dehiscent spores at the survey date. Putative hybrids 

 between B. paradoxum and another species were found here. 



Site Name: One Hundred Acre Meadow 



Area occupied by population: subpopulations widely scattered 

 over 100 acres 



Number of individuals counted: 10 by 1 person in 4 hours 



Estimated number of individuals: total 100+ ? 



Population summary: This consists of a few minute, chlorotic 

 plants widely scattered over a large area. Plants were 

 immature at the survey date. The population is 

 potentially threatened by heavy rodent disturbance and 

 browsing by game. 



4. Evidence of threats to survival 



As alluded to in the population summaries above, two of 

 three populations of B. paradoxum known on the Deerlodge are 

 potentially threatened. Since the species was not described 

 until 1981, the size of the Storm Lake population before that 

 time is not known. Storm Lake is a natural basin with its 

 water level elevated by man made impoundment. The location of 

 B. paradoxum in meadows along the shore with eroded banks 

 suggests that there was more potential habitat prior to the 

 building of the dam . In addition, the main population is 

 dissected by a dirt road ("pack trail") , evidence of further 

 historical habitat depletion. Many old firepits and campsites 

 attest to a long history of outdoor recreation around the 

 lake. Recently, the population has faced a new threat. In 

 1992, a private logging road through section 19 north of the 

 lake was opened to the public, allowing access to two wheel 

 drive vehicles and resulting in intensified recreational use 

 of the site (Rinehart 1992) . Prior to this, the lake could be 

 reached only by a rough jeep trail, and most recreationists 

 walked in. In 1993, vehicles parked and turned around and 

 people camped and picnicked within the Botrychium habitat. 

 Although there are travel restrictions published (U.S.D.A, 

 Forest Service 1991), these were not enforced in 1993. The 

 Deer Lodge District is apprised of the situation (Gilman, 

 pers. comm.). An additional question requiring consultation 

 is the presence of a patented mining claim and private surface 

 right inholdings associated with the impoundment which may 

 include part of the population area (Rinehart 1992) . 



The threat to the One Hundred Acre Meadow is entirely 

 different. This site is heavily disturbed by rodent activity 

 and browsing by game (no evidence of livestock grazing was 

 seen) . This may be a result of human impacts on game range, 

 or it may be entirely natural. The occurrence of the 

 extremely large population at Windy Ridge in near pristine 

 grassland suggests that B. paradoxum is favored by a minimal 



