PREPARED FOR THE CITIZENS OF COLORADO AND ITS VISITORS … · 268 Figure 12. Conservation actions...

cpw.state.co.us

PREPARED FOR THE CITIZENS OF COLORADO AND ITS VISITORS BY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

State Wildlife Action Plan A STRATEGY FOR CONSERVING WILDLIFE IN COLORADO

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Colorado’sStateWildlifeActionPlan 2015

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UnitedStateslawsandpoliciesplaceprimaryresponsibilityforwildlifemanagementinthe5handsofthestates.Thestateshavealengthyrecordofsuccessinconservingspecies,6includingthosethatarehuntedorfishedandthosethatarenot.InColorado,these7successeshavebeenpaidforbyavarietyofsources,includinglotteryproceedsdistributed8byGreatOutdoorsColorado,theSpeciesConservationTrustFund,andfederaldollars.9Developmentofpartnershipshasaddedtotheefficiencyofconservationsuccess.Itisno10surprisethatthetaskofconservingallspecieswilltakemorethantraditionalfunding11sourcesandsingleagencyaction.1213TheStateWildlifeGrantsprogram TitleIX,PublicLaw106‐553andTitle1,PublicLaw14107‐63 ,createdthroughfederallegislation,ismeanttohelpclosethefundinggapby15providingfederalaidtostatestosecurethestatusofSpeciesofGreatestConservation16Need.ThisStateWildlifeActionPlan SWAP hasbeenpreparedinfulfillmentofthe17requirementsofthatlegislation.1819Beyondthoserequirementsisamorefundamentalgoalforthisstrategy,heldbyColorado20ParksandWildlifeandthestateasawhole:tosecurewildlifepopulationssothattheydo21notrequireprotectionviafederalorstatelistingregulations.Thisrequirescollaboration22amongadiversesetofagencies,interests,andcitizens.CPW’sSpeciesConservation23Programworksinconjunctionwithourstakeholders,usingthebestavailablescienceto24conserveColorado’sat‐riskspeciesandhabitats.TheSWAPistheroadmapforthis25collaboration.2627Colorado’srevisedSWAPservesasablueprintforconservationandprovidesacatalogon28thestatusofourknowledgeaboutnativewildlifeandplants mostofwhicharenot29commonlyhuntedorfished ,threatstothehabitatsuponwhichtheydepend,and30strategiestolessen,mitigate,ormanagethosethreats.Thus,Colorado’sSWAPis31comprehensiveinscopeandstrategicinnature.ThisSWAPreflectsthedatathatcurrently32existforColoradospeciesandtheirhabitatsandthecollectivejudgmentofmanyof33Colorado’sscientists,aswellastheinterestsandconcernsofcitizenswithastakein34Coloradowildlifeconservation.3536Again,implementationofthisplanisbeyondthescopeofasingleagency.Theissues37addressedandtheactionsoutlinedinthisplancrosspolitical,jurisdictional,andecological38boundaries.Commitment,coordinationandcommunicationamongthediverseand39interestedpartiesinvolvedarecriticaltothecollaborativesuccessthattheSWAPdescribes40andaimstoachieve.Developingtheplantoachievethosegoalsisthefirststep,andthis41hasbeenaccomplished.Implementationisthenextstepandwelookforwardtothis42importantandcollaborativeeffort.43 44


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Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................2 46

ListofFigures.....................................................................................................................................................10 47

ListofTables.......................................................................................................................................................10 48

ListofAppendices............................................................................................................................................11 49

Chapter1:Introduction......................................................................................................................................12 50

PurposeoftheSWAP......................................................................................................................................12 51

PhilosophyandGuidingPrinciples...........................................................................................................12 52

FederalSWAPRequirements:TheEightElements..........................................................................13 53

RoadmaptotheEightRequiredElements.............................................................................................14 54

SWAPDevelopmentProcess........................................................................................................................16 55

ManagementandLegalAuthorities..........................................................................................................16 56

OverviewofColoradoWildlifeSpecies...................................................................................................17 57

Chapter2:SpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed.................................................................................18 58

RevisedInterpretationofTier1andTier2..........................................................................................18 59

RevisedSGCNCriteria....................................................................................................................................19 60

UpdatedSGCNList...........................................................................................................................................20 61

StatusandTrend...............................................................................................................................................21 62

Chapter3:Habitats...............................................................................................................................................32 63

DistributionandConditionofHabitats...................................................................................................34 64

FORESTANDWOODLANDHABITATS....................................................................................................37 65

Aspen.....................................................................................................................................................................37 66

Lodgepole.............................................................................................................................................................37 67

MixedConifer.....................................................................................................................................................38 68

Pinyon‐Juniper...................................................................................................................................................38 69

PonderosaPine..................................................................................................................................................40 70

Spruce‐Fir............................................................................................................................................................41 71

SubalpineLimberandBristleconePine..................................................................................................42 72

SHRUBLANDHABITATS................................................................................................................................42 73

DesertShrub.......................................................................................................................................................42 74

Greasewood........................................................................................................................................................43 75

OakandMixedMountainShrub.................................................................................................................44 76


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Sagebrush.............................................................................................................................................................44 77

Saltbush................................................................................................................................................................45 78

Sandsage...............................................................................................................................................................46 79

UplandShrub......................................................................................................................................................46 80

GRASSLANDHABITATS.................................................................................................................................47 81

FoothillandMountainGrasslands............................................................................................................47 82

MixedandTallgrassPrairies.......................................................................................................................48 83

ShortgrassPrairie.............................................................................................................................................48 84

RIPARIANANDWETLANDHABITATS....................................................................................................49 85

Playas.....................................................................................................................................................................49 86

RiparianWoodlandsandShrublands......................................................................................................49 87

Wetlands...............................................................................................................................................................51 88

AQUATICHABITATS.......................................................................................................................................52 89

ColoradoPlateau‐WyomingBasinsRivers..........................................................................................52 90

ColoradoPlateau–WyomingBasinsStreams.....................................................................................52 91

EasternPlainsRivers......................................................................................................................................53 92

EasternPlainsStreams...................................................................................................................................53 93

Lakes......................................................................................................................................................................54 94

MountainStreams............................................................................................................................................54 95

RioGrandeValleyRivers...............................................................................................................................54 96

RioGrandeValleyStreams...........................................................................................................................54 97

TransitionZoneStreams...............................................................................................................................55 98

OTHERHABITATS............................................................................................................................................55 99

Alpine.....................................................................................................................................................................55 100

CliffsandCanyons............................................................................................................................................56 101

HotSprings..........................................................................................................................................................56 102

Reservoirs&Shorelines................................................................................................................................57 103

SandDunes..........................................................................................................................................................57 104

Agriculture...........................................................................................................................................................57 105

Chapter4:ThreatsandConservationActionsOverview.....................................................................59 106

UpdatedLexiconforDescribingThreats&Actions...........................................................................59 107

OverviewofThreatstoBiodiversityinColorado...............................................................................69 108

1Residential&CommercialDevelopment.......................................................................................69 109

2Agriculture..................................................................................................................................................70 110


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3EnergyProduction&Mining...............................................................................................................71 111

4Transportation&ServiceCorridors................................................................................................72 112

5BiologicalResourceUse........................................................................................................................73 113

6HumanIntrusions&Disturbance.....................................................................................................74 114

7NaturalSystemsModifications..........................................................................................................74 115

8Invasives,ProblematicNativeSpecies,&Pathogens...............................................................75 116

9Pollution.......................................................................................................................................................76 117

11ClimateChange&SevereWeather................................................................................................77 118

12OrganizationalCapacity&Management.....................................................................................79 119

13LackofKnowledge................................................................................................................................79 120

14NaturalFactors.......................................................................................................................................79 121

OverviewofConservationActions............................................................................................................80 122

1Land/WaterProtection.........................................................................................................................87 123

2Land/WaterManagement....................................................................................................................87 124

3SpeciesManagement..............................................................................................................................88 125

4Education&Awareness........................................................................................................................88 126

5Law&Policy...............................................................................................................................................88 127

6Livelihood,Economic&OtherIncentives.....................................................................................89 128

7ExternalCapacityBuilding...................................................................................................................89 129

8Research&Monitoring..........................................................................................................................90 130

Chapter5:ThreatsandActionsforSGCN...................................................................................................91 131

SummaryofThreats........................................................................................................................................91 132

SummaryofConservationActionsNeeded...........................................................................................93 133

Threats&ActionsNarrativesforTier1SGCN.....................................................................................95 134

Tier1Amphibians............................................................................................................................................95 135

BorealToad Anaxyrusboreasboreas .............................................................................................95 136

NorthernLeopardFrog Lithobatespipiens .................................................................................97 137

Tier1Birds..........................................................................................................................................................98 138

Brown‐cappedRosy‐Finch Leucosticteaustralis ......................................................................98 139

Burrowingowl Athenecunicularia ..................................................................................................99 140

ColumbianSharp‐tailedGrouse Tympanuchusphasianelluscolumbianus .................101 141

GoldenEagle Aquilachrysaetos ......................................................................................................105 142

GreaterSage‐grouse Centrocercusurophasianus ...................................................................107 143

GreaterSandhillCrane Gruscanadensistabida .......................................................................109 144


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GunnisonSage‐grouse Centrocercusminimus .........................................................................110 145

LesserPrairie‐chicken Tympanuchuspallidicintus ...............................................................112 146

Mountainplover Charadriusmontanus .......................................................................................115 147

PlainsSharp‐tailedGrouse Tympanuchusphasianellusjamesi ........................................117 148

SouthwesternWillowFlycatcher Empidonaxtrailliiextimus ...........................................119 149

WesternYellow‐billedCuckoo Coccyzusamericanusoccidentalis .................................121 150

White‐tailedPtarmigan Lagopusleucura ...................................................................................123 151

Tier1Fish..........................................................................................................................................................124 152

ArkansasDarter Etheostomacragini ............................................................................................124 153

BlueheadSucker Catostomusdiscobolus ....................................................................................126 154

BonytailChub Gilaelegans ................................................................................................................128 155

BrassyMinnow Hybognathushankinsoni ..................................................................................130 156

Coloradopikeminnow Ptychocheiluslucius ..............................................................................131 157

ColoradoRivercutthroattrout Oncorhynchusclarkiipleuriticus ...................................133 158

Commonshiner Luxiluscornutus ..................................................................................................135 159

Flannelmouthsucker Catostomuslatipinnis .............................................................................137 160

FlatheadChub Platygobiogracilis ..................................................................................................140 161

Greenbackcutthroattrout Oncorhynchusclarkiistomias ..................................................142 162

HumpbackChub Gilacypha ..............................................................................................................144 163

Mountainsucker Catostomusplatyrhynchus ............................................................................147 164

NorthernRedbellyDace Phoxinuseos .........................................................................................148 165

OrangespottedSunfish Lepomishumilus ...................................................................................149 166

Orangethroatdarter Etheostomaspectabile .............................................................................150 167

PlainsMinnow Hybognathusplacitus ..........................................................................................151 168

Plainstopminnow Fundulussciadicus .........................................................................................152 169

RazorbackSucker Xyrauchentexanus .........................................................................................154 170

RioGrandeChub Gilapandora .........................................................................................................156 171

RioGrandecutthroattrout Oncorhynchusclarkiivirginalis ..............................................158 172

RioGrandeSucker Catostomusplebeius .....................................................................................160 173

RoundtailChub Gilarobusta .............................................................................................................161 174

SouthernRedbellyDace Phoxinuserythrogaster ....................................................................164 175

Stonecat Noturusflavus ......................................................................................................................165 176

SuckermouthMinnow Phenacobiusmirabilis ..........................................................................166 177

Tier1Mammals...............................................................................................................................................167 178


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Americanpika Ochotonaprinceps .................................................................................................167 179

Black‐footedferret Mustelanigripes ............................................................................................168 180

Fringedmyotis Myotisthysanodes ................................................................................................169 181

Gunnison’sprairiedog Cynomysgunnisoni ..............................................................................171 182

Littlebrownmyotis Myotislucifugus ...........................................................................................172 183

Lynx Lynxcanadensis ..........................................................................................................................173 184

NewMexicomeadowjumpingmouse Zapushudsoniusluteus ........................................175 185

Olive‐backedPocketMouse Perognathusfasciatus ...............................................................176 186

Preble’smeadowjumpingmouse Zapushudsoniuspreblei ..............................................177 187

Spottedbat Eudermamaculatum ...................................................................................................179 188

Townsend’sbig‐earedbat Corynorhinustownsendiipallescens .....................................180 189

White‐tailedprairiedog Cynomysleucurus ..............................................................................182 190

Wolverine Gulogulo .............................................................................................................................184 191

Tier1Reptiles..................................................................................................................................................186 192

ColoradoCheckeredWhiptail Aspidoscelisneotesselata ....................................................186 193

Massasauga Sistruruscatenatus .....................................................................................................187 194

Chapter6:ThreatsandActionsforHabitats...........................................................................................270 195

ThreatsSummaryforHabitats.................................................................................................................270 196

SummaryConservationActionsNeededforHabitats....................................................................271 197

ThreatsandActionsNarrativesforHabitats......................................................................................273 198

FORESTSANDWOODLANDS.....................................................................................................................273 199

Aspen...............................................................................................................................................................273 200

Lodgepole......................................................................................................................................................275 201

Mixedconifer...............................................................................................................................................276 202

Pinyon‐Juniper............................................................................................................................................278 203

PonderosaPine...........................................................................................................................................280 204

Spruce‐fir.......................................................................................................................................................281 205

SubalpineLimber&Bristlecone..........................................................................................................283 206

SHRUBLANDS...................................................................................................................................................284 207

Desertshrub.................................................................................................................................................284 208

Greasewood..................................................................................................................................................286 209

Oak&MixedMtnShrub..........................................................................................................................287 210

Sagebrush......................................................................................................................................................288 211

Saltbush..........................................................................................................................................................290 212


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Sandsage........................................................................................................................................................291 213

Uplandshrub...............................................................................................................................................292 214

GRASSLANDS....................................................................................................................................................294 215

FoothillandMountainGrasslands.....................................................................................................294 216

Mixed&Tallgrassprairie.......................................................................................................................295 217

ShortgrassPrairie......................................................................................................................................297 218

RIPARIANANDWETLANDHABITATS..................................................................................................299 219

Playas..............................................................................................................................................................299 220

Riparianwoodlandandshrubland....................................................................................................301 221

Wetlands........................................................................................................................................................305 222

AQUATICHABITATS.....................................................................................................................................307 223

Rivers..............................................................................................................................................................307 224

Streams..........................................................................................................................................................311 225

LakesandReservoirs...............................................................................................................................315 226

OTHERHABITATS..........................................................................................................................................316 227

Cliffs&Canyons..........................................................................................................................................316 228

Alpine..............................................................................................................................................................317 229

SandDunes...................................................................................................................................................318 230

HotSprings...................................................................................................................................................319 231

Chapter7:Monitoring.......................................................................................................................................357 232

SpeciesMonitoring........................................................................................................................................357 233

HabitatMonitoring........................................................................................................................................358 234

MeasuringConservationSuccess.............................................................................................................358 235

Chapter8:ConservationOpportunityAreas...........................................................................................378 236

FreshwaterHabitats......................................................................................................................................378 237

TerrestrialLandscapeIntegrityModel.................................................................................................381 238

WetlandandRiparianHabitats................................................................................................................384 239

TerrestrialUplandHabitats.......................................................................................................................386 240

HabitatPatches...........................................................................................................................................386 241

Size...................................................................................................................................................................386 242

PatchCondition..........................................................................................................................................387 243

LandscapeContextandIntegrity........................................................................................................388 244

OverallBiodiversityStatus....................................................................................................................388 245

HighPriorityWatershedsforAquaticSGCN.......................................................................................392 246


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CrucialHabitatAssessmentTool.............................................................................................................394 247

Chapter9:Review,Coordination,andPublicParticipation..............................................................399 248

ReviewandUpdatestotheSWAP...........................................................................................................399 249

PartnerCoordination&PublicParticipation.....................................................................................399 250

StakeholderIdentification.....................................................................................................................400 251

StakeholderCommentOpportunities...............................................................................................400 252

LiteratureCited....................................................................................................................................................403 253

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List of Figures 255

Figure1.DistributionofkeyterrestrialhabitatsinColorado...........................................................35 256Figure2.Distributionofkeyaquatichabitats...........................................................................................36 257Figure3.ThreatstovertebrateandmolluskSGCNbypriority.........................................................91 258Figure4.ThreatstovertebrateandmolluskSGCNbytaxonomicgroup......................................92 259Figure5.ThreatstovertebrateandmolluskSGCNbyTier................................................................92 260Figure6.ConservationactionsneededforvertebrateandmolluskSGCNbypriority...........93 261Figure7.ConservationactionsneededforvertebrateandmolluskSGCNbytaxonomic262group...........................................................................................................................................................................94 263Figure8.ConservationactionsneededforvertebrateandmolluskSGCNbyTier...................94 264Figure9.Threatstohabitatsbypriority...................................................................................................270 265Figure10.Threatstohabitatsbyhabitattype........................................................................................271 266Figure11.Conservationactionsneededforhabitatsbypriority...................................................272 267Figure12.Conservationactionsneededforhabitatsbyhabitattype..........................................272 268Figure13.ConditionoffreshwaterhabitatsinColorado...................................................................380 269Figure14.Distancedecaycurvesforlandusesrepresentedinthelandscapeintegrity270model........................................................................................................................................................................382 271Figure15.LandscapeintegritymodelforColorado.............................................................................383 272Figure16.Levelofdisturbancetowetlandandriparianhabitats.................................................385 273Figure17.Terrestrialuplandhabitatcondition‐Forests.................................................................389 274Figure18.Terrestrialuplandhabitatcondition–Shrublands........................................................390 275Figure19.Terrestrialuplandhabitatcondition–GrasslandsandOtherHabitats................391 276Figure20.PrioritywatershedsforaquaticTier1SGCN....................................................................393 277Figure21.CrucialhabitatforTier1terrestrialanimalandplantSGCN.....................................398 278

List of Tables 279

Table1.LocationsofRequiredElementsintheSWAP.........................................................................15 280Table2.CriteriausedtorevisethelistofTier1SpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed.....20 281Table3.VertebrateandMolluskSpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed....................................22 282Table4.WildlifehabitatsinColorado..........................................................................................................33 283Table5.LexiconofthreatsaccordingtoSalafskyetal.2008.............................................................61 284Table6.LexiconofconservationactionsaccordingtoSalafskyetal.2008................................81 285Table7.SCGNThreatsandConservationActions,VertebratesandMollusks..........................189 286Table8.KeyHabitatsThreatsandConservationActions..................................................................321 287Table9.ExistingmonitoringplansforSGCN..........................................................................................360 288Table10.Measuresincludedinthefreshwaterconditionmap.Allfactorsareweighted289equally......................................................................................................................................................................379 290Table11.Definitionsofmapcategoriesforfreshwatercondition................................................379 291Table12.Sourcedataforlandusesrepresentedinthelandscapeintegritymodel..............381 292Table13.Datasourcesforthewetland‐specificlandscapeintegritymodel.............................384 293


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Table14.Totalacres,minimumpatchsize,numberofpatches,andlargestpatchsizefor294eachhabitat............................................................................................................................................................387 295Table15.CriteriaforCHATcategories......................................................................................................395 296Table16.CHATcategorizationcriteria,byspecies..............................................................................396 297Table17.Summaryofstakeholdersbyorganizationtype................................................................400 298Table18.ScheduleofSWAPrevisionmilestonesandstakeholdercommentopportunities.299.....................................................................................................................................................................................402 300301

List of Appendices 302

AppendixA:RarePlants 303

AppendixB:Invertebrates 304

AppendixC:CrosswalkofSWAPHabitatstoSWReGAPVegetationMapping 305

AppendixD:SpeciesConservationPlans 306

AppendixE:KeytoSpeciesandHabitatDistributions 307

AppendixF:ClimateChangeAssessment 308

AppendixG:StatusofColorado’sBiodiversity–ExecutiveSummary 309

AppendixH:StakeholderAgenciesandOrganizations 310

AppendixI:StakeholderCommentInvitations 311

AppendixJ:ListofAcronyms 312

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Purpose of the SWAP 315

Historically,allfishandwildlifeconservationinColorado,andinthenation,wasfunded316largelybysportsmenandwomen.Recently,fundingforconservationofnon‐hunted317specieshasbeenundertakenusingnon‐traditionalsourcesoffundingtoestablishareliable318base.ThisfundingcomesfromsourcessuchaslotterlyproceedsdistributedbyGreat319OutdoorsColorado,theSpeciesConservationTrustFund,federalaiddollars,andother320sources.SpeciesidentifiedasfederallythreatenedorendangeredundertheEndangered321SpeciesActreceiveadditionalattention,butnotnecessarilyadequatefunding.322323Recognizingthattherehasnotbeenenoughrevenueatanationallevelavailablefor324conservationofallwildlifespecies,leadersintheconservationcommunitysoughtto325provideanewsourceoffunding.TeamingwithWildlife,adiversenationalcoalitionof326conservationists,hunters,anglers,andconservation‐mindedagencies,organizations,and327businesseslobbiedforpassageofthenecessarynationallegislationforthisnewsourceof328funding.TheCommerce,JusticeandStateAppropriationsActofFiscalYear2001,TitleIX,329PublicLaw106‐553createdtheWildlifeConservationandRestorationProgram WCRP ,330designedtoprovidefundingfortheconservationneedsofwildlife,aswellasforeducation331andwildlife‐relatedrecreation.TheWCRPwasonlyfundedforoneyear.Asecondact,the332DepartmentoftheInteriorandRelatedAgenciesAppropriationsActof2002,PublicLaw333107‐63,Title1,createdaStateWildlifeGrantsprogram SWG ,whichprovidesannual334fundingforconservationofwildlifeandwildlifehabitats.TheSWGrequiresthateachstate335prepareandadoptaStateWildlifeActionPlan SWAP toremaineligibleforSWGfunding.336ThisSWAPmeetsColorado’sobligationunderthislaw.337

Philosophy and Guiding Principles 338

AlthoughdevelopmentofColorado’sSWAPwascoordinatedbyColoradoParksand339Wildlife CPW ,itisnotsimplyaplanforthatagency.Rather,itisaplanforallofColorado.340ThetaskofconservingandmanagingColorado’swildlifeistoobigforanyonegroupor341agencytoachievealone.Thisdocumentidentifiesconservationprioritiesthatcanbeused342byeveryoneinColoradoasaguideforplanning,partnershipbuilding,andprojectdesign.343344TheSWAParticulatesasetofconservationprioritiesthatconsidersanexpansivearrayof345wildlifefromastatewideperspective.ThepurposeofthisSWAPistofostergreater346coordinationbetweentheconservationactionsofCPWandothermembersofColorado’s347wildlifeconservationcommunity,thusenablingallpartnerstocollectivelymeetthestate’s348wildlifeconservationneeds.Assuch,thisSWAPisdesignedtocomplementthesubstantial349planningandactivemanagementprogramsthatalreadyexistinColorado,andtosupport350


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cooperationwithadjacentstateswhensuchcooperationwillresultinrange‐wide351conservationofspeciesofgreatestconservationneed.352353Colorado’sSWAPisnotalegaldocument,aregulatorydocument,aRecoveryPlanunder354theEndangeredSpeciesAct ESA ,noraNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct NEPA 355decisiondocument.Allpartiesshouldconsiderthisguidancealongwithotherinformation356astheyimplementactionsthatfollowestablishedpublicparticipationprotocolsandlegal357requirementswhenpreparingdecisiondocumentsandprojectproposals.358359Theguidingprinciplesofthisstrategyareto:360

1. EncourageandsupportconservationactionsthatmeettheneedsofSpeciesof361GreatestConservationNeed;362

2. Manageforhealthyhabitatsandecosystemssothatallspecieswillbenefit;3633. Createastrategythatwillbeflexibleenoughtoincorporatenewresearchfindings364

andsuccessfulmanagementinnovationsintoconservationactions;3654. Acknowledgethepivotalrolethatprivatelandownersandlocalstakeholdersplayin366

conservation;3675. Enhance,notreplace,otherplanningefforts;and3686. Maintainanatmosphereofcooperation,participation,andcommitmentamong369

wildlifemanagers,landowners,privateandpubliclandmanagers,andother370stakeholdersindevelopmentandimplementationofconservationactions.371

Federal SWAP Requirements: The Eight 372

Elements 373

Colorado’sSWAPmeetstherequirementsofguidingfederallegislation.Itisbasedonthe374bestavailableinformationandidentifiesdatagapswheretheyexist.Itis,andwillcontinue375tobe,theresultofinvolvingvirtuallyallofColorado’sconservationagencies,organizations,376andaffectedstakeholders.377378TheenablinglegislationandregulationsgoverningtheSWGandrelatedprogramsstipulate379thatastate’sSWAPcontainthefollowingeightelements referredtothroughouttheSWAP380as“Element1,Element2,andsoon :3813821. Informationonthedistributionandabundanceofspeciesofwildlife,includinglow383

populationanddecliningspeciesthatareindicativeofthediversityandhealthofthe384state’swildlife;385

2. Descriptionsoflocationsandrelativeconditionofkeyhabitatsandcommunitytypes386essentialtoconservationofspeciesidentifiedin 1 ;387

3. Descriptionsofissuesthatmayadverselyaffectspeciesidentifiedin 1 ortheir388habitats,andpriorityresearchandsurveyeffortsneededtoidentifyfactorswhichmay389assistinrestorationandimprovedconservationofthesespeciesandhabitats;390


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4. Descriptionsofconservationactionsproposedtoconservetheidentifiedspeciesand391habitatsandprioritiesforimplementingsuchactions;392

5. Proposedstrategiesformonitoringspeciesidentifiedin 1 andtheirhabitats,for393monitoringtheeffectivenessoftheconservationactionsproposedin 4 ,andfor394adaptingtheseconservationactionstorespondappropriatelytonewinformationor395changingconditions;396

6. DescriptionsofprocedurestoreviewtheWildlifeActionPlanatintervalsnottoexceed39710years;398

7. Strategiesforcoordinatingthedevelopment,implementation,review,andrevisionof399theWildlifeActionPlanwithfederal,state,andlocalagenciesandNativeAmerican400tribesthatmanagesignificantlandandwaterareaswithinColoradooradminister401programsthatsignificantlyaffecttheconservationofidentifiedspeciesandhabitats;402and403

8. Provisionstoensurepublicparticipationinthedevelopment,revision,and404implementationoftheWildlifeActionPlan,andassociatedprojectsandprograms.405

Roadmap to the Eight Required Elements 406

TheSWAPaddressestheeightrequiredelementsusingbothspeciesandhabitat407approaches.Table1liststhelocationswithintheSWAPwhereinformationpertainingto408eachoftheeightrequiredelementsmaybefound.Tables7and8identifycross‐409relationshipsbetweenspeciesandtheirhabitats.Informationpertainingtoplantsand410invertebrateanimals withtheexceptionofmollusks canbefoundinAppendicesAandB,411respectively.412 413


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Table 1. Locations of Required Elements in the SWAP. 414

Required Element Location(s) 1 – Distribution and abundance of wildlife species a. sources of information Chapter 2 b. abundance and distribution Chapter 2; Table 7 c. low and declining populations Chapter 2; Tables 3 & 7 d. consideration of all major wildlife groups Chapter 2; Appendices A & B e. process for selecting SGCNs Chapter 2; Table 2 2 – Locations and conditions of key habitats a. level of detail Chapter 3 b. location, relative condition, and conservation actions needed

Chapter 3, Table 8; Chapter 8, Figures 17 - 19

3 – Problems that may adversely affect species and habitats a. sources of information Chapters 1, 5, and 6 b. detailed threats Chapter 4; Chapter 5, Table 7;

Chapter 6, Table 8; Appendix F c. threats relevant to species and habitats Chapter 5, Table 7; Chapter 6,

Table 8; Appendix F d. research and survey efforts needed Chapter 5, Table 7; Chapter 6,

Table 8 4 – Conservation actions that may conserve species and habitats, and priorities for implementing actions a. how conservation actions address threats Chapter 4; Chapter 5, Table 7;

Chapter 6, Table 8 b. descriptions of conservation actions Chapter 4; Appendix D c. linking actions to objectives and indicators Chapter 5, Table 7; Chapter 6,

Table 8 d. actions for partners Chapter 5, Table 7; Chapter 6,

Table 8 e. research and survey efforts needed Chapter 5, Table 7; Chapter 6,

Table 8 5 – Proposed plans for monitoring species and habitats a. plans for monitoring SGCN and habitats Chapter 7; Appendices A & B b. monitoring outcomes of conservation actions Chapter 7; Appendices A & B c. species not monitored Chapter 7; Appendices A & B d. monitoring at multiple levels Chapter 7; Appendices A, B, & G e. relationship to existing monitoring/survey systems and determining effectiveness of conservation actions

Chapter 7; Appendices A, B, & G

f. geographic scale Chapter 7; Appendices A, B, & G g. adaptive management Chapter 7; Appendices A, B, & G 6 – Procedures to review the SWAP a. review process Chapter 9 7 – Coordination with other land management agencies a. involvement of federal, state, and local agencies and Indian tribes in development of SWAP

Chapter 9; Appendices H & I

b. continued involvement of agencies and tribes in implementation, review, and revision

Chapter 9

8 – Public participation a. public involvement in development of SWAP Chapter 1; Chapter 9; Appendices

H & I b. continued public involvement in implementation and revision

Chapter 9


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SWAP Development Process 415

Maximizingthequality,effectiveness,andefficiencyofstakeholderparticipationwasa416primaryconsiderationinestablishingthemethodsusedtoprepareColorado’s2015SWAP.417Tothisend,CPWcreatedanonlineparticipationplatformconsistingofawebpage1anda418dedicatedemail.419Theprocessforrevisingeachoftherequiredelementswithscientificcontent thefirstfive420elements inColorado’s2006SWAPinvolvedthefollowingsteps:4214221. Reviewof2006SWAPcontentbyCPWandColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram CNHP 423

biologists,anddraftingofproposedrevisionsbasedonthemostcurrentinformation424available;425

2. Stakeholderreviewofdraftrevisedchapterusingdedicatedonlineresources webpage426andemail ;427

3. Finaldraftchapterprepared;4284. AllstakeholdercommentscompiledalongwithCPWresponses;and4295. AllmaterialspostedonCPW’sSWAPwebpageforpublicaccess.430

431Over100CPWstaffwereinvolvedintherevisionprocess,includingSpeciesConservation432Coordinators,HabitatCoordinators,GISanalysts,CPWTerrestrialandAquaticbiologists,433RegionalStaffandrepresentativesfromCPW’sResearch,RealEstate,andLeadership434Teams.PleaserefertoChapter9ofthisdocumentforamoredetaileddescriptionofthe435agencycoordinationandthepublicparticipationprocess.436

Management and Legal Authorities 437

Adiversityofstate,federal,andcountyregulationsofferprotectiontoColorado’sspeciesof438greatestconservationneed,andtherearemanymanagementprogramsthatsupport439populationandhabitatconservationactions.Morebroadly,thereisadiversityofentities440thatdirectlyorindirectlymanageoraffectwildlifethroughtheiractions.Thejobof441coordinatingthisdiversityofmanagersisanimportantinstitutionaldeterminantof442successforColorado’sSWAP.ThatjobfallstoCPW.Thefollowingstatutoryauthorities443andpoliciesprovidenecessaryguidanceforCPWinitsroleasthestate’sSWAP444coordinator.445446ColoradoParksandWildlife,abranchoftheColoradoDepartmentofNaturalResources,447hasthestatutorychargeformanagingandconservingwildliferesourceswithinstate448borders,forhunted,fished,andnon‐gamewildlife,includingstate‐listedthreatenedand449endangeredspecies2.TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService USFWS hasmanagementforthe450speciesthatareprotectedunderthefederalEndangeredSpeciesAct.4511http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx2ColoradoRevisedStatutes,Title33Article1‐101states:“ItisthepolicyofthestateofColoradothatthewildlifeandtheirenvironmentaretobeprotected,preserved,enhanced,andmanagedfortheuse,benefit,andenjoymentofthepeopleofthisstateanditsvisitors.Itisfurtherdeclaredto


17

452TheColoradoParksandWildlifeCommissionisembarkingonastrategicplanningprocess453toguideCPW'seffortsintothefuture.Thisnewstrategicplanwillsetahighlevelvision,454overarchinggoals,andstrategiesforColorado'sstateparks,wildlifeandoutdoorrecreation455resources.FollowingcompletionoftheCommission's2015StrategicPlan,CPWwill456developfinerscaleimplementationplanstooutlinehowagencygoalswillbeachieved.The457SWAPwillhelptoguidetheimplementationofplanstoachieveconservationgoals458forColorado’sSpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed.459

Overview of Colorado Wildlife Species 460

Colorado’snativespeciesoccuracrossourstate’s103,000squaremiles,including480461squaremilesofwaters.Thereareover960nativespeciesforwhichCPWhasstatutory462authority,includingmammals,birds,fish,reptiles,amphibians,mollusks,andcrustaceans.463Coloradoisalsohometomanyhundredsofplantandinvertebrateanimalspeciesthatfall464outsideofCPW’sauthority.Coloradomanageswildlifeatthespecies,subspecies,and465populationlevel,dependingonvariousfactorssuchaslegalrequirements,interagency466coordinationneeds,stakeholderconcerns,fundingeligibility,nationalorinternational467reportingconventions,and/ortaxonomicdeterminationsthroughscientific468documentation.Coloradoalsomanagesassemblagesofspeciesandthearrayofhabitats469importanttothem i.e.,ecosystemmanagement .470

471

bethepolicyofthisstatethatthereshallbeprovidedacomprehensiveprogramdesignedtoofferthegreatestpossiblevarietyofwildlife‐relatedrecreationalopportunitytothepeopleofthisstateanditsvisitorsandthat,tocarryoutsuchprogramandpolicy,thereshallbeacontinuousoperationofplanning,acquisition,anddevelopmentofwildlifehabitatsandfacilitiesforwildlife‐relatedopportunities.”Title33Article2‐102states,“Thegeneralassemblyfindsanddeclaresthatitisthepolicyofthisstatetomanageallnongamewildlife,recognizingtheprivatepropertyrightsofindividualpropertyowners,forhumanenjoymentandwelfare,forscientificpurposes,andtoinsuretheirperpetuationasmembersofecosystems;thatspeciesorsubspeciesofwildlifeindigenoustothisstatewhichmaybefoundtobeendangeredorthreatenedwithinthestateshouldbeaccordedprotectioninordertomaintainandenhancetheirnumberstotheextentpossible;thatthisstateshouldassistintheprotectionofspeciesorsubspeciesofwildlifewhicharedeemedtobeendangeredorthreatenedelsewhere;andthatadequatefundingbemadeavailabletothedivisionannuallybyappropriationsfromthegeneralfund.”


18

472

473

Thischapterpresentsupdatedinformationonwildlifespeciesthatareinneedof474conservationattentioninColorado,withafocusonnativespecies.Colorado’sfirstSWAP,475completedin2006,identified210SpeciesofGreatestConservationNeed SGCN .Those476speciesweregroupedintoTier1andTier2categories,reflectingarelativedegreeof477conservationpriority.Conservationattentionisstillwarrantedforthespeciesonthe478originalSGCNlist.However,theutilityofsuchalongTier1specieslistforprioritizing479conservationworkovertheinterveningyearshasbeensomewhatconfounding.Thus,a480primaryfocusoftheSGCNcomponentinthisSWAPrevisionhasbeentoimprovethe481SWAP’susefulnessforconservationprioritization,whilecontinuingtorecognizethe482broaderinterestsandcapacityofColorado’sconservationcommunityoverall.Tothatend,483wehavere‐definedhowwearecharacterizingTier1andTier2SGCN,andmodifiedthe484criteriausedtodetermineTier1andTier2status.485486Also,intheinterestofimprovingtheSWAP’sapplicabilityacrossColorado’sconservation487community,wehaveaddedarareplantcomponenttotheplan,andretainedandexpanded488theinsectcomponentoftheSGCNlist.ThoughCPWdoesnothavestatutoryauthorityover489plantandinsectspecies,werecognizethecrucialrolethesetaxaplayintheecosystemsand490wildlifecommunitiesoftheState.SWAPelementsforplantsandnon‐mollusk491invertebratesarepresentedinAppendicesAandB,respectively.492

Revised Interpretation of Tier 1 and Tier 2 493

Althoughthe2015revisionofColorado’sSWAPretainstheoriginaltwo‐tierSGCN494structure,wehavere‐interpretedtheTier1listtorepresentthespecieswhicharetrulyof495highestconservationpriorityinthestateandtowhichCPWwilllikelyfocusresourcesover496thelifeofthisplan.Thoughtheagencywillcertainlymaintainflexibilityinrespondingto497evolvingconservationneedsandscientificknowledge,ourbestcurrentestimateofhow498ourworkwillprobablybefocusedoverthecomingdecadeisreflectedinthenewTier1list499of55species.AllotherpreviouslyTier1SGCNhavebeenmovedtotheTier2list,withone500exception.Recentgeneticstudiesindicatethatthesubspeciesdesignationfornorthern501pocketgopher Thomomystalpoidesmacrotis isnotavalid.Thus,thissubspecieshas502beenremovedfromtheSGCNlist.Tier2speciesremainimportantinlightofforestalling503populationtrendsorhabitatconditionsthatmayleadtoathreatenedorendangeredlisting504status,buttheurgencyofsuchactionhasbeenjudgedtobeless.Whenplanningfuture505conservationwork,thesetierrankingsshouldbeconsideredalongwithotherimportant506factors,includingpotentialfundingandpartnershipopportunities,andresponsivenessto507“one‐time‐only”opportunities.Itisourhopeandexpectationthatourconservation508partnersandstakeholderswillworktogethertowardconservationofallSGCN,including509


19

thoseontheTier2list.Asanagency,weremaincommittedtoimprovingthestatusofall510SGCN,andwelcomecollaborativeeffortstodoso.511

Revised SGCN Criteria 512

ForthisiterationofourSWAP,wehaveexpandedthecriteriathatwereusedtodevelopthe513originalSGCNlist3,whichwereprimarilyfocusedonspecies’conservationstatus.Those514criteriawereretainedandaugmentedbyfurtherconsiderationofthespecies’rolein515Coloradowildlifecommunitiesaswellasourabilitytomakeameasurablecontributionto516conservationofspeciespopulations,accordingtothecriterialistedinTable2.In517distinguishingTier1andTier2speciesintheoriginalSWAP,wedevelopedanadditional518setofsub‐criteriathatplacedmoreemphasisoneconomicconsiderations4.Duetothe519revisedinterpretationofTier1status,someofthesecriteriaweredeemedtobeofless520importanceintherevisedSWAP.Theremainingcriteriahavebeenabsorbedintothe521updatedcriteriainTable2.522 523

3Listedasfederalcandidate,threatenedorendangeredspeciesundertheESA;Classifiedasstateendangeredorthreatenedspecies,orspeciesofspecialconcern;GlobalrankingscoresofG1,G2orG3bytheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram;Identifiedasconservationprioritiesthrougharange‐widestatusassessmentorassessmentoflargetaxonomicdivisions;AssignedstaterankingscoresofS1orS2ANDaglobalrankingscoreofG4bytheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram.Specieswereremovedfromthelistifthey:occurperipherallyinColoradobutarecommonelsewhereANDforwhichmanagementactionsinColoradoarelikelytohavenopopulation‐leveleffect;areverycommonbutwereplacedonlistsduetoeconomicconsiderations e.g.,Mallard .4 Knowledgeofmanagementtechniquesneededforrecovery;Impactonfederalrecovery;Costofrecoveryormanagementactionimplementation;Directcostofrecoveryactiontoothers;Publicappealorinterestinthespecies;Economicimpactsoflisting costincurredbylisting ;Importancetostatebiologicaldiversity;Multiplespeciesbenefitsfrommanagementoftargetspecies.


20

Table 2. Criteria used to revise the list of Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. 524

1) Federal and State Status

a) Listed or proposed as endangered at federal or state level

b) Listed or proposed as threatened at federal or state level

c) Other indication of special concern at federal or state level

2) Colorado’s contribution to the species overall conservation (portion of overall range that occurs in Colorado) a) The health of the population in Colorado compared to other portions of its range (better = higher) b) Population status and level of conservation activity in surrounding states and other portions of the

species range c) Level of conservation activity in Colorado relative to its status in the state

3) Urgency of conservation action: a) New threats to the species b) Lack of Scientific Knowledge c) Increases in severity of existing threats or new data that show a significant, persistent decline in

population status d) Likelihood and immediacy of potential ESA listing e) Funding or partnership opportunities that are time limited

4) Ability to Implement Effective Conservation Actions: a) Few regulatory issues present to impede conservation success b) Limitations in mitigating population and/or habitat threats are minimal (i.e., conservation success is

highly likely) c) Cost to implement effective conservation d) Socio-political factors (general willingness to support conservation of the species)

5) Ecological Value of the species: a) Species is a good indicator to the overall health of the habitat it occupies b) Keystone species – plays a significant role in defining the habitat in which it lives c) Umbrella species – protecting these species indirectly protects the many other species that make up

the ecological community used by the species

Updated SGCN List 525

The2015SGCNlistofvertebrateanimalsandmollusks–thegroupsforwhichCPWhas526statutoryauthority–contains159species Table3 .Fifty‐fivespecieshavebeenidentified527asTier1SGCN,including2amphibians,13birds,25fish,13mammals,and2reptiles528Table3 .Ofthese,allwereontheTier1SGCNlistin2005withthefollowingexceptions:529White‐tailedptarmiganandwolverinewerepreviouslyTier2;plainstopminnow,little530brownbat,NewMexicomeadowjumpingmouse,andAmericanpikawerenotSGCNin5312006.Conservationopportunity,Colorado’scontributiontoconservation,andchangesin532conservationstatusareallpartiallyexplanatoryinthesechanges.533534TherevisedTier2SGCNlistofvertebrateanimalscontains104species,including8535amphibians,48birds,2fish,23mammals,14reptiles,and9mollusks.OftheTier2536species,10vertebratesand4invertebrateswerenotidentifiedasSGCNin2006.The537pygmyrabbitwasnotaSGCNin2005becauseatthattimethespecieshadnotbeen538


21

reportedinColorado.Recentevidencesuggeststhatthisspeciesmaybepresentin539northwesternColorado.ThefollowingspecieswerenotSGCNin2006,buthavebeen540addedtothe2015Tier2listduetodesignationasaSensitiveSpeciesbytheBureauof541LandManagementand/ortheU.S.ForestService:GreatBasinspadefoot,blacktern,542grasshoppersparrow,RockyMountaincapshell,Americanmarten,bigfree‐tailedbat,543hoarybat,pygmyshrew,desertspinylizard,andmilksnake.Thirtybirdspecieshavebeen544removedfromtheSGCNlist.Thischangeisnotaresultofchangeinspeciesstatus,but545ratherisduetotherevisionsofthecriteriausedtodefineSGCN.546547TherearefourspeciesontheSGCNlistthatnolongeroccuraswildpopulationsin548Colorado:bison,graywolf,grizzlybear,andwolverine.Thesespecieswerehistorically549partofColorado’snativeanimalcommunity,andwouldmeetthecriteriaforSGCNifthey550weretore‐colonizeorbereintroducedtothestateduringthetimeperiodcoveredbythis551plan.Therearenoplanstoreintroducewolvesorgrizzlybearstothestate,butitis552possiblethatwolverineand/orgeneticallypure,wildbisoncouldbereintroducedifsocial553andpoliticalconcernscanbesatisfactorilyaddressedandsucheffortsarebiologically554justified.555

Status and Trend 556

ThestatusofeachvertebrateandmolluskSGCNissummarizedinTable3.Aspecies’status557isacriticalcomponentinthecriteriausedtoconstructthevariousspeciesliststhatwere558consideredindevelopingtheSGCNlist.ThelistsgeneratedbytheU.S.FishandWildlife559Service,U.S.ForestService,BureauofLandManagement,StateofColorado,Colorado560NaturalHeritageProgram,andNatureServeallusespeciesstatusinsomeformtodevelop561theirrespectivelists.Wedidnotdevelopanewmetricthatspecificallyevaluatedspecies562statuswithinColorado,butratherusedthelistsgeneratedbyotherorganizationstoinform563ourevaluationofspeciesstatus.564565Aspecies’populationtrendisalsousedbyotherorganizationsinthedevelopmentoftheir566lists,butwedoconsideritasaseparatefactorhere Table3,DecliningTrendcolumn .567Bothdatafromstudiesaswellasbestprofessionaljudgmentswereusedtodetermine568decliningtrend.Datawerefoundinrecoveryplans,statusassessments,andboth569publishedandunpublishedreports.ForlandbirdswereliedheavilyuponthePartnersin570FlightSpeciesAssessmentDatabase PIFScienceCommittee2012 toevaluatetrendsona571continentalscale.572573


22

Table 3. Vertebrate and Mollusk Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Species are grouped by Tier and taxonomic group, and then sorted 574alphabetically by common name. Legend: Federal Listing: LE – listed Endangered; LT – listed Threatened; LT* - listed Threatened status applies 575to Distinct Population Segment only; C – Candidate; P – Petitioned; N - Not Warranted. State Listing: E – state endangered; T – state threatened; 576SC – Special Concern. Agency Sensitive: BLM – Bureau of Land Management; USFS – U.S. Forest Service; USFWS - U.S. Fish and Wildlife 577Service Birds of Conservation Concern for Bird Conservation Regions 16 and 18. NatureServe Global/State Status: 1 – critically imperiled; 2 – 578imperiled; 3 – vulnerable; 4 – apparently secure, but with cause for long-term concern; 5 – demonstrably secure; T – subspecies status; Q – 579taxonomic uncertainty; B – breeding; N – non-breeding; NR – not ranked; X - extirpated. 580

Species Common Name Priority

Tier Fed

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Eco

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the

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AMPHIBIANS

Anaxyrus boreas boreas Boreal toad (Southern Rocky Mountain Population)

Tier 1 P SE

x x x x x G4T1 S1

Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frog Tier 1 SC x x x G5 S3 ?

BIRDS

Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finch Tier 1 x x x G4 S3B,S4N

Athene cunicularia Burrowing owl Tier 1 ST

x x x x G4 S4B

Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse

Tier 1 SC x x x x x G4T3 S2

Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagle Tier 1 x x x G5 S3S4B,

S4N

Centrocercus urophasianus Greater sage-grouse Tier 1 C SC x x x x x x G3G4 S4 x

Grus canadensis tabida Greater sandhill crane Tier 1 SC G5T4 S2B,S4N x

Centrocercus minimus Gunnison sage-grouse Tier 1 PE SC x x x x x x x G1 S1 x


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Tier Fed

eral

Sta

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Sta

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tatu

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Sen

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Sp

ecie

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US

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s o

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on

serv

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PIF

US

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Co

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do

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to

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on

serv

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Urg

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of

Co

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Act

ion

Ab

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to

Imp

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Eff

ecti

ve

Co

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Act

ion

s

Eco

log

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Val

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of

the

Sp

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s

Nat

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Ser

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G

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tatu

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CN

HP

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Ser

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S

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S

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Dec

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Tympanuchus pallidicinctus Lesser prairie-chicken Tier 1 LT ST

x x x x x G3 S2

Charadrius montanus Mountain plover Tier 1 SC x x x G3 S2B

Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesii Plains sharp-tailed grouse Tier 1

SE

G4T4 S1

Empidonax traillii extimus Southwestern willow flycatcher

Tier 1 E SE

x G5T1T2 SNA

Coccyzus americanus occidentalis

Western yellow-billed cuckoo

Tier 1 LT*

SC x x x x G5T3Q S1B

Lagopus leucura White-tailed ptarmigan Tier 1 P x x G5 S4

FISH

Etheostoma cragini Arkansas darter Tier 1 C ST

x G3G4 S2

Catostomus discobolus Bluehead sucker Tier 1 x x x x x G4 S4

Gila elegans Bonytail chub Tier 1 E SE

x x G1 SX

Hybognathus hankinsoni Brassy minnow Tier 1 ST

x G5 S3

Ptychocheilus lucius Colorado pikeminnow Tier 1 E ST

x x x G1 S1 x

Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus

Colorado River cutthroat trout

Tier 1 SC x x x G4T3 S3

Luxilus cornutus Common shiner Tier 1 ST

G5 S2

Catostomus latipinnis Flannelmouth sucker Tier 1 x x x x x G3G4 S3

Platygobio gracilus Flathead chub Tier 1 S x G5 S3


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Tier Fed

eral

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tus

Sta

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Sen

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Eff

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s

Eco

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Val

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the

Sp

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C

Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias Greenback cutthroat trout Tier 1 T

ST

x x G4T2T3 S2

Gila cypha Humpback chub Tier 1 E ST

x G1 S1 x

Catostomus playtrhynchus Mountain sucker Tier 1 SC x x G5 S2

Phoxinus eos Northern redbelly dace Tier 1 SE

x x G5 S1

Lepomis humilis Orangespotted sunfish Tier 1 x G5 S5 x

Etheostoma spectabile Orangethroat darter Tier 1 SC G5 S3 x

Hybognathus placitus Plains minnow Tier 1 SE

x x G4 SH

Fundulus sciadicus Plains topminnow Tier 1 x G4 S4

Xyrauchen texanus Razorback sucker Tier 1 E SE

x x x G1 S1

Gila pandora Rio Grande chub Tier 1 SC x x G3 S1

Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis Rio Grande cutthroat trout Tier 1 N S

C x x x x G4T3 S3

Catostomus plebeius Rio Grande sucker Tier 1 SE

x x G3G4 S1

Gila robusta Roundtail chub Tier 1 SC x x x x x G3 S2 x

Phoxinus erythrogaster Southern redbelly dace Tier 1 SE

x x G5 S1

Noturus flavus Stonecat Tier 1 SC x G5 S1

Phenacobius mirabilis Suckermouth minnow Tier 1 S x G5 S2


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Tier Fed

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Sta

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Eff

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s

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E

MAMMALS

Ochotona princeps American pika Tier 1 N G5 S5

Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferret Tier 1 E SE

x x G1 S1

Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis Tier 1 x x x G4 S3

Cynomys gunnisoni Gunnison’s prairie dog Tier 1 N x x x x G5 S5

Myotis lucifigus Little brown myotis Tier 1 P x G3 S5

Lynx canadensis Lynx Tier 1 T SE

x G5 S1

Zapus hudsonius luteus New Mexico meadow jumping mouse

Tier 1 LE x x x x G5T2 S1

Perognathus fasciatus Olive-backed pocket mouse Tier 1 x G5 S3 x

Zapus hudsonius preblei Prebles meadow jumping mouse

Tier 1 T ST

x x G5T2 S1 x

Euderma maculatum Spotted bat Tier 1 x x x G4 S2

Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens

Townsend's big-eared bat ssp.

Tier 1 SC x x x x

G3G4T3T4

S2

Cynomys leucurus White-tailed prairie dog Tier 1 x x x G4 S4

Gulo gulo Wolverine Tier 1 PT SE

x G4 S1

REPTILES

Aspidoscelis neotesselata Colorado checkered whiptail

Tier 1 P SC x x x G2G3 S2

Sistrurus catenatus Massasauga Tier 1 P SC x x x G3G4 S2


26


Tier Fed

eral

Sta

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Eff

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Eco

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Val

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AMPHIBIANS

Acris blanchardi Blanchard’s cricket frog Tier 2 SC x G5 SH

Hyla arenicolor Canyon tree frog Tier 2 x G5 S2

Scaphiopus couchii Couch's spadefoot Tier 2 SC G5 S1

Spea intermontana Great Basin spadefoot Tier 2 x G5 S3

Gastrophryne olivacea Great Plains narrowmouth toad

Tier 2 SC G5 S1

Anaxyrus debilis Green toad Tier 2 G5 S2

Lithobates blairi Plains leopard frog Tier 2 SC x x G5 S3

Lithobates sylvatica Wood frog Tier 2 SC x G5 S3

BIRDS

Botaurus lentiginosus American bittern Tier 2 x x G4 S3S4B

Falco peregrinus anatum American peregrine falcon Tier 2 SC x x x G4T4 S2B

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American white pelican Tier 2 x G4 S1B

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle Tier 2 SC x x x G5 S1B,S3N

Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeon Tier 2 G4 S4B x

Bucephala islandica Barrow's goldeneye Tier 2 G5 S2B

Leucosticte atrata Black rosy-finch Tier 2 x x G4 S4N

Cypseloides niger Black swift Tier 2 x x x x G4 S3B x

Chlidonias niger Black tern Tier 2 x G4 S2B

Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink Tier 2 x G5 S3B x


27


Tier Fed

eral

Sta

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Sen

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PIF

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-Can

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trib

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Aegolius funereus Boreal owl Tier 2 x G5 S2

Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrow Tier 2 x x x G5 S4B x

Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finch Tier 2 x G5 S5 x

Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrow Tier 2 x G5 S4B x

Calcarius ornatus Chestnut-collared longspur Tier 2 x x x G5 S1B x

Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawk Tier 2 SC x x x x G4 S3B,S4N

Otus flammeolus Flammulated owl Tier 2 x x x G4 S4

Setophaga graciae Grace’s warbler Tier 2 x G5 S3B

Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper sparrow Tier 2 x x G5 S3S4B x

Vireo vicinior Gray vireo Tier 2 x x G4 S2B

Tympanuchus cupido Greater prairie-chicken Tier 2 x x G4 S3 x

Baeolophus ridgwayi Juniper titmouse Tier 2 x G5 S4 x

Calamospiza melanocorys Lark bunting Tier 2 x G5 S4 x

Passerina amoena Lazuli bunting Tier 2 G5 S5B x

Sterna antillarum Least tern Tier 2 E SE

G4 S1B

Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpecker Tier 2 x x G4 S4 x

Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrike Tier 2 x G4 S3S4B x

Numenius americanus Long-billed curlew Tier 2 SC x x x G5 S2B

Rhynchophanes mccownii McCown’s longspur Tier 2 x x G4 S2B

Strix occidentalis lucida Mexican spotted owl Tier 2 T ST

G3T3 S1B,SUN

Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhite Tier 2 G5 S4 x


28


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Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawk Tier 2 x x G5 S3B

Circus cyaneus Northern harrier Tier 2 x G5 S3B

Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcher Tier 2 x x G4 S3S4B x Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Pinyon jay Tier 2 x x G5 S5 x

Charadrius melodus Piping plover Tier 2 T ST

G3 S1B

Falco mexicanus Prairie falcon Tier 2 x G5 S4B,S4N

Progne subis Purple martin Tier 2 x G5 S3B

Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbird Tier 2 x G5 SNA x

Amphispiza belli Sage sparrow Tier 2 x G5 S3B x

Asio flammeus Short-eared owl Tier 2 x G5 S2B x

Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawk Tier 2 G5 S5B x

Bartramia longicauda Upland sandpiper Tier 2 x x G5 S3B

Catharus fuscescens Veery Tier 2 x G5 S3B

Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warbler Tier 2 x G5 S5

Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus Western snowy plover Tier 2 S

C x x G3T3 S1B

Plegadis chihi White-faced ibis Tier 2 x G5 S2B

Grus americana Whooping crane Tier 2 E SE

x G1 SNA

FISH

Etheostoma exile Iowa darter Tier 2 SC G5 S3

Couesius plumbeus Lake chub Tier 2 SE

x x G5 S1


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MAMMALS Sciurus aberti Abert's squirrel Tier 2 G5 S5

Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared bat Tier 2 x G4 SNR

Martes americana American marten Tier 2 x G4G5 S4

Nyctinomops macrotis Big free-tailed bat Tier 2 x G5 S1

Ovis canadensis Bighorn sheep Tier 2 x x G4 S4

Bison bison Bison Tier 2 G4 SX

Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed prairie dog Tier 2 N SC x x x G4 S3

Thomomys bottae rubidus Botta's pocket gopher (rubidus ssp)

Tier 2 SC G5T1 S1

Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed skunk Tier 2 x G4 S1

Sorex nanus Dwarf shrew Tier 2 G4 S2

Canis lupus Gray wolf Tier 2 E SE

x x G4G5 SX

Ursus arctos Grizzly bear Tier 2 SE

G4 SX

Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat Tier 2 x G5 S5B

Vulpes macrotis Kit fox Tier 2 SE

x x G4 S1 x

Sorex preblei Preble's shrew Tier 2 G4 S1

Brachylagus idahoensis Pygmy rabbit Tier 2 G4 SNR

Sorex hoyi montanus Pygmy shrew Tier 2 x G5T3T4 S2

Clethrionomys gapperi Red-backed vole Tier 2 G5 S5

Lontra canadensis River otter Tier 2 S x x x G5 S3S4


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Lemmiscus curtatus Sagebrush vole Tier 2 G5 S1

Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare Tier 2 G5 S5

Vulpes velox Swift fox Tier 2 SC x x x G3 S3

Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbit Tier 2 G5 S4

MOLLUSKS

Ferrissia walkeri Cloche ancylid Tier 2 G4G5Q S3

Promenetus umbillicatellus Cockerell Tier 2 G4 S3

Anodontoides ferussacianus Cylindrical papershell Tier 2 SC G5 S2

Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylid Tier 2 G5Q S1

Physa cupreonitens Hot springs physa Tier 2 G5Q S2

Uniomerus tetralasmus Pondhorn Tier 2 G5 S1

Acroloxus coloradensis Rocky Mountain capshell Tier 2 SC x G3 S1

Promenetus exacuous Sharp sprite Tier 2 G5 S2

Physa gyrina utahensis Utah physa Tier 2 G5T2 S1

REPTILES

Thamnophis cyrtopsis Black-necked gartersnake Tier 2 G5 S2?

Lampropeltis californiae California kingsnake Tier 2 SC x G5 S1

Thamnophis sirtalis Common gartersnake Tier 2 SC G5 S3 x

Sceloporus magister Desert spiny lizard Tier 2 x G5 S2

Gambelia wislizenii Long-nosed leopard lizard Tier 2 SC x G5 S1


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Rhinocheilus lecontei Long-nosed snake Tier 2 G5 S1?

Crotalus oreganus concolor Midget faded rattlesnake Tier 2 SC x G5T4 S3?

Lampropeltis triangulum Milksnake Tier 2 x G5 S2?

Rena dissectus New Mexico threadsnake Tier 2 SC G4G5 S1

Hypsiglena chlorophaea Desert nightsnake Tier 2 G5 S3

Phrynosoma modestum Round-tailed horned lizard Tier 2 SC G5 S1

Tantilla horbartsmithi Smith’s black-headed snake

Tier 2 G5 S2?

Phrynosoma cornutum Texas horned lizard Tier 2 SC G4G5 S3

Kinosternon flavescens Yellow mud turtle Tier 2 SC G5 S1


32

581

Thischapterpresentsupdatedinformationonthedistributionandconditionofkey582habitatsinColorado.ThehabitatcomponentofColorado’s2006SWAPconsidered41land583covertypesfromtheColoradoGAPAnalysis Schruppetal.2000 .Sincethen,the584SouthwestRegionalGAPproject SWReGAP,USGS2004 hasproducedupdatedlandcover585mappingusingtheU.S.NationalVegetationClassification NVC namesforterrestrial586ecologicalsystems.Inthestrictestsense,ecologicalsystemsarenotequivalenttohabitat587typesforwildlife.EcologicalsystemsasdefinedintheNVCincludebothdynamic588ecologicalprocessesandbiogeophysicalcharacteristics,inadditiontothecomponent589species.However,theecologicalsystemsascurrentlyclassifiedandmappedareclosely590alignedwiththewaysinwhichColorado’swildlifemanagersandconservation591professionalsthinkof,andmanagefor,habitats.Thus,forthepurposesoftheSWAP,592referencestotheNVCsystemsshouldbeinterpretedaswildlifehabitatinthegeneral593sense.594595Fifty‐seventerrestrialecologicalsystemsoralteredlandcovertypesmappedforSWReGAP596havebeencategorizedinto23habitattypes,andnineaquatichabitatsandtwoadditional597“Other”habitatcategoriesweredefined.SWAPhabitatcategoriesarelistedinTable4 see598AppendixCforthecrosswalkofSWAPhabitatswithSWReGAPmappingunits .Though599nomenclatureisslightlydifferentinsomecases,therevisedhabitatcategoriespresentedin600thisdocumentareconsistentwiththosedefinedinthe2006SWAPwiththefollowing601exceptions:602603

DouglasFirandWhiteFir,formerlystand‐alonehabitatcategories,havebeen604includedintheMixedConifercategory;605

LimberPineandBristleconePinehavebeencombinedintoSubalpineLimberand606Bristlecone;607

TallgrassPrairieandMidgrassPrairiehavebeencombinedintoMixedgrassand608TallgrassPrairies;609

SandDuneComplex Grassland andSandDuneComplex Shrubland havebeen610combinedintotheSandsagecategory,andaseparateSandDunescategoryhasbeen611addedtodistinguishsandyprairiehabitatsfromtruesanddunehabitats;612

MeadowTundraandShrubTundra,formerlystand‐alonecategories,havebeen613combinedunderAlpine;614

ExposedRockhasbeensplitintoAlpine highelevationbedrock,screen,icefields615andfellfields andCliffs&Canyons cliffs,canyons,outcrops,andtablelandsof616RockyMountains,WesternGreatPlains,andIntermountainBasins 617

aRiparianWoodlandsandShrublandscategoryhasbeenaddedtobetter618distinguishterrestrialstream‐sidehabitatsfromaquatichabitats.619620

Awidely‐accepted,broad‐scaleclassificationcomparabletotheNVCdoesnotcurrently621existforaquatichabitats.Forthe2006SWAP,wedefinedaquatichabitatcategoriesthat622


33

hadmeaningforwildlifemanagersandstakeholders.ForthisiterationoftheSWAP,we623haverevisedtheoriginalaquatichabitatcategoriestomoreexplicitlyrelateaquatic624habitatstoassociatedphysiographicregions.Watershedcharacteristicssuchaselevation,625vegetationandgeologystronglyinfluencekeyaspectsofaquatichabitatsuchasgradient,626temperature,andturbidity,whichinturnshapeaquaticspeciesdistributionswithinthe627state.Changestoaquatichabitatcategoriesare:628629

WestSlopeRiversandWestSlopeStreamshavebeenre‐categorizedasColorado630Plateau–WyomingBasinsRiversandStreams;631

RioGrandeValleyRiversandStreamshavebeenaddedasuniquehabitatcategories;632 LakesandOpenWatercategorieshavebeenrevisedtodistinguishnaturallakes633

stilltheLakescategory fromothertypesofopenwaterandassociatedhabitats634nowsplitintotheReservoirs&ShorelinesandHotSpringscategories .635

636

Table 4. Wildlife habitats in Colorado. 637

Habitat Type Habitat Community Forest Aspen Forest Lodgepole Pine Forest Mixed Conifer Forest Pinyon - Juniper Forest Ponderosa Pine Forest Spruce-Fir Forest Subalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine Shrub Desert Shrub Shrub Greasewood Shrub Oak and Mixed Mountain Shrublands Shrub Sagebrush Shrub Saltbush Shrub Sandsage Shrub Upland Shrub Grassland Foothill and Mountain Grasslands Grassland Mixed and Tallgrass Prairies Grassland Shortgrass Prairie Riparian and Wetland Playas Riparian and Wetland Riparian Woodlands and Shrublands Riparian and Wetland Wetlands Aquatic Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Rivers Aquatic Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Streams Aquatic Eastern Plains Rivers Aquatic Eastern Plains Streams Aquatic Lakes Aquatic Mountain Streams Aquatic Rio Grande Valley Rivers Aquatic Rio Grande Valley Streams Aquatic Transition Streams


34

Habitat Type Habitat Community Other Agriculture Other Alpine Other Cliffs and Canyons Other Hot Springs Other Reservoirs and Shorelines Other Sand Dunes

Distribution and Condition of Habitats 638

Figure1showsthedistributionofterrestrialhabitatsinColorado.Figure2showsthe639distributionofaquatichabitatsinColorado.Somehabitatsthatoccurinsmallpatchesare640notdetectablewhendisplayedonaletter‐sizestatewidemap.Theseincludemanylakes,641wetlands,playas,andhotsprings,aswellassomeriparianareas.Wheredatawere642availableforthesesmall‐patchhabitats,habitatfeatureshavebeenenhancedfor643readabilityinFigure1.FinerscalemappingofwetlandsinColoradohasbeendeveloped644throughapartnershipbetweentheU.S.FishandWildlife’sNationalWetlandInventory645Program,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionProgram,theColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram,646andColoradoParksandWildlife5.PlayashavebeenmappedbyPlayaLakesJointVenture647andRockyMountainBirdObservatory.648649Briefdescriptionsofeachhabitatfollow.Portionsofhabitatsummarieshavebeen650excerpted,withpermission,fromRondeauetal.2011,CNHP2005‐2007,andNatureServe6512014,withmodificationswherenecessarytoaccuratelyreflectrevisedSWAPhabitat652categories.Informationrelatedtogeneralhabitatconditionhasbeensummarizedfrom653theseandothersources e.g.,Colorado’s2013ForestHealthReport ,andfromecosystem654expertsattheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram.655656Tables7and8listtheSGCNthatareassociatedwitheachhabitattype,byspeciesandby657habitat,respectively.SGCNforwhichthehabitatisaprimaryhabitataremarked.Forthe658purposesofthisSWAP,“primaryhabitat”referstothehabitat s inwhichaspeciesismost659typicallyfound,orthatiscrucialtothecompletionofoneormorephasesofthespecies’life660cycle.Simplifyingthecomplexfactorsthatconstitute“habitat”intobroadcategoriesthat661canbemappedatastatewidescaleisalwaysgoingtobeanimperfectprocess.The662species/habitatsrelationshipsinTables7and8donotalwaysrecognizesmall‐scale663nuances.Forexample,grouseareknowntousewetmeadowsinterspersedwithin664shrublandcommunitiesforbroodrearing.However,thesefeaturesareoftennotmappable665atastatewidescale.Furthermore,thesewetmeadowsaredistinctfromthestatewide666habitatcategoryfor“wetlands.”Soeventhoughgrouserequiremoisthabitats,including667thewetlandhabitatcategory,asdefinedforthisSWAP,wouldbeinappropriate.Localscale668conservationworkshouldalwaysbebasedonsite‐specificconditions.669

5Forthemostrecentdataavailable,contacttheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram,www.cnhp.colostate.edu.


35

670Figure 1. Distribution of key terrestrial habitats in Colorado. 671


36

672

Figure 2. Distribution of key aquatic habitats. 673


37

FOREST AND WOODLAND HABITATS 674

Aspen 675

Aspensupports29SGCN Table8 .InColorado,aspenforestsarequitecommononthe676westernslope,withsmallerstandsrepresentedontheeastslope.Theseforestscover677morethanthreeandahalfmillionacresinColorado,includingonepatchofmorethana678halfmillionacresontheedgesoftheWhiteRiverPlateauandFlatTops.Theseareupland679forestsandwoodlandsdominatedbyquakingaspen Populustremuloides ,rangingin680elevationfromabout7,500to10,500feet.Aspenforestsandwoodlandsusuallycontaina681mosaicofmanyplantassociationsandmaybesurroundedbyadiversearrayofother682ecologicalsystems,includinggrasslands,wetlands,andconiferousforests.683684PrimarythreatstoaspenforestsinColoradoincludefiresuppression,excessivebrowsing685especiallybyelk ,andSuddenAspenDecline SAD ,whichisespeciallytroublesomein686thesouthwesternportionofthestate CSFS2010 .Thecause s ofSADareunclearand687researchtoidentifystressorsison‐going.Currently,SADisnotwidelydistributedacross688thestate,butthereispotentialforthisconditiontoposeamoresignificantthreattoour689aspenforestsinthefutureiftheunderlyingcausesareexacerbatedbychangingclimatic690conditions.Aspenshaveincreasedsusceptibilitytoepisodicdeclineatlowerelevations,691underwarmanddryconditions Worralletal.2008 .SADappearstoberelatedtodrought692stress,andistypicallygreatestonthehotteranddrierslopes,whichareusuallyatthe693lowestelevationsofastand Rehfeldtetal.2009 .Standsmayundergothinning,butthen694recover.Increasingdroughtwithclimatechangeisbelievedtobetheprimaryvulnerability695ofthisecosystem Worralletal.2013 ,andsubstantiallossofaspencanpotentiallybe696expected.However,fromastatewideperspective,aspenforestsarecurrentlyingenerally697goodconditionoverallandthreatsarecomparativelylow.698

Lodgepole 699

Lodgepoleforests,whichcovermorethantwomillionacresinColorado,support21SGCN700Table8 .InColorado,lodgepoleiswidespreadbetween8,000‐10,000feetinelevation,on701gentletosteepslopesoftheRockyMountainsinthenorthernpartofthestate.Standsmay702bepurelodgepolepine Pinuscontorta ,ormixedwithotherconiferspecies.Following703stand‐replacingfires,lodgepolepinerapidlycolonizesanddevelopsintodense,even‐aged704stands sometimesreferredtoas“doghair”stands .Lodgepolepineforeststypicallyhave705shrub,grass,orbarrenunderstories,sometimesintermingledwithaspen.Shruband706groundcoverlayersareoftensparseinlodgepolepineforests.Diversityofplantspeciesis707alsolow,perhapsasaresultoftheuniformageanddensecanopyofmanystands.708709


38

AlthoughtheseforestsarecommonacrossColorado,mosthaveexperiencedwidespread710damagefromasevereoutbreakofmountainpinebeetle Dendroctonusponderosae .The711pinebeetleisanativespecies,andperiodicoutbreaksofthisinsectarepartofthenatural712cyclethatmaintainsourmountainforests.Afterkillingapproximately3.4millionacresof713lodgepoleforestsoverthepastdecade,thisrecentoutbreakisfinallybeginningtosubside,714primarilyduetothefactthatmostsusceptiblehosttreeshavebeenkilled CSFS2013 .715Regenerationhasbeenrapidinbeetle‐killareas,andmanylargevegetationmanagement716projectshavebeencompletedandareunderwayonpubliclandstoremovedeadtrees.717Althoughtherehasbeenwidespreadmortality,andremaininglodgepoleforestshavebeen718“re‐set”toanearlyseralstage,thissituationispartofthenaturallifecycleofaforest–719thus,currentconditioncannotreallybeconsidered“bad.”720721Preliminaryresultsofourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsuggestthatlodgepole722maybemoderatelyvulnerablethroughmid‐century.Warmingtemperaturesfavorthe723growthoflodgepolepine,atleastunderconditionsofincreasedprecipitation,whichmay724occurinsomeportionsofthestate.Warmerwinterswithdroughtarelikelytoincrease725mountainpinebeetleoutbreaks,butmortalityisalreadywidespread.Lodgepolehabitat726maybefairlyresilienttoclimatechange,andlikelytopersist,evenifinanalteredform.727

Mixed Conifer 728

Mixedconifersupports35SGCN Table8 .Mixedconiferforestsoccuratelevations729rangingfrom4,000to10,800feet,andcoversmorethan850,000acresinColorado.730Douglas‐fir Pseudotsugamenziesii and whitefir Abiesconcolor arethemostcommon731dominanttrees,butasmanyassevendifferentconiferspeciesmaybepresent.Douglas‐fir732standsarecharacteristicofdriersites,oftenmixedwithponderosapine Pinus733ponderosa .Moremesicstandsarefoundincoolravinesandonnorth‐facingslopes,and734arelikelytobedominatedbywhitefirwithbluespruce Piceapungens orquakingaspen735Populustremuloides stands.Naturalfireprocessesinthisecologicalsystemarehighly736variableinbothreturnintervalandseverity,withfirecyclesrangingfrom20tomorethan737150years.StandsintheFrontRangearevulnerabletotheimpactsofhousing738development,andsomeareindegradedcondition i.e.,denser,withmoredeadfuel asa739resultoffiresuppression CSFS2010 .However,manyofthesehabitatsaregenerallyin740goodcondition,withminimalthreats.741

Pinyon-Juniper 742

Pinyon‐juniper,whichcoversalmost7millionacresinColorado,supports67SGCN Table7438 .Pinyon‐juniperhabitatincludesjuniper Juniperusspp. savannasandwoodlands,744woodlandsandshrublandsco‐dominatedbypinyonpine Pinusedulis andjuniper,and745somestandsofjunipermixedwithlimberpine Pinusflexilis atlowerelevations.Various746formsofpinyon‐juniperoccuronmesas,drymountains,andfoothillsacrossthewestern747


39

slopeaswellasinsouth‐centralandsoutheasternColorado.Theunderstoryishighly748variable,andmaybeshrubby,grassy,sparselyvegetated,orrocky.Elevationrangesfrom7494,900‐9,000feet.InthecanyonsandtablelandsofthesouthernGreatPlains,juniper750woodlandsformextensivecoveratsomedistancefromthemountainfront,atelevations751from4,100to6,200feet.752 753ForthepurposeofanalysisundertheSWAP,thetwomajorandfourminortypesofpinyon‐754juniperhabitatsclassifiedunderReGAPhavebeenlumpedtogether.Thereareonlytwo755majorpinyon‐junipersystems–theColoradoPlateausystemonthewesternslope,andthe756SouthernRockiessystemontheeasternslope.TheSouthernRockiessystemisrestricted757torelativelydiscreteareasinthesoutheasternpartofthestate.Theotherfourtypescan758besignificantonalocalscale,butdonotwarrantseparatetreatmentinstatewideanalyses759suchastheSWAP.Althoughlocalizedthreatsexist,thesize,juxtaposition,andbroad760distributionofthisplantcommunityaffordsaresiliencylackinginmostothervegetation761communitiesacrossColorado.762763Pinyon‐juniperisinfluencedbyclimate,grazing,fires,andinsect‐pathogenoutbreaks.764Sincethelate1800s,manyofthesewoodlandshavebeensignificantlyalteredbychanges765infirefrequency,grazingpatterns,habitattreatments,andclimatecycles.766767Recentstudies Eisenhart2004;Rommeetal.2009 indicatethatpinyon‐juniperstandson768thewesternslopeareshapedpredominantlybylarge,standreplacingfiresthatoccurin769300‐500yearintervals.Suchfireswouldbefollowedbylongrecoveryperiodswherethe770siteisdominatedbyforbsandgrasses,thenshrubs,followedeventuallybythere‐771establishmentofapinyon‐juniperclimaxcommunity.Thisscenarioyieldsaverylarge772rangeinhistoricvariabilityandmakesmodelingpastorfuturedistributionofpinyon‐773juniperforestsacrossthestatedifficultatbest.Inthishabitat,fireactstoopenstands,774increasediversityandproductivityinunderstoryspecies,andcreateamosaicofstandsof775differentsizesandagesacrossthelandscapewhilemaintainingtheboundarybetween776woodlandsandadjacentshrubsorgrasslands.Alteredfireregimes,drought,overgrazing,777andtreecuttingcanaffectstandqualityandthepotentialencroachmentoftreesinto778adjacenthabitats.779780Pinyon‐juniperhabitatqualityhasdeclinedcomparedtohistoricnorms,assignificant781acreagehasbeenchainedandburnedinanefforttoincreaseforageforlivestockandbig782gameonproductivesites.Otherthreatsincludeurbandevelopment,recreation especially783motorizedrecreation ,invasivespecies mostnotablyanincreaseincheatgrass Bromus784tectorum intheunderstory,whichhasledtoincreasingfireignitions ,andenergy785development.Incomparisonwithpinyon‐juniperstands,Colorado’sjuniper‐only786woodlandshavebeenmuchlessimpactedbyhumanactivities.However,theextentof787juniperwoodlandshashistoricallybeenlimitedbyfire,whichkillsjunipertrees.Fire788suppressionanddroughtmayhavecausedanexpansionofjuniperwoodlandsinsome789areasofsoutheastColorado,wheremostofthejunipersnotassociatedwithrimrockare790youngtrees 100yearsold .791792


40

Pinyon‐juniperhabitatsacrossColoradoareingenerallyfairtogoodcondition,andare793excellentinmoreremote,untreatedoradministrativelyprotectedareas.Somepatchescan794beinpoorconditioninareaswhereincompatiblegrazinghasreducednativebunchgrasses795andinvasivespeciessuchascheatgrasshavebecomeestablished.Overgrazingcanalso796resultinacompletelackofunderstoryinmaturepinyon‐juniperstands.Oilandgas797development,andchainingtoimprovelivestockforage,havedegradedtheconditionof798somestands.Climatechangemayresultinadditionaldegradationofthishabitattype,799especiallyviaanincreaseinfrequencyand/orseverityofwildfire.Insomepreviously800burnedareas,pinyon‐juniperisnotregenerating.Forexample,roughly50%ofMesaVerde801NationalParkburnedintheearly1990s.Atthistime,thereisstillnosignofpinyon‐802juniperregeneration.Instead,burnedareashavebeeninvadedbycheatgrassandsmooth803brome Bromusinermis .Preliminaryresultsofourclimatechangevulnerability804assessmentsuggestthatpinyon‐junipermaybemoderatelyvulnerabletoclimatechange805throughmid‐century.Thepinyon‐juniperhabitathaslargeecologicalamplitude;warmer806conditionsmayallowexpansion,ashasalreadyoccurredinthepastcenturies,aslongas807thereareperiodiccooler,wetteryearsforrecruitment.Increaseddroughtmaydrivefires808andinsectoutbreaks,fromwhichthesewoodlandswouldbeslowtorecover.809810AlthoughalargenumberofanimalspeciesinColoradousepinyon‐juniperhabitats,feware811whollydependentuponthem,withtheexceptionofbirds.Itmaybethatthecyclicnature812oftheseplantcommunitieshasforcedmanyanimalsusingthemtoremainadaptable.The813primarymastcropsproducedinapinyon‐junipercommunitycanvarywidelyfromyearto814year,largelyinresponsetoprecipitationandfrostpatterns.Thebeststrategymaybeto815takeadvantageofthisfoodsourcewhenavailable,butnottodependuponitforlongterm816survival.Thismakesthepinyon‐juniperforestsofColoradosignificanttowildlife,but817moreinageneralist,andnotanobligatefashion.Forbirds,however,pinyon‐juniper 818supportsoneofthehighestproportionsofobligateorsemi‐obligatebirdspeciesamong819foresttypes Paulinetal.1999 .Thirty‐ninepercentofbirdspeciesfoundinpinyon‐820juniperareobligateorsemi‐obligate,secondonlytoriparianforestedcommunities Paulin821etal.1999 ;20%ofbirdspeciesthatusepinyon‐juniper roughlyone‐quarterof822Colorado’snativebirds areobligates Kingery1998 . 823 824

Ponderosa Pine 825

Ponderosapinesupports34SGCN Table8 .InColorado,ponderosapine Pinus826ponderosa woodlandscoverabout3.2millionacresinColorado.Theyoccurbetween827about6,000and9,000feet,oftenatthelowertreelinetransitionbetweengrasslandor828shrublandandthemoremesicconiferousforestsabove.Thesewoodlandsareespecially829prevalentalongtheeasternedgeoftheRockyMountains,andonthesouthernflankofthe830SanJuanMountains.Healthyponderosapineforestsoftenconsistofopenandpark‐like831standsofmaturetrees,withanunderstoryofpredominantlyfire‐tolerantgrassesand832forbs.Fireisthemostsignificantecologicalprocessmaintainingthisecologicalsystem;833frequent,low‐intensitygroundfiresaretypical.Oldertreesdroptheirlowerbranchesand834


