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Monitoring Shoshonea pulvinata

in the Pryor and

Beartooth Mountains,

Carbon County, Montana

1999 Trend Report

Prepared for:

Bureau of Land Management

Billings Field Office

810 East Main

Billings, MT 59105-3395

Prepared by:
Bonnie Heidel

June 2001

MONTANA

Natural Heritage

Program

Monitoring Shoshonea pulvinata

in the Pryor and

Beartooth Mountains,

Carbon County, Montana

1999 Trend Report

state Library Building • P.O. Box 20 1 800 • 1 5 1 5 East Sixth Avenue • Helena, MX 59620- 1 800 • 406-444-3009

Agreement 1422E930A960015, Task Order No. 23

This document should be cited as follows:

Heidel, B. 2001. Monitoring Shoshonea pulvinata in the Pryor and Beartooth Mountains, Carbon

County, MT. 1999 trend report to Bureau of Land Management, MT. Montana Natural Heritage
Program, Helena. 11 pp. plus appendices.

Executive Summary

Shoshoneapulvinata represents a monotypic
genus that is endemic to the Beartooth and Pry or
mountain ranges of Carbon County, Montana and
the Absaroka and Owl Creek ranges of Park and
Fremont counties, Wyoming (Lesica and Shelly
1988, Fertig et al. 1994 ). The species is ranked
as G2G3/S 1 (globally imperiled or vulnerable,
critically imperiled in the state) by the Montana
Natural Heritage Program. It is recognized as
sensitive by the Montana State Office of the
Bureau of Land Management (USDI BLM 1 996).

Demographic monitoring was repeated at 3
permanent belt transects in 1 999 following an
annual baseline monitoring in 1 99 1 - 1 993 to
evaluate the stability oi Shoshoneapulvinata
numbers and its status as a sensitive plant species.
In the original monitoring survey the species
appeared to be stable, however, potential threats
and impacts to existing populations were identi-
fied. In this study we determined changes in the
numbers of individuals by size and reproductive
characteristics within the sample plots, tracking

individual plants between years, in order to
determine speciesirates of growth, fecundity,
recruitment and mortality. As a result, we
found less difference between mortality and
recruitment in the 1 993 - 1 999 interval as
compared with differences between earlier
annual monitoring intervals. This further
documents the relative stability of the species
in a range of settings, and its long-lived nature.

Growth rates were calculated to characterize
trend. The Grove Creek transect had the
highest growth rate values and is the sample
set with the highest densities and highest
proportion of small, possibly young plants.
The Mystery Cave Ridge Transect had the
lowest growth rate, and is the sample set with
the lowest densities and high proportion of
large, possibly old plants. Preliminary interpre-
tations are offered for these opposite trends
subject to testing in the course of management
planning and assessment.

Acknowledgements

The interest and support of Don Heinze, Jay
Parks and Sandy Brooks (Bureau of Land
Management) is greatly appreciated. The
establishment of monitoring plots and coordi-
nation of all previous years of monitoring
between 1991-1 993 was the work of Peter
Lesica. Editing assistance was provided by
Joy Lewis (Montana Natural Heritage Pro-
gram) and layout assistance was provided by
Katrina Scheuerman (Natural Resources
Information Service.)

This project was supported by a challenge
cost-share agreement between the Bureau of
Land Management and the Montana Natural
Heritage Program.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Study Area 2

Methods 2

Results 4

Discussion 9

Life History Considerations 9

Management Recommendations 9

Literature Cited 11

Tables and Figures

Table 1. The settings of Shoshonea pulvinata monitoring transects 2

Table 2. Summary statistics for Shoshonea pulvinata at three monitoring sites in 1991-1999... 4

Table 3. Mean annual recruitment and mortality numbers of Shoshonea pulvinata 6

Table 4. Mean flower production of Shonea pulvinata 6

Table 5. Measures of viability based on growth rate and elasticity 6

Table 6. Tally of Shoshonea pulvinata plant size changes 7

Table 7. Measures of plant surface area trends based on growth rate and elasticity 7

Figure 1. Photo of Shoshonea pulvinata 1

Figure 2. Illustration of Shoshonea pulvinata 1

Figure 3. Shoshonea pulvinata at Grove Creek transect n total numbers 5

Figure 4. Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Ridge transect n total numbers 5

Figure 5. Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Road transect n total numbers 5

Figure 6. Shoshonea pulvinata at Grove Creek transect n total surface area 8

Figure 7. Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Ridge transect n total surface area 8

Figure 8. Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Road transect n total surface area 8

Appendices

Appendix A. Study area photographs

Appendix B. Climate of Lovell, Wyoming

Appendix C. Mean monthly precipitation and temperature in Lovell, Wyoming

Appendix D. Shoshonea pulvinata raw monitoring data

Appendix E. Global and State Ranking Guidelines

Introduction

Shoshoneapulvinata Evert & Constance is a
long-lived, mat-forming perennial in the Carrot
Family This recently described species (Evert
and Constance 1 982) represents a monotypic
genus that is endemic to the Beartooth and
Pry or mountain ranges of Carbon County,
Montana and the Absaroka and Owl Creek
ranges of Park and Fremont counties, Wyo-
ming (Lesica and Shelly 1 988, Fertig et al.
1 994). In Montana, Shoshoneapulvinata is
generally restricted to shallow, calcareous soils
of exposed limestone outcrops, rims,
ridgetops and talus slopes at 6,800-7,800 ft
(Lesica and Shelly 1988). The species is
ranked as G2G3/S 1 (globally imperiled or
vulnerable, critically imperiled in the state) by
the Montana Natural Heritage Program. It is
recognized as sensitive by the Montana State
Office of the Bureau of Land Management
(USDI BLM 1 996). It was a former candi-
date for listing as a threatened or endangered
species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USDI FWS 1 993) until dropped as a candi-
date in 1 996 with the elimination of the candi-
date program.

