SPECIES: Scientific [common] (L.) Beauv. [Vanilla grass] Forest: Salmon–Challis National Forest Forest Reviewer: Jessica M Dhaemers; Brittni Brown; John Proctor Date of Review: 09/26/2017; 2 March 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 Observed Individuals District, Town, River, Road Information Intersection, HUC, etc.) 1996 Locally Middle Fork Ranger District IDFG Element abundant Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Occurrence Cape Horn Lakes, approximately 98 EO Number: 1 feet from road end; also on shores EO_ID: 5104 of Cape Horn Lakes

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 documented since 1990. If determination is no, stop assessment

d. Map 1, Vanilla grass range in the US and Canada (NatureServe 2017)

NatureServe. 2017. Comprehensive Report Species – Hierochloe odorata. NatureServe Explorer. Internet website: http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe. Accessed on September 7, 2017.

e. Map 2, Vanilla grass Range in Idaho (NRCS 2017)

NRCS (United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service). 2017. Profile for Hierochloe odorata. Internet website: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HIOD. Accessed on September 7, 2017.

f. Map 3, Vanilla grass occurrences on the Salmon–Challis National Forest (Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System [January 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 G4G5—Apparently Secure/Secure (Uncommon but not rare; some cause for long-term concern due to declines or other factors/Common; widespread and abundant)1 State Rank S1—Critically Imperiled (At very high risk of extinction due to extreme rarity [often 5 or fewer populations], very steep declines, or other factors)1 USDA Forest Region 1: Not listed3 Service Region 4: Not listed4 USDI FWS Not listed as a candidate species4 Other Idaho Native Society: 2016 – on list, not yet ranked5; 2011 rank – State Priority 1 (Taxa in danger of becoming extinct or extirpated from Idaho in the foreseeable future if identifiable factors contributing to their decline continue to operate. These are taxa whose populations are present only at critically low levels or whose habitats have been degraded or depleted to a significant degree)6

BLM: Type 2 (These are species that have a high likelihood of being listed in the foreseeable future due to their global rarity and significant endangerment factors. Species also include; USFWS Proposed and Candidate species, ESA species delisted during the past 5 years, ESA Experimental Non-essential species, and ESA Proposed Critical Habitat.)7 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): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations 1 A This species is known from one occurrence on the SCNF, suggesting the IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Distribution on species is scarce on the Forest (Rank A). Although, a floristic inventory of Information System, Species Diversity Salmon–Challis the SCNF took place (Irwin 2014), targeted systematic surveys have not Database, Idaho Natural Heritage National Forest been conducted. This species has been given a distribution rank of A on Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. SCNF because known populations are scarce, and isolated throughout the Forest.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 2 C This species is widely distributed outside the SCNF (Walsh 1994). In North IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Distribution in America this species has been documented to occur from to Information System, Species Diversity surrounding Newfoundland and south to New Jersey and West to (Walsh Database, Idaho Natural Heritage geographic area 1994). More locally, three occurrences have been documented within 5 Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. miles of the SCNF near its western boundary. There exists a hydrologic Walsh, R.A. 1994. Hierochloe odorata. connectivity between one of these populations and the population In: Fire Effects Information System, documented on the SCNF. Nine occurrences are documented in Idaho [Online]. US Department of outside SCNF (IDFG 2017). Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire This species has a wide distribution outside the SCNF and the risk of Sciences Laboratory (Producer). extinction associated with activities on the SCNF can be moderated by Internet website: the potential for recolonization from populations existing elsewhere https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/p (Rank C). lants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html. Accessed on September 7, 2017. Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 3 B The dispersal capability for this species is limited by suitable habitat, NRCS (United States Department of Dispersal namely wetlands. This species is a perennial grass that spreads vigorously Agriculture, Natural Resources Capability by creeping rhizomes (Walsh 1994). Dispersal through seed production is Conservation Service). 2002. Plant Fact relatively unimportant, as this species is largely infertile and produces Sheet. Sweetgrass. Hierochloe odorata few viable seeds (NRCS 2002). This species disperses only through (L.) Beauv. Internet website: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations suitable habitat, and dispersal of individuals from a given population may fs_hiod.pdf. Accessed on September 7, be limited (Rank B). 2017.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Walsh, R.A. 1994. Hierochloe odorata. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. US Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Internet website: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/p lants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html. Accessed on September 7, 2017. 4 A This species is known from a single occurrence on the SCNF where the IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife Abundance on the population was described as “locally abundant.” With only one Information System, Species Diversity Salmon–Challis documented occurrence on the SCNF, the current abundance is low Database, Idaho Natural Heritage National Forest enough that demographic stochasticity and other factors could lead to Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. potential imperilment (Rank A).

