Moore Open Space Baseline Vegetation Report

VEGETATION BASELINE REPORT 2019 GROWING SEASON

Moore Open Space September 2019 Pitkin County, Colorado

Prepared for: Pitkin County Open Space & Trails 530 E. Main Street Aspen, CO 81611

Prepared by: Peak Ecological Services, LLC 301 Boulder Canyon Drive, PO Box 827 Nederland, Colorado 80466

VEGETATION BASELINE REPORT 2019 GROWING SEASON Moore Open Space Pitkin County, Colorado

revision date: September 11 2019

Summary This report provides a comprehensive look at the vegetation resources of the Moore Open Space including a detailed vegetation type map and descriptions of each vegetation community, includes the results of the vegetation quantitative data collected from representative areas, presents an updated noxious weed assessment, and includes a complete vascular plant species list. The vegetation monitoring conducted in 2019 at Moore Open Space indicates that, as a whole, the management of the property has maintained diverse, healthy ecological systems that are resilient to wildlife and human use. However, the site also has a long history of anthropogenic impacts and hence non-native plant species continue to threaten the relatively intact native habitats that remain on the property. The recommendations provided in this report include continued control of noxious weeds and restoration of the lands impacted by past human activities with the aim to increase the trajectory of these areas to fully functioning communities with a diverse array of native plants that are a benefit to all wildlife.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2.0 LANDSCAPE CONTEXT, TOPOGRAPHY, AND CURRENT USE ...... 1 3.0 VEGETATION ...... 1 3.1 Vegetation Classification & Mapping ...... 1 1.1.1 Woodlands ...... 2 1.1.2 Mixed Mountain Shrublands ...... 3 1.1.3 Sagebrush Shrublands ...... 4 1.1.4 Non-Native Grassland ...... 5 3.2 Quantitative Data – Vegetation Cover and Species Richness ...... 5 3.2.1 Location of Sampling Sites ...... 5 3.2.2 Sampling Methodology ...... 5 3.2.3 Data Analysis ...... 5 3.2.4 Results ...... 6 1.1.5 Disturbed Areas ...... 6 3.3 Rare Plants and Plant Communities ...... 6 3.4 Noxious Weed Assessment ...... 6 3.5 Floristic Inventory & Floristic Quality Assessment ...... 7 3.5.1 Survey Methods ...... 7 3.5.2 Results ...... 8 3.6 Pollinator Habitat...... 8 4.0 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 8 5.0 REFERENCES ...... 10 6.0 MAPS ...... 11 APPENDIX A. QUANTITATIVE VEGETATION DATA ...... A1-A7 APPENDIX B. QUANTITATIVE VEGETATION PHOTOS ...... B1-B4 APPENDIX C. SUMMARY CHARTS OF QUANTITATIVE VEGETATION ...... C1-C3 APPENDIX D. VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES LIST ...... D1-D4

LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Plant Associations of Moore Open Space ...... 2 Table 2. Colorado Listed Noxious Weeds. Moore Open Space ...... 7

LIST OF FIGURES Figure C-1. Absolute Vegetative Cover and Non-Vegetative Cover per Transect ...... C-1 Figure C-2. Relative Cover of Native and Non-Native Plants ...... C-2 Figure C-3. Floristic Quality Assessment ...... C-3

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page i LIST OF PHOTOS Photo 1. Narrowleaf Cottonwood Ruderal Riparian Woodland (Jun-18-2019)...... 2 Photo 2. Serviceberry Shrubland (Jun-17-2019)...... 3 Photo 3. Gambel Oak - Serviceberry Shrubland (Jun-19-2019)...... 3 Photo 4. Native Sagebrush Shrubland with a healthy diversity of wildflowers (Jul-18-2019)...... 4 Photo 5. Non-native Ruderal Sagebrush Community (Jul-18-2019). Note lack of wildflower diversity...... 4 Photo 6. Numerous small areas of dead sagebrush shrubs occur sporadically (Jul-18-2019)...... 4 Photo 7. Non-Native Grassland habitat along pedestrian trail (Jun-19-2019)...... 5 Photo 8. Disturbed area in the western portion of Moore OS (Jul-18-2019)...... 6

LIST OF MAPS

Map 1. Project Location ...... 12 Map 2. Vegetation Types...... 13

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) is currently in the process of updating their Management Plan for the Moore Open Space (Moore OS) which was adopted in 2001. The property is located at the edge of the City of Aspen along Highway 82 and offers summer and winter recreational opportunities, outstanding scenic values, provides a buffer between development and the ecologically important Maroon Creek gorge, and supports valuable plant communities and wildlife habitat. Moore OS contains an example of relatively intact mountain and sagebrush shrubland habitats within proximity to the City of Aspen population center. While the baseline vegetation studies originally conducted by EM Ecological in 2000 provided a solid foundation for the current management of the property, these studies are now almost two decades old. This report aims to update those studies, provide recommendations and updated information for the management plan revision and determine whether additional management actions are needed to maintain or improve valuable resources.

2.0 LANDSCAPE CONTEXT, TOPOGRAPHY, AND CURRENT USE Moore OS lies at the southwest corner of the Highway 82/Maroon Creek Road intersection, approximately one mile west of downtown Aspen. The surrounding land uses include the Aspen School District campus, private homes and the Prince of Peace Chapel on the south, a public transportation hub to the east, the Aspen Golf Course on the northeast, private homes on the north, and a large undeveloped track of land on the west. The undulating topography of the site ranges in elevation from approximately 7,910 feet to 7,970 feet. See Map 1. Currently, Moore OS is primarily used for recreation including hiking, mountain biking, and Nordic skiing.

3.0 VEGETATION

The current vegetation conditions in the project area reflect a rich cultural and natural history. Historical photos and interviews with past owners as summarized in the 2019 Draft Management Plan (PCOST 2019) suggest the flat land next to the Maroon Creek Gorge, primarily west of the open space and also along the northeast boundary, were generally farmed or converted to hay pasture, but the small hills of Moore OS were largely undisturbed (except for grazing by livestock) due to the difficulty in farming them. The fact that the majority of Moore OS was not historically cleared has led to its rich flora and relatively intact vegetation communities. However, past disturbances such as the construction of the well-used Nordic trail system did clear much of the natural vegetation along these corridors, and hence they are dominated by non-native pasture grasses. Noxious weeds have also been problematic at Moore OS since it was purchased almost three decades ago. Ongoing management (i.e. spraying) of noxious weeds has led to significant progress in suppressing these species, but it has also led to the unintentional decline of the some of the native sagebrush shrubs in small areas.

