66 



effective method of mcmagearent will be to avoid inpacts to 

 habitats v*vLch are as yet undisturbed. Additionally, 

 transplant ejqjeriments in suitable unooct^iied habitat would 

 provide information regarding the suitability of this 

 potent icil recovery technique. 



4. R4>licity sensitivity: Low to moderate. 



5. Other recxxmendaticns: None. 



B. Monitoriiig activities and research needs: In Montana, a multi- 

 yeeir proposal to continue inventory and analysis of H. aquatilis 

 on the Flathead National Forest hcis been submitted to the U.S. 

 Forest Service. Ihis proposal includes the following research 

 suggestions : 



1. Oonplete field surveys of potential habitat for H. a quatilis 

 c»i Flathead National Forest lands, and evaluate the possible 

 presence of potential habitat in other areas in northwestern 

 Mc»itana. Resurvey suitable habitats previously identified, 

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

 absence of fi. aquatilis from such sites. 



2. Evaduate kncwn suitable habitats identified on U.S. Forest 

 Service lands, for inclusion in a transplant experiment to 

 establish new populations. Conduct transplants of soil 

 plugs frcro known, large populations to identified potential 

 habitats, and mcxiitor establishment success. 



3. OcMitinue quantitative monitoring studies established at five 

 locations in Montana in 1988, to assess adequacy/suitability 

 of the methodology used (line-intero^jt transects) . 

 Resurvey all other known populations, to obtain ongoing 

 estimates of population size, oonditicai, persistence, and 

 response to management practices. 



4. Evaluate the effects of wetland successicxvil trends cti the 

 presence and quantity of suitable habitats. Investigate 

 possible methods of maintaining such habitat, possibly 

 throuc^ artificial methods. 



In Washington, inventory efforts should continue, particularly 

 in the forested porticMis of the channeled scablands in the 

 eastern part of the state. Known sites should be periodically 

 monitored for trends in population size. Trend information 

 should be correlated with other site parameters, such as grazing 

 levels and changes in vegetation conpositiOTi (J. Gamon, pers. 

 comtn. ) . 



Fhalaris arundinacea has aggressively invaded many bottomland 

 habitats in northern Idaho, and is present at the Harvard (001) 

 site. While it does not presently appeeur to be encroaching on 

 the pond containing Howell ia acaiatilis . it should be monitored. 



