18 



2. TOPOGRAPHY AND SOILS: Cr yptantha fendleri 



is found on sandy well-drained soils in blowouts 

 associated with sand dune areas. Individuals are 

 located on open south and west facing slopes, at 6600 

 ft. elevation. The slopes are moderately steep (2 0- 

 30%) . 



F. POPULATION DEMOGRAPHY AND BIOLOGY 



1. POPULATION SIZE AND CONDITION: Cr yptantha fendleri 



population seemed stable. Many of the previous element 

 occurrences were relocated 



G. REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY: Cryptantha fendleri reproduces by 

 seeds giving rise to annual plants. 



H. LAND OWNERSHIP: Cr yptantha fendleri is found on lands 

 belonging to the BLM and private ownerships. 



II. ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 



A. THREATS TO KNOWN POPULATIONS: Populations of Cryptantha 

 fendleri occur in the sand dune region on BLM land where 

 there is moderate livestock use. Species' response to 

 grazing and other management practices has not been 

 studied. 



B. FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT NEEDS: Crvptantha 

 fendleri does not seem to be adversely affected by present 

 grazing pressure. However, any changes to current 

 management practices warrant a management response study. 



C. SUMMARY: Cryptantha fendleri is among the singular 

 features of the Centennial Sandhills, an area which has 

 been proposed for special natural area recognition 



(Lesica,no date) . 