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developthick,insulatingbarkastheyage,whichprotectsthemfromgroundfires.In835standswherethenaturalfireregimeoccurs,shrubs,understorytreesanddownedlogsare836uncommon.Whenfiresarenotallowedtoburn,youngtreescontinuetogrow,andplaces837thatwereonceopensavannasandwoodlandsbecomedenseforests.Increaseddensityof838treesallowsfirestoreachtheforestcanopy,spreadrapidly,andburnlargeareas.839840InsouthwesternColorado,theoverallconditionofponderosapineisgenerallygood,except841whereexurbandevelopmenthasfragmentedlargerstands.OntheFrontRange,many842standshavebeenlosttourbandevelopment,andsomeoftheremainingstandsarein843degradedcondition.Thelikelihoodoffuturethreats primarilydevelopmentandfire844suppression ishigh.Preliminaryresultsfromourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessment845suggestthatponderosapinemaybemoderatelyvulnerablethroughmid‐century.846Increaseddroughtmaydrivefiresandinsectoutbreaks,andrelativeproportionsof847componentspeciesinponderosastandsmaychange.Thishabitatiswelladaptedtowarm,848dryconditionsifprecipitationisnotreducedtoomuch,andmaybeabletoexpandinto849higherelevations.850

Spruce-Fir 851

Spruce‐firforestssupport23SGCN Table8 .Spruce‐firforestscoverabout5%of852Colorado’slandscape,formingthematrixvegetationofthesub‐alpinezoneatelevationsof8539,500to11,500feet.TheyarecharacterizedbydensestandsofEngelmannspruce Picea854engelmannii andsubalpinefir Abieslasiocarpa .ThisisoneofthefewColoradoforest855typesthatisnotfire‐adapted‐thetypicalfirereturnfrequencyisaround400years.Areas856withspruce‐firforesttypicallyreceiveprecipitationintheformofsnowfallandfrequent857summershowers.Whenperiodsofdroughtoccur,however,thestressedtreesbecome858susceptibletospruce‐budworm Choristoneurafreemani andsprucebeetle859Dendroctonusrufipennis outbreaks,whichcankillentirehillsidesoftreesinone860summer.Intheearly20thcentury,muchofColorado’sold‐growthsprucefirwascutfor861timber.Althoughmuchspruce‐firisnowmadeupofyoungertrees,itisstillpossibleto862findveryold,widely‐spacedtreeswithyellowbark,aswellassnagsanddownedtreesthat863createperfecthabitatforcavity‐nestingbirdsandpinemartens.864865In2013,sprucebeetleinfestationswereidentifiedon398,000acres,themajorityofwhich866areinthesouthwesternmountainranges CSFS2013 .However,fromastatewide867perspective,spruce‐firforestsaregenerallyhealthyandintact,exceptthatsmallstandsize868detractsfromtheoverallqualityofthehabitatinsomeareas.Althoughthishabitatis869heavilyusedforrecreationandotherhumanactivities,overallthreatsarerelativelylowat870thistime.Globalclimatechangemayhavesignificantimpactsonspruce‐firinthefuture.871Preliminaryresultsofourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsuggestthatspruce‐fir872ismoderatelyvulnerableuntilmid‐century.Underwarmerconditions,spruce‐firislikely873toexpandintoalpineareas,buttheresponsewouldbeslow.Thelowerdistributionallimit874ofthishabitatislikelytomovehigherunderwarmer,drierconditions.Changeinspecies875


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compositionmayoccurinsomeareas.Thevulnerabilityofthishabitatmightbehigherif876theanalysistimeframewerefurtheroutthanmid‐century.877

Subalpine Limber and Bristlecone Pine 878

Limberandbristleconepineforestsandwoodlandssupport12SGCN Table8 .This879habitatoccursthroughouttheRockyMountainsondry,rockyridgesandslopes.Although880itcanbefoundnearuppertreelineabovespruce‐firforests,italsooccursatlower881elevations.Thesearetypicallywoodlandsofxeric,highelevationsites,butmayalsoextend882downtothelowermontane,particularlyalongtheFrontRange.Limberpine Pinus883flexilis andbristleconepine Pinusaristata donotnecessarilyoccurtogether,butthetwo884speciesoccupyasimilarecologicalniche.Wherethetwoco‐occur,limberpineisoften885confinedtothelowerportionofitspotentialhabitat.Bristleconepineismore‐or‐less886endemictotheSouthernRockyMountianecoregion,reachingitsnorthernmoststationin887GilpinCounty,Colorado.Limberpineismorewidelydistributedandalsooccursinmixed888conifersystems.ItlargelyreplacesbristleconepinenorthofI‐70,andextendsontothe889plainsinsmallbutimportanthabitatpatchesonthePawneeNationalGrasslands.890 891Thishabitatoccursinharshsitesthatareexposedtodesiccatingwindswithrocky892substratesandashortgrowingseasonthatlimitplantgrowth.Higherelevation893occurrencesarefoundwellintothesubalpine–alpinetransitiononwind‐blasted,mostly894southtowest‐facingslopesandexposedridges.Bristleconeforestsaretypicallyfoundon895steep,south‐facingslopesfrom8,850to12,140feet.Limberpinewoodlandsoccupy896similarhabitats,butmayoccuratlowerelevationsthanbristlecone.Bothbristleconeand897limberpineareslow‐growing,long‐livedspeciesinwhichindividualsmaylivefor1,000or898moreyears.Fireisanimportantsourceofdisturbancethatfacilitatesstandregeneration899inthissystem.Olderwoodlandsareoftenbroadlyeven‐agedstandswhereseedlingsare900nearlyabsent,whileareasthathaverecentlyburnedmayhaveabundantseedlings.901Bristleconeissomewhatmoretolerantoffirethanislimberpine,butbothspeciesappear902todependonfireforregeneration.Regenerationoflimberpineonburnedareasislargely903duetothegerminationofseedscachedbyClark’snutcrackers Nucifragacolumbiana .The904slowgrowthandrecruitmentofbristleconeandlimberpinewillmakeitdifficultforthese905habitatstocolonizenewareasunderchangingclimateconditions.Furthermore,warmer906conditionsmayincreasethevulnerabilityofthesepinestowhitepineblisterrust.907

SHRUBLAND HABITATS 908

Desert Shrub 909

DesertShrubsupports37SGCN Table8 .InColorado,thesesemi‐aridshrubby910grasslands,sometimesreferredtoasshrubsteppes,arefoundbetween7,500and9,500911


43

feetinelevation,onwindsweptmesas,valleyfloors,gentleslopes,andonshouldersof912ridges.Ourshrub‐steppesaregrass‐dominatedareaswithanopenshrublayer.Typical913grassspeciesincludebluegrama Boutelouagracilis ,needle‐and‐thread Hesperostipa914comata ,galleta Pleuraphisjamesii ,saltgrass Distichlisspicata ,Indianricegrass915Acnatherumhymenoides ,andalkalisacaton Sporobolusairoides .Historically,the916shrublayerwasdominatedbywinterfat Krascheninnikovialanata ,butthisspecieshas917decreasedundergrazingpressureinmanyareas.Winterfathasbeenreplacedby918rabbitbrush EricameriaandChrysothamnus speciesandotherwoodyshrubs.In919Colorado,thisecologicalsystemdoesnotformextensivestandsexceptintheSanLuis920Valley.Pinyon‐juniperwoodlandsandsagebrushshrublandscommonlyoccuradjacentto921thisecologicalsystemattheupperelevations.Shrubsteppecoversmorethan750,000922acresinColorado.Historically,itprobablyaccountedforwelloveramillionacres,but923manyareaswereconvertedtoagriculturaluse.Remainingstandsaregenerallyingood924condition,exceptforalteredspeciescompositioninareaswheregrazinghasreducedor925eliminatedsomenativebunchgrasses.SolarenergydevelopmentintheSanLuisValley926andcontinuedalterationbygrazingaretheprimarypotentialthreatstothisecological927system.Thusfar,solarenergydevelopmenthasmostlyoccurredonlandthatwas928previouslyconvertedtocropland,sothisactivitydoesnotyetnecessarilyconstitute929additionalloss.930

Greasewood 931

Greasewoodsupports17SGCN Table8 .Shrublandsdominatedbyblackgreasewood932Sarcobatusvermiculatus accountsforlessthan450,000acresinColorado,wherethey933aretypicallyfoundneardrainagesonstreamterracesandflats,onalluvialfansalong934streamsorarroyos,orasringsaroundplayas.IneasternColorado,greasewoodstandsare935primarilyinthesouthwesternportionoftheplains.Largeacreagesarealsofoundinthe936lowerelevationsofColorado’swesternvalleysandthroughoutmuchoftheSanLuisValley.937Greasewoodflatsusuallyhavesalinesoils,ashallowwatertableandfloodintermittently,938butremaindryformostofthegrowingseason.Becausegreasewoodflatsaretightly939associatedwithsalinesoilsandgroundwaterthatisnearthesurface,groundwater940rechargeratherthansurfacewaterflowiscriticalformaintainingtheseshrublands.941Elevationsrangefromabout4,000to7,700feet.Theseopentomoderatelydense942shrublandsaredominatedbyblackgreasewood,oftenwithrabbitbrush Ericameriaand943Chrysothamnusspp. ,four‐wingsaltbush Atripelxcanescens ,andalkalisacatongrass944Sporobolusairoides . Threatstogreasewoodincludegroundwaterpumping,conversion945tocropland,andenergydevelopment.However,theconditionofgreasewoodhabitatsin946Coloradoremainsgenerallygood.947


44

Oak and Mixed Mountain Shrub 948

Oakandmixedmountainshrublands,whichaccountforabout2.7millionacresin949Colorado,support30SGCN Table8 .Oakandmixedmountainshrublandsgenerallyoccur950atelevationsfromapproximately6,500to9,500feet,wheretheyareoftenadjacentto951lowerelevationpinyon‐juniperwoodlands.Gambel’soak Quercusgambelii istypically952dominant,butveryoftenmixedwithothermontaneshrubssuchasserviceberry953Amelanchierspp. ,mountainmahogany Cercocarpusmontanus ,antelopebitterbrush954Purshiatridentata ,bigsagebrush Artemisiatridentata ,chokecherry Prunus955virginiana ,andsnowberry Symphoricarposspp. .Theseshrublandsintergradewith956foothillsshrublands roughlyequivalenttotheUplandShrubhabitatcategory because957bothtypesareoftenfoundonpoor,drysoils.InColorado,oakandmixedmountain958shrublandsaremostcommononthewesternslope,wheretheyformextensivebandson959thelowermountainslopes,plateaus,anddryfoothills.IneasternColorado,these960shrublandsarealsofoundatthemountainfrontasfarnorthasthePalmerDivide.They961mayformdensethickets,oroccurasopenshrublandswithanherbaceousunderstory.962Althoughthisisashrub‐dominatedecologicalsystem,sometreesmaybepresent.963964Firetypicallyplaysanimportantroleinoakandmixedmountainshrublands,causing965shrubdie‐backinsomeareas,promotingre‐sproutingfromstumpsorundergroundtubers966andrhizomesinotherareas,andcontrollingtheinvasionoftreesintotheshrublands.967Healthyexamplesofthishabitatcontainshrubsofvaryingheights,arobustunderstoryof968nativebunchgrassesandforbs,andrelativelylittlebareground COPiF2000 .Shrubsthat969produceacornsandberriesprovidevaluablefoodandcoverresourcesforavarietyof970wildlifespecies.971972Whereoakandmixedmountainshrublandsoccurnearthewildland‐urbaninterface,they973areoftenindegradedconditionduetoeffectsfromfiresuppression.Ongoingimpacts974includehousingdevelopmentandoilandgasdevelopment.However,oakandmixed975mountainshrublandsareingenerallygoodconditionfromastatewideperspective.976Preliminaryresultsfromourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsuggestthatoakand977mixedmountainshrubhabitatshavelowvulnerabilityinColorado.Warmertemperatures978mayincreaseseedlingsurvival.979

Sagebrush 980

Sagebrushsupports65SGCN Table8 .SagebrushinColoradoincludesbigsagebrush981Artemisiatridentatassp.tridentata shrublandsandmontanesagebrushsteppe.These982shrublandsoccurthroughoutmuchofthewesternUnitedStates.Althoughtheycanbe983foundonColorado’seastslope,thelargestoccurrencesareonthewesternslope.North984Park,MiddlePark,andtheupperGunnisonBasinhaveextensivestandsofsagebrush985shrublands,asdoMoffatandnorthwestRioBlancocounties.Bigsagebrushshrublandsare986characterizedbydensestandsoftallersagebrushspecieswithasignificantherbaceous987


45

understory,andaregenerallyfoundatelevationsfrom5,000to7,500feet.Bigsagebrush988shrublandsaretypicallyfoundinbroadbasinsbetweenmountainranges,onplainsand989foothills.Montanesagebrushsteppeshrublandsaredominatedbytheshortersagebrush990Artemisiatridentatassp.vaseyana,andareusuallyfoundatelevationsfrom7,000to99110,000feet.Montanesagebrushsteppeprimarilyoccursonridges,nearflatridgetops,and992mountainslopes.993994ManyofColorado’ssagebrushshrublandsarevulnerabletochangesinducedbydomestic995livestockgrazing.Prolongedusecancauseadecreaseintheabundanceofnativegrasses996andforbsintheunderstory,andanincreaseinshrubsandnon‐nativegrassessuchas997Kentuckybluegrass Poapratensis .Tramplingfromlivestockgrazingsignificantly998decreasesthesurvivalofsagebrushandgrassseedlings.Overthepastcenturythe999conditionofmuchofColorado’ssagebrushshrublandhasbeendegradedduetofire1000suppressionandheavylivestockgrazing.Althoughmanylivestockoperationsarenow1001moresensitiveintheirtreatmentofsagebrushshrublandsthantheyoncewere,recoveryin1002theseecologicalsystemsisslow.Furthermore,manyremainingsagebrushpatchesare1003nowbeingfragmentedbyfast‐pacedandwidespreadenergydevelopment.10041005Preliminaryresultsfromourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsuggestthat1006SagebrushisnotparticularlyvulnerableinColorado.Seasonaltimingofprecipitationis1007importantforsagebrushhabitats.Summermoisturestressmaybelimitingifwinter1008precipitationislow,andincreaseddroughtmayincreasefirefrequency/severity,1009eliminatingsagebrushinsomelowerelevationareas.However,thehabitatisnotexpected1010tobelimitedbylackofcoolerhabitat,sinceitcanmovetoadjacenthigherelevations.Note1011thatwhilethesagebrushhabitatwithinColoradodoesnotappeartobeparticularly1012vulnerabletoclimatechange,somesagebrushobligatespecies–mostnotablytheGunnison1013sage‐grouse–arethoughttobeextremelyvulnerable Neelyetal.2011 .1014

Saltbush 1015

Saltbushsupports33SGCN Table8 .Saltbushincludessaltdesertscrub,matsaltbush1016shrublands,andshalebadlands.Alloftheseecologicalsystemtypesaretypically1017dominatedbysaltbush Atriplex speciesorothershrubstolerantofsalineoralkalinesoils.1018Thesesparsetomoderatelydenselow‐growingshrublandsarewidespreadatlower1019elevations generallyfrom4,500to7,000feet inColorado’swesternvalleys,andarealso1020foundinmorelimiteddistributioninthesouthernpartoftheeasternplains.Inmixedsalt1021desertscrub,theshrublayermayincludewinterfat Krascheninnikovialanata ,wolfberry1022Lycium ,horsebrush Tetradymiacanescens ,andvarioussagebrush Artemisia species.1023Grassesandforbsaregenerallysparse,anddominatedbyspeciestolerantoftheharsh1024soils.Someareasareessentiallybarren,orverysparselyvegetated.Saltbushcoversmore1025than750,000acresinColorado.Perhapsaquarterofthehistoricacreageofsaltbush1026shrublandshasbeen convertedtoagriculturaluse,especiallyinvalleybottomswhere1027irrigationisavailable.Remainingoccurrencesappeartobeingoodcondition.Impactsand1028fragmentationfromenergydevelopmentarethemostcurrentthreatstothishabitat.1029


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Sandsage 1030

Sandsagesupports21SGCN Table8 .Sandsageshrublandsdominatesandyareason1031Colorado’seasternplains,wheretheyofteninterminglewithshortgrassprairietoforma1032locallypatchysandsage‐shortgrassmatrix.Sandsageischaracterizedbysandsagebrush1033Artemisiafilifolia withanunderstoryoftall,mid‐andshortgrassesandscattered1034forbs.Yucca Yuccaglauca andsnakeweed Gutierreziasarothrae arecommoninsome1035areas,whichmaybeindicativeofmismanagement.Fireandgrazingarethemost1036importantdynamicprocessesforsandsage,althoughdroughtstresscanimpactthis1037ecologicalsystemsignificantlyinsomeareas.Sandsagecoversnearlytwomillionacresin1038Colorado.Thesesandy‐soiledhabitatshavefrequentlybeenpassedoverwhileneighboring1039grasslandsareconvertedtoagriculture,butabout20%ofhistoricacreagehasbeenlost,1040andsandsageareascontinuetobeconvertedtorowcropproduction NoeMarymor,pers.1041comm .Althoughremainingsandsagetractsgenerallyhavegoodlandscapecontextand1042connectivity,speciescompositionintheseareasishighlyalteredbylong‐termmismanaged1043grazing.Understorygrasseshavebeenconvertedtoshortgrassorannualspecies,and1044historicmixedandtallgrasscomponentsarelacking,withconsequentdetrimentaleffect1045onhabitatqualityforseveralSGCN.Sandsageisvulnerabletoadverseimpactsfromenergy1046development includingwind,oil,andgas .10471048Preliminaryresultsfromourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsuggestthat1049sandsageismoderatelyvulnerablethroughmid‐century.Thishabitatisnotvulnerableon1050sandysoils,andmaybeabletoexpandintoadjacentareasunderwarmer,drierconditions.1051However,overallconditionandcompositionoftheseshrublandsmaychange.1052

Upland Shrub 1053

Uplandshrubhabitats,whichcoverlessthan400,000acresinColorado,support27SGCN1054Table8 .Uplandshrubhabitatsarefoundindry,uplandareaswhereoakisnotpresent.1055ThishabitatisfoundintheRockyMountainfoothills,ridges,canyonsandlowermountain1056slopes,andonoutcrops,mesas,andcanyonslopesoftheeasternplains.Ingeneral,mixed1057shrublandswithoutoakaremostcommoninthenorthernFrontRange,aswellasondrier1058foothillsandprairiehills.Uplandshruboccursatelevationsbetween4,900‐9,500feet.1059Scatteredtreesmaybepresent,butthevegetationisdominatedbyshrubssuchas1060mountainmahogany Cercocarpusmontanus ,antelopebitterbrush Purshiatridentata ,1061skunkbushsumac Rhustrilobata ,orcurrantspecies Ribesspp. .Thedominantshrub1062speciesaregenerallywelladaptedtopoorsoils,drysites,anddisturbancebyfire.Fire1063suppressionmayhaveallowedaninvasionoftreesintosomeoftheseshrublands,butin1064manycasessitesaretooxericfortreegrowth.Threatstouplandshrubinclude1065fragmentationbyroadsanddevelopment.Thesedisturbancesprovideanunnaturalfire1066breakaswellasaconduitforweedinvasion.1067

1068


47

ConditionofUplandShrubhabitatsisgenerallygoodacrossColorado,withfairpatchesin1069someareas.Theshrublayerisgoodtoexcellent,buttheunderstorylayerisgenerallyfair1070topoor.Thishabitatisvulnerabletoweedinvasions.Whereinvasivespeciessuchasleafy1071spurge Euphorbiaesula andcheatgrass Bromustectorum haveestablished,1072understoriesarehighlyaltered.1073

GRASSLAND HABITATS 1074

Foothill and Mountain Grasslands 1075

Foothillandmountaingrasslandssupport48SGCN Table8 .Thishabitattypeincludes1076threenon‐shortgrassprairiegrasslandtypes:WesternGreatPlainsFoothillandPiedmont1077Grassland,SouthernRockyMountainMontane‐SubalpineGrassland,andInter‐Mountain1078BasinsSemi‐DesertGrassland.Togetherthesegrasslandscoveraboutthreemillionacres1079inColorado.Foothillandpiedmontgrasslandsarefoundattheextremewesternedgeof1080theGreatPlains,whereincreasingelevationandprecipitationfacilitatethedevelopmentof1081mixedtotallgrassassociationsoncertainsoils.Thesegrasslandstypicallyoccurat1082elevationsbetween5,250and7,200feet.Typicalspeciesincludebigbluestem1083Andropogongerardii ,littlebluestem Schizachyriumscoparium ,needle‐and‐thread1084Hesperotipacomata ,andprairiesandreed Calamovilfalongifolia .10851086Montane‐subalpinegrasslandsintheColoradoRockiesarefoundatelevationsof7,200‐108710,000feet,intermixedwithstandsofspruce‐fir Piceaengelmannii‐Abieslasiocarpa ,1088lodgepolepine Pinuscontorta ,ponderosapine Pinusponderosa ,andaspen Populus1089tremuloides ,orasthematrixcommunityinthelargeintermountainbasinofSouthPark.1090Typicaldominantgrassspeciesincludefescue Festucaspp. ,muhly Muhlenbergiaspp. ,1091oatgrass Danthoniaspp. ,andothers.Lowerelevationmontanegrasslandsaremore1092xeric,whileuppermontaneorsubalpinegrasslandsaremoremesic.Grassesofthe1093foothillsandpiedmontmaybeincludedinlowerelevationoccurrences.Treesandshrubs1094aregenerallysparseorabsent,butoccasionalindividualsfromthesurrounding1095communitiesmayoccur.10961097Colorado’ssemi‐desertgrasslandsarefoundprimarilyondryplainsandmesasofthe1098westernslopeatelevationsof4,750‐7,600feet.Thesegrasslandsaretypicallydominated1099bydrought‐resistantperennialbunchgrassessuchasbluebunchwheatgrass1100Pseudoroegneriaspicata ,bluegrama Boutelouagracilis ,galletagrass Pleuraphis1101jamesii ,andneedle‐and‐thread Hesperostipacomata ,andmayincludescatteredshrubs.11021103Currentimpactsfromhumanactivityotherthandomesticlivestockgrazingarelow,1104especiallyinthemontanegrasslands.Conditionofthesegrasslandsisgoodtoexcellent.A1105significantportionofhistoricoccurrencesoflowerelevationfoothillandpiedmont1106grasslandsontheeasternslopehavebeenlostthroughconversiontocroplandand1107


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commercialandresidentialdevelopment.Remainingpatchesareinfaircondition.Impacts1108includeweeds,fragmentation,andincompatiblegrazing.Lowelevationgrasslandsonthe1109westernslopearegenerallyfair,butarepoorinsomeareaswherenativegrasseshave1110beenreplacedbyinvasivespeciessuchascheatgrass Bromustectorum .1111

Mixed and Tallgrass Prairies 1112

Mixedgrassandtallgrassprairiessupport37SGCN Table8 .Mixedgrasshabitatsare1113characterizedbymid‐heightortallnativegrassesincludingsideoatsgrama Bouteloua1114curtipendula ,littlebluestem Schizachyriumscoparium ,bigbluestem Andropogon1115gerardii ,needle‐and‐thread Hesperostipacomata .Tallgrassischaracterizedbythe1116dominanceofbigbluestem.Duetoitspositionontheperipheryoftherangeofthe1117mixedgrassprairie,Coloradohasprobablyneversupportedextensivetractsofthese1118types.Habitatscharacterizedbymid‐totall‐grassspeciesarelimitedinColorado,and1119mostcommonlyoccurassmallpatchesinterspersedamongshortgrassprairieand1120sandsage,orinmesicareasnearthefoothills.Theeasternplainsmixedgrassremnantsare1121generallyindegradedcondition,lackingthediversityandextentofmid‐totallgrassspecies1122thatwouldhavehistoricallybeenpresent.Historically,foothillsvalleysandswales now1123frequentlyfilledwithreservoirsorhouses wouldhavesupportedtallgrasscommunitiesin1124Colorado.Nowtallgrassprairieonlyoccursinsmall,scatteredpatcheswheremoistsoils1125arepresent,suchasuplandterracesabovefloodplains. Fire,grazing,anddroughtarethe1126primaryecologicalprocesses.Thediversitywithinthishabitatlikelyreflectsboththe1127short‐andlong‐termresponsesofthevegetationtotheseoftenconcurrentdisturbance1128regimes.Firesuppressionandovergrazingcanleadtotheinvasionbywoodyspeciessuch1129asjuniperandponderosapine. Conversiontoagriculturelikewisehasprobablydecreased1130therangeofthesehabitatswithinthestate.Ongoingwindenergydevelopmentmayhave1131someimpact.1132

Shortgrass Prairie 1133

Shortgrassprairiesupports52SGCN Table8 .Shortgrassprairie,characterizedbyblue1134grama Boutelouagracilis ,buffalograss Boutelouadactyloides ,andothershorttomid‐1135heightspecies,oncecoveredmostofColoradoeastofthemountainfront,atelevations1136below6,000feet.Today,nearly50%ofourhistoricshortgrassprairiehasbeenconverted1137torowcropagricultureorotheruses‐thelargestlossofanyofColorado’shabitats.1138Remainingtractshaveoftenbeenmanagedfordominationofbluegramaandexclusionof1139othergrasses,withaconsequentlossofnativeforbdiversity NoeMarymor,pers.comm. .1140Intheearly1800s,theshortgrassprairiewashometomassiveherdsoffree‐rangingbison1141andpronghorn,aswellashugeprairiedogcolonies,deer,elk,andtoppredatorssuchas1142thegraywolfandgrizzlybear.PronghornandprairiedogsstillinhabitColorado’sprairies1143inreducednumbers,andtheformertoppredatorshavebeenreplacedbycoyotes.11441145


49

Large‐scaleecologicalprocessessuchasdrought,fire,andgrazingbylargeanimalsexert1146stronginfluencesonshortgrass.Theshortgrassspeciesthatdominatethisecological1147systemaretolerantofdroughtandgrazing.Ongoingimpactsincluderenewableandnon‐1148renewableenergyproduction wind,solar,geothermal,oilandgas,andbiofuels and1149continuingexpansionofurbanandexurbancommunities,especiallyalongtheFrontRange.1150Thecontinuedpresenceofshortgrassprairieinourstatemayalsobethreatenedby1151changingclimate.Preliminaryresultsfromourclimatechangevulnerabilityassessment1152indicatethatshortgrassprairieishighlyvulnerable.Soilmoistureisakeydriverforthis1153habitat;changeinprecipitationseasonality,amount,orpatternwillaffectsoilmoisture.1154Althoughthesegrasslandsareadaptedtowarm,dryconditions,increasingwarmerand1155drierconditionsarelikelytofavorincreasinggrowthofshrubbyspecies e.g.,cholla1156Cylindropuntiaimbricata ,snakeweed Gutierreziasarothrae ,especiallyinareasthatare1157disturbed.Increasedfrequencyoflargeprecipitationeventswouldfavorthishabitat,while1158atrendtowardsmallereventswouldnot.However,evidenceforthiseffectismixed.115911601161

RIPARIAN AND WETLAND HABITATS 1162

Playas 1163

Playassupport16SGCN Table8 .Playasareshallow,temporarywetlandsthatoccur1164throughouttheshortgrassprairieonColorado’seasternplains,aswellasinlimited1165distributiononthewesternslope.Theyareephemeralinnature,fillingwithwateronly1166afterheavyrainfall.Aswouldbeexpectedofwethabitatsinadryenvironment,playasare1167veryimportanthabitatcomponentsformanyspeciesthatinhabitormigratethrough1168Colorado.Playasarethreatenedbyconversionofsurroundingnativehabitattourban1169and/oragriculturaluses,aswellasindirecteffectsofsuchdevelopment forexample,road1170construction,sedimentation,pollutionandrunoff,deliberatefilling .Thecurrentcondition1171ofplayasisvariable,butisgenerallyfairtopoor.1172

Riparian Woodlands and Shrublands 1173

Riparianwoodlandsandshrublandssupport26SGCN Table8 .Riparianwoodlandsand1174shrublandsoccurthroughoutColorado.Atmontanetosubalpineelevations,riparian1175shrublandsmayoccurasnarrowbandsofshrubsliningstreambanksandalluvialterraces,1176orasextensivewillowcarrsinbroadfloodplainsandsubalpinevalleys.Theycanalsobe1177foundaroundseeps,fens,andisolatedspringsonhillslopesawayfromvalleybottoms.1178Dominantshrubswithinthiselevationzoneincludealder Alnustenuifolia ,birch Betula1179occidentalis ,dogwood Cornussericea ,andwillow Salix species.Generallytheupland1180communitiessurroundingtheseripariansystemsareeitherconiferoraspenforests.Many1181


50

higherelevationriparianshrublandsareassociatedwithbeaver Castorcanadensis 1182activity,whichcanbeimportantformaintainingthehealthoftheriparianecosystem1183historicallythiswouldhavebeentrueforlowerelevationstreamsaswell .Beaverdams1184abatechanneldowncutting,bankerosion,anddownstreammovementofsediment.1185Beaverdamsraisethewatertableacrossthefloodplainandprovideyear‐roundsaturated1186soils.Plantestablishmentandsedimentbuild‐upbehindbeaverdamsraisesthechannel1187bedandcreatesawetlandenvironment.11881189Montanetosubalpineriparianwoodlandsarecomprisedofseasonallyfloodedforestsand1190woodlandsthroughouttheRockyMountains.Theyincludetheconiferandaspen1191woodlandsthatlinemontanestreams.Theyaremostoftenconfinedtospecificriparian1192environments,occurringonfloodplainsorterracesofriversandstreamsorinV‐shaped,1193narrowvalleysandcanyons wherethereiscold‐airdrainage .Lessfrequently,high1194elevationriparianwoodlandsarefoundinmoderatetowidevalleybottoms,onlarge1195floodplainsalongbroad,meanderingrivers,andonpondorlakemargins.Riparian1196woodlandsaretolerantofperiodicfloodingandhighwatertables.Snowmeltmoisturein1197thissystemmaycreateshallowwatertablesorseepsforaportionofthegrowingseason.11981199Atlowerelevationsonthewesternslope,riparianwoodlandsandshrublandsarefound1200withinthefloodzoneofrivers,onislands,sandorcobblebars,andimmediate1201streambanks.Theyoftenoccurasamosaicofmultiplecommunitiesthataretree‐1202dominatedwithadiverseshrubcomponent.Forestsaretypicallydominatedby1203cottonwood Populusangustifolia,P.deltoides andwillow Salixspp. ,butmayinclude1204maple Acerglabrum ,Douglasfir Pseudotsugamenziesii ,spruce Piceaspp. ,and1205juniper Juniperusspp. .Shrublandsareprimarilydominatedbywillow,alder,andbirch.1206Lowerelevationriparianwoodlandsandshrublandsaredependentonanaturalhydrologic1207regime,especiallyannualtoepisodicflooding.Thesewoodlandsandshrublandsgrow1208withinacontinuallychangingalluvialenvironmentduetotheebbandflowoftheriver,and1209riparianvegetationisconstantlybeing“re‐set”byfloodingdisturbance.Insomeareas,1210Russianolive Elaeagnusangustifolia ,tamarisk Tamarixspp. ,andotherexoticspecies1211arecommon.12121213Ontheeasternplains,riparianwoodlandsandshrublandsaregenerallydominatedby1214plainscottonwood Populusdeltoides andwillowspecies,butalsooccurasamosaicof1215multiplecommunitiesinterspersedwithherbaceouspatches.Theyarefoundalongsmall,1216mediumandlargestreamsontheplains,includingthewidefloodplainsoftheSouthPlatte1217andArkansasRivers.Hydrologically,smallerriverstendtohavegreaterseasonalvariation1218inwaterlevelswithlessdevelopedfloodplainthanthelargerrivers,andcandrydown1219completelyforsomeportionoftheyear.Plainsriparianareasareoftensubjectedtoheavy1220grazingand/oragricultureandcanbeheavilydegraded.Tamariskandlessdesirable1221grassesandforbshaveinvadeddegradedexamplesthroughouteasternColorado.1222Groundwaterdepletionandlackoffirehavecreatedadditionalspecieschanges.12231224Riparianwoodlandsandshrublandsathigherelevationsareingoodtoexcellentcondition.1225Atlowerelevations,however,conditionsareonlyfairoverallandcanbepoorinareas1226


51

subjectedtointensegrazing,agriculturaluse,urbandevelopment,and/orhydrological1227alteration.Manyofthesecommunitieshavedegradedunderstories,withweedy1228herbaceouslayersandRussianoliveandtamariskinvadingtheshrublayers.Cottonwood1229die‐offsrelatedtoprolonged,intensedroughtandhydrologicalalterationshaveaffected1230somestands.1231

Wetlands 1232

Non‐riparianwetlandssupport53SGCN Table8 .InColorado,non‐riparianwetland1233habitatsincludemoisttowetmeadows,emergentmarshes,fens,andseepsandsprings.12341235MeadowsoccurthroughoutColorado,butmostnaturalwetmeadowsarefoundwithinthe1236montanetosubalpinezone.Naturalwetmeadowsaretightlyassociatedwithsnowmeltor1237subsurfacegroundwaterdischargeandtypicallynotsubjectedtohighdisturbanceevents1238suchasflooding.Withinmountainvalleysandatlowerelevations,extensiveacresofwet1239meadowsarealsolinkedtoirrigationpractices,includingfloodirrigationandseepagefrom1240irrigationditches.Naturalwetmeadowsaredominatedbynativesedgesandgrasses,1241whilethoseinfluencedbyirrigationmaybedominatedbynon‐nativepasturegrasses.12421243Emergentmarshesarewetlandsthatexperiencefrequentorprolongedponding.Marshes1244occurindepressionsandkettleponds,asfringesaroundlakes,alongstreamsandrivers,1245andbehindmanytypesofimpoundments.Theycanbefoundatallelevations,butare1246morecommonatmidtolowerelevations.Standingwaterrestrictsthedominantspeciesto1247robustwetlandplants,suchascattail Typha ,bulrush ScirpusandSchoenoplectusspp. ,1248andlargesedges Carexspp. .Atlowerelevations,marshescanbecomedenselyvegetated1249iftheyarenotperiodicallyflushedbyfloodwaterormechanicalthinning.12501251Fensarewetlandswiththickorganicsoilsthataresupportedbystablegroundwater1252discharge.Fensaretypicallyfoundwithinthemontanetosubalpinezone,generallyabove12537,000ft.,andcanformalongtheedgesofvalleybottoms,atbreaksinslope,around1254hillslopeseeps,inshallowbasinsoranywherewheresufficientgroundwateremergesto1255perenniallysaturatesoils.Fensareconsidered“oldgrowth”wetlands,astheaccumulation1256ofthickorganicsoilscantakethousandsofyears.Fenvegetationisgenerallycharacterized1257byadensecoverofsedgesandmoss,oftenintermixedwithforbsandshorttodwarfshrubs1258suchaswillowandbogbirch Betulanana .12591260Seepsandspringsincludesmallwetlandsthatarehydrologicallysupportedby1261groundwaterdischarge.TheyarefoundthroughoutColoradoandcanbeacomponentof1262thepreviouslydescribedwetlandtypes,butaremostnotablewithinthecliffandcanyon1263countryoftheColoradoPlateauandtheLowerArkansasbasin.12641265Montanetosubalpinewetlandsaregenerallyingoodcondition,thoughmanyacresare1266impactedbywaterdiversions,groundwaterpumping,andgrazingofbothdomesticand1267wildanimals.Theconditionoflowerelevationwetlands,however,isfarworse.Non‐1268


52

nativespecies,includingnoxiousweeds,areprevalentandmaydominantmanywetlands.1269Intensivewatermanagementandhumandevelopmenthasgreatlyalteredthetimingand1270magnitudeofflooding.Insomelocations,waterhasbeendivertedfromnaturalwetlands.1271Inothers,stormwaterrunoffandirrigationreturnflowshavecreatedorexpandedwetland1272acres,butthesesystemsexperienceflashyhydroperiodsanddegradedwaterquality.1273 1274

AQUATIC HABITATS 1275

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Rivers 1276

ColoradoPlateau–WyomingBasinsRiverssupport31SGCN Table8 .Thishabitat1277includesthebigriverswithintheColoradoPlateauandWyomingBasinecoregionsof1278Colorado’swesternslope:theColorado,Gunnison,Green,Yampa,White,Dolores,SanJuan1279andAnimas.Larger‐orderriverscontainhabitatfeaturesthatareunavailableinsmaller1280streams,particularlydeeppoolsandruns,andlargebackwatersandinundatedfloodplain1281areasduringhighwater.Asaresult,theycomprisethecorehabitatforseveralbig‐river1282fishspecies,thoughthesespeciesarealsooccasionallyfoundinsmallerstreams.Condition1283ofthishabitattypevariesbutismoderatelyorhighlyimpactedformostoftheserivers.1284Damsanddiversionshavealteredthenaturalhydrographtovaryingdegrees.Inmostof1285theseriverssnowmelt‐drivenpeakflowsaregreatlyreduced,asarebaseflowsinmany1286cases.Peakflowtimingmaybealteredsuchthattheseflowsnolongercoincidewiththe1287life‐historyrequirementsofbigriverfishspecies.Extensiveflowmanagementeffortsare1288beingmadetoredressthatsituationinsomerivers.Additionally,damsanddiversion1289structuresfunctionasbarrierspreventingupstreammovementoffishes thoughfish1290passagestructureshavebeenconstructedatsome .Anumberofthesespeciesarehighly1291migratoryandrequiremanymilesofunfragmentedhabitatinordertomovebetween1292spawningandrearing,foraging,andoverwinteringareas.Thesechanges,combinedwith1293channelizationandbankhardening,impactsfromenergydevelopment,bankstabilization1294bynon‐nativevegetation tamarisk,Russianolive ,andotheranthropogenicstressors,1295havedegradedtheconditionofassociatedriparianhabitatsaswell.1296

Colorado Plateau – Wyoming Basins Streams 1297

ColoradoPlateau–WyomingBasinsStreamssupport27SGCN Table8 .Thishabitat1298includestributariestothebigriversystemswithintheColoradoPlateauandWyoming1299BasinsecoregionsofColorado’swesternslope.Conditionvarieswidely,withsomestreams1300inexcellentcondition,butamajorityismoderatelyorseverelyimpacted.Damsand,1301especially,diversionshavealteredthenaturalhydrographandfragmentedhabitat,tothe1302extentofentirelydewateringsomestreamreaches.Otheranthropogenicimpactsinclude1303gravelminingandgrazingwithintheripariancorridor,channelizationandbankhardening,1304


53

impactsfromenergydevelopment,andencroachmentofnon‐nativevegetation tamarisk,1305Russianolive ,allofwhichhavethepotentialtodegradewaterqualityandtheconditionof1306associatedriparianhabitats.1307

Eastern Plains Rivers 1308

EasternPlainsRiverssupport33SGCN Table8 .Thishabitatincludesthemainstem1309SouthPlatteandArkansasRivers,andthelowerportionsofmajortributariessuchasthe1310CachelaPoudreRiverandSt.VrainCreek.Theselarger‐orderriverscontainhabitat1311featuresgenerallynotfoundinsmallerplainsstreams,includingoccasionaldeeppools,1312secondarychannelsandbackwaters,andinundatedfloodplainareasduringhighwater.As1313aresulttheycomprisethecorehabitatforseveralplainsfishes,thoughthesespeciesare1314alsosometimesfoundinsmallertributaries.Conditionisheavilyimpactedintermsofboth1315waterqualityandwaterquantity.Damsandnumerouslargediversionshavegreatly1316alteredthetimingandmagnitudeofbothpeakandbaseflows,aswellasothercomponents1317ofthenaturalhydrograph.Inmanyreaches,treatedmunicipalwastewaterand/or1318irrigationreturnflowsmaintainbaseflowsathigherlevelsthanpre‐alteration.Aplethora1319ofstressorsfromextensiveurbanandexurbandevelopment,andfromagriculture,degrade1320bothwaterqualityandtheconditionofassociatedriparianhabitats.1321

Eastern Plains Streams 1322

EasternPlainsStreamsprovideprimaryhabitatfor44SGCN Table8 .Thishabitat1323includesthetributariestothebigriversofColorado’seasternplains,andtheRepublican1324Riveranditstributaries.Mostofthesestreamsriseontheplainsandthushavea1325hydrographandtemperatureregimedistinctfromstreamsoriginatinginthemountains.1326Streamsinthisregionareofadiversecharacter.Manyrisefromspringsandflow1327consistentlyinheadwatersareasbutsubsideintointermittencyfurtherdownstream,only1328becomingmoreperennialagainwhentheyreachthealluviumofthemainstem.Themore1329intermittentportionsofthesesystemsonlyfullyconnectduringfloodevents,andatother1330timesconsistpartlyorentirelyofisolatedpoolswithinadrychannel.Someplainsfishes1331appeartobespecificallyadaptedtothishydrologicregime,preferringorrequiring1332standing‐water,pond‐likehabitat,andutilizingperiodsofconnectivitytoredistributeand1333re‐colonizehabitatpatches.Anumberofsuchnaturally‐occurringpoolshavebeen1334impounded,enlargedorotherwisemadeintomorepermanentpondsorsmalllakes,for1335stockwateringorotherhumanuses.Theseareas,thoughmodified,comprisesomeofthe1336mostimportanthabitatforseveralplainsfishspecies,especiallyNorthernredbellydace,1337andalsoPlainstopminnow,Southernredbellydace,andArkansasdarter.Streamsinthe1338Republicanbasintendtobemorehistoricallyperennial,asareafewlargertributariessuch1339asthePurgatoireandSt.CharlesRivers.Diversionsandhabitatdegradationthreatenall1340thesestreamstovaryingdegrees.Amorepressingthreatthroughoutmostoftheregionis1341dryingandfragmentationduetogroundwaterirrigationdepletingunderlyingaquifers.1342


54

ThisthreatisparticularlydireintheRepublicanBasin,butisimminentthroughoutthe1343Easternplains.1344

Lakes 1345

Lakessupport25SGCN Table8 .Thishabitattypeincludesonlynaturallakes,the1346majorityofwhichoccurinthesubalpineandmontanezones.Veryfewlower‐elevation1347naturallakesexistwithinColorado;mostoftheseareoxbowlakes,formerriverchannels1348thatbecameisolated,andarequitesmall.Becausethishabitattypeoccursmostlyathigh1349elevationswherehumanimpactsandnaturaldisturbancesarelimited,itsconditionis1350generallyexcellent.1351

Mountain Streams 1352

Mountainstreamssupport30SGCN Table8 .Mountainstreamhabitatincludeshigh1353elevationstreamsonbothsidesoftheContinentalDivide.Thesestreamsarecharacterized1354byhighgradient,coldtemperatures,andasnowmelt‐dominatedhydrograph.Thoughfew1355waterwaysinColoradohaveescapedsomelevelofdisturbance,mountainstreamsremain1356ingoodconditionoverall.1357

Rio Grande Valley Rivers 1358

RioGrandeValleyRiversareprimaryhabitatfortwoTier1SGCN Table8 .Thishabitat1359consistsofthemainstemRioGrandeandtheConejosRiver.Thehighelevationanddistinct1360climateofthiswatersheddifferentiateitfromothereastslopedrainages.Withinthe1361watershed,theselarger‐orderriverscontainhabitatfeaturesinfrequentlyfoundinthe1362tributaries,particularlydeeppoolsandruns.HistoricallytheRioGrandeandConejosare1363knownorbelievedtohavebeenprimaryhabitatforseveralendemicspecies.Nativefish1364populationshavebeenlostbecauseofwaterdiversionsforirrigation,streamdrying,and1365habitatdegradation.Additionally,competition,predationandhybridizationbynonnative1366fishhavecontributedtoextirpationofnativefishpopulationsintheRioGrandeand1367Conejos.1368

Rio Grande Valley Streams 1369

RioGrandeValleyStreamsareprimaryhabitatfortwoTier1SGCN Table8 .Thishabitat1370includesthetributariestotheRioGrande,ConejosRiver,andclosed‐basinstreamsof1371SaguacheCreekandSanLuisCreek.Conditionofthesestreamsvaries,butmostarelowto1372moderatelyimpacted.Diversions,mainlyforagriculturaluse,havealteredthenatural1373


55

hydrographandfragmentedstreamstovaryingdegrees,insomecasesentirelydewatering1374streamreaches.Theclosed‐basinstreamsremainlessdisturbed,althoughsomeare1375threatenedbydryingoftheaquifer.1376

Transition Zone Streams 1377

Transitionzonestreamssupport33SGCN Table8 .Theabrupttransitionfrommountains1378toplainsalongtheFrontRangeandeastslopegiverisetothishabitat.Atthisjuncture1379streamsrapidlylosegradient,increaseinsinuosityandacquireothercharacteristicsof1380plainsstreams,butcontinuetohaveasnowmelt‐drivenhydrograph,coldertemperatures1381andcoarsercobble‐gravelsubstrate,reflectiveoftheirorigininthemountains,forsome1382distancedownstream.Theserelativelyshortreachesofintermediatecharactercomprise1383thesolehabitatwithinColoradoforseveral“glacialrelict”SGCN—speciesadaptedto1384lower‐gradientwatersthatarecoolerthanmostColoradoplainsstreams—whichare1385believedtohavebeen“stranded”inthiszoneasglaciersreceded.BecausemostFront1386Rangecitieswereestablishedalongriversatthebaseofthemountains,thetransitionzone1387isheavilyimpactedbymanyeffectsofurbandevelopment,andisamongthemost1388imperiledofaquatichabitatsinColorado.Additionally,itislikelyespeciallyvulnerableto1389climatechange,withtheprospectofspeciesbeing“pinched”betweenwarmerwater1390downstreamandunfavorablegradientupstream.1391

OTHER HABITATS 1392

Alpine 1393

Alpinehabitats,whichcoverover1.5millionacresinColorado,support32SGCN Table8 .1394Alpineincludeshigh‐elevationdrytundra,fellfield,wet‐meadow,androckandscree1395communities.Alpinetundraisfoundatthehighestelevationsinourstate,usuallyabove139611,000feet.Herethelongwinters,abundantsnowfall,highwinds,andshortsummers1397createanenvironmenttooharshforpermanenthumanhabitation.Vegetationinthese1398areasiscontrolledbysnowretention,winddesiccation,permafrost,andashortgrowing1399season.14001401Oldprivately‐ownedminingclaimsarescatteredthroughout,butthereareveryfewactive1402minesoperatingtoday.Ingeneral,alpinetundrainColoradoiscurrentlyinexcellent1403condition.Theprimarythreattothisecologicalsystemisglobalclimatechange,which1404couldhavesignificantimpactsinthefuture.Preliminaryresultsfromourclimatechange1405vulnerabilityassessmentsuggestthatalpinehabitatsaremoderatelyvulnerablethrough1406mid‐century.Snowpackpatternsareimportantforthishabitat.Thus,ifColorado1407experiencesanincreaseinwinterprecipitation,alpineareasmaybeabletowithstand1408someincreaseintemperature,atleastintheshortterm,andespeciallyinareaswhereitis1409


56

difficultfortreestoadvance.Atalongertimeframe,however,alpineislikelytolargely1410disappearfromColorado.1411

Cliffs and Canyons 1412

Cliffsandcanyonssupport34SGCN Table8 .Mountaincliffsandcanyonshabitatsare1413foundfromfoothilltosubalpineelevations.Theyincludebarrenandsparselyvegetated1414landscapescomprisedofsteepclifffaces,narrowcanyons,andopentablelands,aswellas1415theunstablescreeandtalusslopesthattypicallyoccurbelowclifffaces.Widelyscattered1416treesandshrubsmaybepresent.Thesehighlyerodibleareasaregenerallytoosteepto1417allowanysignificantsoildevelopment.Erosionbywind,water,andtheforceofgravityis1418theprimarynaturaldisturbanceprocessinthecliffenvironment.Cliffsandcanyonshavea1419naturallyhighrateoferosion;infiltrationratesarelowandrunoffhigh.Atclifffacesthere1420islesshydraulicpressureretainingwaterwithintherock,soliquidwaterismore1421consistentlyfoundthaninthesurroundinghabitattypes Larsonetal.2000 .Withinthe1422largercliffhabitat,steepslopes,smallterracesledges,overhangs,cracksandcrevicesoften1423formamosaicofmicrohabitattypesthatappearstobetheprimaryfactorcontributingto1424cliffbiodiversity GrahamandKnight2004 .Cliffsandbedrockoutcropsarerelativelyfree1425ofanthropogenicdisturbance,butthecanyonswheretheseoftenoccurarerarelywithout1426roads.Humandisturbancetothissystemmayincluderoadconstructionandmaintenance,1427recreation especiallyclimbing ,andtheeffectsofmining.14281429Ontheeasternplains,thishabitattypeincludescliffs,outcrops,breaksandbarrens,1430rimrockanderosionalremnantsoftheHighPlainsescarpment,aswellasotherisolated1431buttesandoutcropstothesouth.Droughtandwinderosionarethemostcommonnatural1432dynamicsaffectingthisprairiesystem.Windenergydevelopmentisincreasingonprairie1433cliff/canyonhabitats.1434Ingeneral,conditionofcliffandcanyonhabitatsisgood.Manycliffandcanyonhabitatsare1435virtuallyinaccessibleandinexcellentcondition.1436

Hot Springs 1437

HotSpringsaretheprimaryhabitatforoneTier2SGCN Table8 .Thesehabitatsare1438limitedtophysicalsettingsthatallowgroundwaterheatedbygeothermalprocessestorise1439tothesurface.ManyofColorado’shotspringshavebeendevelopedforhumanrecreation.1440Presumablythishashaddeleteriouseffectsonhabitatquality,butdetailedconditionof1441Colorado’shotspringshasnotbeenevaluated.1442


57

Reservoirs & Shorelines 1443

Thishabitat,thoughman‐made,issignificantfor10ofColorado’sTier2SGCN Table8 ,1444mostnotablythefederallylistedLeastternandPipingplover.Reservoirandshoreline1445habitatisdistributedacrossColorado.Thelargestandmostimportantfromahabitat1446perspectiveincludeJohnMartinandotherreservoirsinsoutheasternColorado.Thefuture1447ofreservoirandshorelinehabitatsinColoradoisdifficulttopredict.Itseemsreasonableto1448assumethatunderawarminganddryingclimatescenario thelikeliestfutureforthe1449easternplains ,waterresourceswillbecomemorescarce.Thissituationcouldpotentially1450changethemanagementofdamsandreservoirs.Ifwaterlevelsrecede,theamountof1451ploverorternnestinghabitatvarieswiththetopographiccontoursofthereservoir.Some1452mightgainmoreisolatedislandswithlowerwater,whiletheoppositemayalsobetrue1453moredryareasconnectedtoshoreline .Dependingonhowandwhensuchchangeswere1454made,impactstoSGCNarepossiblebutcurrentlyunknown.1455

Sand Dunes 1456

SandDunesareaprimaryhabitatforfourSGCN Table8 .InColorado,smallsanddunes1457habitatsoccurinNorthParkandMiddlePark,butthemajorityofsandduneshabitat1458occursintheSanLuisValley.Theseenvironmentsarecomprisedofshifting,coarse‐1459texturedsubstratesandpatchyoropengrasslandsorshrublands.Activeandstabilized1460duneareasincludearangeofsparselyvegetatedplantcommunitiesaswellasbarrenor1461nearbarren 5%totalplantcover portionsofactivesanddunesandsandsheet1462blowouts,wherescatteredindividualsofearlyseralspeciessuchasblowoutgrass1463Redfieldiaflexuosa andlemonscurfpea Psoralidiumlanceolatum ,and rarely Indian1464ricegrass Achnatherumhymenoides ,aretheonlyvegetation.Thesandsheetmayalso1465includelimitedareaswithwoodlandsofnarrowleafcottonwoodorponderosapineon1466otherwisesandyareas,aswellasbothshrubbyandgrassyareaswherevegetationisacting1467toanchordunes.Shrubdominatedplantcommunitiesofthesandsheetareshrubsteppeor1468shrublandsdominatedbyrabbitbrushandothershrubswithatypicallysparseherbaceous1469layerdominatedbybunchgrasses.Inearlyseralstages,vegetateddunesandsandsheet1470areaswhereshrubsareabsentmaybecharacterizedbyanherbaceouslayertypically1471dominatedbyscurfpeaand/orblowoutgrass,whileinlateseralstagesIndianricegrass,1472needle‐and‐threadorsandmuhly Muhlenbergiaarenicola aretypical.Theconditionof1473mostsanddunehabitatsinColoradoisverygood,withtheexceptionofthoseinNorth1474Park,wherethedunesareimpactedbyrecreationalvehicleuseandweeds.1475

Agriculture 1476

ForthepurposesoftheSWAP,thishabitattypeisrestrictedtorowcropagriculture,and1477includescroplandsandorchards.Thoughrangelandsareanimportantcomponentofour1478


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state’sagriculturalsystem,nativerangelandsareincludedunderrelevantgrasslandand1479shrublandhabitattypes.Agriculturalfieldsconstituteaman‐madeenvironment,butthey1480nowserveasimportanthabitatfor34SGCN Table8 .1481 1482


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1483

1484

ThischapterpresentsupdatedinformationontheproblemsaffectingColorado’sSpeciesof1485GreatestConservationNeed SGCN andtheirhabitats,aswellasconservationactions1486neededtoaddressproblemsandimprovespecies’status.Currentinformationonproblems1487thatmayadverselyaffectSGCNortheirhabitats i.e.,“threats” wascompiledfroma1488numberofdifferentsources,includingthe2006SWAP,agencyandpartnerbiologists,anda1489varietyofexistingconservationassessments,conservationandmanagementplans,CPW1490andCNHPdatabases,andpublishedliterature.Therearemyriadexistingresourcesthat1491presentin‐depthdiscussionsofthreatsand/orneededconservationactionsformanyofthe1492SGCNandtheirhabitats.ThepurposeoftheSWAPisnottore‐createtheseresources.1493Rather,inthisdocumentwewillsummarizethemostcrucialaspectsofbiodiversity1494conservationinColoradooverthenext10years.Alistofadditionalresources,including1495management,conservation,andrecoveryplans,ispresentedinAppendixD.1496

Updated Lexicon for Describing Threats & 1497

Actions 1498

Asnotedinthe2006SWAP,manysourcesusedifferentlanguagetodescribeessentiallythe1499samethreatsandconservationactions.Inordertomaintainconsistencyofthreats/actions1500descriptionsacrossspeciesandhabitats,“taxonomies”ofthreatsandactionswerecreated1501forthe2006SWAP,basedonworkbyTheNatureConservancy.Intheinterim,a1502standardizedlexiconhasbeendevelopedbytheConservationMeasuresPartnership61503Salafskyetal.2008 ,andisrecommendedinthe2012BestPracticesforStateWildlife1504ActionPlansguidance AFWA2012 .Forthe2015SWAP,wehaveadoptedtheSalafsky1505lexicon’sclassificationofgeneralthreatsandconservationactions Tables5&6,1506respectively .ThedatabasethatwasdevelopedtohouseinformationonSGCNand1507habitatsforthe2006SWAPhasbeenupdatedtoreflectthenewlexicon.Useofthe1508SalafskylexiconwillpositiontheCPWtomigrateSGCNinformationandconservationwork1509planningtotheMiradiprogram,atoolalsodevelopedbytheConservationMeasures1510Partnership,inthefutureifitisdeterminedthatwecanimproveourconservation1511outcomesbydoingso.15121513TheSalafskylexiconusesathree‐levelcategorizationscheme,witheachlevelincreasingly1514specific Tables5&6 .AsexplainedinSalafskyetal. 2008 ,1515

6TheConservationMeasuresPartnership CMP isajointventureofconservationorganizationsandcollaboratorsthatarecommittedtoimprovingthepracticeofconservation.EachorganizationwithinCMPhasbiodiversityconservationasitsprimarygoal,hasafocusonfield‐basedconservationactions,andisworkingtodevelopbetterapproachestoprojectdesign,management,andassessment.Foradditionalinformation,visithttp://www.conservationmeasures.org/.


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“Anidealclassificationforboththreatsandactionswouldbesimple usesclearlanguageand1516examplesandisunderstandablebyallpractitioners ;hierarchical createsalogicalwayofgrouping1517itemsthatarerelatedtooneanothertofacilitateuseoftheclassificationandmeaningfulanalysesat1518differentlevels ;comprehensive containsallpossibleitems,atleastathigherlevelsofthehierarchy;1519consistent ensuresthatentriesatagivenleveloftheclassificationareofthesametype ;expandable1520enablesnewitemstobeaddedtotheclassificationiftheyarediscovered ;exclusive allowsany1521givenitemtoonlybeplacedinonecellwithinthehierarchy ;andscalable permitsthesameterms1522tobeusedatallgeographicscales …Theclassificationsaredesignedtobecomprehensive,1523consistent,andexclusiveforthefirstandsecondlevels.Thethirdlevel,bycontrast,isatamuchfiner1524scaleandthusonlycontainssomeillustrativeexamplesratherthancomprehensivelistingsofthreats1525andactionsatthislevel.”1526

1527Anexampleofthethree‐levelclassificationis:1528

Level1–HumanIntrusionsandDisturbance1529Level2–RecreationalActivities1530

Level3–hiking15311532

Usingthislexiconwillallowforlarge‐scaleanalyses e.g.,allowingfederalagenciesand1533nationalnon‐governmentalorganizationstoassessthreatsacrossstates ,butitmustalso1534provideenoughspecificitytodirectmeaningfulconservationactioninColorado.Thus,we1535havemodifiedittoincludeadditionalLevel1andLevel2categoriesthatweredeemed1536necessarytoadequatelydescribethesituationinColorado,andaddedmoredetailed1537entriesinLevel3.15381539Aswithanyclassificationmethod,therearevariouswaystocategorizeand“lumporsplit,”1540andalloptionsultimatelyforcesomedegreeofsimplificationontoverycomplexandinter‐1541relatedissues.TheSalafskylexiconisnoexception,andreadersmayexperienceadegree1542ofdiscomfortwithsomeapplicationsofthismethod.Weremindthosereadersthatthe1543SWAPisastatewide,strategicdocumentthatisintendedtohighlightthemostsignificant1544conservationissuesacrossourstate.Assuch,itisafirststepinconservationplanningthat1545isappropriatelysupportedbyaseriesofmorein‐depthspeciesandhabitatconservation1546plans.Existingandneededspecies/habitatplansareaddressedinthetablesand1547narrativesthatfollow. 1548


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Table 5. Lexicon of threats according to Salafsky et al. 2008. Threats marked with an asterisk (*) are 1549not included in Salafsky et al. (2008), but we have determined that they are needed to fully express 1550threats to SGCN in Colorado. 1551

Level 1 Level 2 (general threats in Tables 7 & 8)

Level 3 – illustrative examples (specific threats in Tables 7 & 8)

1 Residential & Commercial Development Threats from human settlements or other non-agricultural land uses with a substantial footprint

1.1 Housing & Urban Areas Human cities, towns, and settlements including non-housing development typically integrated with housing (e.g., shopping areas, offices, schools, hospitals)

Housing, urban, and ex-urban development

Hobby livestock – domestic sheep and goats associated with exurban development

1.2 Commercial & Industrial Areas Factories and other commercial centers (e.g., manufacturing plants, military bases, power plants, train yards, airports)

1.3 Tourism & Recreation AreasTourism and recreation sites with a substantial footprint (e.g., ski areas, golf courses, county parks, campgrounds)

Recreation area developments

2 Agriculture & Aquaculture Threats from farming and ranching as a result of agricultural expansion and intensification, including silviculture and aquaculture

2.1 Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops Crops planted for food, fodder, fiber, fuel, or other uses (e.g., farms, plantations, orchards, vineyards, mixed agroforestry systems)

Conversion to cropland Early/often pasture and

hayfield cutting (nest destruction)

Intensive agricultural operations

Loss of compatible CRP lands

Poor quality CRP lands 2.2 Wood & Pulp Plantations

Stands of trees planted for timber or fiber outside of natural forests, often with non-native species (e.g., silviculture, Christmas tree farms)

2.3 Livestock Farming & Ranching Domestic terrestrial animals raised in one location on farmed or non-local resources (farming); also domestic or semi-domesticated animals allowed to roam in the wild and supported by natural habitats (ranching) (e.g., cattle feed lots, dairy farms, cattle ranching, chicken farms)

Altered native vegetation Decreased water quality

(nutrient load from cattle) Degradation of alpine habitats

from sheep grazing & disturbance by guard dogs

Incompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing

Range improvement operations

Reduced grass and forb diversity

Transmission of pathogens


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2.4 Marine & Freshwater Aquaculture Aquatic animals raised in one location on farmed or non-local resources; also hatchery fish allowed to roam in the wild

3 Energy Production & Mining Threats from production of non-biological resources

3.1 Oil & Gas Drilling Exploring for, developing, and producing petroleum and other liquid hydrocarbons (e.g., oil wells, natural gas drilling)

Altered native vegetation Behavioral avoidance of

oil/gas development & associated infrastructure

Fragmentation of native habitat due to oil/gas development & associated infrastructure

3.2 Mining & Quarrying Exploring for, developing, and producing minerals and rocks (e.g., coal mines, alluvial gold panning, gold mines, rock quarries)

Mining operations Rock mining in nesting &

winter habitat Uranium mining

3.3 Renewable Energy Exploring, developing, and producing renewable energy (e.g., geothermal power production, solar farms, wind farms, birds flying into windmills)

Collision with wind turbines Behavioral avoidance of

renewable energy development & associated infrastructure

Fragmentation of native habitat due to renewable energy development & associated infrastructure

4 Transportation & Service Corridors Threats from long narrow transport corridors and the vehicles that use them, including associated wildlife mortality

4.1 Roads & Railroads Surface transport on roadways and dedicated tracks (e.g., highways, secondary roads, logging roads, bridges and causeways, road kill, fencing associated with roads)

Collision (e.g., auto) Fragmentation

4.2 Utility & Service Lines Transport of energy & resources (e.g., electrical and phone wires, oil and gas pipelines, electrocution of wildlife)

Collision (e.g., powerlines)

4.3 Shipping Lanes (not applicable to Colorado)

4.4 Flight Paths (e.g., impacting birds)

Low-flying military jets & helicopters


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5 Biological Resource Use Threats from consumptive use of “wild” biological resources including both deliberate and unintentional harvesting effects; also persecution or control of specific species

5.1 Control of Nuisance Species or Collecting7 Killing or trapping wild animals for commercial, recreation, subsistence, research or cultural purposes, or for control/persecution reasons

Extermination / evictions in urban settings

Loss of habitat due to prairie dog control

Mortality and prey reduction through rodent control

Poisoning (indirect effect of prairie dog control)

5.2 Gathering Terrestrial Plants Harvesting plants, fungi, and other non-timber/non-animal products for commercial, recreation, subsistence, research or cultural purposes, or for control reasons

5.3 Logging & Wood HarvestingHarvesting trees and other woody vegetation for timber, fiber, or fuel (e.g., clear cutting of hardwoods, pulp operations, fuel wood collection)

Clearcutting Even-age timber

management Removal of cavity trees Fragmentation Replacement of mature/old

growth with younger, more even-aged stands

5.4 Fishing & Harvesting Aquatic Resources Harvesting aquatic wild animals or plants for commercial, recreation, subsistence, research, or cultural purposes, or for control/persecution

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance Threats from human activities that alter, destroy and disturb habitats and species associated with non-consumptive uses of biological resources

6.1 Recreational Activities People spending time in nature or traveling in vehicles outside of established transport corridors, usually for recreational reasons (e.g., off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, hikers, skiers, birdwatchers, pets in rec areas, temporary campsites, caving, rock-climbing)

Campsites and hiking ORV trail development and

use Motorized and non-motorized

recreation Recreational caving Rock climbing, hiking near

cliffs & crevices Trails in drainages near nests Unregulated backcountry

winter recreation 6.2 War, Civil Unrest & Military

Exercises Actions by military forces without a permanent footprint (e.g., tanks and other military vehicles, training exercises and ranges, defoliation, munitions testing)

7InSalafskyetal. 2008 ,thisthreatis“HuntingandCollectingTerrestrialAnimals.”Salafsky’sterminologyisintendedtoaddressconservationneedsataglobalscale,includingplaceswherehuntingisnotmanaged.ForthepurposesofColorado’sSWAP,thereferencetohuntinginthiscontextwasdeemedtobemisleadingandinappropriate.Thus,wehavere‐namedthisthreatcategory.


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6.3 Work & Other Activities People spending time in or traveling in natural environments for reasons other than recreation, military activities, or research (e.g., law enforcement, drug smugglers, illegal immigrants, vandalism)

Proximal non-recreation disturbance

7 Natural System Modifications Threats from actions that convert or degrade habitat in service of “managing” natural or semi-natural systems, often to improve human welfare

7.1 Fire & Fire Suppression Suppression or increase in fire frequency and/or intensity outside of its natural range of variation (e.g., fire suppression to protect homes, inappropriate fire management, escaped agricultural fires, arson, campfires)

Altered fire regime Fire suppression leading to

high intensity fires Altered fire regime and

juniper encroachment Wildfires exacerbated by

climate change

7.2 Dams & Water Management/Use Changing water flow patterns from their natural range of variation either deliberately or as a result of other activities (e.g., dam construction, dam operations, sediment control, change in salt regime, wetland filling, levees and dikes, surface water diversion, groundwater pumping, channelization, artificial lakes)

Altered hydrological regime – dewatering

Altered hydrological regime – siltation and sedimentation

Altered hydrological regime – wetland drainage

Altered hydrological regime – altered flow and fluctuating water temperatures

Decreased water quality and/or quantity

Natural system modification (hydrological) - dam, diversion, or drop structure construction or modification

Natural system modification (hydrological) – groundwater pumping and surface water diversions

River flow management and riverbank protection

Scouring floods Water storage Fragmentation due to

diversion structures without fish passage


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7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications Other actions that convert or degrade habitat in service of “managing” natural systems to improve human welfare (e.g., land reclamation projects, abandonment of managed lands, rip-rap along shorelines, mowing grass, tree thinning in parks, beach construction, removal of snags from streams)

Altered animal community (change in predator/prey balance)

Altered animal community (loss of beaver)

Altered native vegetation (cottonwood/willow degradation)

Altered native vegetation (loss of older aspen stands)

Altered native vegetation (loss of shoreline nesting, roosting, and perching habitat)

Altered native vegetation (riparian area deforestation, denuding of wetland vegetation)

Altered native vegetation (seral stage imbalance)

Altered native vegetation (streambank cover reduction)

Cave/mine closures and grating

Fragmentation Natural system modification -

wetland filling, eutrophication, siltation

8 Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes Threats from non-native and native plants, animals, pathogens /microbes, or genetic materials that have or are predicted to have harmful effects on biodiversity following their introduction, spread and/or increase in abundance

8.1 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species Harmful plants, animals, and microbes not originally found within the ecosystem(s) in question and directly or indirectly introduced and spread into it by human activities (e.g., feral cattle, household pets, zebra mussels)

Invasive animals - bullfrogs Invasive animals - European

starlings Invasive animals - white

sucker Invasive animals – aquatic

predators (e.g., smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, burbot)

Invasive plants – tamarisk Invasive plants – cheatgrass

8.2 Problematic Native Species Harmful plants, animals, or microbes that are originally found within the ecosystem(s) in question, but have become "out-of-balance" or "released" directly or indirectly due to human activities (e.g., overabundant native deer)

Habitat loss / degradation due to beetle kill

Habitat loss due to insect damage and fire

Predation and parasites


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8.3 Introduced Genetic Material Human altered or transported organisms or genes (e.g., pesticide resistant crops, using nonlocal seed stock, genetically modified insects for biocontrol)

Invasive animals - hybridization

8.4 Pathogens8 Loss of prairie dog colonies due to sylvatic plague

Pathogen - canine distemper Pathogen - chytrid fungus Pathogen - respiratory

disease caused by Pasteurellacea and Mycoplasma bacteria

Pathogen - sylvatic plague Potential for white-nose

syndrome to be introduced 9 Pollution Threats from introduction of exotic and/or excess materials or energy from point and nonpoint sources

9.1 Household Sewage & Urban Waste Water Water-borne sewage and non-point runoff from housing and urban areas that include nutrients, toxic chemicals and/or sediments (e.g., discharge from municipal waste treatment plants, leaking septic systems, fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and golf-courses)

Water pollution

9.2 Industrial & Military Effluents Water-borne pollutants from industrial and military sources including mining, energy production, and other resource extraction industries that include nutrients, toxic chemicals and/or sediments

Waste or residual materials (excess sediment loads)

Waste or residual materials (mine tailings, excess sediment loads, etc.)

8InSalafskyetal. 2008 ,pathogensarenotsplitoutasaseparatethreat.However,thereareseveralpathogenscausingsignificantimpactstoSGCN,andwefounditusefultocreateanadditionalcategoryforthisthreat.


