Form Summary

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SPECIES ASSESSMENT AND LISTING PRIORITY ASSIGNMENT FORM

Scientific Name:

Ambrysus funebris

Common Name:

Nevares Spring naucorid bug

Lead region:

Region 8 (Pacific Southwest)

Information current as of:

May 29, 2015

Status/Action

___ Funding provided for a proposed rule. Assessment not updated.

___ Species Assessment - determined species did not meet the definition of the endangered or threatened under the Act and, therefore, was not elevated to the Candidate status.

___ New Candidate

___ Continuing Candidate

X Candidate Removal X Taxon is more abundant or widespread than previously believed or not subject to the degree of threats sufficient to warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of candidate status ___ Taxon not subject to the degree of threats sufficient to warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of candidate status due, in part or totally, to conservation efforts that remove or reduce the threats to the species ___ Range is no longer a U.S. territory ___ Insufficient information exists on biological vulnerability and threats to support listing ___ Taxon mistakenly included in past notice of review ___ Taxon does not meet the definition of "species" ___ Taxon believed to be extinct

Petition Information

X Non-Petitioned (Service added species to Candidate List in 2004) (69 FR 24880; May 4, 2004)

___ Petitioned

90-Day Positive:

12 Month Positive:

Did the Petition request a reclassification?

For Petitioned Candidate species:

Is the listing warranted (if yes, see summary threats below)

To Date, has publication of the proposal to list been precluded by other higher priority listing?

Explanation of why precluded:

Historical States/Territories/Countries of Occurrence:

• States/US Territories: California • US Counties: Inyo County • Countries: United States

Current States/Counties/Territories/Countries of Occurrence:

• States/US Territories: California • US Counties: Inyo County • Countries: United States

Land Ownership:

All occurrences of the Nevares Spring naucorid bug are on Federal lands within Death Valley National Park.

Lead Region Contact:

LEAD REGION CONTACT: Arnold Roessler, 916-414-6613, [email protected]

Lead Field Office Contact:

Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, Betty Grizzle, 760-431-9440, [email protected] Biological Information

Species Description:

Ambrysus funebris was first described from Cow Creek in Death Valley, California, by La Rivers in 1948 (La Rivers 1948, entire). Ambrysus funebris is approximately 6.0 to 6.5 millimeters (mm) (0.24 to 0.26 inches (in) long and 3.5 mm (0.14 in) wide (La Rivers 1948, p. 103). No other naucorids have been collected or reported from the Death Valley spring complexes.

The naucorids have raptorial front legs and dorsoventrally (front-to-back) flattened bodies (Menke 1979, p. 15). The Ambrysus genus within the family Naucoridae is distinguished by the following features: (1) deeply concave anterior (top) pronotal margins (referring to the pronotum, or the plate-like structure that covers the thorax), (2) with platelike propleura (referring to the cuticle of the first thoracic segment or prothorax) over the posterior (bottom) part of the prosternum (the under surface of the prothorax), and (3) densely pubescent venter (referring to the lower part of the abdomen) (Polhemus 1979, p. 134). Ambrysus funebris is the smallest naucorid in California and is distinguished from other Ambrysus species by its absence of a male genital process and the shape of the female subgenital plate (Polhemus 1979, pp. 135, 138, see Figures 259 and 265). The dorsal surface of the A. funebris is lighter anteriorly than posteriorly, unmottled, and shiny with a ventral surface that is deep yellowish in color, and darkened in the center (La Rivers 1948, p. 108). A more detailed narrative description of the adult form is found in La Rivers (1948, pp. 103–106); its developmental larval stages (nymphal instars) are described and illustrated in detail in Whiteman and Sites (2008, pp. 505–507, Figure A1). Ambrysus funebris is also unique in that its reduced hindwing has no costal (leading edge of wing) cell, which is found in other Ambrysus species of the United States and Mexico (La Rivers 1953, p. 91).

Taxonomy:

Ambrysus funebris belongs to the insect family Naucoridae, which is found within one of five superfamilies (Naucoroidea) in the infraorder Nepomorpha, or true water bugs, within the suborder Heteroptera (Class Insecta: Order Hemiptera) (Menke 1979, pp. 13–14). Ambrysus funebris is recognized as a valid and current taxonomic entity according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (retrieved March 3, 2015, from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, www.itis.gov). We have reviewed the available taxonomic information and conclude the species is a valid taxon.

Life History:

Ambrysus funebris has short hindwings and is flightless (Polhemus 1979, p. 138). Its mode of dispersal is unknown, but the species is described as an agile and adept crawler searching for prey within stream beds, and can swim well in calm water (La Rivers 1951, p. 285). They are defenseless when molting and thus susceptible to predation from predators such as damselfly larvae during this time of their life history (Usinger 1968, p. 199).

