Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program 2007 Report Page: 54 of 143
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conditions (precipitation and temperature), although susceptibility to impacts and other such
criteria are also considered. During field monitoring the status of each population is assessed,
which may include estimates or observations of plant density, plant vigor, herbivory, disease, or
documentation of direct or indirect impacts to the plant or its habitat. Penstemonfruticiformis ssp.
amargosae, Death Valley beardtongue, was selected for long-term monitoring in 2007. Because
of the continuing poor growing conditions in this region, no other species were considered.
5.2.1 Penstemon fruticiformis ssp. amargosae
In the early 1990s, P. fruticiformis ssp. amargosae was considered for listing by FWS as a
Category 2 species, which is defined as a "Taxa for which existing information suggests listing
may be warranted, but for which substantial biological information to support a proposed rule is
lacking." Blomquist et al. (1995) conducted numerous surveys for this species from 1992 to 1994
and concluded that unless a threat from human activity could be shown for the Death Valley and
Spring Mountain locations, this species did not warrant listing as a threatened or endangered
species under the provisions of the ESA. In December 2007, P. fruticiformis ssp. amargosae was
listed as an at-risk plant by the NNHP (NNHP, 2007).
The distribution of P. fruticiformis ssp. amargosae encompasses less than a 161 km x 161 km
(100 mi x 100 mi) area in Nye and Clark Counties on the Nevada side of the California-Nevada
state line, and Inyo and San Bernardino Counties on the California side. The southern-most and
eastern-most population is recorded from the Kingston Mountains, specifically the Crystal
Springs and Silver Rule mine areas. The northern-most populations include those along the
northern slopes of the Striped Hills on the NTS and in Titus Canyon of the southern Grapevine
Mountains in the Death Valley National Park. The Titus Canyon population and a population
recorded from Pleasant Canyon in the Panamint Range represents the furthest west that P.
fruticiformis ssp. amargosae has been found. Overall the range of P. fruticiformis ssp. amargosae
is slightly more than 4,000 square miles (10,500 square kilometers) (Blomquist et al., 1995).
The occurrence of P. fruticiformis ssp. amargosae on the NTS has been questionable. Surveys for
the species were conducted in 1992 and 1994 along the southern border of the NTS in Area 25.
The areas where specimens were found were described as "on the NTS Boundary" (Blomquist et
al., 1995), but it was uncertain whether it was within the boundaries of the NTS or outside. If
within the boundaries this location would represent the only place P. fruticiformis spp.
amargosae is found on the NTS.
The objective of this year's field monitoring was to document whether P. fruticiformis ssp.
amargosae occurs on the NTS. In May of 2007 surveys were conducted along the north slopes of
the Striped Hills in Area 25 of the NTS. A geographical positioning system, accurate to within 2-
3 meters (m) (6.6-9.8 feet [ft]), was used to record the locations of all plants encountered.
Approximately 71 plants were found. Only two of the plants were seedlings. All others were
mature, semi-dormant plants, with no signs of flowering, and only a small percentage showed
signs of current annual growth. Plants were scattered over several acres with heaviest
concentrations on mid to upper talus slopes (Figure 5-1). The area is characterized by limestone
outcrops and minimal well developed soils. Plants were found primarily on the slopes, although a
few individuals were encountered along the lower stream channels.36
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Dennis Hansen, David Anderson, Derek Hall, Paul Greger, W. Kent Ostler. Ecological Monitoring and Compliance Program 2007 Report, report, March 1, 2008; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc895131/m1/54/?rotate=270: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.