Management Plan for the Oldgrowth Specklebelly Lichen (Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis) in Canada - 2017

Part 2 - Management Plan for the Oldgrowth Specklebelly (Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis) in British Columbia, prepared by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment

Photo: © Ryan Batten.

Prepared by the B.C. Ministry of Environment

British Columbia Ministry of Environment

September 2015

Document information

Recommended citation

Cover illustration/photograph

© Ryan Batten

Additional copies

Additional copies can be downloaded from the B.C. Ministry of Environment Recovery Planning webpage

Disclaimer

The B.C. Ministry of Environment has prepared this management plan as advice to the responsible jurisdictions and organizations that may be involved in managing the species.

This document identifies the management actions that are deemed necessary, based on the best available scientific and traditional information, to prevent oldgrowth specklebelly populations in British Columbia from becoming endangered or threatened. Management actions to achieve the goals and objectives identified herein are subject to the priorities and budgetary constraints of participatory agencies and organizations. These goals, objectives, and management approaches may be modified in the future to accommodate new objectives and findings.

The responsible jurisdictions have had an opportunity to review this document. However, this document does not necessarily represent the official positions of the agencies.

Success in the conservation of this species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that may be involved in implementing the directions set out in this management plan. The B.C. Ministry of Environment encourages all British Columbians to participate in the conservation of oldgrowth specklebelly.

Acknowledgements

Brenda Costanzo (B.C. Ministry of Environment [MOE]) prepared this management plan. Additional assistance was provided by Trevor Goward (Enlichened Consulting Ltd.); Jenifer Penny and Marta Donovan (B.C. Conservation Data Centre); Peter Fielder, Dave Fraser, and Leah Westereng (MOE); and Byron Woods (Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations). Additional comments by: Paul Johanson [Environment Canada (EC) –Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) – National Capital Region (NCR), Kella Sadler (EC-CWS-Pacific Yukon Region (PYR), Matt Huntley (EC-CWS-PYR]. Funding for technical review and threats assessment was provided by the Land Based Investment Strategy.

Executive Summary

Oldgrowth specklebelly (Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis) is a leafy lichen, typically found growing on amabilis fir trees, in close association with yellow cedar, in old-growth rainforests of western North America.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designated oldgrowth specklebelly as Special Concern due to the loss of old-growth forests. As well, the species has low dispersal ability and is restricted to nutrient hotspots such as dripzones under old yellow-cedars, toe slope positions, and sheltered seaside forests. It is listed as Special Concern in Canada on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). In British Columbia, oldgrowth specklebelly is ranked S2S3 (imperiled to vulnerable) by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre and is on the provincial Blue list. The B.C. Conservation Framework ranks oldgrowth specklebelly as a priority 2 under goals 1 and 3 (1 = contribute to global efforts for species and ecosystem conservation; 3 = maintain the diversity of native species and ecosystems).

The greatest current threat is from logging and wood harvesting.

The management goal is to maintain all known extant populations and any future populations of oldgrowth specklebelly that may be found in British Columbia.

The following management objectives will guide work in the near term:

1. to secure long-term protection ^{Content Footnote 1}for the known populations and habitats of oldgrowth specklebelly;
2. to determine the levels of real and potential threats to this species and its habitat and to mitigate their effects; and
3. to confirm the distribution of oldgrowth specklebelly (including new locations) and to reliably determine population trends through monitoring.

1 COSEWIC ^{Table Footnote a} Species Assessment Information

2. Species Status Information

3. Species Information

3.1 Species Description

Oldgrowth specklebelly is a large, blue-gray foliose (leafy) lichen 5–12 cm across with lobes 1.5–3 cm wide. The vegetative body of the lichen including the lobes comprises the thallus. The upper surface is pale greenish-blue, turning creamy brown in the herbarium. The lobes may be slightly dimpled and the margins have small lobules (small outgrowths) and occasionally coral-like isidia (asexual reproductive structures). The lower surface is dull, white to pale brown, with small hairs and numerous white breathing pores. Oldgrowth specklebelly exists as a symbiotic relationship between a fungi and two algal components, the latter being a cyanobacterium (Nostoc sp.) and a green algae (COSEWIC 2010). The green algae grows in a continuous layer within the lichen whereas the cyanobacteria form localized nodes.