Montana botanists initiated demographic monitor-
ing oi Shoshoneapulvinata in 1991 to learn
about the speciesi status and stability, including
growth, fecundity, recruitment and mortality rates.
All known populations oi Shoshoneapulvinata in
Montana appeared to be stable at the time of the
status survey (Lesica and Shelly 1988). However,
potential threats and impacts to the species were
identified, including oil, gas, and mining develop-
ments in the Beartooth Mountains, and grazing of
wild horses and bighorn sheep in the Pry or Moun-
tains (Lesica 1993). Three permanent monitoring
transects were established in 1 99 1 (Lesica and
Achuff 1 99 1 ). Mapped individuals were followed
for 2 consecutive years. The preliminary analysis
indicated that the sample populations were stable
(Lesica 1992, 1993). Mortality and recruitment
were characterized as low and episodic. The
change in plant size as an indication of vigor did
not change significantly overtime. The author
recommended that the plots be periodically re-
read to check for major changes in trend. The
plots were re-read in 1 999, and this report
represents a review of trends, with expanded
information on life history parameters.

Figure 1 . Photo oi Shoshoneapulvinata
by Peter Lesica

Figure 2. Illustration oi Shoshoneapulvinata

Study Areas

Permanent belt transects were established in 2 of
the 4 known populations of the species in Mon-
tana. One belt transect was established in the
largest Montana population of Shoshonea
pulvinata, Grove Creek, on the east slopes of the
Beartooth Mountains. Two permanent belt
transects were established in a large Montana
population oi Shoshonea pulvinata at the east
end of the Pry or Mountains near Mystery Cave.
The 2 transects are referred to as Mystery Cave
Ridge and Mystery Cave Road transects. They
are within the newly-designated East Pry or
Mountains Area of Critical Environmental Concern
(ACEC). Locations of transects are detailed in
LesicaandAchuflF(1991) with annotations in
Lesica(1993).

The transects encompass relatively high densities
oi Shoshonea pulvinata in a range of microhabi-
tats. The settings of the transects are briefly
characterized below (Table 1). A photograph of
the transect at the Mystery Cave Road transect is
shown in Appendix A, accompanied by photo-

graphs of the Mystery Cave Ridge transect
setting and the Grove Creek transect setting.
The species occupies lower montane ridges
that rise above cold desert. Meteorological
data from the nearest monitoring station at
Lovell, Wyoming represents the cold desert
climate. It has mean annual rainfall of 1 7.0 cm
(6.7 in.) that varies greatly within and between
years, and mean annual temperatures that
contribute to drought conditions throughout
most of the growing season (Appendix B;
from NOAA records, 1 948- 1 999). While the
temperature and rainfall values of montane
settings are typically moderated by elevation,
the arid habitats oi Shoshonea pulvinata are
located on exposed, montane ridges.

Monthly rainfall totals and mean monthly
temperature values are presented over 1 990-
1 999, including the year prior to initial moni-
toring, to show the range of climate conditions
from the nearest meterological station at
Lovell, WY (Appendix C.) The lowest annual
precipitation year was 1 999 with a total 4.08
inches; other low precipitation years below the
mean were in 1 990 and 1 994.

Table 1. The settings of Shoshonea pulvinata monitoring transects

Transect

Aspect

Slope (est.

Tree canopy
cover (est. %)

Description

Grove Creek

Northwest

Very open Umber pine woodland, on
hmestone pavement

Mystery Cave Ridge

Southwest

Exposed rim outcrop adjoining forest, on
hmestone pavement

Mystery Cave Road

West

Open Douglas-fir forest, on limestone
covered by duff

Methods

Our goal was to detect all changes in the numbers
of individuals by size and reproductive characteris-
tics within the sample plots, tracking individual
plants between years, in order to determine
speciesirates of growth, fecundity, recruitment
and mortality. We followed a total of 1 6 1 individu-

als between 1991-1 993 and revisited them 6
years later to check for major trend changes.

In the particular case of long-lived perennials,
demographic monitoring has far greater value
than census techniques because noticeable
changes usually occur slowly, and important

growth-limiting population-level events may be
infrequent. Demographic monitoring of
growth, fecundity, recruitment and mortality
are essential to understand the condition and
trends of plant populations, particularly long-
lived, slow-growing species. The extra time
required for demographic monitoring is a
modest trade-off in return for the great amount
of additional life history information and basis
for analysis.

For optimal sample sizes in demographic
monitoring, permanent 1 0-m belt transects of
0.5-m width were placed in areas of relatively
high density oiShoshoneapulvinata plants.
This procedure is described in the original
establishment report (Lesica and Achuflf
1991), consistent withLesica(1987). The
monitoring was designed to track individuals
over time for comparison within transects,
rather than between transects. Each transect
contained fewer than 1 00 plants, and this
sample set signified between 1-3% of esti-
mated population numbers in the Grove Creek
transect and combined in the Mystery Cave
transects, respectively.

Study site locations are detailed in Achuflfand
Lesica (1991) with annotations in Lesica
(1993). Monitoring was conducted during or
after flowering, generally between June 1 6-29,
except for the establishment date of the Grove
Creek transect on 29 July, and the delay until
August in reading transects in 1 999. The leaf
petioles elongate slightly over the summer, so
that an August reading might give different
surface area estimates. We estimated surface
area conservatively for this reason. The timing
of the survey in 1 999 was beneficial because it
provided data on the seedling stage, which is
discussed in this report but not incorporated in
analysis because all previous monitoring took
place before seedlings emerged.

