27 



S. Areas recommended for protection: The 



highest priority site for natural area 

 protection is the Branite Creek South site 

 (Section 15). This is owing to the presence 

 of both Tr isetum or thochaetum and 

 Gent i anopsi s simp lex along the creek. Strict 

 protection of the other sites is not 

 currently recommended, owing to the doubtful 

 taxonomic status of Tr i setum or thochaetum . 



3. Habitat management recommendations: No 



active management recommendations ars deemed 

 necessary at this time. 



^. Publicity sensitivity: Low, owing to the 

 obscurity of the taxon, and difficulties 

 involved in reaching the sites. 



5. Other recommendations: None. 



B. Monitoring activities and further research needed. 



1. The known sites should be re-visited every 

 1-S years; because the plants are so rare 

 and scattered, detailed quantitative studies 

 Bre not currently needed. These monitoring 

 visits could be conducted by MTNHP staff, or 

 other interested persons. 



» 



2. Further research on the b iosystemat ic 

 relationships and taxonomic status of 



Tr isetum or thochaetum is needed. Especially 

 useful would be information on chromosome 

 numbers and pollen viability of the taxon 

 and its putative parents. Experimental 

 crossing may also be revealing, though the 

 technicalities would be prohibitive. 



Such research is needed in order to further 

 determine whether or not Tr i setum 

 or thochaetum is a true biological species, 

 and thus whether or not it meets the 

 definition of a "species" as given in the 

 Endangered Species Act (1983). 



The author hopes to conduct these studies, 

 to the extent possible, during 1987 and 

 subsequent field seasons. 



