Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 1 Protecting the biodiversity of the Long Range region Oct. 2020 The Long Range Biodiversity began Project is devoted to the TTTheThe second year of the Long Range Biodiversity projeprojectct protection and recovery of just as the world was realizing the magnitude of the COVID-19 species at risk and their crisis. Organizations, businesses, government departments, habitats in Western indigenous groups, and universities were temporarily closing offices NewfoundlandNewfoundland—the most and cancelling activities. It was a season of fear and uncertainty. biodiverse region of the Province. With guidance from medical officers and with adherence to directives under a provincially phased approach, the region Funded under a multi-year (2019-2023) leadership withstood the impact of the pandemic’s first six months. Long Range contribution from the Canada Biodiversity partners entered the field season with an adaptive Nature Fund, Community- management approach and tools for COVID safety. They set their Nominated Priority Places minds on, not what was shut down, but what was safe and practical (CNPP) for Species at Risk, the to be done. project is supported by Environment and Climate As global citizens, we put our trust in science that argues for the Change Canada (ECCC). need to address all three pandemics: COVID-19, climate change, and Partnering organizations and the loss of biodiversity. We encourage everyone to do whatever he or individuals provide additional she can to help. We thank all our project partners and volunteers for support and essential expertise. working safely and diligently, while caring for one another and The project benefits over 50 species and their habitats, sustaining hope. (KB) including 19 species at risk. It also strengthens partnerships Pests, Pathogens, & Plant Survival on and engages local communities the Limestone Barrens and citizens, including members of First Nations. This past summer, the work by the Limestone Barrens Recovery In this issue: Program (LBRP) was focused in three Limestone Barrens p. 1 areas along the Great Northern Peninsula: Savage Cove, Sandy Cove, NCC Reserves p. 3 and Green Island Brook, in an effort Piping Plovers p. 4 to address recovery actions outlined in the Braya Recovery and Action Eider Nest Shelters p. 6 Plans for Long’s Braya, Braya longii , Youth Workshops p. 6 and Fernald’s braya, B. fernaldii. Red Knot p. 7 COVID-19 restrictions meant that the Science group, Dr. Luise Cabin Conversations p. 8 Hermanutz and Corrina Copp , A light trap used to collect insect pests assisted and analyzed from afar, Bats p. 9 such as Diamondback Moth. while LBRP manager Dulcie House 1 led on -the -ground activities, assisted by local summer student Jeff Applin. The group was able to tackle multiple projects, maintaining and monitoring Sample restoration sites while launching new techniques in the pests and pathogens Accomplishments study. April-Sept. The pests and pathogens work is a collaborative effort led by Dr. Hermanutz, 2020 with expert insight from Dr. Kirk Hillier of Acadia University, Nova Scotia, and Drs. Paul de la Bastide and Terrie Finston from the University of 162 Victoria, British Columbia. The goal is to understand how insects and Piping Plover pathogens affect the survival of the endangered endemic Limestone Barren plants, Long’s braya and Fernald’s braya. The major pest of interest is the threat indicator Diamondback Moth--a non-native species that is carried from southern surveys. 10 United States to Newfoundland by high-altitude winds. The pests, which feed breeding pairs on mustard plants such as cabbage, are attracted to the chemical signature of monitored the braya plants. Once a moth finds a braya plant, it lays eggs that hatch into larvae, which consume the leaves and flowers of the plants. The researchers 82 have learned that pupating larvae do not survive Newfoundland winters and 82 therefore the annual infestations on braya are the result of actions by moths Workshop that arrive from the U.S. each year. participants: 61 Pests and pathogens can be especially concerning for the restoration plots, youth, 19 adult. where the plants must overcome adverse conditions to reestablish. This year 8 workshops was a particularly notable year for Diamondback Moths. During the past few years team members had reported minimal damage from larvae but during 222222 the 2020 field season they observed a marked increase, both in the number of Limestone barrens moths and in the subsequent number of larvae hatched on the braya plants. restoration plots Through the use of pheromone traps, which attract male Diamondback monitored Moths, and light traps, which attract other insects, Dulcie and Jeff were able to collect a sample of potential pests that visit the area. They sent insects to 210 Dr. Hillier for identification and for analysis of the impact of the insects on Eider nest shelters braya plants. checked, 7 islands. From June through 48 removed, 22 September, Dulcie, assisted restored by Jeff, diligently monitored the plants for overall