I . INTRODUCTION 



Howellia aquatilis Gray (Campanulaceae) is a strictly 

 aquatic plant. It constitutes a monotypic genus, and has no 

 close taxonomic relatives in Montana. The species grows as a 

 mostly submerged plant, rooted in the bottom sediments of the 

 ponds and sloughs to which it is adapted. It is an annual, 

 completing its entire life cycle in one growing season. 



This report summarizes the results of continuing studies, 

 conducted in 1989, to assess the status of H. aquatilis ; the 

 species is designated as a sensitive plant by Region 1 of the 

 U.S. Forest Service, and occurs on the Flathead National Forest. 

 Previous reports summarize the status research conducted prior to 

 the 1989 field season (Shelly 1988, 1989). 



The field work conducted in 1989 represents the first year 

 of a three-year inventory and analysis project. The purpose of 

 this project is to assemble adequate information on the 

 distribution and status of the species, in order to prepare a 

 species management guide. The 1989 goals were: 



1.) continue field surveys of potential habitat for H. aquatilis 

 on the Flathead National Forest and adjacent lands. 



2.) resurvey as many known populations as possible, emphasizing 

 those found on Flathead National Forest lands, to obtain 

 ongoing estimates of population size, condition, 

 persistence, and response to management practices. 



3.) resurvey potentially suitable habitats previously 



identified, but where the species was not found, to verify 

 the absence of H. aquatilis . 



4.) conduct transplant experiments, using soil plugs from known, 

 dense populations; place plugs in unoccupied potential 

 habitats at four locations. Document transplant locations 

 and methods used. 



5.) continue quantitative monitoring studies established at five 

 locations in 1988; assess the suitability of the method used 

 (line-intercept transects) , and add frequency measurements 

 to the studies. 



Field studies were conducted by the authors (Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program) . Surveys and monitoring studies were conducted 

 11-14 and 17-20 July 1989. The transplants were completed on 27- 

 28 September 1989. 



II. REVIEW OF PRESENT STATUS 



Howellia aquatilis is currently included on the sensitive 

 (Montana) and watch (Idaho) species lists in Region 1 of the U.S. 



