Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template SPECIES: Scientific [common] Erigeron mancus [La Sal daisy] ERMA9 Forest: Manti-La Sal Forest Reviewer: B. Smith Date of Review: 28may2016 Forest concurrence (or Yes recommendation if new) for inclusion of species on list of potential SCC: (Enter Yes or No) Forest review result: The Forest concurs or recommends the species for inclusion on the list of potential SCC: Yes_X__ No___ 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 _______ Issue: Whether the species identified above should be listed as a species of Conservation Concern (SCC) for the Manti-La Sal National Forest (MLNF) as identified in the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219). Rule: The 2012 Planning Rule [36 CFR 219.7(c)(3)] states that “The regional forester shall identify the species of conservation concern for the plan area in coordination with the responsible official.” It [36 CFR 219.9(b)(2)(c)] defines a species of conservation concern as “…a species, other than federally recognized threatened, endangered, proposed, or candidate species, that is known to occur in the plan area and for which the regional forester has determined that the best available scientific information indicates substantial concern about the species’ capability to persist over the long-term in the plan area.” Analysis: The best available scientific information (BASI) indicates that the species is of local conservation concern. Conclusion: Based upon the BASI documented herein, it is recommended that this species be included in the potential list of SCC for the MLNF. 1 Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template Species: _La Sal daisy______________ FOREST REVIEW INFORMATION Status summary based on other methods (information is on the Regional Office list of species considered; correct as needed): Entity Status/Rank (include definition if Other) NatureServe G2/N2 (NatureServe 2015) Natural UT - No Conservation Status Issued (Franklin and UDNR 2005) Heritage CO – Not Listed (CNHP 2015) Program State List UT - S2 (NatureServe 2015) Status CO – Not listed (NatureServe 2015) Not included in the CO or UT Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP 2015, WAP 2015) USDA Forest Erigeron mancus is currently a FS Region 4 sensitive species for the Manti Service La-Sal National Forest (USFS 2013). As of May 2016, this species is not listed as a potential SCC or Sensitive Species for any adjoining National Forests (USFS 2013). USDI FWS Not a listed species. Other Was formerly a category 2 candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Franklin and UDNR 2005). Review of species of conservation concern criteria based on definition 1. Native to the plan area a. Is the species native to the plan area? Yes_X__ No___ i. If no, provide explanation. 2 Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template Species: _La Sal daisy_____________ 2. Known to occur in the plan area Table 2. Known Occurrence Frequency within the Planning Area (NRIS database) Occurrence: Number Source of Information Known Occurrences in the past 20 100s MLNF 2016, Smith and Fowler years 2015, Wild Utah Project 2015 Year Last Observed 2015 MLNF 2016 a. Are all species occurrences only accidental or transient? Yes___ No__X_ 1) If yes, document source for determination. b. 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___ 1) If no, provide explanation. 3. Substantial concern for species persistence in the plan area a. Describe briefly the distribution, abundance, and population trend of the species in the plan area. This alpine daisy is endemic to the La Sal Mountains (Welsh et al 1993). It occurs on the peaks above timberline in grass-sedge and forb communities at elevations of 9,900-12,200 feet. Within its narrow habitat, it is locally abundant. A study in 2008 did not find evidence for widespread impacts on the alpine turf habitat in the middle group of the La Sals (Smith 2008). The impact study plots were re-sampled in 2015, and while some localized impacts were recorded, there was no evidence of widespread adverse effects (Wild Utah Project 2015). Monitoring of alpine vegetation, focused on La Sal daisy and associated cushion plant species, was initiated in 2014 in response to the introduction of non-indigenous mountain goats (MLNF 2016). Additional research on the elevational distribution of La Sal daisy and associated species was conducted to establish baseline information on the 3 Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template population and identify potential climate change impacts (Fowler and Smith 2010). The elevational transect was resampled in 2015, and preliminary analysis of the data shows no change in population density or elevational centroid (Smith and Fowler 2015). b. Describe briefly threats or risk factors to the species or the ecological conditions that support it (i.e. habitat) based on best available scientific information. Increasing recreational activity was identified as a potential threat by Franklin and UDNR (2005). The narrow alpine habitat of the La Sal Mountains is experiencing increased traffic by recreational users and introduced mountain goats (MLNF 2016, Smith and Fowler 2015, Wild Utah Project 2015). Trampling, excessive grazing and other localized site disturbance could have adverse impacts to the population. The combination of the effects of climate change could compound with the effects of other threats (NatureServe 2015). A portion of the habitat on the northern portion of the peaks has patented mining claims with a potential for exploratory activities in the future. c. Considering the trend in populations or habitat and threats or risk factors for those populations or habitats, is there substantial concern for persistence of the species in the plan area? The species appears locally abundant in suitable sites, but it is restricted to the narrow spine of the La Sal range. The limited alpine environment of the La Sal Mountains is experiencing increased use by recreationists, and may be impacted by grazing, trampling and climate change. Yes_X__ No___ 1) If no, provide explanation. 4 Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template 4. Range Map Map 1. UT occurence map of Erigeron mancus (Franklin and UDNR 2005). Map 2. Occurence map of Erigeron mancus from Atwood et al 1991. 5 Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template Map 3. Distribution map of Erigeron mancus (USDA 2016). 5. Literature Cited Atwood, D., J. Holland, R. Bolander, B. Franklin, D. E. House, L. Armstrong, K. Thorne, and L. England. 1991. Utah Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plant Field Guide. USFS, NPS, BLM, UNHP, USFWS, EPA, Navajo Nation, and Skull Valley Goshute Tribe. Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). 2015. Tracked Vascular Plant Species. http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/download/list/vascular.asp. (Accessed May 24, 2016). Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). 2015. Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan: A plan for conserving wildlife in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver, CO. 865 pgs. http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx Franklin, M. A. and State of Utah Department of Natural Resources (UDNR). 2005. "Plant Information Compiled by the Utah Natural Heritage Program: A Progress Report". All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository). Paper 474. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs/474 Fowler, J. and B. Smith. 2010. Erigeron mancus density as a baseline to detect future climate change in La Sal Mountain habitats. J. Bot. Inst. Texas 4(2):747-753. 6 Intermountain Region Species of Conservation Concern Review DRAFT Template Manti-La Sal National Forest (MLNF). 2016. District survey and EO data. MLNF, Moab District. NatureServe. 2015. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: May 2, 2016). Smith, B. 2008. Mt. Peale Natural Resource Area Alpine Vegetation Impact Assessment, Final Report. Unpublished report for the Canyonlands Natural History Association Discovery Pool Grant. Manti-La Sal National Forest. Moab, UT. Smith, B. and J. Fowler. 2015. Climate change effects on the narrow endemic plant species, La Sal Daisy (Erigeron mancus). Final Report for BeSMART grant, Rocky Mountain Research Station, US Forest Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), NRCS. 2016. The PLANTS Database http://plants.usda.gov. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401- 4901 USA. (Accessed: May 24, 2016) U.S. Forest Service (USFS). 2013. Proposed, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive Species List, R4. Known / Suspected Distribution by Forest. Utah Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) Joint Team. 2015. Utah Wildlife Action Plan: A plan for managing native wildlife species and their habitats to prevent listing under the Endangered Species Act. Draft version 2.0. DWR Publication No. 15-14. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake City, UT. 400 pgs. http://wildlife.utah.gov/wap/wap2015draft2.pdf Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, L.C. Higgins. 1993. A Utah Flora, Second Edition, revised. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs No. 9. Wild Utah Project.