The vegetation of Moore OS was documented by qualitative observations and quantitative data collection. Field visits occurred from mid-June through mid-August of 2019. All quantitative data, including photographs, are contained in the appendices and Map 2 presents a vegetation type map for the property.

3.1 VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION & MAPPING The U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) is a central organizing framework for documentation, inventory, monitoring, and study of vegetation in the United States. The vegetation communities at Moore OS were classified according to the 2019 USNVC to the two most detailed or “lowest” levels of the classification hierarchy, alliances and associations. Alliances are classified based on diagnostic species, including some from the dominant growth form or layer, and are moderately similar in composition. Associations, which are more ”fine-grained,” are based on diagnostic species, usually from multiple growth forms or layers, and are more narrowly similar. Associations also enable one to track the rarity of these plant communities on a larger scale, however not all associations have been well described for Colorado. Overall, six different alliances and associations have been documented for Moore OS. The following text describes these vegetation communities based on field reconnaissance conducted in 2019. Table 1 provides a summary.

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 1 TABLE 1. PLANT COMMUNITIES OF MOORE OPEN SPACE

Alliance Association CNHP Area Percent Plant Association Name Code Code Ranking (acres) of Total

Woodlands Narrowleaf Cottonwood Ruderal Riparian -- Woodland A4155 CEGL003749 1.1 1.8% Woodlands Subtotal 1.1 1.8%

Mixed Mountain Shrublands Gambel Oak - Serviceberry Shrubland* A3735 CEGL001109 G5/S2 4.0 6.4% Serviceberry – Mixed Shrub / Elk Sedge Shrubland* A3732 CEGL001068 14.7 23.4% Mixed Mountain Shrublands Subtotal 18.7 29.8% Sagebrush Shrublands Mountain Big Sagebrush - Snowberry Shrubland* A3208 CEGL001034 G3G4/S1 31.0 49.3% Mountain Big Sagebrush Ruderal Shrub Grassland* A4213 CEGL002339 n/a 8.6 13.6% Sagebrush Shrublands Subtotal 39.6 62.9% Grasslands Non-Native Ruderal Grassland A3254 CEGL005264 n/a 3.3 5.3% Grasslands Subtotal 3.3 5.3% Other Paved Path n/a n/a 0.07 0.1% Disturbed n/a n/a 0.05 0.1% Other Subtotal 0.12 0.2%

GRAND TOTAL 63.0 100.0% Note: Associations follow the 2019 USNVC Classification System (USNVC 2019) * = 50 meter vegetation transects (point intercept method) recorded.

3.1.1 WOODLANDS Only one small area of woodland occurs within the Moore OS. The Narrowleaf Cottonwood (Populus angustifolia) Ruderal Riparian Woodland occupies only a small percentage (1.8%, 1.1 acres) of Moore OS and occurs in the far northeastern boundary along Highway 82. This community contains scattered mature trees of narrowleaf cottonwood along with a dense cover of smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), both non-native agricultural grasses, as well as the native Baltic rush (Juncus arcticus subsp. ater), which occurs in mesic conditions. Although some sandbar willow (Salix exigua) does occur, there is a general lack of native riparian shrubs and overall plant diversity is very low. This plant community represents the historical edge of a larger flood irrigated pasture Photo 1. Narrowleaf Cottonwood Ruderal Riparian Woodland (Jun-18- 2019).

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 2 that is now occupied by the Aspen Golf Course. According to NatureServe (2019), this riparian association occurs in the foothill and lower montane zones of the Rocky Mountains extending west into the Great Basin and east onto the northern plains.

3.1.2 MIXED MOUNTAIN SHRUBLANDS The small hills and knolls of Moore OS contain a diverse native plant community comprised of the Mixed Mountain Shrublands: Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) – Serviceberry. Both of these tall shrublands are similar in composition, with Gambel oak predominating in the latter. These shrublands comprise 18.7 acres or 29.8% of Moore OS. Common plant associates include native graminoids such as Nelson’s needlegrass (Achnatherum nelsonii), purple oniongrass (Bromelica spectabilis), needle-and- thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), and elk sedge (Carex geyeri). A diverse layer of native forbs is also present including Photo 2. Serviceberry Shrubland (Jun-17-2019). arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), mule’s ears (Wyethia amplexicaule), lupine (Lupinus argenteus), aspen daisy (Erigeron speciosus), lambstongue groundsel (Senecio integerrimus), Nuttall’s larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum), American vetch (Vicia americana), and whiteflower pea (Lathyrus lanszwerti). Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), a non-native naturalized grass species, is prevalent in these communities as well. Kentucky bluegrass is often found in plant communities where grazing has historically occurred. Other native shrubs include sticky rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana). The Gambel oak – serviceberry shrubland is fairly common in Pitkin County and is ranked as state imperiled (S2) by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). The Serviceberry – Mixed Shrub / Elk Sedge Shrubland has been less well documented and is ranked as state critically imperiled (S1) by the CNHP. It is not known whether the Serviceberry Shrubland represents a long-term stable (climax) vegetation type or is associated with a disturbance phenomenon such as stand replacing fire and subsequent erosion and grazing pressure. Photo 3. Gambel Oak - Serviceberry Shrubland (Jun-19-2019).

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 3 3.1.3 SAGEBRUSH SHRUBLANDS Two different Mountain Big Sagebrush Communities were also identified on Moore OS. These include the native Mountain Big Sagebrush – Snowberry Shrubland (31.0 acres, 49.3%) and a Sagebrush – Non- Native Pasture Grass Community (8.6 acres, 13.6%). The Sage-Snowberry Association supports a high cover of snowberry intermixed with the sagebrush as well as natives such as needleleaf sedge (Carex duriuscula), needle-and-thread grass, Nelson’s needlegrass, lupine, arrowleaf balsamroot, mule’s ears, lambstongue groundsel, sulphur flower (Eriogonum umbellatum), Nuttall’s larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum) and numerous others. These Sage-Snowberry Communities generally have a Photo 4. Native Sagebrush Shrubland with a healthy diversity of high percentage of native plants unlike the Mountain wildflowers (Jul-18-2019). Big Sagebrush Ruderal Shrub Grassland, which represents a non-native vegetation community comprised primarily of a variable cover of sagebrush co-occurring with a dense cover of smooth brome and/or crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum). These Ruderal Sagebrush Communities likely represent historic pasture or farmland which has been colonized by sagebrush. Finally, numerous small stands of dead sagebrush shrubs were observed in some areas of this community and appeared to be positively correlated with numerous areas of plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides), the most frequent noxious weed encountered at Moore OS. It is likely that these dead shrubs represent unintentional losses due to past use of herbicides for noxious weed control.

