 20, 2012.

Kershaw, L., J. Gould, D. Johnson, and J. Lancaster. 2001. Rare vascular plants of Alberta. University of Alberta Press and Natural Resources Canada, Edmonton, Alberta. 484 pp.

Lancaster, J. 2000. ANCP Guidelines for rare plant surveys in Alberta. Alberta Native Plant Council. Edmonton, AB. Lancaster, J. 2000. ANCP Guidelines for rare plant surveys in Alberta. Accessed January 6, 2015.

Moss, E.H. 1959. Flora of Alberta. 2nd. Ed. Rev. by Packer, 1983 J. G. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario. 687 pp.

Queens Printer. 2012. Alberta Wildlife Regulations 143/97. [Online] http://www.qp.alberta.ca/574.cfm?page=1997_143.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780 779764891&display=html. Accessed September 24, 2012

Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre. 2014. Guidelines for collecting spatial data during vascular plant surveys. http://www.biodiversity.sk.ca/Docs/SKCDCSpatialDataGuidelinesforPlants.pdf Accessed October 28, 2014.

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Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. 2013. Fish & Wildlife Branch research permit environmental condition standards. Fish and Wildlife Branch Technical Report No. 2013- 21. 3211 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan. 60pp.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. 2015. Saskatchewan Activity Restriction Guidelines for Sensitive Species. http://www.environment.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?DocID=a3782315- 6e7f-49c6-b7a2-f62f677986b6&MediaID=063526ea-0037-411f-891d- 4c4862ede211&Filename=Saskatchewan+Activity+Restriction+Guidelines+for+Sensitive +Species.pdf&l=English. Accessed April 22, 2014.

Storrie, A. 2009. Collecting and preparing plant specimens for identification. Primefact 919. Replaces AGNOTE DPI-492. Primefacts for profitable, adaptive and sustainable primary industries. 6pp. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/304326/Collecting-and- preparing-plant-specimens-for-identification.pdf Accessed January 7, 2015.

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