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9.3 Agricultural & Forestry Effluents Water-borne pollutants from agricultural, silvicultural, and aquaculture systems that include nutrients, toxic chemicals and/or sediments (e.g., nutrient loading from fertilizer runoff, herbicide runoff, manure from feedlots, soil erosion)

Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff (grasshopper control)

Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff and nonpoint source pollution

Nutrient loads Pesticide spraying (prey

reduction) Poisoning (fire ant

insecticides) Reduced water quality due to

herbicide/pesticide runoff 9.4 Garbage & Solid Waste

Rubbish and other solid materials including those that entangle wildlife

9.5 Air-Borne Pollutants Atmospheric pollutants from point and nonpoint sources (e.g., acid rain, smog from vehicle emissions, excess nitrogen deposition)

Air pollution (precipitating/concentrating on high elevation snow fields)

9.6 Excess Energy Inputs of heat, sound, or light that disturb wildlife or ecosystems (e.g., noise from highways or airplanes, heated water from power plants, lamps attracting insects)

10 Geological Events Threats from catastrophic geological events

10.1 Volcanoes (not applicable to Colorado)

10.2 Earthquakes/Tsunamis (not likely to be applicable to Colorado)

10.3 Avalanches/Landslides Avalanches or landslides

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather Threats from long-term climatic changes which may be linked to global warming and other severe climatic/weather events that are outside of the natural range of variation

11.1 Habitat Shifting & Alteration Major changes in habitat composition and location (e.g., desertification, tundra thawing)

Climate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts, tornados)

Habitat shifting and alteration due to climate change

11.2 Droughts Periods in which rainfall falls below the normal range of variation (e.g., severe lack of rain, loss of surface water sources)

Lack of water due to drought and exacerbated by climate change


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11.3 Temperature Extremes Periods in which temperatures exceed or go below the normal range of variation (e.g., heat waves, cold spells, disappearance of glaciers)

11.4 Storms & Flooding Extreme precipitation and/or wind events (e.g., thunderstorms, tornados, hailstorms, ice storms or blizzards, dust storms)

Climate variability (e.g., prolonged rain or hail events)

12 Organizational Capacity and Management* Inability to implement effective conservation measures due to lack of goal/policy alignment across agencies and stakeholders, lack of dedicated funding sources, institutional barriers to coordination

12.1 Lack of Coordination

12.2 Lack of Funding 12.3 Lack of Common Goals 12.4 Confused or Gaps in

Authorities

12.5 Legislation/Policy Changes

13 Lack of Knowledge* Inability to determine priorities for what/when/where conservation action is needed due to poor understanding of species needs

13.1 Complete Distribution in Colorado Unknown

13.2 Critical Life History/Habitat Components Unknown

13.3 Genetic Relationship with Other Subspecies Unknown

13.4 Population Status Unknown

13.5 Population Trend Unknown

13.6 Response to Change, Disturbance, & Other Threats Poorly Understood

14 Natural Factors* Life history traits that contribute to species’ vulnerability and warrant management attention or influence effectiveness of potential conservation approaches

14.1 Scarcity (leading to inbreeding depression)

14.2 Low Annual Recruitment 14.3 Low Reproductive Rate 14.4 Nest Predation


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14.5 Competition 14.6 Loss of Species from

Suitable Habitat

1552

Overview of Threats to Biodiversity in Colorado 1553

ThissectionprovidesaverybriefoverviewofthemajorthreatstobiodiversityinColorado.1554WehighlightheretheprimaryissuesrelatedtothethreatsthataffectmanySGCNand/or1555arewidelydistributedacrossthestate.Thesenarrativesarefarfromexhaustive,andare1556intendedonlyasasimplesynopsistohelpreadersunderstandtheprimarywaysinwhich1557variousthreatsinteractwithandonspeciesand/ortheirhabitats.Aspreviouslynoted,1558manyoftheseissuesarecloselyrelatedtoeachother,andinteractincomplexways.A1559singlethreatlikelyhasmultipleadverseimpacts,andeachadverseimpactmaybecoming1560frommultiplethreats.Teasingapartthecumulativeeffectsofmultiplethreatsforeach1561SGCNisadizzyingtaskthatexceedsthescopeofthisSWAP.Ourgoalhereistoilluminate1562themostcrucialconservationandresearchneeds,andtosupporton‐goingconservation1563planningatmorelocalizedlandscape,speciesandhabitat‐specificscales.Wehavefocused1564attentiononthreatsthatarecurrentlyknowntobeaffectingSGCNandtheirhabitats,or1565thatareconsideredlikelytoimpacttheseresourcesintheforeseeablefuture.Past1566activitiesthathaveceasedorarenolongerthreateningSGCNatthepopulationlevel,and1567thusarenotlikelytodriveconservationdecisionsoverthenext10years,arenot1568consideredmajorthreatsinthisSWAP.15691570Throughoutthisdocument,threatsarediscussedintheorderpresentedintheSalafsky1571lexicon.Inthefollowingsection,threatsthatarenotapplicableinColoradohavebeen1572omitted.1573

1 Residential & Commercial Development 1574

Themostobviousimpactofresidentialandcommercialdevelopmentiscomplete1575destructionofnativehabitat,aswoodlands,grasslands,etc.arereplacedbybuildingsand1576pavement.Otherimpactsincludealterationofthelocalhydrology.Oneverysignificant1577impactisthedamminganddiversionofnaturalwaterwaystoprovideincreasedwater1578availabilityforlargerhumanpopulations seefollowingsectiononhydrological1579modificationformoreonthis .Hardsurfacessuchaspavementpreventinfiltrationof1580stormwater,whichincreasesthequantityofrunoffintosurfacecreeksandstreams,and1581decreasestheaugmentationofgroundwaterandmoistureavailabilityforplants’root1582zones.Thisrunoffmaybetaintedbyfertilizers,pesticides,motoroil,pharmaceuticals,and1583myriadotherpollutants.Areasofresidentialandcommercialdevelopmentalsochange1584speciesdynamics,suchaspredator/preyrelationshipsandcompetitionamongspeciesfor1585


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food/shelterresources.Examplesincludeintroductionofdomesticpredators suchas1586housecatsanddogs andincreasingnumbersofurban‐adaptedmeso‐predators suchas1587raccoonsandfoxes ,aswellasproliferationofweedsthatout‐competenativeplantspecies1588thuschangingthefoodandcoverresourcesavailableforwildlife .Furthermore,species1589thatsomeconsiderpests,suchasbats,prairiedogs,andpredators,maybeintentionally1590exterminated.Residentialandcommercialdevelopmentandaccompanyingroads,utility1591corridors,andotherinfrastructurefragmentnativehabitats.Thiscanresultinwildlife1592beingconfinedtopatchesofhabitatthataretoosmalltosustainpopulations,andtoofar1593apartforindividualstomovebetween.Rippleeffectsofgrowingurbanizationalsoinclude1594increasedrecreationalpressureonsurroundingnaturalareas.1595

2 Agriculture 1596

2.1 Cropland 1597

Likeresidentialandcommercialdevelopment,conversiontocroplandreplacesnative1598habitatswithrowcrops,hayfields,andsoon.Agriculturalfieldsmaystillprovidehabitat1599components,suchasfoodandcover,forsomewildlifespecies.Thisisespeciallytruefor1600cropfieldsthatareretiredintotheConservationReserveProgramandseededwithseed1601mixesappropriatetothelocalnativewildlife.However,activitiesassociatedwith1602agriculturalproduction,suchasplowing,tilling,andmowing,canbefataltospeciesthat1603inhabitagriculturalfields.Useofherbicides,pesticides,andinsecticidesmaykillnative1604speciesoutright,orhaveindirectimpactssuchasreductioninfoodresources insects,1605seeds,etc. thatlowerwildlifespecies’health,reproductivesuccess,and/orabilityto1606survivemigrationorwinter.Perhapsmostimportantofall,muchofthewater1607managementthatadverselyaffectsmanyspeciesandhabitatsisdrivenbytheneedfor1608irrigationtosustaincropagriculture.Over80%ofthewaterdeliveredinColoradogoesto1609agriculturaluses http://www.coloradowater.org .Someofthesameconcernsfor1610residentialandcommercialdevelopmentrelativetowaterqualityandquantityalsoapply1611tocropland.1612

2.3 Livestock Farming & Ranching 1613

Livestockfarmingandranchingcanhavepositiveornegativeinfluencesonhabitats,1614dependingonhowitisconductedandthespecifichabitatinquestion.Inextensive1615grasslands,suchasthoseonColorado’seasternplains,theecologicalsystemhas1616historicallybeenmaintainedbygrazingandbrowsinganimals suchasbison,pronghorn,1617andprairiedogs ,andtheplantspeciesthataretypicalofgrasslandshaveevolvedto1618withstandthesepressures.Likewise,thewildlifespeciesthatliveingrasslandshave1619evolvedtoinhabitavarietyofhabitatnichescreatedbynativegrazers,whichhistorically1620includedamosaicofbareground,veryshortgrass,mid‐heightgrass,andshrubpatches.In1621theabsenceoffree‐rangingbison,livestockranchingisnowtheprimarytoolavailableto1622maintainthehealthofgrasslandsystems.However,ranchingpracticesoftenreducethe1623heterogeneityofthislandscapematrix,suchthatmanygrasslandsarenowcharacterized1624


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byfences,homogenousstructure,andreducednativespecies.Theseconditionsareless1625suitableformanygrasslandspecies.Otherwaysthatlivestockranchingmayreduce1626habitatsuitabilityforwildlifeincludeseedingofnon‐nativepasturegrasses;reductionor1627lossofpalatablenativegrassandforbspecies;anincreasedpercentageofunpalatable1628grassandforbspecies;andpotentialfordegradedriparianzones soilcompaction,1629increasedrunoffleadingtogullying,downcutting,loweredwatertable,andlossofriparian1630vegetation .Predatorandprairiedogcontrolisalsoacommoncomponentofgrazing1631management.16321633Otherhabitatsthathavenotevolvedwithgrazingasaprimarydisturbancearemorelikely1634toexperiencechangesinplantstructure,speciescomposition,increasedsoildisturbance1635anderosion,and/orspreadofinvasiveweeds.Forexample,livestockgrazinginpinyon‐1636juniperhasgreatlyreducedthepresenceandfunctioningofbiologicalsoilcrusts,and1637increasedtheincidenceofweeds,especiallycheatgrass.Proliferationofcheatgrass1638changesthecharacteristicsofwildfire,withanumberofconsequences,includingaltering1639thedensityofvegetationandtheabilityofnativeplantspeciestoregenerate.Thinningof1640pinyonpine,juniper,andsagebrushtoincreaseforageforcattlehasadditionaldeleterious1641effectsonwildlifespeciessuchaspinyonjaysandsagegrouse,whichrelyonthese1642habitats.Domesticsheepgrazinginthealpinetendstoincreasecoverofgrassesand1643decreaseforbs,resultinginanoveralldecreaseinplantdiversityoftundracommunities.16441645Althoughsomeagriculturalactivitiesposeanongoingthreattowildlife,itshouldbenoted1646thatranchingandfarmingarealsocriticaltomaintainingnumerouswildlifepopulations.1647Agriculturalpracticespreserveopenspaceandprovidesourcesofconcentratedfoodand1648coverthatwouldnototherwiseexist.Examplesincludewildungulateuseofcroplandsand1649irrigationpracticesthatcreatewetlandsandreservoirs.Withoutthesecontributions,itis1650highlydoubtfulthatColoradocouldsupportcurrentpopulationsofdeer,elk,waterfowl1651andshorebirdsorthepresentnumberofrecreationalfishingopportunitiesthatnowexist.1652

3 Energy Production & Mining 1653

3.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 1654

Oilandgasdevelopmentinvolvesacomplexseriesofexplorationandproductionactivities,1655andincludesassociatedinfrastructuresuchaswellpads,pipelines,androads.The1656footprintofoilandgasdevelopmentisdependentuponhowdenselypadsaresited for1657example,onepadper640‐acresectionversusonepadperfiveacresormultiplepadsper1658acre .Impactstoterrestrialwildlifeincludehabitatconversionandbehavioralavoidance1659ofareaswherehumansandinfrastructurearepresent.Inaddition,theremaybenegative1660impactsassociatedwiththeincreasednoiseassociatedwithdrillingandoperatingwellsor1661transferstations.Aquaticwildlifeareaffectedaswell.Asignificantamountofwateris1662usedindrilling,followedbydisposalofcontaminatedwaterpost‐drilling.Waterpolluted1663withtoxicchemicalscanhavesignificanteffectsonavarietyofspecies,includingfishand1664aquaticinsects,amphibians,wadingbirds,andriparianvegetation,amongothers.For1665


72

thosespecieswhereoilandgasislistedasathreat,theuseofBMPsislikelyappropriateat1666asite‐specificscale.However,tofullymitigatetheseimpacts,theplanning,1667implementation,andmitigationofoilandgasactivitiesneedtobecarriedoutatmuch1668largerscales,asappropriatetothelandscapethatthesevariousspeciesinhabit.1669

3.2 Mining & Quarrying 1670

Miningandquarryingdestroyhabitat,andhaveavarietyofindirecteffectsonwildlife.1671Miningcancontaminatestreamsvialeachingofnewlyexposedrockandchemicals1672associatedwiththeminingprocessitself.Pastminingofsilver,gold,anduraniumcontinue1673tonegativelyimpactwaterqualityoflargeriversandstreams.Forexample,theUpper1674ArkansasandLasAnimasRivershaveelevatedlevelsofheavymetals,whichhaveresulted1675inanoveralldecreaseinaquaticfauna,includingreducedfishproductivityandlossofsome1676aquaticinsectspecies.Sandandgravelminingoperationsaretypicallynearriversand1677streams,wheretheyimpacthydrologicflowandpatterns,withresultantlossor1678degradationofriparianvegetation,includingthecottonwoodgalleriesandunderstory1679shrubsandherbaceousplantsthatprovidecoverandfoodresourcesforwildlife.Mining1680forresourcessuchascoalandmolybdenumcanreducebothairandwaterquality.1681

3.3 Renewable Energy 1682

Wind,solar,geothermal,andbiofuelsenergyproductioncontinuetogrowthroughoutthe1683state.Whiletheserenewablesourcesofenergyareimportanttopursueforavarietyof1684reasons,theyalsocomewithpotentialforadverseimpactstowildlife.Mostofthewind1685energydevelopmentisoccurringintheeasternprairieregion,withconsequentimpacts at1686leastlocalized onsomespecies,especiallybirdsandbats.Impactsincludebehavioral1687avoidanceandcollisionwithturbines.Liketraditionalmeansofenergyproduction,all1688formsofrenewableenergyproductionincreasehabitatfragmentationwithassociated1689roadsandtransmissionlines.Manyofthesameissuesassociatedwithcropagriculture1690alsoapplytobiofuelproduction.1691

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 1692

4.1 Roads & Railroads 1693

Themostsignificantimpactofroadsatalandscapescaleisfragmentationofhabitat.Atits1694mostbasic,fragmentationreferstothechangefromlarge,contiguousareasofsuitable1695habitattosmallerunitsofsuitablehabitat,interspersedwithareasof,essentially,non‐1696habitat roadsurfaces,urbanareas,andsoon ,aswellasanoveralldecreaseinthetotal1697amountofhabitatavailable.Thesizeofhabitatpatches,numberofpatches,anddistance1698betweenpatchesthatconstitutefragmentationisvariable,dependingonthespecies.1699Fragmentedhabitatisalsoqualitativelydifferentfromnon‐fragmentedhabitat,intermsof1700whichspeciesarepresent,amountoflightandmoisture,relativetemperature,andahost1701


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ofotherfactorsthatinfluencewhetherornotagivenspeciescancontinuetothriveinthat1702place.Fragmentationfromroadscanbevariable,dependingnotonlyonthespecies,but1703alsoonthesizeoftheroad,speedoftraffic,andvolumeoftraffic.17041705Otherimpactsofroadsarealterationoflocalhydrology quantityandflowpatternsof1706runoff ,alteredratesoferosionandsedimentationinnearbywaterbodies,andpollution1707frommotoroil,gasoline,de‐icingagents,andotherchemicals.Arelatedthreatfromroads1708andrailroadsisthepotentialforcatastrophicspillsoftoxicmaterials.Infrastructure1709relatedtoroadcrossings bridges,culverts cancreatebarrierstofishmovement.1710Constructionanduseofroadsaresignificantvectorsforweeds,andright‐of‐way1711maintenance mowing,applicationofherbicides canadverselyimpactnativespecies,as1712wellastheirfoodandcoverresources.Lastly,ofcourse,roadscanbeasignificantsource1713ofmortalityforanimalsthatcrossroads especiallyslowanimalssuchasturtlesand1714amphibians orbaskonroads suchassnakesandlizards .Roadscanalsobeasignificant1715localsourceofmortalityforhighlymobilespeciessuchaselk,muledeer,andmanysmaller1716animalspecies.1717

4.2 Transmission and Service Lines 1718

Impactsfromtransmissionlinesincludeelectrocutionofbirdsandbats,disturbancefrom1719right‐of‐waymaintenance,introductionofverticalstructurewithinhabitatsthatprovide1720perchesforraptors,andintroductionandspreadofnoxiousweeds.Transmissionlinescan1721alsocontributetohabitatfragmentation,dependingupontheirdensity,siting,anddesign.1722

5 Biological Resource Use 1723

5.1 Control of Nuisance Species & Collecting 1724

Intentionalcontrolorpersecutionofnativespeciesthatareconsideredpestsbysome1725peopleisathreatforseveralSGCN.Chiefamongthesearethethreespeciesofprairiedog1726black‐tailed,white‐tailed,andGunnison’s andbatsthatusehumandwellingsandother1727buildings.Prairiedogsareremovedforavarietyofreasons,includingtomakewayfor1728residentialandcommercialdevelopment,andtoimproveforageavailabilityfordomestic1729cattle.However,prairiedogsarecrucialcomponentsofecosystemsthatsupportamyriad1730ofotherspecies,someofwhomcannotpersistwithoutthedensandpreybasethatprairie1731dogsprovide.SeveraloftheSGCNidentifiedinthisdocumentareofconservationconcern,1732atleastinpart,duetothedramaticreductioninprairiedogs.1733

5.3 Logging & Wood Harvesting 1734

Likegrazing,theharvestingoftimbercanbeusedasatoolforenhancinghabitats,oritcan1735posethreatstonativewildlifespecies,dependingonwhere,when,andhowitisconducted.1736Useofappropriatesiliviculturalpracticesinappropriateforesttypesisnotconsidereda1737


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threattotheforesttypeorwildlifespeciesthatoccurinthatforesttype.Appropriate1738siliviculturalprescriptionswouldbethosethatmimicnaturaldisturbancesinbothsizeand1739scaleacrossagivenarea.Wildlifespeciesthatevolvedintheseforestedenvironmentsare1740resilenttodisturbancesthatarecausedbynaturalprocesses.Loggingcouldbeconsidered1741athreatwhenitdoesnotmimicnaturalecologicaldisturbancesinsizeandprescription.1742

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 1743

6.1 Recreational Activities 1744

Coloradoresidentsandvisitorsarefortunateinthevastarrayofrecreationopportunities1745ourstatehastooffer.However,whennotmanagedappropriately,recreationistscanhave1746significantimpactsonnativewildlife.Accessroadsfragmenthabitat,constructionanduse1747oftrailsintroduceweeds,andthepresenceofhumansandtheirpetscandisturbwildlife,1748potentiallyleadingtoabandonmentofnestsites,feedingorwinteringareas,andother1749importanthabitats.Hikingandclimbingtooclosetoclifffacesandedgesdisturbsnesting1750raptors,andcavingcancauseabandonmentofbatmaternityroostsandwinter1751hibernacula.Off‐roadvehiclescandamagestreamcrossings,wetlands,andvegetation;1752leadtoincreasederosionandsedimentation;spreadnoxiousweeds;facilitatepoaching.In1753addition,noise,unpredictablehumanpresence,anddisturbancefrommotorizedrecreation1754canleadtowildlifeavoidingorabandoninghabitat.Anydisturbanceduringwinter skiing,1755snowmobiling thatcauseswildlifetofleecouldresultinanexpenditureofenergyreserves1756neededtosurvivewinter.1757

7 Natural Systems Modifications 1758

7.1 Fire & Fire Suppression 1759

ManyofColorado’sforestsandshrublandshaveevolvedwithperiodicwildfires.Inthese1760ecosystems,firemaintainsaheterogenouslandscape andthusavarietyofhabitattypes 1761bycontrollingthedensityoftreesandshrubs,creatingforestopenings,regenerating1762decadentstands,andsupportingreproduction forexample,inspeciesthatrequirefireto1763germinateseeds .HistoricfireregimesareoutofbalanceacrossmuchoftheAmerican1764West,dueprimarilytoacenturyoffiresuppression.Whennaturalwildfiresareroutinely1765putout,treesbecomedenserandunderstoryfuels leaflitter,needleduff,downedwoody1766debris,etc. accumulate.Inaddition,othernaturalprocessessuchasinsectanddisease1767disturbancesmaybecomeunbalanced.Theultimateresultofthesecumulativeeffectsis1768wildfirethatburnshotterandfaster,andismorelikelytospreadintothetreecanopy.1769Wildfiresthatoccurtoofrequentlyorburntoointenselycanhavecatastrophicimpactson1770soilandwaterresources.Extremelyhightemperaturescansterilizesoil,eliminatingits1771abilitytosupportplantregrowth.Excessiveerosioncanresultinsignificantreductionin1772waterquality,aswellasrestructuringofriverandstreamchannels,whichaltersthetypes,1773quality,andamountofsuitablehabitatforaquaticspecies.1774


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7.2 Dams & Water Management/Use 1775

Damsandthemanagementanduseofwaterhaveamultitudeofcomplexeffectsonwildlife1776andtheirhabitats.Damsthemselvesreplacehabitatoutright.Theoperationofdams1777directlyaffectsthetiming,volume,andtemperatureofflows,andindirectlyaffectsmany1778closelyrelatedhabitatcharacteristics,includingtransferofsediments,oxygenlevels,1779supportofriparianvegetation,andahostofothers.Theuseofwaterinvolvesdiversions1780pipingwaterfromonebasintoanother,irrigationcanals,andsoon ,channelizationof1781riversandstreams,groundwaterpumping,andothermeansofremovingwaterfromrivers.1782Someoftheresultsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,flatteningofthehydrograph,alteration1783ofthequantity,duration,timing,andintensityofhighorlowflowevents floods,1784droughts ,patternsoferosion&sedimentationthatareincompatiblewithwildlifeneeds,1785andbarrierstofishmovement.Manyriparianandwetlandplants,thebasisofcrucial1786habitatformanyspeciesofwildlife,requirespecificconditionstogerminate,grow,and1787reproduce.Theamountofwaterinsurfaceandgroundwatersystemsisdirectlyrelatedto1788whetherornotthesespeciescansurvive.Likewise,theamountofwater,temperatureof1789thewater,chemicalcompositionandclarityofwaterdeterminewhetherornotfishcan1790successfullyspawn,obtainsufficientfood,eludepredators,survivewinter,andsoon.1791Seasonaltimingofwhenspecificconditionsoccur highflows,lowflows,scouringfloods,1792etc. isalsoveryimportantforaquaticandriparianspecies.Allthesehabitat1793characteristicsareeithersupportedordegradedbythewaysinwhichwaterismanaged1794andused.1795

7.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications 1796

ForthepurposesofthisSWAP,wehaveusedtheterm“otherecosystemmodification”asa1797catch‐allcategorywhencausesofstressaresomulti‐facetedthatteasingoutmajor1798contributorsisuncertain,orwhenstressesareapparentbutcausesareunknown.1799

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 1800

8.1 Invasive Non-Native Species 1801

Invasivenon‐nativespeciesareplantsoranimalsthathavebeenintroducedintolocal1802ecosystems,usuallyasaresultofhumanactivity.Non‐nativespeciesthatbecome1803establishedareoftenabletoout‐competenativespeciesforrequiredresources,predateon1804nativespecies,and/orhybridizewithnativespecies.Thiscanleadtoreducedabundance,1805altereddistribution,orconstrictedrangeofnativespecies.Otherimpactscouldinclude1806alteredfoodwebs,reductionofreproductivesuccess,health/vigor,and/oroverwinter1807survival,ortotaleliminationofnativespeciesfromthearea.Examplesofnon‐nativeplants1808withsignificantimpactsonnativewildlifeandtheirhabitatsincludetamarisk,leafyspurge,1809andcheatgrass,amongahostofothers.Non‐nativeanimalsincludeavarietyofintroduced1810sportfish,bullfrogs,zebramussels,red‐earedsliders,andEurasiancollareddoves,among1811others.1812


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8.2 Problematic Native Species 1813

Problematicnativespeciesarethosethatnaturallyoccurinanecosystem,buthavebecome1814outofbalance.Intheabsenceofnativepredators,elkhaveproliferatedinsomeplacesto1815thepointthattheyaredegradingwillowcarrsandaspenstands.Speciessuchascoyotes,1816raccoons,crowsandravenscanalsobecomeoutofbalancewhenthereareartificialfood1817sourcesoralackoftoplevelpredatorsthatwouldnaturallysuppresspopulations.Insects1818suchasmountainpineandsprucebeetlesarenativetoColorado.Theseinsectsarea1819naturaldisturbanceprocessthathelpsmaintainforestecosystems.However,avarietyof1820factors,includingincreasedtemperature,drought,and–insomecases–firesuppression,1821havecontributedtoverysevereinsectoutbreaksandsignificanttreemortalityacrossthe1822state.1823

8.4 Pathogens 1824

AnumberofpathogensarehavingsignificantimpactsonSGCNinColorado.Sylvaticplague1825cangreatlyreduceprairiedogabundance,affectingnotonlytheprairiedogsthemselves,1826butalsothemyriadofspeciesthatuseorrelyonprairiedogs.Plagueandcaninedistemper1827aresignificantproblemsforrecoveryofblack‐footedferrets,afederally‐listedendangered1828species.Chytridfungushasbeenimplicatedinextremedeclinesinborealtoads,andmay1829berelatedtodeclinesinnorthernleopardfrogsaswell.Bighornsheeparebeingimpacted1830byrespiratorydiseasecausedbyPasteurellaceaandMycoplasmabacteria.Whirling1831diseasehascontributedtothecollapseofwildtroutpopulationsinthewesternU.S.andis1832consideredathreattoColorado’snativecutthroattrout.White‐nosesyndrome,afungal1833diseaseinbatsfirstdetectedinNewYorkin2006,hasdecimatedsomebatpopulationsin1834theeasternU.S.,andismovingwestward.Thoughthisdiseasehasnotyetbeen1835documentedinColorado,asof2014itwasdocumentedasfarwestastheMissouri/Kansas1836border.ThepotentialexistsforittoposesignificantfuturethreatstosomeSGCN.1837

9 Pollution 1838

9.1 Household Sewage and Urban Waste Water 1839

HousingandurbanareasareasourceofpollutantsthatenterColoradowaters.Developed1840areashavelargecoverageofimpervioussurface pavement,buildings andotherlandwith1841impaireddrainagethatincreasetheamountofrunoffandcarrynutrients,toxicchemicals1842and/orsediments e.g.,dischargefrommunicipalwastetreatmentplants,leakingseptic1843systems,fertilizersandpesticidesfromlawnsandgolf‐courses .Thesepollutantsmaybe1844harmfultobothaquaticandterrestrialplantsandanimals.Speciesnearhousingandurban1845areasaremostlikelytobeimpacted,buteffectscanbefar‐reaching.1846


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9.2 Industrial & Millitary Effluents 1847

Industrialandmilitaryactivitiescanalsobeasourceofwater‐bornepollutants.Resource1848extractionandindustrialactivitiesincludingmining,energyproduction,and1849manufacturing,especiallythosethatrequirelargeamountsofwater,canreleasenutrients,1850toxicchemicalsand/orsedimentsintothewater.Pollutionmaybeincrementalwith1851cumulativeeffects,oraccidentalspillsmayintroducelargequantitiesofpollutantsduringa1852singleepisode.1853

9.3 Agricultural and Forestry Effluents 1854

Runoffofherbicideandpesticideapplicationsinbothcroplandandforestedareasarea1855primarysourceofwater‐bornepollutantsfromtheseactivies.Increasedsedimentationin1856thelocalwatershedisalsolikelytoresultfromcertaintillageorlumberharvestactivities.1857

9.5 Air-Borne Pollutants 1858

Atmosphericdeposition airpollutantsdepositedtoecosystems occursinbothwet1859depositionthroughrain,snow,cloudorfog,andasdrydepositionviadustandgases.1860Atmosphericpollutantsmaycomefrombothpointandnonpointsources e.g.,acidrain,1861smogfromvehicleemissions,excessnitrogendeposition.Atmosphericnitrogenandsulfur1862depositioncanchangewaterchemistryandtherebyimpactaquaticvegetation,1863invertebratecommunities,amphibians,andfish.18641865

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 1866

ClimateprojectionsforColoradoaregenerallyinagreementthatthestatewillexperience1867temperaturesthatare2‐5°Fwarmerthancurrenttemperaturesbymid‐century.1868Projectionsforfutureprecipitationarevariable,rangingfromverydrytoapproximately186910%wetterthancurrentconditions.Moistureincreasesaremorelikelyforwinter;1870projectionsforsummerprecipitationarehighlyvariable,especiallyforprecipitation1871associatedwithmonsoonalrains.Elevationsbelowapproximately8,000feetarelikelyto1872experienceincreasingamountsofannualmoistureasrainratherthansnow.Apotential1873forchangesinElNiño/LaNiñaeffectsmayleadtoextremewetyearsfollowedbyextreme1874dryyears,whichcouldhavesignificantimpactstowildlifeandtheirhabitats.18751876AspartoftheSWAPrevisionprocess,weconductedahabitat‐basedclimatechange1877vulnerabilityassessment.TheresultsofthatworkaresummarizedinAppendixFofthis1878document.ThefulltechnicalreportcanbeobtainedfromCNHPoraccessedonline9.18791880

9http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2014/CO_SWAP_Enhancement_CCVA.pdf


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HowclimatechangewillultimatelymanifestinColorado,aswellaspotentialimpactsto1881wildlifespeciesandhabitats,islargelyunknownatthispoint.Tothebestofourabilityto1882estimate,wepresumethatsomepotentialimpactscouldincludethoselistedbelow.This1883samecaveatappliestomostoftheclimatechangenarrativeinthespeciessummariesthat1884follow.Thoughmuchofthisinformationisspeculative,itrepresentsourbestprofessional1885judgmentgiventheinformationavailabletous,untilsuchtimeasmorefocusedresearch1886resultsbecomeavailable.1887

11.1 Habitat Shifting & Alteration 1888

Astemperaturesincreaseandprecipitationregimeschange,suitableclimaticconditionsfor1889speciesand/orhabitatsmayshiftinelevationorlatitude.Thereisthepotentialforthisto1890resultindifferenttree,shrub,andunderstoryspeciesdominatingthelandscape.Inthe1891future,wemayseenovelplantcommunities10emergeorsignificantlossofcurrent1892communities.1893

11.2 Drought 1894

DroughtisanaturalcomponentoftheclimateinthearidWest,withfluctuationsbetween1895wetyearsanddryyearstypical.AstemperaturesacrossColoradowarm,wemay1896experiencemorefrequentandintensedroughts–periodsinwhichprecipitationandsoil1897moistureisbelownormal–withconsequentchangesinwhichplantandanimalspeciescan1898survive,andanoveralldecreaseinplantvigor.Pastextremedroughts,suchasthose1899experiencedin2002and2012,haveimpactedanumberofspecies bluegrama,spruce,1900lodgepole,aspen,andpinyonpine .Similarscenariosmaybecomemorefamiliarasclimate1901changeprogresses.1902

11.3 Temperature Extremes 1903

Colorado’sfutureclimateisexpectedtoincludewarmertemperaturesoverall,aswellas1904morefrequentand/orextendedperiodswhentemperaturesgoaboveorbelowwhatwe1905havehistoricallyconsiderednormal.Wearelikelytoexperiencemorefrequentand1906extendedheatwaves,andfewercoldspellsofthetypethatcontrolinsectpopulations.1907Warmertemperaturesonaverage,evenwithoutextremes,arelikelytoproduceearlier1908snowmeltandpeakrunoff,moreprecipitationfallingasraininsteadofsnow,increased1909moisturestressforsomewildlifespeciesandtheirhabitats,andpotentialimpactsonseed1910production/germinationandgrowthofvariousplantspecies.Thesechangeswillhave1911directimpactsonwildlifehabitats,renderingsomeareasunsuitableforspeciesthat1912currentlylivethereandprovidingnewopportunitiesforotherspeciestocolonize.1913

10ForthepurposesoftheSWAP,wecaninterpretplantcommunitiestoberoughlyequivalenttohabitattypes.


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11.4 Storms & Flooding 1914

Asglobalclimatecontinuestochange,Coloradomayexperienceincreasedfrequency1915and/orseverityofextremeprecipitationand/orwindevents,thunderstorms,damaging1916hail,tornados,duststorms,andiceorsnowstorms.Potentialeffectsincludechangesin1917habitats–examplesincludelargeareasofwindthrowinforestsandscouringofriversand1918streams.1919

12 Organizational Capacity & Management 1920

Toappropriatelymanageandconservewildlifeandtheirhabitats,itisnecessaryfor1921agencies,researchers,non‐governmentalorganizations,andothersinvolvedinthisworkto1922collaborate,shareinformationandresources,andsupporteachother’sefforts.Lackof1923alignmentingoals,bureaucraticobstaclestocooperation,andlackofresourcesaresome1924examplesofwhatwemeanbythe“threat”oforganizationalcapacityandmanagement.1925Otherexamplesincludelackofguidanceorregulatorydocumentssuchasrecoveryplansto1926directconservationaction.Fieldstaffworkloadsexceedstaffingformanyconservation1927agencies,andthisforcesworkstrategytobereactiveratherthanproactive.Increasingthe1928capacityofagenciesbyincreasingstaffingwherepossible,findinganddeveloping1929efficiencies,andcollaboratingtogreaterextentsmayalleviatesomeofthisconservation1930threat.1931

13 Lack of Knowledge 1932

Effectivewildlifemanagementandconservationrequiressufficientunderstandingoflife1933historyandhabitatrequirements,distribution,relationshipsamongspecies,effectsof1934managementinterventionsinhabitats,andsoon.Itisalsoimportanttounderstand1935responsesofnon‐targetspeciestomanagementandconservationpractices forexample,1936grazingprescriptions,pinyon‐juniperremoval .Incompleteknowledgeinhibitsourability1937toidentifyandinterpretpotentialthreatsanddecideonappropriatecourse s ofaction.1938

14 Natural Factors 1939

ForthepurposesoftheSWAP,thiscategoryhasbeenincludedtoaddressissuesrelatedto1940conservationstatusorlifehistorycharacteristicsthatcontributetovulnerability.These1941includescarcity,outofbalanceinter‐speciesrelationshipssuchaspredationand1942competition,andreproductivesuccess.Inmanycases,threatsaddressedintheSWAPas1943naturalfactorsare,infact,productsofavarietyofinteractinghumanimpacts.1944


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Overview of Conservation Actions 1945

Similartothethreatsdescriptionsintheprevioussection,thefollowingnarrativesare1946intendedtogivereadersageneralunderstandingofthetypesofconservationand1947managementactivitiesthatmightbeundertakentoimprovethestatusofSGCNandtheir1948habitatsinColorado.Theyarenotcomprehensive,buttheyillustratethetypesof1949strategiesandactionsthatareproposedorsuggestedinthespeciesandhabitatnarratives1950thatfollow,andinTables7and8.Standardsandpracticesforconservationandhabitat1951managementarealwaysevolving.Inaddition,thespecificsof“who,”“how,”andsoonare1952oftenhighlycontingentuponlocalconditions.Thuswedonotconsiderthestatewide1953SWAPtobethemostappropriatevenueforprescribingconservationactionmethods.1954However,toprovidegeneralguidanceforprojectplanning,weincludeexamplesofthe1955typesofactivitiesthatmightbeemployedtoachieveconservationgoals,asappropriate.19561957 1958


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Table 6. Lexicon of conservation actions according to Salafsky et al. 2008. Actions marked with an 1959asterisk (*) are not included in Salafsky et al. (2008), but we have determined that they are needed to fully 1960express conservation needs in Colorado. 1961

Level 1 Level2 (general actions in Tables 7 & 8)

Level 3 – illustrative examples (specific actions in Tables 7 & 8)

1 Land/Water Protection Actions to identify, establish or expand parks and other legally protected areas

1.1 Site/Area Protection Establishing or expanding public or private parks, reserves, and other protected (e.g., national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, private reserves)

1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection Establishing protection or easements of some specific aspect of the resource on public or private lands (e.g., easements, development rights, water rights, instream flow rights, wild and scenic river designation)

Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

Acquire water rights or instream flow rights

2 Land/Water Management Actions directed at conserving or restoring sites, habitats and the wider environment

2.1 Site/Area Management Management of protected areas and other resource lands for conservation (e.g., site design, demarcating borders, putting up fences, training park staff, control of poachers)

Coordinate on ecologically sensitive design of recreational facilities

Employ grazing as a tool for compatible vegetation cover, structure, composition

Implement compatible forest management

Implement compatible grazing practices

Implement seasonal closures

Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

Manage to limit disturbance, especially to roost sites, maternity colonies, and hibernacula


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2.2 Invasive/Problematic Species Control Controlling and/or preventing invasive and/or other problematic plants, animals, and pathogens

Control bullfrogs Control non-native birds Control non-native fish Control non-native plants Manage research,

management, and recreation activities to control the spread of pathogens

Remove tamarisk through biological, chemical, mechanical means and prevent re-establishment

Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration Enhancing degraded or restoring missing habitats and ecosystem functions (e.g., creating forest corridors, prairie re-creation, riparian tree plantings, prescribed burns, breaching levees, dam removal, fish ladder)

Adjust operation of dam Employ grazing as a tool for

compatible vegetation cover, structure, composition

Implement streambank or in-stream restoration

Improve erosion and excess sedimentation conditions

Improve status of prairie dogs

Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

Maintain connectivity (e.g., wildlife over/under passes, habitat corridors, fish passages)

Manage caves/mines for native bats

Re-seed native species Restore native habitat Restore native understory

species Restore natural fire regime Restore riparian vegetation

& hydrologic regime


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3 Species Management Actions directed at managing or restoring species, focused on the species of concern itself

3.1 Species Management Managing specific plant and animal populations of concern (e.g., harvest management of wild mushrooms, culling buffalo to keep population size within park carrying capacity, controlling fishing effort)

Develop and implement active disease management program

Develop proactive conservation program

Implement existing management/recovery plan

Maintain deer/elk populations within carrying capacity for healthy habitat

Reduce nest predators Write and implement

management/recovery plan 3.2 Species Recovery

Manipulating, enhancing or restoring specific plant and animal populations, vaccination programs (e.g., artificial nesting boxes, clutch manipulation, supplementary feeding, disease/parasite management)

Maintain genetic connection/integrity within and between populations

Provide artificial nesting boxes/platforms

Reduce nest predators

3.3 Species Re-Introduction Re-introducing species to places where they formally occurred

Reintroduce extirpated native species

Translocate species to historic range

3.4 Ex-Situ Conservation Protecting biodiversity out of its native habitats (e.g., captive breeding, artificial propagation, gene banking)

4 Education & Awareness Actions directed at people to improve understanding and skills, and influence behavior

4.1 Formal Education Enhancing knowledge and skills of students in a formal degree program (e.g., public schools, colleges and universities, continuing education)

4.2 Training Enhancing knowledge, skills and information exchange for practitioners, stakeholders, and other relevant individuals in structured settings outside of degree programs (e.g., monitoring workshops or training courses, learning networks or how-to manuals, stakeholder education on specific issues)

Educate development industries about avoiding and/or mitigating wildlife impacts

Improve communication among researchers and policy/decision-makers

Improve knowledge of species, habitats, problems, via professional meetings and other venues


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4.3 Awareness & Communications Raising environmental awareness and providing information through various media

Implement landowner outreach/education and incentives programs

Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

5 Law & Policy Actions to develop, change, influence, and help implement formal legislation, regulations, and voluntary standards

5.1 Legislation Making, implementing, changing, influencing, or providing input into formal government sector legislation or polices (e.g., state ballot initiatives, providing data to policy makers, zoning regulations, species protection laws)

5.2 Policies & Regulations Making, implementing, changing, influencing, or providing input into policies and regulations affecting the implementation of laws at all levels: international, national, state/provincial, local/community, tribal (e.g., input into agency plans regulating certain species or resources, working with local governments or communities to implement zoning regulations, promoting sustainable harvest on state lands)

Encourage use of Farm Bill programs

Establish mitigation requirements for developments

Monitor water quality standards

Promote consideration of biodiversity issues in transportation and land use planning processes

Promote zoning that concentrates use and protects habitat

Provide incentives for homeowners to increase tolerance of bats

Work with state and federal partners to limit density of oil/gas leasing and development

5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes Setting, implementing, changing, influencing, or providing input into voluntary standards & professional codes that govern private sector practice (e.g., Conservation Measures Partnership Open Standards, corporate adoption of forestry best management practices, sustainable grazing by a rancher)

Implement Best Management Practices for o agricultural production o energy development &

mining o forest management o livestock grazing o transportation, urban

development, landscaping

o water resource management


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5.4 Compliance & Enforcement Monitoring and enforcing compliance with laws, policies & regulations, and standards & codes at all levels (e.g., water quality standard monitoring, initiating criminal and civil litigation)

Enforce 404 wetlands regulations

Enforce hunting, fishing, collecting regulations

Enforce state/federal/local pollution standards

Enforce wildlife and habitat protection laws

Enforce travel regulations 6 Livelihood, Economic & Other Incentives Actions to use economic and other incentives to influence behavior

6.1 Linked Enterprises & Livelihood Alternatives Developing enterprises that directly depend on the maintenance of natural resources or provide substitute livelihoods as a means of changing behaviors and attitudes (e.g., ecotourism, nontimber forest product harvesting)

6.2 Substitution Promoting alternative products and services that substitute for environmentally damaging ones (e.g., farmed salmon as a replacement for pressure on wild populations, promoting recycling and use of recycled materials)

6.3 Market Forces Using market mechanisms to change behaviors and attitudes (e.g., certification, positive incentives, grass and forest banking, valuation of ecosystem services such as flood control)

6.4 Conservation Payments Using direct or indirect payments to change behaviors and attitudes (e.g., quid-pro-quo performance payments, resource tenure incentives)

Implement the NRCS Black-footed Ferret Initiative program

Implement Purchase/Transfer Development Rights program for habitat protection

Mitigate species/habitat loss (e.g., grass banking, mitigation banking, credits for off-site habitat protection)


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6.5 Non-Monetary Values Using intangible values to change behaviors and attitudes (e.g., spiritual, cultural, links to human health)

7 External Capacity Building Actions to build the infrastructure to do better conservation

7.1 Institutional & Civil Society Development Creating or providing non-financial support & capacity building for non-profits, government agencies, communities, and for-profits (e.g., creating new local land trusts)

7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development Forming and facilitating partnerships, alliances, and networks of organizations (e.g., Conservation Measures Partnership)

Coordinate with related agencies to align goals, policies, measures of success

Coordinate with related agencies to identify and secure funding

Engage in collaborative, proactive planning and conservation programs

7.3 Conservation Finance Raising and providing funds for conservation work (private foundations, debt-for-nature swaps)

Provide economic assistance for private land habitat improvements and/or species conservation

8 Research and Monitoring* (general actions in Tables 7 & 8)

Conduct primary research on species and habitat responses to changing climate

Improve understanding of species/habitat distribution (field inventory, modeling, ground-truthing)

Research critical life history/habitat components

Research population parameters and/or monitor status.

Research species/habitat response to management

Research and develop an effective plague vaccine and delivery system

Research genetic relation to other (sub)species

1962


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1 Land/Water Protection 1963

Intheconservationcommunity,theterm“protect”asappliedtoprivatelandreferstothe1964acquisitionofrealpropertyinterestinlandorwater.Inotherwords,aprotectionstrategy1965involvespurchaseofland,developmentrights,orwaterrightsforthepurposeof1966preventingconversionorpermanentlossofhabitat.Typesofactionsthatfallunderthe1967land/waterprotectioncategoryincludingpurchaseoflandtoestablishpreserves,1968sanctuaries,orparks;conservationeasementsthatallowsomeuses suchaslivestock1969grazing butprohibitothers suchaserectionsofhomesorinfrastructure ;purchaseofin‐1970streamfloworwaterrights forexample,tomaintainsufficientwaterinriversandstreams1971tosupportfisheriesorwaterbirdpopulations ;andpurchaseortransferofdevelopment1972rightsprograms therighttobuildonaspecificpropertyissoldortradedfortherightto1973buildonadifferentproperty .19741975Protectionstrategiesasappliedtopubliclandsincludecreationofnewparks,monuments,1976orotherconservationareasfrompubliclyownedland,aswellasspecialareadesignations1977suchasWildernessAreas,ResearchNaturalAreas,SpecialInterestAreas,andsoon.1978Managementoftheselandsisbasedonspecifiedallowableusesandactivities,withafocus1979onconservationofspecifiednaturalresources e.g.,species,ecosystems,ecological1980processes .ExamplesofprotectionstrategiesasemployedinColoradoincludecreationof1981theGreatSandDunesNationalParkandPreserve,privatepreservesownedbyTheNature1982Conservancy,themyriadofconservationeasementsheldbyColorado’slandtrust1983community,theTransferredDevelopmentRightsprograminBoulderCounty,andColorado1984WaterConservationBoard’sInstreamFlowProgram.Inthecaseofalltheseprotection1985strategies,thedestructionofhabitatis,ineffect,prohibitedbylaw.1986

2 Land/Water Management 1987

ForthepurposesoftheSWAP,managementoflandandwaterencompassesthemajorityof1988activitiesthatagenciesandconservationistsundertaketorestore,maintain,orenhancethe1989qualityandfunctionofecologicalsystems.Thistypeofstrategycanbeappliedtoany1990habitat,regardlessoflandownership.Thiscategoryincludesdesignandimplementation1991ofhumanactivityandlanduse forexample,livestockgrazingpractices,forest1992management,recreationinfrastructure inamannerthatiscompatiblewiththeneedsof1993nativewildlifespecies.Effortstoimprovehabitatconditionorrestoreecologicalprocesses1994arealsoincluded.Asmallsampleoftheseinclude:weedcontrol;realignmentand1995rehabilitationoftrails;adjustingtheoperationofdamstochangetheamountandtimingof1996peakflows;plantingofappropriatenativespecieswherevegetationhasbeendamagedor1997toestablishdesiredhabitatstructure;controlledburnstopreventcatastrophicwildfireor1998toregeneratehabitat;restorationofdamagedstreambanksorremovalofinstream1999barriers,andmanymore.Manyhabitatrestorationprojectsrequirecontrolofnon‐native2000orproblematicspecies.Controlofnon‐nativevegetationmightinvolveuseofherbicides,2001fire,grazing,biocontrol,orotheracceptablepractices.Controlofnon‐nativeanimalspecies2002mayconsistofactivitiessuchasmanualcollection/removal,chemicalcontrol,andspecies‐2003


88

specifictraps.Becausemanycontrolmethodshavepotentialfornegativeimpactsonnon‐2004target,sensitivenativespecies,extremecareshouldbetakeninadaptingmethodstosite‐2005specificneeds.Managementstrategiesareusuallyvoluntary,andthoughtheyareoften2006prescribedinagencymanagementplansandsimilarstrategicdocuments,theyare2007generallynotrequiredbylaw.2008

3 Species Management 2009

Speciesmanagementstrategiesareactionsthatfocusonparticularspecies,ratherthanon2010habitatsorecosystems.Examplesincludecullingherds,controllingfishingorhuntingof2011particularspecies,relocationorreintroductionofspeciesthathavebeenlostfrom2012historicallyoccupiedhabitat,captivebreedingprograms,andseedorgenebanking.These2013activitiesareundertakentoimprovetheabundance,distribution,andhealthofparticular2014populations,orofaspeciesacrossitsrange.Speciesmanagementstrategiesaremostoften2015employedforspeciesthatarehuntedorfished,orspeciesthathavesufferedprecipitous2016declinesandareindangerofextinctionorextirpation.Twohigh‐profilespecies2017managementprogramsinColoradoarethecaptivebreedingandreintroductionofblack‐2018footedferrets,andthereintroductionoflynx.2019

4 Education & Awareness 2020

Educationandawarenessstrategiesfocusonpeopleforthepurposeofimproving2021understandingandinfluencingbehavior Salafskyetal.2008 .Educationmayreferto2022formaldegreeprograms,informationsharingamongprofessionals workshops,2023conferences,andtrainingprograms ,oractivitestoraisetheawarenessofthegeneral2024publiconissuesconcerningthreatstospecies/habitats.Publicawarenessactivitiesmaybe2025targetedtowardpeoplewithinterestinaparticularissue,privatelandownersmanaging2026largeacreagesorsignificanthabitats,orpolicy‐andlaw‐makerswithinfluenceover2027speciesandhabitats,amongothers.CPWisengagedwithmanyotherentitiesina2028cooperative,collaborativeefforttodeploynumerousprivatelandbiologistsacrossthe2029state.ThesecollaborationshaveoccurredwithCPW,RockyMountainBirdObservatory,2030NaturalResourcesConservationService,RockyMountainElkFoundation,Pheasants2031Forever,andinthepast,ColoradoWatershednetwork.2032

5 Law & Policy 2033

Lawandpolicystrategiesinvolveformalgovernment,andincludelawsaswellaspolicies2034andregulationsthatguideinterpretationandimplementation.Theseareactionsto2035develop,change,influence,andimplementformallegislation,regulations,andvoluntary2036standards.ExamplesincludetheEndangeredSpeciesActandassociatedtakepermits,and2037permittingfordevelopmentprojectsunderthetheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActor2038theCleanWaterAct.Thiscategoryalsoincludesactivitiesgearedtowardchangingexisting2039


89

lawsandregulations,suchasballotinitiatives,andenforcementofexistinglaws,aswellas2040localcommunitycodesandordinances suchaslandusezoning .Implementationof2041voluntaryindustrystandardsinbothpublicandprivateenterpriseisalsoconsidereda2042policystrategy.ExamplesincludecommitmenttotheuseofBestManagementPracticesby2043thetransportation,energyproduction,mining,forestry,andagriculturalindustries.Note2044thatproperuseofBestManagementPracticesinvolvesthecarefularticulationofwhat2045thesepracticesentail,basedontheparticularspecies,suiteofspecies,orhabitat s thatare2046ofconcern.Inmanycases,BestManagementPracticesdonotcurrentlyexist,andwould2047needtobedeveloped.TheStateofColorado,throughseveralagencies,hasdevelopedsome2048BMPs,butmoreworkremainstobedone.2049

6 Livelihood, Economic & Other Incentives 2050

Livelihood,economicandotherincentivesinvolvesthedevelopment,implementationand2051evaluationofprogramsintendedtoprovideincentiveforconservation‐mindedlandowners2052tomaintaintheiroperationswhilealsocontributingtothenetconservationbenefitofa2053speciesorsuiteofspecies.Incentivescanbedeliveredinseveralavenues.Thismay2054includeusingmarketforcestoprovideavalueforecosystemservicessuchasfloodcontrol,2055conservationpaymentsasadirectpaymentforconservationbehavior,ornon‐monetary2056valueswheretheincentivesaresomethingotherthanfinancial.Particularexamples2057includemitigationbanking,initiativesforparticipationinrecoveryofat‐riskspeciessuch2058astheblack‐footedferret,andcreditsforoffsitehabitatprotection.TheU.S.Departmentof2059Agricultureprovidesfundsforhabitatimprovementandotherconservationmeasures2060throughanumberofitsFarmBillprograms.Species/habitatbanksandcreditingprograms2061areincreasinginColoradoasmethodsaredeveloped,tested,andimproved.TheFarmBill2062andotherincentiveormarket‐basedprogramscanofferimportantbenefitstospeciesthat2063relyonprivately‐ownedlandforasignificantportionoftheirhabitat s .Managersand2064conservationistscanencourageuseoftheseprogramsbyeducatinglandownerson2065opportunitiesavailable,providingtechnicalassistanceonprojectdesignand2066implementation,andofferingguidanceonapplicationprocess es .2067

7 External Capacity Building 2068

Externalcapacitybuildingdescribesactionsthatareintendedtobuildinfrastructuretodo2069betterconservation.Thepartnershipsrequiredtoundertakethelarge‐scale,meaningful2070conservationtoaidinthelong‐termsurvivalofmanyspeciesandhabitattypesiscovered2071bythisaction.Thismayinvolvethecreationorprovisionofnon‐financialsupportand2072capacitybuildingfornon‐profits,governmentagencies,communitiesandfor‐profits.It2073mayalsoinvolvetheformingandfacilitationofpartnerships,alliancesandnetworksof2074organizations,andfinallymayinvolvetheraisingandprovisionoffundsforconservation2075work.Insomecases,alignmentofpoliciesandgoalsacrossagencies,inconjunctionwith2076implementationofconservation‐compatibleindustrypracticesisneeded.Oneexampleof2077thiswouldbeconservationofprairiedogsandassociatedspecies,wherecollaboration2078


90

amongstateandlocalagenciesandprivatelandownersareneededtomaintainviable2079populationsofprairiedogspeciesandtheSGCNforwhichtheycreatehabitat.2080

8 Research & Monitoring 2081

Researchandmonitoringactionsarethosethatcollectandusescientificinformationto2082assess,populationstatus,speciesresponsetovariousmanagementtechniques,habitat2083treatments,andmanyotheraspectsofwildlifemanagementandconservation.Long‐term2084researchandmonitoringcanprovideimportantecologicalinsights;botharevery2085importantfortheimprovedmanagementofSGCN,priorityhabitats,andtreatments2086intendedtobenefiteither.2087

2088


91

2089

Summary of Threats 2090

Overall,lackofknowledgeandnaturalsystemsmodifications includingalterationof2091naturalhydrologicalandfireregimes areissuesforthegreatestnumberofColorado’s1592092vertebrateanimalandmolluskSGCN Figures3–5 .Lackofknowledgeisafactorforover2093halfoftheseSGCN–thisisespeciallytrueforTier2species.Impactsfromnon‐nativeor2094problematicnativespecies includingpathogens ,habitatconversion cropland,urban2095development ,andincompatibleagriculturalpracticesarealsosignificantformanySGCN.2096Ofthe55Tier1SGCN,morethanhalfareaffectedbythesethreats.Fordescriptionsofthe2097threatsrepresentedinthefiguresbelow,refertoChapter4andTable5.2098 2099

2100 2101

Figure 3. Threats to vertebrate and mollusk SGCN by priority. 2102


92

2103 2104

Figure 4. Threats to vertebrate and mollusk SGCN by taxonomic group. 2105

2106 2107

Figure 5. Threats to vertebrate and mollusk SGCN by Tier. 2108


93

Summary of Conservation Actions Needed 2109

ThehighestpriorityconservationactionsforSGCNincluderesearch/monitoringand2110managementorrestorationofbothhabitatsandecologicalprocesses Figure6 .ForTier12111SGCN,restorationofhabitatandecologicalprocessesisthemostneededconservation2112action;thisisespeciallytrueforaquaticspecies Figures7and8 .Privateenterprisealso2113hasacrucialroletoplaythroughvoluntaryapplicationofstandardssuchasBest2114ManagementPractices.Landandresourceprotection conservationeasements,water2115rights ,applicationofpolicyandregulation,andcontrolofinvasivespeciesareall2116importantaswell.Giventhecomplexityoflanduseandlandownershippatternsinthe2117state,achievingconservationsuccessforSGCNwillrequireincreasingthebreadthand2118effectivenessofpartnerships.Thecreation,testing,andimplementationofmarket‐based2119conservationtoolsareongoing–greateremphasisontheseapproachesisalsoneeded.2120Whileresearchandmonitoringwon’tachieveconservationordirectlyaddressthethreats2121facedbymanySGCN,conductingresearchtounderstandthelimitingfactorsthesespecies2122facesisnecessarytoaccuratelyidentifyandprioritizespecificmanagement/conservation2123actionsneeded.Fordescriptionsoftheconservationactionsreferencedinthefigures2124below,refertoChapter4andTable6.2125

2126Figure 6. Conservation actions needed for vertebrate and mollusk SGCN by priority. 2127


94

2128 2129

Figure 7. Conservation actions needed for vertebrate and mollusk SGCN by taxonomic group. 2130

2131 2132

Figure 8. Conservation actions needed for vertebrate and mollusk SGCN by Tier. 2133


95

Threats & Actions Narratives for Tier 1 SGCN 2134

Aspreviouslynoted,thereareanumberofresourcesthatexplorethreatstoSGCNand2135conservationactionsneededinconsiderabledetail.Theseincludeexistingconservation2136assessments,managementorrecoveryplans,andpublishedresearchresults.Forthe2137purposesoftheSWAP,thehighestprioritythreatsandconservationactionsforTier12138SGCNarebrieflysummarizedinthefollowingnarratives.Table7presentsstatusand2139trend,habitatsanddistribution,threats,andprioritizedconservationactionsforall2140vertebrateandmolluskTier1andTier2SGCN.RefertoAppendixDforalistof2141managementandrecoveryplansthatprovideadditionalinformationonthreats,2142recommendedorproposedconservation/managementactions,andresearchneedsfor2143specificspecies.SeeAppendixEforakeytothedistributionfield.21442145Inthefollowingspeciessummaries,threatsareaddressedintheorderinwhichthey2146appearintheSalafskylexicon describedinChapter4 .2147

Tier 1 Amphibians 2148

Boreal Toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) 2149

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer2150tothe2001ConservationPlanandAgreementforthemanagementandrecoveryofthe2151SouthernRockyMountainpopulationoftheBorealToad Bufoboreasboreas andthe21522005technicalconservationassessment linksinAppendixD .2153

Threats 2154

7 Natural Systems Modification 2155Thelossofriparianzonecottonwoodandaspenduetotheencroachmentofconiferous2156forestfromnaturalforestsuccessionhasbeenidentifiedasathreattosomeborealtoad2157breedinghabitat.Thelossofcottonwoodsandaspencausesbeaverstoshiftto2158willow/shrubvegetationfordamconstruction,leavingdamsmorelikelytoblowout2159duringfloodingorrunoff,increasingtheriskofdryingforassociatedwetlands.Borealtoad2160breedingpondsarecommonlyfoundinbeaverpondcomplexes Holland2002 .2161

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 2162Theprimarythreattoborealtoadpopulationsisfromapathogenicchytridfungus2163Batrachochytiumdendrobatidis;Bd .Manyamphibiandeclinesandextinctionshavebeen2164associatedworldwidewithamphibianchytridiomycosiscausedbyBdinfections Bergeret2165al.1998;GreenandKagarise‐Sherman2001;Daszaketal.2003 .Bdisevidentlynativein2166manypartsoftheworld,butgeneticevidenceindicatesthatoneormorehypervirulent2167


96

strainsemergedrecentlyfromrecombinationofformerlygeographicallyisolatedlineages,2168likelytheresultofanincreasedworldwidetradeinamphibians Farreretal.2011 .In2169Colorado,Bdhasbeenimplicatedindramaticdeclinesinseveralpopulationsofboreal2170toadssinceitsdiscoveryinthestatein1999 Loeffler2001 .Bdinfectionislethalto2171borealtoads Careyetal.2006 anddirectlyimpactssurvival Muthsetal.2003;Schereret2172al.2005;Pilliodetal.2010 .Carey 1993 developedahypothesisthatpotential2173environmentalstressorswereleadingtoimmunosuppressioninborealtoads,causingthem2174tobemoresusceptibletodisease.2175

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 2176Thepredictedeffectsofclimatechangeinthewestincludereducedsnowpackandshorter2177periodsofsnowcover,snowmeltthatoccursearlierintheseason,ahydrologiccyclethatis2178moredynamicasextremerainfalleventsoccurwithgreaterfrequency,andanoverall2179warmer,drier,andmoredrought‐likeconditions Melillo2014 .Climatechangehasthe2180potentialtoalterthetimingofpondbreedingamphibians Blausteinetal.2001 .Changes2181insnowpackcouldimpactsurvivalandbreedingsuccessofborealtoads Corn2003;2182Schereretal.2008 .2183

Other Threats 2184Degradationofbreedinghabitatfromactivitiessuchasrecreation Campbell1970 ,2185grazing Bartelt1998 ,andsedimentationduetoroadsandingrunoffcancontributeto2186directmortalityofadultsandjuveniles.Largescalewetlandalterationssuchasreservoir2187constructioncaneliminatebreedinghabitatcausingpopulationdeclines Hammerson21881999 .Directmortalityfromvehiclecollisionsonbusyroadshasbeendocumentedand2189cancausesignificantlossesifnearabreedingsitewheretoadscongregateinlarge2190numbers.2191

Information Needs 2192

Furtherresearchisrequiredontheecologyofthechytridfungus Batrachochytium2193dendrobatidis ,includinghowitisspread,factorsthatmakeborealtoadssusceptibleto2194lethalinfection,andenvironmentaltestingmethods.Researchisalsoneededonfactors2195thatpotentiallyconferBdresistance,includingskinmicrobialcommunitycomposition,2196particularhabitatorbehavioralcharacteristics,andpossiblyageneticbasisforadegreeof2197Bdresistance.2198

Conservation Actions 2199

Acceleratethepaceofreintroductionsandtranslocationstoestablishadditional2200populationswithinthespecies’nativerange.Rigorouslyassessfactorsaffecting2201translocationsuccess,toincreasesuccessoffutureefforts.Continuesurveyeffortsto2202identifyadditionalpopulations.Identifyhabitatprotectiveactionseffectiveatpreventing2203Bdinvasion,andimplementsuchmeasureswherefeasible.Continuetosupportresearch2204onBdresistanceandBdtransmission.2205


97

Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) 2206

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer2207tothe2007technicalconservationassessment linkinAppendixD .2208

Threats 2209

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2210Thelossofwetlandhabitatisbelievedtobeoneofthecausesofnorthernleopardfrog2211declinesinWashington,Oregon,IdahoandMontana Kochetal.1996 .Urban2212developmentwasconsistentwithobservedregionaldeclinesineasternColorado Johnson2213etal.2011 .Northernleopardfrogsdependonavarietyofhabitattypes:breedingponds,2214midsummerforaginghabitat,andsuitablewaterbodiesforoverwintering Merrell1977 ,2215soareatriskofhabitatfragmentation.Impairmentofmovementbetweenthesecritical2216habitatscouldbeamajorthreattothepersistenceoflocalpopulations Popeetal.2000 .2217Leopardfrogsarealsohighlyvulnerabletoroadmortality Bouchardetal.2009 .2218

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 2219TheintroductionofbullfrogsinwesternUnitedStateshasbeenlinkedtonorthernleopard2220frogdeclines Lannooetal.1994;Kochetal.1996;Livoetal.1998;Hammerson1999;2221Johnsonetal.2011 .LocalizeddeclinesinBoulderCounty,Colorado,wereattributedtoa2222bullfrogintroduction Hammerson1982 .Typicalnorthernleopardfrogbreedinghabitat2223isdevoidofpredaceousfish Merrell1977 ,whichmakesthemsusceptibletointroduced2224gamefish.22252226Thepathogenicchytridfungus Batrachochytiumdendrobatidis hasbeenimplicatedin2227amphibiandeclinesaroundtheworld Bergeretal.1998;Daszaketal.2003 .Chytrid2228fungushasbeendocumentedinColoradopopulationsofnorthernleopardfrogs Muthset2229al.2003;Livo2004;Johnson2011 .2230223111 Climate Change & Severe Weather 2232ThepredictedeffectsofclimatechangeintheWestincludereducedsnowpackandshorter2233periodsofsnowcover,snowmeltthatoccursearlierintheseason,ahydrologiccyclethatis2234moredynamicasextremerainfalleventsoccurwithgreaterfrequency,andoverall2235warmer,drier,andmoredrought‐likeconditions Melillo2014 .Climatechangehasthe2236potentialtoalterthetimingofpondbreedingamphibians Blausteinetal.2001 and2237changesinsnowpackcouldalsoimpactamphibians Corn2003 .Droughtwasimplicated2238intheextirpationofsixpopulationsinLarimerCounty,Colorado CornandFogleman22391984 .2240


Furtherresearchisrequiredontheecologyofthechytridfungus Batrachochytium2242dendrobatidis andthesusceptibilityofnorthernleopardfrogstothispathogen.2243


98

Informationisneededonthechytridfungusstatusofnorthernleopardfrogpopulationsin2244Colorado.Conductadditionalresearchoncontrolmethodsfornon‐nativebullfrogs.2245Inventoryeffortstoidentifyoccupiedwetlandhabitatswillbenecessarytoguide2246protectionofwetlandhabitatsforthisspecies.2247


Protectionofwetlandhabitat,e.g.,througheasementsandotherlandowneragreements,is2249akeypriority,particularlyontheFrontRange.Wetlandareasthatremainuninvadedby2250bullfrogsandotherexoticamphibiansareespeciallyimportant.Identifyopportunitiesto2251createorrestoreadditionalsuitablehabitat.ContinuetosupportresearchonBdresistance2252andBdtransmission.Carefullyevaluateagencyandprivatefishstockinglocationsto2253minimizeimpactsonnorthernleopardfrogandothernativeamphibians.2254

Tier 1 Birds 2255

Brown-capped Rosy-Finch (Leucosticte australis) 2256

Threats 2257

2 Agriculture 2258Grazingbysheepmayhaveanegativeeffectonbrown‐cappedrosy‐finchesatwintering2259sitesiftheytramplevegetationanddisturbseedavailabilityinaridshrublands.226022616 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 2262InColorado,thebrown‐cappedrosy‐finchbreedsinalpineenvironmentsthatoccur2263predominantlyonU.S.ForestServiceland,withmanyacresdesignatedaswildernessand2264innationalparks.Thebrown‐cappedrosyfinchremainsathighelevationsthroughoutthe2265yearunlessseverestormeventspushthemdowntolowerelevationsinthewintermonths2266Johnsonetal.2000 .Duringthebreedingseason,populationsaredistantfrommost2267humanactivitiesandarerelativelyisolatedfromthreats,butinwintertheymaybe2268impactedbyhumanactivitiesastheydroptolowerelevationstoforageandroost.As2269accessandparticipationinrecreationalactivitiesinthealpineenvironmentincreases,2270recreationmayhaveanimpactonthisspecies.Disturbancetonestsitescouldoccurfrom2271recreationalactivitiessuchashiking,springskiing,orrockclimbing Johnsonetal.2000 .2272227311 Climate Change & Severe Weather 2274Thebrown‐cappedrosyfinchbreedsabovetreelineinColoradowhereitcanfindsuitable2275nestsitesinsteepclifffacesoverlookingthealpinetundra Johnsonetal.2000 .During2276thebreedingseason,thisspeciesforagesonandattheedgesofsnowfieldsandglaciers2277whereinsectsandseedsaredepositedandinfellfields,cliffsandrockslides Kingery22781998;Johnsonetal.2000 .Thebrown‐cappedrosyfinchisthoughttobesusceptibleto2279


99

climatechangeduetothepotentialdepletionoflatelyingsnowfieldsastemperatures2280increaseandwinterprecipitationpatternschange.Thoughunknownifbrown‐cappedrosy2281finchesaredependentonsnowfields,theydoprovideaccesstoanabundantfoodsourceas2282insectsaretrappedherewhenwindupdraftsarecutoffandinsectsfallstunnedtothesnow2283surface Kingery1998 .Breedingsuccesscouldbeimpactedifsummermonsoonal2284moisturepatternschangeresultinginalterationsinthealpineplantcommunitiesthat2285affectinsectabundanceandseedavailability.Ifseverityofwinterstormsintensifyand2286increasecausingbirdstomigratemorefrequently,wintermortalitycouldalsobeimpacted2287byclimatechange.2288


Informationregardingpopulationabundanceandtrendsatbothlocalandstatewidelevels2290isneededtobetterassessthisspecies’status.Decliningpopulationtrendshavebeen2291shownforthisspeciesusingChristmasBirdCountData Johnsonetal.2000 ,butthese2292datamaynotprovideanaccurateassessmentofthespeciessincewinterpopulationsare2293eruptiveandnomadic.Thedevelopmentofastatewidestatusassessmentandmonitoring2294programisthereforeneededtodetermineifadownwardtrendisoccurringandwhatthe2295mechanismisthatisdrivingthiscycle.Potentialthreatsatbothsummerbreedingand2296winteringsitesneedstobeinvestigatedtogainanunderstandingofpotentialimpactsto2297populations.2298


Becauseoftheirhighelevationhabitats,relativelylittleisknownaboutstatusandtrendsof2300brown‐cappedrosy‐finches;abetterunderstandingoftheseisneeded.Climatechange2301mayhavesignificanteffectsonthespecies.Securinghabitatsandprotectingthemfrom2302potentialdetrimentalanthropogeniceffectsisimportanttoprovideabufferforanyeffects2303duetoclimatechange.Developingtechniquestoassessthepopulationstatusand2304developingalong‐termmonitoringprogramforthespeciestoevaluatechangesin2305populationsanddistributioninthefaceofclimatechangearealsoneeded.2306

Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) 2307

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer2308tothefollowingresources:WesternGrasslandsInitiative–aPlanforConservingGrassland2309HabitatandWildlife 2011 ;BurrowingOwl Athenecunicularia :atechnicalconservation2310assessment 2004 ;ConservationPlanforGrasslandSpeciesinColorado 2003 ;Status2311AssessmentandConservationPlanforWesternBurrowingOwlintheUnitedStates 2003 2312linksinAppendixD .2313

Threats 2314



100

Theburrowingowliscloselyassociatedwithprairiedogcolonies,andthereforeisaffected,2316directlyorindirectly,byissuesthatthreatenprairiedogs.Burrowingowlhabitathas2317decreasedinareaandbecomefragmentedasprairiedogcolonieshavebeeneradicatedor2318goneextinct McDonaldetal.2004 .Prairiedogcolonieshavebeenconvertedto2319residentialandcommercialdevelopmentandcroplandacrossmuchoftheirrange.2320

2 Agriculture 2321Inadditiontohabitatconversion,agriculturalactivitiesincreaseowlmortalityandlossof2322preythroughuseofinsecticidesandpesticides,whichjeopardizethehealthandstabilityof2323owlpopulations Kluteetal.2003;Gervaisetal.2006 .Intentionaleradicationofprairie2324dogcoloniesforagriculturalpurposesalsodirectlyaffectsburrowingowls.2325

5 Biological Resource Use 2326Recreationalshootingofprairiedogscandecreaseowlfecundity Woodward2002 or2327causedirectmortalitywhenowlsaremistakenforprairiedogs Butts1973 .Seasonal2328shootingclosureshavebeenimplementedonpubliclandtohelpconservationofprairie2329dogpopulations.2330

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 2331Prairiedogcolonieshaveundergonedramaticcollapsesfromsylvaticplagueoreradication2332efforts,whichhasledtodecreasesinabundanceofburrowingowls Desmondetal.2000 .2333


Someofthegreatestinfluencesonburrowingowlpopulationdemographics adultand2335first‐yearsurvival maybedrivenbyconditionsorimpactsatwinteringgroundsinMexico.2336Determiningwhatfactorsarecontrollingpopulationstabilityonwinteringgroundsmay2337provideneededinformationforeffectiveconservation.2338


Conservationofburrowingowlshingesontheprotectionofhealthyprairiedogcolonies.2340Directlossofprairiedogcoloniesthroughanthropogenicalternation e.g.,exurban2341development,energydevelopment,poisoning shouldbeaddressedthroughoutreachto2342appropriateaudiences,implementationofbestmanagementpractices,securingof2343conservationeasementsandotherhabitatprotections,and,whenappropriate,useof2344zoningandotherregulatorymechanismstoprotecthabitat.Indirectlossofprairiedog2345coloniesduetosylvaticplaguemaybereducedthroughthedevelopmentanduseof2346vaccinestoprotectprairiedogs.Thenegativeeffectsofsylvaticplagueonburrowingowls2347mayalsobeaddressedbytheconservationoflargenumbersorwell‐dispersedprairiedog2348coloniesatlandscapescales.2349


101

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus 2350

columbianus) 2351

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer2352tothefollowingresources:ColumbianSharp‐tailedGrouse Tympanuchusphasianellus2353columbianus :atechnicalconservationassessment 2007 ;ColumbianSharp‐tailedGrouse2354ConservationPlan,Routt,Moffat,andRioBlancoCounties,NorthwestColorado 2001 2355linksinAppendixD .2356

Threats 2357

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2358Likeenergydevelopment,urbanizationleadstofragmentationandthelossofnativecover2359atleksites,nestingandbroodingareas,andwinterhabitat,renderingurbanlandscapes2360unsuitableforColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse Hoffman2001 .Hoffman 2001 statesthat2361thegreatestthreatofurbanizationinnorthwesternColoradoisinRouttCounty,withina236220mile 32kilometer radiusofSteamboatSprings.Continuouslybalancingfuture2363residentialandcommercialdevelopmentwithconservationofColumbinasharp‐tailed2364grousehabitatisnecessarytopreventthedeclineofthisspeciesinColorado.2365

2 Agriculture 2366

Cropland2367Conversionofnativecovertopastureandcroplandinthepasthasresultedindramatic2368declineofgrousepopulations.Healthygrousepopulationsrequirelarge,undisturbed,2369naturalhabitatswithintactecologicalfunctions,includingnaturaldisturbanceregimes2370Storch2000 .However,Columbiansharp‐tailedgrousedouseConservationReserve2371Program CRP fields,minereclamationlands,andoccasionallygrainfields.Though2372sharptailsareconsideredmoderatelytolerantofhabitatchange HoffmanandThomas23732007 ,sharptailscannotpersistonoverlymodifiedlandscapesorinsmall,isolatednative2374habitats.WithinthecurrentColoradorangeoftheColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse,the2375conversionofnativecovertocroplandhasrunitscoursewithlittleconversionofnative2376habitatscurrentlytakingplace.InnorthwesternColorado,whereColumbiansharp‐tailed2377grousestillpersist,itisbecausetheseareaswereunsuitableforcropsandnativecover2378suitableforgrousewasleftundisturbed Hoffman2001 .HistoricallyColumbiansharp‐2379tailedgrouserangedacrosssouthwesternColorado,butconversionofnativecoverto2380croplandextirpatedgrousefromthisportionoftheirnativerange Oyler‐McCanceetal.23812001 .ThelossofhabitattocroplandhasbeenreversedtosomeextantinColoradoby2382recoveryofpreviouslyconvertedwheatacreagetoCRPlands.InColorado,preventing2383futurelossofgrousehabitattoagriculturalusesandencouragingtheplacementofcurrent2384croplandsintotheCRPwillbenefitColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse.2385


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Grazing2386Privatelandssupply71%oftheColumbiansharp‐tailedgrousehabitatinnorthwestern2387Colorado Hoffman2001 .Grazinginamannerthatisincompatiblewithsharptails2388reducesoreliminateskeyfoodplantsandtheabundanceofinsectsimportanttothe2389growthanddevelopmentofchicks,andincreasespredationratesbyreducingcoverneeded2390forconcealmentfrompredators Baines1996;HoffmanandThomas2007 .Useof2391herbicidestoremoveshrubsandcreategrasslandforcattleisdetrimentaltosharptailthat2392requireadequateshrubcoverfornestingandoverwintering.Consequently,incompatibly2393grazedhabitatsupportsfewerleks,fewermalesatleks,andsmallerpopulationsof2394sharptails Hoffman2001;Flanders‐Wanneretal.2004 .Alternately,compatiblelivestock2395grazingmanagementcanmaintainand/orenhancesharptailhabitatbypromoting2396desirableplantcommunities,preventingweedencroachment,providingresidualcover,2397andincreasingplantdiversity Hoffman2001 .Compatiblegrazingonrangelandsisbased2398oncontrollingtheintensity,timing,frequency,selectivityanddistributionofgrazing2399animals MWCC1999 .Theuseofsoundgrazingmanagementpracticeswithinsharptail2400habitatswillhelppreventdeclinesandcouldincreaseColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse2401populationsinColorado.2402

HerbicideUse2403InColorado,herbicideuseismoreproblematictosharptailsthantheuseofpesticides2404HoffmanandThomas2007 .Theimpactsofherbicideuseonsharptailsinclude2405modificationofhabitatcomponentsrequiredforbothcoverandfood,whichcancause2406increasedlevelsofpredationandstarvation Hoffman2001 .Consequently,managing2407herbicideuseingrousehabitatwillbenefitColoradosharptails.2408

LossofConservationReserveProgram(CRP)Lands2409WithintheColoradorangeoftheColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse,thereare21,000acresof2410CRPland.Approximately21%ofallknownleksoccurontheseCRPlands,whichalso2411providecriticalnestingandbrood‐rearinghabitat.IftheseCRPlandsarelost,sharptail2412populationswilldecline HoffmanandThomas2007 .LandsareenlistedintheCRPfor102413to15years.Aconcertedeffortshouldbemadetore‐enlistlandswhosecontractsare2414expiring,andtoenlistnewlandsintotheprogramwithintheColoradorangeofthe2415Columbiansharp‐tailedgrouse.ThisisparticularlytrueforCRPlandsinthevicinityof2416SteamboatSprings,Colorado,wherelandvaluesforurbandevelopmentarehigh Hoffman2417andThomas2007 .2418

DegradationofWetlands2419Columbiansharp‐tailedgrouseareattractedtowetlandsforthesucculentvegetationas2420wellastheabundanceofinvertebrates,whichareanimportantnutritionalresourcefor2421growingchicks Hoffman2001 .InColorado,wetlandswithintherangeofsharptailshave2422beenconvertedtocroplandandhavesuffereddamagetowetlandvegetationdueto2423incompatiblegrazingbylivestock Hoffman2001 .Protectingtheremainingwetland2424habitatswithintheircurrentrangewillbenefitsharptails.2425


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3 Energy Production & Mining 2426TheRockyMountainWestisanimportantoilandgasproducingregionintheUnited2427States.Sincetheearly2000s,oilandgasdevelopmentwithintheareaoccupiedbythe2428Columbiansharp‐tailedgrouseinnorthwesternColoradohasincreaseddramatically.2429AccordingtoGISdatafromtheColoradoOilandGasConservationCommission,asof2430October2014thereareover1,300oilandgaswellscurrentlypermittedordrilledwithin2431habitatoftheColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouseinColorado http://cogcc.state.co.us/ .2432Trafficandinfrastructurefromenergydevelopment,includingroads,pads,tanks,utility2433linesandbuildings,stressessharp‐tailedgrousepopulations,andleadstofragmentation2434andlossofnativecover.Ultimately,thisnegativelyimpactsleksites,nestingandbrooding2435areas,andwinterhabitat,renderingthemmarginalfortheColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse2436HoffmanandThomas.2007 .2437

7 Natural System Modifications 2438Historically,firewasthemajordisturbancefactorinsagebrushandmountainshrub2439biomesoccupiedbyColumbiansharp‐tailedgrouse HoffmanandThomas2007 .Alackof2440fireinsharptailhabitatisthemostsignificantprobleminColorado HoffmanandThomas24412007 .Withintherangeofsharptails,firefrequencyhasbeenalteredoverthepast1502442yearsduetotheintroductionofbothlivestockandnoxiousweeds.Cattleremove2443vegetation,therebyreducingfuelloads.Reductionoffuelloads,combinedwiththefire2444suppressionpracticedinthewestforthepastcentury,hasreducedthefrequencyoffires.2445InColorado,lackoffireisthemainproblemforgrouse,wherelargeacreagesofGambel’s2446oak,whichsharptailsdon’tuse,havebecomedecadentandovergrown,crowdingoutother2447xericmountainshrubsmoresuitableforsharptail. Connellyetal.2004 .Fire2448managementthatrestoredopeningsandspeciesdiversityintheshrubcommunitywould2449benefitsharptailsinColorado.Cautioninuseoffireasamanagementtoolis2450recommended,however,becausesagebrushdoesnotrecoverquicklyfromfire,andcanbe2451eliminatedbyintense,frequentfires Hoffman2001 .2452

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 2453Grazingbywildungulatesmayalsonegativelyimpactsharptailpopulations.When2454significantamountsofprivately‐ownedlandareclosedtohuntingandnativepredatorsare2455controlled,populationsofnativegrazers particularlyelk increaseduetolackofboth2456hunterandpredatortake.Theresultisthatthegroundandshrubcoverrequiredby2457grousearediminishedbyelkbrowsing.Grazingbyelkhasincreasedinsagebrushandon2458CRPlandsforthesereasons HoffmanandThomas2007 .Effortstomeetelkmanagement2459goalsthroughenhancedharvestbyhunterswouldbenefitsharptailpopulations.2460

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 2461PredictedchangesinclimatesuggestthattheWestwillexperienceanincreasein2462temperature,adecreaseinfrostsandincreasesinprecipitation Melilloetal.2014 .These2463changesarepredictedtoleadtoanincreaseinconifersattheexpenseofshrublands,and2464anincreaseinfiresbecauseofincreasingfuelloads Neilsonetal.2005 .Theeffectsof2465thesechanges,shouldtheyoccur,ishardtopredict,butincompatiblemanagementof2466sharptailhabitatcouldintensifytheadverseeffectsofclimatechange.2467


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Researchiscurrentlyunderwayonpopulationdemographics,chickandhensurvival,and2469habitatuse.2470


CPWrecentlyembarkedonalongtermtranslocationprogramaimedatrestoring2472Columbiansharp‐tailedgrousetoasmuchoftheirhistoricrangeaspossible,accordingto2473therecentlycompleted“ColoradoColumbianSharp‐tailedGrouseTranslocation2474Guidelines” CPW2014a .WebeganmovingbirdslastfalltoMiddleParkforarange2475expansionofpreviouslytranslocatedbirds,andwillconcludethatprocessspringof2015.2476Theninfallof2015anewtranslocationsitewillbeinitiatedwiththissameprocessgoing2477onindefinitely.24782479EffortsshouldbecontinuedandexpandedwithFederalagencypartnersthatmanagelands2480occupiedbyColumbiansharp‐tailedgrousetoensurethatgrazingplanningandpractices2481acknowledgetheimportanceofwildlifehabitatandincorporatetheneedsofsharp‐tailed2482grouseintograzingplanningandprescriptions.Grazingshouldbeprescribedtoaccount2483foradequatenestingandbroodrearinghabitatforsharp‐tailedgrouse.Additionally,2484effortsshouldbeundertakentominimizetheamountofundesirablewoodyencroachment2485intopreviouslyorcurrentlyoccupiedsharp‐tailedgrousehabitat.Suitablesharp‐tailed2486grousehabitatneedsarefairlywellknown,andcanbegenerallycharacterizedasdiverse2487grassland/shrublandcomplexeswithabundantforbs,adequategrassheight,andlimitedor2488fewtrees.Rigorousassessmentsofhabitatqualitywilldictatewhatmanagementactions2489needtooccur.Privatelandsprovideasignificantandimportantamountofhabitatfor2490Columbiansharp‐tailedgrouse,andinterestedpartnersincludingCPWneedtobeactivein2491advocatingfor,andhelpingwhennecessary,inestablishingsuitablegrousehabitatinto2492disturbedprivatelandhabitatincludingminereclamationandCRPmaintenance,2493establishment,andmid‐contractmanagement.CRPstandsandseedmixesneedtoinclude2494adiversesuiteofbeneficialforbsandlegumes,includingtheabilitytousebeneficialnon‐2495natives,mostimportantlyalfalfa,whereappropriate,aspartofadiverseseedmixin2496establishinghabitatonthesepreviouslyhighlydisturbedlandscapes,manyofwhichwere2497originallyplantedtoaggressivegrassspeciesthatcomplicateeffortstoenhancethese2498standswithforbsandlegumesthatareneededforsharp‐tailedgrouse.Effortsshouldbe2499takentoassistprivatelandownerswithunderstandingthehabitatneedsforsharp‐tailed2500grouse,andassistingandprovidingtechnicalandifnecessaryfinancialassistanceto2501implementgrazingplanstoaccountforthehabitatneedsofsharp‐tailedgrouseortoassist2502withthemanagementofwoodyencroachment.2503


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Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) 2504

Threats 2505

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2506Theexpansionofurbanandexurbandevelopmenthasresultedinthelossofbreeding2507habitatalongColorado’sFrontRange Boeker1974;Scott1985 .2508

2 Agriculture 2509Agriculturaldevelopmentcanrenderareasonceusedaswinteringhabitatunsuitablefor2510goldeneagles Craigetal.1986 .2511

3 Energy Production & Mining 2512Goldeneaglesareatgreaterrisktomortalityfromwindturbinesthanotherraptors2513USFWS2011a ,andtheyarealsosusceptibletodeathfromcollisionswithcars,fencesand2514wires Kochertetal.2002 .Additionally,disturbancefrompre‐construction,construction,2515oroperationandmaintenanceactivitiesatwinddevelopmentsmaydisturbeaglesat2516concentrationsitesorresultinlossofproductivityatnearbynests,resultinginpermanent2517lossofnestingterritory USFWS2013a .TheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceliststhe2518followingthreefactorsasreasonsfortheincreasedriskofcollisionbyeagleswithwind2519turbines USFWS2011a :2520

1 theinteractionoftopographicfeatures,season,andwindcurrentstocreate2521favorableconditionsforslopesoaringorkiting stationaryornear‐stationary2522hovering inthevicinityofturbines;2523

2 behaviorthatdistractseaglesandpresumablymakesthemlessvigilant e.g.,active2524foragingorinter‐andintra‐specificinteractions ;and2525

3 residentstatus,withresidentadultsandyounglessvulnerableanddispersersand2526migrants especiallysub‐adultsandfloatingadults morevulnerable.Thislatter2527pointshouldnotbetakentoundercutthepotentialseverityoftherisktobreeding2528adulteaglesandtheiryoung,aslossesfromthesesegmentsofthepopulation,2529especiallybreedingadults,canhaveseriousconsequencestopopulations.2530

5 Biological Resource Use 2531Goldeneaglesappeartobelesssusceptibletochemicalpollutionthanotherraptors2532Kochertetal.2002 .However,secondarypoisoningcanoccurwheneaglesconsume2533carrionkilledbyherbicides,pesticides,rodenticides,andleadshot.Rodentcontrolmay2534alsoimpacteaglesbyreducingabundanceofpreyspecies.2535

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 2536Alongwithurbanizationcomesincreasedrecreationalactivitythatcancausedisturbance2537togoldeneagles.Humanactivitynearnestscancausebreedingfailures,butmostevidence2538isanecdotalorcorrelative Kochertetal.2002 .ColoradoParksandWildliferecommends2539nosurfaceoccupancywithin¼mileofactivegoldeneaglenestsbeyondthatwhichalready2540


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occurs,aswellasrestrictionofhumanactivitytowithin½mileofactivenestsfrom2541December15throughJuly15 CPW2008 .Additionally,researcherscancause2542disturbanceatnestswhileconductingtheirresearch,resultinginnestabandonment,nest2543mortalityduetoexcessiveeggcoolingorheatingduringperiodswhentheresearcherisat2544thenestandbroodingadultsareaway,orcauseyoungtofledgeprematurely Kochertetal.25452002 .Suchdisturbancecanbeavoidedifproperprotocolsandprecautionsaredeveloped2546andfollowedbyresearchers.2547

7 Natural System Modifications 2548TherecentincreaseintheincidenceofcatastrophicwildfireintheintermountainWest,2549includingColorado,hasthepotentialtodisruptthebreedingbiologyofgoldeneagles.2550NestingsuccessatburnedterritoriesinSnakeRiverCanyon,Idaho,declinedaftermajor2551fires,withabandonedterritoriesbeingsubsumedbyneighboringpairs,resultingina2552decreasednumberofnestingpairs Kochertetal.1999 .Changesinprecipitationand2553temperaturepredictedfortheRockyMountainregionoverthenext50yearssuggestthe2554observedincreaseinwildfiresrecentlywitnessedinColoradomaypersist Westerlinget2555al.2006 .2556


MonitoringisrequiredtodeterminethepopulationstatusinthewesternUnitedStates,2558wheredeclinesingoldeneaglesissuspected Kochertetal.2002,butseeNielsonetal.25592014 .Thefactorsthatmaybeinvolvedinthesedeclinesandfactorsresponsiblefor2560populationtrendsingeneral,includingfire,arepoorlyunderstoodandrequirefurther2561elucidation.Furtherinformationonhowenvironmentalpollutantsandhabitatalterations2562atbothbreedingandwintergroundsaffectpopulationsisneeded.Estimatesofcurrent2563populationsizeandtrendswouldbeusefulinassessingproposalstoharvesteaglesforuse2564byNativeAmerican’sinreligiousceremonies.2565


Directmortalitlyofgoldeneaglesduetocollisionswithwindtowersmayoccurinsome2567situations.Abetterunderstandingofhowgoldeneaglesusespaceandinteractwith2568topographysurroundingwindfarmsisneeded.Appropriatesiting,micro‐siting,and2569implementationofbestmanagementpracticestomitigateeffectsofwindpower2570developmentarealsoneeded.Oilandgasdevelopmentandotheranthropogenic2571alterationstohabitat e.g.,croplandconversion mayhavenegativeeffectseitherdirectly2572throughlossofhabitatorindirectlythrough,forexample,reductionofpreycommunities.2573Securingprotectionoflarge,unfragmentedlandscapesisimportantfortheconservationof2574stablegoldeneaglepopulations.2575


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Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) 2576

