APPENDIX C BRIEF LIFE HISTORY NARRATIVES FOR BOTANICAL, WILDLIFE, AND FISH SPECIES OF LOCAL INTEREST Gifford Pinchot National Forest Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Washington side Invasive Plant Treatment FEIS March 2008 Prepared by: Cecile Shohet, Botanist Shawna Bautista, Wildlife Biologist Diana Perez, Fisheries Biologist Brief Life History Descriptions for Botanical, Wildlife and Fish Species of Local Interest on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Washington side) Appendix C provides life history and habitat information for the many botanical, wildlife and fish Species of Local Interest (SOLI) on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Forest) and the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Scenic Area). SOLI are: federally listed and Forest Service sensitive species (including species proposed for listing); Management Indicator Species (MIS); Survey and Manage species (S&M); and Washington State endangered, threatened, sensitive or candidate species. This appendix, together with the effects analysis in Chapter 3 of the EIS, meets the requirements for Biological Evaluation of impacts on sensitive species. A Biological Assessment has also been prepared to discuss effects on federally listed species from the Preferred Alternative B. This appendix was updated between the Draft and Final EIS. Botanical Species Fungi Albatrellus ellisii Albatrellus ellisii is a mycorrhizal fungi which forms a symbiotic or mutually beneficial relationship with the rootlets of plants through its hyphae. The roots provide the fungus with moisture and organic compounds (e.g., carbohydrates), while the fungus aids the roots in the absorption of phosphorus, inorganic nitrogen, and other minerals. In general, mycorrhizal fungi cannot grow without their hosts. This species grows solitary, scattered, gregarious, or in fused clusters on the ground in forests. It fruits in late summer and fall. Invasive plants have the potential to disrupt and/or displace the mycorrhizal association between this fungi and its host organism, which could lead to mortality. A 2005 ISMS query resulted in 15 sites reported from California, Oregon and Washington State. One site occurs on the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest, south of Mount Adams. This site is approximately 90 feet (30 meters) from known invasives, far enough away to avoid the effects of encroachment. However, over time, the spread of invasives may threaten this population. Invasive species are currently growing in Albatrellus habitat, reducing the potential for this species to colonize suitable habitats. Albatrellus flettii Albatrellus flettii is a found scattered to gregarious or in fused clusters on the ground in conifer or mixed woods. It is known from western North America. A 2006 GeoBOB (Geographic Biotic Observations, United States Department of the Interior) query resulted in 82 sites in the Pacific Northwest, of which 5 sites on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are in proximity to invasive treatment sites. It is unknown if invasives are impacting Albatrellus flettii individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Cantharellus subalbidus Cantharellus subalbidus, is a chanterelle, that grows solitary, scattered or gregarious on the ground in the forest. It is more common under second growth conifers, and is found solely in the Pacific Northwest (California, Oregon, and Washington). C - 1 A 2006 GeoBOB (Geographic Biotic Observations, United States Department of the Interior) query resulted in 214 sites located with the Northwest Forest Plan, seven of these sites are on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in proximity to treatment areas. It is unknown if invasives are impacting Cantharellus subalbidus individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Chrysomphalina grossula Chrysomphalina grossula is a saprophytic fungus dependent upon appropriate weather and microclimate regimes and the presence of suitable substrate: water-soaked coniferous wood, bark chips, and debris. All sites occur within the Tsuga heterophylla/ Pseudotsuga menziesii zone. The number of viable occurrences cannot be predicted for this saprophyte because it is dependent upon a substrate that rapidly decomposes, and then disappears with the loss of the substrate. Observations of a population in Oregon over a 5 year period concluded that as the substrate (bark chips) decomposed and dispersed, the population spread. Once the bark chips were no longer replaced, the population disappeared. Chrysomphalina grossula is found in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and northern California, as well as Great Britain, Europe, and Japan. In the range of the northern spotted owl in the Pacific Northwest, Chrysomphalina grossula occurrences are rare in wild habitats but occasionally found in gardens or landscapes where there is wood mulch. Reproduction occurs through spore dispersal and mycelial interactions. Longevity of individuals and populations is thought to depend upon the presence of an appropriate substrate. A 2006 GeoBOB (Geographic Biotic Observations, United States Department of the Interior) query listed 15 known sites for Chrysomphalina grossula within the range of the Northwest Forest Plan, and 1 site on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest within 100 feet of a treatment area. It is unknown if invasives are impacting Chrysomphalina grossula individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Clavariadelphus ligula Clavariadelphus ligula, is a club-shaped fungi, that is found in humus under conifers scattered to densely gregarious. It is common throughout much of Europe and the West, but is absent or rare in the Pacific Northwest. A 2006 GeoBob (Geographic Biotic Observations, United States Department of the Interior) query resulted in two known locations of Clavariadelphus ligula in the region of the Northwest Forest Plan. One of the two sites is located within 100 feet of a treatment area. Currently, it is unknown if invasives are impacting Clavariadelphus ligula individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Cortinarius boulderensis Cortinarius boulderensis is a ground dwelling fungi found in the woods. An endemic to the Pacific Northwest, Cortinarius boulderensis ranges from the Olympic Peninsula south to Mt Rainier National Park, and extends west of the Cascade Range crest south to the area near Castle Crags State Park in California. A 2006 GeoBOB (Geographic Biotic Observations, United States Department of the Interior) query resulted in ten sites for Cortinarius boulderensis within the range of the Northwest Forest Plan. Two of these sites are on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest within 100 feet from treatment areas. C - 2 Currently, it is unknown if invasives are impacting Cortinarius boulderensis individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Gastroboletus ruber Gastroboletus ruber is a mycorrizhal species which is dependent on a host tree for carbohydrates. Without the host tree, the mycorrizhal fungi will shortly die. It is found in forests with a shrubby understory. According to 2006 GeoBob (Geographic Biotic Observations, United States Department of the Interior) records, there are 33 sites of Gastroboletus ruber located from CVS plots within the Northwest Forest Plan region. As of 2002, there were seven known sites for this species within the range of the Northwest Forest Plan. Currently, it is unknown if invasives are impacting Gastroboletus ruber individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Helvella elastica Helvella elastica can be found solitary to widely scattered to gregarious in woods or at their edges, particularly near streams and paths. As of 2006, there were 52 known sites of Helvella elastica within the range of the Northwest Forest Plan. Two of these sites are from the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest within 100 feet of treatment areas. It is unknown if invasives are impacting Helvella elastica individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Hypomyces luteovirens Hypomyces luteovirens is found solitary, scattered or gregarious in the woods, often partially buried in the duff, usually on the fruiting bodies of Lactarius and/or Russula species. As of 2006, there were 12 sites located within the region of the Northwest Forest Plan, with one of these sites 100 feet from a treatment area on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It is unknown if invasives are impacting Hypomyces luteovirens individuals or habitat, as original sighting reports of this species did not include invasive weed observations. Leucogaster microsporus Leucogaster microsporus is found in soil or duff under conifers, in association with the roots of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Tsuga heterophylla at mid-elevations. Leucogaster microsporus is known from the western Cascade Mountains in southern Washington south along the western flank of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and also in southwest Oregon in the Coast Ranges. As of 2006, there were 9 sites located within the region of the Northwest Forest Plan, with one of these sites 100 feet from a treatment area on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Currently, it is unknown