Photo 5. Non-native Ruderal Sagebrush Community (Jul-18-2019). Note lack of wildflower diversity.

Photo 6. Numerous small areas of dead sagebrush shrubs occur sporadically (Jul-18-2019).

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 4 3.1.4 NON-NATIVE GRASSLAND A non-native grassland occurs along the Nordic trail corridors throughout the site. These areas were likely cleared in the past and seeded with pasture grasses in order to provide a smooth surface for Nordic trail grooming. These areas are comprised of a mosaic of smooth brome and crested wheatgrass with occasional patches of intermediate wheatgrass. These grass species are widely planted to revegetate disturbed land, pasture and hay fields, and readily escape into a variety of habitats, including the mixed mountain and sagebrush shrublands at Moore OS. There are occasional native species present in these areas, such as sticky rabbitbrush, western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and a handful of native forbs. However, the native species are not conspicuous Photo 7. Non-Native Grassland habitat along pedestrian trail (Jun-19- enough to identify the native plant association that 2019). could occupy the site, or the stand would be typed as such.

3.2 QUANTITATIVE DATA – VEGETATION COVER AND SPECIES RICHNESS

3.2.1 LOCATION OF SAMPLING SITES A total of four (4) permanent vegetation data transects were sampled at Moore OS. These sites are located in both the sagebrush shrublands (the disturbed (Ruderal) Sagebrush Shrubland and the native Sagebrush – Snowberry Shrubland) and the mountain shrubland (Gambel oak and serviceberry) habitats. All transects are 50 meters in length and have permanent markers at each end including 8-inch metal nails and orange fiberglass rods. The start and end points of the transects were recorded with a Garmin GPSMap unit and the aspect, slope, and orientation (i.e. compass direction relative to the start point) were also recorded. Each transect was photographed from both ends. Field work was conducted in June 2019 by Rea Orthner and one field assistant. See Map 2. These permanent transects will allow OST to track changes in plant community composition over time.

3.2.2 SAMPLING METHODOLOGY Vegetation cover data were collected as point-intercept data, using the Cover-Point optical scope along a 50 meter transect. Point data were collected at each meter, with one point at 0.5m from the center line on both sides of the transect for a total of 100 points (2 points at each meter x 50 meters). Data were recorded as first- hit and second-hit data for vegetation and standing dead plant material; and ground cover hits were recorded separately for bare soil, rock, litter, and water. Rock was considered to be any inorganic material greater than 1 cm. in diameter. Standing dead was considered to be any dead organic material that was still standing and was produced in the previous growing seasons.

Data on species richness was collected by identifying and listing all plant species present in a two-meter-wide by 50 meter long quadrat centered along the cover transect. The final species richness value is presented as the number of species per 100 m².

3.2.3 DATA ANALYSIS For each vegetation cover transect, the percent absolute cover of vegetation, rock, soil, litter, water, and standing dead was calculated using only first hit data. The relative cover of each plant species was calculated

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 5 using both first and second hit data of vegetation. Species richness was calculated by counting the total number of vascular plants present in each 100 m² (2 meter by 50 meter) quadrat. The data were then summarized by absolute cover (vegetation or non-vegetative cover), and relative cover of native versus non-native plants.

3.2.4 RESULTS The results of the quantitative monitoring are presented and summarized in Appendices A through C. Overall, the native plant communities showed the highest vegetative cover, which ranged from 77% to 84%. The non- native Ruderal Sagebrush Shrubland Community had the lowest absolute vegetative cover at 46%. Litter (dead fallen plant material such as leaves) had the highest component of the non-vegetative cover (over rock, soil and standing dead) among all four transects. Non-native plants are present in virtually every plant community sampled. As expected, they had a significant percentage of the cover in the Ruderal Sagebrush Shrubland, where the non-native plants comprised 76% of the plant cover. However, non-natives also had a high percentage in the other vegetation communities, ranging from 14% in the Gambel Oak – Serviceberry Shrubland, 19% in the Sagebrush – Snowberry Shrubland, and 24% relative cover in the Serviceberry Shrubland. The most common non-native plant in these transects is Kentucky bluegrass, which is widely naturalized in the area; however, smooth brome and crested wheatgrass are present as well. The high percentage of non-natives throughout Moore OS is not unexpected given the multiple recreational trail corridors bisecting the property and past land use history of ranching and farming.

3.2.5 DISTURBED AREAS One small disturbed area occurs in the western portion of Moore OS on a small knoll. This area may represent an old caved-in potato cellar. The site is now being colonized by sticky rabbitbrush, snowberry, smooth brome and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata). Photo 8. Disturbed area in the western portion of Moore OS (Jul-18-2019).

3.3 RARE PLANTS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES No federally listed, Forest Service or BLM Sensitive, or State rare plant species as tracked by CNHP have been documented at Moore OS. In addition, no rare plants are previously known from the site (CNHP 2018). The western portion of the parcel is part of the CNHP’s Maroon Creek – Castle Creek Potential Conservation Area (PCA). However, Moore OS does not support any of the tracked elements (i.e. native riparian plant communities) that comprise the PCA.

3.4 NOXIOUS WEED ASSESSMENT Several species of Colorado State listed noxious weeds were identified at Moore OS. See Table 2. While noxious weeds are currently being managed, numerous rosettes and bolting individuals of plumeless thistle were noted in the interior of the property away from trails. In addition, several small populations of annual grasses such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) were observed along the trails. All other noxious weeds appear to occur in fairly low quantities.

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 6 TABLE 2. COLORADO LISTED NOXIOUS WEEDS. MOORE OPEN SPACE Scientific Name Common Name Family Noxious Weed List

Perennial Graminoids Elytrigia repens Quack grass Poaceae C

Perennial Forbs Linaria vulgaris Butter and eggs, toadflax Plantaginaceae B

Annual / Biennial Forbs Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle Asteraceae B Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue Boraginaceae B Tripleurospermum perforatum Scentless chamomile Asteraceae B (Matricaria) Verbascum thapsus Mullein Scrophulariaceae C

Annual Graminoids Bromus tectorum (=Anisantha) Cheatgrass, Downy brome Poaceae C Poa bulbosa Bulbous bluegrass Poaceae C

Note: See www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species for additional details.