3.2 Population and Distribution

Distribution

Oldgrowth specklebelly is endemic to western North America. It occurs in cool, humid coastal regions from southeast Alaska to northern Oregon. In Alaska it is restricted to within a few km of the ocean, though elsewhere it extends inland to the windward slopes of the Insular Mountains and Cascade Ranges. In British Columbia there are approximately 52 populations occurring within the wet cool subzones of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone (CWH) within the distribution areas of Abies amabilis (amabilis fir) and Xanthocyparis nootkatensis (=Chamaecyparis nootkatensis; yellow-cedar) (Figure 1 and Figure 2) (COSEWIC 2010), which are frequently its host tree and/or closely associated species.

Population Size

There are 56 reported populations of oldgrowth specklebelly within British Columbia. Four of these populations (EO42, EO44, EO46 and Nanaimo Lakes) are considered extirpated, and one population (Hartley Bay (EO6) is considered historical. Therefore, the current total extant number of known populations is 52. Of the 52 current populations, two have been discovered since the 2010 COSEWIC report: Wolf River in Strathcona Park (EO55) on Vancouver Island and near Kitimat at Minette Bay Creek (EO 54). Two previously known populations one east of Kitimat (EO4) and the other at Chilliwack Lake, Provincial Park (EO2) have not been relocated since surveys for the 2010 COSEWIC status report, and their status is unconfirmed.

Most populations of oldgrowth specklebelly consist of 10–30 thalli, with the exception of two populations Caycuse Creek (EO44) and one 0.3 km west of White River (EO31) that have over 500 thalli each on one or two host trees (COSEWIC 2010). Total thalli count for current populations is 2277.

Map: © Environment Canada

Long description for Figure 1

Figure 1 represents a map of the distribution of Oldgrowth specklebelly, amabilis fir, and yellow-cedar in North America. The Oldgrowth specklebelly is found in the southern end of Alaska within kilometers of the ocean. The map shows 5 locations within this area spread along the coast. In British Columbia, there are 5 locations on Skeena-Queen Charlotte, with 2 locations being in Graham, 1 in Haida Gwaii, and 3 east of Kitimat. A large concentration of locations is represented on the coastal edges of Vancouver Island, with a few being inward on the Insular Mountains. A few locations are also identified in Stafford Valley. In the United States, a large number of locations is identified along the Cascade Range down into Washington and Oregon with a few locations in the middle of the coastal edge of the 2 states. For the amabilis fir, its distribution is represented mostly on the coastal edge of BC and on Vancouver Island, as well as on the Cascade Ranges. The yellow-cedar has a similar distribution as the amabilis fir, in addition to locations identified in Queen Charlotte and in the southern coastal end of Alaska.

Map: © Environment Canada

Long description for Figure 2

Figure 2 represents a map of the distribution of Oldgrowth specklebelly in British Columbia. The map displays extant, unconfirmed, extirpated, and historical occurrences. Most extant populations are found in the center of Vancouver Island. A few more are found on the north and south end of the island, on Mount St. John, on the east coast of Graham Island and Haida Gwaii, and in Kitimat. One historical population is identified in Hartley Bay. There is one unconfirmed population at the mid southern border of BC and one in Kitimat. Finally, there are 3 extirpated populations in north of Vancouver Island and one in south of Vancouver Island.

3.3 Habitat and Biological Needs of Oldgrowth Specklebelly

Oldgrowth specklebelly occurs in the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) BEC zone. It lives on tree branches and trunks of conifers in old-growth forests, particularly in nutrient-rich localities and microsites. Often it occurs in the dripzones of old yellow-cedar trees, at the base of hillsides, and in seaside coves sheltered from strong winds. Other tree species it colonizes are: amabilis fir, subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western red-cedar (Thuja plicata) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) and western yew (Taxus brevifolia) (COSEWIC 2010). Oldgrowth specklebelly requires open, humid, forest ecosystems; however, both full sunlight exposure and deep shade are harmful to the species.