At every transect, each Shoshonea pulvinata
plant is assigned a unique alpha-numeric code
that identifies it. If the plant occurred in the

first meter of the belt transect, it is given the code
ill followed by a letter assigned in order. In
1 991 there were 6 plants recorded in the first 1
meter of the Grove Creek transect. We assigned
these 6 plants the following codes la, lb, Ic, Id,
1 e and 1 f (Appendix D). These unique codes
remain assigned to the plant at that location for the
duration of the study. If a new plant appears in the
first meter of this belt transect in subsequent years,
it will be assigned the code 1 g etc. Assigning a
unique alpha-numeric code to each plant allows us
to easily follow the fate of individuals during the
coarse of the study.

After the coordinates of each plant have been
recorded, its size is estimated using a 50 cm X 50
cm sheet of clear plexiglass marked into a grid of
squares that are 4 cm X 4 cm each. The grid is
placed on top of each Shoshonea pulvinata plant
in a random orientation and the number of 1 /4-
squares that are filled by green vegetation is
counted (Fig. 3). For each plant, we counted the
number of 1/4-squares and multiplied the total by
4. This gives the area of the foliage in square-
centimeters. Many larger plants have died out in
the center; this dead region is not counted. Finally,
for each plant, the number of infiorescences is
counted. This procedure is repeated for every
Shoshonea pulvinata plant in the 50-cm wide
belt transect defined by the tape. Each plantis size
and reproductive status can now be summarized
using the following codes:

A (area) = area of vegetation in square-
cm

I (infiorescences) = number of infiores-
cences

Thus, a plant with an area of 6 1/4-squares and 3
infiorescences is coded, A24-I3. In addition,
seedlings were recorded (AO) and mapped in
1999.

The single-stalk plants consistently fell within the
smallest category, the iA4i category measuring
less than or equal to 4 cm<. This is ultimately the

only size category that was not found in flower,
though flowering was rare in plants less than 1 6
cm<. All plants of 1 6 cm< or less were referred to
as juvenile plants in previous reports on this study,
but this name can be misleading. There were
plants that remained in the i A4i category through-
out the entire nine-year monitoring timespan. We
now refer to the iA4i as the smallest class without
reference to age, and distinguished it from flower-
ing and nonflowering plants. The largest plant
documented was 2,272 cm< at the Mystery Cave
Ridge in 1 999. We otherwise split and tallied the
results in the original categories of Lesica (1 992):

( 1 ) Smallest plants, area of 1 5 cm< or less

(2) Small mature, area of 16-80 cm<

(3) Large mature, area of > 80 cm<

In comparing the size values between years, we
scored all changes as net increases or decreases if
values differed between years for plants less than
16 cm<. Size estimate consistency diminishes with
size and we did not score values as changing if
they were no more than 4 cm< difference between
years for plants larger than 1 6 cm<.

Originally, a t-test and Wilcoxonis sign tests were
used with data representing tallies of the number of
plants which had increased, decreased or re-
mained with the same surface area (Lesica 1993).

A g-test (Sokal and Rohlf 1 98 1 ) was substi-
tuted for the former as a more robust test of
significance.

We graphed trends in plant numbers and in
plant sizes to provide an overview of gross
changes. The tallies distinguished between the
smallest size category plants and larger flower-
ing or nonflowering plants. Then we calculated
the linear regression of values over time.
Monitoring was originally set up for stage-
based monitoring, but the sample sizes were
small for running projections. Instead, we
calculated the estimated elasticity parameter to
determine how quickly the mean changes, and
the estimated growth rate parameter to
determine how quickly the variance in the
normal distribution changes (Dennis et al.
1 99 1 ). These were calculated using the Excel
Toolkit regression analysis, and forcing the
regression line to have a y-intercept of zero.

Results

The numbers of plants in sample populations
has been stable at Grove Creek and Mystery
Road. Sample populations declined apprecia-
bly at Mystery Ridge in 1 99 1 -92 but were
stable in 1 992-93 . The net changes in number

Table 2. Summary statistics for Shoshonea pulvinata at three monitoring sites in 1991-1999 .

Grove Creek

IVfystery Cave Ri(^e

IVfystery Cave Road

1991

1992

1993

1999

1991

1992

1993

1999

1991

1992

1993

1999

Total estaWished (dants

Mature plants

Reproductive [dants

Reproductive rate

57%

42%

52%

87%

71%

65%

84%

87%

68%

37%

79%

51%

Seedlings

Mortality

Mortality rate

10%

30%

14%

Recruitment

Recruitment rate

25%

Reproductive rate is the number of plants producing inflorescences/number of mature plants. Mortality rat(
is the number of dead plants in year t/number of plants in year t-1. Recruitment rate is the number of new
plants in year t/number of plants in year t-1.

Shoshonea pulvinata at Grove Creek
Transect - Total Numbers

70/^

/ ^ ^ A

60
50
40
30
20
10
n

^ ^

B Smallest plants
BNonflowering plants
D Flowering plants

—

■1

— 7^

^ /

1991 1992 1993 1999

Figure 3

Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Ridge
Transect - Total Numbers

35
30
25
20
15
10
5

■ Smallest plants
BNonflowering plants
D Flowering plants

1991 1992 1993 1999

Figure 4

Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Road
Transect - Total Numbers

50
40
30
20
10

I W I W I W I W X

n Smallest plants
HNonflowering plants
D Flowering plants

1991 1992 1993 1999

Figure 5

Table 3. Mean annual recruitment and mortality numbers of
Shoshonea pulvinata

Mean annual no. of plants

Grove Creek

Mystery Cave
Ridge

Mystery Cave
Road

Recruitment

8.00

0.66

1.30

Mortality

4.60

5.00

3.00

Recruitment:
Mortality

1.74

0.13

0.43

of plants over 6 years between 1993-99 were
equal or less than the changes in numbers between
1991-1992 at all 3 sites (Figures 3-5). The raw
monitoring data results are presented in Appendix
D.

