Eastern prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) recovery strategy: chapter 12

12. Statement on Action Plans

One or more action plans identifying specific actions in relation to this strategy will be completed within five years of the final posting of this recovery strategy.

Table 4: Performance measures for the broad strategies and approaches to recovery.

Broad Approach Goal for Recovery Threats Addressed Performance Measures
Manage critical habitat to maintain suitability Protect Critical Habitat Effectively Loss and degradation of suitable habitat

Within 180 days after critical habitat is identified in the final Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Recovery Strategy posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry:

  1. an order is made if the critical habitat or any portion of the critical habitat is not legally protected by provisions in, or measures under, this or any other Act of Parliament, including agreements under section 11; or
  2. a statement is included in the Species at Risk Public Registry setting out how the critical habitat is legally protected.

Activities likely to destroy the proposed critical habitat have been effectively managed. Mitigation efforts have been undertaken within five years of final posting of the recovery strategy in Point Pelee National Park.

Operational guidelines for use of motorized vehicles (BMPs) are established to avoid damage to critical habitat.

Requirements to mitigate vegetation succession and suppression of natural disturbance regimes have been identified within three years of posting of the recovery strategy.

Identify habitat for restoration Find and identify areas for restoration Suitable habitat is fragile, dynamic, and temporary All potential habitat areas for restoration in Point Pelee National Park have been identified within five years of posting of the recovery strategy.
Monitor populations and habitats Determine population trends All Monitoring has been carried out every two years and demonstrates the number of microsites at the two protected areas have been maintained over the five year period after posting; the number of microsites has increased by 5% within 10 years of posting in Point Pelee National Park.
Minimize collection and other human disturbances Small population size and low recruitment rates Collection

Monitoring shows no evidence of collection.

Where evidence of collection has been observed, enhanced protection measures are designed and implemented.

Assess feasibility of restoration Small population size and low recruitment rates Catastrophic stochastic events leading to loss

Genetic studies on all populations are completed within two years of the final posting of the recovery strategy.

Feasibility studies of restoration are completed within five years of the posting of the final recovery strategy.

Address major knowledge gaps

  1. Threat clarification
  2. Spatial population structure and origin
Determine the significance of threats
Clarify origins of all populations
All Progress has been made to acquire the information needed as outlined in the Additional Information Requirements section.
Protect and restore genetic integrity Small population size and low recruitment rates Loss of genetic integrity If warranted, based on the feasibility assessments, restoration plans have been completed for both native sites, with restoration underway at one native site within 10 years of posting of the final recovery strategy.
Establish Gene Bank Provide access to additional genetic material if needed Small population size and low recruitment rates leading to loss A protocol has been established for development and management of a secure, off-site gene bank with collection initiated at Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve and Point Pelee National Park within 10 years of final posting of the recovery strategy.
Build community support for recovery at the ecosystem level Engage target audiences to assist in recovery All Develop and implement a communication plan targeted at the local communities and First Nations so as to ensure support for recovery efforts at the ecosystem level within five years of posting of the final recovery strategy.

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