Theinformationpresentedhereisaverylimitedsummaryofthedetailedthreatsand2577conservationactionsdescribedinthe2008ColoradoGreaterSage‐grouseConservation2578Plan,andshouldnotbeconstruedasacomprehensiveorprioritizedlistofthethreats.The2579ColoradoConservationPlan linkinAppendixD shouldbereferencedindevelopingthreat2580assessmentsandconservationinterventionsforthespecies.Notethattheimpactsofthe2581threatsdescribedbelowarevariableacrossthedistributionofgreatersage‐grouse;some2582threatsarelesssignificantornon‐existentinsomepopulations.2583

Threats 2584

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2585Theprimarycauseofsage‐grousedeclineisthelossandfragmentationofsagebrush2586habitats USFWS2013e .Habitathasbeenlostandfragmentedbysuburbanandrural2587development,agriculturalconversiontocropland,intensivegrazingpressure,alterationsto2588fireregimes,andinvasionofnon‐nativeannualgrasses Schroederetal.1999;Walkeretal.25892007 .Housingdevelopmentandtheassociatedinfrastructure e.g.,roads,fencing,2590powelines,increasedhumanactivity resultsinpermanenthabitatloss,degradation,and2591fragmentation.Coloradohasexperiencedincreasesinhumanpopulationinrecentyears.2592Thisgrowthhasresultedinconversionofagriculturallandstoresidentialland‐uses,and2593impactsofdevelopmenthavespreadontonearbypubliclands.2594

2 Agriculture 2595Grazingisoneofthemajorlandusesinsagebrushhabitats,andhasinfluencedsage‐grouse2596habitatinavarietyofways,includingremovalofsagebrushfromsomeareas,aswellas2597alterationstounderstoryplantsneededfornesting,broodrearing,andotherlifehistory2598requirements.Directandindirectimpactsfromimpropergrazing grazingincompatible2599withlocalecologicalconditions onGreaterSage‐grouseareuncertainandcomplex.2600However,grazingcanalsobeusedasamanagementtooltoachievedesirablehabitat2601conditionsforthegrouse.2602

3 Energy Production & Mining 2603Habitathasbeenlostandfragmentedbyenergydevelopmentandtheassociated2604infrastructure e.g.,powerlines,pipelines,androads .InColorado,thereisconsiderable2605overlapinthepotentialresourcesforoilandgasdrillingandoilshaleextraction CGSSC26062008 .Also,thelargestcoalreservesinthestatesignificantlyoverlapwithGreatersage‐2607grousehabitat.Demandforbothoilandgasandcoalisexpectedtoremainhigh.Potential2608threatsrelatedtoenergyproductionandminingactivitiesandinfrastructureinclude2609reductioninamountofavailablehabitat,fragmentationanddegradationofremaining2610habitat,directdisturbanceand/ormortalityofindividualbirds,andincreasedpredation.2611Increasedhumandisturbancerelatedtooilandgasdevelopmentcanalsoreduceviability2612ofsage‐grousepopulations Walkeretal.2007 .2613


108

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 2614Noxiousandinvasiveweedsareconsideredathreattorangelandhealthinmuchofgreater2615sage‐grousehabitat.Noxiousweedshavethepotentialtodegradegreatersage‐grouse2616habitatprimarilybyincreasingthefireregimefrequency,decreasingplantdiversity,and2617changingstructureofplantandinsectcommunities.Apotentiallysignificantissuefor2618greatersage‐grouseistheinvasionofcheatgrassintheunderstoryofsagebrushhabitats.If2619cheatgrassout‐competesnativeperennialplantspecies whichsage‐grouseeat tothe2620pointthattheunderstoryiscomprisedexclusivelyofannualgrasses whichsage‐grousedo2621noteat ,valueofthehabitatcouldbesignificantlyreduced.Juniperandpinionpine2622encroachmentintosagebrushcommunitiesisoccurringinsomegreatersage‐grouse2623populations.Fireplayedamajorroleinsuppressingexpansionofpinion‐juniperinto2624shrub‐steppecommunities.2625


TheColoradoGreaterSage‐grouseConservationPlan CGSSC2008 providesadetailed2627sectiononresearchneedsrelatedtogreatersage‐grouse.Thesectionidentifiesdetailed2628researchtopicsthat1 areimportanttounderstandinggreatersage‐grousepopulations2629andhabitat;and2 leadtomoreeffectivegreatersage‐grousemanagement.Someofthe2630issuesidentifiedintheplanarelistedbelow;seetheplanfordetailed,specificobjectives2631andconservationstrategiesrelatestoeachissue.26322633Itisnotwellunderstoodhowgreatersage‐grousepopulationdynamicsandsustainability2634areimpactedbythequalityandquantityofgreatersage‐grousehabitatandhuman‐2635controlledactivitiesingreatersage‐grousehabitat.Theeffectivenessofcurrentmeasures2636designedtoprotectgreatersage‐grousefromimpacts,specificallyimpactsofenergyand2637mineraldevelopment,isunknown.Thepopulation‐levelimpactsofpredation,WestNile2638virus,andharvestarenotwellunderstood.Thereisalsolackofinformationoninvasive2639weeddistributioninandthepotentialimpactongreatersage‐grousehabitatinColorado.26402641Also,currentmethodsformonitoringtrendsingreatersage‐grousepopulationsandfor2642estimatinggreatersage‐grousepopulationsizefromlekcountsmakemanyunsupported2643assumptions.Researchisneededtoestablishreliableandeffectivemethodsformonitoring2644greatersage‐grousepopulationtrendsandestimatingpopulationsize.CPWiscurrently2645undertakingthisresearch.2646


The2008ColoradoGreaterSage‐grouseConservationPlanprovidescomprehensive,2648detailedinformationandshouldbereferencedindevelopingconservationactionsforthe2649species linkinAppendixD .26502651Inthisplan,eachpotentialissue/threathasvariousobjectiveswithcorresponding2652conservationstrategies.Eachstrategyhasaccompanyinginformationregarding2653ResponsibleParties,Timeline,andCost.Becausegreatersage‐grouseinColoradoare2654


109

foundinsixseparatepopulations,thepotentialthreatsandconservationstrategiesare2655diverseandcomplex.Existinglocalworkinggroupshavedevelopedlocalconservation2656plans.Thestatewideplanprovidesstrategiesforthecumulative,landscape‐wideimpacts2657togreatersage‐grouse.Readersshouldconsultandimplementappropriatestrategies2658withinthestatewideplan,andshouldalsoreadandapplystrategieswiththeapplicable2659localplans.Insomecases,moredetailwillbefoundinthelocalplansandinothercases,2660thestatewideplanwillbemorespecific.2661

Greater Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis tabida) 2662

Threats 2663

2 Agriculture 2664

Stagingareas2665Duringmigration,greatersandhillcranesfeedprimarilyinagriculturalfields.Changesin2666agriculturalpracticesandthelossoffarmlandtotheeffectsofclimatechangeand2667urbanizationallhavethepotentialtoimpactpopulationsofgreatersandhillcranesin2668Colorado.Farmingpracticesafterharvestfrequentlydeterminetheamountofwasteseed2669availableforsandhillcranes LittlefieldandIvey2002 .IntheSanLuisValley,springfood2670forcranesisbecomingacriticalissueaswastegrainisbeingreducedbyfalltillingand2671irrigationoffieldsafterharvest SRMGSC2007 .Thisprocessisusedtostimulate2672sproutingandthenfreezingofwasteseedafterharvest,whichleavesacleanfieldfor2673springplanting.2674

BreedingAreas2675Breedingsandhillcranesaredependentuponwethaymeadowandgrainfieldsalongthe2676YampaandElkriversinRouttCountyforforaginghabitats SRMGSC2007 .Craneswith2677broodsprefertoforageinopen,floodedmeadows Gerberatal.2014 .Frequentlythese2678sitesaresubjecttoagriculturalpracticesthatcanbedetrimentaltonestingandfledging.2679Thoughmeadowsaregenerallygoodforagingsitesforcranes,lateJuneandJulymeadow2680mowingcankillcranechicksastheyhideindensevegetationandremainmotionless,2681waitingforthethreattopass LittlefieldandIvey1994 .Inaddition,meadowsareoften2682driedinJuneforhayharvest,andearlydryingcanresultintheunavailabilityof2683invertebratefoods,sometimescontributingtochickstarvation LittlefieldandIvey2002 .2684

7 Natural System Modifications 2685

StagingAreas2686Thesinglegreatestthreattosandhillcranesappearstobelossofnon‐breedinghabitat;2687particularlyfallandspringstagingareasinColorado Gerberetal.2014 .Themajorfall2688andspringmigrationstopfortheRockyMountainpopulationofthegreatersandhillcrane2689isintheSanLuisValley,Colorado.MostroostingareasareontheMonteVistaNational2690WildlifeRefuge NWR ,BacaNationalWildlifeArea,HigelStateWildlifeArea,RioGrande2691


110

StateWildlifeArea,thechanneloftheRioGrandeRiver,andprivatemarshesandwet2692meadowsalongtheriverfromthetownofMonteVistatotheAlamosaNWR.Water2693withdrawalforurbanandagriculturaluse,combinedwithclimatechangeanddrought,has2694loweredthewatertableintheSanLuisValleyresultinginshrinkinghabitatforsandhill2695cranes SRMGSC2007 .Thislossofhabitathascausedcrowdingleadingtodisease2696outbreaks.Consequentlyaviantuberculosis,choleraandbotulismhavecausedcrane2697mortalityinstagingareasintheSanLuisValley Drewienetal.2001 .2698

BreedingAreas2699HabitatlosswithinbreedingareasisaseriousthreattogreatersandhillcranesinColorado.2700Breedingcranesutilizetherivervalleys,marshes,andwetmeadowsofnorthernColorado,2701wherehumanpopulationsarelowbutincreasing.InColorado,breedingsitesarelocated2702onprivatelandsthataredesirableforexurbandevelopment SRMGSC2007 .2703


Habitatinventoriesareneededtoidentify,classify,rank,andcataloghabitatsusedby2705greatersandhillcranesinColorado.Thisinformationwillhelpfacilitatetheprotectionof2706importanthabitatthroughacquisition,easement,cooperativeagreements,special‐use2707permits,andmitigationexchangesanddevelopments SRMGSC2007 .Understandinghow2708changinghumanimpacts includingchangesinagriculturalpracticesinducedbyclimate2709change affectbothbreedingandnon‐breedingstagingsiteswillbeimportantforcreating2710long‐termconservationstrategies Gerberetal.2014 .Investigationofhowchanging2711agriculturalpracticesarediminishingfoodavailabilityintheSanLuisValleyandthe2712feasibilityofaugmentingfoodsuppliesbydevelopingnaturalforagesitesthroughwetland2713creationandenhancementisneeded SRMGSC2007 .2714


Conservationandappropriatemanagementofimportanthabitatsisneeded.Inparticular,2716maintainingorimprovingthehealthofriparianandwetlandhabitats,andensuring2717adequateavailabilityoffoodresources,isneeded.2718

Gunnison Sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus) 2719

Theinformationpresentedhereisaverylimitedsummaryofthedetailedthreatsand2720conservationactionsdescribedinthe2005GunnisonSage‐grouseRangewideConservation2721Plan,andshouldnotbeconstruedasacomprehensiveorprioritizedlistofthethreats.The2722RangewideConservationPlanshouldbereferencedindevelopingthreatassessmentsand2723conservationinterventionsforthespecies linkinAppendixD .27242725Notethattheimpactsofthethreatsdescribedbelowarevariableacrossthedistributionof2726Gunnisonsage‐grouse;somethreatsarelesssignificantfortheGunnisonpopulation2727comparedwithsomesatellitepopulations.2728


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Threats 2729

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2730AsnotedintheRangewideConservationPlan,thedeclineinGunnisonSage‐grouseis2731largelyduetolossofnativehabitatduetoconversiontoresidentialdevelopmentand2732cropland,andassociatedinfrastructure roads,powerlines,reservoirs,andsoon ,and2733degradationandfragmentationofremaininghabitat.Notably,exurbandevelopmentis2734increasinglycommonwithintherangeofGunnisonSage‐grouse,especiallyinlow‐elevation2735meadows,grasslands,andsagebrush.2736

2 Agriculture 2737Inadditiontohabitatconversiontocropland,grazing oneofthemajorlandusesin2738sagebrushhabitats hasinfluencedsage‐grousehabitatinavarietyofways.Theseinclude2739removalofsagebrushfromsomeareas,aswellasalterationstounderstoryplantsneeded2740fornesting,broodrearing,andotherlifehistoryrequirements.Directandindirectimpacts2741fromimpropergrazing grazingthatisincompatiblewithlocalecologicalconditions on2742GunnisonSage‐grouseareuncertainandcomplex.However,grazingcanalsobeusedasa2743managementtooltoachievedesirablehabitatconditionsforthegrouse.2744

3 Energy Production & Mining 2745Potentialthreatsrelatedtoenergyproductionandminingactivitiesandinfrastructure2746includereductioninamountofavailablehabitat,fragmentationanddegradationof2747remaininghabitat,directdisturbanceand/ormortalityofindividualbirds,andincreased2748predation.2749


TheGunnisonSage‐grouseRangewideConservationPlan 2005 providesadetailed2751sectiononresearchneedsrelatedtoGunnisonSage‐grouse.Thesectionidentifiesbroad2752researchtopicsthat1 areimportanttounderstandingpopulationsandhabitat;and2 2753leadtomoreeffectivemanagement.Thehighestpriorityresearchneedistoevaluatethe2754effectofhabitatqualityandquantityonthebehaviorandpopulationdynamics.2755


Again,thereaderisreferredtotheRangewideConservationPlanindevelopingthreat2757assessmentsandconservationinterventionsforthespecies availableonline:2758http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/GunnisonSagegrouseConservationPlan.aspx .2759


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Lesser Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicintus) 2760

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer2761tothefollowingresources:TheLesserPrairie‐chickenRange‐wideConservationPlan27622013 ;2763LesserPrairie‐chickenConservationInitiative 2008 ;LesserPrairie‐chicken2764Tympanuchuspallicicinctus :atechnicalconservationassessment 2005 ;Federallisting2765documents;LesserPrairie‐chickenRecoveryPlan 1992 linksinAppendixD .2766

Threats 2767

2 Agriculture 2768Fragmentation,degradation,andconversionofgrasslandshasledtoisolationandreduced2769viabilityoflesserprairie‐chickenpopulations Johnsonetal.2003;SilvyandHagen2004 .2770ConservationReserveProgramfieldscurrentlycontributeimportanthabitatforlesser2771prairie‐chickens.LossofCRPfieldsandCRPfieldsplantedwithincompatibleseedmixes2772exacerbateratherthanimprovethedegradedconditionofavailablehabitat.Historically2773mis‐managedgrazing,alongwithconversionofhabitattocropland,arethetwogreatest2774factorsthathavenegativelyimpactedlesserprairie‐chickenhabitatinColorado.Mis‐2775managedgrazinghasdramaticallydegradedandconvertedhistoricallysuitablelesser2776prairie‐chickenhabitatinColoradotonon‐suitablehabitat.27772778Theprimarylimitingfactorforlesserprairie‐chickenpopulationsinColoradoisthecurrent2779lackoflargecontinuousblocksofdiversegrassland,approximatelymidcalftokneehigh,2780thatcontainsabundantforbs,legumesand/orsandsage.Thisdiverse2781grassland/forb/shrubcommunitymustprovidetheheightanddensitythatwillprovide2782adequatecoverfornesting,brood‐rearing,andyear‐roundsurvivalhabitatforlesser2783prairie‐chickens.2784

3 Energy Production & Mining 2785Oilandgasdevelopmentfragmentshabitatandleadstobehavioralavoidance,includinglek2786abandonment,inareaswhereproductionandrelatedinfrastructureoccur VanPeltetal.27872013 .Hunt 2004 foundwelldensitieshighernearabandonedleksthannearactiveleks.2788Increasingdensitiesofoilandgaswellsmayresultinreducedlesserprairie‐chicken2789populations. 2790

14 Natural Factors 2791Becauselesserprairie‐chickenshavesmallhomerangesandhabitatsarebecomingmore2792isolatedanddisjunct RobbandSchroeder2005 ,thereisevidenceofdiminishinggenetic2793diversity Johnsonetal.2003,2004 .Thiscanleadtoappearanceofdeleteriousrecessive2794alleles,reducedreproductiveoutput,andsusceptibilitytostochasticevents.2795


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Somebasicrangewidenaturalhistoryinformationisstilllackingforthelesserprairie‐2797chicken,includinginformationondispersal,recruitment,andtheimportanceofparasites2798andinfectiousdiseases.Also,informationonlocalpopulationsizeandthecapacityfor2799connectivityisneeded,andhowhabitatqualityandpatchsizecanmitigatemortality2800factors RobbandSchroeder2005 .Researchtobetterdeterminethedirectandindirect2801effectsofanthropogenicstructures e.g.,oilandgaswells,windturbines isneededto2802implementthemosteffectivemitigationprograms.Forrestoredgrasslands,researchto2803determinemosteffectiveseedmixesandplantingtechniquesisneeded,includinghow2804habitatrespondstointentionaloccasionaldisturbancesuchasmid‐contractmanagement2805forCRPparcels.2806


Conservationoflesserprairie‐chickensisdependentontheprotectionoflarge,2808unfragmentedlandscapeswithsuitablehabitat.InColorado,sandsagebrushrangelands2809andplantedgrasshabitats e.g.,CRP mustbemanagedtoprovidehabitatforlekking,2810nestingandbroodrearing.Landowneroutreach,FarmBill,andotherincentiveprograms2811e.g.,LesserPrairie‐chickenRangewideConservationPlan shouldbeusedtoencourage2812landownerstoimplementagriculturalpracticesthatarecompatiblewithlesserprairie‐2813chickenconservation.Whenpossible,permanentconservationeasementsshouldbeused2814tosecurehabitatinperpetuity.Whilepermanenteasementsarepreferable,term2815easementsmayhaveutilityinsomesituations.Termlengthshouldbeaminimumof102816years,althoughlongerishighlydesirable.Programswhichdis‐inecentivizetheconversion2817ofnativehabitatsorplantedgrasscovertorowcropproductionshouldbeimplemented.2818Negativeeffectsfromanthropogenicactivitieswhichcausehabitatlossandfragmentation2819oilandgas,windpower,electricaltransmission mustbeamelioratedthrough2820appropriateavoidanceandminimizationand,whennecessary,offsettingmitigation.2821BecauseofverylowpopulationsinColorado,habitatprotectionandimprovementaround2822remainingleksisimperativeandthepossibilityofpopulationenhancementthrough2823translocationsshouldbeexplored.Severeandlong‐termdroughtshavesignificantimpacts2824onlesserprairie‐chickenpopulations.Whiledroughtsthemselvescannotbeprevented,2825providingsufficienthigh‐qualityhabitatwillallowthespeciestopersistduringsuch2826stressfulperiods.28272828Therearetwoprimaryconservationactionsthathavethepotentialtoaddressthe2829dramaticallydegradedhabitatforlesserprairie‐chickensinColorado.Croplandcanbe2830convertedtosuitablelesserprairie‐chickenhabitatbutthisrequiresthatdiversemixesof2831plantspeciesareestablished.Thelargestandmostfamiliarprogramtodothisisthe2832ConservationReserveProgram.28332834Establishingsuitablehabitatonpreviouslycroppedlandsisnotassimpleasjustplanting2835andusingnativespecies.Thesinglebiggestfactorthatislimitingthesuitabliltyof2836currentlyenrolledCRPfieldsforlesserprairie‐chickeninColoradoisthewidespreaduseof2837


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anaggressivenativegrass,sideoatsgrama,whichlargelydoesnotprovidesuitablelesser2838prairie‐chickenhabitatundercurrentmanagementregimes.Thisnativespeciestendsto2839out‐competeothernativegrassesandnecessaryforbsandlegumesinthehighlydisturbed2840system.CurrentCPWhabitatuseresearchusingGPSradiotelemetryiscorraborating2841previousworkfromKansasandabundantanecdotalevidencethattheuseofnon‐native2842buthighlybeneficialdrylandadaptedalfalfainCRPplantingsisprovidinghabitattolesser2843prairie‐chickensinCRPdominatedlandscapes.28442845CRPseedmixesmustbedesignedsothattheresultinghabitatwilladdressthestructural2846andcompositionneedsoflesserprairie‐chickenstoprovidesuitablehabitat.Further2847limitingthepotentialforCRPisthefactthisnationalprogramisfacingadecliningnational2848acreagecapandthecountiesinsoutheastColoradooftenreachtheirallowableenrollment2849cap.However,establishingsuitablehabitatforlesserprairie‐chickensthroughCRPor2850similarprogramsremainsoneofthequickestandmosteffectivemanagementactionsto2851improveconditionsforlesserprairie‐chickenpopulationsinColorado.28522853InColorado,amajorityofthehistoricallysuitablehabitathasbeenlargelyconvertedto2854croplands.Theremaindinglandscapethatwasformerlysuitableforlesserprairie‐2855chickensinColoradoisthesandyrangelandsitescharactizedbychoppyordeepsandsand2856sandsage.Thisecologicalsitehasbeendramaticallyalteredbygrazingsystemsand2857managementthathaveresultedinnearcompletelossofthenativemid‐grassspecieswhich2858arecriticaltonestinghabitatforlesserprairie‐chickens.Thegrazingsystemsthathave2859beenutilizedhaveresultedinthemajorityofthesandsagecommunityinColoradotobe2860dominatedbyshortgrassspeciesand/oradramaticallyreducedoreliminatedgrass2861component,resultinginsomesitesbeingdominatedbyannualvegetationwhenadequate2862moistureisavailablewithanoverstoryofsandsage.Theshortgrasssystemsunderthe2863sandsageoverstorythathavetolerateduniformandoftenexcessivegrazingpressureare2864currentlyexisinginadisclimaxconditionwheremanyofthenecessaryhabitatcomponents2865forchickensarelacking.Likewise,theareasdominatedbyannualswithasandsage2866overstoryareoftenlackinginoneormorehabitatcompontsaswell,generallyadequate2867concealingcoverfornestingandescapecover.Apreferredmanagementalternativeon2868thesesites,themajorityofwhichareonprivateland,istoimprovegrazingmanagementto2869ensureanadequateinterspersionofhabitattypesandtotryandrecoverthemid‐height2870warmseasongrassesandabundantforbsthatarecriticalcomponentsofsuitablelesser2871prairie‐chickenhabitat.Tobesuccessfulthismanagementactionwillrequiresound2872technicalassistance,financialincentives,andlandownerbuy‐in.Thismanagementaction2873isonamuchlongertimeframethanestablishingadequateandsuitablehabitaton2874previouslycroppedacresthroughtheCRPorsimilarprograms.Itisunknownhowmany2875yearsitwilltaketo orifitisevenpossible torestorethemosthighlydegradedsandsage2876areastosuitablehabitatforlesserprairie‐chickens.28772878Improvinghabitatconditionsforlesserprairie‐chickensinColoradowillrequirecontinued2879andimprovedcommitmentfromavarietyofgovernmentagenciesandpartners.Effective2880outreachwillbenecessarytoengageprivatelandownersinlesserprairie‐chickenhabitat2881effortsasthevastmajorityofpotentialhabitatisonprivatelyownedlands.Lastly,2882


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managementactionsmusteffectivelyincorporatescientificdataandusesoundtechniques2883andmethodologytorecoverorestablishhabitatthatwilldirectlyaddresspopulation2884limitingfactorsforlesserprairie‐chickens.2885

Mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) 2886

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer2887tothefollowingresources:WesternGrasslandsInitiative–aPlanforConservingGrassland2888HabitatandWildlife 2011 ;ConservationPlanforGrasslandSpeciesinColorado 2003 ;2889MountainPlover Charadriusmontanus :atechnicalconservationassessment 2003 ;2890Proposedfederallistingdocuments linksinAppendixD .2891

Threats 2892

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2893Themajorthreattothemountainploveristhelossofnativehabitatsandthelossofthose2894speciesthatcancreatesuitablehabitat especiallyprairiedogs Dinsmore2003 .In2895Colorado,residentialandcommercialdevelopmenthasreplacedmountainploverhabitat2896alongtheFrontRange,inscatteredlocationsthroughouttheeasternplains,andinSouth2897Park.2898

2 Agriculture 2899MuchmountainploverhabitatinColoradohasbeenconvertedtocropland.Mountain2900ploverscanadapttochanginglandscapesbyutilizingsurroundingcroplandfornesting.2901Thoughmountainploversdousecropland,itmaybelesssuitableinsomeareas i.e.,low2902chicksurvivalrates thanshortgrasspriaireorprairiedogtowns Dreitz2008 .Asprairie2903dogshaveundergoneprecipitousdeclines Dreitz2009 ,sohavethebare‐2904ground/shortgrasshabitatsthatareidealformountainplover.Domesticlivestockgrazing2905hasreplacedthehistoricgrazingregimesoncefoundontheGreatPlains,whichreplaces2906themosaicofbaregroundandvegetationstructurefavoredbymountainploverswith2907morehomogenousstructurelackingthecrucialbaregroundcomponent Dinsmore2003 .2908However,thisreplacementdoesnotnecessarilyreplicategrazedconditionsnecessaryfor2909plovernestingsuccess.AugustineandDerner 2012 suggestthatprescribedburnand2910prairiedoggrazingprovidemoresuitablehabitatonshortgrassprairiethanintense2911livestockgrazingalone.2912

3 Energy Production & Mining 2913Oilandgasdevelopmentnearsuitablehabitatmaylimitploveruseofareasandmay2914fragmentcontiguouspatchesofsuitablehabitat.This,incombinationwiththeabove2915threats,contributetoalandscapethathasbecomemorefragmentedforploverhabitat,2916reducingthesizeofviablepatchesandpossiblyisolatingsomebreedingorwintering2917populations.Inaddition,associateddisturbancessuchasnoise,presenceofhumans,and2918vehicletrafficmayresultinbehavioralavoidance.However,becauseploversareattracted2919


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todisturbedgroundfornesting,oilandgasdevelopmentactivitiesmayhindersome2920nesting,buttheycouldalsoattractplovers.Ifnestsareknowntobeinthearea,effortsto2921avoiddestructionshouldbemade.2922


Preciserangewideandlocalpopulationdemographicsinformation,includingpopulation2924size,islackingformountainplovers.Thereisalackofunderstandingofhowlandscape2925managementactivitiesimpactploverpopulations.Also,themovementpatternsamongand2926withinregionalpopulationsispoorlyunderstood.Lastly,knowledgeofpredatorandprey2927communitiesandtheirdynamicsatbreedingandwinteringgroundsneedsfurtherstudy.It2928ispossiblethegreatestthreatstomountainploversarenotinColoradoontheirbreeding2929grounds,butratherthatfactorsontheirwinteringgroundsareofgreatimportanceas2930researchinColoradoshowssignificantuseoffallowagriculturallands,whichareabundant,2931fornestinghabitat.Thereneedstobeadditionalresearchtodeterminewhatthe2932populationlimitingfactorsaresothateffectivemanagementcanbeimplemented.2933


InColorado,conservationandmanagementofshortgrassprairieisnecessaryfor2935maintenanceofhealthymountainploverpopulations.Useofbestmanagementpractices2936forexample,prescribedfire,promotionofprairiedogcolonies tolimitimpactsfrom2937energydevelopment,croplandconversion,andexurbandevelopmentshouldbe2938encouraged.LandowneroutreachandincentiveprogramsthroughtheFarmBillorother2939programscanbeusedtoencouragegrazingpracticesthatarecompatiblewithmountain2940plovers.Becauseprairiedogsareimportantforcreatingshortgrasslandhabitatspreferred2941bymountainplovers,conservationactionswhichbenefitprairiedogsshouldbe2942implemented.Directlossofprairiedogcoloniesthroughanthropogenicalternation e.g.,2943exurbandevelopment,energydevelopment,poisoning shouldbeaddressedthrough2944outreachtoappropriateaudiences includingpolicy‐makersandlandowners ,2945implementationofbestmanagementpractices,securingofconservationeasementsand2946otherhabitatprotections,and,whenappropriate,useofzoningandotherregulatory2947mechanismstoprotecthabitat.Indirectlossofprairiedogcoloniesduetosylvaticplague2948maybereducedthroughthedevelopmentanduseofvaccinestoprotectprairiedogs.The2949negativeeffectsofsylvaticplagueonburrowingowlsmayalsobeaddressedbythe2950conservationoflargenumbersorwell‐dispersedprairiedogcoloniesatlandscapescales.2951


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Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesi) 2952

Threats 2953

1 Residential & Commercial Development 2954Plainssharp‐tailedgrouseinColoradohavebeennegativelyimpactedbyresidentialand2955commercialdevelopment.DouglasCounty,oneoftheperenniallyfastestgrowingcounties2956intheUnitedStatesforanumberofyears,historicallyprovidedsomeofthebestplains2957sharp‐tailedgrousehabitatinthestate.Thisformerstrongholddoesnot,andlikelynever2958will,providesharptailhabitatinthefutureduetohabitatlosstoresidentialdevelopment.2959

2 Agriculture 2960

Cropland2961Conversionofnativecovertopastureandcroplandinthepasthasresultedindramatic2962declineofgrousepopulations.Healthygrousepopulationsrequirelarge,undisturbed,2963naturalhabitatswithintactecologicalfunctionsincludingnaturaldisturbanceregimes2964Storch2000 .Historically,plainssharp‐tailedgrouserangedacrossthenortherntwo2965thirdsofeasternColorado,butconversionofnativecovertocroplandhasextirpatedplains2966sharp‐tailedgrousefrommuchoftheirnativerange.InColorado,preventingfuturelossof2967habitattoagriculturalusesandencouragingtheenrollmentofcroplandsintotheCRP2968withinthecurrentrangeofplainssharp‐willbenefitthisspecies.2969

Grazing2970Privatelandssupplyapproximately50percentoftheplainssharp‐tailedgrousehabitatin2971northeasternColorado.Grazingthatisincompatiblewithsharp‐tailedgrouseresultsin2972reductionoreliminationofkeygrousefoodplantsandtheabundanceofinsectsimportant2973tothegrowthanddevelopmentofchicks,andincreasespredationratesofadultandyoung2974grousebyreducingcoverneededforconcealmentfrompredators Baines1996;Hoffman2975andThomas2007 .Consequently,incompatiblygrazedhabitatsupportsfewerleks,fewer2976malesatleks,andsmallerpopulationsofsharp‐tailedgrouse Flanders‐Wanneretal.29772004 .Alternately,propergrazingmanagementcanmaintainand/orenhancesharp‐tailed2978grousehabitatbypromotingdesirableplantcommunities,preventingweedencroachment,2979providingresidualcover,andincreasingplantdiversity Hoffman2001 .Propergrazing2980managementonrangelandsisbasedoncontrollingtheintensity,timing,frequency,2981selectivityanddistributionofgrazinganimals MWCC1999 .Theuseofsoundgrazing2982managementpracticeswithinsharp‐tailedgrousehabitatswillhelppreventdeclinesand2983couldincreaseplainssharp‐tailedgrousepopulationsinColorado.2984

3 Energy Production & Mining 2985

OilandGas2986TheRockyMountainWestisanimportantoilandgasproducingregionintheUnited2987States.Sincetheearly2000s,oilandgasdevelopmentwithintheareaoccupiedbythe2988plainssharp‐tailedgrouseinnortheasternColoradohasincreaseddramatically.According2989


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toGISdatafromtheColoradoOilandGasConservationCommission,asofOctober20142990thereareover1,500oilandgaswellscurrentlypermittedordrilledwithinhabitatofthe2991planssharp‐tailedgrouseinColorado COGCC2014 .Trafficandinfrastructurefrom2992energydevelopmentincludingroads,pads,tanks,utilitylinesandbuildingsstressessharp‐2993tailedgrousepopulationsandleadstofragmentationandthelossofnativecover.2994Ultimately,thisnegativelyimpactsleksites,nestingandbroodingareas,andwinterhabitat,2995renderingthemmarginalforsharp‐tailedgrouse HoffmanandThomas2007 .The2996currentenergyexpansionplacesplainssharp‐tailedgrousepopulationsatriskfromoiland2997gasdevelopmentsinColorado.2998

RenewableEnergy2999Therearefourlargescalewindfarmswithintherangeoftheplainssharp‐tailedgrousein3000Colorado,withpotentialformoredevelopmentinthefuture NRDC2014 .Noresearch3001hasbeenconductedontheimpactsthatwindturbinesandotherinfrastructure e.g.,3002transmissionlines haveonplainssharp‐tailedgrouse,butconcernsincludenoise,habitat3003disruption,disturbance,fragmentation,andincreasedpredatoraccess USFWS2004;3004UWIN2010 .Pruetetal. 2009 demonstratedthatgreaterprairie‐chicken Tympanuchus3005cupido movementsarealteredbywindenergydevelopment;theyavoidcrossingunder3006transmissionlinesandavoidactivitynearthetallstructuresassociatedwithwindenergy.3007However,itisunknownwhetherornotplainssharp‐tailedgrouserespondinasimilar3008way.Sharp‐tailedgrousetendtobefairlytolerantoflimiteddevelopmentanddisturbance,3009oftenusingdisturbedhabitatlikehomesteads,treerows,andagriculturalfieldsatcertain3010timesofyear.Itisunknownhoworifwinddevelopmentwillimpactplainssharp‐tailed3011grouseinColorado.Giventheuncertaintiessurroundingtheimpactsofwindenergy3012developmentonprairiegrouse,theUSFWS 2004 recommendsrestrictinginstallationof3013windturbinesorwindfacilitieswithina5‐mileradiusofactivegrouseleks.3014


Knowledgeofplainssharp‐tailedgrousebiologyinColoradoislimited.Researchisneeded3016ontheeffectsofgrazingpracticesonsharp‐tailedgrousehabitat,andontheminimum3017habitatpatchsizeneededtosupportstablepopulationsofsharp‐tailedgrouse Braunetal.30181992 .Thespatialconfigurationofhabitatsuitableforprairiegrousemaybecomecritical3019iftheamountofavailablehabitatdropsbelowathreshold.Consequently,informationon3020thespatialdescriptionofhabitatrequirementsisneeded,particularlyinareasthatmaybe3021fragmentedbycroplandandenergydevelopment Niemuth2011 .3022


Effectiveconservationofremainingplainssharp‐tailedgrousepopulationsinColoradorest3024largelywithmaintainingsuitablehabitatonpreviouslycroppedlandsenrolledintothe3025ConservationReserveProgram.SuitablehabitatcomplexesofCRP,limitedamountsof3026drylandagricultureincerealgrains,andnativerangeexhibitingandmaintainingamid‐3027grassand/ornativeshrubcomponentwillbenecessarytosustainplainssharp‐tailed3028grouse.GrazingmanagementcanbeimprovedadjacenttoCRP,buttheexistingrangeland3029


119

wheresharp‐tailedgrousestilloccurismarginalatbest,andthebirdsareexceedingly3030reliantuponsuitableCRP,asthebestoftheirhistoricrangecenteredaroundDouglas3031County,whichhasbeenpermanentlylost.3032

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) 3033

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3034tothefollowingresources:FinalRecoveryPlanSouthwesternWillowFlycatcher3035Empidonaxtrailliiextimus 2002 ;Federallistingdocuments linksinAppendixD .3036

Threats 3037

2 Agriculture 3038Incompatiblegrazingbylivestockinriparianhabitathasresultedinthelossofriparian3039vegetation,particularlywithinthearidwest Belskyetal.1999 .Incompatiblegrazingin3040riparianareascanreducetheoveralldensityofvegetation,whichisaprimaryattributeof3041southwesternwillowflycatcherbreedinghabitat USFWS2002a .Relatedimpactsmay3042includesoilcompaction,increasedrunoffleadingtogullying,downcutting,loweredwater3043table,subsequentlyfurtheringthelossofriparianvegetation.Livestockcanalsodirectly3044destroywillowflycatchernests Valentineetal.1988 .Inthearidmountainregionsofthe3045west,waterresourcesandfertilelandsuitabletosupportcroplandexistsmainlyalong3046streamswherewaterforirrigationandrichsoilsdepositedonstreamfloodplainsisfound.3047Theseareasthatoncecontainedextensiveriparianhabitatsuitableforwillowflycatchers3048havebeenconvertedtoagriculture USFWS2002a .Farmingoperationscanalsocreate3049habitatforbrown‐headedcowbirds Molothrusater bycreatingshort‐grassfields,grain3050storageandlivestockconcentrationsinproximitytowillowflycatchernestinghabitat3051USFWS2002a .3052

7 Natural System Modifications 3053Theriparianhabitatthesouthwesternwillowflycatcherdependsonhasbeendisturbedby3054multiplehuman‐inducedactivities,includingreductionsinwaterflow,interruptionsin3055naturalhydrologicaleventsandcycles,physicalmodificationstostreams,modificationof3056nativeplantcommunitiesbyinvasionofexoticspecies,anddirectremovalofriparian3057vegetation USFWS2002a .Streamsoccupiedbytheflycatcherhavebeendisturbedby3058impoundments,dams,andreservoirsthatalterthetiming,frequencyandquantityofflows,3059whichinturnadverselyimpactsriparianvegetation,renderingitunsuitableforwillow3060flycatchers.Waterdiversionandgroundwaterpumpinghasdriedriparianzones,leading3061tothelossofriparianshrubsnecessaryforwillowflycatchers.Channelization,bank3062stabilization,levees,andotherformsofflowcontrolshaveseparatedstreamsfromtheir3063floodplains,reducingthecoverofwoodedriparianhabitatswillowflycatchersare3064dependentupon.30653066


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Firewithinriparianhabitatscanbeparticularlydamagingtoriparianplantcommunities3067becausetheyarenotadaptedtofire,noraretheyfireregenerated.Thereisevidencethat3068firehasincreasedinwesternriparianhabitatswherestreamshavebeenregulatedbecause3069thereductionoffloodinghasallowedfuelstobuildup,andbecauseoftheexpansionand3070dominanceofthehighly‐flammabletamarisk Busch1995 .Thelossofriparianhabitat3071duetoincreasedfrequencyoffirecausesthedirectlossofwillowflycatcherhabitat.3072

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3073Manywaterwayswithintherangeofthesouthwesternwillowflycatcherhavebeen3074invadedbytamarisk Tamarixramosissima .Southwesternwillowflycatcherswillnestin3075somehabitatsthathavebecomeinvadedby,orhavebecomedominatedby,tamarisk3076Paradzicketal.2000 .Consequently,therestorationofriparianhabitatthroughthe3077removaloftamariskcanposeathreattosouthwesternwillowflycatchers.When3078conductedinareasofsuitablehabitat occupiedorunoccupied ,andwhenconductedin3079theabsenceofrestorationplanstoensurereplacementbyvegetationofequalorhigher3080functionalvalue,theresultcanbeadeclineinwillowflycatcherpopulations USFWS30812002a .3082

14 Natural Factors 3083Thesouthwesternwillowflycatchersuffersbroodparasitismfrombrown‐headed3084cowbirds,whichreducesreproductiveperformance USFWS2002a .Undernormal3085conditions,broodparasitismwouldnotaffectwillowflycatcherviability.However,the3086increaseincowbirdpopulationsinducedbythefarmingpractices,inconjunctionwiththe3087declineinconditionofwesternriparianhabitats,couldbecontributingtothepopulation3088declineofwillowflycatchers Rothstein1994 .3089


Manylifehistorytraitsofsouthwesternwillowflycatchersrequirefurtherstudy,including3091spacingandsitetenacity,fecundityandmortality,matingsystem,andpopulationstructure3092andregulation.Thedispersalandmigratorybehaviorofjuvenilesispoorlyunderstood3093andinformationisneededonthewinterstatusanddistributionformuchoftheflycatcher’s3094winterrange,especiallyinnorthernSouthAmerica Sedgwich2000;USFWS2002a .3095


MaintenanceofhealthyriparianforesthabitatsintheSanLuisValleyandsouthwestern3097Coloradoisimperativefortheconservationofsouthwesternwillowflycatcher.3098Implementationofwatermanagementpoliciesthatencouragesustainableflowsand3099supporthealthywillowandmaturecottonwoodriparianforestsareneeded.Publiclands3100statewildlifeareas,nationalwildliferefuges,BLM shouldbemanagedtobenefitthe3101species.Outreachtolandownersandtheuseofincentiveprogramstomaintainriparian3102forestandpreventhabitatalterationordegradation e.g.,duetoovergrazing are3103importanttasks.3104


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Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus 3105

occidentalis) 3106

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3107tothefollowingresources:Yellow‐billedCuckoo Coccyzusamericanus :atechnical3108conservationassessment 2005 ;Federallistingdocuments linksinAppendixD .3109

Threats 3110

2 Agriculture 3111Incompatiblegrazingbylivestockinriparianhabitathasresultedinthelossofriparian3112vegetation,particularlywithinthearidwest Bocketal.1993 .Grazinginriparianareas3113cancausechangesinthestructureandcompositionofriparianvegetation,whichmay3114affectsuitabilityofhabitatforwesternyellow‐billedcuckoobreedingandpreypopulation3115abundance USFWS2014a .Inthearidmountainregionsofthewest,waterresourcesand3116fertilelandsuitabletosupportcroplandexistsmainlyalongstreams,wherewaterfor3117irrigationandrichsoilsdepositedonstreamfloodplainsisfound.Largeareasof3118cottonwood–willowfloodplainvegetationhavebeenconvertedtoagriculturaluses,3119reducingtheextentofhabitatavailabletocuckoosforbreeding USFWS2002a .Farming3120operationscanalsocreatehabitatforbrown‐headedcowbirds Molothrusater bycreating3121short‐grassfields,andcreatinggrainstorageandlivestockconcentrationsinproximityto3122cuckoonestinghabitat Rosenbergetal.1991 .3123

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 3124Roadsandrailroadsoftenfollowalongrivers,causingthelossanddegradationofriparian3125habitat NAS2002 .Additionally,gravelminingforroadconstructiongenerallyoccurs3126alongriversandinthefloodplain,affectinggroundwaterlevelsandriparianvegetation3127Kondolf1995 .3128

7 Natural System Modifications 3129Theriparianhabitatthewesternyellow‐billedcuckoodependsonhasbeendisturbedby3130multiplehumaninducedactivities,includingalterationofhydrologyduetodams,water3131diversions,managementofriverflowthatdiffersfromnaturalhydrologicalpatterns,3132channelization,andleveesandotherformsofbankstabilizationthatencroachintothe3133floodplain USFWS2014a .Streamsoccupiedbythecuckoohavebeendisturbedby3134impoundments,damsandreservoirsalteringthetiming,frequencyandquantityofflows,3135whichadverselyaffectsriparianvegetation,renderingitunsuitableforcuckoos Greco31362012 .Waterdiversionandgroundwaterpumpinghasresultedinwaterstresstoriparian3137habitat,ultimatelyreducinganddegradingforaging,nesting,andcoverhabitatforcuckoos3138USFWS2014a .Channelization,constructionoflevees,bankstabilization,andflood3139controlstructuresthatencroachintotheriveranditsfloodplaincausedirectlossofcuckoo3140habitatandseparatethechannelfromthefloodplain.This,inturn,resultsinreductionof3141wateravailabletosupportriparianvegetationinthefloodplain,causingthefurtherlossof3142cuckoohabitat USFWS2014a .3143


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3144Firewithinriparianhabitatscanbeparticularlydamagingbecauseriparianplant3145communitiesarenotadaptedtofire,noraretheyfireregenerated.Thereisevidencethat3146firehasincreasedinwesternriparianhabitatswherestreamshavebeenregulated,duein3147parttothereductionofnaturalflooding,whichhasallowedfuelstobuildup.Thissituation3148isfurtherexacerbatedbytheexpansionanddominanceofthehighly‐flammabletamarisk3149Busch1995;StrombergandChew2002 .Thelossofripariancottonwoodforestsdueto3150increasedfrequencyoffireresultsinthedirectlossofcuckoohabitat.3151

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3152Manywesternwaterwayshavebeeninvadedbytamarisk Tamarixramosissima .Areas3153thataredominatedbytamariskareunsuitableforcuckoos USFWS2014a .3154

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 3155Theprimaryimpactsofclimatechangeonthewesternyellow‐billedcuckooareexpectedto3156bethroughchangesintheavailabilityanddistributionofhabitat.Thepredictedeffectsof3157climatechangeintheWestincludeareducedsnowpackandshorterperiodsofsnowcover,3158snowmeltthatoccursearlierintheseason,ahydrologiccyclethatismoredynamicas3159extremerainfalleventsoccurwithgreaterfrequencyandoverallwarmer,drier,andmore3160drought‐likeconditions USFWS2014a .Theeffectofthesealterationswillbeachangein3161themagnitudeandfrequencyoffloodsandagreaterlikelihoodofdrought.Thesechanges3162couldbeeitherbeneficialordetrimentaltocuckoos.Wherefloodingincreaseswater3163availabletoriparianfloodplainsitmayhavearegenerativeeffectoncuckoohabitat,but3164wherechannelizationhasoccurredexcessivescouringcouldcausethelossofany3165remaininghabitat USFWS2014a .Longdroughtscouldalsocausethedeathof3166cottonwoodriparianforestswithoutsubsequentregeneration.3167


Detailedcensusesofdecliningwesternpopulationsmustcontinueinordertodetermine3169effectivepopulationsizesnecessaryforfutureconservationprograms Hughes1999 .3170Variouslifehistorytraitsofthecuckoorequireadditionalresearch,includingspacingand3171sitetenacity,fecundityandmortality,matingsystem,andpopulationstructureand3172regulation Hughes1999 .Manycharacteristicsofjuvenilebiologyareunknown,including3173parentaldependence,anddispersalandmigratorybehavior.Yellow‐billedcuckoosare3174broodparasitesthatwilloccasionallylayeggsinotheryellow‐billedcuckoonests.3175Informationisneededonthephysiological andbehavioralcontrolsassociatedwiththe3176productionofextraeggs,thefrequencyofparasitism,andtheoverallsuccessratesof3177parasiticallylaideggs Hughes1999 .3178


Westernyellow‐billedcuckoosaredependentonthemaintenanceofhealthyriparian3180foreststhroughoutwesternColoradoandtheSanLuisValley.Implementationofwater3181


123

managementpolicieswhichencouragesustainableflowsandsupporthealthywillowand3182maturecottonwoodriparianforestsisneeded.Publiclands statewildlifeareas,national3183wildliferefuges,BLM shouldbemanagedtobenefitthespecies.Outreachtolandowners3184andtheuseofincentiveprogramstomaintainriparianforestandpreventhabitat3185alterationordegradation e.g.,duetoovergrazing areimportanttasks.3186

White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) 3187

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3188tothefollowingresources:White‐tailedPtarmigan Lagopusleucura :atechnical3189conservationassessment 2006 linkinAppendixD .3190

Threats 3191

2 Agriculture 3192Grazinginthealpineenvironmentbylivestock,mostlysheep,mayhaveanegativeeffecton3193white‐tailedptarmiganpopulationsduetoalterationsinthealpineplantcommunityas3194wellasdisturbancetowillowcarrs.Studieshaveshownthatsheepgrazinginthealpine3195reducescoverofsomeimportantfoodsourcesforptarmigan Hoffman2006and3196referencestherein .3197

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 3198Recreationinalpineareashasincreasedoverthepastfewdecadesandwilllikelycontinue3199toincrease.Recreationalactivitiesincludeskiing,hikingwithdogs,all‐terrainvehicleuse,3200andsnowmobiling,allofwhichhavethepotentialtodisturbwhite‐tailedptarmigan3201populationsand/ordegradehabitat.3202

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3203Expansionofwildungulates,primarilyelkbutalsomountaingoatsandmoose,intoalpine3204habitatmaynegativelyaffectwhite‐tailedptarmiganpopulations Hoffman2006 .Elk3205grazingandbrowsinginthealpine&subalpinewillowhabitatofsomeareas e.g.,Rocky3206MountainNationalPark mayresultinreducedsuitabilityforptarmigan.Ifelkpopulations3207degradewillowinalpineandsubalpinehabitats,itcouldimpactptarmigansonwintering3208areasbyreducingsurvivalandloweringbodycondition.3209

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 3210White‐tailedptarmiganareanalpinespeciesthatdependonwillowsinthewintermonths3211tosurviveandlushalpinevegetationinthesummertobreedandfledgeyoung.Currently,3212thereisconcernthatthespecieswillbenegativelyimpactedbyclimatechange.Changes3213thatcouldimpactthespeciesinColoradoarelossofwillowcarrsduetodryingand3214degradation,increasesinthaw/meltcyclesinwinterthatlimitroostingsites,changesin3215summermonsoonalpatternsthatresultinwarmersummertemperaturesandless3216precipitationtomaintainproductivevegetationinalpinesystems,increasesinandseverity3217


124

ofspringstormswhenyoungchicksarevulnerable,increaseinpredatorsnotnormally3218occurringathigherelevationsduetowarmingtrends,andpotentiallyincreasesinavian3219diseases.32203221Ptarmiganarenotwell‐adaptedphysiologicallyfordealingwithhightemperatures3222Johnson1968 .Wangetal. 2002 ,intheirstudyofwhite‐tailedptarmiganinRocky3223MountainNationalPark,foundthatover25yearstheaveragemedianhatchdatehas3224advanced15days,andthatwintertemperaturesmayhavecontributedtothisspecies’3225long‐termdecline.3226


Continuedmonitoringofthespeciesisneededtoevaluatehowitmayrespondtochanging3228environmentalconditionsbroughtaboutbyclimatechange.Recentresearchhasprovided3229reliableestimatesofstatewidesurvivalandabundance Seglund2011;SeglundandStreet32302013 .Continuingthisworkisneededtotesttrendsinsurvival,reproductivesuccessand3231populationsize.3232


In2010,thewhite‐tailedptarmiganwaspetitionedtobelistedasthreatenedunderthe3234EndangeredSpeciesAct.Coloradosupportsthelargestpopulationofwhite‐tailed3235ptarmiganinthelower48states.Thus,ifthespeciesdoesbecomelisted,CPWwillbe3236responsibleforthebulkoftheprotectionandmanagementofthespecies.Therefore,3237continuedlong‐termmonitoringusingenhancedmodelstomonitorrange‐widetrendsin3238distributionandevaluatepopulationstatusisneeded.Coordinationamongagencieswould3239helpintheseefforts.3240

Tier 1 Fish 3241

Arkansas Darter (Etheostoma cragini) 3242

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3243tothefollowingresources:ArkansasDarter Etheostomacragini RecoveryPlan 2001 3244linkinAppendixD .3245

Threats 3246

7 Natural System Modifications 3247Arkansasdarterspreferlow‐gradient,cool,clear,spring‐fedstreamswithdensevegetation3248andsilty,sandyorsandygravelsubstrates LabbeandFausch2000;CPW2001 .Such3249idealhabitathasbeenreducedinthelowerArkansasRiveranditstributariesby3250


125

anthropogenicactivities.Ongoingandextensivewaterdiversions,groundwaterminingand3251impoundmentsintheGreatPlainsbeginninginthe19thcenturyhavealteredthe3252hydrologicregimeofArkansasdarterhabitat,leadingtoincreaseddryingandhabitat3253intermittency Falkeetal.2011 .AlthoughtheArkansasdarterisadaptedtotheharsh,3254flashyhydrologyoftrueplainsstreams,thelevelofanthropogenicdisturbancetothis3255habitatisbeyondthelimitofwhatmanylocalspeciescantolerateinsomeareas Fausch3256andBestgen1997;Samsonetal.2004 .Theminingofgroundwatermaybeparticularly3257detrimentalforthespecies,asarecentstudyshowedthatoverwintersurvivalwashighin3258spring‐fedpoolswheregroundwatermoderatedwintertemperaturesandcreatedpatches3259ofcoolerwaterinsummertemperatures Groceetal.2012 .Astudyofgeneticand3260demographicpatternsrevealedsmalleffectivepopulationsizes,lowlevelsofgenetic3261diversitywithinpopulations,andhighlevelsofgeneticstructureacrossthe12remaining3262populationsofArkansasdarterinColorado Fitzpatricketal.2014 .Theseresultssuggest3263thatthespeciesmaybeatriskofnegativeeffectsofinbreedingdepression,althoughno3264sucheffectshavebeenobserved.3265

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3266Thenon‐nativenorthernpike Esoxlucius arepredatorsofArkansasdarter.Resultsfrom3267astudybyLabbeandFausch 2000 indicatethatnorthernpikehavegreatlyreducedthe3268distributionandabundanceoftheArkansasdarterina13kmstretchofupperBigSandy3269CreeknearRamahReservoir.Additionally,non‐nativelargemouthbass Micropterus3270salmoides ,apotentialpredator,occurinsomestreamswithinArkansasdarterrange,asa3271resultofstockingintosmallimpoundments.3272

Other Threats 3273Thedegradationofstreambanksandshallowwetlandsfromlivestockgrazing,and3274constructionactivitiesandwaterpollutionnearurbanareas,havecontributedtothe3275reductionofArkansasdarterhabitatinthelowerArkansasRiverdrainage CPW2001 .3276


Furtherelucidationregardingtheeffectofnon‐nativespeciesontheArkansasdarteris3278needed.Morestudiesarenecessarytounderstandgeneticandadaptivevariationacross3279theentirerangeoftheArkansasdarterinArkansas,Colorado,Kansas,Missouri,and3280Oklahoma.Fitzpatricketal. 2014 suggestmeasuringandcomparingfitness‐related3281traits,usinggeneticdataforreconstructingwildpedigrees,andconductingreciprocal3282transplantexperimentsasimportantnextstepsforlong‐termmanagementofArkansas3283darterpopulations.3284


Securingwateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through3286easementsandotherlandownweragreements isakeypriority,particularlyforstreamson3287theplainsandinheadwaterreaches.Effortsshouldcontinuetoidentifyadditional3288


126

potentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange.Wherenecessary,3289agreementsshouldbereachedtoimprovehabitat,forexamplebyprovidingalternative3290stock‐watersourcessothatover‐grazedriparianreachescanbefenced.Culture3291techniquesshouldcontinuetoberefined,andfactorsaffectingstockingsuccessmore3292formallyevaluated.3293

Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus) 3294

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3295tothefollowingresources:StateofColoradoconservationandmanagementplanforthe3296RoundtailChub Gilarobusta ,BlueheadSucker Catostomusdiscobolus ,and3297FlannelmouthSucker Catostomuslatipinnis indevelopment ;Range‐wideconservation3298agreementandstrategyforRoundtailChub Gilarobusta ,BlueheadSucker Catostomus3299discobolus ,andFlannelmouthSucker Catostomuslatipinnis 2006 ;BlueheadSucker3300Catostomusdiscobolus :atechnicalconservationassessment 2005 linksinAppendix3301D .3302

Threats 3303

7 Natural System Modifications 3304Theblueheadsucker Catostomusdiscobolus washistoricallycommonandabundantin3305theUpperColoradoRiveranditstributarieswithinthestateofColorado MillerandRees33062000,Ptaceketal.2005 .Presently,theyarefoundinonly45%ofthishistoricrangein3307westernColorado BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .Themajorthreatstothisspeciesare3308damsandreservoirs,diversionofwaterandassociatedchangesinflow,stream3309channelization,andgeneraldeteriorationofripariancorridors Weitzel2002a;Ptaceketal.33102005 .DamsalongtheColoradoRiveranditstributarieshavecomplexdirectandindirect3311effectsonthespecies.LargedamssuchasFlamingGorge,Navajo,andtheAspinallUnit,3312andassociatedalterationshavedirectlyinfluencedthermalandhydrologicalregimes,3313reducingblueheadsuckerpopulationsinboththeLowerandUpperColoradoRiverbasins3314e.g.,Vaniceketal.1970 .Additionally,lowheaddamsandconstructedwetlandsalong3315MuddyCreek,atributaryoftheLittleSnakeRiverintheUpperColoradoRiverbasin,were3316showntorestrictdownstreammovementofblueheadsuckerandcreatenovelwetland3317habitatfavoringnon‐nativefishspecies Beattyetal.2009 .Thesedamsandconstructed3318wetlands,however,mayhavepositiveindirecteffectsastheycreateabarriertothe3319upstreamspawningofnon‐nativefishspeciesthatpreyon,hybridize,andcompetewith3320theblueheadsuckerforresources.Thesefindingshighlightthecompleximpactsofdams3321onColorado’snativefishpopulations Beattyetal.2009 .Fishpassagewayshavebeen3322createdfortheblueheadsuckerandothernativefishatdamsitesintheColoradoRiver3323nearPalisadeandontheGunnisonRiver Landers2012 .3324


127

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3325Hybridizationbetweenthenon‐nativewhitesucker Catostomuscommersoni and3326blueheadsuckerhasbeendocumented,aswellasindividualswithgeneticcontributions3327fromthewhitesucker,blueheadsucker,andnativeflannelmouthsucker Catostomus3328latipinnus McDonaldetal.2008 .Thenon‐nativewhitesuckerhasfacilitated3329introgressionbetweentwonativespecies,andthereforethreatensthegeneticintegrityof3330theblueheadandflannelmouthsuckers.3331Ageneticstudyofthespeciesrevealedthreedistinctgeographicareasthatare3332evolutionarilysignificantformaintainingthegeneticintegrityoftheblueheadsucker3333referredtoasevolutionarilysignificantunits :theBonnevilleBasin,theUpperLittle3334ColoradoRiver,andtheColoradoRiver Hopkenetal.2013 .Allblueheadsucker3335populationsinthestateofColoradobelongtotheColoradoRiverunit Hopkenetal.2013 .3336Theblueheadsuckerisvulnerabletopredationbyseveralnon‐nativefishspeciesincluding3337northernpikeandbrowntrout Nesler1995;Webberetal.2012 .3338

Other Threats 3339Theconstructionofroadsthroughhighlyerodiblesoils,impropertimberharvestpractices,3340andovergrazingofriparianareascanalterstreamchannelflows,increasesedimentloads,3341anddegraderiparianhabitattherebyaffectingthequalityofoccupiedblueheadsucker3342habitat Ptaceketal.2005 .3343


Furtherstudiesareneededtomonitoranddetecthybridizationoftheblueheadsucker3345withotherspecies,especiallynon‐natives CPW2014b .Furthermore,effortsshouldbe3346madetodeterminetheeffectivenessofnon‐nativespeciesremovalinblueheadsucker3347occupiedhabitat CPW2014b .Preliminaryworkhasestimatedthatthespeciesisfairly3348long‐lived,withageestimatesrangingfrom8‐18yearsatsitesinWyoming Sweetetal.33492009 andintheWhiteandGunnisonRivers CPWunpublisheddata .Moreinformationis3350neededonpopulationdemographicsandhabitatrequirementsforblueheadsuckerwithin3351Colorado,notinganydifferencesamongstreams CPW2014b .Theroleoftributariesin3352spawningandlifehistorystagesneedsfurtherinvestigation.Idealhabitatforthespecies3353shouldbeidentifiedtodirectprotectioneffortsthroughouttheUpperColoradoBasin.3354Lastly,moreresearchisneededtodetermineifandwhereflowstagesaretoolowto3355supportblueheadsuckerpopulations CPW2014b .3356


Hybridizationwithnon‐nativesuckersisthemostpressingconservationthreat.Reaches3358thatpresentlysupportblueheadand/orflannelmouthsuckersanddonotcontainnon‐3359nativesuckersshouldbeindividuallyevaluatedandallappropriatemeasuresidentifiedto3360ensuretheyremainuninvaded.Constructedbarriers,inconjunctionwithmechanicalor3361chemicalremoval,maybefeasibleinsomestreams,toopenupadditionalhabitatfor3362reintroduction.Suppressionofnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeand3363smallmouthbass,mustcontinuethroughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.3364


128

Colorado’sDRAFTConservationandManagementPlanforthe‘threespecies,’whichneeds3365tobefinalized,specifiesadditionalconservationactions.3366

Bonytail Chub (Gila elegans) 3367

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3368tothefollowingresources:Bonytail Gilaelegans RecoveryGoals–Amendmentand3369SupplementtotheBonytailChubRecoveryPlan 2002 linkinAppendixD .3370

Threats 3371

Thebonytailchub Gilaelegans isconsideredfunctionallyextinctinColorado Carlson3372andMuth1989 .Thisspecies,endemictotheColoradoRiverBasin,wasoncewidespread3373andabundantintheYampa,Green,ColoradoandGunnisonrivers Jordan1891 .Itisnow3374therarestnativefishspeciesinthebasin.Noverifiableoccurrencesofwildbonytailchub3375havebeendocumentedinColoradosince1984,whenoneindividualwascaughtinthe3376BlackRocksareanearGrandJunction,Colorado Kaedingetal.1986 .Acaptive3377broodstockwasestablishedfromsomeofthelastwildbonytailcollected,andstockingof3378captive‐rearedindividualsisaprimaryrecoverystrategy Nesleretal.2003 .Captive‐bred3379bonytailaretaggedwithPassiveIntegratedTransponder PIT tagspriortostocking.3380Stockedfishhavebeendetectedinsubsequentsampling,sometimesinlargenumbers,but3381thereislittleevidenceoflong‐termsurvival,andnoconfirmedreproductionor3382recruitment.Theprimarythreatstothespeciesarestreamflowregulation,habitat3383modification,predationbynon‐nativefish,hybridization,andpesticidesandpollutants3384VanicekandKramer1969;USFWS2002b;Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2006 .3385

3 Energy Production & Mining 3386AlargeuraniummilltailingspilefromtheAtlasMinenearMoab,Utah,posestwo3387significantthreatstoendangeredfishintheColoradoRiver:1 toxicdischargesof3388pollutants,particularlyammonia,entertheriverthroughgroundwaterandcouldbe3389directlytoxictobonytailchub Giliaelegans ;and2 riskofcatastrophicpilefailurecould3390burynurseryareasanddestroyfishhabitat Fairchildetal.2002;USFWS2002b .If3391functionalbonytailchubpopulationsareestablishedinColorado,individualsmaybe3392capableoftravelingdownstreamtoareasaffectedbythemine.However,migration3393distancesforbonytailchubareunknown.3394

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 3395TheDenverandRioGranderailroadtracksparallelsectionsoftheColoradoRivernear3396GrandJunction,ColoradoandCisco,Utah.Noknownderailmentshaveoccurredinthese3397areas,butpotentialspillsofhazardousmaterialsthreatenallendangeredfishinthis3398portionoftheColoradoRiver USFWS2002b .3399


129

7 Natural System Modifications 3400TheconstructionofdamsintheColoradoRiverBasinhasfragmentedandinundated3401riverinehabitat;releasedcold,clearwaters;alteredecologicalprocesses;affectedseasonal3402availabilityofhabitat;andblockedfishpassage USFWS2002b .Allofthesefactorshave3403ledtothedeclineofthebonytailchub CarlsonandMuth1989;Minckleyetal.2003 .3404

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3405Non‐nativefishspeciesnowdominatemanyportionsoftheUpperColoradoRiverBasin,3406comprising40ofthe54totalspeciesinthebasinasawhole UCREFRP2004 .Manyof3407thesenon‐nativespeciesarethoughttopreyonbonytailchub,includingsmallmouthbass3408Micropterusdolomieu ,andhavebeenimplicatedasoneofthechiefcausesforlackof3409recruitmentinnativefishes McAdaandWydoski1980;Tyusetal.1987;Minckley1991;3410Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2006;Marshetal.2013 .3411

9 Pollution 3412Pollutantsandpesticidesfromagriculturalrunoffhavebeensuggestedaspossiblethreats3413tothespecies,butnotissueanalysishasbeenconductedonbonytailchub Haynesand3414Muth1981;Wicketal.1981 .3415


Fewstudiesonthebonytailchubwerecompletedbeforepopulationsexperiencedmassive3417declines.Futurestudiesshouldfocusonunderstandingthelifehistoryandspecifichabitat3418requirementsofbonytailchubusingstockedpopulations USFWS2002b .This3419informationisnecessaryforcreatingimprovingsurvivalofstockedfish,andfor3420identifying—andifnecessaryre‐creating—theconditionsneededforreproductionand3421recruitment;forexample,off‐channelbreedinghabitatforbonytailchub Minckleyetal.34222003 .Morestudiesfocusingontheeffectsofpesticidesandpollutantsonbonytailchub3423arealsoneeded.3424


Stockingsuccessmustberigorouslyevaluatedtoidentifyfactorscontributingtosurvival.3426Stockedfishshouldbetrackedascloselyaspossibletodiscoverpresumptivelife‐history3427traits.Thesetraitsshouldinturndirectandinformfuturerecoveryactions.Suppression3428ofnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeandsmallmouthbass,mustcontinue3429throughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.Recoveryeffortsforthisspecies3430arecoordinatedprimarilybytheUpperColoradoEndangeredFishRecoveryProgram,in3431whichColoradoisapartneragency.3432


130

Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) 3433

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3434tothefollowingresources:SouthPlatteNativeFishConservationPlan&ArkansasNative3435FishConservationPlan indevelopment .3436

Threats 3437

Thebrassyminnow Hybognathushankinsoni occursintheRepublicanandSouthPlatte3438riverbasins ScheurerandFausch2002 .Thespecieshasexperiencedadeclinein3439abundanceanddistributioninColorado,andwaslistedasstatethreatenedin19983440Scheurer2001;CPW2014 .Majorthreatstothespeciesarehabitatdrying,habitat3441degradation,andnon‐nativespecies.3442

2 Agriculture 3443Grazingbylivestockhasdamaged80%ofthestreamsandriparianecosystemsinthe3444westernUnitedStates USDOI1994;Belskyetal.1999 .Erosionandsiltationfromcattle3445grazingcandegradehabitatfornativefisheslikebrassyminnowthatpreferclearwaters3446anddenselyvegetatedstreambankswithgrasses,willows,andcottonwoods Scheurerand3447Fausch2002 .Grazinghascausedbankerosioninoccupiedbrassyminnowhabitatinthe3448ArikareeRiver Scheureretal.2003 .3449

7 Natural System Modifications 3450Althoughthisspeciesisadaptedtowithstanddroughtconditionsthatarecommoninthe3451GreatPlains,theadditiveeffectsofdroughtcombinedwithstreamflowreductionfrom3452diversions,reservoirstorage,andirrigationpumpingmaycausefurtherdeclinesandeven3453theextirpationofthespeciesinColorado.Forexample,irrigationpumpingfromsitesin3454theArikareeRivercoincidedwiththelarvalhatchingseasonforbrassyminnow,causing3455dewateringofoccupiedhabitat,resultinginthedeathofmostlarvaeduringthedry3456summerof2000 ScheurerandFausch2002 .34573458Thespeciesusesseasonallyfloodedhabitatsforspawning,recruitmentandgrowth Copes34591975;GoldowitzandWhiles1999 .IntheArikareeRiver,investigatorsfoundthatbrassy3460minnowsurvivalandrecruitmentwasstronglyinfluencedbyhabitatdryingasaresultof3461theinteractionsofgroundwaterpumping,climate,andstreamgeomorphology Falkeetal.34622010 .Theuseoftemporaryhabitatsmakesthespeciesextremelyvulnerabletostochastic3463localextinction ScheurerandFausch2002 .Survivalofbrassyminnowishigherin3464spawninghabitatsthatarelargeanddryslowly Falkeetal.2010 .Deeppoolscomplexes,3465oftencreatedbybeaveractivity,serveasimportantrefugiaforthespeciesduringdrought3466andwinterfreezing ScheurerandFausch2002 .Anywatermanagementactivitythat3467alterstheprocessesthatcreatethesepoolscouldhavenegativeeffectsonthebrassy3468minnow.3469


131

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3470Non‐nativefishspeciessuchaslargemouthbassarecapableofdecimatingnativefish3471populations,andmayposeathreattobrassyminnowpopulationsinoff‐channelponds3472ScheurerandFausch2002 .Smallmouthbasshavebeenshowntohaveastrongnegative3473effectonbrassyminnow Schlosser1988 .3474


Moresurveys,aswellasstudiesevaluatingthreatsandinvestigatingmetapopulation3476dynamicsareneededintheSouthPlattebasininColorado,asmoststudieshavefocusedon3477theRepublicanRiverbasin.3478


Securewateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through3480easementsandotherlandownweragreements ;thisisparticularlyurgentinthe3481Republicanbasin.Identifypotentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange,3482emphasizingopportunitiestoprotectorre‐createseasonallyconnectedbackwaterand3483sloughhabitats.Studymetapopulationdynamics,tounderstandimportanceofbarriers3484andseasonalconnectivityinlifehistory,todirectfutureconservationactivities.34853486

Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) 3487

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3488tothefollowingresources:ColoradoPikeminnow Ptychocheiluslucius RecoveryGoals–3489AmendmentandSupplementtotheColoradoSquawfishRecoveryPlan 2002 ;Colorado3490SquawfishRevisedRecoveryPlan 1991 linksinAppendixD .3491

Threats 3492

TheColoradopikeminnow Ptychocheiluslucius isthelargestnativefishintheColorado3493Riverbasin Tyus1991 .ItwaslistedasfederallyEndangeredin1967.Formerlycalled3494theColoradosquawfish,theColoradopikeminnowismemberofauniqueassemblageof3495fishesthatevolvedinwarm,uninterruptedstretchesoftheColoradoRiverandits3496tributaries Miller1959;USFWS2002c .Thespeciesnowutilizesapproximately1,0903497milesofriverhabitatintheupperColoradoRiverBasinaboveLakePowellintheGreen3498River,upperColoradoRiver,andSanJuanRiversubbasins USFWS2011b .Wild3499populationsinthelowerpartofthebasininArizona,California,Nevada,andNewMexico3500areextirpated USFWS2011b .ThewildpopulationintheSanJuansubbasinwasalso3501functionallyextirpatedandeffortstorecoveritarebaseduponstocking.Colorado3502pikeminnowarehighlymigratory,oftentravelingseveralhundredriverkilometersto3503spawningsites,andsubsequentlymakingthejourneyinreversebacktoahomerange3504TyusandMcAda1984;Osmundsonetal.1998 .TheprimarythreatstotheColorado3505


132

pikeminnowarestreamflowregulationandassociatedhabitatmodification,andnon‐native3506fish USFWS2002c .3507

3 Energy Production & Mining 3508AlargeuraniummilltailingspilefromtheAtlasMinenearMoab,Utah,onthenorthbankof3509theColoradoRiverposestwosignificantthreatstoColoradopikeminnow:toxicdischarges3510ofpollutantsandriskofcatastrophicpilefailure USFWS2011b .3511

7 Natural System Modifications 3512DamconstructionhasresultedinthelossanddegradationofhabitatfortheColorado3513pikeminnowacrossitsnativerange MinckleyandDeacon1968;ClarksonandChilds35142000 .Extensivedambuildinginthe1930sthroughthe1960shasbeencitedasthe3515primarycausefortheextirpationofColoradopikeminnowinthelowerColoradoRiver3516basin MuellerandMarsh2002;Osmundson2011 .Althoughthespeciesstillpersistsin3517theupperColoradoRiverbasin,damshaveblockedupstreampassage,convertedfree‐3518flowingriverinesegmentsintolenticreservoirhabitat,andcooleddownstreamreaches3519withhypolimneticreleases Osmundson2011 .Alteredflowregimesfromdamsand3520diversionscanaffectfoodwebdynamicsandinteractionsbetweenColoradopikeminnow3521andnon‐nativefishspecies Osmundsonetal.2002;Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2006,3522Bestgen,Beyers,Rice,andHains2006 .Flowrecommendationsthatconsiderthese3523dynamicshavebeendevelopedforColoradopikeminnow ModdeandSmith1995;3524Osmundsonetal.1995;Holden1999;McAda2000;Muthetal.2000 .Otherwater3525managementactivitiessuchasirrigationandgroundwaterpumpingcanresultinhigh3526levelsofseleniumthatmayaffectthesurvivalandreproductivesuccessofColorado3527pikeminnow SimpsonandLusk1999;Osmundsonetal.2000;Osmundsonetal.2008 .3528Entrainmentoflarvaland/oradultpikeminnowintoirrigationcanalsremainsasignificant3529causeofmortality datainprep .3530

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3531Coloradopikeminnowoccursympatricallywithapproximately20non‐nativefishesthat3532aresuspectedtocompetewithandpreyuponColoradopikeminnowatvariouslifestages,3533includingredshiners Cyprinellalutrensis ,fatheadminnow Pimephalespromelas ,3534channelcatfish Ictaluruspunctatus ,northernpike Esoxlucius ,smallmouthbass3535Microperusdolomieu ,walleye Sandervitreus ,andgreensunfish Lepomiscyanellus 3536USFWS2002c,2011b .Smallmouthbass,northernpike,walleyeandchannelcatfishhave3537beenidentifiedastheprincipalnon‐nativethreatstoadultandsub‐adultColorado3538pikeminnow,withburbot Lotalota anemergingnewpredator Johnsonetal.2008 .3539Thesenon‐nativefishesoccupythesamehabitattypesasColoradopikeminnowandlikely3540competeforfoodresources USFWS2002c;FranssenandDurst2014 .3541


FishpassagewayshavebeencreatedatseveraldamsintheUpperColoradoRiverbasin.3543Long‐termmonitoringshouldbeinplacetoassesstheeffectivenessofthepassagewaysfor3544


133

Coloradopikeminnow,aswellastheirusebynon‐nativefishspecies.Also,more3545informationisneededontheimpactsofclimatechangetotheColoradoRiverbasinandits3546nativefishspecies USFWS2011b .Lastly,morestudiesareneededtoassesstheimpactof3547mercuryonColoradopikeminnow,asitmaybecausingreproductiveimpairment USFWS35482011b .3549


Continuenon‐nativepredatorsuppressionthroughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshave3551invaded,andcontinuetoimproveitseffectiveness.Continuetoconducthabitat3552improvementinappropriateareas,tobenefitnativefishanddisadvantagenon‐natives.In3553collaborationwiththeUpperColoradoEndangeredFishRecoveryProgram,assess3554entrainmentatunscreeneddiversionsandscreensthatdonotoperatecontinuously.3555Assessutilizationoffishpassagestructures.Evaluatepotentialandpursueopportunities3556todevelopexperimentalnonessentialpopulations,disconnectedfromcriticalhabitat,as3557fisheries.RecoveryeffortsforthisspeciesarecoordinatedprimarilybytheUpper3558ColoradoEndangeredFishRecoveryProgram,inwhichColoradoisapartneragency.3559

Colorado River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii 3560

pleuriticus) 3561

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3562tothefollowingresources:Range‐wideStatusofColoradoRiverCutthroatTrout3563Oncorhynchusclarkiipleuriticus :2010 2013 ;ColoradoRiverCutthroatTrout3564Oncorhynchusclarkiipleuriticus :atechnicalconservationassessment 2008 ;3565ConservationAgreementforColoradoRiverCutthroatTrout Oncorhynchusclarkii3566pleuriticus intheStatesofColorado,Utah,andWyoming 2006 linksinAppendixD .3567

Threats 3568

TheColoradoRivercutthroattrout Oncorhynchusclarkiipleuriticus presentlyoccursin3569Colorado,Utah,andWyoming Hirschetal.2013 .Itformerlyalsoinhabitedportionsof3570northernArizonaandNewMexico,buthasbeenextirpatedfromthosestates Hirschetal.35712013 .ItisoneofthethreeextantsubspeciesoftroutnativetoColorado Behnke1992;3572CPW2014 ,andtheonlysubspeciesindigenoustoColorado’sWestSlope.ColoradoRiver3573cutthroattrout CRCThereafter arefoundinthefollowingriverbasinsofColorado:3574Dolores,Gunnison,UpperGreen,UpperColorado,Yampa,White,andSanJuan Hirschetal.35752013 .Recentgeneticandmeristicstudieshaveidentifiedtwoextantcutthroatlineages3576withinthisrange,provisionallydesignatedtheBlueLineage,nativetotheYampa,Green3577andWhiteRiverBasins,andtheGreenLineage,nativetotheUpperColorado,Gunnisonand3578Doloresbasins Metcalfetal.2012;Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013;USFWS2014c .A3579thirdlineagenativetotheSanJuanbasinisevidentlyextinct,thoughblueandgreenlineage3580populationshavebeenestablishedinthisbasinbystocking.Inkeepingwithcurrently‐3581recognizedinlandcutthroattaxonomy,thisaccountconsidersallcutthroatsindigenousto3582


134

theWestSlopeasCRCT seethegreenbackcutthroattroutnarrativeforfurtherdetail .3583Thesubspeciesoccupiesonly7%ofitshistoricrangeinColorado Hirschetal.2013 ,and3584isconsideredaspeciesofspecialconcern CPW2014 .3585

2 Agriculture 3586IntenseconcentrationsoflivestockcandegradehabitatforCRCTbydamagingstream3587banks,increasingsedimentconcentrations,andremovingstreambankandaquatic3588vegetation Belskyetal.1999;Agouridisetal.2005 .3589

3 Energy Production & Mining 3590MininginColoradohasalteredstreamchannelsandflushedheavymetalsintowater3591bodies.Theseimpactshaveresultedinthelossofnativefishhabitatandinsomecases3592extensivefishkills Alves1997a .Althoughminingwaspresentwithintheinfluencezone3593ofonly12CRCTsitesrangewide Hirschetal.2013 ,drainagesinCRCThabitatcouldbe3594affectedbyheavymetalpollution.3595

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 3596ThemostcommonlandusesoccurringintheareaofinfluencearoundCRCTconservation3597populationsarerecreation non‐anglingandangling ,livestockgrazing,andtimberharvest3598Hirschetal.2013 .Anetworkofroadsexiststosupporttheselanduseactivities,and3599theseroadscancreatehighersedimentloadsinstreams EaglinandHubert1993;3600TrombulakandFrissell2000 .Roadsoftenrequireculvertsthatcancreatebarrierstofish3601passage Young2008 .3602

7 Natural System Modifications 3603Habitatdegradationfromwaterdevelopmentactivitieshascontributedtotheextirpation3604orreductionofCRCTpopulationsacrossitsnativerange Young2008 .Interactionsof3605stochasticdisturbances,suchaschanneldryingandfreezing,togetherwithhabitat3606fragmentationthreatenCRCTpopulations,especiallythosethatoccupystreamreachesthat3607are 7kmlong Robertsetal.2013 .Asof2010,27outof361CRCTconservation3608populationshavereceivedin‐streamflowenhancements Hirschetal.2013 .3609

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3610NonnativesalmonidshaveaffectedpopulationsofCRCTthroughhybridization,foodand3611spacecompetition,andpredation.Forexample,nonnativerainbowtrout Oncorhynchus3612mykiss havehybridizedwithCRCT,thusreducingthegeneticintegrityofthesubspecies3613AllendorfandLeary1988;ForbesandAllendorf1991;CRCTConservationTeam2006;3614Hirschetal.2013 .Managersrecognize“conservationpopulations”asthosethatexistina3615geneticallyunalteredcondition 99%purity and/orhaveuniqueecological,genetic,and3616behavioralattributesofsignificancethatmaybegeneticallyintrogressed UtahDivisionof3617WildlifeResources2000;Hirschetal.2013 .Browntrout Salmotrutta arepredatoryon3618CRCT Hirschetal.2013 .Rainbow,brown,andbrooktrout Salvelinusfontinalis all3619competewithCRCTforfoodandspace Hirschetal.2013 .Asof2010,54conservation3620


