Discussion 



Halimolobos virgata and Townsendia nuttallii appear to be 

 common in the Sage Creek study area. Although the big sagebrush 

 (ssp. tridentata) , low sagebrush {Artemisia arbuscula) and 

 mountain mahogany habitats of H. virgata are somewhat restricted 

 in the study area, the plant can usually be found in these 

 habitats. The many habitats supporting T. nuttallii are common 

 and widespread in the study area. There are no apparent threats 

 to either of these species because they likely respond positively 

 to disturbance from grazing. Furthermore, both of these species 

 are probably just as common in other portions of southern 

 Beaverhead County (Vanderhorst and Lesica 1994). Both H. virgata 

 and T. nuttallii should be dropped from consideration as 

 sensitive species. 



Eriogonum caespitosum, Sphaeralcea munroana, Sphaeromeria 

 argentea and Townsendia florifer all occur in sagebrush 

 grasslands, and all probably increase or remain stable under 

 moderate grazing by cattle. These species appear to be rare in 

 Montana and southern Beaverhead County. Nonetheless, there is no 

 reason to believe that populations these five species are 

 declining as a result of current management practices. These 

 species should probably not be considered sensitive under current 

 definitions. 



Astragalus terminalis also occurs in sagebrush grasslands; 

 however, there is evidence suggesting that this regional endemic 

 may decrease with livestock grazing. This species should be 

 retained on the ELM sensitive plant list until there is evidence 

 indicating that it is not decreasing under current management 

 practices. 



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