3.5 FLORISTIC INVENTORY & FLORISTIC QUALITY ASSESSMENT In an era of significant environmental changes and pressures from humankind, there is an increased need for floristic data to understand, preserve, and manage biodiversity. Not only are floristic inventories important, but so is an assessment of the overall floristic quality. The Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) is a standardized method used to determine the ecological condition of a site in terms of its native floristic quality. It is useful for assessing how human disturbances have affected plant community composition and for tracking changes in plant communities over time, which has practical implications in the continued management of open space areas and helps to form a complete picture of biodiversity.

3.5.1 SURVEY METHODS A comprehensive list of all vascular plant species encountered at Moore OS was compiled for the project area and summarized in table form with scientific name, common name, plant family, origin (native or introduced), and the Coefficient of Conservatism value (C-value). See Appendix D. The plant list was developed from field work conducted in 2019, however the list was cross-referenced with that provided by EM Ecological (Lowsky et al. 2001). This list was updated to current taxonomic nomenclature as found in The Flora of Colorado (Ackerfield 2015).

In addition, an FQA was completed (Rocchio 2007). The FQA method is based on the concept of species conservatism. In general, species conservatism is a measure of how sensitive a species is to disturbance, and the degree of fidelity it has to a particular habitat or environment. This is represented by the C-value, or Coefficient of Conservatism, an integer ranging from 0-10 that has been assigned for a given geographic area. Species with low C-values are highly tolerant to disturbance and exhibit little fidelity to natural areas, and they may be found virtually anywhere. In contrast, species with high C-values are highly intolerant to disturbance and are located in high-quality natural sites indicative of conditions prior to human settlement.

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 7 To assess the floristic quality within the project area, the mean C-values for the entire property as well as per species richness quadrat were calculated. The C-values were obtained from the CNHP’s Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment Database (CNHP 2009) and are included in the Vascular Plant Species List presented in Appendix D.

3.5.2 RESULTS A total of 89 vascular plant species were observed at Moore OS. These include one species of tree, 11 shrubs/subshrubs, 16 perennial graminoids, 37 perennial forbs, one cactus, 21 annual/biennial forbs, and two species of annual graminoids. Of the total, 25 or 28% are non-native and 8 species are Colorado State listed noxious weeds.

The results of the floristic quality assessment show that Moore OS has a rich floristic diversity across all its native habitats (Transects T2, T3, and T4), with mean C-values per transect for native species of 5.2 to 5.6. When all species are considered, these values are understandably lower, with mean C-values of 4.5 to 4.8. These values are not unexpected, given the past land use history and that some non-native plants such as Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome appear to be naturalized throughout the site. For the Ruderal Sagebrush Shrubland the mean C is 3.8 for all species and 5.0 for just native plants. For the entire property, the mean C is 3.7 for all species and 5.1 for native species. In general, those areas with a mean C of >4.5 warrant an A-rating (excellent), between 3.5 and 4.5 is a B rating (good), between 2.5 and 3.5 is a C-rating (fair) and <2.5 is a D-rating (poor) (Rocchio 2007).

3.6 POLLINATOR HABITAT The mixed mountain shrublands and native shrublands at Moore OS provide a rich array of native flowers interspersed among the shrubs and are important pollinator habitat. Pollination, whether by native bees, butterflies, moths, flies, bats, beetles or other insects, is critical to ecosystem health as pollinators help plants reproduce and produce enough seeds for dispersal and propagation and maintain genetic diversity within plant populations. Unfortunately, scientists have noticed that the health of pollinator populations has been negatively impacted over recent decades by a variety of factors: the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of habitat; diminished quantity and quality of food sources; reduced availability of sites for mating, nesting, and migration; exposure to pesticides; and increased adverse effects from pathogens, arthropod pests, and parasites (USDA and USDOI 2015). Thus, managing for pollinators is an important component of land management. According to Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices For Federal Lands (USDA and USDOI 2015) managing for pollinators involves providing, protecting and ensuring long-term productivity of wildflower-rich foraging habitat; providing nest sites for native bees (i.e. undisturbed open ground or downed woody debris); providing host plants for butterflies; and providing overwintering refuge for other insects.

4.0 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are based on our current understanding of the property.

• Continue noxious weed management on the property. An integrated weed management approach is recommended, incorporating mechanical, chemical, and cultural techniques. In addition, we recommend that noxious weed control work be done both along the trails as well as in the interior of the property to reduce on-going seed sources of these noxious weeds. A back-pack type sprayer (if not already being used) will likely be needed for the interior of the property, or plumeless thistle rosettes can also be pulled mechanically. In addition, cheatgrass and other annual weeds should be controlled while populations are relatively small in overall extent. These annual weeds currently are located along trails, however they have the ability to spread throughout the property and dense stands, once dry, increase fire hazard and can change ecosystem structure and function.

• Protect and preserve relatively intact native habitats. Avoid building additional trails in the Gambel Oak- Serviceberry, Serviceberry-Snowberry, or Sagebrush-Snowberry vegetation types which contain a high percentage of native plants. If new trails are necessary, use only native seed mixtures for reclamation.

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 8 • Consider ways to improve the diversity and presence of native forbs in all restoration activities at Moore OS, which is important for native pollinators. More specifically: o When planting wildflower seeds, use minimum till drills that use small seed boxes specifically built to deliver small forb seeds. o If seeding grasses, seed forbs in separate rows or in separate areas from where grasses are seeded. Grasses are very competitive and may outcompete forbs if planted in the same location. Seed native grass species in amounts to allow native forbs to establish successfully; i.e., do not “over-seed” grasses. o Seed a diversity of native forb species with different flowering times, different colored flowers and shapes, and from different plant families to attract a greater diversity of pollinators for foraging adults as well as to sustain larval forms.

• Improve the recovery of areas “hit-hard” by past noxious weed control efforts. These areas would benefit by hand-broadcasting native seed collected on site. Native seed should be likely raked into the soil for best results.

• Consider enhancing the ecological value of the narrowleaf cottonwood ruderal riparian woodland by planting additional native riparian trees and shrubs for the benefit of wildlife.