Oldgrowth specklebelly is nutrient-demanding and establishes exclusively on the bark of conifers with a pH greater than about 5.0. The primary host tree over most of its range is amabilis fir. Yellow-cedar (Xanthocyparis nootkatensis = Chameacyparis nootkatensis) enhances the nutrient status of trees growing within its dripzone and thus promotes the establishment of oldgrowth specklebelly in habitats where it would otherwise be unlikely to occur (COSEWIC 2010). Yellow-cedar itself rarely acts as a host tree.

Oldgrowth specklebelly exists as a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and two algal components (green algae and cyanobacteria). The fungal component protects the algal component by enveloping it with tissue layers, and provides a steady supply of moisture by conducting water within its cell walls. In turn, the algal or cyanobacteria, through the process of photosynthesis produces sugar and carbohydrates that are used by itself and the fungal partner as an energy source (Brodo et al., 2001).

3.4 Ecological Role

Oldgrowth specklebelly may contribute marginally to the nitrogen cycle due to the nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae found on the lobules (COSEWIC 2010).

3.5 Limiting Factors

Oldgrowth specklebelly occurs in Canada only in coastal temperate rainforests with trees greater than 200–300 years old and therefore is dependent on old-growth forests (COSEWIC 2010).

Another limitation for oldgrowth specklebelly is its growth form; lichens represent a symbiotic relationship between fungus and algal or cyanobacterial components. It is likely to establish only on trees with a bark pH of greater than 5.0 to facilitate production of nitrogen in an accessible form (COSEWIC 2010). Nutrient enrichment is a rather localized phenomenon within the winter-wet rainforests colonized by Oldgrowth Specklebelly, owing to the tendency of heavy rains to remove nutrients from the system. Only in a small number of nutrient-retentive hotspots do nutrients routinely accumulate to levels likely to promote the establishment of tree-dwelling cyanolichens. Such hotspots tend to arise in one or both of two ways, that is, either from the interception of marine aerosols, or from the uptake of nutrients from nutrient-rich soil or bedrock. Both mechanisms operate according to the dripzone phenomenon (Goward and Arsenault 2000).

Dispersal of lobules and isidia (outgrowth of thallus containing algal components) is only within short distances, which may be a limiting factor for distribution (COSEWIC 2010; Sillett and Goward, 1998). Reproduction occurs exclusively through the formation and dispersal of lobules or sometimes isidia. These asexual structures must land on and then affix to a branch segment or trunk that is in a location which provides the optimal combination of light, exposure to wetting, ecological stability and (in the case of conifers) nutrient enrichment. The first three requirements are easily met in most oldgrowth forests, but the fourth – nutrient enrichment – is limiting for this species and must further account for its highly discontinuous distribution. Possibly the relative rarity of oldgrowth specklebelly in the northern portions of its range – including Haida Gwaii –is related at least in part to the absence here of its primary host tree, amabilis fir, as well as to the comparatively recent arrival of its primary facilitator, yellow-cedar (COSEWIC 2010).

4. Threats

Threats are defined as the proximate activities or processes that have caused, are causing, or may cause in the future the destruction, degradation, and/or impairment of the entity being assessed (population, species, community, or ecosystem) in the area of interest (global, national, or subnational) (Salafsky et al. 2008). For purposes of threat assessment, only present and future threats are considered. ^{Content Footnote 2} Threats do not include limiting factors, which are presented in Section 3.5. ^{Content Footnote 3}

4.1 Threat Assessment

The threat classification below is based on the IUCN-CMP (World Conservation Union–Conservation Measures Partnership) unified threats classification system and is consistent with methods used by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre. For a detailed description of the threat classification system, see the Open Standards website (Open Standards 2014). Threats may be observed, inferred, or projected to occur in the near term. Threats are characterized here in terms of scope, severity, and timing. Threat "impact" is calculated from scope and severity. For information on how the values are assigned, see Master et al. (2012) and table footnotes for details. Threats for the oldgrowth specklebelly were assessed for the entire province (Table 2).

