Bureau of Land Management Grant: Research & Monitoring for Special Status Plant Species in Wyoming

A. Legislative Authority: Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976, as amended, (43 U.S.C. 1743) Sections 307(a) and 307(b), P.L. 94-579

B. Project Background Information: Many special status plant species (federally listed under the Endangered Species Act or non-listed species of conservation concern) are endemic to Wyoming and occur nowhere else on earth. In several cases the general distribution and abundance of populations is unknown. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been working in cooperation with state, Federal, non-governmental organizations, and other partners over several years to collect information fundamentally important to understanding conservation needs of special status plants in Wyoming.

This proposed project will initiate new, and continue ongoing, collection of survey, monitoring, and ecological research data on special status plants in Wyoming. Data collected through these efforts will enhance the ability of BLM land managers and biologists to provide for the conservation needs of sensitive plant species and their habitat.

C. Project Objectives: For special status plants included in this project, objectives are to: (1) Understand current distribution and abundance in Wyoming; (2) understand demographic trends that may inform conservation needs; (3) understand potential distribution limits within each species’ range; (4) locate new occurrences; (5) better understand species’ habitat requirements; (6) gain a better understanding of threats to long-term species’ conservation.

D. Benefits: This project will contribute to the management, protection, and conservation of public land resources by enhancing the ability of professional staff to make informed decisions regarding public land resources that support sensitive and federally listed plant species.

E. Statement of Joint Objectives/Project Management Plan:

Scope

The project area consists of areas throughout the state of Wyoming in which special status plant species are known to occur, or in which they may occur. Sites may include upland, wetland, or riparian zones.

Tasks

1. Map all species’ occurrences in detail, using GPS/GIS technology, focusing on those occurrences that are not known in detail.

2. Conduct complete census and demographic data for populations

3. Test aerial photointerpretation for locating new occurrences

4. Test the potential distribution model of BLM sensitive and federally listed plants developed by Walt Fertig and
Robert Thurston in 2003 for its utility in locating new occurrences

5. Document species’ habitat requirements by collecting information on geological mapping unit and vegetation dominants and cover as they correspond with population distributions

6. Superimpose potential habitat distribution on digital orthophotos for use in the field

7. Collect multiple samples within populations and other taxonomic varieties in close proximity in order to evaluate
potential inter-breeding

8. Identify any new or potential threats to species’ occurrences

9. Technical report detailing:

a. Abstract, methods, results and discussion of data collected.
b. Thorough review of unpublished and published literature pertaining to species and subject.
c. Photographs of representative habitats will be installed in the final report.
d. Identify management oriented questions.

Period of Performance/Deliverables

A. Work will begin within ten calendar days after appropriate environmental conditions are achieved– corresponding to species’ phenology.
B. Two copies of a draft report will be submitted in paper and one copy electronically to the BLM no later than April 30 following each funded year.
C. The Project Officers will review the draft report and comment on its adequacy within 30 calendar days of submission. The applicant will then have 30 days to revise and submit two paper copies of the final and one electronically after receipt of comments from the BLM. The final report must include: GIS maps, locations, and an electronic copy of the report(s) and will be completed by September 1 following funding year.

Requirements

1. The applicant will provide a summary of how the work would be completed. This should include details of methodology used to achieve objectives.
2. The applicant must possess and demonstrate a strong working knowledge of BLM special status plant species and federally listed plants occurring in Wyoming, including details of currently known distribution, abundance, ecology, conservation threats and other pertinent information.
3. The applicant must possess a high level of experience using Fertig and Thurston’s (2003) model cited above.
4. At least 80% of all materials needed for the project will be supplied by the applicant.