Recruitment and mortality calculations, spanning
1991-1 999, provide meaning to the pattern in
total numbers. Mortality and recruitment were
generally low at all sites throughout the period
except for high recruitment at Grove Creek in
1 99 1 -92 and high mortality at Mystery Cave
Ridge in 1 99 1 -92 (Table 2). The average recruit-
ment values at Grove Creek are on an order of
magnitude greater than at Mystery Cave Ridge
(Table 3).

The low degree of change in mortality and recruit-
ment over the 6-year interval as compared to the
annual intervals of monitoring supports the inter-
pretation that mortality and recruitment are epi-

sodic. The low mortality rates indicate that
Shoshonea pulvinata is a long-lived perennial
of typically stable numbers, consistent with its
cushion-plant growth form.

There are similar levels of mortality in each
transect, but recruitment levels vary between
transects by an order of magnitude (Table 3).
The ratios between recruitment and mortality
thus differ by similar magnitudes.

Low recruitment can be due to low seed
production, low germination, or predation. As
a step in evaluating seed production, we
examined flower production tallies (Table 4).
Flower production data indicates that Mystery
Cave Ridge transect flowering levels are
several times higher than either of the other 2
transects in terms of total number of inflores-
cences and mean number of inflorescences per
plant. Seedlings were absent from Mystery

Table 4. Mean flower production of Shoshonea pulvinata

Grove Creek

Mystery Cave Ric^e

Mystery Cave Road

Total no. of
inflorescences

Mean no.
inflor/plant

Total no. of
inflorescences

Mean no.
inflor/plant

Total no. of
inflorescences

Mean no.
inflor/plant

1991

366

17.4

209

6.3

1992

3.7

158

12.5

3.1

1993

6.2

329

20.5

114

3.7

Table 5. Measures of viability based on population growth and elasticity

Grove
Creek

Mystery Cave
Ricfee

IVfystery Cave
Road

Slope of linear regression (est.
of growth rate)

1.898405

-0.06518

-0.01598

Rate of change in the mean
(est. of elasticity)

4.456574

0.04032

0.001256

Cave Ridge, unlike the other sites, despite the
high mean flower production levels. We can
rule out low seed production as the cause for
low recruitment at Mystery Cave Ridge unless
explained by such factors as the preponder-
ance of staminate flowers among inflores-
cences, low seed set, or the high levels of
flower abortion per inflorescence.

Linear regressions were calculated to deter-
mine that increase of the Grove Creek sample
population is significant, while the decreases of
the Mystery Cave sample populations are not
significant (Table 5; P=0.05). This analysis is
customarily used with 8-9 years of census
data to accommodate for stochasticity (Dennis
et al. 1 99 1 ). While the environment of
Shoshoneapulvinata fluctuates greatly over
time, the numbers of plants did not fluctuate
between any monitoring interval. Thus, this
tool serves in this case for preliminary trend
analysis.

Finally, we re-examined the data on net plant
surface area (Figures 6-8). It shows that
Mystery Cave Ridge is the only sample set
with plants that have increased in surface area.
Plants at Mystery Cave Road, the shaded site,
decreased in surface area.

While many plants grew larger over the 1991-
1 993 interval at all 3 sites, only the Mystery Cave
Ridge plants continued that trend in 1 993-1 999
(Table 6). Note that the table below represents
only those plants present throughout the 9-year
monitoring interval, omitting plants that died or
were newly established in the course of the
monitoring. The linear regression calculations that
represent the net change in surface area among
persisting plants document the significance of
Mystery Cave Ridge increase, but neither of the
decreases at the other two sites are statistically
significant (Table 7; P=0.05.)

According to the 1991 -93 monitoring surveys
Shoshoneapulvinata populations appeared to be
healthy and stable. The 1993 data analysis fo-
cused on evaluation of plant surface area, a
measure of growth, as reflected in the numbers of
plants that increased, decreased, or remained the
same. In 1 999, only the number of plants that
increased in plant size at Mystery Cave Ridge is
statistically significant. But long-term trends are
difficult to detect over a short time span for a
slow-growing perennial, and the added 6 year
monitoring interval represented an extension of
previous patterns. The surface area change
(increase or decrease) of most plants was 0-12
cm< over the nine year period. Many of the very

Table 6. Tally of Shoshonea pulvinata plant size changes

1991 ii 1993 size comparison

1993 - 1999 size comparison

Same

Larger

Smaller

Total

Same

Larger

Smaller

Total

Grove Creek

Mystery Cave Ridge

Mystery Cave Road

Table 7. Measures of plant surface area trends based on
population growth and elasticity

Grove
Creek

IVfystery Cave
Ricfee

IVfysteryCave
Road

Slope of linear
regression (est. of
growth rate )

-0.0035

1.171583

-0.02798

Rate of change in
the mean (est. of
elasticity)

0.000963

18.76083

0.001199

Figure 6

S
o

2500 n
2000
1500
1000
500
n

Shoshonea pulvinata at Grove Creek
Transect - total surface area

^^^H

1991 1992 1993

1999

Figure 7

Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Ridge
Transect - total surface area

2500

o
o

3
0)

'4-1

2000

1991

1992

1993

1999

Figure 8

Shoshonea pulvinata at Mystery Cave Road
Transect - total surface area

2000
I 1500
I 1000

15 500
o

'4-1

1991

1992

1993

1999

smallest plants (4 cm<) in 1991 were the same
size in 1 999.The maximum growth of 80 cm<
over 9 years was held by the largest plant
among all plots, which began at 488 cm<. If it
had grown in the past at this same rate, it
would be over 50 years old, a very conserva-
tive estimate. We also looked at change in net
surface area of plants that were present
throughout the monitoring period. A net
decline in Shoshoneapulvinata canopy cover
for Mystery Cave Road is indicated (Figure
8). This could be due to shading effects.

