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Rare Plant Monitoring Report 2009
Rare Plant Monitoring Report 2009
Summary
Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation’s Rare Plant Monitoring Project provides critically-
needed information on the status of Washington State’s rare plant species. Trained volunteers
monitor known occurrences of rare plants and report on their status and the habitat where they
occur. Monitoring data collected under this project are provided to the Washington Natural
Heritage Program and to federal, state, and local land managers to inform short-term and long-
term conservation practices. In 2009, a total of 123 surveys of rare plant populations were
completed throughout the state of Washington. Eighteen of these sites represented potentially new
occurrences for the Washington Natural Heritage Program. Volunteers successfully relocated the
rare plant species at 63% of the sites monitored. Reports were also provided on 3 additional
monitoring attempts; however, the surveyors could not reach the sites due to access or time
constraints. A total of 85 volunteers participated in the project and 17 new volunteers were trained
in 2009.
Introduction
Washington Rare Plant Care and Conservation (Rare Care) initiated the Rare Plant Monitoring
Project in 2009 to provide critically-needed information on rare plant populations in Washington
State. The project was developed in partnership with the Washington Natural Heritage Program
(WNHP), the agency responsible for tracking native biological diversity of the state. The focus of
this project is the approximately 370 species of native plants considered to be endangered,
threatened or sensitive to decline or extirpation by WNHP. These plants face an ever-increasing
level of threat to extirpation due to ongoing loss or degradation of habitat and an ever-expanding
flora of invasive species. However, there is insufficient funding and personnel to adequately
maintain and update population data on these species or to monitor known sites for potential
threats. Thus, the information provided by this project often represents the only current
information available for individual populations of rare plant species.
Under this project, volunteer rare plant monitors visit known occurrences of rare plants throughout
Washington State located primarily on public lands. During a site visit, volunteers collect
information on population size, habitat characteristics and threats posed by invasive species and
current land use practices. This information is provided to land managers on whose land the
population occurs and to WNHP. Through WNHP, these data are available to scientists and land
managers working on conservation issues and making land use decisions across the state and the
nation. The purpose of this document is to report on the results of the 2009 monitoring season.
Species and occurrences selected for monitoring in 2009 were based on a pre-determined set of
priorities developed in conjunction with WNHP. The highest priority was given to 1) monitoring
High priority was also given to monitoring occurrences whose records in the WNHP database had
not been updated since 1990. Within this group, higher emphasis was placed on species
considered to be threatened or endangered under the WNHP ranking system. Finally, priority was
placed on occurrences that were not located by Rare Care volunteers in previous years. After three
attempts on an occurrence by at least two different surveyors, Rare Care considers the occurrence
to be extirpated and will no longer include it on the list of monitoring priorities in future years.
During the 2009 field season, Rare Care volunteers completed 123 surveys of rare plant
occurrences throughout Washington State representing 78 species (Table 1). Attempts were made
to monitor an additional three occurrences; however, they could not be reached due to access or
time constraints. For these three sites, volunteers provided reports that include valuable access
information for future surveyors. At 63% of the monitored sites, volunteers found and documented
the rare plant occurrence. Twenty-one of the 77 rare plant populations found consisted of fewer
than 50 individuals. It is unknown whether these populations are stable or in decline. Surveyors
reported invasive species at 48% of the sites (Table 2) and reported potential land use and
management concerns at 43% of the sites (Table 3). Original data sheets were provided to WNHP
and copies were provided to land managers for occurrences monitored under their jurisdiction.
For the third consecutive year, Rare Care organized a rare plant monitoring weekend. Volunteers
and staff gathered for two days to assist WNHP with their three-year review of Wenatchee
Mountain endemic and rare plant species. In 2009, the monitoring weekend focused on areas in
and around Upper Naneum basin in Kittitas County. In addition to compiling plant lists and
locations of endemic taxa, three occurrences of rare plants were monitored: one each of Agoseris
elata, Sidalcea oregana var. calva, and Phacelia minutissima. The weekend surveys resulted in a
detection of five potentially new occurrences of rare plants:
Elsewhere in the state, volunteers documented five potentially new populations of sensitive plant
species. New populations of Erigeron howellii and Sullivantia oregana were found on bluffs and
steep slopes near Skamania, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Population sizes estimated for these two new occurrences were 313 and 140, respectively. A large
population of over 600 Carex comosa individuals was reported from a state park in King County.
Also in King County, three groups of Lycopodium dendroideum, containing a total of 30 stems,
were documented in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Finally, a population of
Penstemon eriantherus var. whitedii containing 150 individuals was reported from a site near
Wenatchee, Washington.