135

populationshaveexperiencedphysicalremovalofcompeting/hybridizingspecies,and513621haveexperiencedchemicalremovalofcompeting/hybridizingspecies Hirschetal.2013 .36223623Naturalorconstructedbarriersexisttolimitgeneticmixingofnonnativetroutspeciesand3624CRCT.However,thesebarriersalsoposeathreattoCRCTastheytendtorestrict3625individualstoshort,headwaterstreamsegments Young2008 .Thisrestrictionrenders3626populationsmorevulnerabletoextirpationfromstochasticevents,andcouldresultinthe3627longtermlossofgeneticvariability Young2008;Robertsetal.2013 .36283629Whirlingdisease Myxoboluscerebralis,WD isathreattoCRCT.Habitatcurrently3630inhabitedbyCRCTisgenerallynotoptimalfortubifexworms essentialtothelifehistory3631oftheWDparasite ,duetohighergradient,coldwaterandlackoforganicmatter.3632However,researchhasshownthathighelevationalhabitatsarestillsusceptibleto3633infection.RegulatorymechanismshavebeenputinplacetopreventstockingofWD‐3634positivefishintoanysalmonidhabitats.3635


Restoration,conservation,andmanagementactivitieshavebeenimplementedforCRCT3637conservationpopulations.Moreinformationisneededontheeffectivenessoftheseactions3638Hirschetal.2013 .3639


Provideadditionalsecurityforexistingpopulationswhereneeded e.g.,through3641easements,setbacks,landownweragreements,barriers .Identifyopportunitiestoextend3642lengthofavailablehabitatforexistingpopulationsand,especially,torestorepresumed3643metapopulationsbyconnectingpopulationsthatarecurrentlyisolated.Identifyadditional3644potentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’historicrange,andaggressivelypursue3645reintroductionopportunities.Emphasisshouldespeciallybegiventoprotectingand3646establishingadditionalGLpopulations,aswellasthosewithpotentialuniquelifehistory3647adaptations e.g.,thermaltolerance .3648

Common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) 3649


Threats 3653

Thecommonshiner Luxiluscornutus occursintheSouthPlatteRiverBasin CPW2014 .3654ItisrareinthemainstemSouthPlatteRiverandhasbeendocumentedinonlyfourofits3655tributaries Goettl1981;Propst1982;Nesleretal.1997 .Itisoneofseveral“glacialrelict”3656


136

fishspeciesrestrictedtothetransitionzonealongtheFrontRange,andsubjecttoa3657numberofthreatsassociatedwithurbandevelopment FauschandBestgen1997,andsee3658“transitionzone”descriptioninHabitatsectionofthisPlan .Thecommonshinerwas3659listedasstatethreatenedin1998 CPW2014 .3660

2 Agriculture 3661Excessivegrazinginriparianzonescanleadtoerosionandsiltationthatcompromisesthe3662cool,clearwatersandcleangravelsthatarerequiredforcommonshiner Trialetal.1983;3663RahelandHubert1991;Belskyetal.1999;CPW2014 .Thespeciesisnotabletospawnin3664silt‐bottomedstreams Miller1964 .3665

7 Natural System Modifications 3666Althoughthestreamshistoricallyandpresentlyinhabitedbycommonshinercontinueto3667haveperennialflows,mostaremoderatelytoheavilyfragmentedbydiversionstructures3668thatarebarrierstofishmovement,andlikelyreduceconnectivitytospawningandrearing3669habitatinatleastsomecases.Flowregimealterationmayproduceamismatchbetween3670spawntimingandspawninghabitatavailability,compoundedbychannelalteration3671resultingindisconnectedfloodplain.Alteredthermalregimesmayalsoarisefrom3672hydrologicalterationandpotentiallyimpactlifehistoryprocesses.36733674Siltationhasbeenidentifiedastheprimaryfactorintheextirpationofcommonshinerin3675severalFrontRangestreamswheretheyformerlyoccurred Propst1982;Nesleretal.36761997 .Asaresultofvasturbandevelopmentandtheresultinglossofproperstream3677function,siltationisawidespreadissueacrossnearlyallcommonshinerhabitatsin3678Colorado. StudiesofcommonshinerinVermontindicatedthatthespeciesneedsboth3679riffleandpools,andinWyomingitwasassociatedwithmoderatecurrents Raheland3680Hubert1991;Clarketal.2008 .Anywatermanagementactivitythatalterstheprocesses3681thatmaintainthesehabitatscouldresultinthefurtherdeclineofcommonshinerin3682Colorado.3683

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3684Non‐nativefishesincludingpredatoryspecieshavebecomeincreasinglyabundantinFront3685RangestreamssuchasBoulderCreek,SaintVrainCreek,andtheCacheLaPoudreRiver,3686wherecommonshinersformerlyorpresentlyoccur.Nativefish thoughnotspecifically3687commonshiner havebeenfoundtocomprisealargeproportionofthedietofnon‐native3688largemouthbassintheSt.Vrain,whereanimperiledpopulationofcommonshineroccurs3689CPWunpublisheddata .Browntroutalsoco‐occurwithcommonshinerinSt.Vrainand3690otherFrontRangestreamsandhaveincreasedinnumberscoincidentwithapparent3691declinesincommonshinerabundance CPWunpublisheddata .Aspectsofthecommon3692shiner’slifehistorycouldmakeitparticularlyvulnerabletopredation.3693


137


Moreinformationisneededonthelifehistory,habitatrequirements,andecologyof3695commonshiner.Moresurveysareneededtodetermineitsabundanceandcurrent3696distributioninColorado.Lastly,morestudiesareneededtoidentifyprimarythreatstothe3697species.3698


Securingwateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through3700easementsandotherlandownweragreements isakeypriority.Continueeffortsto3701identifyadditionalpotentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’presumptivenative3702range.Identifyopportunitiesforhabitatimprovementtocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.3703Evaluatefeasibilityofmeasurestosuppressnon‐nativepredationontheSt.Vrain3704population,andtakeanysuitableactions.Re‐establishacaptivebroodstockattheMumma3705NativeAquaticSpeciesRestorationFacility NASRF and/orinsecure,isolatedponds.If3706appropriate,augmenttheSt.Vrainpopulationthroughstocking,andcreateadditional3707populationsthroughstockingwhensuitablehabitatbecomesavailable.3708

Flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) 3709

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3710tothefollowingresources:StateofColoradoconservationandmanagementplanforthe3711RoundtailChub Gilarobusta ,BlueheadSucker Catostomusdiscobolus ,and3712FlannelmouthSucker Catostomuslatipinnis indevelopment ;Range‐wideconservation3713agreementandstrategyforRoundtailChub Gilarobusta ,BlueheadSucker Catostomus3714discobolus ,andFlannelmouthSucker Catostomuslatipinnis 2006 ;Flannelmouth3715Sucker Catostomuslatipinnis :atechnicalconservationassessment 2005 linksin3716AppendixD .3717

Threats 3718

Theflannelmouthsucker Catostomuslatipinnins occursinlargestreamsandriversinthe3719WesternUnitedStates.InColorado,itisfoundonthewesternslopeintheUpperColorado3720RiverBasin BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .Thespecieshasdeclinedthroughoutthe3721Basin,andnowoccupieshalfofitshistoricrange BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .Ithasno3722listingstatusbythestateofColoradoortheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Habitat3723degradationandinteractionswithnon‐nativespecieshavebeenidentifiedastheprimary3724threatstoflannelmouthsucker TyusandSaunders2000;Rees,Ptacek,Carr,andMiller37252005;CPW2014b .3726

2 Agriculture 3727Intenseconcentrationsoflivestockcandegradehabitatforflannelmouthsuckerby3728damagingstreambanks,increasingsedimentconcentrations,andremovingstreambank3729


138

andaquaticvegetation Belskyetal.1999;Agouridisetal.2005 .Increasedsediment3730loadscouldhaveanegativeimpactonflannelmouthsuckerpopulations Rees,Ptacek,Carr,3731andMiller2005 ,buttheexactmechanismsandthresholdsforthespeciesareunknown.3732

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 3733Roadconstructionfortimberharvesting,agriculture,recreation,andhousingdevelopment3734canfragmentnativefishhabitatandincreasesedimentloadsinstreams.Highersediment3735loadscanresultinchangestostreamchannelgeometry,therebyaffectingthequalityof3736habitatforflannelmouthsucker Rees,Ptacek,Carr,andMiller2005 .Thespecieshas3737beenshowntobehighlyassociatedwithdeepruns AndersonandStewart2003,2007 ,3738andchangesinchannelgeometrycouldresultinlessavailabilityoftheseruns.3739

7 Natural System Modifications 3740LargedamssuchasFlamingGorge,Navajo,andtheAspinallUnit,andtheassociated3741alterationshavedirectlyinfluencedthermalandhydrologicalregimes,reducing3742flannelmouthsuckerpopulationsinboththeLowerandUpperColoradoRiverbasins e.g.,3743Vaniceketal.1970 .Habitatlosshasoccurredthroughthede‐wateringofstreamsandthe3744constructionofdamsthatblockthemovementofflannelmouthsucker Rees,Ptacek,Carr,3745andMiller2005 .Dams,impoundmentsanddiversionscancausechangesinchannel3746geometry,waterchemistry,watertemperatureandflowregimes.Thesechangescanaffect3747thequalityofhabitatoccupiedbyflannelmouthsuckers Rees,Ptacek,Carr,andMiller37482005 .Forexample,hypolimneticdamreleaseshavebeenshowntoslowthegrowthof3749flannelmouthsuckers,delaytransitiontothejuvenilestage,anddecreaseswimmingability3750ClarksonandChilds2000;Wardetal.2002 .Changesinflowregimesandwater3751temperaturecreatedbyFlamingGorgeDamdisplacedflannelmouthsuckerstowarmer3752locationsduringsummerandreducedspawningsuccess Vaniceketal.1970 .3753Impoundmentscanalsohavenegativeimpactsonflannelmouthsuckerpopulations3754McAda1977;ChartandBergersen1992;BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .Althoughwater3755developmentactivitiesaregenerallyviewedasdetrimentaltothenativefishspeciesthat3756evolvedinthelowerColoradoRiver,thereisevidencethatthealteredconditionscan3757supportnaturalflannelmouthsuckerreproductioninareasdownstreamoftheGrand3758Canyon MuellerandWydoski2004 .37593760LowheaddamsandconstructedwetlandsalongMuddyCreek,atributaryoftheLittle3761SnakeRiverintheUpperColoradoRiverbasin,wereshowntorestrictdownstream3762movementofflannelmouthsuckerandcreatenovelwetlandhabitatfavoringnon‐native3763fishspecies Beattyetal.2009 .Thesedamsandconstructedwetlands,however,may3764havepositiveindirecteffectsastheycreateabarriertotheupstreamspawningofnon‐3765nativefishspeciesthatpreyon,hybridize,andcompetewithflannelmouthsuckerfor3766resources.ThesefindingshighlightthecompleximpactsofdamsonColorado’snativefish3767populations Beattyetal.2009 .Fishpassagewayshavebeencreatedfortheflannelmouth3768suckerandothernativefishatdamsitesintheColoradoRivernearPalisadeandonthe3769GunnisonRiver Landers2012 .3770


139

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3771Nonnativefishspecieshybridizewithandpreyuponflannelmouthsucker.Thenonnative3772northernpikeisaknownpredatorofflannelmouthsucker Nesler1995 .Othernonnative3773fishspeciesthatarecommonintheColoradoRiveranditstributaries,suchasbrowntrout3774Salmotrutta ,rainbowtrout Oncorynchismykiss ,redshiner Notropislutrensis ,and3775smallmouthbass Micropterusdolomieu ,likelyalsoeatflannelmouthsucker,though3776directevidenceislackingforsomeofthesespecies Rees,Ptacek,Carr,andMiller2005 .3777Hybridsbetweennonnativewhitesucker Catostomuscommersoni andflannelmouth3778suckerhavebeendocumentedintheColorado,Gunnison,andYamparivers Douglasand3779Douglas2003;Shiozawaetal.2003;AndersonandStewart2007 .Hybridizationbetween3780thenon‐nativewhitesuckerandthenativeblueheadsuckerhasalsobeendocumented,as3781wellasindividualswithgeneticcontributionsfromthewhitesucker,blueheadsucker,and3782nativeflannelmouthsucker Catostomuslatipinnus McDonaldetal.2008 .Thenon‐3783nativewhitesuckerhasfacilitatedintrogressionbetweentwonativespecies,andtherefore3784threatensthegeneticintegrityoftheblueheadandflannelmouthsuckers.Whitesuckers3785havebecomepervasivethroughouttheColoradoRiverBasin,hybridizingreadilywith3786flannelmouthsuckers,thuscreatingaseriousextinctionrisktoflannelmouthsuckers3787McDonaldetal.2008 .3788


Informationaboutflannelmouthsuckerhasbeencollectedasaby‐productofstudiesfor3790otherColoradoRiverfishthatarefederallylisted Rees,Ptacek,Carr,andMiller2005 ,but3791morestudiesneedtofocusonobtaininginformationonthelifehistory,ecology,movement3792patterns,influenceofnon‐nativefishspecies,andtheeffectsofanthropogenichabitat3793modification Rees,Ptacek,Carr,andMiller2005 .3794


Hybridizationwithnon‐nativesuckersisthemostpressingconservationthreat.Reaches3796thatpresentlysupportflannelmouthand/orblueheadsuckersanddonotcontainnon‐3797nativesuckersshouldbeindividuallyevaluatedandallappropriatemeasuresidentifiedto3798ensuretheyremainuninvaded.Constructedbarriers,inconjunctionwithmechanicalor3799chemicalremoval,maybefeasibleinsomestreams,toopenupadditionalhabitatfor3800reintroduction.Suppressionofnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeand3801smallmouthbass,mustcontinuethroughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.3802Colorado’sDRAFTConservationandManagementPlanforthe‘threespecies,’whichneeds3803tobefinalized,specifiesadditionalconservationactions.3804


140

Flathead Chub (Platygobio gracilis) 3805

Threats 3806

Flatheadchub Platygobiogracilis occupythemainstemsofturbidriversfromthe3807NorthwestTerritoriesofCanadasouthtoTexas Kucas1980 .InColorado,thespeciesis3808foundintheArkansasandRioGranderiverbasins Alves1997b;Nesleretal.1999 .Its3809rangewithinthestatehasbeenreduced Woodling1985;CPWunpublisheddata ,anditis3810nowlistedasaspeciesofspecialconcern CPW2014 .3811

2 Agriculture 3812Overgrazingbylivestockcandegradeflatheadchubhabitatbyincreasingstreamwidth,3813decreasingchanneldepth,andincreasingstreamintermittency Platts1991;Raheland3814Thel2004a .Livestockwasteinstreamsoccupiedbyflatheadchubcandecreasewater3815qualitybyloweringoxygenconcentrationsandincreasingammonia Scarnecchia2002 .3816

3 Energy Production & Mining 3817Heavymetalcontaminationfromminingactivitieshasbeenproposedasacontributing3818factortothelossofflatheadchubintheArkansasRiverbetweenthetownsofSalidaand3819Florence,Colorado Woodling1985;RahelandThel2004a .Althoughwaterqualityhas3820improvedinthisstretchoftheArkansasRiver RahelandThel2004a ,historicminescan3821stillposeathreattoflatheadchub.Stochasticeventssuchasextremerainstormsand3822mudslidescanflushheavymetalsfromtheseminesintowaterbodiesandcauseextensive3823fishkills Alves1997a .38243825AsignificantamountofcoalbedmethaneproductionoccursintheRatonBasin:anareathat3826containsthePurgatorieRiveraswellassmallerstreamsthataretributariestothe3827ArkansasRiver.Flatheadchubhavebeendocumentedasoneofthemostcommonfish3828speciesinthePurgatoireRiver BramblettandFausch1991;Nesleretal.1999;CPW3829unpublisheddata .Wastewaterproducedbycoalbedmethaneproductioninthe3830PurgatoireRiverdrainagecouldalterstreamflowconditions,makingthemmorefavorable3831fornonnativefishspecies.Dischargedwastewatercanconvertintermittentstreamsonthe3832plainsintoperennialflows Freilich2004 ,whichinturncouldallowtheestablishmentof3833nonnativepiscivorousfish RahelandThel2004a .Thisproducedwastewatercouldalso3834resultinhigherconcentrationsofsalineandheavymetals,whichcouldbetoxictoflathead3835chub RahelandThel2004a .3836

7 Natural System Modifications 3837Waterdevelopmentactivitieshaveledtothelossanddegradationofhabitatforflathead3838chub.IrrigationandgroundwaterpumpinghavecausedchanneldewateringintheGreat3839Plains,resultinginlossofsuitablehabitatforthechub RahelandThel2004a .The3840specieshasbeenextirpatedintheArkansasRiverinwesternKansasduetogroundwater3841pumpingfromtheOgallalaAquifer CrossandMoss1987 .38423843


141

InColorado,theapparentdeclineordisappearanceofflatheadchubfromsomestream3844reachescoincidesstronglywithfragmentationbydiversionstructures,damsandother3845barriers CPWunpublisheddata .Impoundmentsanddamscannegativelyaffectflathead3846chubpopulationsbyblockingfishmovement,changingturbiditylevels,creatingreservoir3847habitatthatcanfavornonnativepiscivores,andalteringflowregimes BonnerandWilde38482002;Quistetal.2004,Waltersetal.2014 .Damsandimpoundmentsalsofragment3849habitatbydissectinglong,continuousstretchesoffree‐flowingstreamsthatthespecies3850appearstorequire DurhamandWilde2008 .PerkinandGido 2011 estimateda3851minimumfragmentlengthrequiredforpersistenceasapproximately180riverkilometers,3852whichisconsistentwithobserveddistributionpatternsinColorado.Theabundanceof3853flatheadchubhasbeenshowntobepositivelycorrelatedwiththepercentageoffine3854substrateintheMissouriRiverdrainage Quistetal.2004 .Damsandimpoundments3855typicallylowerthepercentageoffinesubstratedownstream,creatinglessfavorablehabitat3856forflatheadchub,aspeciesassociatedwithturbidplainsriversystems.3857

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3858Non‐nativepiscivorescannegativelyaffectflatheadchubthroughcompetitionand3859predation.Theinfluenceofthesepiscivoreslikelyinteractswiththeeffectsof3860impoundmentsuchasstabilizedflowsandreducedturbidity Quistetal.2004 .These3861changescangivesight‐feedingnon‐nativepredatorsanadvantageoverspecieslike3862flatheadchubthatevolvedinturbid,dynamicriversystems RahelandThel2004a .The3863combinedeffectsofnon‐nativepiscivoresandlargeimpoundmentsandreservoirsare3864thoughttohavehadasignificanteffectonflatheadchubinportionsofitsrange Crossand3865Moss1987;PfliegerandGrace1987;BonnerandWilde2000 .3866


Researchisneededtoelucidatethemechanismsresponsibleforpopulationtrendsinthe3868ArkansasandRioGranderiverbasinsinColorado RahelandThel2004 .Thelifehistory3869ofthisspeciesispoorlyknown,althoughresearchprojectsareunderwaywithinColorado3870ColoradoStateUniversityandCPW thatwillsignificantlyincreaseourunderstanding,3871particularlyofreproductiveecologyandfishmovement.Lastly,moreresearchisnecessary3872tounderstandtheroleofcompetitorsandpredatorsinlimitingpopulationsizeofflathead3873chub RahelandThel2004a .3874


ContinueongoingstudiesoflifehistoryrequirementsandpopulationdynamicsinFountain3876Creek.Evaluaterestorationpotentialinreachesfromwhichflatheadchubhavedeclinedor3877disappeared,givenresultsofthesestudies.Rigorouslyevaluateimpactsofthenewly‐3878constructedfishpassagestructureatOwens‐Halldiversion,andofSouthernDelivery3879Systeminfrastructureandoperations,onceineffect.3880


142

Greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias) 3881

Foravailableinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3882tothefollowingresources:GreenbackCutthroatTrout Oncorhynchusclarkiistomias :a3883technicalconservationassessment 2009 ;GreenbackCutthroatTroutRecoveryPlan38841998 linksinAppendixD .Planningdocumentscurrentlyinpreparation multi‐agency3885MOU;RecoveryOutline willprovidetheframeworkforfutureconservationactionsonce3886theyarecompleted.3887

Introduction 3888

Thegreenbackcutthroattrout Oncorhynchusclarkiistomias hasbeenthesubjectof3889intenseresearchandextensiveconservationeffortsinColoradoforoverfortyyears.Itwas3890federallylistedasendangeredin1973,thendownlistedtothreatenedin1978.Recently,3891geneticandmeristicstudieshavesupportedmajorchangestotraditionallyheldviewson3892thetaxonomyanddistributionofcutthroattroutsubspeciesoccurringwithinColorado3893USFWS2014c .Untilrecently,thegreenbackcutthroattroutwasconsideredtobethe3894subspeciesnativetodrainageseastoftheContinentalDivide Behnke1992;USFWS1998a;3895Young2009 ,wasthoughttoberepresentedonthelandscapebyanumberofpopulations,3896andwasbeingconsideredfordelisting.Recentgeneticandmeristicstudiesrevealedthat3897BearCreek,intheArkansasRiverBasinwestofColoradoSprings,containedtheonly3898knownremainingpopulationofgreenbackcutthroattroutintheworld Metcalfetal.2012;3899Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013;USFWS2014c .TheBearCreekpopulationlikely3900representsthecutthroattroutlineagethatwasnativetotheSouthPlatteRiver Metcalfet3901al.2012 ,ironicallynowoccurringinBearCreekasaresultofstockingeffortsfromSouth3902PlatteRiversources Kennedy2010;Rogers2012 .39033904OtherthantheBearCreekpopulation,EastSlopecutthroatpopulationsthatwereformerly3905assumedtobegreenbackcutthroattroutnowappeartorepresentoneoftwolineages,3906temporarilyknownastheBlueLineage hereafterBL andtheGreenLineage hereafter3907GL Metcalfetal.2007,2012;Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013;USFWS2014c .BL3908populationsalmostcertainlyarisefromearlystockingeffortsdrivenbywildspawn3909operationsatTrappersLake,intheheadwatersoftheWhiteRiverBasin,fromwhichat3910least80millioneggsweretakeninthefirsthalfofthe20thcentury.Afullunderstandingof3911theGLpopulations’originsremainsproblematic;theymaybenativetotheWesternSlope3912andpresentontheEastSlopeduetostockingefforts Metcalfetal.2007,2012 ;however3913theamountofgeneticdiversityamongGLpopulations,aswellasthedistributionofunique3914genotypes,suggeststhatsomeGLpopulationsmayinfactbeEastSlopenatives USFWS39152014c .OngoingresearcheffortsareunderwaytohelpclarifythetaxonomyoftheGL.39163917Atthiswritinginlandcutthroattaxonomyhasnotbeenformallyrevisedtoreflectthe3918recentfindings.Intermsoffederallistingstatus,untilFWScompletestheESAstatus3919reviewallpopulationsthathadpreviouslybeenconsideredas“greenbackcutthroattrout”3920continuetoreceiveprotectionundertheESA.Thisincludespopulationsofgreenlineagein3921ColoradoonbothsidesoftheContinentalDivide.3922


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3923Regardlessofeventualtaxonomicandregulatorystatusdecisions,thelineagerepresented3924byBearCreekwillcertainlyremainatopconservationpriority,aswillthegenetically3925uniqueGLpopulations.EastSlopeBLpopulationsareprobablyalowerconservation3926prioritybecausetheyareallreplicatesoftheTrappersLakesourcepopulation,andthe3927lineageisrelativelywell‐representedontheWestSlope.Thissummarywillfocusonthe3928primarythreatstotheGLontheEastSlopeandtheBearCCreekGCT threatstoWestSlope3929GLandBLaredescribedintheColoradoRiverCutthroatTroutnarrative .Historically,the3930mainthreatstoGLweremining,agricultureandwaterdevelopmentactivities Young39312009 .Non‐nativespeciesintroductionsandinvasionsarelikelythecauseofmorerecent3932declines Young2009 .PrimaryongoingthreatstotheBearCreekGCTarerecreation3933activities.Ashortaccountofthesethreatsisprovidedbelow.3934

Threats to Bear Creek Greenback Cutthroat Trout 3935

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 3936BearCreekislocatedontheeastsideofPike’sPeakwestofColoradoSprings.Anetworkof3937PikeNationalForesttrailswindsthroughoccupiedBCGCThabitat.Sectionsofthetrailare3938highlyerodedfromheavyuse,andareresultinginthelossofvegetationandincreased3939sedimentloadinginBearCreek ReedandBillmeyer2010 .Effortsareunderwayto3940controlsedimentinfluxfromtrailerosion ReedandBillmeyer2010 .3941

Threats to the Green Lineage 3942

2 Agriculture 3943Intenseconcentrationsoflivestockinriparianzonesoftenleadtobankdamage,higher3944sedimentloadinginstreams,andtheremovalofstreambankvegetation Belskyetal.1999;3945Agouridisetal.2005 .Thesechangescancontributetotroutpopulationreductions3946Young2009 .3947

3 Energy Production & Mining 3948MininginGLhabitathascausedalterationsinstreamchannelgeometry,contributedto3949highersedimentloads,andreleasedtoxicsubstancessuchasheavymetals Young2009 .3950Regulationsonnewminesaremuchmorestringenttoday,butmassiverainstorms,3951mudslides,orotherstochasticeventscouldleadtothereleaseofheavymetalsfrom3952historicminesandresultincatastrophicfishkillssuchasthosedocumentedinKerber3953Creek Alves1997a .3954

7 Natural System Modifications 3955Mostcurrentpopulationsareestablishedwithinheadwaterreachesonpubliclandsandare3956nottypicallysubjecttowatermanagementissues.3957


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8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 3958Competitionandpredationbyintroducednon‐nativesalmonids browntroutSalmotrutta,3959brooktroutSalvelinusfontinalisandrainbowtroutOncorhynchusmykiss areserious3960threats.Additionally,cutthroatshybridizereadilywithrainbowtroutcreatingan3961introgressedhybridswarm.Mostcutthroatpopulationsthatpersistoccurupstreamof3962naturalorartificialbarriersthatpreventinvasionbynon‐nativesalmonids.39633964Whirlingdisease WD isathreattogreenbackcutthroattrout.Habitatcurrentlyinhabited3965bygreenbacksisnotconsideredoptimalhabitatfortubifexworms essentialtothelife3966historyofthewhirlingdiseaseparasite ,duetohighergradient,coldwaterandlackof3967organicmatter.However,researchhasshownthathighelevationalhabitatsarestill3968susceptibletoinfection.Regulatorymechanismshavebeenputinplacetoprevent3969stockingofWD‐positivefishintoanysalmonidhabitats.3970


MoreworkisneededtoresolvethetaxonomyoftheBearCreekandGreenlineages.East3972andWestSlopeGreenLineagefishhavedistinctmorphologicalandgeneticdifferencesthat3973warrantadditionalinvestigation Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013 .Additionalmeristic3974studiesofmuseumspecimens,especiallyfromtheSouthPlatteRiverbasin,arealsoneeded3975Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013 .3976


AggressivelypursueopportunitiestoestablishadditionalBCGCTpopulationswithinthe3978species’presumptivenativerange.Rigorouslyevaluatetranslocationsuccesstodetermine3979extentoffuturestocking e.g.,aretheeffectsofrecentgeneticbottleneckingpronounced? .3980SecureadditionalprotectionasneededfortheextantpopulationinBearCreek,andforGL3981populationsontheEastSlope.3982

Humpback Chub (Gila cypha) 3983

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer3984tothefollowingresources:HumpbackChub Gilacypha RecoveryGoals–Amendmentand3985SupplementtotheHumpbackChubRecoveryPlan 2002 ;HumpbackChub2ndRevised3986RecoveryPlan 1990 linksinAppendixD .3987

Threats 3988

ThehumpbackchubisendemictotheColoradoRiver.Itisamemberofasuiteoffederally3989endangered“bigriver”fishspeciesincludingbonytailchub Gilaelegans ,Colorado3990pikeminnow Ptychocheiluslucius andrazorbacksucker Xyrauchentexanus .Once3991commonintheColoradoRiver,humpbackchubarenowrestrictedtoapproximately7,3003992to13,800individualsspreadamongsixextantpopulations USFWS2002d .Onlytwoof3993


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thosepopulationsexistinColorado:theYampaCanyonpopulationontheYampaRiverand3994theBlackRockspopulationontheColoradoRiver.TheYampapopulationhasdeclined3995dramaticallyandisextremelyimperiled.Theprimarythreatstohumpbackchubidentified3996intheFederalRecoveryPlanarestreamflowregulation,habitatmodification,predationby3997non‐nativefishspecies,parasitism,hybridizationwithothernativeGila,andpesticidesand3998pollutants USFWS2002d .3999

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 4000TheDenverandRioGrandeWesternrailroadtracksparalleltheColoradoRiveratBlack4001RocksandWestwaterCanyon.Potentialhazardouswastespillsresultingfromatrain4002derailmentthreatenhumpbackchubpopulationsintheseareas.Anetworkofpipelines4003containingpetroleumproductscrossorcloselyfollowtheYampaRiverupstreamofYampa4004Canyon,noneofwhichcontainemergencyshut‐offvalves USFWS2002d .Leakingor4005burstingpipescouldresultindeleteriouseffectstothefishcommunityintheYampaRiver.4006

7 Natural System Modifications 4007TheconstructionofdamsalongthemainstemoftheColoradoRiveranditstributarieshas4008fragmentedandinundatedriverinehabitat,releasedcold,clearwaters;alteredecological4009processes;affectedseasonalavailabilityofhabitat;decreasedturbiditythatservesascover4010frompredatorsandcreatessandybackwaterhabitatforyounghumpbackchub;and4011blockedfishpassage MinckleyandDeacon1968;MarshandDouglas1997;Valdezand4012Ryel1997;USFWS2002d .Flowrecommendationshavebeendevelopedthatspecifically4013considerflow‐habitatrelationshipsinhabitatsoccupiedbyhumpbackchubinColorado4014includingBlackRocks McAda2000 andYampaCanyon ModdeandSmith1995;USDOI40151995;Moddeetal.1999;USFWS2002d .TheGreenRiverDaminUtahisslatedfor4016rehabilitation,andthefinalplansforrenovationincludeafishpassagewaytoallowforthe4017upstreamanddownstreammovementofnativefishes,includinghumpbackchub USDOA40182014 .4019

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species & Genes, & Pathogens 4020Predationbynon‐nativenorthernpike Esoxlucius andsmallmouthmass Micropterus4021dolomieu haslikelyimpactedtheYampaCanyonpopulation.Thesenon‐nativespecies4022remainuncommonintheBlackRockssectionoftheColorado,althoughtheymayhave4023increasedrecently.40244025Thenon‐nativeAsiantapeworm Bothriocephalusacheilognathi hasbeenimplicatedin4026thedeclineintheconditionofhumpbackchubbelowGlenCanyonDam Meretskyetal.40272000 .In2005,anAsiantapewormwasdocumentedforthefirsttimeinaroundtailchub4028Gilarobusta intheYampaRiver Ward2005 .Thetapewormcouldposeaseriousthreat4029tothehumpbackchubpopulationsinColoradoastheyaredifficulttoeradicate,havea4030rapidlifecycleofonly15days,andarenon‐hostspecific Hoffman1976;GranathandEsch40311983 .40324033SeveralmembersofthegenusGilaresideintheColoradoRiverincludinghumpbackchub4034G.cypha ,roundtailchub G.robusta ,andbonytailchub G.elegans .Whilemembersof4035


146

thegrouphistoricallywerelikelyallopatric,damsanddiversionshaveeliminatedor4036compromisedtherealizednichesofthesespecies,andtheynowoccursympatrically4037Douglasetal.1998 .Morphologicalcharacterscanbeusedtoseparateouteachtaxon,but4038hybridsoftenpossessintermediatecharacters.Hybridintermediacyhasledtoinaccurate4039fieldidentification.InBlackRocksandWestwaterCanyon,researchershavedocumented4040higherproportionsofroundtailchubduringlowflowyears Kaedingetal.1990;Chartand4041Lentsch2000 .Theselowflowyearsresultinincreasedsympatrybetweenbothchub4042species,andpotentiallyincreasethechancesforhybridization USFWS2002d .Thus,itis4043necessarytomimicnaturalhydrologicalflowregimestomaintainnaturalproportionsof4044Gilaspeciesandintergrades USFWS2002d .4045

9 Pollution 4046Pollutantsandpesticidesfromagriculturalrunoffhavebeensuggestedaspossiblethreats4047tothespecies,butnotissueanalysishasbeenconductedonhumpbackchub Haynesand4048Muth1981;Wicketal.1981 .4049


Becauseofthedifficultyofsamplingincanyon‐bound,bigriverreachespreferredbythis4051species,accuratepopulationestimatesareparticularlydifficulttoobtain.Lifehistory4052studiesinArizonaattheconfluenceoftheLittleColoradoRiverandtheColoradoRiver4053haverevealedthatlargeradultsspawnmorefrequentlythansmalleradults,thatthereare4054residentsinspawninggrounds,andthatjuvenilesmoveoutoftheLittleColoradoRiverin4055largenumbersduringmonsoonseason July‐September Yackulicetal.2014 .4056Comparablydetailedstudiesthatfocusonmovement,growth,andsurvivalofhumpback4057chubareneededinoccupiedhabitatinthestateofColoradoatBlackRocksnearGrand4058JunctionandYampaCanyon.Moreinformationisneededtodeterminetheextent,ifany,of4059Asiantapeworminfestationsandanyassociateddeclinesintheconditionofhumpback4060chubinYampaCanyonandBlackRocks.Tissueanalysisofhumpbackchubisalsoneeded4061todeterminelevelsofbioaccumulationofpesticidesandpollutants USFWS2002d .4062


Continuetosuppressnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeandsmallmouth4064bass,throughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.Recoveryeffortsforthis4065speciesarecoordinatedprimarilybytheUpperColoradoEndangeredFishRecovery4066Program,inwhichColoradoisapartneragency.4067


147

Mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus) 4068

Threats 4069

Themountainsucker Catostomusplatyrhynchus isdistributedthroughoutwesternNorth4070America.InColorado,itoccursinthenorthwesternpartofthestateintheGreenRiver4071drainage,aswellastheheadwatersoftheColorado,Yampa,andWhiterivers Snyder40721981;BelicaandNibbelink2006 .Populationtrendsarelargelyundocumentedfor4073Colorado,butdeclineshavebeendocumentedinCalifornia Erman1986 ,Wyoming4074Pattonetal.1998 ,andSouthDakota SchultzandBertrand2012 .Itislistedasaspecies4075ofspecialconcerninColorado CPW2014 .4076

3 Energy Production & Mining 4077ThisspeciesoccursinnorthwesternColorado,anareathathasundergonesignificant4078energydevelopmentinthelastdecade.Moreroadsandculvertshavebeenbuiltinthe4079area,andthiscouldresultinthefragmentationofmountainsuckerhabitat.Spillsfromoil4080andgasrelatedactivitiescouldresultinthecontaminationofoccupiedmountainsucker4081habitat.4082

7 Natural System Modifications 4083Damsandimpoundmentscanfragmenthabitatandcreatebarrierstomovement,eliminate4084habitat,andalterfishspeciesassemblages DeckerandErman1992;Moyle2002;Belica4085andNibbelink2006 .Allofthesechangescanthreatenthelong‐termsurvivalofmountain4086sucker.Populationsthatoccurdownstreamfromdamsmayexperiencechangesinflow4087regimesandwatertemperatures.Thesecouldhavedeleteriouseffectsonmountainsucker4088BelicaandNibbelink2006 .40894090Backwaterpoolsandoff‐channelhabitatsproviderefugiaformountainsuckersinthe4091presenceofnon‐nativebrowntrout OlsenandBelk2005 .Watermanagementactivities4092thatdegradeoreliminateoff‐channelhabitatscouldexacerbatethenegativeeffectsof4093predatory,non‐nativefishspecies ScottandHelfman2001;OlsenandBelk2005 .4094

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4095Predationfromnon‐nativesalmonidsisconsideredapotentiallylimitingfactorfor4096mountainsucker Isaaketal.2003 .Forexample,mountainsuckerhasbeenfoundtobe4097negativelyassociatedwiththepredatory,non‐nativebrowntrout Salmotrutta Decker4098andErman1992;Giddingsetal.2006;DauwalterandRahel2008 .Interactionswithother4099non‐nativefishspeciesarelargelyunknown.4100


InColorado,moreinformationisneededonpopulationtrendsofmountainsucker Belica4102andNibbelink2006 .Movementpatternsandhabitatrequirementsarenotwellknownfor4103thespecies BelicaandNibbelink2006 .Further,morestudiesareneededassessingthe4104


148

impactsofoilandgasdevelopmentonmountainsucker.Lastly,futureresearchshould4105focusonunderstandingaspectsofthecommunityecologyofmountainsucker,such4106interactionandcompetitionwithnon‐nativefishspecies.4107


Hybridizationwithnon‐nativesuckersisthemostpressingconservationthreat.Reaches4109thatpresentlysupportmountainsuckersanddonotcontainnon‐nativesuckersshouldbe4110individuallyevaluatedandallappropriatemeasuresidentifiedtoensuretheyremain4111uninvaded.Constructedbarriers,inconjunctionwithmechanicalorchemicalremoval,4112maybefeasibleinsomestreams,toopenupadditionalhabitatforreintroduction.4113Suppressionofnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeandsmallmouthbass,4114mustcontinuethroughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.4115

Northern Redbelly Dace (Phoxinus eos) 4116

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4117tothefollowingresources:SouthPlatteNativeFishConservationPlan&ArkansasNative4118FishConservationPlan indevelopment ;NorthernRedbellyDace Phoxinuseos :a4119technicalconservationassessment 2006 linkinAppendixD .4120

Threats 4121

Thenorthernredbellydace Phoxinuseos occursinCanada,thenortheasternUnited4122States,westtoMontana.ThesouthernmostpopulationsoccurintheSouthPlatteRiver4123basininColorado,whereitislistedasstateendangered CPW2014 .Asaglacialrelict4124speciesrestrictedtothetransitionzonealongtheFrontRange,itissubjecttoanumberof4125threatsassociatedwithurbandevelopment FauschandBestgen1997,andsee“transition4126zone”descriptioninHabitatsectionofthisPlan .Since1986,thespecieshasonlybeen4127documentedinoneareainColorado:theWestPlumCreekdrainagesouthofDenver4128Bestgen1989;Nesleretal.1997 .4129

1 Residential & Commercial Development 4130TheWestPlumCreekdrainageislocatedsouthofDenvernearSedalia,ColoradoinDouglas4131County.ThepopulationofDouglasCountyhasgrown7.2%from2010to2013 U.S.Census4132Bureau2014 .TheWestPlumCreekareaisrelativelyclosetoDenver,andhousing4133developmentshavebeenbuiltsinceBestgen 1989 confirmedthepresenceofnorthern4134redbellydaceinthearea.Thisincreaseddevelopmentmayresultinloss,degradationor4135fragmentationofoccupieddacehabitat.ReachesofSt.VrainCreekandtheBigThompson4136Riverwherenorthernredbellydacewerehistoricallycollectedhavebeenimpactedby4137urbandevelopmenttoamuchgreaterextent.4138


149

7 Natural System Modifications 4139Thenorthernredbellydaceistypicallyfoundinclear,spring‐fed,lowvelocitystreamsand4140smallpondswithcoolwater,highvegetationcover Stasiak1987;Wright2011;Feltsand4141Bertrand2014 .Impoundments,diversionsgroundwaterpumping,anddamscould4142degradeorfragmenthabitatbyincreasingturbidity,changingchannelmorphology,and4143dewateringand/oralteringflows Stasiak2006 .Streamchannelizationforfloodcontrol4144hasgreatlyreducedtheamountofpermanentnear‐channelstandingwaterorlow‐flow4145habitatforthespeciesalongtheFrontRangeofColorado CPW2014 .4146

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4147Introducedfishspeciesareconsideredamajorthreattonorthernredbellydace Stasiak41482006 .IntheheadwatersoftheNiobraraRiverinNebraska,northernredbellydacemay4149bedecliningduetothepresenceofstockedbrowntrout Salmotrutta ,northernpike4150Esoxlucius ,bass Micropterussalmoides andbluegill Lepomismacrochirus Stasiak41511976;Stasiak1989;Stasiak2006 .Westernmosquitofishmaynegativelyimpactnorthern4152redbellydacebydisplacementfromitspreferredthermalregime Ciepielaetal.2013 .4153


Increasedfrequencyofsampling,aswellasstudiesonthehydrologyandflowdynamicsare4155neededintheW.PlumCreekarea Wright2011 .4156


Securingwateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through4158easementsandotherlandownweragreements isakeypriority.Continueeffortsto4159identifyadditionalpotentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange.Identify4160opportunitiesforhabitatimprovementtocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.Maintainthe4161broodstockatNASRFandcreateadditionalpopulationsthroughstockingwhensuitable4162habitatbecomesavailable.4163

Orangespotted Sunfish (Lepomis humilus) 4164

Threats 4165

Theorangespottedsunfish Lepomishumilus iswidespreadthroughouttheCentral4166UnitedStates.InColorado,itisoccursintheArkansasandSouthPlatteRiverbasins4167Nesleretal.1997;Nesleretal.1999 .Fewstudieshaveinvestigatedthestatusandtrends4168oforangespottedsunfishinColorado.4169 41707 Natural System Modifications 4171TheorangespottedsunfishoccursinbothlakesandstreamsonColorado’sEasternPlains,4172andistolerantoflowflowconditionsandhighwatertemperatures TomelleriandEberle4173


150

1990 .However,tolerancethresholdsfortheseharshconditionsareunknown.The4174dewateringofstreamscausedbygroundwaterpumpingmaybeathreattothisspecies.In4175streamhabitatstheorangespottedsunfishprefersclearstreamswithrockysubstrate,but4176istolerantofbriefperiodsofsiltation TomelleriandEberle1990 .Damsanddiversions4177thatalterboththecreationandmaintenanceoftheserockybedsandsediment4178concentrationscouldcreatelessfavorablehabitatforspecies.Anecdotalobservation4179suggeststhatdeclinesmaybeassociatedwithincreasedsiltation CPWunpublisheddata .4180Thespeciesalsoinhabitsstandingwater—historicallymostlynear‐channelfloodplain4181ponds,whichhavedecreasedinavailabilitythroughchannelization,andoftendeclinedin4182qualityduetocontaminantsandnutrients Nesleretal.1997 .Althoughabundantnew4183lentichabitathasbeencreatedforwaterstorageandgravelmining,mostofthesewaters4184containlargemouthbassandothercentrarchids;ithasbeenspeculatedthatthesemay4185outcompeteorangespottedsunfishbasedonsize,aggressivenessandphysiochemincal4186tolerance Propst1982 .4187 4188Information Needs 4189Moreinformationisneededonthehabitatpreferences,threats,andstatusof4190orangespottedsunfishinColorado.4191 4192Conservation Actions 4193Securewateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations,e.g.,through4194easementsandotherlandownweragreements.Identifypotentialpondsforbroodstock4195maintenance,shouldthatbecomenecessary.Identifyopportunitiesforhabitat4196improvementtocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.MaintainthebroodstockatNASRFand4197createadditionalpopulationsthroughstockingwhensuitablehabitatbecomesavailable.4198

Orangethroat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) 4199

Threats 4200

Theorangethroatdarter Etheostomaspectabile iswidespreadthroughoutthecentral4201UnitedStates.InColorado,itisrestrictedtothefareasternsideofthestateinthe4202RepublicanRiverBasin Cancalosi1980;Woodling1985 .Thespeciesisalsofoundin4203LodgepoleCreek,inWyoming,atributarytotheSouthPlattethatjoinstheSouthPlatte4204nearOvid,Colorado.Onemaysurmisefromthisthattheorangethroatdarterhistorically4205alsooccurredineasternportionsofSouthPlattebasinwithinColorado,butithasnever4206beencollectedthere.4207 42087 Natural System Modifications 4209Dewatering,primarilyduetogroundwaterdepletion,isanimmediateorprospectivethreat4210formuchoftheRepublicanBasinwithinColorado Falkeetal.2011;McGuire2011 .The4211speciesistolerantofwarmwaterandabletowithstandshortperiodsofintermittent4212streamflow,takingrefugeinsmallpools CrossandCollins1975 .However,tolerance4213


151

thresholdsforthedarterareunknown;itislikelythatdirecthabitatlossandfragmentation4214forextendedperiodsoftimeduetodewateringcouldnegativelyaffectthespecies.The4215orangethroatdarterprefersfastmovingwaterandsilt‐freehabitats Pfleiger1997 .Dams4216anddiversionscreatelentichabitats,blockfishpassage,andaltersedimentconcentrations,4217creatinglessfavorablehabitatfororangethroatdarter Woodling1985 .4218 4219Information Needs 4220Basicinformationisneededonlifehistoryandhabitatpreferencesastheyrelateto4221potentialimpactsoffragmentation.4222 4223Conservation Actions 4224Securingwateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations,e.g.,through4225easementsandotherlandownweragreements,isakeypriority.Identifyreachesmost4226likelytoretainunfragmented,perennially‐flowingwater30‐50yearsfromnow,and4227concentrateeffortstoprotectsurfaceandgroundwaterinthoseareas.4228

Plains Minnow (Hybognathus placitus) 4229

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4230tothefollowingresources:SouthPlatteNativeFishConservationPlan&ArkansasNative4231FishConservationPlan indevelopment ;PlainsMinnow Hybognathusplacitus :a4232technicalconservationassessment 2005 linkinAppendixD .4233

Threats 4234

Theplainsminnow Hybognathusplacitus isasmall,slenderfishthatoccursintheGreat4235PlainsregionfromMontanatoTexas.InColorado,itisfoundontheeasternplains,andis4236listedbytheStateofColoradoasendangered CPW2014 .Specimenshavebeencollected4237fromtheRepublicanRiver,SouthPlatteRiver,andArkansasRiverbasins,butitis4238consideredextremelyrareinthestate Cancalosi1980;Goettle1981;Propst1982;4239Woodling1985;Scheurer2002;CPW2014 .IntheArkansasRiver,CPWhasrecently42402013 initiatedastockingaugmentationprogram.Littleinformationisavailableonthe4241distribution,lifehistory,populationtrends,andcommunityecologyofplainsminnow4242Rees,Carr,andMiller2005a .Thisinformationiscriticalforthemanagementand4243conservationofthisspecies.4244

2 Agriculture 4245Grazingbylivestockhasdamaged80%ofthestreamsandriparianecosystemsinthe4246westernUnitedStates USDOI1994;Belskyetal.1999 .Erosionandsiltationfromcattle4247grazingcandegradehabitatfornativefishes ScheurerandFausch2002 .Althoughwater4248qualityparametersareundefinedforthisspecies,itislikelythatareductioninwater4249qualitycouldleadtoareductioninoverallfitnessofplainsminnow Rees,Carr,andMiller42502005a .4251


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7 Natural System Modifications 4252PopulationdeclinesintheArkansasRiver KansasandColorado areassociatedwith4253dewateringandchangesinchannelmorphology CrossandMoss1987 .Thesechanges4254arecausedbygroundwaterpumping,diversions,impoundments,andlandusepractices4255thatmodifyflowregimes Rees,Carr,andMiller2005a .4256

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4257Non‐nativefishspeciesarelikelytothreatenthehealthandpopulationofplainsminnow4258throughcompetitionandpredation Rees,Carr,andMiller2005a .However,thereisalack4259ofresearchontheinteractionsbetweenplainsminnowandnon‐nativefishspecies.4260


MoresamplingisneededintheRepublicanRiver,ArkansasRiver,andSouthPlatteRiver4262basinstodeterminehowmuchofthisspecies’historicrangeisstilloccupied Scheureret4263al.2003 .Moreinformationisneededonthelifehistory,ecologyandhabitatrequirements4264ofplainsminnow Rees,Carr,andMiller2005a .Furtherstudiesarealsoneeded4265examiningtheimpactsofnonnativefishspeciesontheplainsminnow.Lastly,determining4266theresponseofthespeciestochangesinstreamflowiscriticalforinformingmanagement4267decisionsonflowregimes Rees,Carr,andMiller2005a .4268


EstablishaSouthPlattebasinbroodstockandinitiateanaugmentationstockingprogramin4270theSouthPlatteBasin.ContinuestockingintheArkansasbasin.Rigorouslyevaluate4271factorsaffectingsurvivalandpersistence,toincreasesuccessoffutureefforts.Identify4272opportunitiesforhabitatimprovementtocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.4273

Plains topminnow (Fundulus sciadicus) 4274

Threats 4275

Theplainstopminnow Fundulussciadicus isaGreatPlainsendemic.InColorado,it4276occursinthemainstemoftheSouthPlatteRiveranditstributaries Woodling1985 .4277Populationdeclineshavebeendocumentedacrossitsrange Weitzel2002b .In2013,the4278USFishandWildlifeServicefoundthespeciesnotwarrantedforfederalESAlistingor4279candidatestatus USFWS2013f .IthasnospecialstatusinColorado,althoughcertain4280populationsappeartohavedeclined CPWunpublisheddata ,anditisvulnerablegivenits4281lifehistoryrequirements.Theprimarythreatstoplainstopminnowarecompetitionwith4282nonnativefishspecies,watermanagementactivities,urbanandruraldevelopment,and4283intenselivestockgrazing RahelandThel2004b;Pasbrigetal.2012;USFWS2013f .4284


153

1 Residential & Commercial Development 4285Plainstopminnowhabitathaslikelybeenlostordegradedduetotherapiddevelopmentof4286theFrontRangeofColorado Nesleretal.1997 .Urbanandex‐urbandevelopmentinthe4287FrontRangecorridorhascausedstreamchannelizationandwaterqualitydegradation.4288

2 Agriculture 4289Acrossitsrange,theplainstopminnowismostabundantinspringfedpoolswithclear4290waterandhighcoverofmacrophytes RahelandThel2004b .Intensecattlegrazingcan4291resultinalossofaquaticvegetation,aswellasanincreaseinturbidity,thereforedegrading4292plainstopminnowhabitat Platts1991;RahelandThel2004b .Overgrazingcanalsolead4293toincreasedbankerosionandstreamintermittency Platts1991 .4294

7 Natural System Modifications 4295Thedeclineinplainstopminnowpopulationshasbeenlinkedtothede‐wateringofcritical4296backwaterhabitatsfromirrigationdrawdownanddrought Haas2005;Koupaland4297Pasbrig2010 .AlthoughdroughtconditionsareacommonoccurrenceacrosstheGreat4298Plains,theloweringofgroundwaterlevelsfromirrigationpumpinghasincreasedthe4299magnitudeofstreamde‐watering FauschandBestgen1997;Doddsetal.2004;Raheland4300Thel2004b .Plainstopminnowareusuallylocatedinheadwaterandnaturally4301intermittentreachesofprairiestreams,andarethereforehighlyvulnerabletohabitatloss4302fromirrigationandwaterdiversionsthatlowerthewatertablesandin‐streamflows4303RahelandThel2004b .Theytendtopreferstandingwaterorslow‐movinghabitatsuch4304asbackwater,sloughs,orseasonally‐connectednear‐channelhabitat.Thesehabitattypes4305areparticularlylikelytobeimpactedbychannelmodificationassociatedwithwater4306managementand/orurbandevelopment.4307

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4308Severalnonnativefishspecieshavebeensuggestedaspotentialpredatorsandcompetitors4309ofplainstopminnowincludinglargemouthbass Micropterussalmoides and,especially,4310Westernmosquitofish Gambusiaaffinis .Inalaboratoryexperiment,western4311mosquitofishlikelycausedplainstopminnowmortalitybydirectinjuryandcompetitionfor4312foodresources Haas2005 .Westernmosquitofishcouldcausedramaticreductionsin4313plainstopminnowpopulations RahelandThel2004b;Haas2005 .Anotherstudy4314revealedthatashiftinfishspeciesassemblageovertogeneralistandnonnativescoincided4315withthelossofplainstopminnow FischerandPaukert2008 .InColorado,CPW4316researchersfoundastrongcorrelationbetweenmosquitofishinvasionandsubsequent4317apparentdisappearanceofplainstopminnowatinvadedsites CPWunpublisheddata .4318


Moreinformationisneededonbasiclifehistorytraits,therolesofpredationand4320competition,andmechanismsusedbyplainstopminnowtore‐establishpopulationsafter4321localextirpations RahelandThel2004b .4322


154


Securewateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through4324easementsandotherlandowneragreements .Continueeffortstoidentifyadditional4325potentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’presumptivenativerange.Sitesthat4326remainuninvadedbyGambusiaareespeciallyimportant.Rigorouslyevaluatefactors4327affectingsuccessoftranslocations,toincreasesuccessoffutureefforts.Continuesurvey4328effortstoidentifyadditionalpopulations.Identifyopportunitiesforhabitatimprovement4329tocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.4330

Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) 4331

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4332tothefollowingresources:RazorbackSucker Xyrauchentexanus RecoveryGoals–4333AmendmentandSupplementtotheRazorbackSuckerRecoveryPlan 2002 ;Razorback4334Sucker Xyrauchentexanus RecoveryPlan 1998 linksinAppendixD .4335

Threats 4336

Therazorbacksucker Xyrauchentexanus wasoncecommontoabundantthroughoutthe4337ColoradoRiverBasinanditstributaries Minckley1991 .In1991,therazorbacksucker4338waslistedasEndangeredthroughoutitsentirerange USFWS2002e .InColorado,all4339extantpopulationsaresupplementedwithstockedfish.Stockedfishsurvivewell,with4340individualfishknowntohavepersistedforoveradecadepost‐release.Reproductive4341behaviorandlarvalproductionareobservedregularlyintheColoradoRiverandmore4342recentlyintheWhite aswellasinreachesoutsideofColorado ;however,evidencethat4343wild‐spawnedfishsurvivetobejuvenilesorrecruittoadulthoodremainselusive.Threats4344tothespeciesincludestreamflowregulation,habitatmodification,competitionwithand4345predationbynonnativefishspecies,andpesticidesandpollutants USFWS2002e .4346

2 Agriculture 4347IrrigationhascausedhighseleniumconcentrationsinupperColoradoRiver,theGunnison4348River,andtheSanJuanRiver Andersonetal.1961 .Seleniumconcentrationshavebeen4349showntobenegativelycorrelatedwitheggdiameterandpercenthatch,andapositively4350correlatedwithdeformitiesinrazorbacksuckers Hamiltonetal.2005 .4351

3 Energy Production & Mining 4352AlargeuraniummilltailingspilefromtheAtlasMinenearMoab,Utahposestwosignificant4353threatstoendangeredfishintheColoradoRiver:1 toxicdischargesofpollutants,4354particularlyammonia,entertheriverthroughgroundwaterandaredirectlytoxicto4355razorbacksucker,and2 riskofcatastrophicpilefailurecouldburynurseryareasand4356destroyfishhabitat Fairchildetal.2002;USFWS2002e .4357


155

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 4358TheDenverandRioGrandeWesternrailroadtracksparalleltheColoradoRiveratBlack4359RocksandWestwaterCanyon.Potentialhazardouswastespillsresultingfromatrain4360derailmentthreatenrazorbacksuckerpopulationsintheseareas.Anetworkofpipelines4361containingpetroleumproductscrossorcloselyfollowtheYampaRiverupstreamofYampa4362Canyon,noneofwhichcontainemergencyshut‐offvalves USFWS2002e .Leakingor4363burstingpipescouldresultindeleteriouseffectstothefishcommunityintheYampaRiver.4364

7 Natural System Modifications 4365TheconstructionofdamsalongthemainstemoftheColoradoRiveranditstributarieshas4366fragmentedandinundatedriverinehabitat;releasedcold,clearwaters;alteredecological4367processesandsedimentregimes;affectedseasonalavailabilityofhabitat;andblockedfish4368passage MinckleyandDeacon1968;MarshandDouglas1997;Holden1979;USFWS43692002e .Fishpassagewayshavebeencreatedfortherazorbacksuckerandothernative4370fishatdamsitesintheColoradoRivernearPalisadeandontheGunnisonRiver Landers43712012 .TheGreenRiverDaminUtahisslatedforrehabilitation,andthefinalplansfor4372renovationincludeafishpassagewaytoallowfortheupstreamanddownstream4373movementofnativefishes,includingrazorbacksucker USDOA2014 .43744375TherazorbacksuckerevolvedunderthehighlyvariableflowsoftheColoradoRiverbefore4376damsandimpoundmentswereestablished.Adultrazorbacksuckersspawnovercleancobble4377barsduringspringrunoff,andtheirlarvaeflowintofloodplainhabitatsinundatedduringthe4378springfloods McAdaandWydoski1980;Wicketal.1982;USFWS2002e .Thedam‐related4379changesintimingandflowlevelsontheColoradoRiveranditstributaries,alongwith4380channelization,haveledtoalossoffloodplainnurseriesthatarenecessaryforthesurvivaland4381reproductionoftherazorbacksucker McAdaandWydoski1980 .Re‐creationofsuitable4382nurseryhabitat mostlyinUtah andtimingofdamreleasestocoincidewithrazorback4383spawningappeartoholdpromiseformeetingtherazorbacksucker’slifehistoryrequirements4384despitethepersistenceofthesethreats UCREFRP2012 .4385

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4386Numerousnon‐nativespeciesarereportedaspredatorsontherazorbacksucker,including4387stripedbass Karametal.2008 ,commoncarp,greensunfish,largemouthbass,and4388flatheadcatfish 20 authors,seecitationlistonpg.23oftheRecoveryPlan,USFWS43891998b .Smallmouthbass Microperusdolomieu northernpike Esoxlucius ,walleye4390Sandervitreus andchannelcatfish Ictaluruspunctatus havebeenidentifiedasthe4391foremostthreats,alongwithburbot Lotalota ,anemergingnewpredator Johnsonetal.43922008 .Thesenon‐nativespeciesarecitedastheprimarybiologicalthreattothesurvival4393andreproductionofrazorbacksucker USFWS1998b .4394


Moreinformationisneededonsuitablehabitatforrazorbacksucker.Pesticideshavebeen4396citedasapossiblethreattotherazorbacksucker,butlittletonoresearchhasbeendone4397


156

investigatingtheeffectsofpesticidesonthespecies.Theseverityofseleniumimpacts4398needstobedeterminedwithmuchmorecertainty.4399


Suppressionofnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeandsmallmouthbass,4401mustcontinuethroughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.Recoveryefforts4402forthisspeciesarecoordinatedprimarilybytheUpperColoradoEndangeredFish4403RecoveryProgram,inwhichColoradoisapartneragency.4404

Rio Grande Chub (Gila pandora) 4405

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4406tothefollowingresources:RioGrandeChub Gilapandora :atechnicalconservation4407assessment 2005 linkinAppendixD .4408

Threats 4409

TheRioGrandechub Gilapandora wasoncewidespreadinNewMexico RioGrandeand4410PecosRiverbasins ,Colorado upperRioGrandeandSanLuisRiverbasins ,andTexas4411PecosRiverbasin ZuckermanandLanglois1990;Bestgen,Compton,ZelaskoandAlves44122003;Rees,Carr,andMiller2005b .InColorado,overallnumbersofindividualshavebeen4413reducedbyasmuchas75% ZuckermanandLanglois1990;Bestgen,Compton,Zelasko4414andAlves2003;Rees,Carr,andMiller2005b .ItisnowconsideredaSpeciesofSpecial4415Concern CPW2014 .Majorthreatsaredegradationofhabitatfollowingdamand4416impoundmentconstruction,predationofandcompetitionwithnon‐nativefishspecies,4417heavymetalsfromnaturalsourcesandmining,andexcessivegrazing Bestgen,Compton,4418ZelaskoandAlves2003;Rees,Carr,andMiller2005b .4419

2 Agriculture 4420TheRioGrandechubiscommonlyassociatedwithaquaticmacrophytessuchas4421Potamogeton,woodydebris,andoverhangingriparianvegetation.Overgrazinginoccupied4422habitatcanleadtothedegradationoreliminationofthesemicrohabitattypes,andisthus4423citedasapossiblethreattothespeciesalthoughstudiesarelacking CalamussoandRinne44241999;Bestgen,Compton,ZelaskoandAlves2003 .4425

3 Energy Production & Mining 4426HeavymetalsandcyanidefromtheSummitvilleMinewerereleasedintotheheadwatersof4427theAlamosaRiverbeginningin1986 CsikiandMartin2008 .Thesepollutantsmaybe4428responsibleforabsenceoffishesupstreamandinTerraceReservoir Woodling1995 .In44291997,heavymetalsfromhistoricmineswereflushedbyasummerrainstormintoKerber4430Creek.AllfishinKerberCreekdied,alongwith43%ofthefishina4kmstretchofSanLuis4431Creek Alves1997a;Bestgen,Compton,ZelaskoandAlves2003 .RioGrandechubwere4432


157

knowntooccupythesetwocreeks,andcontinuedmonitoringofthesitehasshowna4433declineinnumbersofindividualsfollowingthecontaminationevent Bestgen,Compton,4434ZelaskoandAlves2003 .4435

7 Natural System Modifications 4436Theconstructionofatleast56large‐scaledamsalongtheentirelengthofRioGrandeRiver4437beganinthelate1800s,andacceleratedthroughthe1960s Cowley2006 .These4438structureshavehomogenizedanddepletedflows,alterednaturalseasonalflowregimes4439Mollesetal.1998 ,fragmentedhabitat,andinterruptedfundamentalprocessessuchas4440sedimentandnutrienttransport Ellisetal.2001 ,causingadeclineintheRioGrandechub4441andothernativefishspecies.4442

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4443Negativeinteractionswithnon‐nativespecieshavebeencitedasoneofthemain4444contributingfactorstothedeclineoftheRioGrandechubintheCarsonandSantaFe4445NationalForestsinnorthcentralNewMexico,closetotheColoradoborder Calamussoand4446Rinne1999 .ThespeciescompositionatoccupiedRioGrandechubsitesinColoradowas4447foundtobedominatedbynon‐nativefish:themostcommonamongthesewerefathead4448minnow Pimephalespromelas ,whitesucker Catostomuscommersonii ,andredshiner4449Cyprinellalutrensis ,respectively Bestgen,Compton,ZelaskoandAlves2003 .Allof4450thesespeciesaresuspectedtocompetewithorpredateontheRioGrandechub,although4451directevidenceislacking.4452


SeasonalpatternsandbasiclifehistoryinformationfortheRioGrandechubissorely4454lacking.Furthermore,thereislittleinformationavailableonpredationbynon‐native4455species,aswellasthedietaryhabitsofthespecies.Morestudiesarealsoneededtobetter4456understandtheimpactofgrazingonRioGrandechub.Lastly,earlierstudiesonthe4457impactsofnon‐nativespeciesonRioGrandechubhavebeenconductedinNewMexico4458CalamussoandRinne1996 ,butmoreinvestigationisneededwithinColorado.4459


Provideadditionalsecurityforexistingpopulationswhereneeded e.g.,througheasements4461andotherlandownweragreements,barriers .Identifyopportunitiestoextendlengthof4462availablehabitatforexistingpopoulationsand,especially,torestorepresumed4463metapopulationsbyconnectingpopulationsthatarecurrentlyisolated.Identifyadditional4464potentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’historicrange,andaggressivelypursue4465reintroductionopportunities.4466


158

Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis) 4467

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4468tothefollowingresources:ConservationAgreementforRioGrandeCutthroatTrout4469Oncorhynchusclarkiivirginalis intheStatesofColoradoandNewMexico 2013 ;Rio4470GrandeCutthroatTrout Oncorhynchusclarkiivirginalis ConservationStrategy 2013 ;4471RioGrandeCutthroatTrout Oncorhynchusclarkiivirginalis :atechnicalconservation4472assessment 2006 ;ConservationplanforRioGrandeCutthroatTrout Oncorhynchus4473clarkivirginalis inColorado 2004 linksinAppendixD .4474

Threats 4475

TheRioGrandecutthroattrout Oncorhynchusclarkiivirginalis occursintheCanadian,4476PecosandRioGranderiverbasinsinNewMexicoandColorado Behnke2002 .Itisthe4477southernmostsubspeciesofO.clarkii Pritchardetal.2009 .RioGrandecutthroattrout4478populationshavesufferedseriousdeclinesindistribution,andthespeciespresently4479occupiesanestimated11%ofitshistoricrange USFWS2014b ,andremaining4480populationsarerestrictedtohighelevationsandshortstreamsegments Alvesetal.2008 .4481Itwasconsidered“warranted”forfederallistingundertheEndangeredSpeciesActin20084482USFWS2008 ,butwasthenremovedfromthecandidatelistin2014 USFWS2014b .In4483Colorado,itisaspeciesofspecialconcern CPW2014 .44844485Recentgeneticstudieshavecalledintoquestiontraditionalconceptsregardingthe4486taxonomyanddistributionofcutthroattroutinColorado Metcalfetal.2007;Metcalfetal.44872012;Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013 .RioGrandecutthroattrout,however,remaina4488distinctsubspecieslimitedtotheRioGrandebasinofColoradoandNewMexico Metcalfet4489al.2012;Bestgen,Rogers,andGranger2013 .Microsatellitedatahasrevealed“clear4490geneticdifferentiationbetweenpopulationsintheRioGrandeRiverandtheCanadianand4491PecosRiverdrainages”andpromptedtherecommendationthatthesepopulationsbe4492conservedasevolutionarysignificantunits Pritchardetal.2009 .4493

7 Natural System Modifications 4494WildfiresintherangeofRioGrandecutthroattrouthavedepressedoreliminatedfish4495populations Japhetetal.2007;PattenandSloane2007 .Ashflowsanddebrisfrom4496wildfirescanwashintostreamsandcausefishkills Rinne1996;Brownetal.2001 .The4497watershedsoccupiedbyRioGrandecutthroattrouthaveahighriskofburningandcausing4498highamountsofdebrisflow MillerandBassett2013 .TheRioGrandeheadwaters,4499however,haveonlyamoderateriskoffireanddebrisflowcomparedtotherestofthe4500species’range MillerandBassett2013 .4501

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4502Non‐nativerainbowtrout O.mykiss andothernon‐nativecutthroattroutsubspecies4503readilyhybridizewithRioGrandecutthroattrout,resultinginintrogressionandlossof4504conservationpopulations PritchardandCowley2006;Alvesetal.2008 .Othernon‐native4505


159

fishspecies,includingbrooktrout Salvelinusfontinalis andbrowntrout Salmotrutta 4506havedisplacedoreliminatednativecutthroattroutthroughcompetitionandpredation4507Harigetal.2000;Dunhametal.2002;Petersonetal.2004;Shemaietal.2007 .45084509Whirlingdiseasehascontributedtothecollapseofwildtroutpopulationsinthewestern4510UnitedStates Ayreetal.2014 .Thisdiseasedamagesthecartilageofinfectedfish,causes4511themtoswiminawhirlingmotion.Thisalteredstaterendersthemincapableoffeedingor4512avoidingpredation USFWS2014b .RioGrandecutthroattroutarepredictedtohave4513relativelylowlikelihoodofinfection Ayreetal.2014 comparedtoColoradoRiver4514cutthroattrout,butthediseaseisstillconsideredathreattothespecies USFWS2014b .4515

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 4516DroughtandincreasedstreamtemperatureshavebeenidentifiedasamajorthreattoRio4517Grandecutthroattrout Haaketal.2010 .DroughtsinthesouthwesternUnitedStatesare4518expectedtoincreaseinfrequencyandseverity HoerlingandEischeid2007 .Thiscould4519resultinstreamdewateringandadecreaseinavailablehabitat Zeigleretal.2012;USFWS45202014b .AverageannualairtemperaturehasincreasedacrosstherangeofRioGrande4521cutthroattroutsincethemid‐20thcentury,andthistrendcouldresultinelevatedstream4522temperaturesthatareunsuitableforRioGrandecutthroattroutthatrelyoncoldwater4523habitattocompletetheirlifecycle Williamsetal.2009;Ziegleretal.2012;USFWS2014b .4524


UnlikemanyoftherarefishspeciesinColorado,thereisarelativelyrichamountof4526informationavailableontheRioGrandecutthroattrout.Thedistributionofthespeciesis4527fairlywellunderstood Alvesetal.2008 .However,moresurveysareneededtoidentify4528RioGrandecutthroattroutconservationpopulationsandcharacterizetheirhabitat4529RGCTCT2013 .Moreinformationisneededonthelifehistoryofthespecies,including4530spawningpatternsandsexratios.Itisunknownifspawningoccurseveryyear RGCTCT45312013 .Movementpatternsofthespecieswithinsmallstreamsarelargelyunknown Alves4532etal.2008 .Futureresearchshouldalsofocusonassessingtheeffectivenessofrestoration4533activitiesinoccupiedhabitat.4534


Securewateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through4536easementsandotherlandowneragreements .Increasethenumberofpopulationsthrough4537reintroductionintosuitablehabitat.Continueeffortstoidentifyadditionalpotential4538reintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’presumptivenativerange,includinglarger4539drainageswithtributarystreams.Sitesthatremainrelativelyfreeofnon‐nativepredators4540areespeciallyimportant.Rigorouslyevaluatefactorsaffectingsuccessofcurrentstocking4541efforts,toinformfuturestocking.Continuesurveyeffortstoidentifyadditional4542populations.Identifyopportunitiesforhabitatimprovementtocreateorrestoresuitable4543habitat.4544


160

Rio Grande Sucker (Catostomus plebeius) 4545

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4546tothefollowingresources:RioGrandeSucker Catostomusplebeius :atechnical4547conservationassessment 2005 ;StateofColoradoRioGrandeSuckerRecoveryPlan45481994 linksinAppendixD .4549

Threats 4550

TheRioGrandesucker Catostomusplebeius isendemictotheRioGrandeBasin.The4551largestpartofitsrangeisinNewMexico,withsmallerportionsextendingintoColorado4552andMexico.PopulationsinColoradodeclinedprecipitouslyduringthe20thcentury,until4553surveysin1994confirmedthatonlyonepopulationremainedinHotCreekinConejos4554County ReesandMiller2005 .ItisnowlistedasastateendangeredspeciesinColorado.4555Theprimarythreatstothespeciesare1 habitatlossthroughthedewateringofstreams,2 4556habitatfragmentationandmovementbarrierscausedbydamsanddiversions,3 changes4557instreamtemperatures,waterchemistry,andchannelgeometry,and4 competitionand4558predationbynon‐nativefishspecies.4559

7 Natural System Modifications 4560Theconstructionofatleast56large‐scaledamsalongtheentirelengthofRioGrandeRiver4561beganinthelate1800s,andacceleratedthroughthe1960s Cowley2006 .These4562structureshavehomogenizedanddepletedflows,alterednaturalseasonalflowregimes4563Mollesetal.1998 ,fragmentedhabitat,andinterruptedfundamentalprocessessuchas4564sedimentandnutrienttransport Ellisetal.2001 ,causingadeclineintheRioGrande4565suckerandothernativefishspecies.4566

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4567Non‐nativefishspeciescompetewith,predateon,andhybridizewithRioGrandesucker.4568Inthelast40years,thenon‐nativewhitesucker Catostomuscommersonii haslargely4569replacedtheRioGrandesuckerinColorado Langloisetal.1994 .Ithasbeensuggested4570thatcompetitionbetweenthesetwospeciesforfood,spawningsites,andrearingareashas4571negativelyimpactedtheRioGrandesucker ReesandMiller2005 .Hybridsbetweenthese4572twospecieshavebeendocumentedatHotCreek,butrateswerelow,andhybridization4573doesnotappeartobeamajorfactorinthedeclineofRioGrandesuckerinColorado4574ZuckermanandLanglois1990;Swift‐Milleretal.1999 .Othernon‐nativefishspecies4575suchasthebrowntrout Salmotrutta andnorthernpike Esoxlucius arepredatorsofthe4576RioGrandesucker.4577

Other Threats 4578ThefeedinghabitsoftheRioGrandesuckersuggestapreferenceforstreamswithlow4579turbidityandminimalsedimentdeposition Swift‐Milleretal.1999a .However,landuse4580changessuchasroadconstruction,overgrazing,andtimberharvesthaveledtoincreased4581sedimentloadsinWesternstreams Judyetal.1984;ReesandMiller2005 .Thereareno4582


161

studiesontheimpactoftheselandusepracticesinoccupiedRioGrandesuckerhabitat,but4583itislikelythathighturbidityandsedimentdepositionfromtheseactivitieshasdepleted4584anddegradedthefoodsupplyforthespeciesinColorado Swift‐Milleretal.1999b .4585


SeasonalpatternsandbasiclifehistoryinformationfortheRioGrandesuckerissorely4587lacking.Morestudiesareneededtounderstandthehabitatusepatterns,dielmovements,4588andlifehistoryeventsofthespecies.Futurestudiesshouldalsofocusontheimpactsof4589grazing,roadconstruction,andculvertsonRioGrandesuckerhabitat.4590


Securewateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through4592easementsandotherlandownweragreements,barriers .Continueeffortstoidentify4593additionalpotentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange.Rigorously4594evaluatefactorsaffectingsuccessofcurrentstockingefforts,toincreasefuturesuccess.4595Continuesurveyeffortstoidentifyadditionalpopulations.Identifyopportunitiesfor4596habitatimprovementtocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.4597

Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta) 4598

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4599tothefollowingresources:StateofColoradoconservationandmanagementplanforthe4600RoundtailChub Gilarobusta ,BlueheadSucker Catostomusdiscobolus ,and4601FlannelmouthSucker Catostomuslatipinnis indevelopment ;Range‐wideconservation4602agreementandstrategyforRoundtailChub Gilarobusta ,BlueheadSucker Catostomus4603discobolus ,andFlannelmouthSucker Catostomuslatipinnis 2006 ;RoundtailChub4604Gilarobustarobusta :atechnicalconservationassessment 2005 linksinAppendixD .4605

Threats 4606

Theroundtailchub Gilarobusta wasoncecommonintheentireColoradoRiverBasin,but4607populationshavedeclinedinrecentdecades MinckleyandDeacon1968;Carlsonand4608Muth1989;Osmundson1999 .IntheportionoftheupperColoradoRiverBasinlocated4609withinColorado,roundtailchuboccupiesapproximately55%ofitshistoricalrange;itis4610decliningorextirpatedfromsectionsoftheDolores,Gunnison,SanJuan,andGreenrivers4611BezzeridesandBestgen2002;Bestgenetal.2011 .Itisnowconsidereda“speciesof4612specialconcern”inColorado CPW2014 .Populationdeclinesaremoresevereinthe4613lowerColoradoRiverBasininArizonaandNewMexico,wherethespeciesisaCandidate4614forlistingundertheEndangeredSpeciesAct USFWS2005 .Budyetal. 2013 suggest4615thattheroundtailchubisingravedeclineinUtah.Theprimarythreatstothespeciesare4616flowalterations,physicalhabitatmodifications,andtheintroductionofnon‐nativefishes4617USFWS2002d;CPW2014 .4618


162

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 4619TheDenverandRioGrandeWesternrailroadtracksparalleltheColoradoRiveratBlack4620RocksandWestwaterCanyon.Potentialhazardouswastespillsresultingfromatrain4621derailmentthreatenroundtailchubpopulationsintheseareas.Anetworkofpipelines4622containingpetroleumproductscrossorcloselyfollowtheYampaRiverupstreamofYampa4623Canyon,noneofwhichcontainemergencyshut‐offvalves USFWS2002d .Leakingor4624burstingpipescouldresultindeleteriouseffectstothefishcommunityintheYampaRiver.4625

7 Natural System Modifications 4626TheconstructionofdamsalongthemainstemoftheColoradoRiveranditstributarieshas4627fragmentedandinundatedriverinehabitat;releasedcold,clearwaters;alteredecological4628processesandsedimentregimes;affectedseasonalavailabilityofhabitat;andblockedfish4629passage MinckleyandDeacon1968;ValdezandRyel1995;MarshandDouglas1997;4630USFWS2002d .Roundtailchubdeclinesarecommoninimpoundmentsafterreservoir4631construction BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .WolfordMountainReservoirhoststheonly4632reservoir‐dwellingpopulationofroundtailchubinColorado Ewert2010 .Fish4633passagewayshavebeencreatedfortheroundtailchubandothernativefishatdamsitesin4634theColoradoRivernearPalisadeandontheGunnisonRiver Landers2012 .TheGreen4635RiverDaminUtahisslatedforrehabilitation,andthefinalplansforrenovationincludea4636fishpassagewaytoallowfortheupstreamanddownstreammovementofnativefishes,4637includingroundtailchub USDOA2014 .46384639LowheaddamsandconstructedwetlandsalongMuddyCreek,atributaryoftheLittle4640SnakeRiverintheUpperColoradoRiverbasin,wereshowntorestrictdownstream4641movementofroundtailchubandcreatenovelwetlandhabitatfavoringnon‐nativefish4642species Beattyetal.2009 .Thesedamsandconstructedwetlands,however,mayhave4643positiveindirecteffectsastheycreateabarriertotheupstreamspawningofnon‐native4644fishspeciesthatpreyon,hybridize,andcompetewiththeroundtailchubforresources.4645ThesefindingshighlightthecompleximpactsofdamsonColorado’snativefishpopulations4646Beattyetal.2009 .46474648Thehomogenizationofflowsinoccupiedroundtailchubhabitathasledtoanincreasein4649continuousflatwaterwithoutthetopographicandhydraulicheterogeneityrequiredto4650createandsupportroundtailchubpopulations Bestgenetal.2011 .Reductionsin4651transportoffinesedimentmayalsoalterdownstreamgeomorphiccharacteristicsand4652availabilityofspawningsitesandrearinghabitat ValdezandRyel1995;VanSteeterand4653Pitlick1998;DouglasandDouglas2000 .Changesindischargetimingandmagnitudemay4654shiftenvironmentalcuesneededbyfishforpropertimingofmigrationandspawning,4655therebypreventingsuccessfulreproduction Muthetal.2000 .4656

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4657Severalnon‐nativefishspeciesarepredatorsoftheroundtailchub.Aclearexamplewas4658documentedintheYampaRiverbetweenHaydenandLilyParkduring2000‐2003,where4659thecombinedeffectsofdroughtconditionsandincreasingsmallmouthbass Micropterus4660dolomieui andnorthernpike Esoxlucius populationsreducedhabitatandrecruitment4661


163

ofjuvenilefishandincreasedpredationonallsizeclasses AndersonandStewart2007 .4662Negativeeffectsofsmallmouthbassonroundtailchubhavealsobeendocumentedinthe4663DoloresRiver White2008;CPW2010a .Non‐nativechannelcatfish Ictaluruspunctatus 4664werealsoabundantineddieswithroundtailchubintheYampaandGreenRivers,andare4665likelypredatorsofthechub KarpandTyus1990 .46664667Thenon‐nativeAsiantapeworm Bothriocephalusacheilognathi hasbeenimplicatedin4668thedeclineintheconditionofhumpbackchub Gilacypha belowGlenCanyonDam4669Meretskyetal.2000 .In2005,anAsiantapewormwasdocumentedforthefirsttimeina4670roundtailchub Gilarobusta intheYampaRiver Ward2005 .Potentialimpactsonthe4671roundtailchubareunknown,thoughnonehavebeenobserved.46724673SeveralmembersofthegenusGilaresideintheColoradoRiverincludinghumpbackchub4674G.cypha ,roundtailchub G.robusta ,andbonytailchub G.elegans .Recentresearch4675suggeststhatextensiveintrogressivehybridizationhasoccurredwithinthisgrouppriorto4676thecreationofdamsanddiversions Gerberetal.2001 .However,itisalsosuggestedthat4677thesehumanconstructionshaveeliminatedorcompromisedtherealizednichesofthese4678species,andtheynowoccursympatrically Douglasetal.1998 .Morphologicalcharacters4679canbeusedtoseparateouteachtaxon,buthybridsoftenpossessintermediatecharacters.4680Hybridintermediacyhasledtoinaccuratefieldidentification.InBlackRocksand4681WestwaterCanyon,researchershavedocumentedhigherproportionsofroundtailchub4682duringlowflowyears Kaedingetal.1990;ChartandLentsch2000 .Theselowflowyears4683resultinincreasedsympatrybetweenbothchubspecies,andpotentiallyincreasethe4684chancesforhybridization USFWS2002d .Thus,itisnecessarytomimicnatural4685hydrologicalflowregimestomaintainnaturalproportionsofGilaspeciesandintergrades4686USFWS2002d .4687


