SPECIES: Scientific [common] Lewisia sacajaweana – B. L. Wilson & E. Rey- Vizgirdas [Sacajawea’s Bitter-Root] Forest: Salmon–Challis National Forest Forest Reviewer: Brittni Brown; John Proctor Date of Review: 15 February 2018; 13 March 2018 Forest concurrence (or YES recommendation if new) for inclusion of species on list of potential SCC: (Enter Yes or No)

FOREST REVIEW RESULTS:

1. The Forest concurs or recommends the species for inclusion on the list of potential SCC: Yes_X__ No___

2. Rationale for not concurring is based on (check all that apply): Species is not native to the plan area ______Species is not known to occur in the plan area ______Species persistence in the plan area is not of substantial concern ______

FOREST REVIEW INFORMATION:

1. Is the Species Native to the Plan Area? Yes _X_ No___

If no, provide explanation and stop assessment.

2. Is the Species Known to Occur within the Planning Area? Yes _X _ No___

If no, stop assessment. Table 1. All Known Occurrences, Years, and Frequency within the Planning Area Year Number of Location of Observations (USFS Source of Information Observed Individuals District, Town, River, Road Intersection, HUC, etc.) July 31, 267 total North Fork Ranger District IDFG Element Occurrence EO 1990 individuals Bighorn Crags, along the Crags Number: 4 (4 Trail (FS Trail 021) on divide EO_ID: 26536 populations) between Roaring Creek and Old EO_ID: 4417 Clear Creek Xeric crest, all aspects, 0-8 percent slope, open whitebark pine woodland, 8,900 feet in elevation. July 31, 53 total North Fork Ranger District IDFG Element Occurrence EO 1990 individuals Along the Crags Trail (FS Trail Number: 5 021) about 1 mile south of

Year Number of Location of Observations (USFS Source of Information Observed Individuals District, Town, River, Road Intersection, HUC, etc.) (3 Cathedral Rock and 2.7 miles EO_ID: 26519 populations) NW of Crags Campground Old EO_ID: 1714 Xeric crest, all aspects, 0-3 percent slope, open whitebark pine woodland, 8,800 feet in elevation.

a. Are all Species Occurrences Only Accidental or Transient?

Yes___ No_ X _

If yes, document source for determination and stop assessment.

b. For species with known occurrences on the Forest since 1990, based on the number of observations and/or year of last observation, can the species be presumed to be established or becoming established in the plan area?

Yes_ X_ No___

If no, provide explanation and stop assessment

c. For species with known occurrences on the Forest predating 1990, does the weight of evidence suggest the species still occurs in the plan area?

Yes___ No___

Provide explanation for determination: N/A. Occurrences have been recorded since 1990.

If determination is no, stop assessment

d. Map 1, Sacajawea range in and surrounding states and provinces (NRCS 2017)

NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2017. Lewisia sacajaweana. B.L. Wilson & E. Rey-Vizg. Sacajawea bitter root. Internet website: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=LESA17. Accessed on October 16, 2017.

e. Map 2, Sacajawea bitterroot occurrences on the Salmon–Challis National Forest (IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System, Species Diversity Database, Idaho Natural Heritage Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017.)

3. Is There Substantial Concern for the Species’ Capability to persist Over the Long-term in the Plan Area Based on Best Available Scientific Information?

Table 2. Status summary based on existing conservation assessments

Entity Status/Rank (include definition if Other) Global Rank G2+— Imperiled (At high risk of extinction due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors. A “+” follows the G and/or T rank if the species is an Idaho endemic and has the sole rank global and/or trinomial rank authority.)1 State Rank S2— Imperiled (At high risk of extinction due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors.)1 USDA Forest Region 1: Not listed2 Service Region 4: Sensitive Boise, Challis, Payette, Salmon, and Sawtooth (?) National Forests3 USDI FWS Not listed as a candidate species4 Other Idaho Native Society: G2S2 RARE5