Of the 127 populations assigned to volunteers for monitoring, 25 were not attempted this season
due to a variety of reasons. In most cases, the volunteer simply did not have time to complete the
survey. In other cases, trail obstructions, washed-out or decommissioned access roads, or
inadequate mapping information kept volunteers from completing their assignments.
Rare Care received five additional monitoring reports from volunteers after the 2008 Annual
Report was finalized (Table 4). The surveyors successfully relocated the rare plant species at the
three of the five sites. Therefore, the total number of occurrences reported on by volunteers in
2008 was 135.
Overall, 85 volunteers devoted 2,731.25 hours to rare plant monitoring during the 2009 field
season. This includes hours dedicated to training, preparation and planning, field work and report
writing. Finally Rare Care trained 17 new rare plant monitoring volunteers in 2009.
Notes:
1. Y = yes, N = no, U = identity uncertain, X = not monitored (site not reached)
2. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.
3. Identity of this Ranunculus is in question and may be a hybrid of the two species.
4. Potentially new site that may not be in WNHP database.
5. Site identified by land owner and may not be in WNHP database.
6. Land manager requested Rare Care to look for this species in this area.
Abbreviations:
ACEC - Area of Critical Environmental Concern SI - Special Interest
BLM - Bureau of Land Management USFS - United States Forest Service
EWA - Established Wilderness Area USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service
NAP - Natural Area Preserve UW - University of Washington
NF - National Forest WDFW - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
NRCA - Natural Resources Conservation Area WA -Washington, Wildlife Area
NSA - National Scenic Area WA DNR - Washington Department of Natural Resources
NWR - National Wildlife Refuge WA SPR - Washington State Parks
RD - Ranger District
Trichostema oblongum New Y Euphorbia sp., Cichorium There are a fair amount of weedy species
intybus, Potentilla recta, along the edge of the road here.
Centaurea sp., etc.
Trichostema oblongum New Y Ventenata dubia Yes, voodoo grass (V. dubia ). Weedy
grasses are present, with what appears to
be voodoo grass covering the landscape
around TROB.
Trifolium thompsonii 26 Y Bromus tectorum
Camissonia pygmaea 11 N Run off, though seldom, diminishes soil ribs. I noted deep foot prints along
edge of ribs on both sides.
Carex comosa New4 Y Water level maintained by beaver dam - height controlled by park
personnel.
Carex magellanica ssp. 11 Y Very little evidence of human use, some beverage containers on shore,
irrigua but old and very few. Adjacent land use will impact the quality of these
bogs. It is fortunate that the bogs are separated from the road system by
topographic ridges. ORV trail to the south appears to get used, but not a
lot of use of the bogs.
Carex praeceptorum 1 N Yes, There is some trampling in the bog area at the north end of the lake,
but it is limited to the lakeshore areas of the bog, probably from fisherman.
We searched less trammeled areas as well and did not find the plant.
Carex saxatilis var. major 11 Y I only found a few CASA, but they are at a seldom-visited part of this
heavily used lake. Trampling from the occasional fisherman may impact
plants. There is a lovely and unofficial campsite in the forest near the
CASA opening that does get some use (recently used fire ring and
garbage found).
Carex stylosa 5 Y Disturbance: some elk trampling & herbivore grazing. Some elk tracks,
scat, and shed anthler pieces were nearby. Some evidence of grazing was
seen. Land use threats: digging up pipeline, road repairs.
Carex stylosa 6 Y No evidence of human use. Adjacent land use may impact the quality of
these bogs. Private lands to the east and south were cut before the
original sighting. I could not tell if the changes in the hydrology or water
quality because of this has impacted the population as I did not search the
private lands. The northernmost population (10733) is hydrologically lower
than the private land and may be most vulnerable to adjacent logging
practices.
Carex stylosa 7 Y Very little evidence of human use, some beverage containers on shores,
but old and very few. Adjacent land use will impact the quality of these
bogs. It is fortunate that the bogs are separated from the road system by
topographic ridges. ORV trail to the south appears to get used, but not a
lot of use of the bogs.
Chrysolepis chrysophylla 36 Y Population very close to roadway.
Cimicifuga elata var. elata 6 N There is a maintenance-access road through the area.
Cypripedium fasciculatum 11 Y Dead fir trees throughout the area up to the old location, Pine beetles?
Spruce bud worms? Fir tree management needed for diseased trees. The
old population may be lost due to mycorrhizal disruption. The new
population has two plants right on the edge of trail. Maybe advise no trail
widening in that area.
Damasonium californicum 3 Y Fence is down on the west side so cattle and horses have access to this
pond, where the horses have been observed in the pond, and where much
fecal material accumulates. Cows graze the perimeter where yound
DACA12 grow. No direct evidence of herbivory of the older plants. Fences
need to be fixed and checked on a regular basis to prevent infiltration by
neighboring cattle and horses. A bigger concern is controlling the
proliferation of reed canary grass which is over running the majority of the
pond (very little DACA12 observed amongth the canary grass).