health 7 and the presence of pests. NCC nature With government permits secured, she also took tiny reserves monitored, samples from the plants and SAR, non-native sp. sent them to Drs. De La Bastide and Finston for 252525 analysis of fungal pathogens Bat cabin present in the plants. conversations A Diamondback Moth is collected for analysis . The results of the analyses by Drs. Hillier, De La Bastide, 2 and Finston will assist the team in their efforts to pheromone traps and assisting Dulcie in pest and understand how the pests and pathogens interact pathogen monitoring. He also aided Dulcie in the to cause damage to the plants. One question is restoration work involving the monitoring of 22 whether the Diamondback larvae and other pests plots. As a resident of the area, Jeff assists with spread the fungal pathogens from plant to plant stewardship activities and public outreach about as they feed. Knowledge from these studies will the value of protecting and restoring limestone help inform the Limestone Barrens Species at barrens habitat. His support, dedication and deep Risk Recovery Team how best to mitigate these interest in the Limestone Barrens research has threats. been invaluable to the team. Jeff developed extensive research skills and worked closely with A bit about our great field staff! Dulcie House has many professionals along the way. been the project manager for the project for almost 20 years and is from River of Ponds, Great In spite of the challenges posed due to COVID- Northern Peninsula. Jeff Applin, who is from 19, great teamwork has resulted in the LBRP’s nearby Savage Cove, began working on the 2020 Field Season being very productive! The project after he completed Grade 9 at the local actions described will help ensure the long term high school. He just completed his fourth conservation of these species at risk and their summer as the student field assistant, spending globally rare and fragile limestone barrens long days collecting data from light traps and ecosystem. Monitoring Rare Plant Species on Nature Conservancy of Canada Reserves The Grand Codroy Estuary Nature Reserve is a collection of properties totalling 647 acres, which are protected and managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and are situated along the Grand Codroy River in southwestern Newfoundland. The Grand Codroy Estuary, which includes NCC’s reserve, is recognized as the only Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in the Province. The Codroy Valley overall is rich in biodiversity. Habitats support The Grand Codroy Estuary Nature Reserve. 243 species of birds--more than one-half the number recorded for the entire Province. and has been reported from only three locations, all in western Newfoundland. The NCC team also In August, provincial botanist Claudia Hanel monitored species at the Sandy Point reserve in joined NCC staff member Julia Lawler and intern Bay St. George. Sandy Point contains beach Jennifer Sullivan for a thorough assessment of habitat for nesting Piping Plover, an endangered ecosystem classification, human use, and plant species, and for rare plant species including sea- species on a newly acquired property within the lavender and saltwater cordgrass. Although in NCC reserve. They searched especially for rare recent years Sandy Point has been experiencing plant species, including large (or feathery) false an increase in human visitors, the NCC team Soloman’s-seal, Maianthemum racemosum , believes that many people are following best which is listed as provincially endangered practices, especially by restricting all-terrain 3 vehicle use to established trails. People have also NCC’s reserves. She described the internship as been demonstrating their concern by “...An incredible experience…working with such volunteering for an annual beach-clean up knowledgeable and passionate people, surveying organized by NCC. for new plant species, and participating in different facets of conservation.” She went on to The aptly named Black Ash Nature Reserve in say, “It has further solidified my passion for the Reidville, a community just north of Deer Lake, is conservation of Newfoundland and Labrador’s dedicated to the conservation of black ash, a tree natural areas, for future generations to use as we species that is listed federally as threatened and use them today.” provincially as vulnerable but currently undergoing re-assessment. The numbers of black ash are low in Newfoundland, which is the northern extent of the species’ range. Each year NCC staff monitor the health of black ash individuals on this property, with hopes of maintaining a healthy population and the possibility of collecting seeds to contribute to the National Tree Seed Centre. Intern Jennifer Sullivan is a graduate student at MUN with experience in non-native plant establishment in natural areas of Newfoundland. Jennifer was pleased with all that she learned Jennifer Sullivan visited NCC’s 3,879 -acre Grasses Nature while helping to assess the health of vulnerable Reserve, at the headwaters of the Robinson’s River in southwestern Newfoundland.