However, Centaurea maculosa , Cirsium arvense, and Euphorbia esula 

 are all in the Sweetgrass Hills and have the potential to take 

 over mesic grassland habitat as occupied by Ranunculus 

 cardiophvllus . 



B. MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND RESPONSE: There are no populations on 

 BLM lands in the Sweetgrass Hills so as to make site-specific 

 management recommendations. In general, management practices 

 which deter or reverse exotic grass encroachment are likely to 

 benefit this species. This complements initiatives to maintain 

 and restore riparian habitats. 



C. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING VIABLE POPULATIONS: The 

 potential for increasing the species' limited population sizes 

 through such practices as mowing encroaching buckbrush or 

 conducting small controlled burns in tamegrass potential habitat 

 warrant evaluation at sites with discretionary management. 



D. RECOMICENDATIONS FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT: Further survey of the 

 species is recommended in other parts of its range around Glacier 

 and Sweetgrass Counties. 



E. SUMMARY: Ranunculus cardiophvllus is highly localized in the 

 Sweetgrass Hills in mesic Festuca scabrella habitat above water 

 discharge zones along watercourses. It is found in two West 

 Butte locations below BLM boundaries. 



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