Conservation of the Palouse Prairie Ecosystem - Phase 3. Site Assessment of Potential Remnants of Palouse Grassland in Latah County, Idaho. 2011 Progress Report and Final Report (2008-2011)

Call Number:

Abstract:

This report documents the accomplishments of Phase 3 of a four-phase project designed to find, document, and conserve remnants of Palouse Grassland in Latah County, Idaho. It also fulfills Recovery Task 1.5.2. for the federally Threatened Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) to survey Palouse Grassland for this species and its habitat (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2007). Phase 1 produced a GIS layer of potential remnant polygons, areas with high potential to support Palouse Grassland remnants, in Latah County (Idaho Conservation Data Center 2008). The potential remnant polygon layer included 344 polygons encompassing 1,416 ha (3,500 acres). Phase 2 addressed landowner education and contact (Hill and Benker 2009). Phase 3 included conservation assessment of sites for which landowner permission was obtained. The final phase, Phase 4, of this project will address protection and conservation of documented Palouse Grassland Remnants in Latah County. This project will serve as a pilot model for development of a regionally comprehensive strategy for conservation of remnants of Palouse Grassland. <br /> Four years, 2008-2011, of Phase 3 site assessments have been conducted. Progress reports for 2008, 2009, and 2010 have been completed (Hill and Benker 2009; Hill 2010; Hill 2011). This report represents the progress report for the 2011 Phase 3 assessments as well as the final summary report for the four years of Phase 3. <br /> Accomplishments for 2011 Phase 3 assessments include complete or partial assessment of 17 potential remnant polygons encompassing 131 ha (323 acres) and representing 21 landowner sites and 8 different landowners. In addition, 11 areas, encompassing 1.78 ha (4.4 acres), met the criteria for designation as Palouse Grassland Remnants. Seventeen occurrences of four rare plant species were documented, including Palouse milkvetch (Astragalus arrectus), broad-fruit mariposa lily (Calochortus nitidus), Palouse thistle (Cirsium brevifolium), and Palouse goldenweed (Pyrrocoma liatriformis). <br /> Over the 4-year period of Phase 3, accomplishments include complete or partial assessment of 108 potential remnant polygons encompassing 513 ha (1,267 acres) and representing 185 landowner sites. The acreage assessed represents 36% of the total 3,500 acres delineated within potential remnant polygons in Phase 1. In addition, 103 areas, encompassing 14.2 ha (35 acres), met the criteria for designation as Palouse Grassland Remnants. These Remnants support good condition, representative habitat for Spalding's catchfly. In total, 103 occurrences of six rare plant species including Palouse milkvetch, broad-fruit mariposa lily, Palouse thistle, Palouse goldenweed, Spalding's catchfly, and Jessica's aster (Symphyotrichum jessicae), were documented. <br /> Evaluation of the first three phases of this project, recommendations for improvement, and suggested priority sites for restoration and protection are provided. <br />

Notes:

Reference Code: U12HIL01IDUS <br />

Full Citation: Hill, J., Lichthardt, J., Pekas, K., and Erhardt, B. 2012. Conservation of the Palouse Prairie Ecosystem - Phase 3. Site Assessment of Potential Remnants of Palouse Grassland in Latah County, Idaho. 2011 Progress Report and Final Report (2008-2011). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Spokane, Washington, and Idaho Natural Heritage Program, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, Idaho. 52 pp., plus appendices. <br />

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE - BOTANY: MULTIPLE SPECIES

Keywords: altered remnant; Idaho fescue/snowberry habitat type, Astragalus arrectus, Calochortus nitidus, Cirsium brevifolium, landowner site, meadow steppe plant association, Palouse Grassland Remnant, potential remnant polygon, Pyrrocoma liatriformis, Silene spaldingii, Symphyotrichum jessicae <br>