Botanical Methods 



Prior to fieldwork in 1996 and 1997, the Biological Conservation Database was queried for the most 

 current information on occurrences of plant species of special concern (Heidel 1996, 1997) known 

 from Carter County. The resulting lists of species became the primary study targets, with particular 

 emphasis on Sensitive or Watch species as recognized by the BLM (USDl BLM 1996). 



In the course of the study, any discovery of a Montana plant species not previously known from the 

 county, or a native species not previously known from the state, represented potential additions to 

 the smdy set. Studies conducted elsewhere in southeastern Montana were also used for reference in 

 identifying species targets and habitat requirements (Heidel and Dueholm 1995, Heidel and Marriott 

 1996). We were also able to draw from the various works in the three-state area, including graduate 

 theses, the Visher (1914) publication, and agency baseline studies, in considering other prospective 

 plant species of special concern which might be found in Carter County. The most complete source 

 of plant distribution information is found in 'Atlas of Flora of the Great Plains" (Great Plains Flora 

 Association 1977). It would seem to indicate that the state lines have been a barrier to plains plants 

 when in fact the break in county-of-distribution records at the state and county lines reflects the 

 patterns and idiosyncrasies of study over the decades. 



We note that there are no plant species that are federally threatened or endangered in Carter County; 

 only species recognized as sensitive or watch by federal land managing agencies. One species was 

 recognized as BLM sensitive and five as watch. Many occurrences were recent records scattered 

 across Custer National Forest lands, or from Medicine Rocks State Park. In addition, there were a 

 few other occurrences that were historical (pre-1950) records with imprecise location data. In 

 addition, there were several other Carter County species that have been dropped from consideration 

 in recent years as species of special concern based on the numbers of occurrences and apparent 

 absence of threats {Carex torreyi, Haplopappus multicaulis). In addition, there are reports of 

 bittersweet {Celastrus scandens) in the county that have not been documented, and there are two 

 watch species known from the county that are pending status review {Agastache foeniculaceum, 

 Geum canadense). 



Sensitive plant species surveys were conducted by Keith Dueholm throughout the summer months in 

 1996 and by the authors of this report in the summer in 1997 with emphasis on the first half of the 

 growing season. Survey routes were chosen based mainly on two sets of criteria: 



1 . Search for the species survey targets by seeking their various potential habitats, and 



2. Screening the full array of habitats on the landscape, which took place in the second season as 

 part of the plant communities work, to consider prospective species of special concern not 

 previously known from the county (see ecology methods). 



In addition, revisits were made to known occurrences if the documenting information was 

 incomplete, or if the location was not detailed and it was suspected that the population occurs on 

 BLM-administered land. 



