1997-06-13_REPORT - M1981302 (11)

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. . v of recommended Riparian Management Objectives and Standards and Guidelines is expected. 7. Monitoring Strategy for the Ute ladies'-tresses. Monitoring must be designed to provide information on the recovery status of the Ute ladies'- tresses in Kay Watersheds. Results of monitoring should enable managers to see whether or not orchids are achieving and maintaining desired distribution, population size, and viability. Monitoring the effectiveness of the Ute ladies'-tresses Standards and Guidelines will also be needed. If monitoring shows that they have been ineffective, they should be revised. (Task 1 .8) There are three types of monitoring in this recovery strategy that should be initiated prior to changes in management, and done concurrently throughout the range of the Ute ladies'-tresses. Monitoring objectives, methods, and reporting should be consistent in all watersheds. The ID Teams will be responsible for making sure that monitoring is being conducted and for evaluating the results. The three types of monitoring include: a. Population distribution and status (presence-absence and baseline condition) . b. Effectiveness of the orchid Standards and Guidelines, RMOs, and RHCAs (implementation, compliance, and habitat response) . c. Effectiveness of recovery efforts (population response) . 8. Orchid Recovery in Disiunct Habitats. The above strategy for orchid recovery focuses on orchid occurrences associated with stream systems that are in some way still naturally functioning. The Ute ladies'-tresses orchid also occurs around natural seeps and springs and in wet meadows, only some of which are associated with historic alluvial systems. Human- induced habitat management that mimics natural conditions appears to be important for maintaining or enhancing some of these populations. For example, appropriate hydrology can be created by irrigation, and vegetation community characteristics can be sustained by haying or grazing. The scope of the recovery effort must also include protection and management of these occurrences associated with wet meadows, seeps, and springs. Approximately 50% of the known population occurs in such settings. Recovery objectives for populations in disjunct habitats include: a. Securing habitat and habitat conditions necessary to perpetuate the orchid: 1) purchase, easements, management agreements, special land management designations, etc. ; 2) purchase or obtain water rights and water delivery systems sufficient to maintain hydrologic requirements. 26