March 2020 Standardized Survey Protocol for Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Prepared for The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program North-South Environmental Inc. • 101B King Street West • Cambridge, Ontario • N3H 1B5 Project Study Team North-South Environmental Inc. Pauline K. Catling – project manager, report author, background review, consultation Will Van Hemessen– report contributor, report editor Kristen Pott – fen size calculations using ArcGIS Sarah Mainguy- report editor Mirek Sharp – report editor Acknowledgements Project funding was provided by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, through the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. We thank Steven Anderson, Wasyl Bakowsky, Erica Barkley, Corina Brdar, Vivian Brownell, Paul Catling, Bruce Ford, Mary Gartshore, Audrey Heagy, Colin Murray, Karin Newman, and Anne Worley for contributing through consultation. We are grateful to Steven Anderson, Wasyl Bakowsky, Corina Brdar, Vivian Brownell, Paul Catling, Audrey Heagy, Colin Murray, Eric Snyder and Anne Worley for providing critical comments on the draft version and improving the quality of this document. Cover Photo: Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Photo By: Pauline K. Catling Standardized Survey Protocol for Small White Lady’s-slipper • March 2020 i Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Species Information .................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1. Identification ....................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1.1. Similar Species and Hybridization ........................................................................................... 3 2.2. Distribution ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3. Habitat ............................................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.1. Limestone Glades, Dry Hill Prairies, Barrens and Bluffs ...................................................... 14 2.3.2. Fen ............................................................................................................................................ 14 2.3.3. Tallgrass Prairie, Sedge Meadows, Savannah and Parkland .............................................. 16 2.4. Ecology ............................................................................................................................................. 16 2.4.1. Life Cycle .................................................................................................................................. 16 2.4.2. Mycorrhizal Association .......................................................................................................... 17 2.4.3. Pollination ................................................................................................................................. 18 2.4.4. Fruit set ..................................................................................................................................... 18 2.5. Status ................................................................................................................................................. 19 2.6. Threats and Limiting Factors .......................................................................................................... 20 2.6.1. Habitat Loss and Degradation ............................................................................................... 20 2.6.2. Fire Exclusion and Woody Succession ................................................................................. 21 2.6.3. Invasive Species ....................................................................................................................... 21 2.6.4. Agricultural Practices .............................................................................................................. 21 2.6.5. Illegal Collection and Ad-hoc Trails ...................................................................................... 22 2.6.6. Genetic Isolation ...................................................................................................................... 23 2.6.7. Hybridization ............................................................................................................................ 23 2.6.8. Herbivory .................................................................................................................................. 23 2.6.9. Environmental Conditions ...................................................................................................... 24 2.7. Management .................................................................................................................................... 24 3. Overview of Past Survey Methods .......................................................................................................... 25 3.1. Selecting Sites .................................................................................................................................. 25 Standardized Survey Protocol for Small White Lady’s-slipper • March 2020 ii 3.2. Methods ............................................................................................................................................ 26 3.2.1. Quantifying Abundance ......................................................................................................... 26 3.2.2. Classifying Associated Vegetation ........................................................................................ 30 3.2.3. Threat Assessment .................................................................................................................. 30 3.2.4. Site Condition .......................................................................................................................... 33 4. Recommended Areas to Search ............................................................................................................. 33 4.1. Locations ........................................................................................................................................... 33 4.2. Process .............................................................................................................................................. 34 5. Standardized Survey Protocol ................................................................................................................. 35 5.1. Considerations for Developing a Standardized Survey Protocol .............................................. 35 5.1.1. Purpose ..................................................................................................................................... 35 5.1.2. Protocol Refinement ............................................................................................................... 35 5.1.3. Timing ....................................................................................................................................... 35 5.1.4. Management Activities ........................................................................................................... 36 5.1.5. Habitat and Species Sensitivity .............................................................................................. 36 5.1.6. Frequency of Survey ............................................................................................................... 37 5.1.7. Survey Effort ............................................................................................................................. 38 5.1.8. Qualifications of Surveyors ..................................................................................................... 38 5.2. Field Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 38 5.2.1. Records Review........................................................................................................................ 38 5.2.2. Data Collection ........................................................................................................................ 39 5.2.3. Determining Area of Occurrence .......................................................................................... 39 5.2.4. Population Size ........................................................................................................................ 40 5.2.5. Population Demographics ..................................................................................................... 40 5.2.6. Associated Plant Community ................................................................................................. 42 5.2.7. Evaluating Threats ................................................................................................................... 43 5.2.8. Ranking Site Condition ........................................................................................................... 47 5.2.9. Additional Data to Monitor ...................................................................................................