ATTACHMENT SS2

REGION 2 SENSITIVE SPECIES EVALUATION FORM

Species: Besseya alpina / Alpine Kittentails, Alpine coral-drops

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations B The range of Besseya alpina is centered on USFS Region 2, where it occurs in alpine • Duft and Moseley 1989 1 areas of the mountains of western and central Colorado and the Medicine Bow Range Distribution • Fertig 1993 within R2 in southeastern , on the Medicine Bow National Forest. In Colorado, this • Fertig 1999 species is reported as "common" by Weber (1987) and is found primarily in alpine • Nelson 1984 tundra, or less frequently on north-facing cliffs below timberline. • University of Wyoming 1998 • Weber 1987 In Wyoming, B. alpina occurs on rocky boulder and talus slopes, and alpine meadows • Welp et al. 2000 of Geum rossii turf or cushion plants (often below snowfields) at elevations of 11200- 11800 feet.

Confidence in Rank: Medium B Alpine kittentails is a regional endemic of southeastern Wyoming, central and western • Fertig 1993 2 Colorado, and northern New Mexico, with disjunct populations in the La Sal Mountains Distribution • Weber 1987 outside R2 of east-central Utah.

Confidence in Rank: High B Alpine kittentails is non-rhizomatous and reproduces entirely by seed. Seeds are flat • Fertig, personal observation 3 and relatively small, but not otherwise adapted for wind or animal dispersal. Overall Dispersal Capability dispersal distances may be short on average and establishment may be limited to the availability of open soil or proper climatic conditions (annual recruitment is probably low and episodic). Much potential habitat in the alpine zone is available but appears to be under-utilized (and thus, not limiting to dispersal).

Confidence in Rank: Medium

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Species: Besseya alpina / Alpine Kittentails, Alpine coral-drops

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations C It is known from a single extant population on Medicine Bow Peak and one historical • Fertig 1993 4 report in Wyoming. When surveyed in 1993, the Medicine Bow Peak population Abundance in • Weber 1987 R2 consisted of 3 main subpopulations extending across a 1 mile area and numbered less • Welp et al. 2000 than 50 flowering plants (Fertig 1993). These populations may have been larger, however, as numerous vegetative plants could not be reliably distinguished from the related B. wyomingensis (Fertig 1993). Nelson (1984) states that B. alpina is "common" in the Medicine Bow Range.

Besseya alpina is not tracked by the Colorado Heritage Program and is considered "common" in the state by Weber (1987). It is ranked S1 in Wyoming and Utah and S3 in New Mexico. In Wyoming, this species is known from a single extant population that consists of at least 3 subpopulations that totaled less than 50 reproductive individuals in 1993 (Fertig 1993). Throughout Region 2, this species is probably locally abundant in its limited alpine range.

Confidence in Rank: High D Trend data are lacking for most populations in Colorado. Low population numbers in • Fertig 1999 5 1993 suggest that the species may be declining in Wyoming, although more current Population Trend in R2 census information is needed to confirm this trend (Fertig 1999).

Confidence in Rank: High B Throughout USFS Region 2, habitat trends are probably stable to slightly declining, • - 6 mostly due to the remoteness of the plant's alpine habitat. Habitat Trend in R2 Confidence in Rank: High

B Threats are probably low overall, although some colonies could be impacted by heavy • Fertig 1993 7 recreational use in easily-accessible alpine areas. Climate change is a potential long- Habitat • Welp et al. 2000 Vulnerability term threat to the species. Alpine kittentails is not formally protected within Region 2 or at the species level. Populations in Colorado are likely to occur in designated Modification Wilderness areas on National Forest lands. In Wyoming, part of one population is protected within the Medicine Bow Special Botanical Area on Medicine Bow National Forest (Fertig 1993).

Confidence in Rank: High

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 2 of 4 ATTACHMENT SS2

Species: Besseya alpina / Alpine Kittentails, Alpine coral-drops

Criteria Rank Rationale Literature Citations D Additional information is needed on the life history of this species (especially mortality, • - 8 pollination biology, seedling establishment, and population dynamics) to assess Life History and whether it needs special management consideration. Demographics Confidence in Rank: High Initial Evaluator(s): Walter Fertig and Scott Laursen Date: 5 February 2002

National Forests in the Rocky Mountain Region where species is KNOWN (K) or LIKELY(L)1 to occur:

Colorado NF/NG Kansas NF/NG Nebraska NF/NG South Dakota Wyoming NF/NG

NF/NG

y y

y y y Known Likel Known Likel Known Likel Known Likel Known Likel -Roosevelt NF ? Cimmaron NG Samuel R.McKelvie NF NF NF White River NF ? Halsey NF Buffalo Gap NG Bighorn NF Routt NF ? Nebraska NF Ft. Pierre NG Black Hills NF Grand Mesa, ? Ogalala NG Medicine Bow NF X Uncompahgre, Gunnison NF San Juan NF ? Thunder Basin NG Rio Grande NF ? Pike-San Isabel NF ? Comanche NG

Literature cited Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora. Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, USA. Vol 4. Subclass Asteridae. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY.

Duft, J.E. and R.K. Moseley. 1989. Alpine Wildflowers of the Rocky Mountains. Mountain Press Publ. Co., Missoula, MT.

1 Likely is defined as more likely to occur than not occur on the National Forest or Grassland. This generally can be thought of as having a 50% chance or greater of appearing on NFS lands.

USDA-Forest Service R2 Sensitive Species Evaluation Form Page 3 of 4 ATTACHMENT SS2 Fertig, W. 1993. Survey of alpine plant species of special concern in the Medicine Bow Peak Special Botanical Area. Report prepared for the Medicine Bow National Forest by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY.

Fertig, W. 1999. State Species Abstract: Besseya alpina. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. Available on the internet at www.uwyo.edu/wyndd

Nelson, B. E. 1984. Vascular Plants of the Medicine Bow Range. Jelm Mountain Press, Laramie, WY.

University of Wyoming – Rocky Mountain Herbarium. 1998. Atlas of the Flora of Wyoming. Posted electronically through 1998 at: http://www.esb.utexas.edu/tchumley/wyomap/ and unposted accession information at the Rocky Mountain Herbarium through 2001.

Weber, W.A. 1987. Colorado Flora: Western Slope. Colorado Associated University Press, Boulder, CO.

Welp, L., W.F. Fertig, G.P. Jones, G.P. Beauvais, and S.M. Ogle. 2000. Fine filter analysis of the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone National Forests in Wyoming. Report prepared for the US Forest Service Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY.

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