Discussion

Life History Considerations

Critical life history transitions and rates con-
trast at the 3 sites. The seed germination stage
appears to be the critical life history transition
for Shoshoneapulvinata at Mystery Cave
Ridge, which had the greatest decline. The
Mystery Cave Ridge transect is comprised of
large, expanding plants that flower prolifically,
but seedling germination is uncommon. It has
the lowest recruitment rate and seedlings were
absent in 1 999 unlike the other 2 transects.
This setting is the most exposed of the 3, and
appears to be a place where plants are old. It
also has the highest mortality of the 3
transects, compounding the affects of low
germination. The mortality values were highest
in 1 992, even though the 1 99 1 -92 annual and
growing season precipitation levels were at or
above mean precipitation levels as indicated
by the nearest station in Lovell, WY. Mortality
was not selective; the plants that died, that in
1 992 ranged from 4 n 28 cm<; skewed
toward the large end of the range. Both
flowering and nonflowering plants died. All
mortality was concentrated in half of the
transect, and 2 contiguous frames had 1 00%
mortality. The habitat does not vary much
across the length of the transect, so the
concentrated mortality points to a localized
mortality factor. Without knowing the cause.

we do not know its chance for recurrence. We did
not see signs of herbivory in 1 999. There was a
rust present on the leaves of a few plants, but
there was no apparent affect at the time of moni-
toring.

The seedling recruitment stage also appears to be
the critical life history transition at Mystery Cave
Road. While the decline in numbers is not as steep
as the other Mystery Cave transect, the affects of
low recruitment may be compounded by accom-
panying declines in plant vigor (surface area) over
time. Possible explanations for decline in vigor
include the increases in shade or the increase in
Douglas-fir needle litter over time. The decreasing
vigor of Mystery Cave Road plants corroborates
observations made by Lesica and Shelly (1 988)
that plants in shaded habitat appeared to be less
vigorous than those in full or nearly full sunlight.

Fecundity is perhaps the limiting factor at the
Grove Creek sample population. Of all the study
sites. Grove Creek had the highest recruitment and
is comprised of higher densities of smaller plants,
possibility indicating a younger population age
structure.

The data on life history transitions and rates
provides more meaningful trend data than mea-
surements of plant size.

Management Recommendations

The study results point to the importance of
species longevity and recruitment. We recom-
mend that a priority be placed on avoiding
impacts from management actions or develop-
ments.

We note that there is a high concentration of
regional endemic plant species in the Pry or Moun-
tains area (Lesica and Achuff 1 992, Heidel and
Fertig 2000), with habitat overlap between 2 of
the rarest, Shoshoneapulvinata and Lesquerella
lesicii. They overlap with other tracked species

and potential species of concern. In addition, their
habitats represent high-elevation phases of unique
cushion plant communities. Significant populations
of all 3 lie within the East Pry or Mountains ACEC,
recently established. Based on results of this study,
avoiding impacts to Shoshoneapulvinata is
integral to speciesi conservation.

It is appropriate that the fire management policy
and any related vegetation management address
these species as protection targets, in collabora-
tion with Bighom Canyon NRA, to maintain
early- to mid-successional conditions on suitable
ridge settings without destabilizing the habitat. The
work of identifying timber and fire management
objectives on the East Front of the Pry or Moun-
tains would ideally include a monitoring study of
Shoshoneapulvinata response to litter removal,
canopy opening, and prescribed bum.

We do not have data or observations that will
support or refute the need for evaluating the
affects of wild horses and bighom sheep on
Shoshoneapulvinata. No direct evidence of
grazing was observed. The effects of horse
trampling on lower-elevation cushion plant com-
munities have been identified as warranting further

evaluation in Bighom Canyon NRA (Heidel
and Fertig 2000). We recommend presenting
the monitoring study results to wildlife biolo-
gists familiar with horse and sheep use pattems
for advice on how these pattems overlap with
distribution and habitat of Shoshonea
pulvinata, and to identify any additional
Shoshoneapulvinata monitoring needs.

It would be interesting, but not a management
imperative, to conduct a one-day examination
of seed production factors at Mystery Cave
Ridge. This entails documenting staminate vs.
perfect flowers, fmit abortion, and fmit viabil-
ity. If seed production is ruled out, this points
to seed germination as the critical life history
stage. Rimrock subpopulations that are in
naturally harsh settings for seed germination
may have different viability than other sub-
populations.

In the absence of any intervening management
actions, we recommend revisiting the 3
transects within 8-10 years in an ongoing
gauge of trend over time.

Literature Cited

Dennis, T., P. L. MunhoUand, and J. Michael
Scott. 1991. Estimation of growth and
extinction parameters for endangered
species. Ecol.Monog. 61:115-143.

Evert, E. F. and L. Constance. 1982.