BLM: Type 4 (These are species generally rare in Idaho with small populations or localized distribution and currently have low threat levels. However, due to the small populations and habitat area, certain future land uses in close proximity could significantly jeopardize these species)6 1. Idaho Natural Heritage Program. 2016. IDNHP Tracked Plant Species 2016. Accessed January 12, 2018 2. USFS Region 1. 2011. 2011 Sensitive Species List Idaho and . Website: http://fsweb.r1.fs.fed.us/wildlife/wwfrp/TESnew.htm. Accessed January 10, 2017. 3. USFS Region 4. 2016. Proposed, Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species List. On file. Accessed January 11, 2017. 4. USFWS. 2017. Candidate species believed to or known to occur in Idaho. Website: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/reports/species-listed-by-state-report?state=ID&status=candidate. Accessed January 12, 2018. 5. Idaho Native Plant Society. 2016. INPS Rare Plant List May 2016. https://idahonativeplants.org/rare-plants-list/ Accessed January 10, 2018. 6. BLM. 2016. Bureau of Land Management Idaho Special Status Plants List Aug 2016. On file. Accessed 15 January, 2018.

Table 3. Status summary based on best available scientific information.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 1 A1 Sacajawea’s bitterroot is known from two occurrences on the Salmon- IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Distribution on Challis National Forest from the North Fork Ranger District (IDFG 2017), Information System, Species Diversity Salmon–Challis suggesting the species is scarce (Rank A). Although, a floristic inventory of Database, Idaho Natural Heritage National Forest the SCNF took place (Irwin 2014), targeted systematic surveys have not Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. been conducted on the Forest. Potential habitat (see Criterion 6) is patchy and isolated. Irwin, J. J. 2014. “A Floristic Inventory of East-Central Idaho, U.S.A.” Master’s thesis, University of , Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Laramie. 2 B Sacajawea’s bitterroot is an Idaho endemic; its distribution is limited to Mancuso, M. 2014. “Rare Plant Profile Distribution in approximately 40 occurrences in four (Boise, Custer, Elmore, Valley; – Sacajawea’s bitterroot – a gem in the surrounding NRCS 2017), five (Lemhi), or seven (Adams, ; NatureServe Gem State mountains.” Sage Notes, a geographic area 2017) counties in the mountains of central Idaho, with sources differing publication of the Idaho Native Plant on which observations are considered reliable. Occurrences generally Society 36 (1): 15.

contain less than 100 plants each, though some have between 500 up to NRCS (United States Department of a few thousand plants (NatureServe 2017, Tetra Tech 2015). Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2017. Lewisia The entire known distribution encompasses an area roughly 120 miles sacajaweana B.L. Wilson & E. Rey-Vizg. long by 75 miles wide, including portions of the Payette, Boise, Sawtooth, Sacajawea bitter root. Internet and Salmon–Challis National Forests (Mancuso 2014). website: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?s Lewisia sacajaweana, endemic to Idaho, and was described as a distinct ymbol=LESA17. Accessed on October species from L. kelloggii by Wilson et al. (2005). L. kelloggii is now 16, 2017. considered to only occur in the Sierra mountains in . NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life Because this species has a limited distribution outside of the Salmon– [web application]. Version 7.1. Challis National Forest, this criterion was ranked “B.” NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia Internet website:

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low http://explorer.natureserve.org/servle t/NatureServe?searchName=Lewisia+s acajaweana. Accessed on October 16, 2017.

Tetra Tech. 2015. Sacajawea’s Bitterroot and Other Sensitive Plant Survey Report, CuMo Exploration Project. Tetra Tech, Boise, Idaho.

Wilson, B.L., Hipkins, V.D., Rey- Vizgirdas, E., Kaye, T.N. 2015. Variation in (Portulaceae) with description of a new species endemic to Idaho. Western North American Naturalist, 65(3): 345-358. 3 B Literature describing the dispersal capability of Sacajawea’s bitterroot is Bandringa, R. W. 1999. “The Dispersal not available; however, dispersal characteristics may be inferred by Ethnobotany and Descriptive Ecology Capability examining literature available for common bitterroot (L. rediviva), which of Bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva Pursh occurs in similar habitats in the region. (Portulaceae), in the Lower Thompson River Valley, : A Salient Root Food of the Nlaka’pamux Common bitterroot (Howard 1993) reproduces solely by seed, as it lacks First Nation.” Master’s thesis, rhizomes or other means of reproducing vegetatively (Flora of North University of British Columbia, America 2017). Common bitterroot seeds are borne in capsules, and are Vancouver, Canada. dispersed by wind and gravity (Bandringa 1999). Common bitterroot seeds do not appear to be transported long distances by animals or other Flora of . 2017. Lewisia means, likely limiting dispersal capability to relatively short distances kelloggii in Flora of North America @ from the parent plant. efloras.org. Internet website: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.asp Sacajawea’s bitterroot is likely similarly limited in dispersal capability. x?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415772. Because Sacajawea’s bitterroot occupies relatively stable habitats (i.e., Accessed on October 16, 2017.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations late-successional open forest habitat) dispersal likely plays a less Howard, J. L. 1993. Lewisia rediviva. In: significant role in its life history. For these reasons, this criterion was Fire Effects Information System, ranked “B.” Because specific studies for the dispersal capabilities of this [Online]. U.S. Department of taxon have not been completed, confidence is somewhat lowered. Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Internet website: Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/pl ants/forb/lewred/all.html. Accessed on October 17, 2017. 4 A Sacajawea’s bitterroot is known from two occurrences on the SCNF, both IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Abundance on the on the North Fork Ranger District. Both were last surveyed in 1990 and Information System, Species Diversity Salmon–Challis total population was estimated as just over 300 individuals, suggesting Database, Idaho Natural Heritage National Forest the species is rare on the Forest. Current abundance is likely low enough Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. that demographic stochasticity could lead to rapid local extinction (Rank A).