Morepopulationsurveysandlifehistorystudiesonroundtailchubareneededintheupper4689ColoradoRiverBasin,especiallyinsmallerstreams BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .Efforts4690shouldalsofocusonidentifyingandprotectingimportanttributarystreamsfromfurther4691flowalterationsandhabitatdegradation BezzeridesandBestgen2002 .4692


Suppressionofnon‐nativepredators,particularlynorthernpikeandsmallmouthbass,4694mustcontinuethroughoutthebasinswherethesespecieshaveinvaded.Colorado’sDRAFT4695ConservationandManagementPlanforthe‘threespecies,’whichneedstobefinalized,4696specifiesadditionalconservationactions.4697


164

Southern Redbelly Dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) 4698

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4699tothefollowingresources:SouthPlatteNativeFishConservationPlan&ArkansasNative4700FishConservationPlan indevelopment ;SouthernRedbellyDace Phoxinus4701erythrogaster :aTechnicalConservationAssessment 2007 linkinAppendixD .4702

Threats 4703

Thesouthernredbellydace Phoxinuserythrogaster isasmallfishspeciesthatoccurs4704throughouttheMissouriRiverbasin Stasiak2007 .InColorado,onlytwoknownwild4705populationsexist.TheseoccurinsmalltributariestotheArkansasRivernearPueblo,4706Colorado Bestgen,Crockett,andFoutz2013 .MajorthreatstothespeciesinColoradoare4707lossofhabitatduetodewatering;habitatdegradationduetoimpoundments,nonpoint4708sourcepollution,channelizationandsiltation;andnon‐nativespecies.4709

2 Agriculture 4710Excessivegrazinginriparianzonescanleadtoerosionandsiltationthatcompromisesthe4711cool,clearwatersandcleangravelsthatarerequiredhabitatconditionsforthesouthern4712redbellydace Platts1991;Belskyetal.1999 .Increasedturbidityfromerosionand4713siltationinterfereswiththeabilityofthesouthernredbellydacetospawn,feed,and4714recognizecolorpatternsofpotentialmates RiemanandClayton1997;Stasiak2007 .4715

7 Natural System Modifications 4716IntheArkansasRiverbasin,thesouthernredbellydacepreferssmall,cool,clearstreams4717thatareoftenspring‐fed Bestgen,Crockett,andFoutz2013 .Impoundments,dams,and4718diversionscoulddegradehabitatforsouthernredbellydacebyalteringflows,water4719chemistryandchannelmorphology Stasiak2007 .Studieshaveshownthatthespecies4720hasalowtolerancetosilt PoffandAllan1995 anddoesnotsurvivewellinreservoirs4721Mammoliti2002 .4722

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4723Introducedpredatoryfishspeciesmayposeaseriousthreattodacepopulationsasthey4724willconsumeeventhelargestadults Stasiak2007 .Thenonnativenorthernpike Esox4725lucius ,alargepredatoryfish,hasbeenshowntoreducedacepopulations HeandKitchell47261990 .4727

9 Pollution 4728Thesouthernredbellydacehasbeenreportedasverysensitivetochangesinwaterquality4729Stagliano2001 .Pollutantsandpesticidesfromagriculturalrunoffcandegradewater4730quality,andthesehavebeensuggestedaspossiblethreatstothedace Stasiak2007 .4731


165


MoresurveysareneededtodiscovernewpopulationsinColorado,andtoidentifysuitable4733habitatforreintroduction Bestgen,Crockett,andFoutz2013 .Bettercharacterizestatus,4734demographicsandmetapopulationdynamicsofknownpopulations,particularlythe4735populationnearesttotheArkansasRivernearFlorence.4736


Securingwateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through4738easementsandotherlandownweragreements isakeypriority.Continueeffortsto4739identifyadditionalpotentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange.Identify4740opportunitiesforhabitatimprovementtocreateorrestoresuitablehabitat.Maintainthe4741broodstockatNASRFandcreateadditionalpopulationsthroughstockingwhensuitable4742habitatbecomesavailable.4743

Stonecat (Noturus flavus) 4744

Threats 4745

Thestonecat Noturusflavus iswidespreadthroughoutthenorthernandcentralGreat4746Plains,theGreatLakesregion,andpartsoftheeasternUnitedStates.InColorado,itis4747poorlydocumentedwithonlytwoknownsites.IthasbeenreportedfromSt.VrainCreek,a4748tributarytotheSouthPlatteRiver,neartheLongmontWastewaterTreatmentPlant4749Plataniaetal.1986 .IthasalsobeencollectedfromtheNorthForkoftheRepublican4750RiverinYumaCounty,Colorado Cancalosi1980 .4751

7 Natural System Modifications 4752Fewstudieshaveinvestigatedthreatstothespecies,butthedewateringofoccupied4753streams,damsanddiversionsthatblockfishpassage,andhighsedimentconcentrations4754characteristicofColorado’seasternplainsstreamsarelikelytheprimarythreatstothe4755speciesinColorado Woodling1985 .4756


Basicinformationonthelifehistory,habitatpreferences,andrangeinColoradoisneeded.4758


Securewateravailabilityandhabitatqualityforexistingpopulations e.g.,through4760easementsandotherlandownweragreements isakeypriority,particularlyinthe4761Republicanbasin.IncreasedfragmentationoftheSt.Vrainpopulationbypost‐flood4762reconstructionneedstobeavoidedtotheextentpossible,anditsimpactevaluated.4763


166

Identifypotentialreintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange.Study4764metapopulationdynamics,tounderstandimportanceofbarriersandseasonalconnectivity4765inlifehistory,todirectfutureconservationactivities.4766

Suckermouth Minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) 4767


Threats 4771

Thesuckermouthminnow Phenacobiusmirabilis iswidespreadthroughouttheGreat4772Plains,theupperMidwest,andtheMississippiRiverbasin.Historically,thespecies4773occurredontheeasternplainsofColoradointheSouthPlatte,ArkansasRiver,and4774RepublicRiverbasins.Thesuckermouthminnowispresentlyrareinallofthesebasins,4775andmaybeextirpatedfromtheRepublicanRiverinColorado Bestgen,Zelasko,and4776Compton2003 .In2011,thesuckermouthminnowwasstockedintotheArkansasRiver4777nearRockyFord,Colorado CPW2011 .Fewstudieshaveinvestigatedthreatstothe4778species,butthedewateringofoccupiedstreams,aswelldamsanddiversionsthatblock4779fishpassage,arelikelytheprimaryfactorslimitingthedistributionandabundanceofthe4780speciesinColorado Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2003 .4781

7 Natural System Modifications 4782Suckermouthminnowswerecommonlyfoundindeeppoolsdownstreamofdiversion4783damsontheSouthPlatteRiver Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2003 .Dewateringof4784streamshasoccurredontheEasternPlainsofColorado,andnaturallyoccurringdeeper4785poolsandrunshavelikelybecomerarerasaresult.Presently,fishthatrelyondeeppools4786andeddiesareoftenlimitedtothosecreatedbydamsandimpoundments.Therefore,dams4787likelyhaveacomplexeffectonthespecies,atonceblockingfishpassageandcreatingdeep4788poolsthatarefavoredbysuckermouthminnow Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2003 .4789


Morestudiesareneededon1 movementdynamics,2 theroleofmainstemandtributarys4791insustainingpopulations,3 theeffectsofstreamchannelgeometryandfluvialprocesses4792onhabitat,4 habitatuseduringdrought,and5 theeffectsofwatermanagementpractices4793Bestgen,Zelasko,andCompton2003 .Lastly,moreinformationisneededontheimpact4794ofnonnativefishspeciesonsuckermouthminnow.4795


167


Studymovementandmetapopulationdynamics,tounderstandimportanceofbarriersand4797seasonalconnectivityinlifehistory,andtodirectfutureconservationactivities.Such4798studiesareparticularlyimportantintheSouthPlattebasin,tounderstandcausesof4799dramaticpopulationfluctuationsnotobservedintheArkansasbasin.Identifypotential4800reintroductionsiteswithinthespecies’nativerange,emphasizingopportunitiestoprotect4801orre‐createmainstem‐tributaryconnectivity,withavailabilityofcleangravelsubstrate.4802Rigorouslyevaluatefactorsaffectingsuccessofcurrentstockingtoincreasesuccessof4803futureefforts.4804

Tier 1 Mammals 4805

American pika (Ochotona princeps) 4806

Threats 4807

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 4808CPWsurveysin2008foundthatpikaarewelldistributedinColorado’shighcountry.4809CPW’sPredictedRangeModelindicatesextensiveandlargelycontiguoussuitablepika4810habitatinthestate,suggestingthatColoradopikapopulationsshouldhavepatchsizeand4811connectivitytomaintainametapopulationstructuresufficienttopreservepopulations4812Seglund2008 .Themainconcernsforclimatechangearethatwarmingpatternscould4813impactpikaforagingrates,increasethermalstressontheanimals,reducesnowcover4814usedforinsulationinwinter,andalterplantcommunitiesimpactingfoodavailabilityand4815quality.CurrentlyinColorado,thereisabundantalpineandsubalpinehabitatthatmay4816serveasastrongholdforthespeciesasimpactsfromglobalclimatechangecontinue.4817


Continuedevaluationofpikadistributionandpopulationlevelsiswarrantedtomonitor4819theimpactsofclimatechange.4820


Sincebaselineinformationhasbeencollected,thenextstepisimplementationofalong‐4822termmonitoringprogramthatcanevaluatechangesinoccupancy.Thiseffortwillallow4823managerstocorrelatechangesinclimatewithchangesinthedistributionsofpikas,4824vegetation,andthermalstressparameters.4825


168

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) 4826

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4827tothefollowingresources:ACooperativePlanforBlack‐footedFerretReintroductionand4828Management,WolfCreekandCoyoteBasinManagementAreas,MoffatandRioBlanco4829Counties 2001 ;Black‐footedFerretRecoveryPlan 1988 linksinAppendixD .4830

Threats 4831

1 Residential & Commercial Development 4832Theprimarythreattoblack‐footedferretsisthelossoftheirpreybase,prairiedogs4833Cynomysspp. .Therehasbeenwidespreadconversionofnativeprairiedoghabitatto4834residentialandcommercialdevelopment,particularlyalongtheFrontRange,butalso4835throughouttheferret’shistoricrangeinColorado.4836

2 Agriculture 4837Approximatelyone‐thirdoftheoverallhistoricrangeofferretshasbeenconvertedto4838croplandthatmayaccommodateferretsbutisinhospitabletoprairiedogs USFWS2009 .4839Prairiedogshavebeenlosttohabitatconversion,rodenticideuseandothereradication4840efforts,anddisease USFWS2009 .4841

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4842Sylvaticplagueisasignificantthreattoremainingprairiedogcolonies.Plagueandcanine4843distemperhaveimpactedferretreintroductioneffortsandferretpreypopulations.Both4844plagueandcaninedistemperhavemotivatedimmunizationstrategiestoimprovesuccess4845ofreintroductionefforts.4846

14 Natural Factors 4847Ferretsareknowntohaveundergoneageneticbottleneckwhenpopulationsdwindled4848dramaticallyinthe1980s Wiselyetal.2002 .Despitereintroductionof3,500ferretsat484921locationsthroughouttherange Black‐footedFerretRecoveryImplementationTeam,4850www.blackfootedferret.org ,thespeciesisstillsusceptibletogeneticinbreedinglimitations4851andstochasticdemographiceventsthatcouldimpactpopulations.4852


Beingoneofthemostcharismaticendangeredspeciesevertoreceiveconservation4854attention,thespecieshasbeenwellstudied.InColorado,thebiggestinformationgapis4855whereferretpopulationscouldbere‐establishedandsuccessfullysustained.Thisrequires4856anunderstandingofthehealthandstabilityofthepreybasepopulationtosupportferrets.4857


169


Conservationoftheblack‐footedferretinColoradowilldependontwomainissues–4859controlofdiseaseandindentificationofrelocationsites.Thereison‐goingresearchinto4860thedevelopmentofavaccineforsylvaticplaguewhichiseffectiveatprotectingprairie4861dogsinthewild.Thisworkwillincreasethesuccessofferretreintroductionrangewide.At4862thesametime,itisimportanttoworkwithvariousagenciesandprivatelandownersto4863identifypotentialreintroductionsitesthroughoutthestate.Thiswillincludebothpublic4864outreachontheimportanceofprairieecosystemsandsupportforparticipating4865landowners.Overcomingsocialintoleranceofprairiedogsisahurdle.Thiscangenerally4866beovercomewithlargeenoughfinancialincentivessuchasthosecurrentlyofferedinthe4867black‐footedferretEnvironmentalQualityIncentivesProgramprojectoccurringcurrently4868inColorado.4869

Fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes) 4870

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4871tothefollowingresources:ColoradoBatConservationPlan 2004 ;FringedMyotis Myotis4872thysanodes :atechnicalconservationassessment 2004 linksinAppendixD .4873

Threats 4874

3 Energy Production & Mining 4875InColorado,minesareusedbythefringedmyotisfordayandnightroosts Armstronget4876al.2011 aswellasmaternityandtransitionroosts,whichhavebeendocumentedduring4877theCPW’sBatsandInactiveMinesProject.Anylossofroostinghabitatisdetrimental.4878Renewedmininginhistoricdistricts,especiallyforuranium,hasthepotentialtodisplace4879thisspeciesfromcurrentroostingsites.4880

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 4881Thefringedmyotiswillusebuildings,caves,andminesformaternityroosts,nightroosts,4882andhibernacula Keinath2004;Armstrongetal.2011 .Disturbancestominesandcaves4883areathreattothisspeciesandcantaketheformofabandonedmineclosure,recreational4884caving,andrenewedmining.Insomeareas,thefringedmyotiswillusetreesnagsasroosts4885Keinath2004 andremovaloftheseresources,especiallyonalargescalecouldbe4886detrimentaltothisspecies.4887

Work&OtherActivities4888AsabandonedminesthroughoutColoradoareclosedforhazardabatement,thepotential4889forlossofbatroostsispresent.MinesareusedbyfringedmyotisinColoradoand4890impropergatedesignsorclosureduringthewrongseasonorwithinadequatepre‐closure4891surveyhasthepotentialtohavelargecumulativeeffectsonthisspecies.4892


170

Recreation4893Roostingbatsaresensitivetodisturbanceandcouldleaveroostsitesfollowinghuman4894visitation Keinath2004 .Recreationalcavingcandisruptbatsthatusecavesasroosts.4895Disturbancetoroostingbatsmaynotbeintentionalandmayoccurunbeknownsttothe4896caver,butmaycauseabandonmentofsitesandtheprematureexpenditureofcriticalfat4897reservesduringhibernation Thomas1995 .4898

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4899White‐nosesyndromeisadiseaseofhibernatingbatscausedbyanintroducedfungus4900Pseudogymnoascusdestructans Lorchetal.2011;Warneckeetal.2012 thathas4901severelyimpactedbatpopulationsineasternNorthAmerica Fricketal.2010 .The4902fringedmyotiscouldbesusceptibletowhite‐nosesyndrome.White‐nosesyndromehas4903notbeenobservedinColorado,butbecauseofthedevastatingimpacttobatpopulationsin4904easternNorthAmericaanditsexpansionacrossthecontinentasfarwestasthe4905Kansas/Missouriborder,thisdiseaseisaformidablethreattohibernatingbatspecies.All4906indicationsarethatmanybatroostsinColoradocouldprovidetheconditionssuitablefor4907P.destructans.4908

9 Pollution 4909Thefringedmyotisfeedsonawidevarietyofinsectscomparedtomanybatspecies4910Keinath2004;Armstrongetal.2011 .Largescaleuseofpesticidesmayreducethis4911species’preybase,butbecauseofitsbroaddiet,insectcontrolprogramsfocusingonone4912groupofspeciesmaynothaveassevereofaneffect.Bioaccumulationoftoxinsduring4913foraginginbatsmayoccurduetopesticideuse.Nostudieshavedirectlyevaluatedthe4914effectsofpesticideuseonthefringedmyotis,butworkonotherbatspeciesinColorado4915O’Sheaetal.2001 andelsewherehaveshownthatbatsaccumulatehighlevelsof4916contaminantsintheirtissuesrelativetoothertaxa ClarkandShore2001 .4917


IntheirlistofsuggestedresearchneedsforthebatsofColorado,Ellisonetal. 1999 4919mentiontheneedforanintraspecificgeneticanalysisofsubspeciesinadditiontogeneral4920informationgapsforallbatspecies.Littleisknownregardingwinterecologyat4921hibernacula,seasonalmovements,andadultmalelifehistoryforthisspecies.Dataspecific4922toColoradoregardingdistribution,populationstatus,andtrendsarelacking.4923


Protectionofroostingbatsfromhumandisturbance,especiallyatsignificantwinter4925hibernationsitesandsummermaternitysites,isimportantfortheconservationofthe4926fringedmyotis.Developingabetterunderstandingofthedistributionandhabitatuseof4927thefringedmyotiswillbetterinformwhichsitesareatgreatestriskfromhuman4928disturbance,aswellaswhatthreatwhite‐nosesyndromepresentstothisspecies.4929


171

Gunnison’s prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) 4930

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4931tothefollowingresources:ColoradoGunnison’sandWhite‐tailedPrairieDogConservation4932Strategy 2010 ;Gunnison’sPrairieDogConservationAssessment 2005 linksin4933AppendixD .4934

Threats 4935

2 Agriculture 4936PriortoagriculturalconversionofhabitatsinColorado,manyGunnison’sprairiedog4937populationsoccurredinhabitatsthatprovideddeepsoilsandhighqualityforage,thesame4938sitesthatagriculturalproducerscoveted.SettlementofColoradointheearly20thcentury4939sawrapiddevelopmentofirrigatedcrops.Asthecenturyprogressed,alfalfaandhaycrops4940begantodominatethelandscape.Replacementofnativearidlandscapeswithhighly4941nutritiouslegumeandgrasscropsallowedprairiedogcoloniesintheseareastoreach4942artificiallyhighdensities.However,theseareasalsoresultedinthecreationofmore4943widelydistributed,smallcoloniesduetoactiveeradicationeffortsanddevelopmentof4944barrierssuchasfences,irrigation,roads,andurbanpredators.ThoughGunnison’sprairie4945dogcoloniesarebeingmaintainedinthisnewbiologicalarrangement,theirecological4946functionhadbeenimpaired.4947

5 Biological Resource Use 4948Recreationalshootingresultsindirectmortalityoftargetedprairiedogs.Effectswithin4949individualcoloniescanbesignificant,butrecreationalshootingactivityisirregularly4950dispersedacrosstherangeofGunnison’sprairiedogs.Asaresult,itisnotexpectedthat4951shootingalonecanhaveasufficientpopulationleveleffecttomoveGunnison’sprairiedogs4952towardsextinction.Nevertheless,whererecreationalshootingactivityoccursregularlyor4953athighintensity,shootinghasthepotentialtolocallyreduceprairiedogdensitiesandslow4954recoveryratesofcoloniesimpactedbyplagueorotherdisturbances,especiallyinthecase4955ofisolatedcolonies.Seasonalshootingclosureshavebeenimplementedonpubliclandto4956maintainrecreationalshootingmortalitywithinacceptablelimitsforconservationof4957prairiedogpopulations.4958

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 4959TheprimaryfactorlimitingGunnison’sprairiedogpopulationsanddistributionin4960Coloradoissylvaticplague,anintroduced,flea‐transmitteddiseasecausedbythe4961bacteriumYersiniapestis SeglundandSchnurr2009 .Plagueisthoughttobethemost4962criticalthreattosustainedconservationofprairiedogspecies CullyandWilliams2001;4963Paulietal.2006 .CPWiscurrentlytestinganoralplaguevaccinethatcanhelpprotect4964prairiedogsfromdevastatingoutbreaks.Inaddition,CPWisdustingprairiedogcolonies4965thatareofconservationconcernwithaninsecticidetoreducethepotentialofepizootics.4966


172

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 4967Gunnison’sprairiedogsevolvedtoliveinaridareasthatexperienceperiodicdroughts.4968However,human‐facilitatedchangesinecosystemsinthewestincludingplantspecies4969composition,ecosystemfunction,andecosystemstructure Fleischner1994 maycause4970prairiedogstobemoresusceptibletodroughtconditions.Inaddition,climatechangemay4971beincreasingthenumberanddurationofdroughtevents,makingitmoredifficultfor4972prairiedogstosurvive.In2002whenColoradoexperiencedanextremedrought,many4973Gunnison’sprairiedogcolonieswerelost.49744975Managementofrangelandsneedstoconsidertherelativeinfluenceofclimatechange.4976Whiletherearemanyuncertaintiesabouthowclimatechangewillaffectcertainhabitats,4977anoverallmanagementstrategythatmaintainsalargerlandscapeandtherebyincreases4978theabilityofthegivenspeciestoadjusttheirrangeshouldbeincorporatedintheoverall4979conservationofthespecies.4980


Methodsforhowtomanageplagueatalandscapescaleandatcoloniesorcomplexesthat4982areofconservationconcernareneeded.4983


Continuedustingcoloniestoprotectagainstplagueevents,continueworkontheoral4985plaguevaccineandcontinueusingoccupancysurveystoevaluatestatusofthespecies4986statewide.ImplementstrategiesoutlinedintheColoradoGunnison’sandWhite‐tailed4987PrairieDogConservationStrategy SeglundandSchnurr2009 .4988

Little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) 4989

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer4990tothefollowingresources:ColoradoBatConservationPlan 2004 linkinAppendixD .4991

Threats 4992

5 Biological Resource Use 4993Littlebrownmyotiswillusebuildingsandotherstructuresduringdifferenttimesofthe4994year Armstrongetal.2011 andareoftenfoundincloseproximitytourbanandsuburban4995areasinColorado.Thisisespeciallytrueduringthematernityseasonwhennursery4996coloniesareoftenfoundinthewarmatticsofbuildings.Batsareoftenexcludedor4997exterminatedfromroostsitesthatareinhabitedbyhumansand,ifnotdoneproperlyor4998duringanappropriatetimeofyear,canbeathreattothisspecies. 4999


173

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5000White‐nosesyndromeisadiseaseofhibernatingbatscausedbyanintroducedfungus5001Pseudogymnoascusdestructans Lorchetal.2011;Warneckeetal.2012 thathas5002severelyimpactedbatpopulationsineasternNorthAmerica Fricketal.2010 .Todate,5003thelittlebrownmyotisisoneofthespeciesmostimpactedbywhite‐nosesyndromeand5004hasbeenputatriskoflocalextinctionineasternNorthAmerica Fricketal.2010 .Local5005populationdeclinesathibernaculaofover50%peryear,withsomereachingashighas500699%,havebeenreported Fricketal.2010 .White‐nosesyndromehasnotbeenobserved5007inColorado,butbecauseofthedevastatingimpacttobatpopulationsineasternNorth5008AmericaanditsexpansionacrossthecontinentasfarwestastheKansas/Missouriborder,5009thisdiseaseisaformidablethreattohibernatingbatspecies.Allindicationsarethatmany5010batroostsinColoradocouldprovidetheconditionssuitableforP.destructans.5011


ThelittlebrownmyotisisoneofthebetterstudiedbatspeciesinNorthAmerica,but5013informationisstilllackingonpopulationdynamicsandpopulationsstatus,especially5014withinColorado.MostoftheknownroostsinColoradoarematernitycolonies,whichare5015comprisedprimarilyoffemalesandtheiryoungandtypicallycontainfewerthan100adult5016females Armstrongetal.2011 .Littleinformationisknownregardingmaleroosting5017habits.Dataonseasonalmovementsandhibernaculalocationsandstatusareneeded.5018Largehibernacula,asmightbefoundineasternNorthAmerica,arenotknownfrom5019Coloradoandmoreinformationisneededonthewinterecologyofthisspecies.5020


Protectionofroostingbatsfromhumandisturbanceandtake,especiallyatsignificant5022winterhibernationsitesandsummermaternitysites,isimportantfortheconservationof5023thelittlebrownmyotis.Developingabetterunderstandingofthedistributionandhabitat5024useofthelittlebrownmyotiswillbetterinformwhichsitesareatgreatestriskfrom5025humandisturbance,aswellaswhatthreatwhite‐nosesyndromepresentstothisspecies.5026Sustainedmonitoringofsummercoloniesandacousticmonitoringstatewideareneededto5027providesurveillanceofthepotentialarrivalofwhite‐nosesyndromeintothestate.5028

Lynx (Lynx canadensis) 5029

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5030tothefollowingresources:Federallistingdocuments;Recoveryoutline linksinAppendix5031D .5032

Threats 5033

Lynxhavesuccessfullybeenre‐establishedinColoradoandaself‐sustainingpopulationis5034believedtopersistintheregion.Themanagementactionstakentore‐establishthe5035


174

populationtoColoradoweredoneconsideringthelandscapeofthetime–thereisno5036intentionofattemptingtochange,alterorremovehistoricandcurrentlandusesfromthe5037landscape.Manyoftheseindustriescanandhavedevelopedpracticeswhichhavethe5038potentialofallowingboththelongtermpersistenceofthelynxonthelandscapewhilealso5039continuingtohavetheirinterestsremainintact.5040

5 Biological Resource Use 5041Thecharacteristicsofvegetationstructurethatmakeshabitatsuitableforlynxhavebeen5042shapedbyfire,insectsanddiseasesinthewesternUnitedStates Ruggieroetal.1999 .5043Whenlynxecologyisnottakenintoconsideration,commercialtimberharvestwithinthe5044rangeoccupiedbylynxhasthepotential,whendoneatrelevantscales,todisruptthis5045structure,renderingthepost‐harvesthabitatunsuitableforlynxand/ortheirprimaryprey,5046snowshoehares.Theestablishmentofdensesmalltreeandshrubcoverisessentialfor5047harepopulationstoreoccupyharvestedareas.50485049Forestharvestingmaycontributetofragmentationofthishabitat,asdoesconstructionof5050highwaysandassociatedinfrastructure,andmineralorenergydevelopment Ruggieroet5051al.1999 .Fragmentationcanaffectlynxbyreducingtheirpreybaseandbycreating5052patchesofforaginghabitatthataretoosmallandtoodistantfromeachothertosupport5053viablepopulationsoflynx Buskirketal.2000 .5054

7 Natural System Modifications 5055Naturalwildfirehasmaintainedadynamicmosaicofvaryingageclassesofforeststands5056thatprovideshabitatforbothsnowshoehareandlynx SloughandMowat1996 .Inthe5057RockyMountains,thefireregimewasvariable,withbothfrequent 35–100years stand‐5058replacingormixed‐severityfires,andinfrequent 200 years stand‐replacementfires5059Hardyetal.1998 .Startingabout100yearsago,thisnaturalfireregimewasdisruptedby5060firesuppressionefforts,leadingtodenseforests.This,combinedwithrecentdroughtsand5061increasingtemperaturesintheWest,hasresultedinarecentshifttouncharacteristically5062severeandintensewildfiresinlower‐elevationforests Morganetal.1998 .Thereisthe5063potentialforthesefirestoincreaseinfrequencyinthefutureandspreadintoadjacent5064areasoccupiedbylynx,causingthelossoflargeexpansesoflynxhabitat.5065

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5066Theimpactofclimatechangeonlynxisuncertainandunquantified.Thepredictedeffects5067ofclimatechangeintheWestincludeareducedsnowpackandshorterperiodsofsnow5068cover,snowmeltthatoccursearlierintheseason,ahydrologiccyclethatismoredynamic5069asextremerainfalleventsoccurwithgreaterfrequencyandoverallwarmer,drier,and5070moredrought‐likeconditions Melillo2014 .Whileitisuncertainwhentheseeffectsmay5071takeplaceandthemagnitudeoftheirimpactonthisspecies,theeffectsofthesechangeson5072lynxmayincludechangesinpopulationdistributionandsize,amountofhabitat,5073demographicratesandpredatorpreyrelationships Ruggieroetal.1999 .Theextentto5074whichanyofthesepossiblechangesmayimpactthepopulationasawholeisunknown.5075Managementactionshavelittleabilitytoalterthepredictedimpactsorevenmitigatethe5076


175

effectsofclimatechange.However,assessmentstoidentifypossibleavenuesforadaptive5077managementstrategiestoclimatechangeshouldbeconsidered Ruggieroetal.1999 .5078


Highprioritiesforresearchincludecontinuedmonitoringoflynxpopulationsinsuitable5080habitattoverifylynxpopulationtrends,distributionandpopulationviability,aswellasto5081validatecoreareasclassifiedandmappedassuitablehabitatforlynx.Otherresearchneeds5082includeassessingtheeffectofclimatechangeonlynx,lynxhabitatandsnowshoehare;5083furtherrefinementofsurveyprotocols;researchingwhateffectvegetationmanagement5084hasonlynxdistributionanddensity;examiningthelimitstolynxdispersal;investigating5085howsilviculturalpracticesimpactsnowshoehares,evaluatinghowwinterrecreational5086activitiesimpactlynxbehaviorandhabitatuse;anddeterminingwhatrolesecondaryand5087peripheralareashaveintheconservationoflynx.5088


Theprimaryactionneededfortherecoveryoflynxisthedraftingandimplementationofa5090FederalRecoveryPlan.Establishingrecoverygoalsandobjectivesandfundingsourcesto5091assesstheextenttowhichthesehavebeenmetwiththeultimategoalofdelistingthe5092speciesisparamount.Related,identifyingandimplementingsurveyprotocolstoassess5093occupancytrendsforthespeciesthroughoutthestateisanimportanttask.Identifying5094importantmovementcorridorsandimplementingappropriatelandmanagementwithin5095thoseareasisimportanttoallowforfurtherdispersalandcolonizationthroughoutthe5096state.5097

New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus) 5098

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5099tothefollowingresources:Federallistingdocuments linkinAppendixD .5100

Threats 5101

7 Natural System Modifications 5102TheprimarythreattoNewMexicojumpingmousepopulationsisthelossand5103fragmentationoftheirhabitatfromhumanlanduses,including:overgrazing;recreational5104developmentandactivity;climaticvariabilityandstochasticevents FreyandMalaney51052009 ;transportationdevelopment;suburbandevelopment;lossofbeaverandbeaver5106ponds;coalbedmethanedevelopment;andinstreamchangesduetoincreasedrunoffand5107floodcontrolefforts.Thesehumanlanduseactivitiesaffectthisspeciesbyremoving5108protectivecover,nests,foodresources,andhibernationsites;disruptingbehavior;or5109actingasabarriertomovement USFWS2013b .5110


176

14 Natural Factors 5111Isolationofpopulationsmaydisruptgeneflowandcreateunpredictablegeneticeffectsthat5112couldimpactmeadowjumpingmousepersistenceinagivenarea.Thedistributionofthe5113NewMexicojumpingmouseissolimitedthattheyarealreadyknowntobesusceptibleto5114stochasticevents,suchaswildfire FreyandMalaney2009 .5115


TherearelimiteddataonthegeneticdiversityofNewMexicomeadowjumpingmouse5117populationsinColorado,andthedegreeofsimilaritybetweenColoradoandNewMexico5118populations.OnlytwopopulationsfromonelocationeachwereassessedinMalaneyetal.51192012 .Additionally,thereislittleknownabouttheoveralldistributionofthisspeciesin5120Colorado.SurveystobetterdocumentdistributioninColoradoareneeded,especiallyin5121theSanLuisValley.5122


Furthergeneticcomparisonswouldillustratethedivergenceorlackthereofamong5124Coloradopopulations.Continuedsurveying especiallyinareaswithhighprobabilityof5125occurrence,aswellasrevisitstoknownColoradolocations,wouldbevaluabletodocument5126distributionandstability,andtoconductpopulationmonitoring.Protectionofknown5127habitatfrombothhumandisturbanceandincreasednaturalchanges,suchasfire,is5128importanttothecontinuedpersistenceofthisspeciesinColorado.5129

Olive-backed Pocket Mouse (Perognathus fasciatus) 5130

Therearetwosubspeciesofolive‐backedpocketmouse Perognathusfasciatus in5131Colorado.InthenorthwestcornerofMoffatCountyP.f.calistusisrestrictedtothearea5132northoftheYampaRiver Armstrongetal.2011 .Perognathusf.infraluteusisrestricted5133toanarrowbandthatextendsfromtheborderofWyominginLarimerandWeldcounties5134southwardthroughHuerfanoCounty Armstrongetal.2011 .Throughatargeted5135inventory,Siemersetal. 2003 wereabletofindtwonewpopulationsofP.f.infraluteus,5136butdidnotfindthemtobeparticularlyabundantingrasslandhabitats.Perognathusf.5137calistus’rangeisconsiderablysmallerthanP.f.infraluteus’onlyextendingintothe5138northeasternedgeofUtahandthesouthwesternWyoming.FinleyandBogan 1995 5139consideredtheP.f.calistuscommonatlocalesinnorthwesternColorado;however,the5140rangeisrestrictedandalterationstograsslandsanddesert‐scrubcommunitiesinthis5141regionmaykeeppopulationsisolated.5142


177

Threats 5143

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5144ForP.f.infraluteus,muchofthewesternrangeoverlapstheurbancorridoroftheFront5145Rangeanditislikelythatmuchgrasslandhabitatforthissubspecieshasbeenlost.5146

2 Agriculture 5147LittleisknownabouteithersubspeciesofP.fasciatusinColorado,butconversionto5148cropland,prairiedogremoval,andincompatiblegrazingpatternshavelikelyaltered5149grasslandanddesert‐scrubhabitats.5150


Manyless‐commonrodentspeciesarepoorlyunderstood,butecologyandpopulation5152structuredataforP.fasciatusinColoradoisparticularlyscarce.Littletonothingisknown5153aboutoveralldistribution,patternsindistribution,abundanceandchangesinabundance,5154andimpactsfromurban/suburbandevelopment,grazing,prairiedogremoval,and5155grasslandstructurealterations ManningandKnox1988;Armstrongetal.2011 .5156


Theprimaryconservationactionsneededforthisspeciesaredevelopmentand5158implementationofamonitoringplantoimproveunderstandingofpopulationstatus,and5159protectinghabitatfromconversiontootheruses.5160

Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) 5161

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5162tothefollowingresources:DraftRecoveryPlanPreble’sMeadowJumpingMouse Zapus5163hudsoniuspreblei 2003 linkinAppendixD .5164

Threats 5165

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5166TheprimarythreattoPreble’smeadowjumpingmousepopulationsisthelossand5167fragmentationoftheirhabitatfromhumanlanduses,includingurban,suburban,and5168recreationaldevelopment;highwayandbridgeconstruction;waterdevelopment;instream5169changesduetoincreasedrunoffandfloodcontrolefforts;sandandgravelmining;and5170overgrazing.Thesehumanlanduseactivitiesaffectthisspeciesbydirectlydestroyingits5171protectivecover,nests,foodresources,andhibernationsites;disruptingbehavior;or5172actingasabarriertomovement PMJMRecoveryPlanDraft2010 .5173


178

14 Natural Factors 5174

Scarcity5175Isolationofpopulationsmaydisruptgeneflowandcreateunpredictablegeneticeffectsthat5176couldimpactPreble’smeadowjumpingmousepersistenceinagivenarea.While5177stochasticeventsarenotknowntobeanimmediatethreattojumpingmousepopulations,5178thetendencyforPreble’snumberstovarywidelyovertimeheightensconcernforsmall5179andisolatedpopulations PMJMRecoveryPlanDraft2010 .5180

Competition5181Therelativeranges,abundances,andrelationshipbetweenPreble’smeadowjumping5182mouseandnativeandnon‐nativesmallmammalsmayleadtocompetitivedisadvantages5183forPreble’smeadowjumpingmouse.BeinggreatlyoutnumberedinabundancebyNorth5184Americandeermice Peromyscusmaniculatus andmeadowvoles Microtus5185pennsylvanicus ,thejumpingmousemayexperiencecompetitivedisadvantagesas5186habitatsarealtered Schorr2012 .Additionally,ashabitatsarefragmentedand5187encroachedupon,therewilllikelybegreaterinfluxofnon‐nativemammals,suchashouse5188mice Musmusculus andNorwayrats Rattusnorvegicus ,thatmaycompetefor5189resources.5190

Predation5191AsurbanandsuburbandevelopmentencroachesonPreble’smeadowjumpingmouse5192habitat,therewillbeanincreaseindomesticatedpredators domesticcats andurban‐5193associatedmeso‐predators,suchasredfox Vulpesvulpes andraccoon Procyonlotor 5194Woodsetal.2003,Ditchkoffetal.2006 .Increasedpredationfromdomesticandurban‐5195associatedcarnivoresdiminishesthestabilityofjumpingmousepopulations.5196


TherearefewstudiesthathaveinvestigatedtheimpactstoPreble’smeadowjumping5198mousepopulationswhenhabitatisremovedbyeitherhuman e.g.,development or5199natural e.g.,floods means.Mostthreatsareattributedtothelossofhabitatbecause5200jumpingmousepopulationsarenolongerfoundorareconstrictedinareasthathavebeen5201impacted.Multi‐yearstudiesthatassesstheimpactstoPreble’smeadowjumpingmouse5202populationswhenhabitatisremovedwouldclarifyhowhabitatalterationschangejumping5203mousepopulations.5204


Protectionandimprovementofexistinghabitat,especiallythroughBestManagement5206Practices,zoning,conservationeasements,andhabitatrestoration,willimprovethe5207outlookforthisspeciesinColorado.Therevisedrecoveryplan currentlyindevelopment5208andscheduledforcompletioninsummer2015 willinformthespecificactionsnecessary5209forthelong‐termprotectionofindividualpopulationsthroughoutthestate.5210


179

Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) 5211

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5212tothefollowingresources:SpottedBat Eudermamaculatum :atechnicalconservation5213assessment 2007 ;ColoradoBatConservationPlan 2004 linksinAppendixD .52145215VerylittleisknownabouttheecologyanddistributionofthespottedbatinColorado.5216Spottedbatsaredifficulttocaptureandareoftenunder‐sampledinmistnetsurveys.Most5217informationisfromacousticsurveysofforagingsites Navoetal.1992;Storz1995 ,but5218recentcapturesofthisspecieshavebeenmade SiemersandSchorr2006;Boganand5219Mollhagen2010 andmaternitycolonieshavebeendocumented O’Sheaetal.2011 in5220Colorado.Threatslistedbelowareprimarilyspeculativeandbasedonpotentialactivities5221thatmayadverselyaffectthisapparentlyrarespecies.Roostsitesaretypicallyinremote5222locationsthatareisolatedfrommosthumanactivities.However,thisspeciesforagesover5223manydifferenthabitattypesthatareadjacenttocliffandcanyonroostinghabitat,andthe5224speciesisknowntotravelgreatdistancesduringnightlyforagingbouts.Therefore,5225potentialthreatstotheseotherhabitattypescanpotentiallybeimpactingthisspecies.5226

Threats 5227

2 Agriculture 5228LargescaleuseofpesticidesforcontrolofgrasshoppersorMormoncricketsmayreduce5229thepreybaseforspottedbats.Additionally,bioaccumulationoftoxinsduringforagingin5230spottedbatsmayoccurduetopesticideuse.Nostudieshavedirectlyevaluatedtheeffects5231ofpesticideuseonspottedbats,butworkonotherbatspeciesinColorado O’Sheaetal.52322001 andelsewherehaveshownthatbatsaccumulatehighlevelsofcontaminantsintheir5233tissuesrelativetoothertaxa ClarkandShore2001 .523452356 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 5236Rockclimbingmayaffectthisspeciesonalocallevel.Clifffacesandrockcreviceswhere5237thisspeciesroostscouldbedisturbedbyrecreationalactivity.Thisspecieshasbeen5238reportedtoabandonroostsbecauseofnoise Easterala1973 andcontinueddisturbance5239nearclimbingroutesthatreceivefrequentusemaycausespottedbatstoabandonroosts.5240


BasiclifehistoryanddistributionalinformationonthespottedbatisneededforColorado.5242Moreinformationonreproduction,habitatuse,seasonalmovementpatternsand5243abundance,amongotherfactors,isneededforthisspecies.Clarificationofwinter5244distributionisparticularlyneeded.5245


180


Theprimaryconservationactionneededforthespottedbatisresearchintothe5247distribution,habitatuse,andpopulationparametersinColorado.Thisinformationwill5248betterinformwhichroostsitesareatgreatestriskfromhumandisturbance,aswellas5249whatotherthreatsmayariseforthisspecies.5250

Townsend’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens) 5251

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5252tothefollowingresources:Townsend’sBig‐earedBat Corynorhinustownsendii :a5253technicalconservationassessment 2006 ;ColoradoBatConservationPlan 2004 links5254inAppendixD .5255

Threats 5256

3 Energy Production & Mining 5257Becauseminesareacriticalresourceforthisspeciesandlossofroostsisthoughttobea5258limitingfactor Piersonetal.1999 ,anylossofroostinghabitatisdetrimental.5259Hibernacula,maternity,day,night,andtransitionroostshaveallbeendocumentedin5260mines andcaves inColorado.Renewedmininginhistoricdistricts,especiallyfor5261uranium,hasthepotentialtodisplaceTownsend’sbig‐earedbatsfromcurrentroosting5262sites.5263

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 5264Townsend’sbig‐earedbatismostoftenassociatedwithcavesandmines,althoughithas5265beenfoundtoroostinabandonedbuildingsandrockcrevicesduringsometimesofthe5266year Armstrongetal.2011 .Disturbancestominesandcavesaretheprimarythreatto5267thisspeciesandcantaketheformofabandonedmineclosure,renewedmining,and5268recreationalcaving.5269

Work&OtherActivities5270AsabandonedminesthroughoutColoradoareclosedforhazardabatement,thepotential5271forlossofbatroostsispresent.MinesareacriticalresourceforTownsend’sbig‐earedbats5272inColorado.Impropergatedesign,andclosureduringthewrongseasonorwith5273inadequatepre‐closuresurvey,hasthepotentialtohavelargecumulativeeffectsonthis5274species.5275

Recreation5276Thisspeciesissensitivetodisturbanceandwillleaveroostsitesfollowinghumanvisitation5277Armstrongetal.2011,Piersonetal.1999 .Disturbancetoroostingbatsmaynotbe5278intentionalandmayoccurunbeknownsttothecaver,butcancauseabandonmentof5279maternitysites Piersonetal.1999andreferencestherein andtheprematureexpenditure5280ofcriticalfatreservesduringhibernation Thomas1995 .5281


181

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5282White‐nosesyndromeisadiseaseofhibernatingbatscausedbyanintroducedfungus5283Pseudogymnoascusdestructans Lorchetal.2011;Warneckeetal.2012 thathas5284severelyimpactedbatpopulationsineasternNorthAmerica Fricketal.2010 .The5285Townsend’big‐earedbatcouldbesusceptibletowhite‐nosesyndrome.White‐nose5286syndromehasnotbeenobservedinColorado,butbecauseofthedevastatingimpacttobat5287populationsineasternNorthAmericaanditsexpansionacrossthecontinentasfarwestas5288theKansas/Missouriborder,thisdiseaseisaformidablethreattohibernatingbatspecies.5289AllindicationsarethatmanybatroostsinColoradocouldprovidetheconditionssuitable5290forP.destructans.5291

9 Pollution 5292Townsend’sbig‐earedbatisamothspecialist Piersonetal.1999 ;thus,largescaleuseof5293pesticidesforcontroloflepidopterans,suchassprucebudwormsorgypsymoths,may5294reducethisspecies’preybase.Additionally,bioaccumulationoftoxinsduringforagingin5295batsmayoccurduetopesticideuse.Nostudieshavedirectlyevaluatedtheeffectsof5296pesticideuseonTownsend’sbig‐earedbat,butworkonotherbatspeciesinColorado5297O’Sheaetal.2001 andelsewherehaveshownthatbatsaccumulatehighlevelsof5298contaminantsintheirtissuesrelativetoothertaxa ClarkandShore2001 .5299


Theidentificationandprotectionofsignificantroostsites,especiallymaternityroostsand5301hibernacula,isneededforthisspecies.Basiclifehistoryinformationsuchasforaging5302requirements,roostswitching,andseasonalmovementpatternswithinColoradoisalso5303lacking.OftheknownmaternityandhibernationsitesinColorado,mostsupportrelatively5304fewindividuals lessthan25 Piersonetal.1999 ,whichmakespopulationmonitoringa5305challenge.InformationontrendsandpopulationstatusinColoradoisneeded.5306


Protectionofroostingbatsfromhumandisturbanceandtake,especiallyatsignificant5308winterhibernationsitesandsummermaternitysites,isimportantfortheconservationof5309theTownsend’sbig‐earedbat.Developingabetterunderstandingofthedistribution,5310habitatuse,andpopulationtrendoftheTownsend’sbig‐earedbatwillbetterinformwhich5311sitesareatgreatestriskfromhumandisturbance,aswellaswhatthreatwhite‐nose5312syndromepresentstothisspecies.Thedevelopmentofacoordinatedmonitoring5313strategy/planbyrelevantstateandfederalagenciesfortheprotectedminesandcaves5314shouldbeconsidered.Therearecurrentlyover800batgatesinstalledinthestate,under5315stewardshipofstateandfederalagencies,whichneedtobemonitoredforconditionsand5316status.Withoutthiscoordinatedandcooperativeconservationaction,pastconservation5317actionscouldbelostandimpactthestatusofthisspeciesinthestate.5318


182

White-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus) 5319

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5320tothefollowingresources:ColoradoGunnison’sandWhite‐tailedPrairieDogConservation5321Strategy 2010 ;White‐tailedPrairieDog Cynomysleucurus :atechnicalconservation5322assessment 2006 linksinAppendixD .5323

Threats 5324

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5325Urbanizationcausesdirecteradicationandpermanentlossofprairiedogsandtheir5326colonies,resultinginfragmentationandisolationofpopulations.Indirecteffectsof5327urbanizationarepoisoningorothercontroleffortsdeemedappropriateforhumanhealth5328andsafety,predationfromdomesticpets,andincreasedvigilanceandconcealment5329behaviorbyprairiedogsinresponsetorecurringdisturbanceinandaroundcolonies5330Magleetal.2005 .5331

3 Energy Production & Mining 5332Impactsduetoenergydevelopment,particularlyoilandgas,onwhite‐tailedprairiedogs5333arenotfullyknownbecausescientificstudieshavenotbeenconducted.Itisthought,5334however,thattherecanbebothindirectanddirectimpactstothespeciesfromenergy5335developmentactivities,andthatentirelocalizedprairiedogsystemsmaybeaffected.Due5336tothepaceofenergydevelopmentandthepotentialrisktothespecies,management5337actionsneedtobedevelopedandimplementedtoprotectthesespeciesandtheirhabitats.5338Adaptivemanagementwillneedtobeemployedtodetermineifmanagementactionsare5339effectiveorifmodificationsneedtobemadetoensuremaintenanceofthespeciesand5340systemhealth.SeeColoradoGunnison’sandWhite‐tailedPrairieDogConservation5341Strategy SeglundandSchnurr2009 foradetailedlistofstrategiestoimplementforoil5342andgas.5343

5 Biological Resource Use 5344Recreationalshootingresultsindirectmortalityoftargetedprairiedogs.Effectswithin5345individualcoloniescanbesignificant,butrecreationalshootingactivityisirregularly5346dispersedacrosstherangeofwhite‐tailedprairiedogs.Asaresult,itisnotexpectedthat5347shootingalonecanhaveasufficientpopulationleveleffecttomovewhite‐tailedprairie5348dogstowardsextinction.Nevertheless,whererecreationalshootingactivityoccurs5349regularlyorathighintensity,shootinghasthepotentialtolocallyreduceprairiedog5350densitiesandslowrecoveryratesofcoloniesimpactedbyplagueorotherdisturbances,5351especiallyinthecaseofisolatedcolonies.Seasonalshootingclosureshavebeen5352implementedonpubliclandtomaintainrecreationalshootingmortalitywithinacceptable5353limitsforconservationofprairiedogpopulations.5354


183

7 Natural System Modifications 5355Alterationinfireregimeswithintherangesofthewhite‐tailedprairiedogshasproduced5356changesinstructureandfunctionofplantcommunities.Fireisthoughttobebeneficialfor5357prairiedogsbecauseitcan: 1 reducetheshrubcomponentofshrub‐steppecommunities5358leadingtomoreopentractsofhabitatandincreasedvisibility; 2 releaseplantnutrients,5359temporarilyincreasingthenutrientcontentofforage; 3 stimulatefruitandseed5360productionandincreasetheyieldandqualityofherbaceousvegetation;and 4 remove5361unwantedvegetativelitter,whichcanincreasethesuitabilityofanareaforprairiedogs5362CNHP2000;BLM2001b;NRCS2001;BLM2002dinBuysandAssociatesInc.2005 .5363

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5364Theprimaryfactorlimitingwhite‐tailedprairiedogpopulationsanddistributionin5365Coloradoissylvaticplague,anintroduced,flea‐transmitteddiseasecausedbythe5366bacteriumYersiniapestis SeglundandSchnurr2009 .Plagueisthoughttobethemost5367criticalthreattosustainedconservationofprairiedogspecies CullyandWilliams2001;5368Paulietal.2006b .53695370Rangelandconditionhasbeenalteredduetotheintroductionofnon‐nativeplantspecies5371including,butnotlimitedto,cheatgrass.Cheatgrassisanaggressivespeciesthatcan5372becomeamonocultureduetoitsabilitytodepletesoilmoistureandout‐competenative5373perennials.Theproliferationofcheatgrassovernativeperennialgrassesandforbsmay5374impacttheabilityofprairiedogstomeettheirdietaryneeds,resultinginincreased5375mortalityratesanddecreasedproductivity Ritchie1999 .Cheatgrassmaynotprovide5376sufficientabove‐orbelow‐groundforageorwaterstores,whichwhite‐tailedprairiedogs5377needtosubsist.Inaddition,theearlygreen‐upofcheatgrassmaybebeneficialtoprairie5378dogsinspring,butasitgoestoseedanddriesout,prairiedogsmayhavefewoptionsto5379supplementtheirdiets.Duringdroughtconditions,vastmonoculturesofcheatgrassmay5380bedetrimentaltoprairiedogpopulations.Thisisbecausecheatgrassseedswillremain5381dormantduringdryyears,andthusprairiedogcolonieslocatedincheatgrass‐dominated5382siteswillhavetheirforageseverelydepleted,resultinginaninabilitytodevelopfatstores5383tosurviveoverthewinterortoproducelitters.5384

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5385White‐tailedprairiedogsevolvedtoliveinaridareasthatexperienceperiodicdroughts.5386However,human‐facilitatedchangesinecosystemsinthewest,includingplantspecies5387composition,ecosystemfunction,andecosystemstructure Fleischner1994 ,maycause5388prairiedogstobemoresusceptibletodroughtconditions.Inaddition,climatechangemay5389beincreasingthenumberanddurationofdroughtevents,makingitmoredifficultfor5390prairiedogstosurvive.Managementofrangelandsneedstoconsidertherelativeinfluence5391ofclimatechange.Whiletherearemanyuncertaintiesabouthowclimatechangewillaffect5392certainhabitats,anoverallmanagementstrategythatmaintainsalargerlandscape,and5393therebyincreasestheabilityofthegivenspeciestoadjusttheirrange,shouldbe5394incorporatedintheoverallconservationofthespecies.5395


184


Methodsformanagingplagueonalandscapelevelandatimportantcomplexesand5397coloniesforconservationareneeded.5398


Continuedustingcoloniestoprotectagainstplagueevents,continueworkontheoral5400plaguevaccineandcontinueusingoccupancysurveystoevaluatestatusofthespecies5401statewide.ImplementstrategiesfromtheColoradoGunnison’sandWhite‐tailedPrairie5402DogConservationStrategy SeglundandSchnurr2009 .5403

Wolverine (Gulo gulo) 5404

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5405tothefollowingresources:Federallistingdocuments linkinAppendixD .5406

Threats 5407

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 5408Transportationcorridorsincludinginterstatesandsecondaryroads,althoughuncommon5409inwolverinehabitat,areknowntonegativelyimpactwolverinemovementsandcancause5410mortalityfromvehiclecollisions Austin1998;Krebsetal.2004 .Increasingroadand5411housingdevelopmentcontinuetofragmentmountainlandscapes,disruptingwolverine5412dispersalcorridors;preservingconnectivitycorridorsforwolverinemovementwillbe5413criticalfortheirrangewidelong‐termconservation Inmanetal.2013 .5414

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 5415Wolverinesoccupyalpineenvironmentsbecause,amongotherthings,physiologicallythey5416requirecoldertemperaturesandbecausetheyfacelesscompetitionfromotherlarge5417mammalsthatareabsentfromtheseenvironsinthewinter.Theimpactthatwinteralpine5418recreationhasonwolverinesisunknown,butsuchrecreationisincreasingandmaybe5419affectingwolverineproductivity Krebsetal.2007 .However,studiesinIdahoindicate5420thattheremaynotbeanegativerelationshipatthehomerangescale Heinemeyerand5421Squires2013 .TheincidentallossofwolverinesintheUnitedStatestotrappingtargeting5422otherfurbearersisnotcurrentlyconsideredathreattowolverinepopulationviability5423USFWS2013c .5424

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5425Uncertaintypersistsaroundtherelationshipbetweenclimatechangeandwolverine5426ecology.ThepredictedeffectsofclimatechangeintheWestincludeareducedsnowpack5427andshorterperiodsofsnowcover,snowmeltthatoccursearlierintheseason,ahydrologic5428cyclethatismoredynamicasextremerainfalleventsoccurwithgreaterfrequency,and5429


185

overallwarmer,drier,andmoredrought‐likeconditions Melillo2014 .Thesepredicted5430changescouldimpactthewolverinegiventheirpresumedassociationwithandrelianceon5431persistentspringsnowcoverasaconsistentcomponentofreproductivedenninghabitat,5432andtheirneedforlowsummertemperaturestomaintainthermoneutrality Copelandetal.54332010 .ThesephysiographicchangesarethoughttobelesssevereinthesouthernRockies5434portionofthehistoricrangeofthespecies.54355436Theeffectsofclimatechangeonwolverineincludethepotentialforadecreaseinareaof5437suitablehabitat,increasedisolationofremaininghabitat,andthedisruptionofabilityof5438wolverinestodispersebetweenpatchesofsuitablehabitat McKelveyetal.2011 .Ithas5439beenpostulatedthatColoradomayretainsomeofthehigherqualitywolverinehabitatin5440thelower48states.ThishasbeendescribedandfurtherexaminedthroughUSFWS5441processesincludingaproposedruletolistthespecies,andasubsequentwithdrawlofthe5442proposedrule11.5443

14 Natural Factors 5444ThereisevidencethatwolverinesintheRockyMountainsoftheU.S.existinsmallsemi‐5445isolatedsubpopulationswithoutenoughmovementbetweensubpopulationstomaintain5446geneticdiversity Cegelskietal.2006 .Currently,nodeleteriouseffectshavebeen5447documentedtotheU.S.wolverinepopulationfromthisgeneticisolation,butlowgenetic5448diversityisstillaconcern IDFG2014 .5449


Giventhatwolverinesarepotentiallyatriskduetochangesinclimate,abetter5451understandingoftheecology,behavior,andphysiologyofwolverineswithrespectto5452temperaturethresholdsanddependenceonsnowcoverand/ordepthisneeded IDFG54532014 .Researchisalsoneededonwolverinedistributionandabundance;nataland5454maternaldenselection;andonhowlandscapescaledisturbancesincludingwildfire,insect5455outbreaks,timberharvest,forestseralstagesandtravelcorridorlocationimpactthe5456wolverinesuseofforests IDFG2014 .Additionally,stand‐levelstudiesonwolverine5457habitatuseareneededinordertounderstandifitisnecessarytodevelopmanagement5458recommendationsforforestharvestprescriptions,roaddensities,andhumanfootprint5459thresholds IDFG2014 .5460


Currently,thereisnotapopulationofwolverineinColorado.Priortotherecent 2009 5462explorationofanindividualmale,thelastconfirmedwolverinesightinginColoradowasin54631919.Webelievethatthestatehadapopulationinthelate1800–early1900’s,butthatit5464wasextirpatedintheearly1900’s.Throughgeographicalandbiologicalanalyses,itisfelt5465thatColoradooffersasubstantialamountofsuitable,previouslyoccupiedhabitat CPW54662010b .Preliminarydiscussionsregardingthepotentialforawolverinereintroductionto5467

11https://www.fws.gov/mountain‐prairie/species/mammals/wolverine


186

Coloradohaveoccurredwithwildlifemanagers,conservationpartnersandstakeholders.5468ThesocialandpoliticalaspectsofrestoringapopulationofwolverinetotheSouthern5469Rockieshavebeendiscussed,butarenotcurrentlysatisfactorilyaddressed.Atthispointin5470time,theprimaryconservationactionforthisspeciesistocontinuethesediscussionswhen5471appropriate,andthentodevelopthetoolsandsocialandpoliticalsupportnecessaryto5472undertakearestorationwiththeultimategoalofreestablishingaself‐sustaining5473populationofwolverinetothestate.5474

Tier 1 Reptiles 5475

Colorado Checkered Whiptail (Aspidoscelis neotesselata) 5476

Threats 5477

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5478ExpandingurbanzoneswithinthevicinityofPueblo,Colorado,hascausedthelossof5479suitablehabitatfortheColoradocheckeredwhiptailandresultedinitsextirpationfrom,or5480hasgreatlyreducedpopulations,insomeareasasaresult Walkeretal.1996,1997 .5481Withinthedistributionofthewhiptail Sovell2007 ,continuedurbanizationinthevicinity5482ofPuebloandCañonCity,ColoradoalongtheArkansasRiveranditstributarieshas5483potentialtocausefuturelossofhabitatforthewhiptail.5484

2 Agriculture 5485ForotherspeciesofAspidoscelis,habitatalterationandconversiontocropland,excessive5486grazing,chemicalbrushcontrol,alterationofriparianhabitat,invasionofnon‐nativeplant5487speciesandminingarethreats NMGFD2012;BLM2013 .Thisspecieshasbeen5488extirpatedfrom,orhasgreatlydeclinedin,someareasaroundPueblo,Colorado,asaresult5489ofconversionofhabitattoagriculturaluses Walkeretal.1996,1997 .Theactivities5490affectingotherAspidoscelisspeciesalsooccurwithinthedistributionoftheColorado5491checkeredwhiptail,buttheirimpactsonthewhiptailareunknownandrequirefurther5492investigation.However,Coloradocheckeredwhiptailscantoleratesomedisturbanceand5493populationsareknowntoexistinmoderatelyorheavilydisturbedareasincludingaround5494buildingsinparks,atrurallandfills,andonflatsabovefloodplainsthataredominatedby5495Kochia Kochiascoparia Walkeretal.1996,1997,2012 .5496

7 Natural System Modifications 5497ThroughoutmuchoftheirrangeinColorado,theColoradocheckeredwhiptailisoften5498associatedwithpinyon‐juniperwoodlandsdominatedbyPinusedulisand/orJuniperus5499monosperma,andshrublandswithsagebrush Artimesiatridentata ,fourwingsaltbush5500Atriplexcanescens orrabbitbrush Ericamerianauseosa Sovell2007 .Anyincreasein5501thefrequencyandintensityoffireinthesehabitatswithinthewhiptail’srangein5502southeasternColoradowouldthreatenpersistenceofthisspecies.Therearestudies5503


187

suggestingthatAspidoscelislizardstoleratefirewell Rochesteretal.2010;Brownetal.55042014 ,butwhatimpactfirehasonthisspeciesrequiresfurtherresearch.5505


FurtherresearchisrequiredondistributionofColoradocheckeredwhiptailpopulations5507andhowtheyrespondtolandscapescalechangestohabitatstructurefromactivities5508includinggrazing,urbanization,fire,conversionofhabitattocropland,andinvasionofnon‐5509nativeplantspecies.Improvedunderstandinghowalterationstoriparianhabitataffect5510Coloradocheckeredwhiptailpopulationstabilityisalsoneeded.5511


TheprimaryconservationactionneededfortheColoradocheckeredwhiptailisresearch5513intothedistribution,habitatuse,andpopulationparametersinColorado.Thisinformation5514willbetterinformwhichareasareatgreatestriskfromhabitatloss,aswellaswhatother5515threatsmayariseforthisspecies.5516

Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) 5517

Fordetailedinformationonthreatsandconservationactionsneededforthisspecies,refer5518tothefollowingresources:DesertMassasaugaRattlesnake Sistruruscatenatus5519edwardsii :atechnicalconservationassessment 2005 linkinAppendixD .5520

Threats 5521

2 Agriculture 5522InColorado,largeexpansesofsuitablehabitatwithinthemassasauga’srangehavebeen5523convertedtocropland,whileotherareashavebeendegradedbyincompatiblegrazing5524Mackessy2005 .Grazingcanleadtochangesinvegetationstructure,includingchangesto5525plantspeciescomposition,thepercentofvegetativecover,andphysicalhabitatstructure,5526whichcancausedeclinesinanimalabundanceanddiversity Bocketal.1984 .Declinesin5527rodentandlizardpopulationsingrazedgrasslandsdeprivemassasaugaofimportant5528populationsoftheirprey.Waterwithdrawalforagriculturalandurbanuseslowerswater5529tables,causingtemporalpondsandstreamstobecomeevenmoreephemeral,whichcan5530furtherdepresspreypopulations Mackessy2005 .Ultimately,suchxerificationmight5531stressmassasaugabeyondtheirtolerancesfordrylandscapes,causingthelossofsome5532populations Mackessy2005 .5533

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 5534Massasaugaareparticularlysusceptibletomortalityfromvehicularstrikesbecausethey5535useroadsurfacesforwarming,tendtositforlongperiodsonroadsurfaces,andareactive5536duringthenight Holycross2003 .Themortalityofmassasaugafromvehiclestrikescan5537


188

beasignificantcauseofmortality USFWS2012 ,particularlyduringperiodsofmigration5538to autumn andfrom spring hibernacula.Approximately39percentofmassasaugas5539encounteredbyresearchersareroad‐killedindividuals Mackessy2005 .5540

5 Biological Resource Use 5541Themassasaugaisavenomousrattlesnake,whichencouragestheirelimination.The5542mortalityassociatedfromdirecthumantakecanhaveanimpactonpopulationsizes,but5543becausemassasaugaarecrypticallycolored,small,andsomewhatsecretive,human5544encounterratesarelimited.Subsequently,theimpactsufferedbymassasaugapopulations5545fromhumanpersecutionisprobablylimited Mackessy2005 .5546

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5547Climatechangescenariospredictincreasingdroughtandtemperatures Melilloetal.2014 5548withintherangeofthemassasaugaintheWest,whichcouldacceleratexerification5549processes,furtherfacilitatingdeclinesinmassasaugapopulations Mackessy2005 .5550

Other Threats 5551Suitablehabitatwithintherangeofthemassasuagahasbeenlosttourbanization,5552desertification,waterdiversionanddepletionandproliferationofnoxiousweeds5553Mackessy2005 .5554


Additionalinformationonmanyaspectsofmassasaugaecology,biology,naturalhistory5556andbiogeographyareneeded,includingpresence/absenceandrelativeabundance5557surveys;long‐termmonitoringofexistingpopulations;sensitivityandthresholdlevelsto5558habitatdisturbance;birthinghabitatrequirements,matingphenology;whetherforaging5559andhibernatinghabitatavailabilityislimiting;whatfactorsareimportanttosuccessfulre‐5560establishmentofrecoveredhabitats;andpopulationagestructureandlongevity.5561


Protectionandimprovementofexistingandhistorichabitat,especiallythroughBest5563ManagementPractices,conservationeasements,andhabitatrestoration,willimprovethe5564outlookformassasaugainColorado.Developmentofarecoveryplanformassasaugawill5565betterinformthespecificactionsnecessaryforthelong‐termprotectionofindividual5566populationsthroughoutthestate.5567

Table 7. Species of Greatest Conservation Need Threats and Conservation Actions

Sorted by priority (Tier 1 and 2), then by Taxonomic Group, then by Common Name.

Vertebrates and Mollusks.

AmphibiansTier 1

Boreal toad (Southern Rocky Mountain Population)

Anaxyrus boreas boreas

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

Refer to existing conservation, management, and recovery plans or assessments for detailed discussion of threats and conservation actions needed.

AmphibiansTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PHabitat Primary

LakesMountain StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsWetlandsAspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferSpruce - Fir

General Threat General Conservation ActionSpecific Threat Specific Conservation Action Priority

07.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications

2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Altered native vegetation (loss of riparian zone cottonwood and aspen due to encroachment of coniferous forest)

Restore riparian vegetation (deciduous hardwoods)

H

08.4 Pathogens 2.2 Invasive/Problematic Species Control

Pathogen - chytrid fungus Follow established protocols for species research to avoid spread of pathogens

H

08.4 Pathogens 3.4 Ex-situ ConservationPathogen - chytrid fungus Create captive breeding program H08.4 Pathogens 3.4 Ex-situ ConservationPathogen - chytrid fungus Create gene-banking program H08.4 Pathogens 4.3 Awareness &

CommunicationsPathogen - chytrid fungus Publish educational

material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

H

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringPathogen - chytrid fungus Research chytrid transmission mechanisms and factors conferring chytrid resistance

H

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringDrying out of breeding habitat Research population parameters and/or monitor status

H

11.3 Temperature Extremes 8.0 Research & MonitoringAlteration of breeding phenology Research population parameters and/or monitor status

H


3.3 Species Re-IntroductionLow population numbers Reintroduce locally extirpated native species

H

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementCampsite and hiking or ORV trail development and use


M

07.2 Dams & Water Management/Use


Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer)

Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

M



Altered animal community (loss of beaver)

Maintain and restore natural ponds and small mountain lakes

M

02.3 Livestock Farming & Ranching

2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native riparian and wetland vegetation


L

04.1 Roads & Railroads 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Local impacts from roadkill Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

L



Altered hydrological regime - siltation and sedimentation

Improve excess sedimentation conditions

L

X = Best professional judgement, D = Science-based decision, P = Primary area of distribution, O = Other areas where species occurs.

Colorado’s State Wildlife Action Plan - 2015

189

Table 7 - Continued.

Northern leopard frog

Lithobates pipiens

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Declining X


AmphibiansTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PWyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsLakesMountain StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsTransition StreamsWetlandsMixed Conifer


01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection

Urban, suburban, and ex-urban development


H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration



H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 5.2 Policies & RegulationsUrban, suburban, and ex-urban development


H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes


Implement Best Management Practices for transportation projects, urban development, landscaping, etc.

H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 6.4 Conservation PaymentsUrban, suburban, and ex-urban development


H

08.1 Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species

2.2 Invasive/Problematic Species Control

Invasive animals - bullfrogs Control bullfrogs using accepted integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

H


Pathogen - chytrid fungus Follow established protocols for species research to avoid spread of pathogens

H

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringPathogen - chytrid fungus Research Bd transmission mechanisms and factors conferring Bd resistance

H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native riparian and wetland vegetation


M


Local impacts from roadkill Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

M





M

09.5 Air-Borne Pollutants 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Air and water pollution Identify and control point-source and non-point source pollution

M

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringDrying out of breeding habitat Research population parameters and/or monitor status

M

11.3 Temperature Extremes 8.0 Research & MonitoringAlteration of breeding phenology Research population parameters and/or monitor status

M

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 2.1 Site/Area ManagementFragmentation of habitat (roads, culverts, etc.); impact on quality, impact on ground water availability; sedimentation of ponds; loss of habitat

Work with state and federal partners to limit oil/gas leasing and development

L

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementPotential for localized impacts (behavioral avoidance, habitat degradation) near high-use trails


L

13.1 Complete distribution in Colorado unknown

8.0 Research & MonitoringIdentification of occupied wetlands needed to guide conservation easement and land protection

Conduct additional inventory for occupied wetland habitats.

L



190


BirdsTier 1

Brown-capped rosy-finch

Leucosticte australis

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type


AlpineCliffs and CanyonsDesert ShrubSagebrushSaltbushUpland Shrub


11.1 Habitat Shifting & Alteration

8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat shifting and alteration due to climate change


H

13.4 Population status unknown

8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status Research population parameters and/or monitor status, including threats at both summer breeding and wintering sites.

H

13.5 Population trend unknown

8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population trend Research population parameters and/or monitor status; develop and implement monitoring plan

H



Destruction of shrubland understory (winter habitat) due to sheep grazing

Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

L

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRock climbing, hiking near cliffs and crevices


L

Burrowing owl

Athene cunicularia

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau P

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubSandsageShortgrass PrairieMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSagebrushSaltbush


08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringLoss of prairie dog colonies due to sylvatic plague

Research and develop effective vaccine and delivery system for prairie dogs

H


Research species/habitat response to plague management

H




M




M



M




M



M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsAltered native vegetation (sagebrush removal, incompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing)

Encourage use of Farm Bill and other incentive programs

M

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Oil & gas development, pipelines, and infrastructure

Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M

05.1 Control of Nuisance Species & Collecting Terrestrial Animals

3.1 Species ManagementLoss of habitat (prairie dog colonies) due to plague and prairie dog control

Write and implement management/recovery plan

M


4.3 Awareness & Communications

Poisoning (indirect effect of prairie dog control)

Implement landowner outreach/education program

L

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreational shooting of prairie dogs Implement shooting closures/seasons where local conditions warrant

L



191




Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PWyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Oak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsSagebrushAgricultureFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsUpland Shrub


02.1 Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops


Conversion to cropland Restore historic cropland and Conservation Reserve Program lands, including native understory species and sagebrush

H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsLoss of compatible Conservation Reserve Program lands

Encourage use of Farm Bill programs - optimize incentives for maintaining CRP that is compatible with habitat requirements

H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsPoor quality Conservation Reserve Program lands

Encourage use of Farm Bill programs - require existing CRP within species range to meet specific habitat standards; renovate poor quality fields

H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsLoss of mountain shrub and grassland habitats

Establish mitigation requirements for developments and other projects that impact species/habitats

H


3.3 Species Re-IntroductionRangewide species decline Reintroduce extirpated native species; translocate species to historic range

H



Invasive plants - cheatgrass Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

H



Weeds on the State's A list Control non-native plants using accepted techniques appropriate to site-specific conditions

H




M




M



M




M



M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (grazing intensity)


M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (sagebrush removal, incompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing)


M


5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Grazing intensity on reclaimed mine lands


M



Grazing intensity on reclaimed mine lands

Implement Best Management Practices for livestock grazing

M

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration


Restore native habitat, including restoration of understory species, sagebrush, and riparian vegetation, reseeding of native species, and maintenance of appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

M




M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementMotorized and non-motorized recreation, proximal non-recreation disturbance on leks


M



192

Table 7 - Continued.07.3 Other Ecosystem Modifications

7.3 Conservation FinanceLoss of mountain shrub and grassland habitats

Provide economic assistance for private land habitat improvements and/or species conservation

M

08.2 Problematic Native Species

3.1 Species ManagementGrazing impacts from deer and elk Maintain deer and elk populations within carrying capacity for healthy habitat

M

07.1 Fire & Fire Suppression 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Altered fire regime Restore natural fire regime L



193


Golden eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperSagebrushShortgrass PrairieAlpineAspenColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsGreasewoodLodgepole PineMixed ConiferMountain StreamsPlayasPonderosa PineSaltbushSandsageSpruce - FirSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone PineTransition StreamsUpland ShrubWetlands




M




M

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 8.0 Research & MonitoringOil & gas development, pipelines, and infrastructure

Develop and prioritize standardized raptor nest monitoring with pre- and post-development data

M

03.3 Renewable Energy 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Collision with wind turbines Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M





M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsSecondary poisoning (anticoagulants, lead shot)

Monitor for potential impacts and respond as warranted by local conditions

M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreational climbing, hiking, and biking trails

Implement seasonal closures M


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population trend Research population parameters and/or monitor status

M



Conversion to cropland Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

L



194


Greater sage-grouse

Centrocercus urophasianus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin PColorado Plateau O

Habitat Primary

SagebrushAgricultureColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Streams





H

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 5.2 Policies & RegulationsOil & gas development, pipelines, and infrastructure


H



Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining, including reduction of infrastructure and associated traffic and noise

H




M




M



M




M



M



Conversion to cropland Restore native habitat, including restoration of understory species, sagebrush, and riparian vegetation, reseeding of native species, and maintenance of appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

M




M



Altered native vegetation (sagebrush removal, incompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing)


M




M


Altered fire regime Restore natural fire regime and include treatment of pinyon-juniper to restore sagebrush habitat

M



Invasive plants - cheatgrass Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

M



Invasive plants - cheatgrass Restore native understory species M

09.3 Agricultural & Forestry Effluents


Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementMotorized and non-motorized recreation

Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity (e.g., seasonal closures, managed lek viewing)

L

06.1 Recreational Activities 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Motorized and non-motorized recreation


L



195


Greater sandhill crane

Grus canadensis tabida

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P


Habitat Primary

AgricultureWetlandsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMountain Streams


04.2 Utility & Service Lines 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes


M



Loss or degradation of wetland habitat

Maintain wetlands in San Luis Valley that support migrating cranes

M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementNatural system modification - wetland filling

Enforce 404 wetlands regulations M


8.0 Research & MonitoringNeed improved knowledge of breeding distribution


M


3.1 Species ManagementReduction in food resources - loss of small grain fields

Develop collaborative management agreements

L


5.2 Policies & RegulationsReduction in food resources - loss of small grain fields


L


7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Reduction in food resources - loss of small grain fields

Develop partnerships to help maintain small grain farming in the Yampa Valley

L


Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity, including seasonal closures where necessary

L




L

14.2 Low annual recruitment 8.0 Research & MonitoringLow annual recruitment Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L



196


Gunnison sage-grouse

Centrocercus minimus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

Rangewide population is stable, but some satellite populations have declined. Refer to existing conservation, management, and recovery plans or assessments for detailed discussion of threats and conservation actions needed.

BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains P

Habitat Primary

SagebrushAgriculture





H




H



H



Implement Best Management Practices for transportation, urban development, landscaping, etc.