Shoshonea pulvinata, a new genus and
species of Umbelliferae from Wyo-
ming. Systematic Botany 7: 471-475.

Fertig, W., C. Refsdahl, and J. Whipple.
1 994. Wyoming Rare Plant Field
Guide. Wyoming Rare Plant Technical
Committee, Cheyenne, WY.

Heidel, B. and W. Fertig. 2000. Rare plants of
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation
Area. Report to the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation and Bighom
Canyon National Receration Area.
Montana Natural Heritage Program
and Wyoming Natural Diversity
Database.

Lesica, P. 1 987. Atechnique for monitoring
nonrhizomatous, perennial plant
species in permanent belt transect.
Nat. Areas J. 7:65-68.

Lesica, P. 1992. Monitoring populations of
Shoshonea pulvinata in the Pry or and
Beartooth mountains. Carbon County,
Montana, 1 992 progress report.
Unpublished report to the Bureau of
Land Management. Montana Natural
Heritage Program, Helena.

Lesica, P. 1993. Monitoring populations of
Shoshonea pulvinata in the Pry or and
Beartooth mountains. Carbon County,
Montana, 1991-93 baseline report.
Unpublished report to the Bureau of
Land Management. Montana Natural
Heritage Program, Helena.

Lesica, P. and P. L. Achuff 1 99 1 . Monitoring

populations of Shoshonea pulvinata in the
Pry or and Beartooth mountains. Carbon
County, Montana, 1991 estabhshment
report. Unpubhshed report to the Bureau
of Land Management. Montana Natural
Heritage Program, Helena.

Lesica, P and P L. Achuff 1 992. Distribution of
vascular plant species of special concern
and limited distribution in the Pry or
Mountain Desert, Carbon County, MT.
Montana Natural Heritage Program,
Helena.

Lesica,PandJ.S. Shelly. 1988. Report on the
conservation status of Shoshonea
pulvinata, a candidate threatened species.
Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Office of Endangered Species,
Denver, Colorado.

Menges, E. S. and D. R. Gordon. 1996. Three

levels of monitoring intensity for rare plant
species. Nat. Areas J. 16(3): 227-237.

Morris, W., D. Doak, M. Groom, P. Kareiva, J.
Fieberg, L. Gerber, P. Murphy, and D.
Thomson. 1 999. Apractical handbook for
population viability analysis. The Nature
Conservancy.

Sokal and Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. W.H. Freeman
and Co., New York, NY.

USDI Bureau of Land Management. 1 996.

Montana State Office special status plant
species. BLM Manual 6840.

USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Endan
gered and threatened wildlife and plants:
Review of plant taxa for listing as endan
gered or threatened species; Notice of
review. Federal Register 58(1 88): 51144-
51190.

Appendix A

Study area photographs

Grove Creek
photo by Steve Shelley

Mystery Cave Ridge

photo by Bonnie Heidel

Mystery Cave Road

photo by Bonnie Heidel

^^^^Kr|-

^"^^hH^^^^^HI. r^^H|

h.Vt "JL**

B?tSS^=»». t Ml Ato 1 hi'i II 1

hI^^S

HftS^HD

Sd^hM

Appendix B

Climate of Lovell, Wyoming

This diagram shows average monthly temperatures and precipitation.
Growing season length is the number of frost-free days, ie., with mean
daily minimum temperatures above zero degrees centigrade.

Lovell, WY (1167m/3830 ft) (7.1 C/44.7 F) (169 mm/6.7 in) (1948 -1999)