The aquatic Hemiptera generally overwinter as adults, lay eggs in the spring, and develop during the summer months, with five nymphal instars (Usinger 1968, p. 185). The naucorids, including the Ambrysus genera, attach (glue) their eggs to various underwater objects (Menke 1979, p. 5); La Rivers 1951, p. 288). Eggs are creamy white-beige in color, approximately 1.04 mm (0.04 in) long and 0.38 mm (0.015 in) wide, elongated, with rounded asymmetrical ends (Sites and Nichols 1999, p. 3). The outer surface of the egg (or chorion) has a surface pattern of pentagonal to heptagonal units, separated by distinctly raised lines (Sites and Nichols 1999, pp. 3-4).

The aquatic and subaquatic Hemiptera are considered to be intermediate stage predators in the food chains within their respective aquatic communities (Menke 1979, p. 2). Naucorid bugs are known to feed on a wide variety of organisms (Polhemus 1979, p. 131). They are “true” water bugs that propel themselves through water with oarlike movements of the middle and hindlegs, which are modified for swimming (Menke 1979, p. 8; Polhemus 1979, p. 131). The naucorid bugs breathe through their cuticle as nymphs and through spiracles in contact with air as adults, replenishing their subsurface air bubble by breaking the surface film with the top of their abdomen (Polhemus 1979, p. 132).

Habitat:

Physical Setting

Ambrysus funebris is considered a thermal endemic aquatic invertebrate and is found only within areas of the Nevares and Travertine Springs and in Furnace Creek Wash within Death Valley National Park. These two springs are located entirely within Death Valley National Park and managed by the National Park Service (NPS) (see Figure 1). Land use within the springs and Furnace Creek area includes NPS lands (including residential, headquarters, and visitor facilities), privately operated visitor lodging and recreational facilities at Furnace Creek Ranch and Inn, owned and operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts (Xanterra), a private corporation, and Timbisha Shoshone Tribe trust lands.

Death Valley is considered the warmest and driest part of the United States given its elevation and geographic location (NPS 2006a, p. B-1). Its climate is characterized by low humidity, high summer temperatures, high winds during the spring months, high evaporation, and low rainfall (Roof and Callagan 2003, pp. 1725, 1734). Rainfall in the basin varies greatly from year-to-year, and 10- to 20-year intervals of relative dryness or wetness have been described for the Furnace Creek area, generally following the Pacific decadal oscillation of sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean (Roof and Callagan 2003, p. 1735). Annual precipitation, measured at Furnace Creek from 1911 to 2002, ranged from 0 to 11.76 cm (0 to 4.63 in), with an annual average of

4.8 cm (1.9 in) (Roof and Callagan 2003, p. 1734). There are two distinct precipitation patterns in the region—in winter (December–February), rainfall is generally low in intensity, but long in duration, while summer rains (July–September), from localized thunderstorms, are of a higher intensity, but shorter duration, and primarily result from monsoonal flows (northward flux of tropical air) from the south (e.g., Gulf of California) (Belcher and Sweetkind (eds.) 2010, p. 9). Winter storms and localized summer thunderstorm events can produce several inches of rain over a few days or few hours in the case of summer rains, and they can cause significant flash floods. These flood events can produce channel down cutting and local erosion in desert canyons, washes and streams (NPS 2006a, pp. III-14, III-74).

Figure 1. Location of Furnace Creek Springs, Death Valley National Park, California.

The Furnace Creek Springs, which includes Nevares and Travertine Springs as well as Texas Spring, represent large volume springs that are discharge points of a regional interbasin flow (Belcher et al. 2009, p. 34). This regional flow system, which includes the southern portion of the Great Basin groundwater flow system including Death Valley National Park, is described in detail in a comprehensive U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper, Death Valley Regional Groundwater Flow System, Nevada and California—Hydrogeologic Framework and Transient Groundwater Flow Model (Belcher and Sweetkind (eds.) 2010, entire). In general, this regional flow system conveys groundwater to the Furnace Creek Springs through the carbonate rocks found in the southeast portion of the Funeral Mountains (Belcher et al. 2009, pp. 34–35). The Furnace Creek Springs were captured and diverted as early as the mid-1880s by early settlers for drinking water, mining operations, and for irrigation because of their general potability (Thomas 2006, pp. 6–7). Hershey et al. (2010, pp. 1012–1013, Table 1) provide a detailed summary of physical, chemical, and isotopic measurements for regional springs discharging from the carbonate-rock province of the Great Basin, including Nevares, Texas, and Travertine Springs.

