Developing standardized survey and monitoring protocols for four threatened and endangered Willamette Valley prairie plant species RAM TURE G L Final R eport N PRO GRICU O T OF A T OF ERVATI N RTME CONS A T E PLAN ON DEP V Prepared by Rebecca Currin and Robert Meinke NATI OREG for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (under Grant No. OR-EP-2, Seg. 22) September 27, 2013 Table of contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 1 Document citation ..................................................................................................................... 2 Contact information .................................................................................................................. 2 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3 2. Background information ....................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Study area (Willamette Valley prairies) ......................................................................... 5 2.2 Study species ................................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Bradshaw’s lomatium .............................................................................................. 6 2.2.2 Kincaid’s lupine ....................................................................................................... 7 2.2.3 Nelson’s checkermallow .......................................................................................... 8 2.2.4 Willamette daisy .................................................................................................... 10 3. Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 11 3.1 Target species literature review .................................................................................... 11 3.2 Target species survey and monitoring methodology review ........................................ 12 3.3 General rare plant survey and monitoring methodologies review ................................ 12 3.4 Field site visits .............................................................................................................. 12 3.5 Previous monitoring data analysis ................................................................................ 13 4. Summary of general and previously-used protocols .......................................................... 13 4.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Summary of field vegetation measurement techniques ................................................ 14 4.3 Summary of previously-used target species protocols.................................................. 14 5. Recommended survey protocols ........................................................................................ 22 5.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 22 5.2 Determining if a rare plant survey is appropriate ......................................................... 22 5.3 Minimum survey requirements ..................................................................................... 23 5.4 Pre-survey preparation .................................................................................................. 24 5.5 Survey field equipment list ........................................................................................... 25 5.6 Survey protocols: all species ......................................................................................... 25 5.7 Survey protocols: species-specific ................................................................................ 27 5.7.1 Bradshaw’s lomatium ............................................................................................ 27 5.7.2 Kincaid’s lupine ..................................................................................................... 28 5.7.3 Nelson’s checkermallow ........................................................................................ 28 5.7.4 Willamette daisy .................................................................................................... 29 5.8 Documenting new populations ..................................................................................... 31 5.9 Developing quick estimates of new population sizes ................................................... 32 5.10 Survey reports ............................................................................................................. 33 6. Recommended monitoring protocols ................................................................................. 35 6.1 Developing a monitoring plan ...................................................................................... 35 6.1.1 Compile and review target species/site information .............................................. 35 6.1.2 Develop monitoring goals and objectives .............................................................. 36 6.1.3 Assess resources available for monitoring ............................................................. 37 6.1.3 Select general approach/methodology to be used .................................................. 37 6.1.4 Maintain consistency in long-term monitoring ...................................................... 38 6.2 Monitoring pre-site visit checklist ................................................................................ 40 Willamette Valley prairie species survey and monitoring protocols: 2013 Final Report (Year 2) 6.3 Monitoring field equipment list .................................................................................... 41 6.4 General monitoring protocols: all species ..................................................................... 42 6.5 Census vs. sampling decision matrix ............................................................................ 44 6.6 Monitoring frequency ................................................................................................... 44 6.7 Censusing protocols: all species ................................................................................... 46 6.8 Sampling protocols: all species ..................................................................................... 49 6.8.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 49 6.8.2 General sampling design requirements .................................................................. 49 6.8.3 Example sampling protocol ................................................................................... 50 6.9 Monitoring protocols: species-specific ......................................................................... 55 6.9.1 Bradshaw’s lomatium ............................................................................................ 55 6.9.2 Kincaid’s lupine ..................................................................................................... 57 6.9.3 Nelson’s checkermallow ........................................................................................ 63 6.9.4 Willamette daisy .................................................................................................... 66 6.9.5 Summary of species-specific monitoring protocols ............................................... 69 7. Demographic monitoring .................................................................................................... 71 7.1 Bradshaw’s lomatium ................................................................................................... 72 7.2 Kincaid’s lupine ............................................................................................................ 72 7.3 Nelson’s checkermallow ............................................................................................... 73 7.4 Willamette daisy ........................................................................................................... 74 8. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 74 Literature cited ........................................................................................................................ 76 Personal communication ......................................................................................................... 86 Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 87 Appendix A: Summary of monitoring practices for Bradshaw’s lomatium ....................... 88 Appendix B: Summary of monitoring practices for Kincaid’s lupine ................................ 96 Appendix C: Summary of monitoring practices for Nelson’s checkermallow ................. 103 Appendix D: Summary of monitoring practices for Willamette daisy ............................. 109 Appendix E: Sample rare plant survey data sheet ............................................................ 113 Appendix F: Bradshaw’s lomatium pictures..................................................................... 116 Appendix G: Kincaid’s lupine pictures............................................................................