H



H


1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection

Conversion to cropland Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

H




H



Conversion to cropland Restore native habitat, including restoration of understory species, sagebrush, and riparian vegetation, reseeding of native species, and maintenance of appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

H




H




H




M





M




M



M




M



Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining, including reduction of infrastructure and associated traffic and noise

M


Fragmentation Restore sagebrush M



197

Table 7 - Continued.06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementMotorized and non-motorized

recreationManage public use to be compatible with biodiversity (e.g., seasonal closures, managed lek viewing)

M


Altered fire regime Restore natural fire regime and include treatment of pinyon-juniper to restore sagebrush habitat

M



Habitat degradation from a variety of sources


M



Invasive plants - cheatgrass Control non-native plants using accepted techniques appropriate to site-specific conditions

M




M



Invasive plants - cheatgrass Restore native understory species M




L




L



198


Lesser prairie-chicken

Tympanuchus pallidicinctus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Increasing D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PHabitat Primary

Mixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSandsageAgriculture





H



Conversion to cropland Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

H




H




H



Encourage use of Farm Bill programs - require existing CRP within species range to meet specific habitat standards; renovate poor quality fields

H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation Implement compatible grazing practices

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringAltered native vegetation Research species/habitat response to management

H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


H


6.4 Conservation PaymentsIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


H


8.0 Research & MonitoringIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


H


8.0 Research & MonitoringReduced grass/forb diversity Research species/habitat response to management

H


Behavioral avoidance of oil & gas development and associated infrastructure


H


Fragmentation of native habitat due to oil & gas development and associated infrastructure


H



H




H


Behavioral avoidance of renewable energy development and associated infrastructure


H


Fragmentation of native habitat due to renewable energy development and associated infrastructure


H

03.3 Renewable Energy 5.2 Policies & RegulationsRenewable energy development Establish mitigation requirements for developments and other projects that impact species/habitats

H

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of water for habitat Conduct primary research on species and habitat responses to changing climate

H


3.3 Species Re-IntroductionSmall number of birds left in Colorado

Reintroduce extirpated native species

H



199

Table 7 - Continued.03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 1.2 Resource & Habitat

ProtectionOil & gas development, pipelines, and infrastructure


M

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 6.4 Conservation PaymentsOil & gas development, pipelines, and infrastructure


M

03.3 Renewable Energy 1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection

Wind farms Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

M

03.3 Renewable Energy 6.4 Conservation PaymentsWind farms Mitigate species/habitat loss (e.g., grass banking, mitigation banking, credits for off-site habitat protection)

M




M


8.0 Research & MonitoringPredation and parasites Research impact of parasites on bird survival

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringPredation and parasites Research population parameters and/or monitor status

M




M

11.2 Droughts 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration



M


Reduced production and survival Restore native habitats adapted to drought conditions where possible

M

11.4 Storms & Flooding 8.0 Research & MonitoringBlizzards and impact of hail and flooding on chicks and adults


M


8.0 Research & MonitoringEgg trampling Research species/habitat response to management

L

04.2 Utility & Service Lines 1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection

Transport of energy & resources (e.g., electrical and phone wires, oil and gas pipelines, electrocution of wildlife)


L

04.2 Utility & Service Lines 6.4 Conservation PaymentsTransport of energy & resources (e.g., electrical and phone wires, oil and gas pipelines, electrocution of wildlife)


L


3.2 Species RecoveryPredation and parasites Reduce nest predators L

14.4 Predation 3.1 Species ManagementNest predation Reduce nest predators L



200


Mountain plover

Charadrius montanus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PSouthern Rocky Mountains P

Habitat Primary

Shortgrass PrairieAgricultureDesert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesPlayasSaltbush



Research and develop effective vaccine and delivery system for prairie dogs

H



H




M



Farm equipment running on fallow fields late in season (e.g. sunflower and millet fields)

Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (degradation of native shortgrass prairie)


M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsAltered native vegetation (incompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing)


M




M



Loss of habitat (prairie dog colonies) due to plague and prairie dog control


M




M





M




L




L



L




L



L



201


Plains sharp-tailed grouse

Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesi

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type


SandsageMixed and Tallgrass Prairies





H




H



H




H



H




H




M


Altered native vegetation Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

M



M


Roads associated with energy development - collision and fragmentation


M




M


Altered fire regime Restore natural fire regime M



Invasive plants Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

M




M


8.0 Research & MonitoringScarcity Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L

Southwestern willow flycatcher

Empidonax traillii extimus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type


Riparian Woodlands and Shrublands






H




Remove invasive species (tamarisk, Russian olive) and restore natural willow and cottonwood riparian systems

M

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementContinued collaboration among stakeholders is warranted


M



202




Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau P

Habitat Primary





H




M




M




M





M




Russian olive) and restore natural willow and cottonwood riparian systems

M



Invasive plants - tamarisk, leafy spurge


M



Dam construction Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

L




L

White-tailed ptarmigan

Lagopus leucura

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


BirdsTier 1

Distribution Type


AlpineRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsWetlands




Continue monitoring species and habitat responses to changing climate

H



Continue primary research on species and habitat responses to changing climate

H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementDegradation of alpine habitats from sheep grazing & disturbance by guard dogs


M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Hiking, destruction of willows by ATVs and snowmobiles, and roads that affect hydrological system

Restore and/or close overused trails and tracks

M



Elk grazing/browsing in alpine & subalpine willow habitat

Manage natural herbivory M

01.3 Tourism & Recreation Areas


Recreation area developments Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

L


Hiking, destruction of willows by ATVs and snowmobiles, and roads that affect hydrological system


L



203


FishTier 1

Arkansas darter

Etheostoma cragini

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PFront Range O

Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains StreamsEastern Plains RiversTransition Streams




Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - altered flow and fluctuating temperature


H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - groundwater pumping and surface water diversions

Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural use (irrigation)

H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - stream dewatering

Attain adequate flows; Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

H

11.2 Droughts 1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection


Maintain habitat; Acquire water rights or instream flow rights, limit water use

H

12.2 Lack of funding 3.1 Species ManagementLack of funding/resource Implement existing management/recovery plan

H



Wetland degradation primarily from livestock grazing

Implement streambank or in-stream restoration/improvements

M



Invasive animals Control non-native fish using integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

M

14.6 Loss of species from suitable habitat

3.3 Species Re-IntroductionLoss of species from suitable habitat Stock species into previously occupied or suitable habitat

M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementWetland degradation primarily from livestock grazing


L

Bluehead sucker

Catostomus discobolus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Unknown X


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Streams




Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - dewatering

Adjust operation of dam H



Invasive animals - aquatic predators (smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, burbot)

Control non-native fish using integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

H



Invasive animals - white sucker Control non-native fish using integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - siltation and sedimentation


M



Natural system modification (hydrological) - Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) – altered flow and/or temperature regimes


M



Alteration of stream channel flows, increased sediment loads, degraded riparian habitat


L




L

05.3 Logging & Wood Harvesting




L



204


Bonytail chub

Gila elegans

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Increasing D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Rivers




Habitat fragmentation due to water diversion structures lacking fish passage

Maintain linkages and connectivity (e.g., wildlife over/under passes, habitat corridors, wildlife-friendly fences, fish passages)

H



Natural system modification (hydrological) - dam construction, riprap, levees, bank stabilization, channelization, irrigation canals






H

13.2 Critical life history/habitat components unknown

8.0 Research & MonitoringCritical life history/habitat components unknown


H


3.3 Species Re-IntroductionScarcity Reintroduce extirpated native species

H

04.1 Roads & Railroads 2.1 Site/Area ManagementPotential for hazardous materials spills

Coordinate efforts to prevent or minimize hazardous materials spills with existing state and federal emergency-response plans

M

03.2 Mining & Quarrying 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Potential for toxic discharges from uranium mining


L



Pollutants from agricultural runoff Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

L

Brassy minnow

Hybognathus hankinsoni

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X


FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains StreamsTransition StreamsEastern Plains Rivers






H





H




Remove, modify or retrofit barriers to fish migration (improve fish passage, e.g., rock ramps or fish passage structures)

H




H




M


8.0 Research & MonitoringComplete distribution in Colorado unknown

Improve understanding of species/habitat distribution (field inventory, modeling, monitoring)

M





L



205


Colorado pikeminnow

Ptychocheilus lucius

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary







H









H

03.2 Mining & Quarrying 2.1 Site/Area ManagementPotential for toxic discharges from uranium mining


M



Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Increasing D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type


LakesMountain StreamsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Streams






H


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementHunting, trapping, fishing Enforce hunting, fishing, collecting regulations

M




Maintain linkages and connectivity (e.g., wildlife over/under passes, habitat corridors, wildlife-friendly fences)

M




M





L


Heavy metal pollution Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

L


Increased sediment loads, fish barriers (culverts)


L



206


Common shiner

Luxilus cornutus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Front Range PCentral Shortgrass Prairie O

Habitat Primary

Transition Streams






H




M





L

Flannelmouth sucker

Catostomus latipinnis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Unknown X


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PColorado Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsLakes










H





H





H

08.3 Introduced Genetic Material



H





L




L



207


Flathead chub

Platygobio gracilis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsTransition Streams




Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - dam, diversion, or drop structure construction or modification


H





H


Wastewater from coalbed methane production reducing water quality & altering flows


M


Heavy metal contamination of streams


M

11.4 Storms & Flooding 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Altered flows primarily from urban runoff

Implement Best Management Practices for storm water management to minimize extreme peak flows

M

11.4 Storms & Flooding 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Altered flows primarily from urban runoff

Engage in collaborative, proactive planning and conservation programs to minimize extreme peak flows

M



Overgrazing leading to decreased channel depth, increased stream width & intermittency, waste altering O2 concentrations & ammonia


L

Greenback cutthroat trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Increasing D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PFront Range O

Habitat Primary

LakesMountain Streams






H

13.3 Genetic relationship with other species and/or subspecies unknown

8.0 Research & MonitoringTaxonomic & status assessments of lineages are needed

Complete ongoing taxonomic assessments

H



M





M




M





L

03.2 Mining & Quarrying 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Heavy metal pollution, altered channel geometry, increased sedimentation


L

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Erosion, sedimenation, loss of vegetation along heavily-used trails


L



208


Humpback chub

Gila cypha

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Utah High Plateau PWyoming Basin PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Habitat Primary







H





H

04.1 Roads & Railroads 2.1 Site/Area ManagementPotential for hazardous materials spills from railroads


M




Adjust operation of dam M



Invasive animals Control non-native invertebrates using integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

M


Potential for hazardous materials spills from oil pipelines


L



Pollutants from agricultural runoff Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

L

Mountain sucker

Catostomus platyrhynchus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin PColorado Plateau OUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsMountain Streams






08.3 Introduced Genetic Material


Invasive animals - competition, predation, and hybridization


M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 2.1 Site/Area ManagementPotential for hazardous materials spills


L



209


Northern redbelly dace

Chrosomus eos

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Front Range PHabitat Primary

Transition StreamsLakes





H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsDecreased water quality Monitor water quality standards H





M




M

Orangespotted sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsLakesTransition Streams





H





H




M

Orangethroat darter

Etheostoma spectabile

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains StreamsEastern Plains RiversTransition Streams




Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - altered flow and fluctuating water temperature


H





H





H





H




H




M



210


Plains minnow

Hybognathus placitus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X


FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains Streams






H



Natural system modification (hydrological)


H





H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - Altered flow and fluctuating water temperature


M



M





L

Plains topminnow

Fundulus sciadicus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PFront Range P

Habitat Primary







H





H





H




M




M





L



211


Razorback sucker

Xyrauchen texanus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Increasing D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Utah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Colorado Plateau OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary







H









H


Heavy metal contamination of streams


M



M



Elevated selenium concentrations Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

M



Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff and sources associated with resource extraction

Identify and control point-source and non-point source pollution

M


Potential for hazardous materials spills from oil pipelines


L

Rio Grande chub

Gila pandora

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Rio Grande Valley RiversRio Grande Valley StreamsLakesMountain Streams



8.0 Research & MonitoringGroundwater removal from center pivot irrigation systems

Study impact of groundwater removal on stream flow in closed basin and impacts to native fish

H





H





H



Invasive animals - fathead minnow, white sucker, red shiner


H


Heavy metals & cyanide contamination


M



Potential for elimination of microhabitats (woody debris, overhanging vegetation, aquatic macrophytes)


L



212


Rio Grande cutthroat trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Increasing D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type






Altered native vegetation (streambank cover reduction) primarily from livestock grazing


H


De-watering & elevated stream temperature


H



M


Ash flows & debris from wildfire Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

M





M


3.2 Species RecoveryFragmentation Maintain genetic connection/integrity within and between populations

M



Invasive animals - brook trout, brown trout


M

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringWhirling disease Research and/or monitor status L

Rio Grande sucker

Catostomus plebeius

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Increasing D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Mountain StreamsRio Grande Valley RiversRio Grande Valley Streams



8.0 Research & MonitoringGroundwater removal from center pivot irrigation systems

Study impact of groundwater removal on stream flow in closed basin and impacts to native fish

H





H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - sedimentation


H




H



213


Roundtail chub

Gila robusta

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type

Utah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Colorado Plateau OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Streams






H









H



L

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringAsian tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi)

Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L

Southern redbelly dace

Chrosomus erythrogaster

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D


FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Transition StreamsEastern Plains StreamsLakes






H





H




Improve erosion and excess sedimentation conditions; retore proper stream hydromorphology

H





H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsDecreased water quality Monitor water quality standards H





H




H




M



M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementWetland degradation primarily from livestock grazing


L



Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff Identify and control point-source and non-point source pollution

L



214


Stonecat

Noturus flavus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

FishTier 1

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains StreamsTransition StreamsEastern Plains Rivers






H





H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - siltation


H





H





H


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status Improve understanding of species/habitat distribution (field inventory, modeling, monitoring)

M

Suckermouth minnow

Phenacobius mirabilis

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X


FishTier 1

Distribution Type








H




Improve erosion and excess sedimentation conditions; restore proper stream hydromorphology

H





H




Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural use

M



Improve understanding of species/habitat distribution (field inventory, modeling, monitoring)

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status Research critical life history/habitat components

M


3.3 Species Re-IntroductionLoss of species from suitable habitat Reintroduce species in suitable habitat

M



215


MammalsTier 1

American pika

Ochotona princeps

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Stable D

MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type


AlpineAspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferSpruce - Fir



8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat shifting & alteration due to climate change


H

11.3 Temperature Extremes 8.0 Research & MonitoringTemperature extremes and precipitation changes


H


Hiking, ORVs, and domestic animals Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

L

Black-footed ferret

Mustela nigripes

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

Status of released ferrets is unknown. Refer to existing conservation, management, and recovery plans or assessments for detailed discussion of threats and conservation actions needed.

MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PWyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Shortgrass PrairieDesert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSagebrush




Work with partner agencies, NGOs and private landowners to develop incentives and agreements for conservation benefit

H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsMorality and prey reduction through rodent control

Continue implementing existing regulations at reintroduction sites

H

08.4 Pathogens 3.1 Species ManagementPathogen - sylvatic plague Develop and implement an active disease management program

H

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringPathogen - sylvatic plague Research and develop effective vaccine and delivery system

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status of released ferrets


H



H




Manage for predator/prey balance M




Implement landowner outreach/education and incentive programs

M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsLoss of habitat (prairie dog colonies) due to plague and prairie dog control


M


6.4 Conservation PaymentsLoss of habitat (prairie dog colonies) due to plague and prairie dog control

Implement the NRCS Black-footed Ferret Initiative program

M

08.4 Pathogens 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Pathogen - sylvatic plague Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

M

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementLack of coordination Implement existing management/recovery plan

M



216


Fringed myotis

Myotis thysanodes

Population Status

Unknown D

and Trend

Unknown X


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PFront Range PWyoming Basin PCentral Shortgrass Prairie OSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsMixed ConiferOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineAspenColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsLodgepole PineMountain StreamsSagebrushSpruce - FirTransition StreamsUpland Shrub


06.3 Work & Other Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementProximal non-recreation disturbance Manage to limit disturbance, especially to roost sites, maternity colonies, and hibernacula

H




H


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status Research population parameters and/or monitor status

H


Uranium mining Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M



Cave/mine closures and grating Employ appropriate site-specific and/or species-specific techniques for closures and safety enhancements

M


Potential for White-nose Syndrome Manage recreation, research, management, and other human disturbances to control the spread of pathogens

M



M



Prey reduction from herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff

Reduce herbicide/pesticide use L



217


Gunnison’s prairie dog

Cynomys gunnisoni

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains P

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsSagebrushGreasewoodOak and Mixed Mountain Shrublands




Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining as per Colorado Gunnison's and White-tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Strategy for Oil and Gas

H


H


H

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringPathogen - sylvatic plague Research species/habitat response to plague management

H



Loss and degradation of habitat Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

M



Loss and degradation of habitat Maintain healthy colonies on public lands and on private land with large acreage

M



Loss and degradation of habitat Restore native habitat and wet areas (controlled burning, weed control)

M



Poisoning Implement landowner outreach/education program

L


L



218


Little brown myotis

Myotis lucifugus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PCentral Shortgrass Prairie O

Habitat Primary

Mixed ConiferPonderosa PineAspenCliffs and CanyonsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsLodgepole PineMountain StreamsOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsSagebrushTransition Streams


06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementProximal non-recreation disturbance Manage to limit disturbance, especially to roost sites, maternity colonies, and hibernacula

H



H




H



H


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population trend Research population parameters and/or monitor status; conduct surveillance for potential arrival of white-nose syndrome

H



Exterminations/evictions in urban settings

Develop alternative roost sites M



Exterminations/evictions in urban settings


M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsExterminations/evictions in urban settings

Provide incentives for homeowners to increase tolerance of bats

M







219


Lynx

Lynx canadensis

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Unknown X


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type


Lodgepole PineMixed ConiferSpruce - Fir


12.3 Lack of common goals 3.1 Species ManagementLack of Recovery Plan Write and implement management/recovery plan

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population trend Improve understanding of species/habitat distribution (field inventory, modeling, ground-truthing)

H


Fragmentation Maintain linkages and connectivity (e.g., wildlife over/under passes, habitat corridors, wildlife-friendly fences)

M



Fragmentation Maintain habitat connectivity so that natural movement between occupied and unoccupied habitat can be maintained to support a naturally expanding population

M

06.1 Recreational Activities 8.0 Research & MonitoringUnregulated backcountry winter recreation


M


8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat shifting due to climate change


M



Loss of snow Maintain connectivity and improve resilience

M

New Mexico jumping mouse

Zapus hudsonius luteus

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie OColorado Plateau OSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains StreamsMountain StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsEastern Plains RiversTransition Streams


11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of water due to drought and exacerbated by climate change


H




H


8.0 Research & MonitoringBiology, ecology, and habitat poorly known


H



H


Wildfires exacerbated by climate change

Restore natural fire regime M



Scouring floods Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

M



Altered native vegetation (streambank cover reduction)

Restore riparian vegetation M

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementLack of management/recovery plan Write and implement management/recovery plan

M

12.1 Lack of coordination 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Lack of management/recovery plan Coordinate with related agencies to align goals, policies, measures of success, etc.

M

12.2 Lack of funding 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Lack of dedicated funding source Coordinate with related agencies to identify and secure funding

M


3.2 Species RecoveryScarcity Maintain genetic connection/integrity within and between populations

M



220


Olive-backed pocket mouse

Perognathus fasciatus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin PFront Range O

Habitat Primary

Foothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass Prairie





H


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status Develop and implement monitoring plan

H




M




M




M

Prebles meadow jumping mouse

Zapus hudsonius preblei

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Front Range PCentral Shortgrass Prairie OSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains StreamsMountain StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsTransition StreamsEastern Plains Rivers





H




H



H



Habitat degradation from alteration of flows

Implement streambank or in-stream restoration/improvements, restore riparian vegetation and hydrological regime

H

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementLack of USFWS conservation plan Write and implement management/recovery plan

H




M



M

12.1 Lack of coordination 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Lack of USFWS conservation plan Engage in collaborative, proactive planning and conservation programs

M

12.3 Lack of common goals 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Lack of USFWS conservation plan Coordinate with related agencies to align goals, policies, measures of success, etc.

M


3.2 Species RecoveryScarcity Maintain genetic connection/integrity within and between populations

M



Altered animal community - change in predator/prey balance (domestic cat & bullfrog predation)

Manage for predator/prey balance L



221


Spotted bat

Euderma maculatum

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Utah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsAspenColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineUpland Shrub





H



H




M







222




Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineAspenColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMountain StreamsOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsSagebrushSpruce - FirTransition StreamsUpland Shrub



Uranium mining Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

H

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreational caving Manage to limit disturbance, especially to roost sites, maternity colonies, and hibernacula

H

06.3 Work & Other Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementProximal non-recreation disturbance Manage to limit disturbance, especially to roost sites, maternity colonies, and hibernacula

H



Cave/mine closures and grating Employ appropriate site-specific and/or species-specific techniques for closures and safety enhancements

H




H



H



M




M




L




L



L




L



L







223


White-tailed prairie dog

Cynomys leucurus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin PSouthern Rocky Mountains OUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsSagebrush





H


H


H


H



Conversion to cropland Maintain healthy colonies on public lands and on private land with large acreage

M



Historic grazing with incompatible timing, intensity, duration

Restore native habitat and wet areas (controlled burning, weed control)

M




M


Altered fire regime (changes in fire frequency) and pinyon-juniper encroachment

Restore native habitat and wet areas (controlled burning, weed control)

M



Loss and degradation of habitat Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

M



Loss and degradation of habitat Maintain healthy colonies on public lands and on private land with large acreage

M



Loss and degradation of habitat Restore native habitat and wet areas (controlled burning, weed control)

M



Non-native plants - cheatgrass Restore native habitat and wet areas (controlled burning, weed control)

M




L




L


L



224


Wolverine

Gulo gulo

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X


MammalsTier 1

Distribution Type


AlpineAspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine



3.3 Species Re-IntroductionScarcity Initiatie roundtable discussions and develop a timeline

H



H



M


Fragmentation Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

L




L

ReptilesTier 1

Colorado checkered whiptail

Aspidoscelis neotesselata

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Stable X

ReptilesTier 1

Distribution Type


Cliffs and CanyonsGreasewoodPlayasShortgrass Prairie





H




H


8.0 Research & MonitoringGenetic relationship with other subspecies unknown


H




M




M



M




M



M




M




M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsConversion to cropland Encourage use of Farm Bill and other incentive programs

M




M

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementLack of conservation plan Develop proactive conservation program to prevent species from becoming a concern in the future

M

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementLack of management plan Write and implement management/recovery plan

M



225


Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


ReptilesTier 1

Distribution Type


Mixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass Prairie





M




M



M




M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 5.2 Policies & RegulationsCollision (e.g., auto) Promote consideration of biodiversity issues in transportation and land use planning processes

M

12.1 Lack of coordination 3.1 Species ManagementLack of conservation effort coordination

Write and implement management/recovery plan

M

12.3 Lack of common goals 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Lack of common conservation goals Engage in collaborative, proactive planning and conservation programs

M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Collision (e.g., auto) Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

L




L




L

AmphibiansTier 2

Blanchard's cricket frog

Acris crepitans

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

Possibly extripated in CO (edge of range)

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsWetlands



8.0 Research & MonitoringComplete distribution unknown Develop and implement monitoring plan

H




Implement Best Management Practices for water resource development

L




L


8.0 Research & MonitoringClimate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts)


L



226


Canyon tree frog

Hyla arenicolor

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsCliffs and Canyons



8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of data on population status Research population parameters and/or monitor status; develop and implement monitoring plan

H


Non-motorized recreation Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

M




M




M



M




L

Couch's spadefoot

Scaphiopus couchii

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Stable X

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type


Shortgrass PrairieWetlands




Improve understanding of species/habitat distribution (field inventory, modeling, ground-truthing); develop and implement monitoring plan

H




M




M



M




M


8.0 Research & MonitoringAltered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - threat is not well understood


M

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringClimate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts)


L



227


Great Basin spadefoot

Spea intermontana

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado PlateauUtah High PlateauUtah-Wyoming Rocky MountainsWyoming Basin

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubPinyon - JuniperSagebrush




H

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 2.1 Site/Area ManagementFragmentation of habitat (roads, culverts, etc.); impact on quality, impact on ground water availability; sedimentation of ponds; loss of habitat

Work with state and federal partners to limit oil/gas leasing and development

M



M




L

Great Plains narrowmouth toad

Gastrophryne olivacea

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains StreamsWetlands




H



M




L




L



Pesticide runoff Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

L




L

Green toad

Anaxyrus debilis

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains StreamsShortgrass Prairie




H




M




M




M



M



228


Plains leopard frog

Lithobates blairi

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Declining X

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsWetlands


13.6 Response to change, disturbance, & other threats poorly understood

8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of monitoring plan Develop and implement monitoring plan

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringAltered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - threat is not well understood


M




M



Water pollution Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

M



L

Wood Frog

Lithobates sylvatica

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

AmphibiansTier 2

Distribution Type


LakesMountain StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsWetlandsAspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferSpruce - Fir



8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of monitoring plan Develop and implement monitoring plan

H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementIncompatible grazing Implement compatible grazing practices

M


2.1 Site/Area Management Implement compatible forest management practices

M



L



229


BirdsTier 2

American bittern

Botaurus lentiginosus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PSouthern Rocky Mountains PColorado PlateauFront RangeUtah High PlateauUtah-Wyoming Rocky MountainsWyoming Basin

Habitat Primary

Wetlands




M




M



Natural system modification - wetland filling, eutrophication, siltation

Restore native habitat (wetlands) M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementNatural system modification - wetland filling, eutrophication, siltation





M



L



L

American peregrine falcon

Falco peregrinus anatum

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Increasing D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsMountain StreamsPinyon - JuniperPlayasPonderosa PineTransition StreamsWetlands



Rock climbing, hiking near cliffs and crevices


M



230


American white pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Reservoirs and ShorelinesColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversEastern Plains Rivers





M


3.1 Species ManagementAltered hydrological regime (fluctuating water levels)


M




M

14.4 Predation 8.0 Research & MonitoringNest predation Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L

Bald eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Increasing D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsTransition StreamsAgricultureFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesMountain StreamsPlayasShortgrass PrairieWetlands





M




M




M



M

06.1 Recreational Activities 1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection


Establish exclusionary/boundary fencing, formal wildlife viewing stations/areas, and signage to raise public awareness

M



M

06.3 Work & Other Activities 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Flight paths, proximal non-recreation disturbance


M



Altered native vegetation (loss of shoreline nesting,roosting, and perching habitat)

Plant native trees/shrubs L




L



231


Band-tailed pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Front Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PColorado PlateauUtah High PlateauUtah-Wyoming Rocky MountainsWyoming Basin

Habitat Primary

Mixed ConiferOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineAgricultureAspenLodgepole PineSpruce - FirSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone PineUpland Shrub





M



Conversion of grain crops to alfalfa Develop partnerships to help maintain small grain farming

M



Habitat degradation Restore native habitat (mountain shrublands)

M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementForest and woodland management Implement compatible forest management practices

L



L

Barrow's goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


LakesWetlandsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsMountain Streams





M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (salvage logging removing cavity trees)

Implement compatible forest management practices

L

Black rosy-finch

Leucosticte atrata

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Habitat Primary

AlpineSagebrush



Mining operations Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M



Habitat degradation Restore mixed conifer winter habitat, including fire mitigation and insect outbreak mitigation

M




M



L

14.4 Predation 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Nest predation (increased by Common Ravens drawn above treeline by trash)


L



232


Black swift

Cypseloides niger

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Cliffs and CanyonsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsMountain Streams



Rock climbing Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringPotential for degradation of nesting habitat related to climate impacts on water resources


M

Black tern

Chlidonias niger

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Stable X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Wetlands



5.4 Compliance & EnforcementDrainage of wetlands for agriculture Enforce 404 wetlands regulations M




M

Bobolink

Dolichonyx oryzivorus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

AgricultureFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass Prairies




Decrease in hay field area, earlier/more frequent hay-cropping, shift in vegetative structure

Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context (e.g., delayed haying)

M

Boreal owl

Aegolius funereus

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Declining X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Lodgepole PineSpruce - FirAspenPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine



8.0 Research & MonitoringPotential for heat stress & habitat degradation related to increased temperatures, worsening wildfires


M


8.0 Research & MonitoringStatus estimated as medium, but additional data are needed


M



Altered native vegetation Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

L



233


Brewer’s sparrow

Spizella breweri

Population Status

Abundant D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

SagebrushAgricultureDesert ShrubGreasewoodSaltbushSandsage





H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (burning, herbicide, or mechanical sagebrush removal)


H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (incompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing)


H



Habitat degradation from a variety of sources


H




M



M





M




M


Oil & Gas development, pipelines, and infrastructure


M





Habitat degradation from a variety of threats


M




M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementRange improvement operations Implement compatible grazing practices

L




L



234


Cassin’s finch

Peucaea cassinii

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Central Shortgrass Prairie OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

AspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineSpruce - FirSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine



8.0 Research & MonitoringThreats are poorly understood Research population parameters and/or monitor status

M

Cassin’s sparrow

Aimophila cassinii

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Mixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSandsageShortgrass PrairieAgricultureSagebrushUpland Shrub





M




M




M



L

Chestnut-collared longspur

Calcarius ornatus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Mixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass PrairieAgriculture





H




M




M




M

11.4 Storms & Flooding 8.0 Research & MonitoringClimate variability (prolonged rain events and cold weather can cause nest failure)


L



L

14.4 Predation 8.0 Research & MonitoringPredation Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L



235


Ferruginous hawk

Buteo regalis

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin PColorado Plateau OFront Range OSouthern Rocky Mountains OUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Foothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass PrairieAgricultureCliffs and CanyonsDesert ShrubGreasewoodPinyon - JuniperSagebrushSaltbushSandsageUpland Shrub





M




M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsSecondary poisoning (anticoagulants, lead shot)

Monitor for potential impacts and respond as warranted by local conditions

M



M



L





L


Motorized and non-motorized recreation, proximal non-recreation disturbance of nest locations


L



Invasive plants - cheatgrass, Russian thistle


L

Flammulated owl

Otus flammeolus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PFront Range OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

AspenPonderosa PineMixed ConiferSpruce - FirSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine





M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (salvage logging removing cavity trees)


L



Invasive animals - European starlings Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

L



L



L

14.3 Low reproductive rate 8.0 Research & MonitoringLow reproductive rate Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L



236


Grace’s warbler

Setophaga graciae

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Oak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPonderosa Pine





M


Altered fire regime (fire suppression leading to high intensity fires)

Restore natural fire regime and mountain shrub/ponderosa pine habitats

M



Altered native vegetation (clearcutting)

Implement Best Management Practices for forestry

L



L

Grasshopper sparrow

Ammodramus savannarum

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Shortgrass Prairie





H



H




M




L

Gray vireo

Vireo vicinior

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PUtah High Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Pinyon - Juniper



2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (grazing intensity, tree/shrub clearing)


M




M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementNatural system modification - illegal firewood cutting


L





L



L



237


Greater prairie-chicken

Tympanuchus cupido

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


AgricultureSandsage





H




H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


H


6.4 Conservation PaymentsIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


H


Behavioral avoidance of oil & gas development and associated infrastructure


H




H



H




H


Behavioral avoidance of renewable energy development and associated infrastructure


H


Fragmentation of native habitat due to renewable energy development and associated infrastructure


H

03.3 Renewable Energy 5.2 Policies & RegulationsRenewable energy development Establish mitigation requirements for developments and other projects that impact species/habitats

H


Renewable energy development Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

H




M



Fragmentation of native prairie Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

M




M


8.0 Research & MonitoringPredation and parasites Research population parameters and/or monitor status

M




M




M




M



238


Juniper titmouse

Baeolophus ridgwayi

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Pinyon - Juniper



2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (grazing intensity, tree/shrub clearing)


M




M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementNatural system modification - illegal firewood cutting, commercial pinon nut collecting


L





L

Lark bunting

Calamospiza melanocorys

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PWyoming Basin PColorado Plateau OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Habitat Primary

AgricultureDesert ShrubMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass PrairieFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsPlayasSagebrush




Intensive agricultural operations Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

M




M



Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff (grasshopper control)


M



Mortality at stock tanks from drowning

Implement Best Management Practices for livestock grazing

L

Lazuli bunting

Passerina amoena

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Oak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsSagebrushUpland ShrubAspenColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsMountain StreamsTransition Streams




Altered native vegetation Plant native trees/shrubs L



239


Least tern

Sterna antillarum

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


PlayasReservoirs and Shorelines




Invasive plants - tamarisk Remove tamarisk through biological, chemical, mechanical means and prevent re-establishment via water management and physical/chemical control

H




M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementEgg trampling Implement compatible grazing practices

M





M

09.1 Household Sewage & Urban Waste Water

5.2 Policies & RegulationsWater pollution Monitor water quality standards M




L



Decreased water quality and/or quanity (water level, desalination projects)


L


L

Lewis’s woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsTransition StreamsAgriculture





M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (removal of snags)


M





Habitat degradation Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

M




L



Invasive plants - tamarisk Control non-native plants using accepted techniques appropriate to site-specific conditions

L



240


Loggerhead shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsGreasewoodMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSagebrushSaltbushSandsageShortgrass PrairieAgriculture





M

Long-billed curlew

Numenius americanus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PFront Range OSouthern Rocky Mountains OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

PlayasShortgrass PrairieAgricultureEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSandsageWetlands




Conversion to cropland Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection. Playa conservation would benefit this species.

M




M




M



General water pollution, herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff


M




L



241


McCown’s longspur

Rhynchophanes mccownii

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Shortgrass PrairieAgriculturePlayas





M




M




M




M

14.4 Predation 2.1 Site/Area ManagementNest predation Implement compatible grazing practices

M




L



L

Mexican spotted owl

Strix occidentalis lucida

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PCentral Shortgrass Prairie OFront Range O

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineTransition Streams



Rock mining in nesting & winter habitat in El Paso and Fremont counties


M

04.4 Flight Paths 7.2 Alliance & Partnership Development

Low-flying military jets and helicopters

Engage in collaborative, proactive planning and conservation programs - work with the Army on Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan

M





M



Altered native vegetation (even-age timber management)


L



242


Northern bobwhite

Colinus virginianus

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Declining X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


AgricultureRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsSandsageEastern Plains StreamsMixed and Tallgrass Prairies



2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation Implement compatible grazing practices

H




H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementReduced grass/forb diversity Implement compatible grazing practices

H



Invasive plants - tamarisk, cheatgrass, Canada thistle, leafy spurge


H

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of water for habitat Conduct primary research on species and habitat responses to changing climate

H

11.4 Storms & Flooding 8.0 Research & MonitoringBlizzards and impact of hail and flooding on chicks and adults


H


8.0 Research & MonitoringAltered native vegetation Research species/habitat response to management

M




M


8.0 Research & MonitoringIncompatible timing, intensity, duration of grazing or improved range


M


8.0 Research & MonitoringReduced grass/forb diversity Research species/habitat response to management

M



Seral state imbalance - suppression of early seral stages


M



Altered native vegetation (riparian area deforestation, denuding of wetland vegetation)

Plant native trees/shrubs M


8.0 Research & MonitoringPredation and parasites Research impact of parasites on bird survival

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringEgg trampling Research species/habitat response to management

L


3.2 Species RecoveryPredation and parasites Reduce nest predators L



243


Northern goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Central Shortgrass Prairie OUtah High Plateau OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

AspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa Pine



Trails in drainages near nests Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness

M




2.1 Site/Area ManagementForest and woodland management Implement compatible forest management practices

L



L



L

14.4 Predation 8.0 Research & Monitoring Research population parameters and/or monitor status

L

Northern harrier

Circus cyaneus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

AgricultureColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesPlayasSagebrushShortgrass PrairieTransition StreamsWetlandsDesert ShrubGreasewoodSaltbushSandsage




M




M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementNatural system modification - wetland degradation





M



244


Olive-sided flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PFront Range OUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

AspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineSpruce - FirSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine




M




2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (removal of snags)


L



L

Pinyon jay

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PFront Range OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Pinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine





M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementTree removal Implement compatible grazing practices

M





L

Piping plover

Charadrius melodus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


PlayasReservoirs and ShorelinesWetlands




Invasive plants - tamarisk Remove tamarisk through biological, chemical, mechanical means and prevent re-establishment

H

06.1 Recreational Activities 3.1 Species ManagementMotorized and non-motorized recreation


M



Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness (e.g., use beach-nesting bird signs

M





M



General water pollution, herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff


M


L



245


Prairie falcon

Falco mexicanus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsShortgrass PrairieAgricultureAlpineColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsGreasewoodMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesMountain StreamsPinyon - JuniperPlayasSagebrushSaltbushSandsageTransition StreamsWetlands





M




M




M



L





L

Purple martin

Progne subis

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

AspenColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversMountain Streams



Altered native vegetation (loss of older aspen stands from gas development)


L



Altered native vegetation (loss of older aspen stands from logging)


L



Altered native vegetation (loss of older aspen stands from logging and gas development)


L



L



246


Rufous hummingbird

Selasphorus rufus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Unknown X

Non-breeding in Colorado

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie OColorado Plateau OFront Range OSouthern Rocky Mountains OUtah High Plateau OUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

O

Wyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

AlpineFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsUpland Shrub




L

Sage sparrow

Amphispiza belli

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Declining X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Wyoming Basin P

Habitat Primary

GreasewoodSagebrush





H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (burning, herbicide, or mechanical sagebrush removal)


H




H



Habitat degradation from variety of sources


H



M





M




M






M



247


Short-eared owl

Asio flammeus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PSouthern Rocky Mountains PColorado Plateau OFront Range O

Habitat Primary

Foothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesSagebrushSandsageShortgrass PrairieUpland ShrubWetlandsAgriculture





M



Altered native vegetation Implement Best Management Practices for forestry

M

14.5 Competition 8.0 Research & MonitoringPredation and competition (Barn owls)


M




L


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementAltered native vegetation (wetland loss)

Enforce 404 wetlands regulations L

Swainson’s hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Declining D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PWyoming Basin PUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

AgricultureColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsDesert ShrubEastern Plains StreamsFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPlayasSagebrushSaltbushSandsageShortgrass PrairieUpland Shrub





M



M




M




M



L





L



248


Upland sandpiper

Bartramia longicauda

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Mixed and Tallgrass PrairiesAgricultureSandsage





M



Early/often pasture and hayfield cutting (nest destruction)


M




M



L

Veery

Catharus fuscescens

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PFront Range O

Habitat Primary





Habitat degradation Restore native habitat using site-appropriate techniques and context

M



L

Virginia’s warbler

Oreothlypis virginiae

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


P

Central Shortgrass Prairie OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Mixed ConiferOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineUpland ShrubAspenSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone PineTransition Streams




Habitat degradation Restore native habitat using site-appropriate techniques and context

M


M

Western snowy plover

Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Reservoirs and Shorelines




Publish educational material/sponsor educational programs to raise public awareness (e.g., use beach-nesting bird signs

M





M



L



249


White-faced ibis

Plegadis chihi

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Increasing D

BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Habitat Primary

AgricultureColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversLakesPlayasReservoirs and ShorelinesWetlands





M


3.1 Species ManagementAltered hydrological regime (fluctuating water levels)


M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsNatural system modification - wetland degradation

Encourage use of Farm Bill programs for playas

M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementNatural system modification - wetland degradation



5.2 Policies & RegulationsWater pollution Monitor water quality standards M

Whooping crane

Grus americana

Population Status and Trend

Not known to have breeding population in Colorado (no primary habitat, status, or trends). BirdsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie OHabitat Primary

AgricultureWetlands




L

FishTier 2

Iowa darter

Etheostoma exile

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

FishTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary





Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - wetland drainage


H



Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff Identify and control point-source and non-point source pollution

M




L



250


Lake chub

Couesius plumbeus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

FishTier 2

Distribution Type

Front Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains P

Habitat Primary

Lakes






H





H




M



Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff and nonpoint source pollution


M




M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementGathering for bait or aquarium trade Enforce hunting, fishing, collecting regulations

L

MammalsTier 2

Abert's squirrel

Sciurus aberti

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Ponderosa Pine




M



M


8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat loss / degradation due to beetle kill


L

Allen's big-eared bat

Idionycteris phyllotis

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

Recently documented in Colorado.

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado PlateauHabitat Primary

Oak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineCliffs and CanyonsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsMixed ConiferSagebrush





H



M



M



251


American marten

Martes americana

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Lodgepole PineSpruce - FirAlpine



2.1 Site/Area ManagementClearcutting and even-aged forest management


M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementReplacement of mature/old growth with younger, more even-aged stands


M




M




M



M



M

Big free-tailed bat

Nyctinomops macrotis

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie OColorado Plateau OFront Range OSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsDesert ShrubPinyon - Juniper





H



M



M



252


Bighorn sheep

Ovis canadensis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PCentral Shortgrass Prairie OColorado Plateau OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsAlpineFoothill and Mountain Grasslands


01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Transmission of pathogens by hobby livestock


H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Transmission of pathogens by hobby livestock


H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 5.2 Policies & RegulationsTransmission of pathogens by hobby livestock

Promote zoning that concentrates use and prevents disease transmission

H



Altered native vegetation (riparian area deforestation, woody encroachment, chaining sagebrush, seral stage imbalance, etc.)


H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementTransmission of pathogens Implement compatible grazing practices

H

08.4 Pathogens 8.0 Research & MonitoringPathogen - respiratory disease caused by Pasteurellacea and Mycoplasma bacteria

Research and develop effective vaccine and delivery system

H


5.2 Policies & RegulationsTransmission of pathogens Allow authorities to remove stray domestic sheep and goats

M



Transmission of pathogens Implement Best Management Practices for livestock grazing

M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementClimbing, back country skiing Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

M





Mountain lion predation Manage for predator/prey balance M

14.5 Competition 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Competition with other native ungulates

Manage natural herbivory L

Bison

Bison bison


Wild populations extirpated. Currently classified as domestic species by Wildlife Commission Regulation – Ch. 11, Art. II, Sct 1103 A. US Fish & Wildlife Service lists possible reintroduction sites Baca NWR and Great Sand Dunes NP in Colorado. This specie

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass PrairieSouthern Rocky Mountains

Habitat Primary

Foothill and Mountain GrasslandsShortgrass Prairie



253


Black-tailed prairie dog

Cynomys ludovicianus

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D


MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Shortgrass PrairieMixed and Tallgrass Prairies



H


H


H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 6.4 Conservation PaymentsUrban, suburban, and exurban development

Support development and implementation of statewide habitat mitigation tool

M




M




M



M




M



M




M




M



M




M


7.3 Conservation FinanceConversion to cropland Provide economic assistance for private land habitat improvements and/or species conservation

M

03.1 Oil & Gas Drilling 1.2 Resource & Habitat Protection



M




M


3.1 Species ManagementPoisoning Develop collaborative management agreements

M




M

08.4 Pathogens 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Pathogen - sylvatic plague Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

M

12.3 Lack of common goals 5.2 Policies & RegulationsGreater collaboration among state and local agencies, and private industry, is warranted

Improve alignment of conservation and management goals and practices across stakeholder groups

M


L



254


Botta's pocket gopher (rubidus ssp)

Thomomys bottae rubidus

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Foothill and Mountain GrasslandsPinyon - Juniper





H


8.0 Research & MonitoringGenetic relationship with other subspecies unknown


H




M




M



M




M



M




L

Common hog-nosed skunk

Conepatus leuconotus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Pinyon - JuniperUpland ShrubDesert ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsGreasewoodOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsSaltbushSandsage




H



H




M




L



255


Dwarf shrew

Sorex nanus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PColorado Plateau OUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

AspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferPonderosa PineSpruce - FirPinyon - JuniperSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine





H



H



H

Gray wolf

Canis lupus


Wild populations extirpated. See Gray Wolf Management Plan: http://wildlife.state.co.us/species_cons/GrayWolf/.

MammalsTier 2

Habitat Primary

AspenLodgepole PineMixed ConiferOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineSpruce - FirUpland ShrubFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsSagebrushSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine





H

12.3 Lack of common goals 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Lack of common goals Implement landowner outreach/education program

M

Grizzly bear

Ursus arctos


Not documented in Colorado since 1979

MammalsTier 2

Habitat Primary

AlpineAspenFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsLodgepole PineMixed ConiferOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPonderosa PineSpruce - FirUpland ShrubMountain StreamsSubalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine




L



256


Hoary bat

Lasiurus cinereus

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass PrairieColorado PlateauFront RangeSouthern Rocky MountainsUtah High PlateauUtah-Wyoming Rocky MountainsWyoming Basin

Habitat Primary

AspenMixed ConiferPinyon - JuniperPonderosa PineRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsSpruce - Fir




H



H



Loss of roost sites (localized) due to beetle kill


M


Potential for White-nose Syndrome Manage research, management, and recreation activities to control the spread of pathogens

M



Habitat loss / degradation due to loss of roost sites (localized) due to beetle kill


L

Kit fox

Vulpes macrotis


Extensive surveys have failed to detect this species. It may be extirpated from the state.MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PHabitat Primary

Desert ShrubGreasewoodSagebrushSaltbush


06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementOHV use in Peach Valley Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

L



Decline of white-tailed prairie dogs, which provide den habitat and significant food source

Improve status of white-tailed prairie dogs

L


8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of wild populations Conduct primary research on potential for habitat restoration

L

Preble's shrew

Sorex preblei

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Oak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsFoothill and Mountain GrasslandsSagebrush





H



H



H



257


Pygmy rabbit

Brachylagus idahoensis

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Wyoming Basin PHabitat Primary

Sagebrush





M



M



M



Reduced grass/forb diversity Re-seed native species L



Reduced grass/forb diversity Implement Best Management Practices for livestock grazing

L




L


Altered fire regime and juniper encroachment

Restore natural fire regime L

Pygmy shrew

Sorex hoyi montanus

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Spruce - FirWetlands




H



H

Red-backed vole

Clethrionomys gapperi

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Lodgepole PineMixed Conifer




H



H



258


River otter

Lontra canadensis

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Increasing D

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P

Central Shortgrass Prairie OFront Range O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversMountain StreamsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsTransition StreamsWetlands




Potential for landowner "control" related to river otter impacts on fish ponds


M


8.0 Research & MonitoringImpact of reduced water quality on prey species (fish)


L

Sagebrush vole

Lemmiscus curtatus

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky MountainsUtah High PlateauUtah-Wyoming Rocky MountainsWyoming Basin

Habitat Primary

Sagebrush






H



H



H



Reduced grass/forb diversity Re-seed native species M



Reduced grass/forb diversity Implement Best Management Practices for livestock grazing

M




M


Altered fire regime and juniper encroachment






M



259


Snowshoe hare

Lepus americanus

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Lodgepole PineRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsSpruce - FirWetlands



8.0 Research & MonitoringClearcutting Research species/habitat response to management

M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementClearcutting and even-aged forest management


M




M



M

06.1 Recreational Activities 8.0 Research & MonitoringUnregulated backcountry winter recreation


L




L

Swift fox

Vulpes velox

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable D

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type


Habitat Primary

Shortgrass PrairieAgriculture





H



Implement Best Management Practices for transportation, urban development, landscaping, etc.

H



H



M




L




L



L




L



L



260


White-tailed jackrabbit

Lepus townsendii

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Unknown X

MammalsTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau PUtah-Wyoming Rocky Mountains

P


Habitat Primary

Foothill and Mountain GrasslandsMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass PrairieDesert ShrubGreasewoodOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsSagebrushSaltbushSandsageUpland Shrub





H




H



H

14.5 Competition 2.3 Habitat & Natural Process Restoration

Competition Monitor/control competition with other species

M

MollusksTier 2

Cloche ancylid

Ferrissia walkeri

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Declining X

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type

Front Range PUtah High Plateau P

Habitat Primary

LakesColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversReservoirs and Shorelines



8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat affinities unknown Research critical life history/habitat components

H



H


8.0 Research & MonitoringReferenced in literature, but current populations are unknown. Colorado surveys conducted from 2001-2004 did not record this species.


H


8.0 Research & MonitoringScarcity (limited distribution) Research population parameters and/or monitor status

H





M




M



261


Cockerell

Promenetus umbillicatellus

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Declining X

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type


LakesMountain StreamsWetlands






H




H



H



Natural system modification - wetland filling

Maintain and restore natural ponds and small mountain lakes

M




M


3.1 Species ManagementScarcity (limited distribution) Develop collaborative management agreements

M



M

Cylindrical papershell

Anodontoides ferussacianus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PFront Range OSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains StreamsLakes




Nutrient loads (runoff from agricultural activities)


H



Altered native vegetation (riparian area)

Restore riparian vegetation H




H




H


8.0 Research & MonitoringKnown from only 2 locations in Colorado. Colorado surveys conducted from 1996-2004 recorded this species at Valmont Lake and the St. Vrain Creek in Boulder County.


H



Conversion to cropland Restore native prairie M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementDecreased water quality (nutrient load from cattle)


M




M



262


Fragil ancylid

Ferrissia fragilis

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Declining D

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PWyoming Basin PFront Range O

Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversLakesReservoirs and Shorelines





H





H




Restore riparian vegetation H


8.0 Research & MonitoringKnown from only 3 locations in Colorado. Colorado surveys conducted from 2001-2004 recorded this species at Bear Canyon Creek and Sliver Lake Ditch in Boulder County, and Banner Lake No. 5 in Weld County, Colorado.


H



H





M



Decreased water quality Implement streambank or in-stream restoration/improvements

M





M

Hot Springs physa

Physa cupreonitens

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

The taxonomy of the North American Physidae both at the generic and specific level needs attention and revision. Validity of this species requires genetic verification.

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type


Hot Springs


06.3 Work & Other Activities 4.3 Awareness & Communications

Proximal non-recreation disturbance Implement landowner outreach/education program

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringClarification of taxonomy is needed Research genetic relation to other (sub)species

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringScarcity (limited distribtion) physid snails have been reported from only 6 hot springs in Colorado


H




M



M



263


Pondhorn

Uniomerus tetralasmus

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Declining D

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains StreamsLakes




Conversion to cropland Restore native prairie H





H



Nutrient loads (runoff from agricultural activities)


H


8.0 Research & MonitoringComplete distribution in Colorado unknown. Colorado surveys conducted from 1996-2002 recorded this species at 1 location, Queens (Neeskah) Reservoir, Kiowa County.


H



H




M

Rocky Mountain capshell

Acroloxus coloradensis

Population Status

Low D

and Trend

Unknown X

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type







H




H



H



H

Sharp sprite

Promenetus exacuous

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Declining X

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type

Southern Rocky Mountains PWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

LakesColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversMountain StreamsWetlands




Natural system modification - wetland filling

Maintain and Restore natural ponds and small mountain lakes

H


8.0 Research & MonitoringComplete distribution in Colorado unknown (reported only from 11 Colorado locations, Colorado surveys conducted from 2001-2004 did not record this species.


H



H



H




M



264


Utah physa

Physa gyrina utahensis

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

The taxonomy of the North American Physidae both at the generic and specific level needs attention and revision. Validity of this species requires genetic verification.

MollusksTier 2

Distribution Type

Front Range PUtah High Plateau P

Habitat Primary

LakesTransition Streams



8.0 Research & MonitoringClarification of taxonomy is needed Research genetic relation to other (sub)species

H




H



H



H




Maintain linkages and connectivity M




M

ReptilesTier 2

Blacknecked gartersnake

Thamnophis cyrtopsis

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau O

Habitat Primary

Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins RiversColorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins StreamsEastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsDesert ShrubOak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperShortgrass Prairie




M




L



L




L




L



L



265


California kingsnake

Lampropeltis californiae

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau P

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubMixed and Tallgrass PrairiesPlayas




L



L

Common gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Population Status

Medium X

and Trend

Declining X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Front Range PCentral Shortgrass Prairie OSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Eastern Plains RiversEastern Plains StreamsRiparian Woodlands and ShrublandsWetlands





M



M




M


5.2 Policies & RegulationsHerbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff Monitor water quality standards M




M

Desert nightsnake

Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky MountainsUtah High Plateau

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubGreasewoodPinyon - JuniperEastern Plains StreamsSagebrushShortgrass Prairie





M



M



L

Desert spiny lizard

Sceloporus magister

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


Desert Shrub




M



M



266


Long-nosed leopard lizard

Gambelia wislizenii

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


Desert ShrubGreasewoodPinyon - JuniperSagebrushSaltbush





M



M



M



L




L

Long-nosed snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


SandsageShortgrass PrairieEastern Plains RiversSagebrush





M



M




L

Midget faded rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus concolor

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains PUtah High Plateau P

Habitat Primary

Cliffs and CanyonsDesert ShrubPinyon - JuniperGreasewoodSagebrushSaltbush





M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementOff-road and trail development and use


M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementIllegal take Enforce hunting, fishing, collecting regulations

L



L



L



267


New Mexico threadsnake

Rena dissectus

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

= Leptotyphlops dissectus

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


Pinyon - JuniperShortgrass PrairieEastern Plains Streams





M



M



M

Round-tailed horned lizard

Phrynosoma modestum

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


Pinyon - JuniperShortgrass Prairie





M




M



Poisoning (fire ant insecticides) Implement landowner outreach/education program

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringScarcity (Colorado occurrences known only from two sites apparently disjuct from core range)


M



L



L



L

Smith's black-headed snake

Tantilla horbartsmithi

Population Status

Unknown X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Colorado Plateau PSouthern Rocky Mountains O

Habitat Primary

Desert ShrubGreasewoodPinyon - JuniperSagebrushSaltbush





M



M



M



L



268


Texas horned lizard

Phrynosoma cornutum

Population Status

Medium D

and Trend

Stable X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


Mixed and Tallgrass PrairiesShortgrass Prairie





H



Poisoning (fire ant insecticides) Implement landowner outreach/education program

M



L



L

Utah milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum taylori

Population Status

Unknown

and Trend

Unknown

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type

Central Shortgrass Prairie PColorado Plateau PFront Range PSouthern Rocky Mountains OWyoming Basin O

Habitat Primary

Oak and Mixed Mountain ShrublandsPinyon - JuniperSandsageShortgrass Prairie




M




M



M



M

Yellow mud turtle

Kinosternon flavescens

Population Status

Low X

and Trend

Unknown X

ReptilesTier 2

Distribution Type


Eastern Plains StreamsLakesSandsageWetlands





M



Herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff Reduce herbicide/pesticide use M



M



269


270

5570

5571

Threats Summary for Habitats 5572

Of3312terrestrialandaquatichabitats,almostallareaffectedbyresidential/commercial5573developmentandnaturalsystemsmodifications includingalterationofhydrologicaland5574fireregimes Figure9 .Climatechange,conversionordegradationfromincompatible5575agriculturalactivities,andinvasivespeciesareaffectingmorethantwo‐thirdsofColorado’s5576habitattypes Figure9 .Allofoursevenforesttypesareimpactedbyclimatechange,5577naturalsystemsmodifications,andinvasivespecies.Ofsevenshrublandtypes,allare5578impactedbyresidential/commercialdevelopmentandincompatibleagriculturalpractices.5579Allthreegrasslandtypesandallthreeriparian/wetlandtypesareaffectedby5580residential/commercialdevelopment,agriculturalpractices,naturalsystemmodifications,5581invasives,andclimatechange.Notsurprisingly,themostsignificantissuesforaquatic5582habitatsareurbanizationandnaturalsystemmodification,specificallydamsandwater5583management/use Figure10 .Fordescriptionsofthethreatsrepresentedinthefigures5584below,refertoChapter4andTable5.55855586

5587Figure 9. Threats to habitats by priority. 5588

12ThoughtheSWAPrecognizessomehabitatvalueintwoman‐madeenvironments croplands,reservoirs ,creationofthesekindsofconditionsarenotcompatiblewithmostofColorado’snativebiodiversity,andthereforearenotincludedinconsiderationofthreatsortargetedforconservationaction.


271

5589

5590 5591

Figure 10. Threats to habitats by habitat type. 5592

Summary Conservation Actions Needed for 5593

Habitats 5594

Habitatsaremostinneedofmanagementandrestoration Figures11and12 .Almostall5595forest,shrubland,andgrasslandhabitats,andallaquatic,riparian,andwetlandhabitats,5596areinneedofrestorationofspecifichabitatcomponentsand/orecologicalprocesses.5597Somelanduses,suchasgrazingandlogging,canbeusedasmanagementtoolstohelp5598restorethespeciescompositionandstructureofhabitats,aswellastomimicdisturbance5599regimes firesandfloods,forexample thatareneededtomaintaincertainhabitattypes.5600Researchisalsoasignificantneed,asarecontrolofnon‐natives,landandresource5601protection,andimplementationofcompatiblepracticesbyprivateenterprise.5602DevelopmentandimplementationofBestManagementPracticesforenergy,agriculture,5603transportation,urbandevelopment,forestry,andwatermanagementindustriescould5604makesignificantcontributionstoimprovinghabitathealth.Fordescriptionsofthe5605conservationactionsreferencedinthefiguresbelow,refertoChapter4andTable6.56065607


272

5608

Figure 11. Conservation actions needed for habitats by priority. 5609

5610 5611

Figure 12. Conservation actions needed for habitats by habitat type. 5612


273

Threats and Actions Narratives for Habitats 5613

ForthepurposesoftheSWAP,themostcrucialthreatsandhighestpriorityconservation5614actionsforhabitatsarebrieflysummarizedinthefollowingnarratives.Habitatsare5615groupedbytype e.g.,forests,shrublands andthenlistedalphabetically.Table8includes5616associatedSGCN,threats,andprioritizedconservationactionsforeachhabitat.Inorderto5617avoidduplicatingthecontentofTable8inAppendicesAandB rareplantsandnon‐5618molluskinvertebrates ,thosetaxaareincludedhere,asisoneplant‐specifichabitat5619Barrens .SeeAppendixEforakeytothedistributionfieldinTable8.5620

FORESTS AND WOODLANDS 5621

Aspen 5622

Threats 5623

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5624Aspenforestsarethreatenedtosomeextentbyexurbandevelopment,ordevelopment5625associatedwithrecreationareas,primarilyinthesouthwesternportionofthestate,andat5626thelowerendoftheelevationrangeoccupiedbythishabitat below8,500ft. .5627

2 Agriculture 5628Threatsfromagriculturalactivitiesareprimarilyduetobrowsingbyrangecattlewhich5629maychangebothaspenstandstructureandunderstorycomposition.5630

4 Transportation Corridors 5631Secondaryroadsandutilitycorridorsareatypicalcoincidentimpactofexurbanand5632recreationaldevelopmentandcontributetohabitatfragmentation.5633

5 Biological Resource Use 5634Potentialthreatsarefromdisturbancefromrecreationaluse e.g.,firewoodcuttingand5635barkcarving andharvestingofwoodproducts.Aspenisoneofthefewtreespecieswhich5636hasseenincreasedharvestlevelsinthepastseveraldecades Morganetal.2006 ,5637especiallyinsouthwestColorado.Recreationaluse,hunting,andminingactivityareminor5638sourcesofdisturbancetoaspenhabitat,asiscontaminationfromtailingsandothermining5639practices.5640

7 Natural System Modifications 5641Aspenforestsaregenerallydependentonperiodicfiretoremoveconifersandpermit5642aspenregenerationfromrootsprouting.Firesuppressionhaschangedtheextentand5643


274

availabilityofpatchessuitableforaspencolonization CSFS2005 ,withaconsequent5644reductioninforageandhabitatfordependentspecies.Inaddition,theoccurrenceof5645SuddenAspenDecline SAD hasdecreasedtheabundanceofaspeninsomeareas,which5646mayconcentrateungulateuseinremainingpatchesandfurtherdecreasetheabilityof5647thesehabitatstoregenerate Keaneetal.2002 .5648

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5649Browsingbynativeherbivoressuchaselkcanbeasignificantcontributortochangesin5650standstructureanddiversity.5651

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5652Aspenstandsinwarm,dryconditionsatlowerelevationsaremorethreatenedbyepisodic5653decline,whichappearstobetiedtodroughtstress Rehfeldtetal.2009 .Projected5654increasesintemperaturethroughouttherangeofaspenhabitatinColoradoarelikelyto5655havethegreatestimpactonthesestands,whilestandsathigher,coolerandwetter5656elevationsaremorelikelytopersist.5657


Landscapescaleanalysisofaspenconditionclassisneededtoascertainappropriatelevel5659ofheterogeneityandresiliency.5660


Protectprivatelyownedaspenstandsthrougheducationandconservationeasementsto5662limitpermanentforesttypeconversion.Grazingeducation bothdomesticandwildlife is5663neededtohelppromoteaspenregenerationthroughpropergrazingmanagement.5664Reductioninstockingratesofdomesticlivestockandreductionofnativeungulateherds5665willaidinaspenregeneration.Fencingandhuntinginheavilyusedaspenstandstoreduce5666orexcludeherbivorywillhelpregenerateaspenstands.Conductaspenmanagement5667educationandprogramstopromoteaspenstandmanagementtosetbackaspen5668successionalstages.Promotetheuseofcharacteristicwildfireandprescribedfiretohelp5669encourageaspenregenerationandcolonization.Promotetheuseofappropriate5670silviculturalpracticesinappropriatestandconditionstohelpwithstandlevel5671heterogeneityandstandresiliency.Promotelandscapescaleanalysisofaspencondition5672classtoascertainappropriatelevelofheterogeneityandresiliency.Prioritizelower5673elevationaspenprotectionandmanagementthrougheducation,grantfundingand5674conservationeasements.5675


275

Lodgepole 5676

Threats 5677

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5678Developmentofexurbanorrecreationalareasisaminorsourceofdisturbanceand5679fragmentationinlodgepoleforests.5680

4 Transportation Corridors 5681Roadsandutilitycorridorsassociatedwithexurbanorrecreationaldevelopmentarea5682sourceoffragmentationinlodgepolehabitats.5683

5 Biological Resource Use 5684TimberharvestinColorado’slodgepoleforestshasdeclinedsignificantlysincethelate19th5685century,butarecentincreaseintheuseofbeetle‐killwoodhasmaintainedasmallmarket5686forthisspecies.Woodharvestactivitiesareaminorsourceofdisturbanceinthishabitat5687type,butextensivesalvageloggingandthinningmayhavelocalimpacts.5688

7 Natural System Modifications 5689Firesuppressioneffectsinlodgepolepineforestsareevidentatlandscapelevelinan5690overalllackofvarietyinsuccessionalstages.Individuallodgepolestandsmaynotbe5691outsidethenaturalrangeofvariation,butatalandscapelevelfiresuppressionhas5692probablyledtolarger,denser,morehomogenouspatchesthataremorefavorableforlarge5693fireandheavyinfestationsofmountainpinebeetle Keaneetal.2002 .5694

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5695Thescopeandvisibilityofthemostrecentmountainpinebeetleoutbreakinlodgepole5696habitathascomplicatedpolicyandmanagementresponsestotheextensivemortality.5697Thereisuneasinessaboutwhethertheoutbreakisaclimate‐changedrivencrisis e.g.,“a5698majorthreattoregionaleconomicsandpublicsafety,”USFSMedicineBow‐RouttNational5699Forestwebsite ormerelyanexamplewithinthenaturalrangeofvariationforsuch5700outbreaks,orboth.Thecurrentoutbreakappearstobesubsiding,leavingthepotentialfor5701largefireswithextremebehaviortooccurinthekilledforests Kaufmannetal.2008 .5702Warmerwintersanddroughtcanfacilitatemountainpinebeetleoutbreaks,butmortality5703isalreadywidespread,sothepopulationofhosttreeshasbeengreatlyreduced.Although5704large,intactpatchesoflodgepoleforestpersistinColorado,thismaychangeastheeffects5705ofextensivemountainpinebeetlemortalityandincreasedfireextentandfrequency5706reshapethelodgepolematrix.Incombinationwithclimatechange,theaftermathofthe5707recentsevereoutbreakofmountainpinebeetleislikelytoleadtoformsoflodgepoleforest5708thataredifferentfromthoseseeninpast,pre‐outbreakyears.5709


276

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5710Ourclimatechangevulnerabilityanalysis AppendixF indicatedthatlodgepolepine5711forestsinColoradoaremoderatelyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechangebymid‐5712century.Thevulnerabilityofthishabitattoforestdisturbancesaffectedbyclimate5713conditions mountainpinebeetleandfire andthefactthatitisatthesouthernedgeofits5714distributioninColoradoareprimaryfactorscontributingtothisassessmentresult.5715


Promotelandscapescaleanalysisoflodgepolepineconditionclasstoascertainappropriate5717levelofheterogeneityandresiliency.5718


Limitthefootprintofpermanentdevelopmentwithinlodgepolepineforeststhrough5720educationandconservationeasement.Additionally,provideeducationonthethreatof5721wildfiretocommunitiesandlandowners,alongwithrealistic,outcome‐basedapproaches5722toreducewildfirerisk.Timberharvestingwithinlodgepolepineattheappropriatesites5723andscaleisneededtomaintainpurelodgepolepinestandsforlodgepoleobligatewildlife5724species.Continuingtoincreasestandheterogeneitytoreducelarge,continuousstandsof5725evenagelodgepolewillhelpreduceriskofuncharacteristicwildfireandlargescalepine5726beetleoutbreaksinthefuture.Iftheclimatebecomeswarmeranddrier,stand5727heterogeneitycouldhelpreducetheriskoffireandinsects.Promotingmanagementto5728mimicnaturalrangeofforestdisturbancestoincreasestandheterogeneitymayreduce5729potentialnegativeimpactsfrommanagementintervention5730

Mixed conifer 5731

Threats 5732

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5733Exurbandevelopmentandrecreationalareadevelopmentareathreattomixedconifer5734forestsalongtheFrontRangeandI‐70corridorinmountainareas.5735

4 Transportation Corridors 5736Roadsandutilitycorridorsareasourceofdisturbanceandfragmentationinmixedconifer5737foreststatewide,butthesestandsnaturallyoccurinsmallerpatchesthansomeotherforest5738types,sothreatsarelow.5739

5 Biological Resource Use 5740Anumberoftreespeciesinmixedconiferaresuitablefortimberharvest,sologgingisa5741sourceofdisturbanceintheseforests.Threatsfromlivestockgrazingandhuman5742


277

disturbances e.g.,hunting,recreationalactivities areminimalformixedconiferforests.5743Miningandminetailingsareasmallsourceofdisturbanceinmixedconiferforest.5744

7 Natural System Modifications 5745Inareasadjacenttodevelopment,mixedconiferstandsmaybepartofthewildland‐urban5746interface,wheretheyaremostlikelytobethreatenedbytheeffectsofbyinappropriate5747managementinterventionorfiresuppression.Theabsenceofanaturalfireregimeinthese5748forestshasresultedinincreasedtreedensityandthebuildupofduffandlitter,whichmay5749increasetheseverityoffirewhenitdoesoccur.5750

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5751StandsinthesouthernpartofColoradohavebeenimpactedbythewesternspruce5752budwormanddrought.Budwormoutbreaksarepartofanaturalcycleinmixedconifer5753forest,butmaybeintensifiedbyincreasingdroughtfrequencyandthegenerallyhigher5754temperaturesprojectedincomingdecades.5755

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5756Thediversityofspecieswithinmixedconiferforestmayincreaseitsflexibilityinthefaceof5757climatechange.Changingclimateconditionsarelikelytoaltertherelativedominanceof5758overstoryspecies,overallspeciescompositionandrelativecover,primarilythroughthe5759actionoffire,insectoutbreak,anddrought.Droughtanddisturbancetolerantspecieswill5760befavoredoverdroughtvulnerablespecies.Speciesthatareinfrequentandhaveanarrow5761bioclimaticenvelope e.g.,bluespruce arelikelytodeclineormoveupinelevation.5762Abundantspeciesthathaveawidebioclimaticenvelope e.g.,aspen arelikelytoincrease.5763Outcomesforparticularstandswilldependoncurrentcompositionandlocation.Current5764standsofwarm,drymixedconiferbelow8,500ft.maybeathigherriskormayconvertto5765pureponderosapinestandsasfutureprecipitationscenariosfavorrainratherthansnow.5766Upwardmigrationintonewareasmaybepossible.5767


Promotelandscapescaleanalysisofmixedconiferconditionclasstoascertainappropriate5769levelofheterogeneityandresiliency.Betterdefinitionofmixedconiferandunderstanding5770historicrangeofvariabilityalongwiththeecologicaldriversmayaidintheconservationof5771thishabitattype.5772


Limitthefootprintofpermanentdevelopmentinmixedconiferforeststhrougheducation5774andconservationeasement.Additionally,provideeducationonthethreatofwildfireto5775communitiesandlandowners,alongwithrealistic,outcome‐basedapproachestoreduce5776wildfirerisk.Promotingmanagementactionsthatmimicnaturalrangeofvariationto5777increasestandheterogeneitymayreducepotentialnegativeimpactsfrommanagement5778


278

intervention.Increasinglandscapelevelheterogeneitymayreducesizeandintensityof5779wildfiresordiseaseoutbreaks.5780

Pinyon-Juniper 5781

Threats 5782

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5783Ongoingbutlimitedthreatsfromurban,exurban,andcommercialdevelopmentare5784primarilyinthesouthcentralandsouthwesternportionsofColorado,wheretowns,roads,5785andutilitycorridorsareoftenincloseproximitytopinyon‐juniperwoodlands.Aswith5786otherhabitatsinthewildland‐urbaninterface,areasneardevelopedareasaremostlikely5787tobethreatenedbytheeffectsoffiresuppression,whilemoreremoteareasaregenerally5788ingoodcondition5789

2 Agriculture 5790Livestockgrazinghasdegradedtheunderstorygrassesofsomestands,andinvasive5791cheatgrasshasbecomeestablishedinsomeareas.Treeremovalbychainingisaminor5792sourceofdisturbancewithinthesewoodlands,butdramaticallychangesthehabitatwhere5793ithasoccurred.5794

3 Energy Production & Mining 5795Oilandgasdevelopment,withassociatedroads,pipelinecorridors,andinfrastructure,isan5796ongoingsourceofdisturbanceandfragmentationformostpinyon‐juniperhabitats.5797

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 5798MilitarytrainingactivitiesareasourceofdisturbancetothishabitatatFortCarsonand5799PinyonCanyonManeuverSite.Increasedrecreationaluseofpinyon‐juniperforestsisalso5800ofconcerninareasadjacenttogrowingurbancentersinthesoutheastandsouthwest5801portionsofthestate.Theselowerelevationsoftenremainaccessibleyear‐roundandare5802increasinglyutilizedforhorsebackriding,hiking,ATV’s,bicyclingandotherrecreational5803activitiesthatdegradehabitatanddisturbwildlifeduringvulnerableperiods.5804

7 Natural System Modifications 5805Inareasadjacenttodevelopment,pinyon‐junperstandsmaybepartofthewildland‐urban5806interface,wheretheyaremostlikelytobethreatenedbytheeffectsofbyinappropriate5807managementinterventionorfiresuppression.Inaddition,effortstosecureresidentialand5808commercialdevelopmentsfromthethreatofwildlifeoftenresultintheseverealterationor5809completeremovalofpinyon‐juniperstandswithinthedesignatedwildland‐urbaninterface.5810Theseactivitiesinterruptthenaturalseralprogressionoftheimpactedstandsandmay5811degradetheusefulnessoftheremaininghabitatforwildlife.5812


279

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5813PinyonaresusceptibletothefungalpathogenLeptographiumwagenerivar.wageneri,5814whichcausesblackstainrootdisease,andtoinfestationsofthepinyonipsbarkbeetle Ips5815confusus KearnsandJacobi2005 ,whichhascausedextensivemortalityinpinyon‐5816juniperhabitatsinsouthernColorado.Extendeddroughtcanincreasethefrequencyand5817intensityofbothinsectoutbreaksandwildfire.Somerecentlyburnedpinyon‐juniper5818habitatsdonotappeartoberegenerating e.g.,burnsatMesaVerde ,perhapsduetoalack5819ofsuitableprecipitationconditionsandfewavailableseedsources Floydetal.2000;5820Bargeretal.2009 .5821

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5822Variabledisturbanceandsiteconditionsacrossthedistributionofthisecosystemhave5823resultedinadynamicmosaicofinterconnectedcommunitiesandsuccessionalstages5824acrossthelandscapethatcanbenaturallyresilient.Sincethelastmajorglacialperiod,the5825distributionandrelativeabundanceofpinyonandjuniperhasfluctuateddynamicallywith5826changingclimaticconditions.Warmingconditionsduringthepasttwocenturies,together5827withchangingfireregime,livestockgrazing,andatmosphericpollution,increasedthe5828abilityofthisecosystemtoexpandintoneighboringcommunities,atbothhigherandlower5829elevations Tausch1999 .However,precipitationandtemperaturepatternsareprojected5830tochangeinadirectionthatislessfavorableforpinyon,sothatjunipermaybecomemore5831dominant,andthesehabitatsareunabletopersistorexpandintheircurrentform.58325833Ourclimatechangevulnerabilityanalysis AppendixF indicatedthatpinyon‐juniper5834woodlandsinColoradoaremoderatelyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechangebymid‐5835century.Thevulnerabilityofthishabitattostressorsaffectedbyclimateconditions Ips5836beetle,drought,andfire andwidespreadeffectsonanthropogenicdisturbanceare5837primaryfactorscontributingtothisassessmentresult.5838


Animprovedunderstandingofthepotentialimpactsofclimatechangeandoptionsfor5840adaptationstrategiesisneeded.5841


Lessthan1%ofthePinyon‐JuniperwoodlandsinColoradoaredirectlymanagedby5843ColoradoParks&Wildlife unpublishedCPWGISanalysis .Onthesepropertiesourgoal5844willbetomaintainadiversityofageclasseswithafocusonmaintainingstandsofold5845growth 250years trees.Midandsomelate‐seralstandsmaybethinnedtopush5846successionforward,orremovedtoresetsuccession.Treethinningorremovalmayalsobe5847undertakentoprotectinfrastructureonStateParksorinadjacentcommunities.Inthose5848areaswherepastmanagementactivitiessuchasfiresuppressionhavefacilitatedthe5849establishmentofyoungtreesintosagebrushparks,treatmentsmaybeimplementedto5850removetheencroachingtreesandrestoretheintegrityofthesagebrushcommunity.In5851thosehabitatswhereCPWlacksdirectadministrativeoversight,wewillworkwiththe5852


280

managingagency generallyBLM orprivatelandownertoinsureaproperbalanceofage5853andunderstorycharacteristicsaremaintainedacrossthelandscapeduringthecourseof5854anyhabitattreatmentsthatmaybeplannedorimplemented.5855

Ponderosa Pine 5856

Threats 5857

1 Residential & Commercial Development 5858Urbanandexurbandevelopmentareaprimarythreattoponderosapinehabitat,especially5859alongtheFrontRange,butalsoinotherpartsofthestate.Increasingdevelopmenthasled5860toanextensivewildland‐urbaninterfaceinponderosahabitat Theobald2005 .5861

4 Transportation Corridors 5862Fragmentationofstandsinexurbanareasduetohousing,roads,andutilitycorridorsis5863likelytocontinue.5864

5 Biological Resource Use 5865Woodharvestactivitiesareaminorsourceofdisturbanceinthishabitattype,but5866extensivesalvageloggingandthinningmayhavelocalimpacts.5867

7 Natural System Modifications 5868Ponderosaforestandwoodlandhistoricallyexperiencedrelativelyfrequentlowintensity5869firesthatcontrolledthedensity,age,andstructureofstands.Withfiresuppression,5870ponderosahasincreasedintofoothillsgrassland,standshavegreatlyincreasedindensity,5871andopenponderosasavannahabitathasdecreased.Increasedtreedensityandfuel5872accumulationhasresultedinmoreseverefiresinthishabitat,aswellasincreased5873occurrenceofmountainpinebeetleanddwarfmistletoeinfestation.Thealterationof5874naturalfireregimesthroughfiresuppressionisanongoingthreatforponderosahabitat5875whereitisneardevelopedareas.5876

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5877Mountainpinebeetlehascausedextensivemortalityinponderosapinehabitats5878throughoutColorado,althoughthecurrentoutbreakappearstobesubsiding.Impactsof5879nativegrazersordomesticlivestock,andthespreadofinvasivegrassescouldalsoalter5880understorystructureandcomposition,withthepotentialtonegativelyimpactsoilstability5881Allenetal.2002 .5882

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5883Climatechangemayalterfireregimesslightlybyaffectingthecommunitystructure,5884however,fireisnotaprimarythreatforthepersistenceofthishabitat,andmayactuallybe5885beneficialinsomeareasifitrestoressomepre‐settlementconditions Covingtonand5886


281

Moore1994 .Aprojectedincreaseinthefrequencyofdroughtconditionsislikelyto5887exacerbatebothfireandinsectoutbreaks,andchangethestructureandcompositionof5888ponderosahabitats.58895890Ourclimatechangevulnerabilityanalysis AppendixF indicatedthatponderosapine5891forestsandwoodlandsinColoradoaremoderatelyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimate5892changebymid‐century.Theexposureofthishabitattowarmertemperaturesthatinteract5893withstressors mountainpinebeetle,drought,andfire istheprimaryfactorcontributing5894tothisassessmentresult.5895


Promotelandscapescaleanalysisofponderosapineconditionclasstoascertain5897appropriatelevelofheterogeneityandresiliency.5898


Limitthefootprintofpermanentdevelopmentinponderosapineforeststhrougheducation5900andconservationeasement.Additionally,provideeducationonthethreatofwildfireto5901communitiesandlandowners,alongwithrealistic,outcome‐basedapproachestoreduce5902wildfirerisk.Promotingmanagementtomimicnaturalrangeofvariationofforest5903disturbancestoincreasestandheterogeneitymayreducepotentialnegativeimpactsfrom5904managementintervention.Increasinglandscapelevelheterogeneitymayreducesizeand5905intensityofwildfires.Promotingtheuseoflowandmixedseverityprescribedfirewill5906increasethepaceandefficiencyofforestrestoration.Increasingtheleveloffundingfor5907managementactivitiesonbothprivateandpubliclandwillincreasethescaleofforest5908restorationinthisforesttype.5909

Spruce-fir 5910

Threats 5911

5 Biological Resource Use 5912Timberharvestinspruce‐firforestshasdeclinedsignificantlysincethelate19thcentury,5913butisanongoingdisturbance.Woodharvestactivitiesareaminorsourceofdisturbancein5914thishabitattype,butextensivesalvageloggingandthinningmayhavelocalimpacts.5915

7 Natural System Modifications 5916Historicnaturalfire‐returnintervalsintheseforestshavebeenontheorderofseveral5917hundredyears,andthetreespeciesarenotadaptedtomorefrequentfires.Because5918naturalfirereturnintervalsinthesehabitatsarelong,firesuppressionhasnothad5919widespreadeffectsontheconditionofspruce‐firhabitat.Atalandscapescale,however,5920


282

agestructuresofspruce‐firforestareprobablysomewhatalteredfrompre‐settlement5921conditions.5922

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5923Theseforestsaregenerallynotsusceptibletoincreasedprevalenceofinvasivespecies,but5924arehighlyvulnerabletooutbreaksofthenativepestspecies,sprucebudwormandspruce5925beetle,whichhavecausedextensivetreemortalityinsouthwesternColorado.Insectand5926diseaseoutbreaksaretypicallyassociatedwithdroughts.5927

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5928Climatechangeprojectionsindicateanincreaseindroughtsandfastersnowmelt,which5929couldincreaseforestfirefrequencyandextentwithinthishabitat.Itisnotknownif5930spruce‐firforestswillbeabletoregenerateundersuchconditions,especiallyinlower5931elevationstands,andthereisapotentialforareductionorconversiontootherforesttypes,5932dependingonlocalsiteconditions.Thelagtimeofthecurrenttreelinepositionbehind5933climatechangeisestimatedtobe50‐100 years,duetotherarityofrecruitmentevents,5934theslowgrowthandfrequentsetbacksfortreesintheecotone,andcompetitionwith5935alreadyestablishedalpinevegetation Körner2012 .However,onthebasisofhistoric5936evidence,treelinecanbeexpectedtomigratetohigherelevationsastemperatureswarm,5937aspermittedbylocalmicrositeconditions Smithetal.2003;RichardsonandFriedland59382009;Grafiusetal.2012 .Thegradualadvanceoftreelineisalsolikelytodependon5939precipitationpatterns,particularlythebalanceofsnowaccumulationandsnowmelt5940Rochefortetal.1994 .59415942Ourclimatechangevulnerabilityanalysis AppendixF indicatedthatspruce‐firforestsin5943Coloradoaremoderatelyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechangebymid‐century.The5944restrictionofthishabitattohigherelevationsanditsrelativelynarrowbiophysical5945envelope,slow‐growth,andpositionnearthesouthernendofitsdistributioninColorado5946areprimaryfactorscontributingtothisassessmentresult.5947


Promotelandscapescaleanalysisofspruce‐firconditionclasstoascertainappropriate5949levelofheterogeneityandresiliency.Betterunderstandinghistoricrangeofvariabilityand5950theecologicaldriversmayaidintheconservationofthishabitattype.5951


Limitthefootprintofpermanentdevelopmentinspruce‐firforeststhrougheducationand5953conservationeasement.Additionally,provideeducationonthethreatofwildfireto5954communitiesandlandowners,alongwithrealistic,outcome‐basedapproachestoreduce5955wildfirerisk.5956Promotingmanagementthatmimicsthenaturalrangeofforestdisturbancestoincrease5957standheterogeneitymayreducepotentialnegativeimpactsfrommanagement5958


283

intervention.Increasinglandscapelevelheterogeneitymayreducesizeandintensityof5959wildfiresanddiseaseoutbreaks.5960

Subalpine Limber & Bristlecone 5961

Threats 5962

Thescopeandseverityofmostpotentialthreatstosubalpinelimberandbristleconepine5963forestsarenotwellknown.Minorimpactsarelikelyfromrecreationalareadevelopment,5964roads,mining,andlivestockgrazing,whicharesourcesofdisturbance,fragmentation,and5965havethepotentialtoalterstructureandconditionofsomestands.5966

7 Natural System Modifications 5967Limberandbristleconepinesarelong‐livedandslowgrowing,andareabletogrowon5968cold,nutrient‐pooracidicsites Johnson2001;Fryer2004 .Thepoorsoilsofthishabitat5969generallymeanthatfuelloadsaremuchlessthanforsomeotherforesttypes.Subalpine5970limberandbristleconehabitathavehistoricallyexperiencedarangeoffireregimes,from5971stand‐replacingfiresoccurringatintervalsof300 yearstomorefrequentlow‐intensity5972surfacefiresatlowerelevations.Bothspeciesregenerateonareasthathaveburnedwithin5973thepastfewdecades Baker1992 .Manystandsmaystillbewithinthehistoricrangeof5974variationforfireregime,althoughfiresuppressionmayaffectregenerationratesinsome5975places.5976

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 5977Five‐needlepines,includinglimberandbristlecone,arethreatenedbywhitepineblister5978rust WPBR infectioncausedbytheintroducedfungusCronartiumribicola.Initially5979detectedinColoradoinnorthernLarimerCounty,thediseaseappearstohaveslowly5980spreadsouthwardinthestate,primarilyaffectinglimberpine,butalsooccurringon5981bristleconepine.BecauseinfectionsofWPBRseriouslythreatentheseslow‐growingand5982long‐livedtreespecies,thediseasehasthepotentialtopermanentlyalterthecomposition5983offorestecosystemsinthearea Schoettle2004 .Thefive‐needlepinetreesarealso5984vulnerabletooutbreaksofthemountainpinebeetle Dendroctonusponderosae ,although5985mortalityhasbeenlimitedincomparisonwithotherconifertypes Gibsonetal.2008 .5986

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 5987LimberandbristleconepinehabitatsarelimitedindistributioninColorado,andalthough5988theselong‐livedspecieshavesurvivedpastclimatechange,theirslowrecruitmentand5989growthmayincreasetheirvulnerabilitytorapidclimaticchange,especiallyiffuture5990conditionsenhancethespreadofWPBR.5991