4.2 Description of Threats

The overall province-wide Threat Impact for this species is High. ^{Content Footnote 4} This overall threat considers the cumulative impacts of multiple threats. The greatest threat is from logging and wood harvesting (Table 2). Details are discussed below under the Threat Level 1 headings.

IUCN-CMP Threat 3. Energy Production & Mining

3.2 Mining & Quarrying

Aggregate mining may occur at one locality near Kitimat at Europa Creek (EO51) (COSEWIC 2010). As well, if any mining did occur, the area would likely be logged first, host trees for oldgrowth specklebelly would be removed, and fragmentation of habitat increased.

3.3 Renewable Energy

Numerous independent power projects (IPPs) have been applied for across the province, which could potentially affect oldgrowth specklebelly in several ways. One is the removal of waterfall mist, which is known to provide essential habitat for rare lichens through a combination of nutrient enhancement, thermal moderation, and ongoing moisture supply (Bjork et al. 2009). As well, building of the IPPs would involve removal of trees, which could include host trees for oldgrowth specklebelly. Currently one locality at Europa Creek (EO51) has a hydroelectric development (COSEWIC 2010). Because IPPs generally occur in valley bottoms, tree removal associated with road building has a potential to curtail dispersal by this species. The resulting increased fragmentation could decrease the ability of the species to disperse into adjacent forests due to increased edge effect (T. Goward, pers. comm., 2014). As well, the increase in edge effect would raise the light levels and decrease humidity, thereby decreasing the amount of suitable habitat.

IUCN-CMP Threat 4. Transportation & Service Corridors

4.1 Roads & Railroads

Roads that are developed for logging will affect oldgrowth specklebelly, in particular since both the species and mainline logging roads generally occur in valley bottoms. On the north part of Vancouver Island, recent logging roads in this area of high incidence of the species could have removed thousands of individual lichens. Fragmentation of the habitat by logging roads decreases the ability of the species to disperse into adjacent forests, and also decreases the amount of suitable habitat available for the species to colonize (T. Goward, pers. comm., 2014).

4.2 Utility & Service Lines

As every IPP will have a utility corridor associated with it, the establishment of such a corridor could potentially remove habitat of oldgrowth specklebelly and would increase the edge effects as described above when it occurs in that same area.

IUCN-CMP Threat 5. Biological Resource Use

5.3 Logging & Wood Harvesting

Although some proportion of the locations are in old growth management areas (six populations), in wildlife tree retention areas ^{Content Footnote 5} (WTRAs) (six populations), and riparian reserve zones (six populations), these areas have no legislated protection ^{Content Footnote 6} at this time under the Forest and Range Practices Act. As such, of the 52 extant populations, all but 4–5 are on public lands and subject to logging. Most populations are localities on northern Vancouver Island under an active tree farm license. Logging and wood harvesting will remove host trees as well as habitat-creating trees (e.g., yellow cedar) and therefore reduce suitable habitat for oldgrowth specklebelly. These populations should be monitored from time to time to assess rates of decline from future logging operations (T. Goward, pers. comm., 2014).

IUCN-CMP Threat 10. Geological Events

10.2 Earthquakes/tsunamis

Low elevation populations along the coast are vulnerable to habitat loss or salt water immersion if a tsunami occurs (e.g., related to predicted strong seismic activity off southern Vancouver Island (Province of B.C. n.d.). The Haida Gwaii populations on Graham Island (Tow Hill area - EO5 and Kumdis Bay - EO52) would likely be extirpated by such an event.

10.3 Avalanches/landslides

On mainland localities landslides could be caused by torrential rain events as well as by slope destabilization in connection with logging road construction. The coastal locations are already exposed to drenching winter storms and with climate change these events are expected to increase in frequency and severity (Gayton 2008). Avalanches or landslides would remove the habitat for the host trees and therefore would be no habitat for oldgrowth specklebelly growth and reproduction.

