b. HERBIVORY: The juice of Ranunculus species is characterized as 

 acrid, and the species are generally unpalatable (Hitchcock et 

 al. 1964). No signs of grazing or browsing were observed. 



H. LAND OWNERSHIP 



EO no. Location 



001 Glacier Co., Browning; unknown 



002 Toole Co. , above Fred and George Creek; private 



003 Sweetgrass Co., east side of Crazy Mts.; private but 

 entered into TNC registry 



004 Glacier Co., Duck Lake; Blackfeet Indian Reservation 



005 Glacier Co., Duck Lake ponds; Blackfeet Indian 

 Reservation 



006 Glacier Co., Goose Lake vicinity; Blackfeet Indian 

 Reservation 



007 Toole Co., Spring Creek vicinity; private 



III. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 

 A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: 



1. GRAZING: The species was growing in pastures that appear to be 

 grazed late in the season. Since the plant withers by mid July, 

 the direct potential affect of grazing is marginal. However, the 

 plant grows along watercourses that provide water and high-value 

 forage. The indirect alteration of natural habitat by grazing is 



" a serious potential impact, as promoting invasion by exotic 

 species and native disturbance-tolerant species. 



The Fred and George Creek population is dissected along its upper 

 margin by a fenceline. It appeared that the west side with the 

 heavier grazing had more complete alteration of native habitat 

 and virtual absence of the species. 



2. MINING: There is no mining activity in proximity to known 

 Ranunculus cardiophvllus sites in the Sweetgrass Hills. There 

 are currently no mining access developments and accompanying weed 

 infestations that pose indirect impact to the species, but the 

 potential exists. 



3. TIMBER HARVESTING: No potential impacts have been identified. 



4. WEED CONTROL ACTIVITIES: Noxious weed are not present at the 

 Sweetgrass Hills site for this species, nor noted at other sites. 



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