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 5 D Populations have not been monitored consistently on the SCNF and no Population Trend data is available that would provide population trends (Rank D). on the Salmon– Challis National Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Forest 6 A Habitat for Sacajawea’s bitterroot is described as montane and subalpine Flora of North America. 2017. Lewisia Habitat Trend on habitats from 5,000 to 9,500 feet in elevation, which are relatively kelloggii in Flora of North America @ the Salmon–Challis abundant on the Salmon–Challis National Forest (upper and lower sub- efloras.org. Internet website: National Forest alpine communities comprise about 28 percent of land surface on the http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.asp Forest [USFS 2017] based on LandFire biophysical data). However, x?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415772. Accessed on October 16, 2017. Sacajawea’s bitterroot has a narrow habitat specificity; occurring on

north-facing sandy or gravelly granitic (and occasionally volcanic) ridges Google Earth. 2017. Salmon–Challis (NatureServe 2017; Flora of North America 2017). Notes from the EOs National Forest. Internet website: indicate that both populations were observed in dry (xeric) conditions in https://www.google.com/earth/.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations open to partial light (IDFG 2017). The viability of the subalpine-high Accessed on October 17, 2017. montane conifer forest vegetation type in the ecological section this species occurs in is rated as “fair.” Howard, J. L. 1993. Lewisia rediviva. In: Fire Effects Information System, One of the two known occurrences of Sacajawea’s bitterroot has likely [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky been affected by wildfire. At EO 4, two of four subpopulations are within Mountain Research Station, Fire the boundary of the 2000 Clear Creek Fire. Populations tend to grow on Sciences Laboratory. Internet website: ridgelines, and thus fire suppression activities such as dozer lines may http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/pl disturb populations. Because in general are dormant in ants/forb/lewred/all.html. Accessed summer and early fall (Howard 1993), wildfires may have limited on October 17, 2017. negative effects on the plants (see Criteria 8). However, fires during active above-ground growth in the spring or late fall presumably kill the IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife foliage of bitterroots or prevent flowering by consuming floral buds Information System, Species Diversity (Howard 1993). Database, Idaho Natural Heritage Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. Sacajawea’s bitterroot has been exposed to recreation-related impacts IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and on the Forest. At both EO 4 and 5, plants are located along the Crags Trail Game). 2017b. Idaho State Wildlife (FS Trail 021) which follows the granitic ridgelines on which the plants Action Plan, 2015. Boise, ID. grow (Google Earth 2017). This suggests that the species likely faces low to moderate impacts from anthropogenic activity in known habitat. NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life Known habitat for this species on the Forest has experienced impacts [web application]. Version 7.1. including wildfire and recreation development. Given this information, NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia and the lack of surveys to assess the quality of potentially suitable Internet website: habitat, current habitat trends are assumed to have declined since the http://explorer.natureserve.org/servle species was last documented (Rank A). Confidence in this rank is t/NatureServe?searchName=Lewisia+s medium. acajaweana. Accessed on October 16, 2017.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low USFS (United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service). 2017.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Salmon-Challis National Forest Plan Revision Assessments. Topics 1& 2: Terrestrial Ecosystems, Aquatic Ecosystems, Watersheds, Air, Soil, Water.

