then half (15) of the 27 populations censused had 

 declined in numbers of individuals. However, the 

 remaining populations either maintained population 

 sizes similar to the 1986 counts (2), or increased in 

 numbers of individuals (10). The net change in the 27 

 populations from 1986 to 1990 was an increase of about 

 525 plants. Annual surveys should be conducted on a 

 sample of populations over a five year period to 

 monitor population fluctuations and provide a more 

 complete information base. 



II. 13. A. Recommendation to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 



Based on the results of the 1986 and 1990 population 

 surveys (variable and low population numbers, and the 

 vulnerability of populations to extirpation) , it is 

 recommended that Grindelia howellii be retained as a 

 Category 2 species. 



II.13.B.1. U.S. Forest Service: Grindelia howellii should 



remain on the U.S. Forest Service, Region 1 

 sensitive plant species list. Population 

 responses to perturbations, natural or human- 

 caused, are unclear at present, and existing 

 information is incomplete on population dynamics. 



II.15.B.1. Permanent monitoring plots: Two sites were 



recommended in 1986 for long-term studies. One 

 site, Holland Lake (001) was not resurveyed; the 

 other site (Cottonwood Creek 040) has been 

 seriously impacted by human activity. The 

 Cottonwood Creek site was sprayed with the 

 herbicide Tordon for control of spotted knapweed, 

 Centaurea maculosa . The 1986 survey estimated 

 1200-1400 plants present at Cottonwood Creek in 

 native vegetation; the 1990 survey found only four 

 plants remaining. Permanent plots at this site 

 would chart the recovery or extirpation of G. 

 howellii . Population levels between 1986 and the 

 date of disturbance are not known. Length of 

 recovery time and numbers of individual plants 

 needed for recovery may be ascertained from 

 regular monitoring of this population. 

 Additionally, the one population suspected of 

 being extirpated by road grading (Blackfoot 

 Roadside (035)) should be checked to ascertain 

 whether it will recover after such an event. 



A permanent population monitoring plot was 

 established in 1989 by Andy Kratz (contractor. 



