Hoary mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum incanum (L.) Michx.) recovery strategy: chapter 2
RECOVERY
11. Ecological and Technical Feasibility of Species Recovery
Based on current knowledge of the Hoary Mountain-mint, it is considered that recovery of this species is technically and biologically feasible.
The number of stems per plant is a good indicator of plant age and vigour. Crins (1986) felt that Hoary Mountain-mint was reproducing largely through vegetative means. This is possible, although the species is producing viable seed in sufficient quantities for reproduction. It is possible that germination requirements are not being met. In addition, competition with native and non-native shrubs may be reducing the amount of reproduction through seed. Hoary Mountain-mint is known to be self-compatible, so the lack of a nearby population should not affect the probability of sexual reproduction (Chambers 1961, 1962). It is not known whether this species maintains a viable seed bank.
Ideal habitat conditions include areas where natural disturbance and succession of open habitat by woody vegetation are minimal (Obee 1994). A limited amount of suitable, uncolonized habitat is present in the area. Since this species occurs mainly on the south-facing slopes of the Burlington Bluffs, the available habitat is very restricted. Also, succession and the introduction of invasive species have eliminated much of the suitable habitat for this species. There is potential for the reintroduction of this species in some suitable areas, but prescribed burning or manual shrub removal would have to be undertaken in order to prepare the habitat.
Herbaceous species found in relatively open areas within wooded lands are often gap-colonizers, which benefit from natural disturbances such as windthrows, fire, and erosion within a mosaic of successional stages (Obee 1994). Alteration of this natural process may result in a successional stage dominated by mature woody vegetation of uniform age and the elimination of Hoary Mountain-mint. However, recovery potential of populations should be good as long as a seed source of Hoary Mountain-mint is present near newly available habitat. Since the bluffs are currently not maintained and development is not possible, there is potential for the restoration of adjacent areas to create suitable habitat using a management plan that includes a prescribed burn.
This species is currently being propagated through the Seed Bank Pilot Project at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton, Ontario, and seed has been collected and stored in a seed bank. In addition, the RBG has grown and outplanted approximately 400 plants in a demonstration prairie garden for educational/seed collection purposes. It would be beneficial to transplant some of the plants grown in 1999 to sites with low stem counts in order to secure the survival of this species at those locations. Growth of this species in ex situ populations indicates that it has high germination rates (83% under suitable conditions) as well as high survival rates. Vigorous root growth has also been observed in specimens grown in captivity (P. O'Hara, pers. comm.).
12. Recovery Goal
The long-term recovery goal for this species is to ensure that the extant populations are protected with no further losses of habitat or populations. In addition, in order to allow for the potential reintroduction of self-sustaining populations to historical locations, it is imperative that proper management practices be implemented in portions of the recovery habitat of this species.
13. Recovery Objectives
Objective 1: Ensure protection of the habitat of extant populations through implementation of appropriate management techniques
Strategy 1 Annual monitoring of existing populations and habitat
Strategy 2 Promotion of stewardship and awareness among landowners and the public
Strategy 3 Habitat mapping with Ecological Land Classification (ELC) standards and Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP) guidelines
Strategy 4 Invasive species removal at existing sites and monitoring
Objective 2: Increase population size of existing populations to self-sustainable levels
Strategy 1 Determination of species requirements
Strategy 2 Collection of seeds and propagation of plant material
Strategy 3 Planting (augmentation) or site maintenance to increase population size at
selected areas, if required
Objective 3: Investigate feasibility of restoring recovery habitat and reintroducing individuals to historical sites
Strategy 1 Investigation of the effects of prescribed burning
Strategy 2 Investigation of possibilities for species reintroduction
The recovery objectives for this species place great emphasis on ensuring protection of extant populations. The success of these efforts can be measured through ongoing monitoring of populations and threats, assessment of habitat conditions, and evaluation of the effectiveness of management, stewardship, and education programs.
14. Approaches for Meeting Recovery Objectives
A wide range of strategies and approaches are recommended for achieving the short-term and long-term recovery goals for Hoary Mountain-mint in Canada. A summary of recommended activities for species recovery is provided in Table 3. Each type of activity is categorized according to its priority, actions, and anticipated effects.
