Eastern lilaeopsis (Lilaeopsis chinensis) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 5

Habitat

Habitat requirements

In Nova Scotia, Keddy (1987) identified the site characteristics of the two populations she noted during 1986 fieldwork: estuaries at the mouths of large rivers, which are long and narrow with an almost rectangular shape, and separated from the open ocean. Although Keddy (1987) did not visit the mouth of the LaHave River, this area shares the above characteristics.

Lilaeopsis chinensisis a plant of the intertidal zone, most often found in association with Spartina alterniflora on gently sloping muddy shorelines, but also on shorelines with fine gravel. The species has been found to grow most often on intertidal mudflats and in areas between large shoreline boulders.

Its distribution in the intertidal zone, from the bottom of the intertidal zone inland to a level that is covered by more than a metre of water at high tide (Keddy 1987, pers. obs.), would indicate that tidal fluctuations may influence its growth. However, Affolter (1985) compared plants grown under different submergence regimes and determined that survivorship was not affected, although growth differed.

Salinity changes both temporally and spatially in L. chinensis’ environment, but the magnitude of its influence is unknown. Affolter (1985) found that L. chinensis grew and flowered profusely when given only freshwater, indicating the species is an obligate shoreline species but a facultative species of brackish water. Although it has been suggested L. chinensis is restricted to the intertidal zone due to an inability to compete with taller vegetation found further inland, L. chinensis was found growing in abundance and flowering within dense stands of Spartina alterniflora (Keddy 1987, pers. obs. in Nova Scotia). Other plants in association with L. chinensis include Solidago sempervirens, Glaux maritima and Plantago maritima (Keddy 1987, pers. obs.).

Trends

Intertidal mudflats are present throughout southern Nova Scotia, and although small areas of habitat were destroyed by infilling of bricks and stones for highway construction along the Tusket estuary, there is no clear change in habitat availability within the species’ Canadian range. It is expected that habitat loss due to development is responsible for its possible extirpation from Rhode Island and is a potential threat to the species’ survival in some parts of its range, but no recent trends have been identified.

Protection/ownership

L. chinensis occurs on private land in Nova Scotia, except for land owned by the Nova Scotia government along a highway rights-of-way at Tusket.

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