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March 1987 Vol. XII No. 3 |"i = Department of interior. U.S. Fish and wildlife Service Technical Bulletin Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 Four Southeastern Plants Proposed for Listing During February 1987, the following four tion will be reinforced and supplemented Comments on the proposal to list L. species of plants endemic to small areas by the Federal Endangered Species Act if helleri as Threatened are welcome, and of the southeastern United States were the FWS listing proposal is made final. An should be sent to the Field Supervisor, En- proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service important addition would be the protection dangered Species Field Office, U.S. Fish (FWS) for listing as Endangered or of habitat from potentially adverse Federal and Wildlife Service, 100 Otis Street, Threatened: activities. Such activities could include fur- Room 224, Asheville, North Carolina ther construction of recreational facilities, 28801, by April 20, 1987. use of aerially-applied chemicals to fight Liatris helleri (Heller's Blazing fires, road construction, and permits for Three Granite Outcrop Plants mineral exploration if carried out without Star) the species' needs being considered. The The FWS has proposed listing Isoetes A small perennial herb, L. helleri is a FWS will work with the U.S. Forest Service melanospora (black-spored quillwort) member of the aster family (Asteraceae). and National Park Service to ensure the and Isoetes tegetiformans (mat-forming The species is found only on a few scat- conservation of L. helleri on Federal lands quillwort) as Endangered species, and tered summits in the northern Blue Ridge while accommodating agency objectives Amphianthus pusillus (little amphi- Mountains of North Carolina, where it to the extent possible. Both agencies have anthus) as Threatened (F.R. 2/19/87). All grows in shallow, acidic soils on high expressed interest in cooperating with the three of these plants are restricted to small ledges of outcrops that are exposed to full FWS to develop management and recov- pools on granite outcrops in the south- sunlight. ery plans. eastern U.S. Of the nine historically known L. helleri I. melanospora, a low-growing plant in populations, two are considered extir- the quillwort family (Isoetaceae) can be pated; a site in Watauga County was con- distinguished by its complete velum cover- verted to a residential development and age, dark tuberculate megaspores, and another in Mitchell County was subjected short spiral leaves. I. tegetiformans is simi- to intensive recreational use. Only three of lar in appearance, but has a mat-forming the seven surviving populations receive growth habit of plants interconnected by some protection from human-induced hab- rhizomes. A. pusillus is a monotypic genus itat alteration. The other four are on lands of uncertain membership in the that have been, or are being, developed snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae). for commercial recreational use. In an This diminutive, fibrous-rooted annual has effort to prevent the species' extinction, the both floating and submerged leaves of dif- FWS has proposed to list it as Threatened ferent shapes and tiny white flowers. A. (F.R. 2/19/87). pusillus is ephemeral, usually completing its entire life cycle within a 3- to 4-week The seven surviving L. helleri popula- period. tions occur in Caldwell, Avery, Ashe, and Burke Counties. Three of them occur on The granite outcrops supporting popula- privately owned land, and are threatened tions of these plants occur as large, iso- by the construction of roads, parking lots, lated domes or as gently rolling "flatrocks " buildings, and other tourist support facili- in the Piedmont physiographic region of ties or by trampling. A fourth site is being the southeast. Because of their scattered developed into a ski resort. Only the site distribution and harsh environmental con- owned by The Nature Conservancy re- ditions (high light intensities, extreme wet/ ceives full protection. The other two L. dry periods), these rock exposures are ac- helleri sites are on public lands, Pisgah tive sites for plant speciation, as shown by National Forest and the Blue Ridge Park- their high degree of endemism. Of the way, but these also are scenic areas that plants endemic to granite outcrops, the are subject to heavy recreational use. Soil three recently proposed species are the compaction and erosion, trampling, and most restricted. They grow in shallow, flat- the potential construction of new hiking bottomed temporary or vernal pools that trails are significant threats to the species' are found on the crest and flattened slopes survival. of some unquarried outcrops. Such pools L. helleri already is listed as threatened retain water for several weeks following by the State of North Carolina, which pro- Liatris helleri (Heller's blazing star) is a heavy rains and completely dry out in sum- hibits intrastate trade in the species with- perennial with one or more arching mer droughts. The vast majority of these out a permit and collecting of the plants stems reaching up to 16 inches (40 cen- pools are small, only 0.5 to 1.0 meters without both a State permit and written timeters) from a tuft of narrow, pale permission of the landowner. This protec- green leaves. (continued on page 6) ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 274, and the birds favored the northern half of Pend Oreille. * * * The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service, Washington Depart- ment of Game, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and numerous vol- unteers surveyed bald eagle night roosting sites in Skagit County, Washington. Winter concentrations of these birds along the Skagit River corridor are among the high- est in the nation. Traditionally, the bald eagle population often exceeds 400 on the Skagit during winter months when the eagles feed on salmon carcasses washed up on sand and gravel bars after spawning. On January 5, 1987, the FWS closed on Endangered species program regional taking more of a liking to an