Executive summary – Recovery strategy for the Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) in Ontario

Prepared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Adoption of Recovery Strategy for the Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) in Canada (Environment Canada 2014).

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) requires the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry to ensure recovery strategies are prepared for all species listed as endangered or threatened on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List. Under the ESA, a recovery strategy may incorporate all or part of an existing plan that relates to the species.

The Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) is listed as endangered on the SARO List. The species is also listed as endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Environment Canada prepared the Recovery Strategy for the Small White Lady’s-slipper in Canada in 2014 to meet its requirements under the SARA. This recovery strategy is hereby adopted under the ESA. With the additions indicated below, the enclosed strategy meets all of the content requirements outlined in the ESA.

The Critical Habitat section of the federal recovery strategy provides an identification of critical habitat (as defined under SARA). Identification of critical habitat is not a component of a recovery strategy prepared under the ESA. However, it is recommended that the areas of critical habitat identified in the federal recovery strategy be considered when developing a habitat regulation under the ESA.

Executive summary – Recovery strategy for the Small White Lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium candidum) in Canada

Prepared by Environment Canada (2014).

The Small White Lady’s-slipper belongs to the Orchid family and is characterized by a very small, white, slipper shaped flower. It is found predominately in moist prairie and savannah, and rich, calcareous wetland fens.

Small White Lady’s-slipper is native to eastern North America. Less than 10 percent of its range is in Canada where there are 25 known extant populations; 18 in Manitoba and 7 in Ontario. Most populations are fragmented by agriculture or other development. The Small White Lady’s-slipper was listed as endangered in Canada under the Species at Risk Act in 2003 because of its disjunct and limited distribution, its low genetic diversity, and the threat of habitat degradation and loss.

Major threats include encroachment by woody plants and thatch accumulation due in part to the suppression of periodic fires, alteration of hydrology, infrastructure and residential development, and resource competition with invasive species which together result in a decline in quality and amount of habitat. Inappropriately-timed mowing or haying, trampling and poaching are important threats that can cause harm to populations. Hybridization has traditionally been cited as a threat, although the severity of this threat has been a source of debate in the scientific community. Shoreline erosion is a threat at one site in Ontario. The Small White Lady’s-slipper has specific needs which limit its ability to increase its populations under natural conditions. Germination of Small White Lady’s-slipper is restricted to habitats that support specific species of soil fungi. It can take up to 16 years for a plant to flower. Seed production is dependent on specific pollinators.

Recovery of the Small White Lady’s-slipper is determined to be technically and biologically feasible. The population and distribution objective is to maintain all 25 populations that were known to be extant in the past 16 years at their current areas of occupancy, plus any newly-discovered populations. Meeting the population and distribution objective will depend on the following broad strategies: communication, outreach and education; habitat protection, management, and stewardship; inventory and monitoring; and research.

Critical habitat is partially identified in the recovery strategy based on known locations and biophysical attributes required by Small White Lady’s-slipper. Critical habitat is identified for 18 extant populations in Manitoba and one extant population in Ontario. In Manitoba, critical habitat is described as moderately to imperfectly drained, open native prairie; or prairie openings with occasional sparse shrub cover; or prairie openings between tree "bluffs". Slopes are flat to undulating with ridge and swale topography. In Ontario, critical habitat is described as rich calcareous fen habitat with a high water table, organic soils, and marl pools (calcium and magnesium deposits) for the one population where it is identified.

One or more Action Plan(s) will be posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry by 2017.