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 5 D There is one documented population on the Forest, 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 B Habitat for H. odorata is described as moist grassy areas on the lake Google Earth. 2017. Cape Horn Lakes. Habitat Trend on shore and transition zones between moist lakeside and dry forest (IDFG Internet website: the Salmon–Challis 2017). H. odorata may withstand some soil disturbance but is generally https://www.google.com/earth/. National Forest found in mid-successional communities (Walsh 1994). Wetland meadows Accessed on September 8, 2017. are generally not ephemeral habitats and, as such, dispersal is not a IDFG. 2017. Idaho Fish and Wildlife critical characteristic of the life history of this species. This species has a Information System, Species Diversity

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations mid-successional status, and the wetland meadows occupied by H. Database, Idaho Natural Heritage odorata will eventually be replaced by woody shrubs and then trees Data. Accessed on February 27, 2017. (Walsh 1994). IDFG. 2017b. Idaho State Wildlife Based on Forest Service maps there are roughly 111,000 acres of riparian Action Plan, 2015. Boise, ID.

herbaceous habitat on the SCNF. In general, riparian vegetation has seen USFS (United States Department of past declines, but is largely within or trending towards the natural range Agriculture Forest Service). 2017. of variability (USFS 2017). Conifer encroachment is the most frequent Salmon-Challis National Forest Plan contributor to changes in riparian composition and condition on the Revision Assessments. Topics 1& 2: Forest. Historic heavy grazing caused a shift in several plant communities Terrestrial Ecosystems, Aquatic (e.g. grassland extent increased) on the SCNF and resulted in shrubland Ecosystems, Watersheds, Air, Soil, and conifer species expansion into riparian areas (USFS 2017). This has Water. been further exacerbated by fire suppression policies of the 1950s through 1990s. Livestock operations have shifted to more intensively- Walsh, R.A. 1994. Hierochloe odorata. managed grazing systems to respond to concerns over impacts to In: Fire Effects Information System, riparian ecosystems and distribution of grazing effects across the Forest [Online]. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky (USFS 2017). To a lesser extent, upland encroachment (possibly due to Mountain Research Station, Fire roads, diversions, and increased temperatures and drought) and alien Sciences Laboratory (Producer). plant species have also caused impacts to riparian habitat (USFS 2017). Internet website: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/p The Idaho State Wildlife Action Plan reports springs and groundwater lants/graminoid/hieodo/all.html. dependent wetlands are in poor condition across all landownerships due Accessed on September 7, 2017. to historic heavy grazing, continued season-long grazing, development to provide livestock water, and OHV recreation (IDFG 2017b). The Spring Stewardship Institute has documented 669 springs and seeps on the SCNF. These were identified with the aid of the National Hydrography Dataset GIS layer, which typically underestimates the true number of springs (USFS 2017). A recent assessment of spring distribution on the SCNF indicates that 97% of land type associations (LTAs) on the Forest have spring distribution within NRV.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations

To analyze trends in habitat, current and historical aerial imagery (1999- 2017) of habitat at each element occurrence was assessed for ground disturbing activities (Google Earth 2017). In addition, a USFS (2016) GIS database of existing grazing allotments, invasive plant populations, historical wildfires, mines, trails, and roads was reviewed for activities that may impact habitat. Notes from historical collections or observations were also reviewed as they contain information on threats to habitat (IDFG 2017).

No evidence of residential or agricultural development, wildfires, grazing or mining was depicted at the EO. No invasive plant populations were mapped at EO 1.

An active grazing allotment coincides with EO 1, however, the impact of grazing on H. odorata is not well understood. One dirt road and an unpaved parking area are located at the south end of Cape Horn Lake.

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 roads and an active grazing allotment indicates that there is potential for disturbance activities in the future.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 7 B Habitat for H. odorata is most vulnerable to unrestricted livestock Behrens, P.N., R.E. Keane, D.L. Vulnerability of grazing, recreational activities, hydrologic alterations, and climate Peterson, and J.J. Ho. 2018. Chapter 6: Habitats on the change. effects of climatic variability and Salmon–Challis change on forest vegetation. In National Forest Grazing is an important land use on the SCNF contributing economically Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. and socio-culturally to the local communities (USFS 2017b). Grazing Climate change vulnerability and

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations allotments dominate SCNF landscapes outside of wilderness and research adaptation in the Intermountain natural areas. Although roughly 23% of these allotments are currently Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- vacant, grazing is expected to continue to be a dominant land use on the XXX. Fort Collins, CO: US Department Forest into the future. Inappropriately managed livestock grazing can of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky adversely affect the biota and hydrology of wetlands and riparian Mountain Research Station.