area around its purchase of the 11,360-acre Hudson staff members have reported the fol- Pend Oreille Lake in northern Idaho this Ranch in Kern County, California, for $3.5 lowing activities for the month of season. This year's high count was 429 million. The ranch was incorporated into February: bald eagles near the southern part of the the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Region 1 — Wintering bald eagles lake where kokanee (salmon) were which was established for the Endangered {Haliaeetus leucocephalus) seem to be spawning. Last winter, the high count was California condor {Gymnogyps califor- nianus). This newly acquired acreage will U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3, Federal BIdg,, Fort Snelling, Twin be added to 873 acres already owned by Washington, D.C. 20240 Cities. MN 55111 (612-725-3500); Har- the FWS. The adjacent 1,304-acre Hoag vey Nelson. Regional Director: John S. Ranch is also in the process of being ac- Frank Dunkle, Director Popowski. Assistant Regional Director: quired by the FWS and should complete (202-343-4717) James M. Engel. Endangered Species most of the planned acquisitions for the Ronald E, Lambertson Specialist. Assistant Director for Fish refuge. and Wildlife Enhancement Region 4. Richard B Russell Federal BIdg., * * * 75 Spnng St., S.W. Atlanta. GA 30303 (202-343-4646) (404-331-3580); James W. Pulliam, Re- In the final report of a 3-year study on Marvin E. Moriarty, Chief, gional Director: John I. Christian. Assi Office of Endangered Species the San Clemente loggerhead shrike stant Regional Director: Marshall P (703-235-2771) {Lanlus ludovicianus mearnsi), the shrike Jones. Endangered Species Specialist Earl B. Baysinger. Chief. population was estimated to be between Federal Wildlife Permit Office Region 5. One Gateway Center, Suite 700 19 and 30 adults. In the 1986 breeding (703-235-1937) Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617-965 season, there were only 24 adults. The Clark R. Bavin, Chief. 5100); Howard Larson. Regional Direc population is limited by heavy predation of Division of Law Enforcement tor: Stephen W, Parry. Assistant Re young and a lack of suitable nest sites. (202-343-9242) gional Director: Paul Nickerson. En The report recommends removing remain- TECHNICAL BULLETIN Staff dangered Species Specialist. ing feral goats, relocating suitable nesting Michael Bender, Editor Region 6. P O Box 25486. Denver Federal species, and controlling feral cat Denise Henne, Assistant Editor Center, Denver. CO 80225 (303-236- predation. (703-235-2407) 7920); Galen Buterbaugh, Regional Di- * * * rector: John D. Green. Assistant Re- gional Director: Barry S. Mulder, En- The locally initiated effort to develop a Regional Offices dangered Species Specialist. habitat conservation plan for the Marina Dunes ecosystem (Monterey County, Cal- Region 1, Lloyd 500 BIdg., Suite 1692, 500 Region 7, 1011 E, Tudor Rd., Anchorage, ifornia) advanced another step with the se- N E. Multnomah St.. Portland, OR AK 99503 (907-786-3542); Robert E. 97232 (503-231-6118); Rolf L. Wal- Gllmore. Regional Director: Jon Nelson, lection of a consultant to prepare the plan lenstrom. Regional Director: William F. Assistant Regional Director: Dennis and associated environmental documents. Shake, Assistant Regional Director: Money. Endangered Species Special- The plan will address the conservation Wayne S White, Endangered Species ist. needs of the Endangered Smith's blue but- Specialist. Region 8 (FWS Research and Develop- terfly {Euphilotes enoptes smithi) and four Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM ment), Washington, D C. 20240; species that are candidates for future list- 87103 (505-766-2321); Michael J. Richard N. Smith, Regional Director: ing: the black legless lizard {Anniella Spear, Regional Director: Conrad A. Endangered Species Staff: Clarence pulchra nigra), Menzies' wallflower {Eiysi- Fjetland, Assistant Regional Director: Johnson, fish and crustaceans (202- mum menziesii), Monterey spineflower James Johnson. Endangered Species 653-8772); Bettina Sparrowe, other ani- (Chorizanthe pungens var.
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    THE VASCULAR FLORA OF THREE TOP MOUNTAIN GAME LAND PRESERVE, ASHE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA A Thesis by ANDREW PATRICK JENKINS Submitted to the Graduate School Appalachian State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2011 Department of Biology THE VASCULAR FLORA OF THREE TOP MOUNTAIN GAME LAND PRESERVE, ASHE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA A Thesis by ANDREW PATRICK JENKINS December 2011 APPROVED BY: _____________________________ Dr. Zack E. Murrell Chairperson, Thesis Committee _____________________________ Dr. Gary L. Walker Member, Thesis Committee _____________________________ Dr. John Walker Member, Thesis Committee _____________________________ Dr. Steven W. Seagle Chairperson, Department of Biology _____________________________ Dr. Edelma Huntley Dean, Research and Graduate Studies Copyright by Andrew Patrick Jenkins 2011 All Rights Reserved FORWARD The research detailed in this thesis will be submitted to the journal Castanea, the Journal of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society, for publication. The thesis and literature cited have been prepared according to their guidelines, which are attached. ABSTRACT The Vascular Flora of Three Top Mountain Game Land Preserve, Ashe County, NC Andrew Patrick Jenkins, B. S., George Mason University M. S., Appalachian State University Thesis Chairperson: Dr. Zack E. Murrell This study documented the flora of a Game Land Preserve on an isolated and rugged massif in Ashe County, North Carolina from Spring 2009 – Summer 2011 over the course of 44 field days. Over 317 taxa from 198 genera and 94 families compose the flora at Three Top Mountain Game Land Preserve. Of these 317 taxa, 22 of them are Central and Southern Appalachian endemics, while 27 taxa are listed as imperiled by the US or North Carolina, including Liatris helleri, Geum radiatum, Houstonia montana, Juncus trifidus, Trichophorum caespitosum, and Campanula rotundifolia.