Erigeron howellii New4 Y This area is increasingly being explored and hiked by local people.
Erigeron piperianus 51 Y Cow pies were everywhere - very heavily grazed but no damage to ERPI3
was observed.
Eryngium petiolatum New4 Y Some cattle grazing occurs to the north of the central canal. Some cow
pies (previous years) can be found in the area, but these may be strays.
There is a large herd of elk which frequents the area over the winter into
early summer which could trample plants.
Euonymus occidentalis 1 Y Campground spaces and trails should be adjusted to protect this species.
var. occidentalis
Euonymus occidentalis 3 N Yes, a restroom & related drainfield of unknown date exists within the
var. occidentalis "wooded area south of baseball field."
Iliamna longisepala 101 N Regrowth of planted Douglas fir forest/plantation for the past 13 years has
altered habitat.
Lathyrus vestitus ssp. 4 Y Population is right along a foot trail
bolanderi
Lobelia dortmanna 24 Y Reservoir draw down, recreation may impact population.
Lomatium suksdorfii 27 Y We don't know how LOSU4 would be impacted by grazing nor whether
alfalfa fields present at this site are currently harvested by the WDFW or
private parties. Some of the impacted lands could be replanted with
LOSU4 and other dominant plants. Nearby corral - evidence of grazing
above area on plateau. Some trampling by deer. The site is used for
hunting (spring turkey hunts) and target practice.
Orobanche californica None6 N Yes. The area has been drained & grazed but most species persist in
ssp. grayana suitable habitat.
Pedicularis rainierensis 49 Y Disturbance: possible disturbance from ridge-top road erosion of
talus/scree and sand. Also, some recreation-related items were found
scattered (cans, ski pole, scarf, etc). Expansion of resort could threaten
population, especially any new disturbance along ridges.
Pedicularis rainierensis 49 Y Disturbance from removal of ridgetop to construct new lift landing. Ridge
was cut vertical on southern side and is likely unstable. Also, some
construction debris remains as well as installation of plastic poles to mark
ski hazards or ski boundaries. Impacts to population are unknown.
Penstemon eriantherus 5 N Logging is occurring in the araea and prescribed burns are planned.
var. whitedii
Penstemon eriantherus New4 Y The northern sites are right along the road; the disturbed soil is likely from
var. whitedii road grading.
Phacelia minutissima 1 N Elk grazing in the vicinity.
Potentilla drummondii ssp. New4 Y Site #2 showed signs of numerous elk tracks disturbing site. Site #1 is on
breweri side of road where vehicles may impact plants.
Pyrrocoma hirta var. 2 Y Some impacts by elk.
sonchifolia
Pyrrocoma hirta var. New4 Y Possibility of ORV damage - none seen. Some elk trampling in moist
sonchifolia areas.
Pyrrocoma liatriformis 13 Y The level & gently sloping areas at & above the rim of the canyon are
agricultural. Grazing also occurs in the vicinity.
Ranunculus triternatus / New4 U In talking with people familiar with the Klickitat Wildlife Area, there is
R. glaberrimus 3 evidently a proposal to graze the area.
Sanicula marilandica 45 Y Cattle grazing in the area; but, population seems to be protected between
two barbed wire fences
Saxifraga cernua 3 N 2006 fire and downed areas.
Saxifraga rivularis 13 Y Old trail ran right through this population and may still be used when snow
is covering the newer trail.
Silene seelyi 3 Y Hydrology of snow melt streams and resultant trail rehab may have
affected sites nearer to the creek.
Silene seelyi 22 Y Evidence of 2007 fire nearby but not on rock outcrops
Silene spaldingii 61 Y Evidence of forest fire (burned tree trunks).
Sisyrinchium 18 N Trampling and grazing of elk.
sarmentosum
Spiranthes porrifolia 4 Y Fences are down along several margins. Evidence of horses and cattle,
New
with horses seen eating vegetation in the pond. Evidence of a large
quantity of horse feces in the pond. Numerous hoof marks digging up the
margin of the pond.
Spiranthes porrifolia 1 Y A state rock pit is immediately south of one subpopulation near SR 14.
Mountain bikers are increasingly using the open slopes here as a slalom
course.
Trifolium thompsonii 1 Y 17,000 Entiat RD, Okanogan- USFS Bromus tectorum and Poa bulbosa
Wenatchee NF found in lower population which
were especially disturbed; Linaria
dalmatica uncommon but found at
a couple of sites.
Notes:
1. These reports were submitted by volunteers after the 2008 Annual Report was completed.
2. Y = yes, N = no, U = identity uncertain, X = not monitored (site not reached)
3. Population size estimate represents individuals unless otherwise noted.