1997-06-13_REPORT - M1981302 ‎(11)‎

• Permit No: M1981302
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 6/13/1997
• From: US DEPT OF THE INTERIOR
• To: TE/UTE LADIES TRESSES COVERY PLAN
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

targets for watershed and habitat factors, as well as goals for population
size and distribution within watersheds, will be set.
2. The locations of populations within a watershed vary with the availability
of suitable habitat. Assuming there is more than one population within a
watershed (to serve as a source of seeds) , the natural demise or
extirpation of a population at one location is significant only if
watershed processes are insufficient to create and maintain habitat
conditions suitable for the establishment of new populations.
3. Populations fluctuate naturally. Some years not a single individual
appears aboveground. Therefore, population goals alone cannot be used as
an indication of species viability.
4. Almost nothing is known about the life history and demographics of the Ute
ladies'-tresses. Mature flowering adults are the only life history stage
visible and easily used for population assessment. However, the number of
flowering adults does not give an accurate picture of population size nor
tell us anything about population structure. More information is
necessary before accurate measures of population viability can be devised
and targets set.
Because of these factors, the following recovery goals have been identified
for the ladies'-tresses:
1. Obtain necessary information on life history, demographics, habitat
requirements, and watershed processes;
a. develop a better understanding of the relationship between habitat
conditions and population response;
b. develop a better understanding of the relationship between watershed
processes and desired habitat conditions;
c. elucidate Ute ladies'-tresses life history, specifically, how, in what
time frame, and under what conditions a seed develops into a mature
flowering adult.
d. understand Ute ladies'-tresses demography, specifically, (1) what are
the most vulnerable life history stages, (2) what factors contribute
to that vulnerability, and (3) what is the age structure or
composition of viable populations and how can it be measured or
assessed.
2. Manage key watersheds to perpetuate or enhance viable populations of the
orchid. Specific watershed, habitat, and population goals for delisting
the Ute ladies'-tresses will be determined as information from the first
goal is obtained.
3. Protect and manage Ute ladies'-tresses populations that occur in wet
meadow, seep, and spring habitats.
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