19 



Final resolution of the taxonomy of this 

 complex is in progress, and will be published 

 in the scientific literature. The results 

 will be provided to the U.S. Forest Service 

 upon completion. 



POPULATION ECOLOGY 



1. BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS 



COMPETITION: Astragalus molybdenus 

 apparently tolerates competition, as it was 

 often found in association with large Dryas 

 octopetala mats. In Montana, total ocular 

 vegetation cover (including A. molybdenus 

 plants) was often 100 percent. However, as 

 member of alpine communities, or open 

 subalpine communities, this species may not 

 be shade tolerant. 



HERBIVORY: No evidence of herbivory was 

 observed in the field. 



H. LAND OWNERSHIP 



1. All of the known locations for A. molybdenus in 



Montana are on the Lewis and Clark National Forest 

 in the Sawtooth Range. The exact locations are 

 provided in Section VI, pp. 25-37. 



IV. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 



A. THREATS TO CURRENTLY KNOWN POPULATIONS: 



1. GRAZING: No threats. It is likely that these 

 habitats are grazed intermittently by wild goats 

 or sheep, but this probably does not threaten the 

 plant populations. 



2. MINING: All of the locations for A. molybdenus 

 are at high elevations in the Sawtooth Range, on 

 the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Surveys for 

 this species should be initiated if oil drilling 

 or mining projects are proposed in high elevation 

 habitats with potential for supporting this 

 species . 



3. TIMBER HARVESTING: No threats. 



4. WEED CONTROL ACTIVITIES: Currently no threats. 