7 B Within the habitat of this species the largest vulnerabilities would likely Behrens, P.N., R.E. Keane, D.L. Vulnerability of be changes in climate and habitat modifications related to recreational Peterson, and J.J. Ho. 2018. Chapter 6: Habitats on the use. effects of climatic variability and Salmon–Challis change on forest vegetation. In National Forest To project the future climate and impacts to resources in the Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. Intermountain Region including the Salmon-Challis, the Intermountain Changes in climate vulnerability and Adaptation Partnership (IAP) used Representative Concentration adaptation in the Intermountain Pathway [RCP] 4.5 and 8.5, which capture a moderate and high future Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- warming, respectively (Halofsky et al. 2018). Although pathways XXX. Fort Collins, CO: US Department predicting lower warming exist, the 4.5 and 8.5 pathways were chosen by of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky the IAP because they are, in comparison, well studied providing a large Mountain Research Station. set of projections that enhance our understanding of the possible range in future climate. Thus, this represents best available science for our Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, Forest with regard to a warming climate. N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. Changes in climate vulnerability and Although uncertainty exists about the magnitude and rate of changes in adaptation in the Intermountain Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- climate (For a discussion of this see Behrens et al. 2018), warming xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of temperatures are the most certain consequence of increased CO2 in the Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky atmosphere. By 2100, median minimum temperature in the Middle Mountain Research Station. Rockies subregion, which includes the Salmon-Challis, is projected to rise about 5˚F under the moderate warming scenario and about 10˚F under Hatfield, R., Jepsen, S., Mader, E., the high warming scenario. Regardless of scenario, the greatest Black, S.H., Shepherd, M. 2012. departure from historical seasonal minimum temperatures occurs in the Conserving bumble bees: guidelines

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations summer. Annual precipitation projections are highly variable with no for creating and managing habitat for discernible trend under moderate warming and a slight increasing trend America’s declining pollinators. The with high warming (Joyce and Talbert 2018). Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. L. sacajaweana occupies a narrow habitat within the montane and IDFG (Idaho Department of Fish and subalpine zones of the Forest, which may be vulnerable to climatic Game). 2017. Idaho State Wildlife factors and have a decreased adaptive capacity to changes in climate. Action Plan, 2015. Boise ID. Changes in climate is expected to cause increasingly warmer conditions, with worsening summer drought and decreasing winter snowpack Joyce, L.A. and M. Talbert. 2018. (Halofsky et al. 2018; IDFG 2017). Subalpine forb communities may also Chapter 3: Historical and projected be impacted by alterations in the amount of surface water flow and climate. In Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, timing of peak runoff, as well as increased risk of high severity wildfire. J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. Such changes may reduce the ranges of high-elevation species. 2018. Changes in climate vulnerability and adaptation in the Intermountain Summer precipitation is very important for subalpine vegetative Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- communities and the RCP emissions scenario 8.5 model (a severe xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky scenario) projects a 20% decrease in summer precipitation for the SCNF. Mountain Research Station. Decreases in soil moisture are projected to have a substantial impact on subalpine vegetation. However, cooler soil temperature at higher Miller-Struttmann, N.E., Geib, J.C., elevation may moderate effects (Halofsky et al. 2018). Franklin, J.D., Kevan, P.G., Holdo, R.M., Ebert-May, D., Lynn, A.M., Kettenbach, Changes in temperature and precipitation may also lead to greater J.A., Hedrick, E., Galen, C. 2015. variability in forb flowering, which could create an asynchronistic effect Functional mismatch in a bumble bee with native pollinator emergence (Halofsky et al. 2018; Miller-Struttmann pollination mutualism under changes et al. 2015), leading to decreased reproduction in native plants. As in climate. Science, 349(6255): 1541- pollinators are critical for successful reproduction and seed set for 1544. approximately 85% of flowering species globally (Hatfield et al. 2012), this asynchronistic effect may have profound implications.

The only known populations of L. sacajaweana are the Crags Trail (FS

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Trail 021). Trail maintenance, further trail development, and/or increases in recreational activity along the trail all pose potential threats to the habitat of the species.

The degree to which both populations and habitats are vulnerable to loss or disturbance on the Forest are dependent upon variability in severity of impacts from changes in climate and habitat modification decisions (Rank B).