Reconstruction of the Furnace Creek Water Collection System

When Ambrysus funebris was placed on the candidate list (69 FR 24880; May 4, 2004), the Furnace Creek water collection system drew potable water from three spring sources, Travertine Springs Lines 2, 3, and 4, and the Furnace Creek Wash (NPS 2006a, p. II-5). Water discharges from Texas Springs and Travertine Springs Line 1 have not been collected for consumption since 1999–2000, and, instead, have been discharged onto the ground, allowing streams and channels to develop downslope from these two spring areas (NPS 2006a, p. III-7).

In April 2009, three groundwater production wells went into operation as part of the reconstruction of the Furnace Creek water collection system by the NPS. These wells were intended to replace the potable water diversions from Travertine Springs 2, 3, and 4 (see NPS 2006a, entire). After the NPS groundwater production wells went online in 2009, incremental restoration of the physical hydrology at this spring province began in the summer of 2011, and was completed in the winter of 2013 (R. Friese, Hydrologist, NPS, 2014c, pers. comm.). All of the water that previously flowed into the collection lines for Travertine Spring 2 has been returned to the natural discharge area, which has restored springflow at the primary spring source discharge areas and recharged groundwater that has emerged as additional flow in downgradient springbrooks. New meters were installed in 2001 to replace inaccurate and outdated equipment and to establish annual water use patterns. Water from Travertine Springs 3 and 4 collection lines is still conveyed to a common collection point, which is conveyed to Furnace Creek Wash. The NPS is planning for restoration actions similar to those completed at Travertine 2 for Travertine Springs 3 and 4 in the future. Groundwater well production to meet potable water demands is averaging approximately 206 gallons per minute (gpm) (or 8,884,333 gallons per month). This is 40 percent less than the predicted water use estimate of 343 gpm (on average) described in the 2006 NPS EIS and 38 percent less than the water use estimated in 2004.

A detailed summary of the physical setting for the aquatic habitats known to be occupied (Nevares and Travertine Springs, Furnace Creek Wash) or potentially occupied (Texas Spring) by Ambrysus funebris is presented in our 2015 Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 11–15).

Summary of Changes in the Physical Setting since Candidacy

Since the NPS groundwater production wells went online in 2009, all of the water that previously flowed into the collection lines for Travertine Spring 2 is now discharged to the ground surface, which has allowed for recharge of groundwater at the primary spring source discharge areas and has produced additional flow to downstream springbrooks. Specifically, in September 2011, physical restoration efforts began at Travertine Spring 2 by forcing 110 gpm into the spring areas collection and discharge area by incrementally closing the valves from the spring’s discharge lines, which resulted in emergence of several spring discharges in the area (Friese, 2014c, pers. comm.). An additional 70 gpm was forced back into Travertine Spring 2 collection and discharge area in June 2012, and by December 2013, all valves in the outflow lines from Travertine Spring 2 had been completely closed, forcing another 90 gpm into the spring area (Friese 2014c, pers. comm.).

The pumping of the production wells has resulted in a reduction of 18 percent in flow (310 gpm as of September 2011) for Travertine Spring 2 from the average flow of 377 gpm that was reported in the NPS Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (NPS, 2006a, p. II-48). The restoration actions have “added” a total of 270 gpm of spring water back into the spring area and downstream springbrooks associated with Travertine Spring 2 (Friese 2014c, pers. comm.) and have forced some of the Travertine Spring 2 discharge into the subsurface, recharging the local water table as reflected in the increase of 80 gpm in the downgradient flows observed at the collection area for Travertine Springs 3 and 4 (Friese 2014c, pers. comm.). The restoration of Travertine Spring 2 has also resulted in the advancement of the springflow down the Furnace Creek Wash, and the discharge rates in the restored perennial springbrook reach between Travertine Springs and the Furnace Creek Inn have been measured at 95–130 gpm; this flow persists for approximately 4.83 km (3 miles) down the Furnace Creek fan and across the valley floor (NPS 2015, pers. comm.).

At Travertine Spring 1, which is located closest to the production wells, the groundwater pumping has resulted in a larger than expected effect to that spring discharge. The post-pumping average flow is approximately 65 gpm (Friese 2014c, pers. comm.), which is about 63 percent of the predicted post-pumping flow of 103 gpm, and about 48 percent of the average pre-pumping flow of 135 gpm (as reported in the NPS EIS (NPS 2006a, p. II-26).

Water from Travertine 3 and 4 collection lines is still conveyed to a common collection point, the Travertine Springs measurement or flume box, and, from there, the water is conveyed under Highway 190 to the Furnace Creek Wash measurement box, and eventually into Furnace Creek Wash, as described above (NPS 2006a, p. III-75). The NPS plans to implement restoration actions for the Travertine Springs 3 and 4 in the future including riparian releases as described above for Travertine Spring 2.

