SPECIES: Scientific [common] Cladonia luteoalba (Reindeer Lichen) Forest: Salmon-Challis National Forest Forest Reviewer: Jessica M Dhaemers; Brittni Brown; John Proctor Date of Review: 08/10/2017; 2 March 2018; 27 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.) 2007 No data Middle Fork Ranger District EO 1 Survey Site is described as across EO_ID 3059 from hospital bar. Along the Middle Fork Salmon River, across from Hospital Bar. Collection from moist, shaded, north-facing bowl not far from the river, where the river turns back in a ‘dog leg’.
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. There are currently no existing range maps for the reindeer (lemon pixie) lichen (Cladonia luteolba) in Idaho or Montana. The USDA PLANTS database did not display any Natural Resource Information System (NRCS) data or maps of the species.
Map 1, Reindeer lichen observations 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 G2G3 – Imperiled/Vulnerable (At moderate risk of extinction due to a restricted range, relatively few populations (often 80 or fewer), recent and widespread declines, or other factors/ At high risk of extinction due to very restricted range, very few populations (often 20 or fewer), steep declines, or other factors)1 State Rank S1 – Critically Imperiled (Critically imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state.)1 USDA Forest Region 1: Not listed2 Service Region 4: Not listed3 USDI FWS Not listed as a candidate species4 Other Idaho Native Plant Society: 2016 – on list, not yet ranked5; 2011 – GP26
BLM: Not listed7 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 Montana. 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. Idaho Native Plant Society. 2011. Results of the twenty-fifth Idaho Rare Plant Conference – The Idaho Native Plant Society rare plant list. Website: https://idahonativeplants.org/rpc/pdf/2011_Results_IRPC_v2.2.pdf. Accessed on January 11, 2018. 7. 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): Cladonia luteoalba (Reindeer Lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 1 A1 The species is found in Lemhi County near the Lower Middle Fork of the IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Distribution on Salmon River within the Middle Fork Salmon Wild River corridor and the Information System, Species Diversity Salmon-Challis Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. As of 2007 the species was Database, Idaho Natural Heritage National Forest only found in one location of the National Forest, indicating a scarce and Data. Accessed February 27, 2017. isolated distribution (Rank A1). Confidence in this rank is low as this species occurs in a variety of habitats and there may be other populations of the SCNF.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 2 B Reindeer lichen is known from the Pacific Northwest. It occurs primarily NatureServe. 2016. Comprehensive Distribution in in Idaho (S1) and Montana (SNR), but has also been found in British Report Species – Cladonia luteoalba. surrounding Columbia (S2S3), and Nunavut (SU). The species is considered to be rare Internet website: geographic area (Rank B). Confidence in this rank is medium as there are multiple http://explorer.natureserve.org/servle documented occurrences of this species outside of the SCNF. t/NatureServe?searchName=Cladonia+ luteoalba.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 3 D Little is known about the dispersal of reindeer lichen. The species is Goward, T., Diederich, P., and Dispersal primarily sterile and nonpodetiate (Goward et al. 1994). The lichen can Rosentreter, R. 1994. Notes on the Capability occur in a variety of habitats, so dispersal will not be greatly limited by Lichens and Allied Fungi of British habitat. There is insufficient information to draw inferences about this Columbia. II. The Bryologist, 97(1): 56- criterion (Rank D). Confidence in this rank is high as there are no 62.
published reports on the specific dispersal mechanisms for this species.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Cladonia luteoalba (Reindeer Lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 4 A The most recent record of reindeer lichen on the SCNF is from 2007; it IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Abundance on the was spotted but not counted. The lichen is verified extant, but Information System, Species Diversity Salmon-Challis abundance conclusions are limited to the 2007 Element Occurrence Database, Idaho Natural Heritage National Forest Record. Given current information, the species is rare, and the current Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. abundance is low enough that stochastic and other factors could lead to potential imperilment (Rank A). Confidence in this rank is low as this species occurs in a variety of habitats and there may be other populations of the SCNF.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 5 D There is one documented population on the SCNF, but this population Population Trend has not been monitored consistently and no population data is available on the Salmon- that would provide an indication as to trends in population size (Rank D). Challis National Forest Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low
6 A Habitat for C. luteoalba is described as moss-covered, N facing cliff bands Google Earth. 2017. Salmon–Challis Habitat Trend on on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (IDFG 2017). Throughout its National Forest. Internet website: the Salmon-Challis distribution, the species is known to occur in a variety of habitats from https://www.google.com/earth/. National Forest alpine to low elevations, both on soil and organic material (NatureServe Accessed on October 3, 2017. 2016). IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife
Information System, Species Diversity To analyze trends in habitat, current and historical aerial imagery (1998- Database, Idaho Natural Heritage 2017) of habitat at each element occurrence was assessed for ground Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. disturbing activities. In addition, a USFS (2016) GIS database of existing grazing allotments, invasive plant populations, historical wildfires, mines, NatureServe. 2016. Comprehensive trails, and roads was reviewed for activities that may impact habitat. Report Species – Cladonia luteoalba. Notes from historical collections or observations were also reviewed as Internet website: they contain information on threats to habitat (IDFG 2017). http://explorer.natureserve.org/servle t/NatureServe?searchName=Cladonia No evidence of residential or agricultural development, roads, grazing, or +luteoalba. mining was depicted at the EO. Several burned trees nearby provide USFS. 2016. SDE RMU Range evidence of wildfires, which occurred in 2007 and 2016. Allotments. GIS Database Information. Data source: S_R04_SCF.rmu_unit. One hiking trail is depicted within 100 feet of the cliff band supporting Last updated March 30, 2016. the EO 1 population.