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 8 B There is little species specific information regarding life history or Mancuso, M. 2014. “Rare Plant Profile Life History and demographics of this species. Sacajawea’s bitterroot is a small, ground- – Sacajawea’s bitterroot – a gem in the Demographics hugging perennial herb. Plants consist of a rosette of glabrous succulent Gem State mountains.” Sage Notes, a leaves that emerge shortly after snowmelt, soon followed by the publication of the Idaho Native Plant appearance of one or a few small, showy white flowers lying directly atop Society 36 (1): 15.

the leaves. All aboveground signs of the plant disappear soon after Flora of North America. 2017. Lewisia flowering has been completed, with the top of the large, usually kelloggii in Flora of North America @ branched taproot hidden just below the surface (Mancuso 2014). efloras.org. Internet website: Individuals may persist for several growing seasons. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.asp x?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242415772. A review of available life history and demographic information available Accessed on October 16, 2017. for common bitterroot (L. rediviva), which occurs in similar habitats in the region, may provide insights into the life history and demographic Howard, J. L. 1993. Lewisia rediviva. In: attributes of Sacajawea’s bitterroot. Fire Effects Information System, L. sacajaweana may be similar to common bitterroot, which has a thick, [Online]. U.S. Department of branching taproot that encompasses most of the plant’s biomass Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire (Howard 1993). Propagation details for common bitterroot (Broadlick Sciences Laboratory. Internet website: 2015) indicate that plants are not expected to flower until they reach 3 to http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/pl 4 years of age. Like common bitterroot, Sacajawea’s bitterroot likely ants/forb/lewred/all.html. Accessed on October 17, 2017.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations reproduces solely by seed, which are borne in capsules, and are dispersed by wind and gravity (Bandringa 1999). Broadlick, K. 2015. Plant Propagation Protocol for Lewisia rediviva. Internet For common bitterroot, flowers remain open for 2-3 days and are website: pollinated by native bees (Howard 1993). Specific pollinators for https://courses.washington.edu/esrm 412/protocols/LERE7.pdf. Accessed on Sacajawea’s bitterroot are not known but may also include these insects. October 17, 2017.

Common bitterroot is unimportant forage for large herbivores due to its Bandringa, R. W. 1999. “The small size and brief growing period (Howard 1993); Sacajawea’s Ethnobotany and Descriptive Ecology bitterroot likely is also unimportant for the same reasons. However, of Bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva Pursh common bitterroot has been reported to be vulnerable to leaf and seed (Portulaceae), in the Lower Thompson predation by rodents such as deer mice (Howard 1993). Sacajawea’s River Valley, British Columbia: A bitterroot may also be vulnerable to leaf and seed predation by rodents. Salient Root Food of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation.” Master’s thesis, Based on the best available information for the study taxon and related University of British Columbia, common bitterroot, Sacajawea’s bitterroot likely exhibits some Vancouver, Canada. demographic risk factors that would suggest it has an intermediate ability to recover from disturbance, such as reliance on reproduction from seed, relatively slow growth rates to maturity, potential dependence on certain pollinators, and potential susceptibility to leaf and seed predation (Rank B). Because little taxon-specific information could be located, confidence in this ranking is low.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Summary and recommendations: Sacajawea’s bitterroot is considered imperiled both globally and at the state Date: 10/17/2017 level. The species is an Idaho endemic and considered a Forest Service Region 4 sensitive species, a BLM Type 4 species, and is recognized as rare by the Idaho Native Plant Society. L. sacajaweana is known from two occurrences on the Forest, both in the North Fork Ranger District. Known abundance is low enough to suggest that the species is susceptible to stochastic events on the Forest.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Lewisia sacajaweana (Sacajawea’s bitterroot)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations L. sacajaweana is a perennial species that reproduces through the production of seeds. Seeds are likely wind dispersed and may only travel a short distance from parent plants. This species is known from montane and subalpine forest types, but has narrow habitat suitability occurring only sandy or gravelly ridges in forest openings. Population trends have not been monitored on the Forest, while habitat trends are likely declining due to recent wildfires and recreational activity. Wildfire has likely impacted at least one of two occurrences on the Forest in recent years. Both EOs are located near exposed hiking trails; further recreational development or heavy maintenance may pose a threat to this species. Changes in climate is projected to have long-term impacted to both populations and habitat for this species on the Forest.

There is substantial concern for the capability of Lewisia sacajaweana to persist over the long-term on the Salmon- Challis, therefore, the species is recommended as a SCC.

Evaluator(s): Morgan Trieger