Flows from Texas Spring and Nevares Springs have not been affected by the groundwater pumping and are not collected as part of the Furnace Creek water collection system. There has been no significant decline in flows for these two spring complexes since the production wells went online in 2009.

Ecological Setting

Ambrysus funebris is classified as a crenobiontic species, or an obligate spring dweller (Sada and Cooper 2012, p. 3). Ambrysus funebris is one of eight endemic aquatic invertebrates found only within the Furnace Creek Springs and Furnace Creek Wash area of Death Valley National Park (Threloff 2001, p. 1). These spring dwelling endemics have become isolated within a relatively stable environment, and they are considered to be relict life forms within spring habitats that represent remnants of more extensive lakes and streams found in earlier times (Usinger 1968, p. 183). La Rivers (1953, pp. 91–93) speculated that A. funebris speciation and morphological divergence (i.e., reduction in size and inability to fly due to reduced hindwings) from other Ambrysus was the result of rapid evolutionary pressure (primarily temperature) due to its stable, thermal aquatic environment as well as its isolation from other naucorids. As a thermal endemic, the distribution of this species appears to therefore at least be partially controlled by ecological factors and not simply by having an open waterway from one part of the system to another within a broader geophysical setting (La Rivers 1953, p. 91).

The genera and species of the Naucoridae found in California (two genera, six species) are very specific regarding their preferred habitats (Polhemus 1979, p. 131). Most of the Ambrysus prefer streams with pebbly substrates, and Ambrysus funebris has been observed in “intermediate areas” within springbrooks (downstream areas of spring discharges), that is, those areas where water flow is rapid enough such that fine sand is not allowed to deposit on the bottom, but not so fast that coarse gravel is removed (La Rivers 1948, p. 107). The Ambrysi group has been observed crawling among “sand-free gravel pebbles” in some aquatic habitats and active swimmers in other locations (La Rivers 1951, p. 285).

La Rivers (1948, p. 107) early description of Ambrysus funebris indicated that it was found approximately 91.4 m (100 yds) downstream of the Nevares Spring complex, in Cow Creek, which was described at that time as a short, narrow, swift, and warm mineralized stream. Sada and Cooper (2012, pp. 9–11) provided a detailed description of the environmental settings for the Furnace Creek Springs following initial activities to implement elements of the reconstruction of the NPS Furnace Creek water collection system, and related aquatic habitat restoration activities (see NPS 2006a, entire). Discussions of the environmental conditions for the three spring complexes were also included in results of ecological studies of aquatic invertebrates prepared by Threloff (2001, entire) and Sada and Herbst (2006, entire). A detailed discussion of the ecological communities at the Furnace Creek Springs and Furnace Creek Wash can be found in our 2015 Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 17–20).

Summary of Changes in Ecological Setting since Candidacy

After flow from Travertine Spring 2 was forced back into the collection/discharge area, the groundwater recharge component emerged in the wetland area to the southwest and also in Furnace Creek Wash (Friese 2014a, pers. comm.). As of November 2013, the total wetted spring area (aquatic or riparian habitat) at Travertine Springs (all springs) is estimated at 1.15 hectares (2.85 acres) (see Appendix C in our 2015 Species Report, p. 55, including new wetted areas at Travertine Spring 2 (Friese 2014a, pers. comm.). Additional ground surface discharges are expected to be implemented at Travertine Springs 3 and 4. Following the August 2010 wildfire

at Travertine Springs, all invasive palms located downgradient from the Travertine Springs 1 and 2 collection areas were removed by February 2011, which has significantly reduced the competition of space and water resources allowing native vegetation to become reestablished.

Historical Range/Distribution:

La Rivers’ type locality description of Ambrysus funebris indicated that it was abundant in “suitable” areas (in Cow Creek, downstream of Nevares Spring area), with approximately 60 specimens collected, mostly adults (La Rivers 1948, p. 107). In 1951, La Rivers described A. funebris at Furnace Creek as occurring “in such numbers that [they] can be considered the dominant animal,” and also indicated that dragonfly and damselfly nymphs were abundant (La Rivers 1951, p. 284). In his 1953 publication (La Rivers 1953, p. 92), La Rivers’ described both A. funebris and A. amargosus (found within the Point-of-Rocks Springs in the Ash Meadows area of Nevada) as “relatively small, inbreeding, highly restricted populations.”