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 9 5.0 REFERENCES

Ackerfield, J. 2015. Flora of Colorado Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Page 818, Fortworth, Texas. CNHP. 2009. Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment Database. Colorado State University, Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP), Fort Collins, Colorado. Data exported Feb 12, 2009. CNHP. 2018. Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP), Element Occurrence Tracking Lists by State and County (updated March 2018). [Online]. Available: http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/list.html. Lowsky, J., M. Craig, L. Tasker, and D. Will. 2001. Moore Open Space Managment Plan. Page 39 pp. Adopted May 23, 2001 by the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners and the Pitkin County Open Space adn Trails Board of Trustees. PCOST. 2019. DRAFT Moore Open Space Managment Plan. Page 36 pp. Version 190820. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST). Rocchio, J. 2007. Floristic Quality Assessment Indices for Colorado Plant Communities. Prepared for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Wetlands Program and US EPA Region 8. Published by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. USDA and USDOI. 2015. Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices For Federal Lands. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Interior. May 11, 2015. Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/BMPs/. USNVC. 2019. United States National Vegetation Classification Database, V2.03. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee, Washington DC. [usnvc.org] accessed 03 September 2019.

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 10 6.0 MAPS

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 11 106°51'30"W 106°51'0"W 106°50'30"W 106°50'0"W 39°12'30"N 39°12'30"N 39°12'0"N 39°12'0"N

Project Location 39°11'30"N 39°11'30"N 39°11'0"N 39°11'0"N

106°51'30"W 106°51'0"W 106°50'30"W 106°50'0"W BASE: USGS 7.5' Aspen, Colorado Quadrangle Grid Lat/Long WGS 1984 Map 1. Project Location Moore Open Space Pitkin County, Colorado

Map Location Ü Peak Ecological Services LLC 301 Boulder Canyon Drive Scale: 1:24,000 Nederland, CO 80466 1 inch = 2,000 feet [email protected] COLORADO September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 12 340259 340411 340564 340716 340869 341021

Vegetation Types Weedy Cottonwood (C) Gambel Oak (GO)

4340462 Serviceberry (SE) 4340462 Sagebrush (SA) Weedy Sagebrush (S) Non-Native Grassland (NNG) Disturbed (D) Paved Path (PP)

4340310 SE 4340310 GO SE S C

GO MOOR-4 SE C SA SE

SE S S PP NNG S S GO

4340157 NNG 4340157 S NNG S SA GO SA SE S S GO SE SE SE GO SE SA S S GO SA MOOR-3 MOOR-1 GO D SA GO GO S GO S SA S

4340005 SE 4340005 S SE S MOOR-2

SE SA GO SE GO S S SE 4339853 4339853 4339700 4339700

BASE: 2014 Pitkin County Aerial (6") Map 2. Vegetation Types GRID: UTM NAD83 Z13 Moore Open Space Pitkin County, Colorado Legend Moore Property Boundary Ü Parcel Boundaries Scale: 1:4,500 Peak Ecological Services LLC Permanent Vegetation Transect (50-meter) 1 inch = 375 feet 301 Boulder Canyon Drive Nederland, CO 80466 [email protected] September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page 13

APPENDIX A. QUANTITATIVE VEGETATION DATA

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Transect T-1 Ruderal Sagebrush Grass Shrubland

Sample # T1

Vegetation Type Ruderal Sagebrush Grass Shrubland USNVC (2019) Assocation Code CEGL002339 Date 6/19/2019 Number of Species 16 Number of Non‐Native Species 4 Total C 60 Mean C All 3.75 Mean C Natives 5.0 Absolute Cover Natives 11.0% Relative Cover Natives 24%

TOTAL HITS 100 Total Vegetation Cover 46 Total Non‐Veg Cover 54 1st Hit Absolute Relative Scientific Name Common Name Origin C‐Value Data Cover Cover

Shrubs/Subshrubs Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana Mountain big sagebrush N 5 9 9.0% 19.6% Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sticky rabbitbrush N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Shrubs/Subshrubs Total 9.0% 19.6%

Perennial Graminoids Achnatherum nelsonii Nelson's needlegrass N 6 1 1.0% 2.2% Bromus inermis Smooth brome I 0 1 1.0% 2.2% Elytrigia repens Quackgrass I 0 3 3.0% 6.5%

Juncus arcticus var. balticus (=J. balticus) Baltic rush N 4 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass I 0 29 29.0% 63.0% Perennial Graminoids Total 34.0% 73.9%

Perennial Forbs Agoseris glauca Pale agoseris N 6 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Lithospermum ruderale Western stoneseed N 4 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Mertensia brevistyla Shortstyle bluebells N 8 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain penstemon N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Viola nuttallii Nuttall's violet N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Perennial Forbs Total ‐‐ ‐‐

Annual/Biennial Forbs Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle I 0 2 2.0% 4.3% Collomia linearis Narrowleaf mountain trumpet N 4 1 1.0% 2.2% Hackelia floribunda Manyflower stickseed N 3 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Nemophila breviflora Basin nemophila N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Annual/Biennial Forbs Total 3.0% 6.5%

TOTAL VEGETATION COVER 46.0% 100.0%

Non‐Vegetation Cover Litter 49 49.0% Rock 1 1.0% Soil 3 3.0% Standing Dead 1 1.0% TOTAL NON‐VEGETATION COVER 54.0%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-1 Transect T-2 Gambel Oak - Serviceberry Shrubland

Sample # T2

Vegetation Type Oak ‐ Serviceberry Shrubland USNVC (2019) Assocation Code CEGL001109 Date 6/19/2019 Number of Species 32 Number of Non‐Native Species 3 Total C 150 Mean C All 4.7 Mean C Natives 5.2 Absolute Cover Natives 77.0% Relative Cover Natives 85.8%

TOTAL HITS 100 Total Vegetation Cover 84 Total Non‐Veg Cover 16 Absolute Relative Scientific Name Common Name Origin C‐Value 1st Hit 2nd Hit Cover Cover

Shrubs/Subshrubs Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry N 6 11 11.0% 10.4% Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana Mountain big sagebrush N 5 1 1 1.0% 1.9% Berberis repens (Mahonia) Oregon grape N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sticky rabbitbrush N 5 2 2.0% 1.9% Purshia tridentata Antelope bitterbrush N 6 p 1 ‐‐ 0.9% Quercus gambelii Gambel oak N 5 19 2 19.0% 19.8% Symphoricarpos rotundifolius (=S. oreophilus) Roundleaf snowberry N 5 18 10 18.0% 26.4% Shrubs/Subshrubs Total 51.0% 61.3%