Table 3. Strategies and Approaches for Recovery
Priority | Objective | Strategy | Broad Approach | Threats Addressed | Specific Steps | Anticipated Effect |
Critical | 1 | 1 | Yearly monitoring | Monitor population annually and maintain database of the data collected | Ongoing assessment of population status | |
Necessary | 1 | Yearly monitoring | Slumping | Monitor effects of slumping on populations | Determine if there is a need for bank stabilization | |
Critical | 2 | Habitat protection | Accidental destruction, Dumping, Succession, and Fire suppression |
Educate landowners and municipalities about species presence, threats, and management options | Enhanced protection for areas that are recognized as endangered species habitat | |
Critical | 3 | Habitat mapping | Map current and potential habitat with ELC standards | Improved understanding of habitat and its characteristics, provision of information for habitat protection, and identification of potential habitats for introduction | ||
Critical | 4 | Invasive species removal | Invasive species | Remove invasive species at existing sites | Prevention of the loss of populations through encroachment | |
Beneficial | 2 | 1 | Population studies | Determine species requirements | Identification of life history attributes, germination requirements, ecological niche, studies of genetic variation should be initiated | |
Beneficial | 2 | Propagation | Collect seed and propagate plant material | Provision of plants that can be used as a basis for further studies | ||
Necessary | 3 | Reintroduction | Small population size | Increase population size at selected areas through planting (reintroduction) or site maintenance | Provision of plants to augment numbers and ensure genetic variability in natural populations | |
Necessary | 3 | 1 | Habitat restoration | Succession and Fire suppression | Investigate effects of prescribed burning on Hoary Mountain-mint | Burning may increase habitat quality and suitable habitat available for species reintroduction |
Beneficial | 2 | Propagation | Small population size | Investigate possibilities for reintroduction | Determination of the suitability of reintroduction in historical habitats |
15. Potential Impacts of Recovery Strategy on Other Species/Ecological Processes
Hoary Mountain-mint tends to occur with many prairie/savanna affiliates, including:
Scientific Name Common Name Provincial Rank
Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem S4
Anemone cylindrica Thimbleweed S4
Asclepias tuberosa Butterfly-weed S4
Aster laevis Smooth Aster S5
Aster oolentangiensis Sky-blue Aster S4
Elymus canadensis CanadaWild-rye S4 S5
Helianthus divaricatus Woodland Sunflower S5
Lespedeza capitata Round-headed Bush-clover S4
Monarda fistulosa Wild Bergamot S5
Panicum virgatum Switchgrass S4
Quercus velutina Black Oak S4
Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem S4
Most of these species have a rank of S4 in Ontario. Further inventory of the habitat at these sites may reveal more species that are considered rare in Ontario (S3 or above). For example, Few-flowered Club-rush is an Endangered species that occupies similar habitat.
Any management practices put in place for Hoary Mountain-mint would be expected to have a positive effect on all of the species listed above and on the existing habitat. Much of the habitat along the Burlington Bluffs is being overrun with invasive species, and management processes/activities that focus on the removal of invasive species will be especially important.
16 . Evaluation
Performance measures for evaluation of the success of the approaches to recovery set out in this strategy will include the extent to which goals and objectives have been met, specifically:
Objective 1
1) All populations have been monitored in a consistent manner for at least 3 consecutive years; monitoring results indicate stable or increasing populations.
2) Landowners and the public are aware of the presence of the species and its importance and are participating in recovery.
3) All habitat has been mapped using ELC and CLTIP mapping guidelines.
4) Invasive species have been removed for at least one site and effects have been assessed.
Objective 2
1) Species’ requirements for germination and survival have been determined.
2) Seeds have been collected and stored in a gene bank.
3) Propagation experiments have been completed.
4) Population sizes for at least two small sites have been increased to more than 10 plants through planting or habitat improvement.
Objective 3
1) Effects of prescribed burning have been assessed for this species through research and experimentation.
2) Historical sites have been assessed for suitability of reintroduction by seed or plantings.
17. Recommended Approach/Scale for Recovery
The small amount of area that constitutes the current habitat for this species can be easily managed as its own entity, and distinct management practices relating specifically to the habitat requirements of Hoary Mountain-mint should be considered.
Coordination with the Few-flowered Club-rush (Trichophorum planifolium)recovery team and strategy should be investigated because these species share some similar threats and habitat requirements. Additionally, both species may benefit from the same recovery actions.
The Hoary Mountain-mint was originally considered a part of the Tallgrass Communities of Southern Ontario (Rodger 1998). Although it is not considered a prairie species, Hoary Mountain-mint occurs in tallgrass prairie sites due to its affinity for dry, open habitats. Other Pycnanthemum species (P. verticillatum var. pilosum, P. virginianum, P. tenuifolium) are considered prairie affiliates and are listed under the Tallgrass Communities Recovery Strategy (Rodger 1998). The extreme degradation of the Hoary Mountain-mint habitat and the lack of other species at risk in the area may make the species an unsuitable candidate for recovery under the auspices of the Tallgrass Communities Recovery Strategy. However, this option should be explored in further detail through discussion with members of the tallgrass recovery team.
18. Anticipated Conflicts or Challenges
No major conflicts or logistical difficulties are anticipated that would interfere with the realization of the short- and long-term goals and objectives of the recovery strategy for this species.
19. Statement of When One or More Action Plans in Relation to the Recovery Strategy will be Completed
An Action Plan will be prepared by the recovery team, if necessary with the assistance of a Recovery Implementation Group (RIG), by 2009. It will address research needs, monitoring, site management, and restoration.
20. References Cited
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