Current Range Distribution:

Ambrysus funebris was described as the “least abundant endemic invertebrate” in the Travertine- Nevares Springs complex during surveys conducted from 1995 to 2000 (Threloff 2001, pp. 10, 19). In 1996 and 1997 surveys (both in early January), a total of 11 A. funebris were reported from springbrooks in the Furnace Creek Wash (7 locations downstream from the Travertine Springs springbrooks) and a total of 7 A. funebris (at 6 locations) were reported from the Nevares Springs springbrooks (Threloff 2001, Appendices A and B). Ambrysus funebris was also described as present “near Texas Spring tunnel,” but no numbers or additional details regarding the A. funebris’ presence were provided (Threloff 2001, p. 19). The assumed presence of A. funebris near the Texas Spring tunnel is likely based on a discussion in Baldinger et al. (2000, p. 456), which reported that, due to the diversion of piped water from Texas Spring into the ground from 1989 to 1994 (in an effort to create stream habitat), National Park Service maintenance staff transplanted benthic sediment from Travertine Spring to an area downstream of the Texas Spring tunnel, with the intention of reinoculating the stream with aquatic invertebrates and plants. However, Threloff’s surveys in 1995–1996, and subsequent surveys (see below), do not document the presence of A. funebris at the Texas Spring tunnel, and it was not sampled in downstream springbrooks (Threloff 2001, p. 14), thus, A. funebris’ occupation at this location cannot be confirmed.

Population Estimates/Status:

The results of additional surveys for endemic aquatic invertebrates conducted at Travertine Springs (at springbrooks related to Travertine Spring 1), Furnace Creek Wash (May 1999, February 2000), and Nevares Springs (May 1999, February 2000) were presented in an unpublished report by Sada and Herbst (2006, entire). A total of 69 Ambrysus funebris adults were recorded (Sada and Herbst 2006, Appendices III–VI) at 33 different locations (sampling was done by flushing material downstream into a mesh net after disturbing upstream substrate) (Sada and Herbst 2006, p. 8). Whiteman and Sites (2008, entire) conducted surveys for A. funebris in August 1990 at Furnace Creek, and August 2000 at springbrook along Highway 190, east of Furnace Creek Inn, using kick-sampling methods. Approximately 27 nymphal instars

9 were collected from these two areas; however, the total number of adults and where they were collected was not provided by the authors (Whiteman and Sites 2008, p. 502). Following the human-caused wildfire at Travertine Springs in August 2010, Sada sampled several springbrooks for benthic macroinvertebrates within the Travertine Spring 1 area in November 2010. Out of 45 locations sampled, a total of 25 A. funebris (adults and instars) were recorded in 14 locations (D. Sada, Desert Research Institute, 2014, pers. comm.).

Table 1 provides a summary of these various surveys for Ambrysus funebris, and approximate locations (presence) from surveys described by Threloff (2001), Sada and Herbst (2006), and Sada (2014, pers. comm.) are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Population trends for A. funebris are not determinable given the limited surveys conducted since the species was first described and incomplete surveys of all potentially occupied areas. However, based on both historical and more recent surveys, we believe that this narrow endemic species can be considered locally abundant where found, but otherwise uncommon in aquatic habitats within the Travertine and Nevares Spring complexes and Furnace Creek Wash.

Table 1. Locations and survey counts for the Nevares Spring naucorid bug, Death Valley National Park.

Survey Counts and Year Location “Historic” 1996-1997 1999 2000 20101 (1948) Not Travertine Springs Not surveyed 29 10 14 surveyed 60 Not Nevares Springs (est. from Cow 7 10 3 surveyed Creek) Furnace Creek Wash Not Not surveyed 11 7 10 Area surveyed Texas Spring Not surveyed Unknown/Not surveyed 1Adult A. funebris only. Sources: La Rivers (1948); Threloff (2001); Sada and Herbst (2006); Sada (2014, pers. comm.).

Figure 2. Positive Survey Locations for Ambrysus funebris, Travertine Springs Province and Furnace Creek Wash. 11

Figure 3. Positive Survey Locations for Ambrysus funebris, Nevares Springs. 12

Threats

A. The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range:

See Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 25–38).

B. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes:

We found no information indicating that overutilization has led to the loss of populations or a significant reduction in numbers of individuals for this species. Therefore, we conclude based on the best scientific and commercial information available that overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes does not currently pose a threat to Ambrysus funebris, nor is it likely to become a threat in the future.

C. Disease or predation:

See Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 25–38) for discussion of predation. Regarding disease, we found no information indicating that disease has led to the loss of populations or a significant reduction in numbers of individuals for this species. Therefore, based on the best scientific and commercial information available, we conclude that disease does not currently pose a threat to Ambrysus funebris, nor is it likely to become a threat in the future.

D. The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms:

Since we did not find that any of the potential threats rise to the level of warranting listing, we do not have an inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms. See Species Report for discussion of potential threats (Service 2015, pp. 25–38).

E. Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence:

See Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 25–38).

Conservation Measures Planned or Implemented:

See Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 38–40).

