Antennaria Arcuata (Meadow Pussytoes), Astragalus Diversifolius
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Inventory of Alkaline Meadows for BLM Sensitive Plant Species: Antennaria arcuata (Meadow pussytoes), Astragalus diversifolius (Meadow milkvetch) and Cleome multicaulis (Many-stemmed Spiderflower) with Field-Testing of Potential Distribution Models; Fremont and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming Prepared for the Bureau of Land Management – Lander, Rawlins, Rock Springs Field Offices and BLM Wyoming Office By Bonnie Heidel Wyoming Natural Diversity Database Dept. 3381, University of Wyoming 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 May 2015 Cooperative Agreement No. L10AC20123, Mod. 5 ABSTRACT Surveys were conducted for two species designated Sensitive by the Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming: Antennaria arcuata (Meadow pussytoes) and Astragalus diversifolius (Meadow milkvetch). The project was originally proposed to fill survey gaps. The objective was greatly expanded to test potential distribution models. Both of the two species occupy alkaline meadows and had suspected survey coverage gaps in the BLM Lander Field Office. A third species, Cleome multicaulis (Many-stemmed spiderflower) is also known from alkaline meadows and was discovered in the study area for the first time during the course of surveys. In total, one new population of A. arcuata, two new populations of A. diversifolius and two new populations of C. multicaulis were documented by use of photointerpretation. Eighty-two negative survey points were produced and will be used to revise the three species’ potential distribution models. This report represents the most current and complete information on the three species as present in Wyoming, drawing from all earlier studies. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report reflects the work of Wyoming botanists past and present, including Walter Fertig (Wyoming Natural Diversity Database; WYNDD), Hollis Marriott (WYNDD) and Robert Dorn. Just as much, it reflects interest and work of BLM botanists/biologists over the years, including Tanya Skurski, Frank Blomquist, Adrienne Pilmanis, Jim Glennon and Jeff Carroll. Tanya and Frank provided reviews of this report as a draft. The modeling narrative and statistically-generated sets of quarter-sections for testing models were provided by Mark Andersen (WYNDD). Proofreading, initial set up of the ArcMap project, and preparation of digital ortho-quarterquads printouts were provided by Joy Handley (WYNDD). Last but not least, Rocky Mountain Herbarium resources, facilities and expertise are acknowledged with gratitude. Literature citation: Heidel, B. 2015. Inventory of alkaline meadows for BLM Sensitive plant species: Antennaria arcuata (Meadow pussytoes), Astragalus diversifolius (Meadow milkvetch) and Cleome multicaulis (Many-stemmed spiderflower), with field-testing of potential distribution models; Fremont and Sweetwater Counties, Wyoming. Cover page: Cleome multicaulis (Many-stemmed spiderflower) inset in its habitat at Soda Lakes ii Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 STUDY AREA .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 METHODS .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 HIGHLIGHT OF SURVEY RESULTS ........................................................................................................................ 8 RESULTS - SPECIES INFORMATION – ANTENNARIA ARCUATA .................................................................. 10 Classification ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 Present legal or other formal status ......................................................................................................................... 11 Description .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 Geographical distribution ........................................................................................................................................ 13 Habitat ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Population biology and demography ....................................................................................................................... 24 Population ecology: ................................................................................................................................................. 27 SPECIES INFORMATION – ASTRAGALUS DIVERSIFOLIUS ................................................................................ 29 Classification ........................................................................................................................................................... 29 Present legal or other formal status ......................................................................................................................... 30 Description .............................................................................................................................................................. 30 Geographical distribution ........................................................................................................................................ 33 Habitat ..................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Population biology and demography ....................................................................................................................... 42 Population ecology .................................................................................................................................................. 43 RESULTS – SPECIES INFORMATION – CLEOME MULTICAULIS ..................................................................... 44 Classification ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 Present legal or other formal status ......................................................................................................................... 45 Description .............................................................................................................................................................. 46 Geographic distribution ........................................................................................................................................... 48 Habitat ..................................................................................................................................................................... 51 Population biology and ecology .............................................................................................................................. 56 Population ecology .................................................................................................................................................. 57 COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE THREE SENSITIVE SPECIES ...................................................................... 58 ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 59 Potential threats to currently known populations .................................................................................................... 59 Conservation recommendations .............................................................................................................................. 64 LITERATURE CITED ................................................................................................................................................ 65 iii APPENDICES Appendix A. Printouts of three species’ element occurrences records in study area Appendix B. Updated state species abstracts for Antennaria arcuata, Astragalus diversifolius, and Cleome multicaulis TABLES Table 1. Location of Antennaria arcuata populations in Wyoming Table 2. Plants associated with Antennaria arcuata throughout its range Table 3. Location of Astragalus diversifolius populations in Wyoming Table 4. Plants associated with Astragalus diversifolius throughout its range Table 5. Soil characteristics at one Astragalus diversifolius site Table 6. Size and extent of Astragalus diversifolius populations in Wyoming Table 7. Location of Cleome multicaulis populations in Wyoming Table 8. Plants associated with Cleome multicaulis in Wyoming FIGURES Figure 1. Sensitive species study area Figure 2. Sensitive species distribution in study area Figure 3. Sensitive species survey targets in the study area as defined by models Figure 4. DOQQ example - Atlantic City NE Figure 5. 2014 Sensitive species survey points in the study area Figure 6. Updated Sensitive species records in the study area Figures 7-10. Antennaria arcuata illustration and photographs Figure 11. Distribution of Antennaria arcuata rangewide Figure 12. Distribution of Antennaria arcuata in Wyoming Figures 13-15. Topographic position and settings of Antennaria