Perennial Graminoids Achnatherum nelsonii Nelson's needlegrass N 6 4 4.0% 3.8% Bromelica spectabilis Purple oniongrass N 8 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Koeleria macrantha Prairie Junegrass N 6 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass I 0 7 8 7.0% 14.2% Perennial Graminoids Total 11.0% 17.9%

Perennial Forbs Agoseris glauca Pale agoseris N 6 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Balsamorhiza sagittata Arrowleaf balsamroot N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Boechera retrofracta Second rockcress N 7 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Boechera stricta (=B. drummondii) Drummond's rockcress N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Delphinium nuttallianum Nuttall's larkspur N 6 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Erigeron speciosus Aspen fleabane N 5 1 1.0% 0.9% Eriogonum subalpinum sulphur‐flower buckwheat N 6 2 2.0% 1.9% Lathyrus lanszwerti var. leucanthus (=L. leucanthus) Whiteflower pea N 6 2 2.0% 1.9% Lomatium triternatum subsp. platycarpum Great Basin desertparsley N 7 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Lupinus argenteus Silvery lupine N 5 12 12.0% 11.3% Psilochenia acuminata Tapertip hawksbeard N 6 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Senecio integerrimus Lambstongue groundsel N 5 2 2.0% 1.9% Vicia americana American vetch N 5 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Wyethia amplexicaulis Mule‐ears N 3 1 1.0% 0.9% Perennial Forbs Total 20.0% 18.9%

Annual/Biennial Forbs Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle I 0 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Chenopodium album Lambsquarters I 0 p ‐‐ ‐‐

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-2 Transect T-2 Gambel Oak - Serviceberry Shrubland

Sample # T2 Collomia linearis Narrowleaf mountain trumpet N 4 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Collinsia parviflora Blue‐eyed Mary N 4 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Hackelia floribunda Manyflower stickseed N 3 p ‐‐ ‐‐ Nemophila breviflora Basin nemophila N 5 1 1.0% 0.9% Annual/Biennial Forbs Total 1.0% 0.9%

Cyptogams Moss Moss N 1 1.0% 0.9% Cyptogams Total 1.0% 0.9%

TOTAL VEGETATION COVER 84.0% 100.0%

Non‐Vegation Cover Litter 12 12.0% Rock 0.0% Soil 11.0% Standing Dead 33.0% TOTAL NON‐VEGETATION COVER 16.0%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-3 Transect T-3 Serviceberry Shrubland

Sample # T3 Vegetation Type Serviceberry Shrubland USNVC (2019) Assocation Code CEGL001068 Date 6/19/2019 Number of Species 31 Number of Non‐Native Species 4 Total C 150 Mean C All 4.8 Mean C Natives 5.6 Absolute Cover Natives 61.0% Relative Cover Natives 76.4%

TOTAL HITS 100 Total Vegetation Cover 77 Total Non‐Veg Cover 23 1st Hit 2nd Hit Absolute Relative Scientific Name Common Name Origin C‐Value Data Data Cover Cover

Shrubs/Subshrubs Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry N 6 29 29.0% 27.4% Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana Mountain big sagebrush N5p ‐‐‐‐ Berberis repens (Mahonia) Oregon grape N5p ‐‐‐‐ Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sticky rabbitbrush N 5 5 5.0% 4.7% Symphoricarpos rotundifolius (=S. oreophilus) Roundleaf snowberry N 5 11 17 11.0% 26.4% Shrubs/Subshrubs Total 45.0% 58.5%

Perennial Graminoids Achnatherum nelsonii Nelson's needlegrass N 6 2 2.0% 1.9%

Agropyron cristatum (=A. desertorum) Crested wheatgrass I 0 3 3.0% 2.8% Bromelica spectabilis Purple oniongrass N8p ‐‐‐‐ Bromus inermis Smooth brome I 0 4 5 4.0% 8.5% Carex geyeri Elk sedge N6p ‐‐‐‐ Hesperostipa comata Needle and thread grass N6p ‐‐‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass I 0 9 4 9.0% 12.3% Perennial Graminoids Total 18.0% 25.5%

Perennial Forbs Agoseris glauca Pale agoseris N6p ‐‐‐‐ Balsamorhiza sagittata Arrowleaf balsamroot N 5 1 1.0% 0.9%

Comandra umbellata subsp. pallida Comandra, pale bastard toadflax N5p ‐‐‐‐ Delphinium nuttallianum Nuttall's larkspur N6p ‐‐‐‐ Eremogone congesta Ballhead sandwort N8p ‐‐‐‐ Erigeron speciosus Aspen fleabane N 5 2 1 2.0% 2.8% Eriogonum subalpinum sulphur‐flower buckwheat N6p ‐‐‐‐ Eriogonum umbellatum Sulphur‐flower buckwheat N6p ‐‐‐‐ Lathyrus lanszwerti var. leucanthus (=L. leucanthus) Whiteflower pea N6p ‐‐‐‐ Lupinus argenteus Silvery lupine N 5 7 2 7.0% 8.5% Melandrium dioicum Red catchfly I0p ‐‐‐‐ Mertensia brevistyla Shortstyle bluebells N8p ‐‐‐‐ Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain penstemon N5p ‐‐‐‐ Psilochenia acuminata Tapertip hawksbeard N6p ‐‐‐‐ Senecio integerrimus Lambstongue groundsel N 5 1 1.0% 0.9% Vicia americana American vetch N 5 1 1.0% 0.9% Wyethia amplexicaulis Mule‐ears N3p ‐‐‐‐ Perennial Forbs Total 12.0% 14.2%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-4 Transect T-3 Serviceberry Shrubland

Sample # T3

Annual/Biennial Forbs

Collomia linearis Narrowleaf mountain trumpet N 4 2 2.0% 1.9% Collinsia parviflora Blue‐eyed Mary N4p ‐‐‐‐ Annual/Biennial Forbs Total 2.0% 1.9%

TOTAL VEGETATION COVER 77.0% 100.0%

Non‐Vegation Cover Litter 19 19.0% Rock 0.0% Soil 11.0% Standing Dead 33.0% TOTAL NON‐VEGETAION COVER 23.0%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-5 Transect T-4 Sagebrush - Snowberry Shrubland