An active grazing allotments overlaps the EO, and invasive plant populations (rush skeletonweed [Chondrilla juncea]) have been mapped at EO 1. Given described habitat, it is unlikely that grazing or invasive species have a notable impact on the species.
Given the available data, the evidence suggests that habitat for this species is likely to be stable (Rank B). Confidence in this rank is medium as the presence of trails and wildfires indicates that there is potential for disturbance activities in the future.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low
7 B This species is known to be occasional in many different open habitats, so Behrens, P.N., R.E. Keane, D.L. Vulnerability of it is likely that impacts on one habitat will not entirely cut off the species Peterson, and J.J. Ho. 2018. Chapter 6: Habitats on the (NatureServe 2016). At EO 1, this species occurs on a cliff band which is a effects of climatic variability and Salmon-Challis relatively stable environment and not prone to disturbance. However, change on forest vegetation. In National Forest the surrounding area may be subject to traffic from recreational hikers, Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. invasions from exotic plant species, and wildfires that occur frequently Climate change vulnerability and may also influence the future quality of habitat for this species. adaptation in the Intermountain Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- To project the future climate and impacts to resources in the XXX. Fort Collins, CO: US Department Intermountain Region including the Salmon-Challis, the Intermountain of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Adaptation Partnership (IAP) used Representative Concentration Mountain Research Station. Pathway [RCP] 4.5 and 8.5, which capture a moderate and high future warming, respectively (Halofsky et al. 2018). Although pathways Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, predicting lower warming exist, the 4.5 and 8.5 pathways were chosen by N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. the IAP because they are, in comparison, well studied providing a large Climate change vulnerability and set of projections that enhance our understanding of the possible range adaptation in the Intermountain Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- in future climate. Thus, this represents best available science for our xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Forest with regard to a warming climate. Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Although uncertainty exists about the magnitude and rate of climate change (For a discussion of this see Behrens et al. 2018), warming Joyce, L.A. and M. Talbert. 2018. temperatures are the most certain consequence of increased CO2 in the Chapter 3: Historical and projected atmosphere. By 2100, median minimum temperature in the Middle climate. In Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, Rockies subregion, which includes the Salmon-Challis, is projected to rise J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. about 5˚F under the moderate warming scenario and about 10˚F under 2018. Climate change vulnerability and the high warming scenario. Regardless of scenario, the greatest adaptation in the Intermountain departure from historical seasonal minimum temperatures occurs in the Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of summer. Annual precipitation projections are highly variable with no Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky discernible trend under moderate warming and a slight increasing trend Mountain Research Station. with high warming (Joyce and Talbert 2018). NatureServe. 2016. Comprehensive As such, habitat modification is likely to result in ecological patterns Report Species – Cladonia luteoalba. similar to the range of historical conditions, but is being impacted by Internet website: modern stressors (Rank B). Confidence in this rank is medium as the http://explorer.natureserve.org/servle
Species (Scientific and Common Name): Cladonia luteoalba (Reindeer Lichen)
Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations extent to which the modern stressor actually impacts this species are not t/NatureServe?searchName=Cladonia+ known. luteoalba.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 8 D Reindeer lichen are intimately associated with the red-fruited spp. It is Hammer, S. 1995. A Synopsis of the Life History and found on soil with high organic material content as well as on podetia of Genus Cladonia in the Northwestern Demographics Cladonia borealis and C. coccifera (Hammer 1995). This mutualistic United States. The Bryologist, 98 (1): 1- relationship means that impacts on C. borealis and C. coccifera could 28. doi:10.2307/3243636. impact the reindeer lichen. There is currently insufficient information for which to draw inferences about this criterion (Rank D). Confidence in this rank is medium as there have been few studies of the life history and demographics of this species.
Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Summary and recommendations: Reindeer lichen is extremely rare in Idaho and on the SCNF. It has only been Date: 8/4/2017 recorded as seen once in the last 10 years (2007) on the Forest. It has a global status of imperiled (G2G3) and a state status of critically imperiled (S1). Known abundance on the SCNF is low enough that the species is susceptible to stochastic events.
More research is needed regarding the life history or dispersal capacity of the species. Population trends have not been monitored on the Forest. Habitat is described as moss-covered, N facing cliff bands on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, though globally habitat varies widely. On the SCNF, habitat is potentially threatened by nearby recreational trails, which may result in trampling, and by invasive species, which have been mapped near EO 1.
There is substantial concern for the capability of Cladonia luteoalba to persist over the long-term on the Salmon- Challis, therefore, it is recommended as a SCC.
Evaluator(s): M. Zaccherio