INTRODUCTION 



Systematic sensitive plant species sun'eys were conducted on the Ashland District of the 

 Custer National Forest in Powder River and Rosebud counties. The primary purpose was to 

 lay the foundation for a District sensitive species baseline by surveying habitats of known and 

 suspected sensitive and potentially sensitive species. 



The intentions of sensitive species sur\eys are to document the full complement of sensitive 

 species in the study area and collect the field information needed to determine their status. It 

 does not represent exhaustive documentation of all sensitive plant locations, though it serves 

 to identify conservation priorities and to integrate the practices and benefits of sensitive 

 species management in agency planning and operations (Reel et al. 1989). 



However, few botanical studies have been conducted in eastern Montana. Target species and 

 habitat for the 1995 study were selected based on existing knowledge as represented in the 

 statewide compendium of rare plant information developed by the Montana Natural Heritage 

 Program from secondary sources and from field studies. Previously overlooked secondary 

 source data in herbaria and plant specimens on file at the District were investigated after the 

 fieldwork. The incompleteness of secondary source review and the absence of other floristic 

 baseline data meant that there was an incomplete floristic framework for conducting 

 systematic surs'eys that we have now begun to fill. 



This study represents a first step at investigating all sensitive and potentially sensitive plant 

 species on the District. Much additional work is needed, including general floristic inventory 

 and subsequent sensitive species surveys. 



