15 



2. TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: Carex vallicola was found in an 

 opening surrounded by forest within an avalanche chute. 

 The slope was gentle (5%) on a northwest aspect. The 

 soils were moist and were of a silt loam texture. 



F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY 



1. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: One new element 



occurrence was located of Carex vallicola , however the 

 two previous element occurrences, one on U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife tract and one on a BLM tract, were not 

 relocated. 



G. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Carex vallicola reproduces by 

 seeds . 



H. LAND OWNERSHIP: Carex vallicola was located on BLM lands 

 associated with the Centennial Wilderness Study Area. 



ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 



A. THREATS TO KNOWN POPULATIONS: Carex vallicola was found 

 in the BLM Wilderness Study Area in the Centennial 

 Mountains. The only possible threat would be from an 

 increase of grazing pressure. 



B. FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT NEEDS: Carex vallicola 

 was located with Penstemon whippleanus . At the time of 

 collection, the species was not identified and many 

 pertinent population parameters were not noted. A further 

 assessment of this population's size, viability and 

 security is recommended. 



C. SUMMARY: Carex vallicola is a Great Basin species that 

 extends into western Montana. Further surveys are called 

 for to determine the rarity or abundance of the species. 