IUCN-CMP Threat 11. Climate Change & Severe Weather

11.4 Storms & Flooding

Loss of host trees during storms and flooding has a potential to negatively impact oldgrowth specklebelly. As well, field observations suggest that oldgrowth specklebelly is sensitive to continuous exposure to rainwater during prolonged winter storms. Increasing severity of winter storms along the coast has a potential to result in its loss from some locations (T. Goward, pers. comm., 2014).

5. Management Goal and Objectives

5.1 Management Goal

To maintain all known extant populations and any future populations of oldgrowth specklebelly that may be found in British Columbia.

5.2 Rationale for the Management Goal

The overall goal is to maintain all known extant populations of the species within British Columbia. This includes the current extant populations as well as any populations that are found in the future. No quantitative management goal is possible for oldgrowth specklebelly as basic population demographics and trends are unknown for all populations. As with many other rare plant species, we lack adequate information about the historical distribution of oldgrowth specklebelly, however, it was likely never more widespread. Given this species' dependence on fragmentation for dispersal (i.e., it's a very slow disperser), and given that it grows more or less exclusively in oldgrowth forests not prone to large-scale disturbance, it has likely been expanding its range gradually over the past 10,000 years since deglaciation( T. Goward, pers. comm. 2015).

This lichen is endemic to western North America. All 56 reported populations in Canada occur in British Columbia in a limited area along coastal areas of the southern portion of the province. Habitat loss is likely to result from logging and wood harvesting, and the low dispersal ability of this lichen contributes to its rarity. As well, habitats containing nutrient hotspots, such as dripzones that occur under old yellow cedar in sheltered seaside forests are limited (COSEWIC 2010).

Conservation of this species should focus on improving the probability that it will persist in the wild. However, to prevent oldgrowth specklebelly from becoming threatened or endangered, all known extant populations should be maintained. Once the knowledge gaps have been fulfilled, the goal can be refined.

5.3 Management Objectives

The following management objectives will guide work in the near term:

1. to secure long-term protection ^{Content Footnote 1} for the known populations and habitats of oldgrowth specklebelly;
2. to determine the levels of real and potential threats to this species and its habitat and to mitigate their effects; and
3. to confirm the distribution of oldgrowth specklebelly (including any new populations) and to reliably determine population trends through monitoring.

6. Approaches to Meet Objectives

6.1 Actions Already Completed or Underway

The following actions have been categorized by the action groups of the B.C. Conservation Framework (B.C. Ministry of Environment 2010). Status of the action group for this species is given in parentheses.

Compile Status Report (complete)

• COSEWIC report completed (COSEWIC 2010). Update due 2020.

Send to COSEWIC (complete)

• Oldgrowth specklebelly assessed Special Concern (COSEWIC 2010). Re-assessment due 2020.

Planning (complete)

• B.C. Management Plan completed (this document, 2015).

Habitat Protection and Private Land Stewardship (in Progress)

• Three or four localities are within provincial parks and have some protection under the provisions of the B.C. Park Act.
• One locality is within a national park and is afforded habitat protection under the National Parks Act.
• Eighteen localities on northern Vancouver Island have partial protection within: (1) wildlife tree retention areas (six localities); (2) old-growth management areas (six localities); and (3) riparian reserve zones (six localities).

6.2 Recommended Management Actions

7. Measuring Progress

The performance indicators presented below provide a way to define and measure progress toward achieving the management goal and objectives. Performance measures are listed below for each objective with the target of achieving each stated measureable within the next five years.

Measurable(s) for Objective 1

• Mechanisms have been initiated to protect the habitat of locations.
• At least five locations have stewardship agreements or management plans in place for the protection of the species.

Measurable(s) for Objective 2

• The main threats have been assessed and a plan developed to implement the mitigation of threats.

