METHODS 



Previous botanical surveys of nearby areas in Beaverhead 

 County provided a list of target Montana plant species of special 

 concern for this project to guide timing of fieldwork and 

 selection of habitats to be searched. Included were two species 

 which occur just outside of the park boundaries, Bitterroot 

 milkvetch ( Astragalus scaphoides ) , known from several sites in 

 the Grasshopper Creek drainage downstream, and an undescribed 

 bladderpod ( Lesquerella sp. novum I), which was recently found on 

 the limestone ridge overlooking Bannack to the east of Hangman's 

 Gulch (Heidel 1993). Because the areas affected by proposed park 

 projects are mostly sagebrush communities, species of concern 

 which occur in these habitats, such as Bitterroot milkvetch and 

 Lemhi beardtongue ( Penstemon lemhiensis ) , were considered 

 priority targets. A high priority was also given to targets of 

 wetlands, such as Idaho sedge (Carex parryana ssp. idahga) , 

 because proposed road improvement and trail construction are 

 adjacent to these habitats. 



I conducted surveys for Montana plant species of special 

 concern in the vicinity of Bannack State Park on June 12, 17, and 

 30, and August 15 of 1994. All of the proposed project areas 

 were searched, and representative habitats throughout the rest of 

 the study area were surveyed. A map showing the primary search 

 routes in the vicinty of the park is given in Appendix A. Figure 

 2 (on the preceding page) shows the access road to the north 

 which was surveyed. 



In order not to overlook species of special state concern 

 and to begin compilation of a floristic list for the park, all 

 vascular plants encountered were identified whenever possible. 

 The primary references used to key out plants in the field were 

 Dorn (1984, 1992) and Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973). Specimens 

 were collected when field identification was difficult and to 

 document populations of sensitive and other notable species. A 

 first set of all collections will be deposited at the herbarium 

 of Montana State University (MONT). 



When populations of Montana plant species of special concern 

 were encountered, standard field survey forms were filled out and 

 the populations were mapped. Information was recorded on habitat 

 (associated vegetation, landscape position, soils), demography 

 (population numbers and area covered), plant biology (phenology, 

 vigor, reproductive success), and potential threats to the 

 populations. 