Sample # T4

Vegetation Type Sagebrush ‐ Snowberry Shrubland USNVC (2019) Assocation Code CEGL001034 Date 6/19/2019 Number of Species 27 Number of Non‐Native 5 Total C 121 Mean C All 4.5 Mean C Natives 5.5 Absolute Cover Natives 62.0% Relative Cover Natives 80.8%

TOTAL HITS 100 Total Vegetation Cover 76 Total Non‐Veg Cover 24 1st Hit 2nd Hit Absolute Relative Scientific Name Common Name Origin C‐Value Data Data Cover Cover

Shrubs/Subshrubs Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry N 6 1 1.0% 1.3% Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana Mountain big sagebrush N 5 8 8.0% 10.3% Berberis repens (Mahonia) Oregon grape N5p ‐‐‐‐ Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sticky rabbitbrush N 5 1 1.0% 1.3% Purshia tridentata Antelope bitterbrush N 6 1 1.0% 1.3% Symphoricarpos rotundifolius (=S. oreophilus) Roundleaf snowberry N 5 20 20.0% 25.6%

Shrubs/Subshrubs Total 31.0% 39.7% Perennial Graminoids Achnatherum nelsonii Nelson's needlegrass N 6 1 1.0% 1.3% Bromus inermis Smooth brome I 0 5 5.0% 6.4% Carex duriuscula Needleleaf sedge N 7 1 1.0% 1.3% Hesperostipa comata Needle and thread grass N6p ‐‐‐‐ Koeleria macrantha Prairie Junegrass N6p ‐‐‐‐ Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass I 0 6 1 6.0% 9.0%

Perennial Graminoids Total 13.0% 17.9% Perennial Forbs Balsamorhiza sagittata Arrowleaf balsamroot N 5 5 5.0% 6.4%

Perennial Forbs Total 29.0% 38.5% Annual/Biennial Forbs Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle I 0 2 2.0% 2.6% Chenopodium album Lambsquarters I0p ‐‐‐‐

Collomia linearis Narrowleaf mountain trumpet N4p ‐‐‐‐ Spergularia rubra Red sandspurry I 0 1 1.0% 1.3%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-6 Transect T-4 Sagebrush - Snowberry Shrubland

Sample # T4

Annual/Biennial Forbs Total 3.0% 3.8%

TOTAL VEGETATION COVER 76.0% 100.0% Non‐Vegetation Cover Litter 20 20.0% Rock 11.0% Soil 0.0% Standing Dead 33.0% TOTAL NON‐VEGETATION COVER 24.0%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page A-7

APPENDIX B. QUANTITATIVE VEGETATION PHOTOS

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space TRANSECT 1. RUDERAL SAGEBRUSH SHRUBLAND

TRANSECT 1 START (JUN-19-2019). TRANSECT 1 END (JUN-19-2019).

DATE 6/19/2019 GPS START GPS POINT: 754 340558E 4339995N GPS END GPS POINT: 755 340512E 4340017N ORIENTATION 282 DEG ASPECT SWALE SLOPE <5%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page B-1 TRANSECT 2. OAK - SERVICEBERRY SHRUBLAND

TRANSECT 2 START (JUN-19-2019). TRANSECT 2 END (JUN-19-2019).

DATE 6/19/2019 GPS START 756 340744E 4339931N GPS END 760 340793E 4339921N ORIENTATION 83 DEG ASPECT RIDGETOP SLOPE <5%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page B-2 TRANSECT 3. SERVICEBERRY SHRUBLAND

TRANSECT 3 START (JUN-19-2019). TRANSECT 3 END (JUN-19-2019).

DATE 6/19/2019 GPS START 757 340829N 4340024N GPS END 758 340853E 4340065N ORIENTATION 11 DEG ASPECT RIDGETOP SLOPE <5%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page B-3 TRANSECT 4. SAGEBRUSH - SERVICEBERRY SHRUBLAND

TRANSECT 4 START (JUN-19-2019). TRANSECT 4 END (JUN-19-2019).

DATE 6/19/2019 GPS START 768 340580E 4340223N GPS END 769 340626E 4340241N ORIENTATION 59 DEG ASPECT MID-SLOPE SLOPE <5%

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page B-4

APPENDIX C. SUMMARY CHARTS OF QUANTITATIVE VEGETATION

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space

Absolute Vegetative Cover and Non-Vegetative Cover per Transect 120

100

Standing Dead

Absolute Absolute Cover % Soil 40 Rock Litter 20 Total Vegetation Cover

Figure C-1. Absolute Vegetative Cover and Non-Vegetative Cover per Transect

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page C-1 Relative Cover of Native and Non-Native Plants 120%

100%

80%

60%

40% Non-Natives Relative Relative Vegetative Cover (%) 20% Natives

Figure C-2. Relative Cover of Native and Non-Native Plants

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page C-2 Floristic Quality Assessment 6.0

5.0

4.0 Value - 3.0 Average C 2.0 Mean C All Mean C Natives

1.0

0.0

Figure C-3. Floristic Quality Assessment

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page C-3

APPENDIX D. VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES LIST

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Moore Open Space ‐ 2019 Vascular Plant Species List

Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Trees Populus angustifolia Narrowleaf cottonwoodSalicaceae N 5 Shrubs/Subshrubs Amelanchier alnifolia ServiceberryRosaceae N 6 Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana Mountain big sagebrushAsteraceae N 5 Berberis repens (Mahonia) Oregon grapeBerberidaceae N 5 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sticky rabbitbrushAsteraceae N 5 Ericameria nauseosa Rubber rabbitbrushAsteraceae N 3 (=Chrysothamnus ) Ericameria parryi Parry's rabbitbrushAsteraceae N 4 Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa ChokecherryRosaceae N 4 Purshia tridentata Antelope bitterbrushRosaceae N 6 Quercus gambelii Gambel oakFagaceae N 5 Salix exigua Sandbar willow, coyote Asteraceae N3 willow Symphoricarpos rotundifolius (=S. Roundleaf snowberryCaprifoliaceae N 5 oreophilus) Perennial Graminoids Achnatherum nelsonii Nelson's needlegrassPoaceae N 6 Agropyron cristatum (=A. Crested wheatgrassPoaceae I 0 desertorum) Bromelica spectabilis Purple oniongrassPoaceae N 8 Bromus inermis Smooth bromePoaceae I 0 Carex duriuscula (=C. stenophylla) Needleleaf sedgeCyperaceae N 7 Carex geyeri Elk sedgeCyperaceae N 6 Dactylis glomerata OrchardgrassPoaceae I 0 Elymus elymoides SquirreltailPoaceae N 4 Elymus repens (+Elytrigia) QuackgrassPoaceae I C 0 Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescuePoaceae N 7 Hesperostipa comata Needle and thread grassPoaceae N 6 Juncus arcticus var. balticus (=J. Baltic rushJuncaceae N 4 balticus)