Temperature
Precipitation

Feb Mar Apr May

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

Appendix C

Mean monthly precipitation and temperature in Lovell, Wyoming

Mean Monthly Precipitation in Lovell, Wyoming

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

n1990

■ 1991
n1992
n1993

■ 1994
n1995

■ 1996
n1997

■ 1998

■ 1999

Mean Monthly Temperature in
Lovell, Wyoming

,^^

# ^^^

a1990

■ 1991

a1992

n1993

■ 1994

n1995

■ 1996

a1997

■ 1998

□ 1999

Appendix D

Shoshonea pulvinata raw monitoring data

Grove Creek

1991

1992

1993

1999

A144-I0

A128-I0

A1 16-10

A100-I7

A^IO

A16-I0

A12-I0

A16-I0

A24-I1

A8-I0

A12-I1

A^IO

A16-I0

A20-I0

A^IO

A8-I0

A^IO

A228-I6

A240-I1

A208-I0

A180-I5

A^IO

A40-I5

A44-I0

A48-I2

A44-I1

A28-I2

A28-I0

A36-I0

A32-I5

A16-I1

A16-I0

A20-I1

A^IO

A8-I0

A8-I1

A^IO

A^n

A^IO

A^n

A^IO

AO-IO seedling

A^IO

A8-I0

A20-I0

A28-I0

A24-I0

A24-I3

A36-I3

A40-I2

A28-I1

A32-I4

A^IO

A8-I0

A16-I0

A12-I0

AO-IO seedling

A8-I0

A^IO

A8-I0

A8-I1

A8-I0

A20-I1

A16-I0

A12-I0

A12-I4

A^IO

A104-I2

A108-I1

A1 12-17

A104-I14

A^IO

A8-I0

A8-I1

A^IO

A8-I0

A^IO

A12-I1

AO-IO seedling

A^IO

Grove Creek

1991

1992

1993

1999

A4-I0

A40-I1

A76-I4

A64-I0

A32-I2

A64-I7

A64-I3

A60-I7

A52-I8

A8-I0

A12-I0

A12-I1

A116-I11

A108-I3

A120-I11

A100-I15

A68-I12

A60-I3

A56-I7

A52-I16

A16-I0

A16-I2

A20-I3

A16-I3

A80-I5

A84-I2

A88-I4

A80-I9

A108-I7

A112-I1

A1 12-14

A92-I13

A4-I0

A8-I0

A4-I0

A8-I0

A12-I0

A4-I0

AO-IO seedling

A24-I0

A28-I0

A20-I0

A12-I0

A16-I0

A20-I0

A112-I0

A120-I0

A 120- 10

A100-I4

A116-I4

A132-I0

A100-I10

A128-I9

AO-IO seedling

d -

AO-IO seedling

A52-I0

A60-I0

A52-I5

A60-I3

A20-I0

A28-I0

A24-I0

A16-I1

A16-I0

A20-I0

A16-I0

A4-I0

10a

A532-I27

A500-I15

A492-I29

A552-I47

A4-I0

A8-I0

A16-I3

A20-I0

A24-I7

A4-I0

A8-I0

A8-I1

A4-I0

AO-IO seedling

size total

2176

2244

2176

2116

total A-20

total 20-

total

Inflor

188

Fl.

Veg

total A4

Mystery Cave Ridge

1991

1992

1993

1999

A1 16-120

A 108- 16

A 128- 122

A 144- 132

A196-I12

A220-I0

A224-I15

A184-I17

A348-I24

A352-I4

A348-I23

A308-I19

d out

A20-I0

A244-I43

A244-I26

A244-I39

A 188- 145

c,d

A488-I27

A520-I9

A524-I50

A568-I48

A16-I1

A44-I31

A48-I3

A36-I11

A80-I20

A84-I15

— -

A16-I4

A4-I0

A16-I4

A28-I9

A16-I5

A16-I3

A14-I0

A4-I0

A8-I0

A56-I0

A52-I5

A60-I1

A64-I11

A84-I2

A72-I4

A52-I3

A28-I0

A20-I3

A16-I0

A12-I0

A16-I0

A32-I2

A44-I0

A44-I3

A56-I7

A16-I0

A24-I0

A20-I0

A20-I2

A24-I0

A32-I0

A24-I0

A28-I0

A 128- 123

A120-I19

A 148- 138

A 156- 135

A88-I11

A88-I9

A96-I12

A 108- 120

A16-I0

A8-I0

A16-I0

A4-I0

A 160- 134

A204-I32

A 192- 159

A208-I44

A48-I11

A56-I8

A56-I7

A68-I8

10a

A236-I69

A188-I21

A192-I51

A220-I82

11a

A32-I2

A32-I0

A36-I1

A32-I4

size total

2324

2340

2376

2386

total 8-20

total 20-

total

Inflor

366

158

329

366

Fl.

Veg

total A4

Mystery Cave Road

1991

1992

1993

1999

A48-I2

A52-I0

A36-I4

A60-I5

A76-e

A44-I3

A48-I4

A48-I3

A48-I1

A44-I0

A28-I6

A44-I1

A20-I2

A32-I0

A32-I8

A28-I3

A16-I0

A52-I1

A76-I0

A68-I3

A20-I0

A24-I1

A16-I0

A26-I1

A36-I3

A16-I1

A16-I0

A20-I1

A16-I0

A24-I0

A20-I0

A16-I0

A8-I0

A8-I1

A8-I0

A16-I1

A8-I0

A12-I1

A12-I0

A4-I0

A32-I0

A24-I0

A32-I0

A24-I0

A24-I2

A32-I0

A36-I3

A28-I3

A56-I4

A16-I0

A28-I1

A24-I3

A16-I1

A8-I0

A16-I1

A16-I0

not in

r -

AO- 10 seedling

s --

AO-IOi

u -

AO-IOi

V -

AO-IOi

A52-I0

A40-I0

A52-I0

A40-I5

A20-I2

A16-I0

A20-I2

A12-I0

A16-I0

A40-I3

A48-I0

A44-I0

A44-I7

A16-I0

A2^I5

A32-I0

A28-I1

A20-I1

A64-I1

A36-I1

A24-I1

A32-I1

A4-I0

A8-I0

AO- 10 seedling

A56-W

A68-I1

A60-I8

A60-I0

A60-I2

A68-I4

A12-I0

A96-I1

A96-I0

A96-I11

A80-e

A1 32-120

A140-I8

A140-I1

A96-I13

AO-IO seedling

Mystery Cave Road

1991

1992

1993

1999

A80-I7

A84-I4

A72-I3

A64-I6

A24-I2

A28-I1

A56-I6

A24-I2

A40-I2

A32-I1

A12-I0 (merged w/ 8c)

A80-I11

A96-I11

A88-I14

A72-I9

A36-I5

A44-I3

A40-I1

A64-I12

A56-I3

A56-I1

(above)

A20-I0

A24-I0

A16-I0

A24-I1

A32-I2

A24-I0

AO-IO seedling

11a

A20-I0

A24-I0

A40-I2

A44-I0

A28-I9

A40-I12

A24-I1

A28-I0

A32-I1

A24-I2

A36-I1

A32-I0

A40-I0

A28-I0

A16-I0

A8-I0

A12-I0

12a

A64-I4

A64-I0

A24-I0

A32-I3

A64-I0

A48-I0

A48-I4

A60-I5

A48-I1

A48-I3

A44-I5

A40-I12

A24-I0

A16-I1

A20-I0

A20-I1

A44-I3

A32-I0

A36-I10

A24-I5

A4-I0

A8-I0

A4-I0

A8-I0

A12-I0

A4-I0

A8-I0

A12-I0

A4-I0

A12-I0

A16-I2

A4-I0

AO-IO seedling

n ~

AO-IO seedling

size total

1676

1566

1340

total 8-20

total 20-

total

Inflor

209

114

113

Fl.