Summary of Threats:

Loss of Habitat due to Water Diversion

Based on spring discharge monitoring data (from 1989 to 2014, see Figure 5 and Appendix D in our 2015 Species Report, pp. 30, 56) and previous discharge monitoring results of pre- and post- 13

pumping of the groundwater production wells (Fisk 2011, pp. 138–140), the overall flow rate for Travertine Springs has declined by about 20 percent, much of this at Travertine Spring 1. While this represents a negative factor within one of four of the Travertine Springs that is unlikely to change in the future, we have determined that the reduction in spring discharge will not significantly affect the species at the population or rangewide level. The construction of the groundwater production wells has replaced the previously diverted spring water from the Travertine Spring province as the potable water source for the Furnace Creek area. The flow from Travertine Spring 1 was permanently removed from the Furnace Creek water collection system in 2001 and, since then, has been discharging to the land surface as part of aquatic habitat restoration efforts. Prior to the restoration efforts begun in 2009, the springbrook downstream from Travertine Spring 2 was dry and all of its spring discharge was collected for potable water. Restoration actions completed by NPS at Travertine Springs since 2009 include the return of flow into the Travertine Spring 2 spring area, which is reestablishing aquatic habitat in portions of the spring area and downgradient discharge areas (see Appendix B in our 2015 Species Report, p. 54). Similar restoration efforts are planned for Travertine Springs 3 and 4, which are currently not known to be occupied by Ambrysus funebris. While we believe that these future habitat restoration efforts could enhance conservation of the species by providing suitable habitat, these future actions are not factored into our determination that the threat to A. funebris from water diversion is significant and affecting the species at a population or rangewide level.

The discharge rates from Texas Spring from 2009 to 2014 show very little change (see Appendix E in our 2015 Species Report, p. 57), and Nevares Springs (see Appendix F in our 2015 Species Report, p. 58) is not within the area of influence of the three production wells and is therefore not affected by the pumping. Ambrysus funebris has been found within Travertine and Nevares Springs and its presence is assumed throughout the springbrooks (Sada, 2014, pers. comm.) and within the Furnace Creek Wash. Based on results from 1999–2000 and 2010 surveys (Threloff 2001; Sada and Herbst 2006, Sada 2014, pers. comm.), Sada (2014, pers. comm.) has concluded that there has been no decrease in the amount of habitat occupied by A. funebris. Notably, groundwater well production to meet potable water demands is averaging approximately 206 gallons per minute (gpm) (8,884,333 gallons per month) (see Appendix B in our 2015 Species Report, p. 54), which is 40 percent lower than the predicted water use estimate of 343 gpm (average) described in the 2006 NPS for the reconstruction of the Furnace Creek water collection system and 38 percent less than the potable water use estimated in 2004, when the species was placed on the candidate list. No appreciable increase in potable water use by the NPS is expected for the next 20 years and NPS indicates that this assessment is likely the case regarding future water use by the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe (Friese 2015, pers. comm.). Xanterra has indicated that they do not intend to exceed their current water usage, that is, any future expansion (e.g., housing units) plans and water use would be compensated by other reductions so as to stay within this current use rate (W. Badder, Engineer, Xanterra, 2015, pers. comm.).

In summary, given the groundwater pumping rate established by the NPS over the past 5 years (see Appendix B in our 2015 Species Report, p. 54) and expectations regarding future water use, we are confident that the threat to the species posed by water withdrawal from local groundwater resources and its effect on the Furnace Creek Springs will not significantly affect the species or its habitat over the next 20 years.

Nonnative and Invasive Plants

Given the past management activities and management actions identified and implemented within Death Valley National Park (NPS 2002, p. 13) to remove, to the extent feasible, nonnative or exotic plants, including nonnative tamarisk, the threat to Ambrysus funebris from nonnative and invasive plants is minor at present and this is not expected to change for at least the next several years.

Predation

We are not aware of native predators being a concern for Ambrysus funebris. Based on the negative survey results of potential nonnative predators in surveys conducted in 1999–2000 and 2010 within the Furnace Creek Springs and Furnace Creek Wash and negative observations of potential nonnative predators from areas where previously observed, predation is not a threat to A. funebris at the current time. In addition, as noted below, the 2002 NPS management plan for Death Valley National Park includes management actions within a 10–15 year management strategy to control nonnative aquatic species (e.g., mosquito fish, crayfish) (NPS 2002, p. 13). Given that no potential predators have been found in areas occupied by A. funebris and that it is currently found only on lands managed by the NPS, we can therefore reliably predict that predation is not likely a threat to the species now or into the future.