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Page 1 of 4

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page D-1 Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Koeleria macrantha Prairie JunegrassPoaceae N 6 Pascopyrum smithii Western wheatgrassPoaceae N 5 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrassPoaceae I 0 Thinopyrum intermedium Intermediate wheatgrassPoaceae I 0 Perennial Forbs Achillea lanulosa YarrowAsteraceae N 4 Agoseris glauca Pale agoserisAsteraceae N 6 Antennaria parvifolia Small‐leaf pussytoesAsteraceae N 5 Artemisia frigida Fringed sage, prairie Asteraceae N4 sagewort Balsamorhiza sagittata Arrowleaf balsamrootAsteraceae N 5 Boechera retrofracta Second rockcressBrassicaceae N 7 Boechera stricta (=B. drummondii) Drummond's rockcressBrassicaceae N 5 Calochortus gunnisonii Mariposa lilyLiliaceae N 7 Castilleja linariifolia Narrowleaf Indian Orobanchaceae N6 paintbrush Chamerion angustifolium FireweedOnagraceae N 4 (=Epilobium) Comandra umbellata subsp. pallida Comandra, pale bastard Santalaceae N5 toadflax Delphinium nuttallianum Nuttall's larkspurRanunculaceae N 6 Eremogone congesta Ballhead sandwortCaryophyllaceae N 8 Erigeron flagellaris Trailing fleabaneAsteraceae N 3 Erigeron speciosus Aspen fleabaneAsteraceae N 5 Eriogonum umbellatum var. Common sulphur‐flowerPolygonaceae N 6 umbellatum Eriogonum umbellatum var. Subalpine sulphur‐flowerPolygonaceae N 6 subalpinum Frasera speciosa Monument plant, Gentianaceae N6 Elkweed Ipomopsis aggregata Scarlet giliaPolemoniaceae N 5 Lathyrus lanszwerti var. leucanthus Whiteflower peaFabaceae N 6 (=L. leucanthus) Ligusticum porteri Osha, lovageApiaceae N 7 Linaria vulgaris Butter and eggs, toadflaxPlantaginaceae I B 0

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Page 2 of 4

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page D-2 Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Linum lewisii (=Adenolinum) Wild blue flaxLinaceae N 4 Lithospermum ruderale Western stoneseedBoraginaceae N 4 Lomatium triternatum subsp. Great Basin Apiaceae N7 platycarpum desertparsley Lupinus argenteus Silvery lupineFabaceae N 5 Melandrium dioicum Red catchflyCaryophyllaceae I 0 Mertensia brevistyla Shortstyle bluebellsBoraginaceae N 8 Onosmodium molle subsp. Western marbleseed N 5 occidentale Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain Plantaginaceae N5 penstemon Psilochenia acuminata Tapertip hawksbeardAsteraceae N 6 Senecio integerrimus Lambstongue groundselAsteraceae N 5 Sphaeralcea coccinea Scarlet globemallowMalvaceae N 4 Taraxacum officinale DandelionAsteraceae I 0 Vicia americana American vetchFabaceae N 5 Viola nuttallii Nuttall's violetViolaceae N 5 Wyethia amplexicaulis Mule‐earsAsteraceae N 3 Cacti Opuntia fragilis Brittle pricklypearCactaceae N 3 Annual/Biennial Forbs Alyssum simplex (=A.minus) AlyssumBrassicaceae I 0 Camelina microcarpa False flaxBrassicaceae I 0 Capsella bursa‐pastoris Shepherd's purseBrassicaceae I 0 Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistleAsteraceae I B 0 Chenopodium album LambsquartersChenopodiaceae I 0 Collinsia parviflora Blue‐eyed MaryPlantaginaceae N 4 Collomia linearis Narrowleaf mountain Polemoniaceae N4 trumpet Cynoglossum officinale HoundstongueBoraginaceae I B 0 Descurainia incana Mountain tansymustardBrassicaceae N 2 Gayophytum diffusum subsp. Diffuse groundsmokeOnagraceae N 4 parviflorum Hackelia floribunda Manyflower stickseedBoraginaceae N 3

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Page 3 of 4

September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page D-3 Scientific Name Common Name Family Origin C‐ Voucher Value Photo

Kochia scoparia (=Bassia sieversiana) KochiaAsteraceae I 0 Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuceAsteraceae I 0 Lepidium campestre (=Neolepia) Field pepperweedBrassicaceae I 0 Nemophila breviflora Basin nemophilaBoraginaceae N 5 Polygonum douglasii Douglas' knotweedPolygonaceae N 3 Sisymbrium altissimum Tumble mustardBrassicaceae I 0 Spergularia rubra Red sandspurryCaryophyllaceae I 0 Thlaspi arvense Field pennycressBrassicaceae I 0 Tripleurospermum perforatum Scentless chamomileAsteraceae I B 0 (Matricaria) Verbascum thapsus MulleinScrophulariaceae I C 0 Annual Graminoids Bromus tectorum (=Anisantha) Cheatgrass, Downy Poaceae IC 0 brome Poa bulbosa Bulbous bluegrassPoaceae I C 0

Notes: Nomenclature generally follows Flora of Colorado (Ackerfield 2015) with Weber and Wittmann (2012) synonyms in parantheses. Origin: N=Native; I=Introduced, I+A,B,C,W = Colorado Listed Noxious Weed and Rank. C‐Value from Rocchio (2007), where 0 (non‐ native species); 1‐3 (commonly found in non‐natural areas), 4‐6 (equally found n natural and non‐natural areas); 7‐9 (obligate to natural areas but can sustain some habitat degredation); 10 (obligate to high quality natural areas (relatively unaltered from pre‐ European settlement). Voucher / Photo: checkmark indicates whether a voucher and/or photograph were taken, respectively. List compiled by Rea Orthner, Peak Ecological Services LLC.

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September 2019 - Vegetation Monitoring Report – Moore Open Space Page D-4