Interagency Rare Plant Team inventory results - 1998 through 2003

Abstract

Fishlake National Forest, Dixie National Forest, Bureau of Land Management - Richfield Field Office, and Capitol Reef National Park became partners in an Interagency Agreement to inventory and monitor threatened, endangered, and sensitive plant species shared by these agencies. From 1998 to 2003, the Interagency Rare Plant Team surveyed and recorded over 650 new locations for 32 TES plant species, covering more than 70,000 acres of federally managed lands. Geographical Information System and Global Positioning System technologies were used to predict and map all known and newly discovered occurrences of rare plants in the study area. Sufficient population numbers and occurrence data were gathered during the course of this study to pursue delisting of one of the federally listed threatened species and has allowed the Utah Natural Heritage rarity status of seven sensitive species to be downgraded. Knowledge gained about these species and their habitat requirements has helped determine which species are truly rare and in need of additional conservation actions. In addition, results from this study help determine which species and populations should be monitored to find out if specific human activities are affecting them and will enable federal land managers to ensure that those plants are protected.

Parent Publication

• Southwestern rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of the Fourth Conference

Citation

Clark, Deborah J.; Tait, David A. 2007. Interagency Rare Plant Team inventory results - 1998 through 2003. In: Barlow-Irick, P.; Anderson, J.; McDonald, C., tech eds. Southwestern rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of the Fourth Conference; March 22-26, 2004; Las Cruces, New Mexico. Proceedings. RMRS-P-48CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 32-38