habitats (USFS 2017). Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. Vulnerability of habitat at this location is currently from recreation Climate change vulnerability and management. A parking area and hiking trail are within 100 feet of the adaptation in the Intermountain population. An increase in visitors to this area would be likely to increase Region. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR- the vulnerability of habitat in this area to adverse effects. xxx. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky To project the future climate and impacts to resources in the Mountain Research Station. Intermountain Region including the Salmon-Challis, the Intermountain Adaptation Partnership (IAP) used Representative Concentration Joyce, L.A. and M. Talbert. 2018. Pathway [RCP] 4.5 and 8.5, which capture a moderate and high future Chapter 3: Historical and projected warming, respectively (Halofsky et al. 2018). Although pathways climate. In Halofsky, J.E., D.L. Peterson, predicting lower warming exist, the 4.5 and 8.5 pathways were chosen by J.J. Ho, N.L. Little, L.A. Joyce, editors. 2018. Climate change vulnerability and the IAP because they are, in comparison, well studied providing a large adaptation in the Intermountain set of projections that enhance our understanding of the possible range 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 USFS (United States Department of temperatures are the most certain consequence of increased CO2 in the Agriculture Forest Service). 2017. atmosphere. By 2100, median minimum temperature in the Middle Salmon-Challis National Forest Plan Rockies subregion, which includes the Salmon-Challis, is projected to rise Revision Assessments. Topics 1& 2: about 5˚F under the moderate warming scenario and about 10˚F under Terrestrial Ecosystems, Aquatic Ecosystems, Watersheds, Air, Soil, the high warming scenario. Regardless of scenario, the greatest Water.

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations departure from historical seasonal minimum temperatures occurs in the summer. Annual precipitation projections are highly variable with no USFS (United States Department of discernible trend under moderate warming and a slight increasing trend Agriculture, Forest Service). 2017b. with high warming (Joyce and Talbert 2018). Salmon–Challis National Forest Data Assessment (Draft). On file at Salmon- Challis National Forest, Salmon, ID. Riparian and wetland communities in the Intermountain Region will be moderately to highly vulnerable to climate warming depending on elevation (Halofsky et al. 2018). Plant communities composition and structure will be affected by increased water stress, and this could drive the replacement of riparian and wetland species with drought-tolerant upland species. Given the species grows in transitional zones, there is a high potential for upland conifer encroachment with or without climate stressors. This will be exacerbated where diversions and dams have been constructed. The adaptive capacity of systems will be greatly reduced where dewatering occurs and in systems impacted by improper grazing, roads, and nonnative species (Halofsky et al. 2018). Changes in flow regimes due to reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and changes in precipitation could also drive changes in wetland species dependence on fluvial geomorphic processes, surface water, and groundwater.

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 climate change, habitat modification, and future grazing and recreation management decisions (Rank B). Currently threats are thought to be low for this species.

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low 8 B This species is a perennial rhizomatous grass. Reproduction is primarily NRCS (United States Department of Life History and through spreading rhizomes, which are often deep, vigorous, and Agriculture, Natural Resources Demographics sometimes described as invasive (NRCS 1992). Seed production also Conservation Service). 1992. Plant Fact Sheet. Sweetgrass. Hierochloe odorata

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations occurs for this species, but the seedheads are few and the seeds are (L.) Beauv. Internet website: often infertile (NRCS 1992). https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/ fs_hiod.pdf. Accessed on September 7, This species is not known to have a specialized relationship with a 2017. specific pollinator or any other organism that would constitute a symbiotic or mutualistic relationship.

This species has been collected extensively for medicinal and religious use, and anecdotal evidence has found that historical populations are disappearing (Hart 1976 in NRCS 1992).

This species has a relatively low reproductive rate and an intermediate ability to recover from disturbance events (Rank B).

Confidence in Rank: High, Medium, or Low Summary and recommendations: H. odorata has a State Conservation Status of Critically Imperiled in Idaho and is Date: 9/8/17 considered apparently secure to secure globally. This species is rare on the SCNF, but can be found in many states and Canada. There is only one documented population on the Forest, indicating that the species is susceptible to stochastic events.

H. odorata is known to disperse primarily through a rhizomatous root system; few seeds are produced giving the species a relatively low reproductive rate. It is believed to have an intermediate ability to recover from disturbance. Population trends have not been monitored on the Forest. Habitat is described as moist grassy areas on the lake shore and transition zones between moist lakeside and dry forest. H. odorata is potentially threatened by unrestricted, heavy grazing and hydrologic alterations, though neither have been documented at the occurrence. The occurrence is in close proximity to a parking area and hiking trail; further recreational development or maintenance are likely threats to the species. Climate change is projected to have a long-term impact on both populations and habitat for this species.

There is substantial concern for the capability of Hierochloe odorata to persist over the long-term on the Salmon-

Species (Scientific and Common Name): Hierochloe odorata (L.) Beauv. (Vanilla Grass)

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations Challis, therefore, it is recommended as a SCC.

Evaluator(s): Dan Morta