Fire

Based on the best available information and our review of historical records, both wildfire and human-caused fires are rare events at the Furnace Creek Springs (only one event since at least 1986). Fire management actions identified in the 2007 Fire Management Plan for Death Valley National Park (NPS 2007) guide NPS priorities at Death Valley National Park until at least 2017. Therefore, we can reliably predict that the threat from fire due to either direct loss of habitat or indirect effect (e.g., disturbance from fire suppression) is not currently a threat to this species nor do we predict it to be a threat for the next 30 years (this prediction is based on looking back since 1986 and assuming a similar situation for the future).

Climate Change

Based on the simulations prepared by Fisk (2011, pp. 141–144), the effects of climate change to the changes in groundwater head and spring discharge for the Furnace Creek Springs do not appear to be significant throughout the 21st Century and likely well beyond. Although temperatures in the region are expected to increase by the 2060s, this effect will likely not affect the spring temperatures themselves. Although downgradient springbrooks temperatures may be affected, this effect is difficult to model. However, with projected increases in atmospheric temperatures, aquatic habitats are likely to respond with higher daily maximum and overall elevated temperatures. Thus, an increase in suitable (to Ambrysus funebris) water temperature downstream from the spring source could therefore represent a positive effect by increasing available habitat for A. funebris (K. Wilson, Aquatic Ecologist, 2015, pers. comm.). Simulations of recharge effects to the Death Valley regional groundwater flow system related to future climate change were prepared in the late 1990s (D’Agnese et al. 1998, entire). These model

simulations found that, overall, there was higher total future recharge rate for California and southern Nevada when compared to present day simulations, and that most of the drains (springs) in Death Valley continued to flow in the future climate simulation (D’Agnese et al. 1998, pp. 1, 30).

Cumulative Effects

Threats can work in concert with one another to cumulatively create conditions that will impact Ambrysus funebris beyond the scope of each individual threat. An expected increase in temperature in the region before the end of this century will take place in concert with any changes in land use and other environmental factors such as altered habitat due to invasive plant species. However, given that the locations for A. funebris on lands managed by the NPS and that these areas are undergoing restoration activities related to spring discharge rates and aquatic habitat (springbrook) enhancement, or are being proposed for future restoration, it is unlikely that these aquatic habitats will be subject to cumulative effects of these stressors and this is not expected to change in the future.

Overall Summary

The primary threat to Ambrysus funebris at the time it was placed on the candidate list in 2003 was loss of habitat due to diversion of water from the Furnace Creek Springs. Since then, the NPS has rebuilt the Furnace Creek water collection system, which supplies potable water to the Furnace Creek area, and has implemented restoration actions within the Travertine Springs province. In evaluating this potential threat, we have assessed new hydrological data obtained from NPS and other hydrological studies, as well as the results of restoration actions implemented since the species was placed on the candidate list. The combined post-pumping flow for the four Travertine Springs (1–4) is approximately 80 percent of the estimated pre- pumping flow. While this represents a negative factor within one of four of the Travertine Springs springbrooks that is unlikely to change in the future, this level of impact would not significantly affect the species rangewide. Flows from Nevares Springs (occupied by A. funebris) and Texas Spring (unknown occupation) have not been affected by the groundwater pumping and are not collected as part of the Furnace Creek water collection system. Importantly, the elimination of water diversion from the Travertine Spring 2 has allowed NPS to implement aquatic habitat restoration at this spring area, including restoration of its previously dry downstream springbrook. This restoration has augmented local groundwater, which has reemerged in aquatic habitat in portions of the spring area and downstream areas, including Furnace Creek Wash (occupied by A. funebris). Similar beneficial restoration actions are planned for the near future at Travertine Springs 3 and 4. While these future habitat restoration efforts could assist in conservation of the species by providing additional suitable habitat, these future actions have not been factored into our determination that the threat to A. funebris from water diversion is significantly affecting the species rangewide.

In addition, the 5-year average production of potable water from the three groundwater wells is approximately 206 gpm (or 8,884,333 gallons per month) (see Appendix B), which is 40 percent lower than the predicted potable water use estimate of 343 gpm (average) described in the 2006 NPS EIS (NPS 2006a, p. G-3) and 38 percent less than the potable water use estimated in 2004,

when the species was placed on the candidate list. Based on the best available information, no appreciable increase in potable water use by NPS and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe is expected for at least the next 20 years (Friese 2015, pers. comm.). Xanterra has indicated that they do not intend to exceed their current water usage; that is, any future expansion (e.g., housing units) plans and water use would be compensated by other reductions so as to stay within this current use rate (Badder, 2015, pers. comm.).