Measurable(s) for Objective 3

• Extant locations have been inventoried and monitored for population size and trend.

8. Effects on Other Species

Conservation planning and management for this species is not anticipated to effect other species, either positively or negatively, in the near term. Potentially co-occurring species at risk include the provincially red-listed Northern Goshawk laingi subspecies (Accipiter gentilis laingi), blue-listed Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) and red-listed Dromedary Jumping Slug (Hemphillia dromedarius). Conservation and management activities for oldgrowth specklebelly will be implemented with consideration for all co-occurring species at risk, such that there are no negative impacts to co-occurring species at risk for their habitats.

9. References

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2015. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Min. Environ., Victoria, BC. [Accessed July 7, 2014]

B.C. Ministry of Environment. 2010. Conservation framework. B.C. Min. Environ., Victoria, BC. [Accessed July 7, 2014]

Brodo, I.M.,. S.D. Sharnoff, S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press, New Haven and London.

Bjork, C.R., T. Goward, and T. Spribille. 2009. New records and range extensions of rare lichens from waterfalls and sprayzones in inland British Columbia, Canada. Evansia 26(4):219–224.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). 2010. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Oldgrowth Specklebelly Pseudocyphyellaria rainierensis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, Ottawa, ON. vii +38 pp.; [Accessed July 7, 2014]

Gayton, D. 2008. Impacts of climate change on British Columbia's biodiversity (PDF; 878 KB) - a literature review. FORREX publications, Kamloops, BC. [Accessed Oct. 22, 2014]

Goward, T. and A. Arsenault. 2000. Cyanolichen distribution in young unmanaged forests: a dripzone effect? The Bryologist 103:28-37.

Master, L.L., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Bittman, G.A. Hammerson, B. Heidel, L. Ramsay, K. Snow, A. Teucher, and A. Tomaino. 2012. NatureServe conservation status assessments: factors for evaluating species and ecosystems at risk (PDF; 2.1 MB). NatureServe, Arlington, VA. [Accessed July 10, 2014]

NatureServe. 2015. NatureServe explorer: an online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. ; [Accessed March 19, 2015]

Open Standards. 2014. Threats taxonomy. ; [Accessed July 10, 2014]

Province of B.C. n.d. Emergency management B.C. Tsunami-safe.; [Accessed October 20, 2014]

Province of British Columbia. 1982. Wildlife Act [RSBC 1996] c. 488 . Queen's Printer, Victoria, BC.; [Accessed July 7, 2014]

Province of British Columbia. 2002. Forest and Range Practices Act [RSBC 2002] c. 69. Queen's Printer, Victoria, BC. ; [Accessed July 7, 2014]

Province of British Columbia. 2008. Oil and Gas Activities Act [SBC 2008] c. 36. Queen's Printer, Victoria, BC. ; [Accessed July 7, 2014]

Salafsky, N., D. Salzer, A.J. Stattersfield, C. Hilton-Taylor, R. Neugarten, S.H.M. Butchart, B. Collen, N. Cox, L.L. Master, S. O'Connor, and D. Wilkie. 2008. A standard lexicon for biodiversity conservation: unified classifications of threats and actions. Conserv. Biol. 22:897–911.

Sillett, S.C. 1995. Branch epiphyte assemblages in the forest interior and on the clearcut edge of a 700-year-old Douglas-fir canopy in Oregon. Bryologist 98(3):301–312. In Bureau of Land Management. ND. Management recommendations for Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis Imshaug (PDF; 221 KB). Version 2.0. PDF file [Accessed July 7, 2014]

Sillett, S.C. and T. Goward. 1998. Ecology and conservation of Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis, a Pacific Northwest Endemic Lichen. Pages 377-378 in M.G. Glenn, R.C. Harris, R. Dirig and M.S. Cole (eds.) Lichenographia Thomsoniana: North American Lichenology in Honour of John W. Thomson. Mycotaxon, Ltd., Ithaca, New York.

Personal Communications

Trevor Goward, Enlichened Consulting Ltd., Clearwater, BC.