Veg

total A4

Appendix E

Global and State Rank Guidelines

The term ispecies of special concerni includes taxa that are rare, endemic, disjunct, threatened or endan-
gered throughout their range or in Montana, vulnerable to extirpation from Montana, or in need of further
research. The term also encompasses species that have a special designation by organizations or land
management agencies in Montana, including: Bureau of Land Management Special Status and Watch
species; U.S. Forest Service Sensitive and Watch species; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Threatened,
Endangered and Candidate species.

Taxa are evaluated and ranked by the Heritage Program on the basis of their global (range-wide) status,
and their statewide status according to a standardized procedure used by all Natural Heritage Programs.
These ranks are used to determine protection and data collection priorities, and are revised as new infor-
mation becomes available.

For each level of distributionoglobal and stateospecies are assigned a numeric rank ranging from 1

(critically imperiled) to 5 (demonstrably secure). This reflects the speciesi relative endangerment
and is based primarily on the number of occurrences of that species globally or within the state.
However, other information such as date of collection, degree of habitat threat, geographic
distribution patterns and population size and trends is considered when assigning a rank, and the
number of occurrences listed below are suggestions, not absolute criteria.

For example. Clustered ladyis slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum) is ranked G4 S2. That is, globally the
species is apparently secure, while in Montana it is imperiled because of rarity, or because of other factors
making it demonstrably vulnerable to extirpation.

For ranks, substitute S (State) or G (Global) in these definitions

Rank

Definition

Critically Imperiledo Critically imperiled because of extreme rarity or because of some
factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 5 or fewer occurrences or
very few remaining individuals (<1,000).

Imperiledo hnperiled because of rarity or because of some factor(s) making it very
vulnerable to extirpation. Typically 6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals (1,000
to 3,000).

Vulnerableo Vulnerable either because rare and uncommon, or found only in a restricted
range (even if abundant at some locations), or because of other factors making it vulnerable
to extirpation. Typically 21 to 100 occurrences or between 3,000 and 10,000 individuals.

Apparently Secureo Uncommon but not rare, and usually widespread. Possible cause of
long-term concem. Usually more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000 individuals.

Secureo Common, widespread, and abundant. Essentially ineradicable under present
conditions. Typically with considerably more than 100 occurrences and more than 10,000
individuals.

^Qualifiers and Rank Ranges'^

Qualifier

Definition

Range Ranko A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate the range of
uncertainty about the exact status of the element. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank
(e.g., SU is used rather than S1S4).

Unrankedo rank not yet assessed.

A modifier to X or H; the species has been reintroduced but the population is not yet
established.

G or S rank has been assigned and is under review. Contact the individual state Natural
Heritage program for assigned rank.

HYB

Hybrido Element not ranked because it represents an interspecific hybrid, not a species.

Unrankableo Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially
conflicting information about status or trends.

Exotico An established exotic; may be native in nearby regions (e.g., house finch or catalpa
ineastemU.S.).

Exotic Numerico An established exotic that has been assigned a numeric rank to indicate
its status, as defined for Gl or SI through G5 or S5.

Accidentalo Accidental or casual, in other words, infrequent and outside usual range.
Includes species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded once or only a few times at a
location. A few of these species may have bred on the one or two occasions they were
recorded. Examples include European strays or westem birds on the East Coast and vice-
versa.

Breedingo Basic rank refers to the breeding population of the element.

Captive or Cultivatedo Native element presently extant only in captivity or cultivation.

Possibly Extirpated (Historical)6 Element occurred historically, and there is some
expectation that it may be rediscovered. Its presence may not have been verified in the past
20 years. An element would become GH or SH without such a 20-year delay if the only
known occurrences were destroyed or if it had been extensively and unsuccessfully looked
for. Upon verification of an extant occurrence, GH or SH-ranked elements would typically
receive a Gl or SI rank. The GH or SH rank should be reserved for elements for which
some effort has been made to relocate occurrences, rather than sinply using this rank for all
elements not known from verified extant occurrences.

Nonbreedingo Basic rank refers to the non-breeding population of the element.

Potentialo Potential that element occurs but no extant or historic occurrences are accepted.

Reportedo Element reported but without a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report,
or the report not yet reviewed locally. Some of these are very recent discoveries for which
the program hasn't yet received first-hand information; others are old, obscure reports.

Rank for subspecific taxon (subspecies, variety, or population); appended to the global rank
for the full species, e.g. G4T3

Presumed Extirpated© Element is believed to be extirpated. Not located despite intensive
searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood that it
will be rediscovered.

CRITERIA USED FOR RANKING

The criteria for ranking are based on a set of quantitative and qualitative factors. These factors are listed
below in order of their general importance:

a. Number of Element Occurrences (EOs) :

the estimated number of EOs throughout the Elementis global range;

b. Abundance:

the estimated global abundance of the Element (measured by number of individuals, or area, or
stream length covered);

c. Size of Range:

the estimated size of the Elementis global range;

d. Distribution trend:

the trend in the Elementis distribution over its global range;

e . Number of protected EOs :

the estimated number of adequately protected EOs throughout the Elementis global range;

f. Degree of threat:

the degree to which the Element is threatened globally;

g. Fragility:

the fragility or susceptibility of the Element to intrusion;

h. Other global considerations:

for example, the quality or condition of EOs that affect or may affect endangerment status;
unexplained population fluctuations; reproductive strategies that are dependent on specific habitat;
etc.

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