In our 2015 Species Report (Service 2015, pp. 25–38) we also evaluated potential threats related to Ambrysus funebris and its habitat from nonnative or invasive plants, predation, and fire. The threat to the species’ habitat from nonnative or invasive plants is minor in scope and is currently being managed by the NPS. Predation is not presently a threat to the species and is not expected in the future. Fire has been a rare event within the Furnace Creek Springs area and this threat is not expected in the future. In addition to resource management actions identified in the Death Valley National Park General Management Plan, the NPS has prepared and is implementing specific policies for controlling or removing exotic plants and for fire management. Based on computer model projections, potential impacts to the species from the effects climate change (i.e., changes to groundwater head and spring discharge for the Furnace Creek Springs) also are unlikely to be significant well into the 21st Century.

Rationale for not warranted finding

As required by the Act, we considered the five factors in assessing whether Ambrysus funebris is endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of its range. We examined the best scientific and commercial information available regarding the past, present, and future threats faced by A. funebris. We reviewed the information available in our files, other available published and unpublished information, and we consulted with recognized A. funebris experts and other Federal, State, and tribal agencies. Based on our review of the best available scientific and commercial information pertaining to the five factors, we find that the threats are not of sufficient imminence, intensity, or magnitude to indicate that A. funebris is in danger of extinction (endangered), or likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future (threatened), throughout all of its range. In considering any significant portion of the range of this species, we evaluated whether the stressors facing A. funebris might be geographically concentrated in any one portion of its range and whether these stressors manifest as threats to A. funebris such that it would be presently in danger of extinction throughout all of the species’ range. Because the distribution of the species is limited to a very few spring habitats and stressors are similar throughout the species range, we found no concentration of stressors that suggests that A. funebris may be in danger of extinction in a portion of its range. We also found no portion of its range where the stressors are significantly concentrated or substantially greater than in any other portion of its range. Therefore, we find that factors affecting A. funebris are essentially uniform throughout its range, indicating no portion of the range warrants further consideration of possible endangered or threatened status under the Act.

Therefore, we find that listing A. funebris as a threatened or endangered species is not warranted throughout all or a significant portion of its range at this time.

For species that are being removed from candidate status:

No Is the removal based in whole or in part on one or more individual conservation efforts that you determined met the standards in the Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE)?

Recommended Conservation Measures: N/A

Emergency Listing Review

No Is Emergency Listing Warranted?

Emergency listing is not warranted at this time because activities that are likely to extirpate all of the Ambrysus funebris in the Complex in the next 12 months have not been identified. We have identified planned activities that could increase the numbers of A. funebris and/or restore its habitat in the next 12 months.

Description of Monitoring:

As part of the mitigation measures defined in the final EIS for rebuilding the Furnace Creek water collection system (NPS 2006a, Appendix D), NPS is monitoring affected wetland habitats, including loss of wetlands that might result from groundwater pumping. Monitoring of wetland habitats was required one year after groundwater pumping was initiated (2010), and again after 5 years (2014), 10 years (2019), and then every two years (NPS 2006a, p. E-54). This monitoring has also included measuring spring flow as reported above (see Appendixes D–F in our 2015 Species Report, pp. 56–58). Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling at the Furnace Creek Springs is currently being conducted by the NPS through its Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (https://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/mojn/monitor/large_springs.cfm, accessed March 3, 2015).

Indicate which State(s) (within the range of the species) provided information or comments on the species or latest species assessment:

None

Indicate which State(s) did not provide any information or comment:

California

State Coordination:

We provided a draft Species Report to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for their review; however, they did not provide any information or comments on the species or our 2015 Species Report (Service 2015, entire).

References Cited:

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______. 2014c. Electronic mail message from Richard Friese, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, regarding summary of impacts of groundwater pumping, to Betty Grizzle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Dated November 7, 2014.

______. 2014d. Electronic mail message from Richard Friese, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, regarding effects of groundwater pumping at Inn Tunnel and Furnace Creek Wash, to Betty Grizzle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Dated December 17, 2014.

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______. 2014b. Electronic mail message from Genne Nelson, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, regarding Texas Spring hydrograph and ground water production well summary, to Betty Grizzle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Dated November 19, 2014.

Penman-Brotzman, J. 2014. Electronic mail message from Jonathan Penman-Brotzman, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, regarding fire history at Furnace Creek Springs, to Betty Grizzle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office. Dated December 23, 2014.

Sada, D.W. 2012. Electronic mail message from Donald Sada, Desert Research Institute, to Erin Nordin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Southwest Region. Dated April 11, 2012.

______. 2014. Electronic mail message from Donald Sada, Desert Research Institute, to Richard Friese, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park (forwarded to Betty Grizzle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office). Dated October 27, 2014.

Wilson, K. 2015. Electronic mail message from Kevin Wilson, National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, regarding climate change projections and effects for Mojave Desert, to Betty Grizzle, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.