284


Promotelandscapescaleanalysisoffiveneedlepinesconditionclasstoascertain5993appropriatelevelofheterogeneityandresiliency.Betterunderstandinghistoricrangeof5994variabilityandtheecologicaldriversmayaidintheconservationofthishabitattype.5995


Promoteresearchonfiveneedlepinesystemstounderstandthebasicecologicaldrivers5997suchasdiseaseandfire.Monitordiseaseoutbreaksastheyoccurtogainabetter5998understandingofscaleandmortalitylevel.Educationonthebasicecologyofthissystem5999andwildlifespeciespotentiallyimpactedbynaturaldiseaseoutbreaksisneeded.6000

SHRUBLANDS 6001

Desert shrub 6002

Threats 6003

ThemajorityofdesertshrubhabitatsinColoradooccurinthelowelevation,west‐central6004valleysalongtheColorado,Gunnison,Uncompahgre,RioGrandeandDoloresRivers.In6005general,theseplantcommunitiesaresomeofthemostvulnerableinColorado.Mancos6006shaleformationsdominatethesevalleyfloorsandtheyproducefinetextured/highly6007alkalinesoilsthatareinhospitabletomostplants.Thenativespeciesthatdooccurinthese6008areasmustbehighlyadaptedtosurvivehighsummertemperatures,highpHandlow6009precipitation.Naturaldisturbance primarilyfire inthesecommunitieswasbelievedrare,6010withnopredictablefireregimeduetodiscontinuousfuels LANDFIRE2007 .Becauseof6011itshistoricstability,thisplantcommunityrespondspoorlytoanysoildisturbingactivity6012andpasteffortstoreclaimorrestorehabitatinthedesertshrubcommunityhaveoften6013failed BlaisdellandHolmgren1984 .Generallackofnativecompetitionandslow6014communityresponsetodisturbancehasmadedesertshrublandshighlyvulnerabletonon‐6015nativeweedinfestationsthatoftenfollowdisturbance.6016

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6017Threatstodesertshrublandsfromexurbanorrecreationalareadevelopmentcontinueata6018moderatelevel.6019

2 Agriculture 6020Althoughconversiontoagricultureisalimitedongoingthreat,livestockgrazingisan6021ongoingsourceofdisturbancethataltersthespeciescompositionofthishabitatstatewide.6022


285

3 Energy Production & Mining 6023Oilandgasexplorationandproductionposesalimitedthreattothedesertshrub6024community,particularlythoseintheNWandWest‐CentralValley’s.IntheSanLuisValley,6025concentratedsolarenergydevelopmentisalocalsourceofhabitatdisturbance.6026Unfortunately,manyofthehabitatsexperiencingenergyrelatedimpactsnowarealready6027highlydegradedandthebiggestthreatmaybethefurtherspreadofnoxiousweeds.6028

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 6029Roadsandutilitycorridors,includingthoseassociatedwithsolarenergydevelopmentin6030theSanLuisValleyareanongoingsourceofdisturbance,andcanfacilitatethespreadof6031invasiveplantspecies,whichhavebecomeestablishedinsomeareas.6032

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6033PerhapsthesinglegreatestthreattodesertshrubhabitatsinColoradoareinvasiveweeds.6034Historicovergrazingopenedthesehabitatstoanumberofnon‐nativeannualssuchas6035cheatgrass,annualwheatgrass,halogetonandRussianthistle.Overtimetheseplantshave6036cometodominatelargeareasandaredifficult,ifnotimpossibletoeradicate.Inmany6037cases,livestockgrazinganddestructiverecreationalpractices e.g.,ATVs arespreading6038theseweedsandsuppressingrecoveryofthenativespecies.6039

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6040Climatechangecouldprovedevastatingtothishabitattype.Ifapredictedwarmer/drier6041climateshiftdoesoccur,itisbelievedthatmostvegetationcommunitiesinColoradowill6042transitiontohigherelevationsand/orlatitudestocompensate.However,manyplants6043livinginthesaltdesertshrubcommunityhaveevolvedovereonstothriveinsoilsfound6044onlyinlowelevationrivervalleys.Itisquestionablewhethermanyofthesespeciescould6045makeanabrupttransitiontothemoresandy/neutralphsoilsthatdominatemuchofthe6046nextelevationgradient.Highertemperaturesandprolongeddroughtcouldsimplyturn6047thesecommunitiesintoexoticgrasslands.6048


Animprovedunderstandingofthepotentialimpactsfromclimatechangeisneeded.6050


ColoradoParks&Wildlifeispresentlyexperimentingwithpotentialrestorationtechniques6052ontheEscalanteStateWildlifeAreawestofDelta.Acombinationofaerialherbicide6053applicationandreseedingwillbetestedasawaytoremoveweedcompetitionandrestore6054nativesaltdesertshrubcommunities.Ifthesetechniquesprovesuccessful,acollaboration6055willbeformedwiththeBLMandlocallandownersthatwillimplementlandscapelevel6056restorationacrossbroadgeographicareas.6057


286

Greasewood 6058

Threats 6059

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6060Threatstothepersistenceoflarge,intactgreasewoodshrublandsfromexurbanor6061recreationalareadevelopmentcontinuesatamoderatelevel,primarilyintheSanLuis6062Valley.6063

2 Agriculture 6064Althoughconversiontoagricultureisalimitedongoingthreat,agriculturalactivityhas6065primarilyanindirecteffectongreasewoodhabitatintheSanLuisValley,since6066groundwaterpumpingforcropsisaseriousthreattothehighwatertablethatmaintains6067thesesalineshrublands.Runoffoffertilizerandpesticidefromadjacentagriculturalareas6068isalsoapotentialthreat.Althoughgreasewoodisbothunpalatableandpoisonoustomost6069ungulatesandhighlytolerandofheavylivestockuse,livestockgrazingisanongoingsource6070ofdisturbancethatalterstheunderstoryspeciescompositionofthishabitatstatewide.6071

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6072Overall,greasewoodisoneofthemostresilientshrubsfoundinColorado.Thisspecies6073sproutsreadilyfromtherootandhasaremarkabletolerancetohighwatertablesand6074salinesoils.Unfortunately,thegrass/forbcommunitygenerallyassociatedwith6075greasewoodhasprovenlessresilienttohumanimpacts.Atthispointintime,the6076understoryinmanygreasewoodcommunitiesconsistsofeithernon‐nativegrassesthat6077cantolerateheavygrazingorannualweedssuchascheatgrassandRussianthistle.6078


Improvedunderstandingofgroundwaterdepthneededtomaintaingreasewoodisa6080primaryresearchneed.6081


ColoradoParks&Wildlifeisnotplanninganyconservationactionsspecifictoincreasing6083thedistributionofgreasewood.However,plantcommunitiesassociatedwithgreasewood6084shrublandswillbepartofamoregeneralsaltdesertshrubrestorationeffortasdescribed6085above.Thedevelopmentofweedmanagementplansmaybeusefulinsomeareas.6086


287

Oak & Mixed Mtn Shrub 6087

Threats 6088

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6089Ongoingbutlimitedthreatsfromurban,exurban,commercial,andenergydevelopmentare6090primarilyinthesouthernandwesternportionsofColorado,wheretownsandwellfields6091areoftenincloseproximitytooakshrublands.Mixedmountainshrublandsaresomewhat6092lessimpactedbydevelopments,primarilythoseassociatedwithrecreationareasor6093exurbanhousing.6094

2 Agriculture 6095Livestockgrazinghasdegradedtheunderstorygrasscommunityofsomeoakstands,and6096invasivecheatgrassandknapweedhavebecomeestablishedinsomeareas.Mixed6097mountainshrublandsarelessimpactedbyinvasives.6098

4 Transportation Corridors 6099Ongoingbutlimitedthreatsfromtooakshrublandsroadsandutilitycorridorsassociated6100withurban,exurban,commercial,andenergydevelopmentareprimarilyinthesouthern6101andwesternportionsofColorado.Mixedmountainshrublandsaresomewhatless6102impactedbyroads,primarilythoseassociatedwithrecreationareasorexurbanhousing.6103

7 Natural System Modifications 6104Fireisasourceofdisturbanceintheseshrublands,andtheyarehighlyfiretolerant.As6105withotherhabitatsinthewildland‐urbaninterface,areasneardevelopedareasaremost6106likelytobethreatenedbytheeffectsoffiresuppression,whilemoreremoteareasare6107generallyingoodcondition.Gambeloakreproducesprimarilybysproutingofnewstems,6108especiallyafterdisturbancessuchaslogging,fire,andgrazing,althoughrecruitmentfrom6109seedlingsdoesoccur Brown1958;Harperetal.1985 .6110

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6111OakandmixedmountainshrublandsarewidespreadinwesternColorado,andhavea6112relativelywideecologicalamplitude.Projectedwarmingtemperaturesarelikelytofavor6113oakgrowthandpersistence,althoughdroughtsandlatefrostsmayaffectthefrequencyof6114establishmentthroughseedlingrecruitmentbyreducingtheacorncropinsomeyears.In6115general,standsofthesedeciduousshrublandsarethoughttonotbevulnerabletoclimate6116change.6117


Animprovedunderstandingofsomecomponentshrubspecies’ e.g.,Purshiatridentata,6119Quercusgambelii responsetodroughtisneeded.6120


288


Maintenanceofappropriatepatchsizeandmosaicistheprimaryconservationaction6122needed.6123

Sagebrush 6124

Threats 6125

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6126Threatstosagebrushshrublandsfromexurbanorrecreationalareadevelopmentcontinues6127atamoderatelevel.Huntingandrecreationalareminorsourcesofdisturbanceinthis6128habitat.6129

2 Agriculture 6130Chemicalandothermechanicalshrubremovalforforagegrassproduction,andtoalesser6131extentconversiontotilledcrops,isasubstantialthreatinwesternColorado.Conversionof6132nativesagebrushhabitatstointroducedforageplantspeciescontinuestooccuratlow6133levels.Grazingbylargeungulates bothwildlifeanddomesticlivestock canchangethe6134structureandnutrientcyclingofsagebrushshrublands ManierandHobbs2007 ,butthe6135interactionofgrazingwithotherdisturbancessuchasfireandinvasivespeciesunder6136changingclimaticconditionsappearscomplex e.g.,Daviesetal.2009 andnotwellstudied6137inColorado.6138

3 Energy Production & Mining 6139Largecoalminingoperationsthatcompletelyremovethishabitatpriortoreclamation6140activityareanongoingthreattotheconnectivityandqualityoftheseshrublands.Oiland6141gasdevelopment,withassociatedroads,pipelinecorridors,andinfrastructureisanother6142ongoingsourceofanthropogenicdisturbance,fragmentation,andlossinthishabitatin6143northwesternColorado.6144

4 Transportation Corridors 6145Roadsandutilitycorridorsassociatedwithenergyandexurbandevelopmentareasource6146ofhabitatfragmentationfortheseshrublands.6147

7 Natural System Modifications 6148Firesuppressionandlong‐termheavygrazingbydomesticlivestockmayhavecontributed6149tothelossofnativeforbsandgrasses,andincreasedgrowthofwoodyspeciessuchas6150juniperinsomesagebrushhabitats.6151


289

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6152Otherstressorsforsagebrushshrublandsareinvasionbycheatgrassandexpansionof6153pinyon‐juniperwoodlands.Warmer,driersites typicallyfoundatlowerelevations are6154moreeasilyinvadedbycheatgrass Chambersetal.2007 .Thereisamoderatepotential6155forinvasionbyhalogeton,knapweedspecies,oxeyedaisy,leafyspurge,andyellowtoadflax6156underchangingclimaticconditions,andapotentialforchangingfiredynamicstoaffectthe6157ecosystem.Althoughsagebrushtoleratesdryconditionsandfairlycooltemperaturesitis6158notfireadapted,andislikelytobeseverelyimpactedbyintensefiresthatenhancewind6159erosionandeliminatetheseedbank Schlaepferetal.2014 .Increasedfirefrequencyand6160severityintheseshrublandscouldoccurunderfutureclimateconditions,potentially6161increasingareadominatedbyexoticgrasses,especiallycheatgrass D’AntonioandVitousek61621992;ShinnemanandBaker2009 .6163

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6164Becausetheseareshrublandsoflowerelevations,theyarenotexpectedtobelimitedbya6165requirementforcooler,highelevationhabitat.Bradley 2010 pointsoutthatsagebrush6166shrublandsinthewesternU.S.arecurrentlyfoundacrossawidelatitudinalgradient from6167about35to48degreesnorthlatitude ,whichsuggestsadaptationtoacorrespondingly6168widerangeoftemperatureconditions.However,becausetheseshrublandsareapparently6169abletodominateazoneofprecipitationbetweendriersaltbushshrublandsandhigher,6170somewhatmoremesicpinyon‐juniperwoodland,thedistributionofsagebrushshrublands6171islikelytobeaffectedbychangesinprecipitationpatterns Bradley2010 .Although6172sagebrushisgenerallyapoorseeder,withsmalldispersaldistances,therearenoapparent6173barrierstodispersalfortheseshrublands.Thesestandsmayalsobesomewhatvulnerable6174tochangesinphenology.6175


Informationneededincludesimprovedunderstandingof:naturalsagebrushcommunities6177successionandclimaxstates;long‐termeffectsofpastmanagementactions;reliable6178managementtechniquestocombatnon‐nativeplantspeciesinvasion.CompletionofNRCS6179EcologicalSiteDescriptionswithaccompanyingstateandtransitionmodelswouldbe6180beneficialtosagebrushmanagementinColorado.6181


CPWhashistoricallyplacedgreatemphasison,anddevotedconsiderableresources6183toward,protectingandenhancingsagebrushcommunities.CPWispresentlyimplementing6184approximately5,000acresofsagebrushenhancementorrestorationworkannually.6185Similarorincreasedrestorationeffortwilllikelyberequiredoverthenext10yearsto6186bufferprojectedsagebrushhabitatloss.CPWwillalsocontinueprotectionactivities6187throughourWildlifeHabitatProtectionProgram,whichoverthelastfewyearshas6188preservedtensofthousandsofacresofsagebrushhabitatthroughfeetitleacquisitionsand6189conservationeasements.Manysagebrushdependentspeciesrequirelargetractsof6190contiguoussagebrushhabitattosustainviablepopulations.Onanannualbasis,the6191


290

quantityofhighqualitysagebrushhabitatonprivatelandsofferedtoCPWthroughthe6192WildlifeHabitatIncentiveProgramfarexceedsprogramfundingavailability.Targeted6193expansionoftheseprotectioneffortswouldprotectlargeunbrokentractsofsagebrush6194habitatinperpetuity.6195

Saltbush 6196

Threats 6197

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6198Saltbushshrublandshavelimitedbutongoingthreatofconversiontourbanand6199commercialdevelopmentthatcanincreasehabitatfragmentation.6200

2 Agriculture 6201Saltbushshrublandshavelimitedbutongoingthreatofconversiontocroplands.Manyof6202thedominantshrubsarepalatabletodomesticlivestock,sograzingcanalterspecies6203composition.6204

3 Energy Production & Mining 6205Oilandgasdevelopment,withassociatedroads,pipelinecorridors,andinfrastructureis6206theprimaryongoingsourceofanthropogenicdisturbance,fragmentation,andlossinthis6207habitat.6208

7 Natural System Modifications 6209Wheresubstratesareshallowfine‐texturedsoilsdevelopedfromshaleoralluviumthe6210naturallysparseplantcovermakestheseshrublandsespeciallyvulnerabletowaterand6211winderosion,especiallyifvegetationhasbeendepletedbygrazing,anthropogenic6212disturbances,orfire.Historically,saltbushshrublandshadlowfirefrequency Simonin62132001 ,andarecharacterizedbylowfuelmassandlowsoilmoisture,whichtendsto6214mitigatefireimpacts Allenetal.2011 .Manyofthedominantshrubsarepalatableto6215domesticlivestock,sograzingcanalterspeciescompositionaswellasincreasingerosion6216potential.6217


Nohighpriorityresearchneedshavebeenidentifiedforthishabitat.6219


Thehighestprioritiesforsaltbushhabitatsareimprovedgrazingmanagement,controlof6221invasiveweeds,andimplementationofBestManagementPracticesforenergy6222development.6223


291

Sandsage 6224

Threats 6225

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6226Sandsageshrublandshavelimitedbutongoingthreatofconversiontourban/exurbanand6227commercialdevelopment.6228

2 Agriculture 6229Thegreatestthreatinsandsagesystemsismis‐managedgrazingthathasalteredthegrass6230andforbcommunitystructureunderthesandsageinthishabitattype.Thishabitattypeis6231importantformanyeasternColoradograsslandbirds,andinmuchofthestateishighly6232degradedfromhistoricclimaxplantcommunitiesresultinglargelyfromuniformand6233intenselivestockgrazingovermuchofeasternColorado.InnortheastColorado,thereis6234evidenceofdeclininganddegradedcomponentoftheimportantgrassesandforbs6235associatedwithsandsagedue,inmanycases,tohistoricmis‐managedgrazingfollowedby6236alongperiodofnograzingexacerbatingthehabitatissues.Undera“no‐use”situation,6237mostcommonlyobservedonpubliclandsandsmallerparcelsofpropertyownedfor6238recreationproperties i.e.,duckclubs ratherthanasagriculturalworkinglands,this6239habitattypetendstodegradetoanexcessivelitter,lowproductivitystatewithfewnative6240perennialgrasses;thesystemwillthentendtobedominatedbyannuals,ofteninvasive6241annualssuchascheatgrass.Mis‐manageddomesticlivestockgrazingtendstofavorthe6242increaseofsandsageoverassociatednativegrasses.Long‐termcontinuousgrazingof6243domesticlivestockhasmadeasignificantcontributiontothealterationoftheseshrubland6244habitatsfromtheirpre‐settlementcondition,andthistrendislikelytocontinue.Fire6245suppressionmayalsocontributetoanincreaseinshrubdensityinthishabitat,although6246sandsagequicklyresproutsafterburning.Sandsageshrublandshavelimitedbutongoing6247threatofconversiontorowcropagriculture.6248

3 Energy Production & Mining 6249Oilandgasdevelopmentandwindfarms,alongwithassociatedroads,utilitycorridors,and6250infrastructure,areprimaryongoingsourcesofanthropogenicdisturbance,fragmentation,6251andlossinthishabitat.6252

7 Natural System Modifications 6253Firesuppressionandlong‐termheavygrazingbydomesticlivestockmayhavecontributed6254toalossofnativeforbsandgrasses,andincreasedgrowthofwoodyspeciesinsome6255sandsagehabitats.Cheatgrassencroachmentisalsoanongoingandincreasingthreatin6256thishabitattype,especiallyinnortheasternColorado.6257


292

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6258Sandsageitselfisresilienttodrought,however,extremedroughtincombinationwith6259managementactionsthatremovevegetationandlittercouldmobilizesandysubstratesof6260thishabitat,convertingthemtodunes.6261


Thereisasignificantneedtounderstandhowtocontroloreliminatecheatgrassand6263recoverthenativemidandtallgrassesthatwerepresentinhistoricclimaxplantcondition6264inthishabitattypebutarecurrentlylacking.Thecomponentsareveryimportantformany6265species,andaredegradedacrosseasternColorado,mostseverelyinsoutheastColorado.In6266manycases,thehistoricclimaxplantcommunityisnotevenstillpresentataremantlevel6267torespondtomanagement,andtheunderstoryiscomposedofnativeshortgrassspecies6268existingonthesesoilsasdisclimaxthatposesignificantmanagementchallengestoimprove6269habitatandrecoverthissystembacktohistoricclimaxplantconditionforwildlifespecies6270ofconcern,suchaslesserprairie‐chickens.6271


Improvingandimplementinggrazingsystemsthatwillreturnthesesystemstohistoric6273climaxplantcommunities HCPC areneeded.Forthesesystemstoprovidewildlife6274habitat,theyneedtocontainadiversityofvegetationheightandcondition,withadiverse6275suiteofgrasses,forbs,andlegumesinterspersedwiththesandsage.Mostofthishabitat6276typeinsoutheastColoradoisinastateofheavilyuniformutilizationandinhighly6277degradedcondition.ThishabitattypeinnortheasternColoradoinmuchbettercondition6278andgenerallymanagedbetterwithremantHCPCspeciesstillpresent,andtheoreticallyare6279easiertoreturntoHCPCunderimprovedmanagement.Landprotectionstrategies e.g.,6280conservationeasements canhelpavertconversionofsansagefromurbandevelopment,6281agriculture,andenergydevelopment.6282

Upland shrub 6283

Threats 6284


Ongoingthreatsfromsuburbanorexurbandevelopment,roads,orrecreational6286infrastructureareprimarilyconcentratedinstandsintheFrontRange,andareasourceof6287fragmentation,disturbance,andhabitatloss.6288

2 Agriculture and 8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6289Theseshrublandsaresusceptibletoover‐browsingbymis‐managedandlocallyover‐6290abundantpopulationsofnativeherbivores.Grazing/browsingdisturbancefromover‐use6291


293

bynativeherbivoresordomesticlivestockcanalterspeciescomposition,soilcompaction,6292nutrientlevels,andvegetationstructureinthishabitat.Heavyconcentrationsofdomestic6293livestockorlocallyoverabundantorresidentnativecervidsmayhavesignificantimpacts6294onshrubgrowthandreproduction.Inareaswithmigratoryherds,thisthreatcanbe6295compoundedbywinterusebyconcentratedpopulationsofnativeungulates.Increasing6296small‐acreageexurbandevelopmentwithlivestock “ranchettes” appearstobeincreasing6297theincidenceofweedyexoticspeciessuchascheatgrass Bromustectorum andleafy6298spurge Euphorbiaesula inthesehabitats.6299

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 6300Huntingandassociatedvehiclenoiseoroff‐roaduseisasourceofdisturbanceinthese6301habitats.6302

7 Natural System Modifications 6303Fireisanaturallyoccurring,highlyvariablenaturaldisturbanceinthishabitat,and6304responsetofireisvariablebetweenshrubspecies.Manyofthecharacteristicshrub6305speciesarequicktoresproutafterafire.Firesuppressionhasallowedtreeinvasionin6306someareas,orthedevelopmentofdensestandsoutsidetherangeofnaturalhistoric6307variation.Thesedensecommunitiesdominatedbyold,decadentshrubswithsubstantial6308amountsofstandingdeadorganicmatteraresusceptibletomoreintensefireandslower6309recovery.Ecotonalareasbetweengrasslandandponderosaorjunipersavannamaybe6310especiallyvulnerabletosuccessionalchanges.6311

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6312Changesinpatternsofgrazingdisturbancefromover‐usebynativeherbivoresordomestic6313livestockhavethepotentialtoalterenvironmentalfactorssuchasspeciescomposition,soil6314compaction,nutrientlevels,andvegetationstructure.Heavyconcentrationsofdomestic6315livestockcanhavesignificantimpactsonshrubgrowthandreprodution.Theseeffectsmay6316becompoundedbywinterusebylargepopulationsofnativeungulates.Over‐utilizationby6317domesticlivestockandlocallyoverabundantnativecervids,canleadtoadeclineinvigor,6318overbrowsing,andareductionofthemostpalatablespeciesinthishabitattype.6319

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6320Projectedwarmingtemperaturesbymid‐centurymayaltertherelativespecies6321compositionoftheseshrublands,butlittleisknownaboutthepotentialresponseof6322componentspeciestochangingclimate.6323


Improvedunderstandingoffirerecovery,effectsofweedsonfireregime,regeneration6325requirementsformountainmahogany Cercocarpusmontanus ,andrelationship s 6326amongdifferentgrazingregimesindifferentsoiltypesandweedinvasionisneeded.Little6327isknownaboutthepotentialeffectsofprojectedwarmingconditionsonthespeciesthat6328dominatetheseshrublands.6329


294


Primaryconservationneedsaremaintenanceofappropriatepatchsizeandmosaic,control6331ofweeds,andimprovedgrazingmanagement.6332

GRASSLANDS 6333

Foothill and Mountain Grasslands 6334

Threats 6335

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6336Nativegrasslandhabitatcanbelostorfragmentedbysuburbanandexurbandevelopment.6337Higherelevationgrasslandsonrelativelyflatsitesareofteninprivateownership,andare6338oftenliabletosubdivisionforresidentialdevelopment.TheextensivegrasslandsofSouth6339Park,inparticular,arethreatenedbythesubdivisionoflargeproperties.Recreationaluse6340publicopenspaceuseinlowerelevations;off‐roadvehicleandATVuse,hunters,packers,6341andsnowmobilersinhigherelevations isanongoingsourceofdisturbanceinthishabitat.6342

2 Agriculture 6343Historically,soildisturbanceinthishabitatwaslargelytheresultofoccasional6344concentrationsoflargenativeherbivores,orthediggingactionoffossorialmammals.6345Domesticlivestockranchinghaschangedthetimingandintensityofgrazingdisturbance6346fromthatofnativeherbivores,andgenerallyhasalteredspeciescomposition,soil6347compaction,nutrientlevels,andvegetationstructure.Incombinationwithgrazingof6348domesticlivestock,various“rangeimprovement”activities e.g.,seeding,rodentcontrol,6349herbicideapplication havethepotentialtoalternaturalecosystemprocessesandspecies6350composition.Increasingsmall‐acreageexurbandevelopmentwithlivestock “ranchettes” 6351appearstobeincreasingtheincidenceofweedyexoticspeciesinthesehabitats.Exotics6352includeLinariadalmatica,Centaureaspp.,Bromusinermis,B.tectorum,Melilotus6353officinalis,andothers.Thecurrentrateofconversionoflowerelevationnativegrassland6354tocroplandislow,butremainsathreatforsomelimitedareas.6355

4 Transportation Corridors 6356Nativegrasslandhabitatcanalsobelostorfragmentedbysuburbanandexurban6357development,andtransportationorutilityinfrastructuredevelopment.Theextensive6358grasslandsofSouthPark,inparticular,arethreatenedbythedevelopmentof6359transportationcorridors.6360


295

7 Natural System Modifications 6361Fire,bothaboriginalandlightning‐caused,wasaregulardisturbanceinthesegrassland6362habitats.Fire‐returnintervalshavebeenconsiderablylengthenedsincesettlementby6363European‐Americans,andsuppressionhasallowedtheinvasionofwoodyspecies,6364especiallyincombinationwithheavygrazing Mastetal.1997,1998 .Although6365woodlandsandsavannasareexpectedtooccurnaturallyonthelandscape,alterationoffire6366intensityandfrequency,grazing,andchangesinclimatehasresultedinvariousdensitiesof6367youngertreesoccurringonsitesthatwereonceshrublandsorgrasslands West1999 .6368Ecotonalareasbetweengrasslandandponderosaorjunipersavannamaybeespecially6369vulnerabletosuccessionalchanges.6370

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6371Seedingwithnon‐nativepasturegrassesandinvasionbyexoticforbshasalteredspecies6372compositioninthesegrasslandhabitats,andwillcontinuetodoso.6373

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6374Climateprojectionsformid‐centuryindicatethatfoothillandmountaingrasslandsof6375Coloradowillexperiencesignificanttemperatureincreases.Vulnerabilityofthesehabitats6376toclimatechangeisgreateratelevationsbelow7,500feet.Thehighlydisturbedcondition6377ofmostoccurrences,especiallyatlowerelevations,andthevulnerabilityoftheseareasto6378invasivespeciesarelikelytointeractwiththerisingtemperatureacrossmuchofthe6379distributionofthehabitatinColoradotoreduceresilienceofthesehabitats.6380


Animprovedunderstandingofthepotentialimpactsofclimatechangeisneeded.6382


Actionswilldependuponwhichspecificthreatsareimpactingasiteandmustbeplanned6384onasitespecificbasis.Excessiveoff‐roadusewillrequiresignificantlydifferent6385conservationandmanagementactionsthanwillimplementingagrazingplantoimprove6386grasslandhabitatbyalteringtiming,duration,andintensityoflivestockproductionon6387privategrasslandstoaddresschangesinplantheight,densityandcomposition.6388

Mixed & Tallgrass prairie 6389

Threats 6390

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6391Thesegrasslandhabitatscanbefragmentedbyurban,suburbanandexurbandevelopment,6392andassociatedinfrastructuredevelopment.6393


296

2 Agriculture 6394Grazingbydomesticlivestock,whichdiffersintimingandintensityfromgrazingbynative6395herbivores,isanongoingthreatthataltersspeciescomposition,soilcompaction,nutrient6396levels,andvegetationstructure.Someareasmaybevulnerabletorunoffordriftof6397agriculturalfertilizerandpesticides.Invasivespeciesaremostprevalentnearareas6398disturbedbycultivation.Thecurrentrateofconversionofmixed‐grasshabitattocropland6399hasbeencomparativelylow,butremainsathreatforsomelimitedareasinnortheastern6400Colorado.RecentlegislativereductionsofConservationReserveProgramacreage,together6401withimprovedpricesforcultivatedcrops,haveincreasedthelikelihoodthatareasofthis6402habitatwillbeconvertedtoagriculturaluse.Remainingtallgrassareasaregenerally6403protectedandnotthreatenedbylargescalehabitatconversion,butpastconversionto6404croplandhaseliminatedthemajorityofthishabitattypeinColorado.6405

3 Energy Production & Mining 6406Energydevelopment oilandgasexplorationandproduction,windturbinefarms area6407sourceofhabitatfragmentationinmixedgrasshabitats.6408

4 Transportation Corridors 6409Roadsandutilitycorridorsassociatedwithurban,suburban,exurban,andenergy6410developmentareasourceofhabitatfragmentationforthesegrasslands.6411

7 Natural System Modifications 6412Firesuppressionandlong‐termheavygrazingbydomesticlivestockhavecontributedthe6413increasedgrowthofwoodyspeciesinnativegrasslands BockandBock1998 .6414

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6415Withintherangeofmixed‐grassandtallgrassprairieinnortheasternColorado,major6416problemspeciesincludecheatgrass Bromustectorum ,Russianthistle Salsolakali ,6417Canadathistle Cirsiumcanadensis ,muskthistle Carduusnutans ,andknapweed6418Centaureaspp. .TallgrasshabitatinColoradoissusceptibletoinvasionbynon‐native6419grassessuchassmoothbromeandKentuckybluegrass.6420

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6421Undertwowidely‐usedclimatechangemodels NationalAssessmentSynthesisTeam64222000 ,aslevelsofatmosphericCO2increase,thepredictedscenarioformuchoftherange6423ofmixed‐grassprairieintheCentralShortgrassPrairieEcoregionisashiftawayfrom6424grasslandtoeithershrubland/woodland underincreasedprecipitationconditions orarid6425land underdecreasedprecipitation .6426


Animprovedunderstandingofthepotentialimpactsofclimatechangeisneeded.6428


297


ThishabitattypeisveryimportanttomanygrasslandnestingbirdsinColoradoandmost6430ofthehistorichabitathasbeenconvertedtourbanandagriculturaluses.Theuseof6431conservationeasementsisthemosteffectivetooltoaddressdevelopmentandconversion6432pressureswhereintactexamplesremain.Re‐establishingthishabitattypethrough6433programssuchastheConservationReserveProgramisahighpriorityformanyspecies.6434Greatcareneedstobetakeninthedevelopmentofseedmixes,asexperiencehasshown6435substantialissuesinmaintainingdiversemixedandtallgrasshabitatwhencertain6436aggressivenativespecies westernwheatgrassandsideoatsgrama oraggressivenon‐6437natives smoothbromeandcrestedwheatgrass areincludedinmixeswhentryingto6438reestablishthishabitattype.Aggressivenativespeciesthatdonotprovidesuitablehabitat6439inthedramaticallyalteredlandscapewehavetoworkwitharenotapreferred6440managementaction.Ondisturbedlandscapes,useofcertainnativespeciessuchas6441sideoatsgramaorwesternwheatgrassarejustasdetrimentaltowildlifeasusingsmooth6442bromeorcrestedwheatgrass‐theundesireablenativesactidenticallytotheexoticsin6443limitinghabitatqualityforgrasslandbirds.64446445Thistypestillexistsinfunctionallandscapesassociatedwithripariancreekbottomsand6446wellmanagedsandhillsinnortheasternandeast‐centralColorado,whereitprovides6447excellentanddesirablewildlifehabitatforasuiteofspecies.Inthesesituations,continuing6448orimprovinggrazingmanagementofdomesticlivestockisnecessarytomaintainor6449improvethisconditioninthishabitattype.Thishabitattypeisthemostthreatenedand6450limitedofthegrasslandhabitattypesineasternColorado,andwildlifeuseisextremely6451highwherethishabitattypeisrestored.Restoringthisgrasslandcomponentonthe6452landscapeisdesirableandyieldssubstantialwildlifereturnonconservationinvestment.6453

Shortgrass Prairie 6454

Threats 6455

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6456Habitatlossisacontinuingthreattoshortgrassprairie.Residentialandcommercial6457developmentisasignificantsourceofhabitatlossandfragmentationonthewestern6458marginsofColorado’sshortgrassprairiedistribution;itislesssoinotherareas,butrarely6459entirelyabsent.6460

2 Agriculture 6461InthenortheasternportionofColorado,patternsoflandcultivation,includingwindbreaks,6462havelargelyfragmentedthematrixoftheshortgrassprairie,reducingoreliminating6463connectivityforspeciesthatdependonprairiehabitats,andthistrendislikelytocontinue.6464TherehasbeensignificantconversionpressureineasternColoradothepastseveralyears6465asthecommoditypricesandfederalcropinsurancepolicieshavecombinedtoexert6466


298

significantconversionpressureofallgrasslandtypes,includingshortgrassprairie,to6467cropland.64686469Grazingbydomesticlivestockistheprimaryuseofremainingshortgrassprairie.6470Managementforincreasedlivestockproductiontendstoproduceamorehomogeneous6471grasslanddominatedbykeyforagespecies FuhlendorfandEngle2001 ,andrequires6472additionalmanagementefforttorestoreamosaicofhabitatstructuresuitablefor6473characteristicwildlifespecies.Thus,thereisanongoingthreatofhabitatdegradationor6474lossoffunctionforshortgrassprairie.6475

3 Energy Production & Mining 6476Developmentofoilandgasresourcesisongoinginshortgrassprairiehabitat,especiallyin6477theNiobrarashaleoftheDenver‐JulesburgBasinthatliesundermostofthenorthern6478portionofshortgrassprairieextentinColorado.Thedensityofassociatedroads,pipeline6479corridors,andinfrastructureisaprimaryongoingsourceofanthropogenicdisturbance,6480fragmentation,andlossinthishabitat.Disturbancefromwindenergydevelopment6481remainssmallfromastatewideperspective,butcanhavesignificantlocalizedeffects.6482Utility‐scalesolarinstallationshavethusfarbeenconfinedtoareasnearurban6483development,butthereisapotentialforfuturedisturbancefromthistypeoffacility,which6484wouldrequireassociatedutilitycorridordevelopment.6485

7 Natural System Modifications 6486Domesticlivestockgrazingandfiresuppressionhavealteredthenaturalfireregimeofthis6487habitat,contributingtochangesinstructureandspeciescomposition,includingincreased6488growthofwoodyspecies BockandBock1998 .6489

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6490WithintherangeofshortgrassprairieinnortheasternColorado,majorproblemspecies6491includeRussianthistle Salsolakali ,cheatgrass Bromustectorum ,Canadathistle6492Cirsiumcanadensis ,muskthistle Carduusnutans ,andknapweed Centaureaspp. .6493

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6494Climateprojectionsformid‐centuryindicatethattheeasternplainsofColoradowill6495experiencesignificanttemperatureincreases,andanincreaseindroughtdays.Although6496thedominantspeciesofthishabitatarewelladaptedtowarmanddryconditions,blue6497gramainparticularcanbeslowtorecoverfromdisturbanceunderdrought.Warmerand6498drierconditionscouldleadtoashiftintherelativeabundanceofshortgrassprairiespecies,6499withtheresultingdevelopmentofnovelplantcommunities.Inparticular,warmernight‐6500timetemperaturesarelikelytofavorcool‐seasonspecies,bothnativeandexotic.However,6501duetouncertaintiesinfutureprecipitationpatterns,theeffectofincreasingtemperatures6502onthishabitatisdifficulttopredict.6503


299


Animprovedunderstandingofimpactsofclimatechangeisasignificantneed,asisbetter6505informationontherelationship s amongclimateandecologicalprocess e.g.,fire factors6506andshrubinvasion.Dataonimpactsofenergydevelopmentarelacking.6507


Thisgrasslandhabitattypeisthemostabundantand,whiledegraded,isgenerallyinbetter6509functioningecologicalconditionthantheothergrasslandhabitattypesineasternColorado.6510Theuseofconservationeasementsisthemosteffectivetooltoaddressdevelopmentand6511conversionpressuresinthishabitattype.Implementationofeffectiveoutreachresultingin6512improvedgrazingmanagementtoimprovevegetationcondition,function,andstructure6513willaddressotherthreatsinthishabitattype.Severalimportantforbs,shrubs,andhalf6514shrubs i.e.,winterfat,nativeprairieclovers,leadplant associatedwiththishabitattype6515areabsentorheavilyreduced,negativelyimpactingwildlifehabitatpotential;thiscanbe6516addressedbyeffectivelyimplementingimprovedgrazingmanagementonpublicand6517privateshortgrassprairies.6518

RIPARIAN AND WETLAND HABITATS 6519

Playas 6520

Threats 6521

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6522Conversionofplaya‐containingwatershedstourban/exurbandevelopment,andassociated6523roadsorutilitycorridorsisanongoingthreattothishabitat.6524

2 Agriculture 6525Agricultureandassociatedinfrastructureisasourceofstressorssuchasculturally‐6526acceleratedsedimentation,pollution,runoffoffertilizerorpesticides,andinvasionby6527exoticspecies.Specificagriculturalstressorsincludetilling,andcontinuous,intensive6528grazing.Plowingcanalternativeplantcommunities,removingperennialplantsand6529decreasingspeciesrichness O’Connelletal.2013 .Potentialeffectsofthesechangeson6530thequalityoffoodandcoverforSCGNinColoradoaregenerallyunknown.6531

3 Energy Production & Mining 6532Energydevelopment especiallyoilandgasdrilling isanothersourceofdisturbancein6533thesehabitats,especiallyinthenorthernpartoftheeasternplains.Likeurban6534


300

development,primaryissuesrevolvearounddirecthabitatloss,aswellasthe6535fragmentationthatoccursfromroads,utilitycorridorsandassociatedinfrastructure.6536

7 Natural System Modifications 6537Althoughmostplayasarealreadyalteredtosomeextent,thethreatofadditionaldirect6538hydrologicmodification,ormodificationswithintheimmediatewatershed,isongoingfor6539playahabitatinColorado.Specificstressorsincludeculturally‐acceleratedsedimentation,6540pitexcavationtoincreasewaterstorage,andrunoffdiversion.6541

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6542Alteredplayasmaybemorevulnerabletocolonizationbyexoticspecies,althoughhighly6543invasivespecieswiththepotentialtodramaticallyalterhabitataregenerallynotanissue.6544Thepotentialconsequencesofthelossofnativeplantdiversityinthesehabitatsisnot6545known.6546

9 Pollution 6547Bothurbanareasandruralcroplandsaresourcesofpesticide KimbroughandLitke1996 6548orfertilizerrunoff Carpenteretal.1998;Whiteetal.2003 .Nonpointpollutionin6549Coloradoishighinagriculturalandurbanlandscapesintheeasternplains.6550

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6551Ourclimatechangevulnerabilityanalysis AppendixF indicatedthatplayasineastern6552Coloradoarehighlyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechangebymid‐century.The6553exposureofthishabitattoprojectedincreasesintemperatureanddroughtfrequency,as6554wellasthehighlevelofpreviousanthropogenicimpacts,areprimaryfactorscontributing6555tothisassessmentresult.Althoughtherearenotverymanydirecteffectsofclimatechange6556onplayasasgeologicfeatures,playasasfunctioningwetlandhabitatarelikelytodecrease6557underclimatechange.6558


Analyzingplayahydroperiodsovertimetodetermineiftherearelong‐termdeclining6560trendsduetoclimatechangeand/orhydrologicalterationsisneeded.Itisunknownto6561whatextentculturally‐acceleratedsedimentationisimpactingplayasinnortheast6562Colorado.Atsomelevel,sedimentationisnecessaryfortheformationofplayas.Additional6563workneedstobedoneinColoradotodetermineifincreasedormorerapidsedimentation6564isactuallyoccurring,andifColoradoplayaswarrantmanagement.Itisgenerallyassumed6565thattheydo,butapplyinggeneralmanagementtreatmentssuchassedimentremovalhas6566thepotentialtodegradeoreliminatetheplayaifdoneincorrectlyandwithoutknowledge6567ofwhetherthesedimentloadintheplayaisactuallyexcessiveandinneedofmanagement.6568


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Protectionandrestorationneedsinclude1 usingnewly‐developedprioritizationtools6570developedbythePlayaLakesJointVenturetotargetplayasandplayacomplexesfor6571protectionandrestoration;2 wherewarranted,restoringplayahydrologybyfillingpits,6572removingexcessaccumulatedsedimentswhereappropriate,andplantinggrassbuffers,6573and3 compatiblesite‐specificmanagementofgrazingthroughfencing,providingalternate6574watersources,andgrazingplans.65756576Site‐specificassessmentisthefirstandmostimportantconservationactiontoapplyto6577playasbeforeinitiatinganymanagementaction.Dependingontheoutcomeofthe6578assessment,sedimentremovaland/orbufferingmayormaynotbewarranted.Inmany6579cases,standardplayarecommendationsarebothunnecessaryandcanbedetrimental.6580Playasrequirelocalizedrun‐offtofill,andsomelevelofsmallparticulateclay6581sedimentationisnecessarytomaintainwaterlevelsandfunction.Onoccasion,buffersthat6582aretoolargearesoeffectiveatslowingorpreventingrun‐offthattheplayabasindoesnot6583fill,andplayasaremostimportanttowildlifewhentheyhavewaterintheirbasins.Inall6584caseswherepossible,fillingapitorditchdugoutwithintheplayabasiniswarrantedand6585necessarytorestoreproperhydrologicfunction.Pitsshouldbefilledwithnearbyspoils6586pileswhicharealmostalwaysdirectlyadjacenttothepit,whichwillcontaintheclay6587sedimentsnecessarytomaintaintheunderlyingclaypan.Ditchesshouldsimplybe6588smoothedover.Wherepitsareusedtoprovidewaterforlivestockdevelopingalternative6589uplandwatersourcesispreferabletohavingapit.6590

Riparian woodland and shrubland 6591

Thiscategorycombinesmanyspecifichabitatsacrosstherangeofelevationalgradientsin6592Colorado.Thesetting,function,andlanduseswithinthehabitatsvary,dependingon6593whetheroneisconsideringwaterwaysintheeasternprairies&foothills,thehighcountry,6594orthedeserts&canyonlandsofthewesternslope.Summariesofthreatsforthesehabitats6595arediscussedbygeographicregionasneeded.6596

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6597Colorado’sriparianhabitatscontinuetobethreatenedbyurban,exurban,andrecreational6598developmentinadjacentuplands.Effectsoftheseactivitiescancontributetoagradualloss6599ofhabitatareaandquality.Landusewithintheriparianarea,aswellasinadjacentupland6600areas,canfragmentthelandscapeandreduceconnectivitybetweenriparianpatches,and6601betweenripariananduplandareas.Thisadverselyaffectsthequantity,quality,and6602movementofsurfacewaterandgroundwater,cyclingofnutrients,anddispersalofplants6603andanimalsinriparianhabitats.Roads,bridges,andotherinfrastructureassociatedwith6604developmentcanalsofragmentanddegraderiparianhabitats.Inparticular,theincreaseof6605impervioussurfaceareaassociatedwithdevelopmentcanincreaserunoff,including6606nonpointpollution.6607


302

EasternPlains6608Urbanizationiswidespreadalongthewesternedgeoftheplainsandinthefoothills6609ecotones.Intheseareasthethreatofhabitatfragmentationandlossfromresidential6610developmentisongoing.6611

Mountains6612ThreatstoriparianwoodlandsandshrublandsinmountainareasofColoradovarywith6613elevation.Residentialandcommercialdevelopmentoccursincomparativelylimited6614distribution,andtendstobemoreconcentratedalongmajortransportationcorridorsand6615nearlargerecreationaldevelopments.6616

WesternSlope6617AsintheeasternplainsandmountainousregionsofColorado,alteredhydrologicregime6618e.g.,dams,diversion,roads isanimportantprimarythreattoriparianhabitatsonthe6619WestSlope.Threatstoriparianhabitatsfromongoingurbanandexurbandevelopmentare6620generallylessseverethanontheFrontRange,butnotabsent.Agriculturalactivitiesare6621ubiquitousinlowerelevations,includingirrigatedtilledanduntilledcrops,anddomestic6622livestockgrazing.ThegreatestlevelofimpactisinthevicinityofGrandJunction/Palisade,6623andinthefourcornersareaofsouthwesternColorado.6624

2 Agriculture 6625Colorado’sriparianhabitatscontinuetobethreatenedbyagriculturalactivities e.g.,tillage6626andcropproduction,livestockgrazing,andconcentratedanimalfeedingoperations in6627adjacentuplands.Acrossmostoftheeasternprairie,agriculturalproduction,both6628ranchingandcropland,isthedominantlanduse.Grazingisanongoinglandusein6629mountainandWestSloperiparianareas.ManyWestSlopeandlowerelevationmountain6630riparianareasareirrigatedandmowedforforageproduction.Effectsoftheseactivities6631cancontributetoagraduallossofhabitatareaandquality.Landusewithintheriparian6632area,aswellasinadjacentuplandareas,canfragmentthelandscapeandreduce6633connectivitybetweenriparianpatches,andbetweenripariananduplandareas.This6634adverselyaffectsthequantity,quality,andmovementofsurfacewaterandgroundwater,6635cyclingofnutrients,anddispersalofplantsandanimalsinriparianhabitats.66366637Inriparianareaswherelivestockuseisheavy,plantcommunitycompositionandstructure6638hasbeenaltered,ashavechannelmorphology,waterquality,soilstructure,streamflow6639patterns,erosionandsedimentationrates Schulz&Leininger1990;Armouretal.1994;6640TrimbleandMendel1995;Belskyetal.1999;Bestchaetal.2013 .Thisisespeciallytrue6641wherecattleconcentrateinriparianareasthatarenotprotectedbyfencing.However,6642appropriatetimingandintensityofgrazingcanbeusedasamanagementtooltoimprove6643theseasonalqualityofhabitatusedbysomeSGCN e.g.,Manieretal.2013 ,iftradeoffsfor6644variousspeciesrequirementsareconsidered VanHornetal.2012 .6645

3 Energy Production & Mining 6646GravelminingiscommonalongthelargerriversinColorado.Impactsfromthisactivity,as6647wellaspastandcurrentimpactsfromothertypesofextractivemining,arewidespreadin6648


303

theSouthPlatteandArkansasRiverbasins,andthroughoutthehighmountainsand6649southwesternColorado.Oilandgasproductionisapotentiallysignificantsourceofimpact,6650particularlyintheSouthPlattebasinandnorthwestColorado.6651

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 6652ManyofColorado’slargerriversandstreamshaveroadsand/orrailroadsthatrun6653alongsideornearby.Formanyruralandlesstraveledroads,impactsarelikelylocalized.6654Inareaswhereroaddensityisveryhighandroadcrossingsarecommon,impactsto6655riparianhabitatscanbesevere.Issuesincludealteredflows,pollution,fragmentation,6656erosionanddowncutting incision thatleadstolossordegradationofwetmeadows.The6657largest,mostconcentratedroaddensityinthestateisintheFrontRangeurbanarea.Other6658areasofsignificantimpactincludetheintensivelycultivatedeasternplains TNCinprep .6659

7 Natural System Modifications 6660Alterationofnaturalhydrologicalprocessesandresourceconsumptionthrough6661groundwaterpumpinghaveconsiderablyalteredthepre‐settlementconditionofriparian,6662andwetlandhabitats,andareanongoingthreat.Dams,reservoirs,diversions,6663channelization,ditchesandotherhumanlandusesalterthenaturalflowregimeofstreams,6664andcandisrupttheecologicalintegrityoftheriparianhabitats.Habitatmodificationsfor6665floodcontrolcangreatlyreducethespatialcomplexityofriparianandwetlandhabitat.6666Physicalchangesresultingfromalteredflowregimesincludeerosionandchannelization,6667reducedcomplexityinchannelmorphology,reducedbaseand/orpeakflows,lowerwater6668tablesinfloodplains,treeandshrubestablishmentonsandbarsduetoreducedscouring6669flows,andalteredsedimenttransportanddepositioninthefloodplain Poffetal.1997 .6670

EasternPlains6671Mosthydrologicalalterationisduetoagriculturalneeds,exceptinhighlydevelopedareas6672alongtheFrontRange,whereurbanusesareovertakingagriculturaluse.Continued6673groundwaterpumpingfromtheOgallala‐HighPlainsaquiferhasloweredthewatertable6674suchthatmanyformerlyflowingstreamsarenowdryformuchoftheyear Dodds1997 .6675ThemainstemsoftheSouthPlatteandtheArkansasRivers,aswellasthePurgatoireand6676portionsoftheRepublicanRivers,arehighlyimpactedbyreservoirsanddams TNCin6677prep .6678

Mountains6679Exceptatthehighestelevations,fewmountainaquaticandriparianhabitatsarewithout6680hydrologicalmodification,andtheongoingstressesfromreservoirs,dams,diversions,and6681similaralterationsincludedownstreamerosionandchannelization,reducedchannel6682morphologydynamics,reducedbaseand/orpeakflows,lowerwatertablesinfloodplains,6683andreducedsedimentdepositioninthefloodplain Poffetal.1997 .TheupperColorado6684River,inparticular,ishighlyimpactedbyreservoirstorage TNCinprep .6685

WesternSlope6686TheconstructionofdamsintheColoradoRiverBasinhasfragmentedandinundated6687riverinehabitat.Thealteredtiming,rate,quantity,andtemperatureofflowschanges6688recruitmentandsurvivalpatternsforriparianvegetation.6689


304

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6690Seedingwithnon‐nativepasturegrassesandinvasionbytamariskandexoticforbshas6691alreadyalteredspeciescompositioninriparianhabitats,andwillcontinuetodoso.6692Invasivespecieswiththepotentialtoalterecosystemfunction e.g.,tamarisk arean6693ongoingmanagementchallenge,especiallyalongtheArkansasandPurgatoireRiversin6694easternColorado,andtheupperColorado,Dolores,SanJuanandWhiteRiversonthe6695westernslope TNCinprep .Thesedisturbancesarelikelytocontinuetoreducehabitat6696areaandqualityinriparianhabitats.6697

9 Pollution 6698Bothurbanareasandruralcroplandsaresourcesofpesticide KimbroughandLitke1996 6699orfertilizerrunoff Carpenteretal.1998;Whiteetal.2003 .Thesestressorscanaffectthe6700ripariancommunitycompositionandstructure.NonpointpollutioninColoradoriparian6701areasishighestinagriculturalandurbanlandscapesintheeasternplains,andalong6702developedstreamcorridorselsewhere.6703

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6704Riparianwoodlandsandshrublandsthroughoutthestateshouldprobablyberegardedas6705havingsomedegreeofvulnerabilitytoclimatechange,especiallythepotentialfor6706increasingfrequencyand/ormagnitudeofmulti‐yeardroughts.6707


Acriticalneedisanevaluationoftheresultsofimplementedrestorationprojects.Other6709informationneedsincludedevelopingassessmenttechniques,conductingfield‐based6710assessmentstodeterminethequantityandqualityofriparianwoodlandandshrubland6711habitatcurrentlyavailableforTier1wildlifespecies.Developmentofdecisionsupport6712toolsisneededforprioritizingriparianwoodlandandshrublandhabitatsforconservation,6713basedonanticipatedbenefitstoTier1wildlifespecies.Toolsfordeterminingflowsneeded6714tomaintainhealthyriparianhabitats,includingspringpeakflows,gradualrecedenceafter6715thepeak,andmaintenanceflowsinsummer,fallandwinterneedtobedevelopedformany6716majorriversandminorstreams.6717


Controlofinvasivevegetationandreplantingwithnativespecieswhereappropriateis6719needed.Otherneedsincludereducingerosionbyrestoringstreambedandbank6720morphologyandrevegetatingasappropriate;managinggrazingtobecompatiblewith6721habitatrequirements;andclearingtreesandshrubsfromsandbars,andreshapingas6722appropriatetoencourageovertoppingandsandmovement.PrivateSectorStandardsand6723Codesshouldprohibitdevelopmentinriparianzoneswithinatleastthe100‐year6724floodplain.67256726


305

Conservationactionsneededforriparianareasonsmallstreamsinclude:restorationof6727degradedstreamreaches;protectingseepsandspringsfromdevelopment;controlof6728invasivespecies;compatiblemanagementofgrazing includingnativeandnon‐native6729ungulates ;properplacementofroads,roadcrossings,andculverts;andprotection e.g.,6730viaconservationeasements withinwatershedsthatareimportantforwildlife.6731Conservationactionsneededforriparianareasonlargeriversinclude:restorationof6732hydrologicregime;restorationofdegradedriparianareasandriverbeds;improveddesign6733ofroadcrossingstoeliminateerosion,downcutting,andheadcutting;haymeadow6734restoration;avoidanceofadditionaldam/diversionsconstruction,andpossibleremovalof6735obsoleteorabandoneddamsanddiversions,anduseofconservationeasementstoprotect6736privatelandsthatcontrolordirectlyinfluencelargestretchesofriver.6737

Wetlands 6738

Thiscategorycombinesmanydistinctivehabitatsacrosstherangeofelevationalgradients6739inColorado.Thesetting,function,andlanduseswithinthehabitatsvary,dependingon6740whetheroneisconsideringwetlandsintheeasternprairies&foothills,thehighcountry,or6741thedeserts&canyonlandsofthewesternslope.Summariesofthreatsforthesehabitats6742arediscussedbygeographicregionasneeded.6743

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6744WetlandsofColorado’seasternplainscontinuetobethreatenedbyurbanandexurban6745development,whichcontributetoagraduallossofhabitatareaandquality.Withthe6746exceptionoflowerelevationsintheFrontRangefoothills,wetlandsofotherareasin6747Coloradoaregenerallynotthreatenedbyadditionalresidentialorcommercial6748development.6749

2 Agriculture 6750

EasternPlains6751Agriculturalactivities e.g.,tillageandcropproduction,livestockgrazing,andconcentrated6752animalfeedingoperations inadjacentuplands,generallycontributetoagraduallossof6753wetlandhabitatareaandquality.ManywetlandsineasternColoradooccurasaresultof6754waterdevelopmentsforprimarilyagriculturalpurposes.Whilethesewetlandshave6755developedrelativelyrecently,theyprovideimportantwetlandhabitatformanyspecies.In6756thesesituations,waterdevelopmenthasbeenapositiveforwildlifeandwetlandhabitatin6757Colorado.However,reallocationofthiswaterfromagriculturalusetomunicipaluseisa6758significantanincreasingthreattomanywetlandsineasternColorado.Moreover,the6759creationofwetlandsthroughwatermanagementactivitiesisnotalwaysanadequate6760substituteforpreservationofnaturalwetlands Sueltenfussetal.2013 .Timingand6761intensityofgrazingcanaffecttheseasonalqualityofhabitatusedbysomeSGCNandmay6762besuitableforuseasahabitatmanagementtoolintheseinstances,iftradeoffsforvarious6763speciesrequirementsareconsidered WestandMessmer2006 .6764


306

Mountains6765WiththeexceptionoftheextensivewetlandsoftheSanLuisValley,wheregroundwater6766pumpinganddiversionsarewidespread,wetlandhabitatsinmountainareasofColorado6767aregenerallylessthreatenedbyagriculturethanthoseinlowerelevationsofthestate.6768

WesternSlope6769Hanginggardensareanespeciallyfragilewetlandtypeofthewesternslope.Wherethey6770areaccessibletolivestock,erosion,trampling,andintroductionofexoticspeciesarean6771ongoingthreat.6772

4 Transportation & Service Corridors 6773Inareaswhereroaddensityisveryhighandroadcrossingsarecommon,impactsto6774wetlandhabitatscanbesevere.Issuesincludealteredhydrographs,pollution,and6775fragmentationthatleadtolossordegradationofwetlandhabitat.Thelargest,most6776concentratedroaddensityinthestateisintheFrontRangeurbanarea.Otherareasof6777significantimpactincludetheintensivelycultivatedeasternplains TNCinprep .6778

7 Natural System Modifications 6779Wetlandhabitatshavebeenheavilyimpactedbyanthropogenicwatermanagement Gage6780andCooper2007 .Alteredhydrologyduetodams,diversions,andgroundwaterpumping6781mayinteractwithwarmingtemperaturesandchangesinprecipitationpatterntoalter6782groundwaterrechargerates,leadingtodryingorcontractionofwetlands,includingsmall6783seepsandspringsthatsupporthanginggardens.Lackofscouringflowsinadjacentlotic6784habitathasresultedinsedimentationanddominanceoflatesuccessionalwetlandplantsin6785manyfloodplainwetlands e.g.,warmwatersloughs .Prairiewetlandshaveevolvedunder6786adisturbanceregimewherebothannualvariationinthehydrologicalcycleandthe6787incidenceorintensityofweatherextremessuchasdroughtandfloodingfromyeartoyear6788interactwithothernaturalprocessestoproduceadiversepatchworkofcommunitytypes6789andsuccessionalstatesthatprovidehabitatformanywildlifespecies.Ingeneral,intensive6790watermanagementhasgreatlyalteredthefloodingregimeofmanymarshes,with6791consequentchangesinspeciescompositionandcommunitystructure.6792

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6793Alteredwetlandsmaybemorevulnerabletoinvasionbyexoticspecies,orlossofdiversity.6794Somewetlands,especiallyinurbanandagriculturalareas,haveseenincreased6795hydroperiodsduringthegrowingseasonandresultingmonoculturesofcattails.6796

9 Pollution 6797Bothurbanareasandruralcroplandsaresourcesofpesticide KimbroughandLitke1996 6798orfertilizerrunoff Carpenteretal.1998;Whiteetal.2003 .Thesestressorscanaffectthe6799wetlandcommunitycompositionandstructure.NonpointpollutioninColoradowetlands6800ishighestinagriculturalandurbanlandscapesintheeasternplains,andalongdeveloped6801valleycorridorselsewhere.6802


307

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 6803Wetlandsthroughoutthestateshouldprobablyberegardedashavingsomedegreeof6804vulnerabilitytoclimatechange.Increasedfrequencyandmagnitudeofdroughtislikelyto6805havesignificantimpactonthesehabitats.6806


Developdecisionsupporttoolsforprioritizingwetlandhabitatsforconservation,basedon6808anticipatedbenefitstoTier1wildlifespecies.Also,developassessmenttechniquesand6809conductfield‐basedassessmentstodeterminethequantityandqualityofwetlandhabitat6810currentlyavailableforTier1wildlifespecies,andtoevaluatetheresultsofrestoration.6811


Restorewetlandsandcreatenewwetlandswherepossiblebymanagingwaterand6813hydrology.Whereappropriate,excavatesedimentsandprotectwetlandsfromfurther6814sedimentationanderosion.Managegrazingandcattailmonoculturestopromoteplant6815diversity.Reshapegravelpondstoincreaseshallowmarginsandpromoteestablishmentof6816wetlandvegetation.Restorehistoricfunctionofwarm‐watersloughandweatmeadow6817habitats.Employlandandwaterprotectiontoolswherepossibletoalleviatepressures6818fromhabitatconversionandhydrologicalmodifications.6819

AQUATIC HABITATS 6820

Aquaticandriparianhabitatsareinextricablylinkedintermsofecologicalprocesses,and6821therefore,threatsoperatingononewilloftenalsoimpacttheother.Thesetting,function,6822landuses,andthreatswithinthesehabitatsvary,dependinginpartonelevation,butalso6823onwhetheroneisconsideringwaterwaysintheeasternprairies&foothills,thehigh6824country,orthedesertsandcanyonlandsofthewesternslope.Regionaldifferencesare6825summarizedasneeded.Althoughwehavesummarizedaquaticandriparianhabitats6826separately,thereisinevitablysomeoverlapinthreatsandactions.6827

Rivers 6828

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6829Colorado’sriverhabitatscontinuetobethreatenedbychangesinwaterwithdrawal6830patternsdrivenbycommercial,urban,exurban,andrecreationaldevelopment.Landuse6831withinthecatchmentareacanadverselyaffectsthequantity,quality,andmovementof6832surfacewaterandgroundwater,cyclingofnutrients,anddispersalofplantsandanimalsin6833aquatichabitats.Roads,culverts,bridges,andotherinfrastructureassociatedwith6834developmentcanalsofragmentanddegradeaquatichabitats.6835


308

EasternPlains6836Urbanizationiswidespreadalongthewesternedgeoftheplainsandinthefoothills6837ecotones.AccordingtoananalysisbyTheNatureConservancy,theeasternplainsrivers6838andstreams,includingtheArkansasandtheSouthPlatteRivers,arethemostheavily6839impactedbyurbanconsumptiveuseinColorado.Riversandstreamsareespecially6840impactedintheurbanareafromDenvertotheWyomingborder TNCinprep .6841

RioGrandeValley6842Commercialdevelopmentoccursincomparativelylimiteddistributioninthevicinityof6843Alamosa,andresidentialdevelopmenttendstobeconcentratedalongmajortransportation6844corridorsandnearrecreationalareas.6845

WesternSlope6846Threatstoaquatichabitatsfromongoingurbanandexurbandevelopmentaregenerally6847lessinmostareasofColorado’swestslopeincomparisonwiththeFrontRange,butnot6848absent.Areasofgreatestcommercialorrecreationaldevelopmentimpactareinthevalleys6849oftheColorado,Gunnison,andUncompahgrerivers,whileexurbandevelopmentis6850widespreadthroughoutsouthwesternColorado.6851

2 Agriculture 6852Theprimaryimpactofagriculturalactivities e.g.,tillageandcropproduction,livestock6853grazing,andconcentratedanimalfeedingoperationsinadjacentuplands onriversisthe6854withdrawalofsurfaceandgroundwater.IrrigationistheleadingwateruseinColorado,6855whereonanannualbasis,abouttwo‐thirdsofallallocatedsurfacewatergoestothisuse6856CDWR2012 .However,degradationofriparianvegetation,boththroughdirectalteration6857bycultivationormowing,andindirectlythroughmodifiedwaterlevels,alsoaltersthe6858habitatqualityandfoodwebthatsupportsaquaticspecies.Somefishrelyonhabitat6859structureassociatedwithdownedwoodyriparianvegetationandtemperaturemoderation6860providedbyshadefromoverhangingvegetation.Riparianvegetationalsocontributes6861directlytotheaquaticfoodweb,asberries,leaflitter,andassociatedterrestrial6862invertebratesfallingintothewatersupportaquaticinvertebratesandfish.Finally,riparian6863vegetationcanbuffertheeffectsofagriculturalrunoffintofreshwaterecosystems.6864

EasternPlains6865AccordingtoananalysisbyTheNatureConservancy,theeasternplainsriversandstreams6866areheavilyimpactedbyconsumptiveuseforirrigationintheagriculturallandscapesofthe6867SouthPlatte,Arkansas,andRepublicanRiverbasins TNCinprep .6868

RioGrandeValley6869AgricultureisaprimarylanduseintheSanLuisValley,asourceofimpactrelatedto6870consumptiveuseandanongoingsourceofdegradationofaquatichabitatsatlower6871elevations,thoughnottothedegreeexperiencedontheeasternplains TNCinprep .6872

WesternSlope6873Threatstoaquatichabitatsfromagriculturalactivitiesareubiquitousinlowerelevations,6874includingirrigatedtilledanduntilledcrops,anddomesticlivestockgrazing.Thegreatest6875levelofimpactisinthevicinityofGrandJunction/Palisade,thevalleyoftheGunnisonand6876


309

UncompahgresouthofGrandMesa,andinthefourcornersareaofsouthwesternColorado.6877IrrigationcontributestohighseleniumconcentrationsinupperColoradoRiver,the6878GunnisonRiver,andtheSanJuanRiver Andersonetal.1961 .Irrigationandgroundwater6879pumpingcanresultinhighlevelsofseleniumthatmayaffectthesurvivalandreproductive6880successsomeaquaticSGCN.6881

7 Natural System Modifications 6882Patternsofwaterflowandtheirinteractionwithlocallandformsandsubstratesata6883varietyofscalesaretheprimarydeterminantofphysicalhabitatforriverorganisms.6884Aquaticorganismsevolvedwithandareadaptedtothecharacteristicnaturalflowregime6885oftheirhabitat;changesinflowregimecancauseseriousdisruptiontothereproduction6886andsurvivalofmanyaquaticspecies,leadingtoaneventuallossofbiodiversity Poffetal.68871997,BunnandArthington2002 .Reducedconnectivityinaquatichabitats,bothin‐6888stream,andbetweentheriverchannelandassociatedfloodplainhabitats,reduceshabitat6889availabilityanddiversity,withconsequentnegativeeffectsonthepopulationviabilityof6890aquaticspecies.Alteredflowregimes,andtrans‐basindiversionscanfacilitatetheinvasion6891andestablishmentofexoticspecies BunnandArthington2002 .Finally,riverinesystems6892acttointegrateandcollecttheeffectsofdisturbanceswithinthecatchment,includingthose6893duetoflowmodification Naimanetal.2002 .6894

EasternPlains6895OngoingandextensivewaterdiversionsandimpoundmentsintheGreatPlainsbeganin6896the1860s,and,alongwithgroundwaterminingandtransbasindiversions,havegreatly6897alteredthehydrologicregimeofriversonColorado’seasternplains.Priortosettlement,6898thelargeriversheadinginthemountains theSouthPlatteandtheArkansas wouldhave6899experiencedhighflowsinspringduringsnowmelt,andhavebeennearlydryduringother6900timesofyear Escheretal.1983 .Reservoiranddiversionconstructionhavedecreased6901peakflows,andconvertedthehydrographtoaflatter,moreconsistentperennialflow,6902generallyfacilitatingthedevelopmentofriparianforestandnarrowerchannels Wohletal.69032009 .AlterationsareparticularlypronouncedontheSouthPlatteandArkansasRivers6904andhavehadsignificantimpactsonspeciesthatrelyonthesehabitats,particularlymany6905speciesofnativefishthatevolvedwithmorevariableflows.Colorado’sobligationsunder6906theSouthPlatteRiverCompact,RepublicanRiverCompact,andArkansasRiverCompact6907alsoplayasignificantroleintheregulationofflowsinthisregion.6908

RioGrandeValley6909ThenorthernpartoftheSanLuisValleyisahydrologicallyclosedbasin;inthesouthern6910partofthevalleytheRioGrandeRiveristheprimaryriverinehabitatintheregion.The6911upperRioGrandeissnowmeltfed,withpeakflowsduringlatespringtoearlysummer.6912Highyeartoyearvariabilityofstreamflowlevelischaracteristicofthisriversystemand6913unregulatedannualstreamflowvolumecandifferbyanorderofmagnitude Llewellynand6914Vaddey2013 .Agriculturaldiversionsbeganinthemid‐19thcentury;atonepoint6915substantialflowwasdivertedfromtheRioGrandetostorageintheclosedbasinaquifer.6916Eventually,thesediversionswerereduced,andlargelyreplacedbygroundwaterpumping.6917ThehydrographoftheupperRioGrandeislessimpactedbymodificationsthaninlower6918


310

reachesoutsideColorado;however,intheSanLuisValleytherequirementsoftheRio6919GrandeCompactwithNewMexicoandTexasaffecttheallocationofwater.6920

WesternSlope6921Streamflowinwesternsloperiverscomesmainlyfromwinterstormsthatbuildsnowpacks6922inthehighmountainsofwesternColorado;snowmeltproducespeakannualflowsbetween6923AprilandJuly.Atmosphericcirculationpatternsandsea‐surfacetemperaturesproduce6924highyeartoyearvariationinannualflowlevels.Impoundmentsanddiversionsare6925commononmostofColorado’sWestSloperivers,andhavealteredtheannualhydrograph.6926TheconstructionofdamsintheColoradoRiverBasinhasfragmentedandinundated6927riverinehabitat;alteredtiming,rate,quantity,andtemperatureofflows;affectedseasonal6928availabilityofaquatichabitats;decreasedturbidity i.e.,lossofcoverfrompredators,loss6929ofsandybackwaterhabitat ;andblockedfishpassage.Inparticular,largedamssuchas6930FlamingGorge,Navajo,andtheAspinallUnit,andassociatedalterationshavedirectly6931influencedthermalandhydrologicalregimesinboththeLowerandUpperColoradoRiver6932basins,withresultantadverseimpactstonativefishspecies.TheColoradoRiverand6933UpperColoradoRiverCompactsaffectallocationandflowpatternsfortheentirewestern6934slope.6935

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 6936Thequalityofriverhabitatsforfishspeciesofconcernisdegradedbythepresenceofnon‐6937nativefishthatcompetewithand/orhybridizewithnativespecies.Impoundmentsare6938widespreadpotentialsourcesofnon‐nativefishspecies,whichinsomecasesescapeinto6939SGCNhabitattothedetrimentofthenativefishes.Thegrowthofnon‐nativeriparianplant6940species,especiallytamariskandRussianolive,altersflowpatternsbystabilizingchannels6941andreducingriverinehabitatdiversity.Thesespeciesmayalsoincreaseshadingofaquatic6942habitats,andalternutrientinputs,therebychangingfoodavailabilityfornativespecies.6943

9 Pollution 6944

EasternPlains6945Miningandenergyproductionimpactswaterquality,especiallyintheArkansas mining 6946andPurgatoire coalbedmethane rivers.Issuesincludeincreasedconcentrationsof6947pollutants heavymetals,saline andwastewater alterationofstreamflowsaswellas6948pollution .Stochasticeventssuchasextremerainstormsandmudslidescanexacerbate6949theseimpacts,potentiallyleadingtosignificantimpactsonSGNC e.g.,extensivefishkills .6950

Mountains6951MininginColoradohasalteredstreamchannelgeometry,contributedtohighersediment6952loads,andreleasedtoxicsubstancessuchasheavymetals.Copperandcyanidefromthe6953SummitvilleMinewerereleasedintotheheadwatersoftheAlamosaRiverbeginningin69541986 CsikiandMartin2008 .ThespillandchroniccontaminationfromSummitvilleMine6955downstreamonWightmanForktoAlamosaRiverandthroughTerraceReservoirleftthe6956


311

riverandreservoirfishless13.In1997,heavymetalsfromhistoricmineswereflushedbya6957summerrainstormintoKerberCreek.AllfishinKerberCreekdied,alongwith43%ofthe6958fishina4kmstretchofSanLuisCreek Alves1997a;Bestgen,Compton,Zelasko,andAlves69592003 .6960


Analysisofhydroperiodsovertimetodetermineflowsneededtomaintainriverinehabitat6962diversityisneeded.Decisionsupporttoolsareneededforprioritizingriversfor6963conservationandrestoration,basedonanticipatedbenefitstoTier1wildlifespecies.6964


Conservationactionsneededforlargeriversinclude:restorationofkeycomponentsofthe6966hydrologicregime;restorationofdegradedriverbeds;improveddesignofroadcrossings6967toeliminateerosion,downcutting,andheadcutting;floodplainrestoration;avoidanceof6968additionaldam/diversionsconstruction,andpossibleremovalofobsoleteorabandoned6969damsanddiversions;anduseofconservationeasementstoprotectprivatelandsthat6970controlordirectlyinfluencelargestretchesofriver.6971

Streams 6972

1 Residential & Commercial Development 6973StreamhabitatsinColoradocontinuetobethreatenedbychangesinwaterwithdrawal6974patternsdrivenbyurban,exurban,andrecreationaldevelopment.Landusewithinthe6975catchmentareacanadverselyaffectsthequantity,quality,andmovementofsurfacewater6976andgroundwater,cyclingofnutrients,anddispersalofplantsandanimalsinaquatic6977habitats.Roads,culverts,bridges,andotherinfrastructureassociatedwithdevelopment6978canalsofragmentanddegradeaquatichabitats.InmostareasofColorado,commercial6979developmentalongstreamsoccursincomparativelylimiteddistributionandresidential6980developmenttendstobeconcentratedalongmajortransportationcorridorsandnear6981recreationalareas.Urbanizationismostprevalentalongthewesternedgeoftheplainsand6982inthefoothillsecotones.Developmentandtransportationcorridorsinmountainareasof6983Coloradoaregenerallyconcentratedinvalleybottomsalongstreams;inmountainous6984areasdevelopmentassociatedwithtourismandrecreationisongoing.Exurban6985developmentiswidespreadthroughoutwesternColorado.6986

2 Agriculture 6987Theprimaryimpactofagriculturalactivities e.g.,tillageandcropproduction,livestock6988grazing,andconcentratedanimalfeedingoperationsinadjacentuplands onstreamsisthe6989withdrawalofsurfaceandgroundwater.IrrigationistheleadingwateruseinColorado,699013AnewtreatmentfacilityatSummitvilleMinehassignificantlyimprovedwaterqualitybelowWightmanForkconfluenceontheAlamosaRivertoTerraceReservoir.


312

whereonanannualbasis,abouttwo‐thirdsofallallocatedsurfacewatergoestothisuse6991CDWR2012 .6992

EasternPlains6993Moststreamsoftheeasternplainsarecharacterizedbyintermittentsurfaceflow,withdry6994stretchesinterruptedbypoolsthatproviderefugehabitatforplainsfish.Flowpatternsfor6995thesestreamsareaffectedbychangesinthewatertablelevelduetogroundwaterpumping6996andirrigation.ThesechangesaremostprevalentinareasoverlyingtheOgallalaaquifer,6997whichhavebeenextensivelydevelopedforcropgrowing.6998

RioGrandeValley6999Appropriationofsurfacewaterstreamsforagriculturaluseinthevalleybeganinthe70001850s.By1900,thenaturalflowonallsurfacestreamsinthevalleywasover‐7001appropriated.Becausetheconstructionofreservoirsforsurfacewaterstoragewas7002hinderedbyaseriesofembargosontheuseoffederallandsforreservoirconstruction,7003cropgrowersbeganusingtheunconfinedaquiferoftheclosedbasinasastoragereservoir7004throughthepracticeofsubirrigation,substantiallyelevatingthewatertableintheclosed7005basin DistrictCourt,WaterDivisionNo.3,Colorado.ConfinedAquiferNewUseRulesfor7006Division3,CaseNo.2004CW24,FindingsofFact,ConclusionsofLaw,JudgmentandDecree,7007November9,2006 .Eventually,thecombinationofreduceddiversionsfromtheRio7008GrandeRivertotheclosedbasinandincreasedgroundwaterpumpingloweredthe7009groundwatertable,eliminatingthepossibilityforsubirrigationofagricultureorwetlands.7010IntheSanLuisValleytherequirementsoftheRioGrandeCompactwithNewMexicoand7011Texasalsoaffecttheallocationofwater.7012

WesternSlope7013ValleybottomsthroughoutwesternColoradoareusedforirrigatedforageproduction e.g.,7014hay,alfalfa and/ordirectlygrazed.Diversionsandstoragedamsarecommon.7015

7 Natural System Modifications 7016Patternsofwaterflowandtheirinteractionwithlocallandformsandsubstratesata7017varietyofscalesaretheprimarydeterminantofphysicalhabitatforstreamorganisms.7018Aquaticorganismsevolvedwithandareadaptedtothecharacteristicnaturalflowregime7019oftheirhabitat;changesinflowregimecancauseseriousdisruptiontothereproduction7020andsurvivalofmanyaquaticspecies,leadingtoaneventuallossofbiodiversity Poffetal.70211991;BunnandArthington2002 .Reducedconnectivityinaquatichabitats,bothin‐7022stream,andbetweenthestreamchannelandassociatedfloodplainhabitats,reduces7023habitatavailabilityanddiversity,withconsequentnegativeeffectsonthepopulation7024viabilityofaquaticspecies.Alteredflowregimes,andtrans‐basindiversionscanfacilitate7025theinvasionandestablishmentofexoticspecies BunnandArthington2002 .Finally,7026streamsystemsacttointegrateandcollecttheeffectsofdisturbanceswithinthe7027catchment,includingthoseduetoflowmodification Naimanetal.2002 .7028

EasternPlains7029Changesinstreamflowpatternscreatebarrierstoaquaticspeciesmovement streamde‐7030watering,fragmentingformerly‐continuousstretchesoffree‐flowingstreams andreduced7031


313

habitatquality e.g.,alteredturbiditylevelsandsedimentconcentrations .Evensmall7032structuressuchasirrigationintakes,v‐notchgauges,andculvertsactasbarrierstonative7033plainsfishes,fragmentinghabitatandreducingpopulationviability Wohletal.2009 .70347035Transitionstreams7036HydrologicalmodificationtotransitionzonestreamsoftheColoradoFrontRangebegan7037withearlyminingpractices,andwasfollowedbyextensivediversionsandimpoundments7038foragriculturalandurbandevelopment Wohl2005 .Thesemodificationsalterednatural7039streamflowpatterns,withconsequentchangestosedimenttransport,watertemperature,7040andin‐streamhabitatdiversity.70417042 7043


314

Mountains7044Unmodifiedstreamsdisplayamosaicofhabitatscreatedbyflowandsedimentation7045patterns.ExtensiveremovalofbeaverthroughoutColoradointhefirsthalfofthe19th7046centuryprobablyhadaconsiderableeffectonchannelstructure,diversity,andstability,as7047wellassedimentlevelsinmountainstreams Wohl2006 .Placerminingwasaneven7048strongeragentofhydrologicmodificationinmanyareas.Diversiondamstendtoshift7049habitattowardslowerflowandincreasedfinesedimentation Bakeretal.2011 .The7050legacyofthesehistoricanthropogenicdisturbancesisreducedhabitatsuitabilityfornative7051species.7052

WesternSlope7053WaterstorageimpoundmentsanddiversionsarecommononmostofColorado’sWest7054Slopestreams,andhavealteredthehydrographofannualflowpatterns.Theconstruction7055ofdamsintheColoradoRiverBasinhasfragmentedandinundatedstreamhabitat;altered7056timing,rate,quantity,andtemperatureofflows;affectedseasonalavailabilityofaquatic7057habitats;decreasedturbidity i.e.,lossofcoverfrompredators,lossofsandybackwater7058habitat ;andblockedfishpassage.7059

8 Invasives, Problematic Native Species, & Pathogens 7060Thequalityofriverhabitatsforfishspeciesofconcernisdegradedbythepresenceofnon‐7061nativefishthatcompetewithand/orhybridizewithnativespecies.Inmountainstreams,7062introducedsalmonidsareathreattopopulationsofnativecutthroattrout.Impoundments7063arewidespreadpotentialsourcesofnon‐nativefishspecies,whichinsomecasesescape7064intoSGCNhabitattothedetrimentofthenativefishes.Atlowerelevations,thegrowthof7065non‐nativeriparianplantspecies,especiallytamariskandRussianolive,altersflow7066patternsbystabilizingchannelsandreducingriverinehabitatdiversity.Thesespeciesmay7067alsoincreaseshadingofaquatichabitats,andalternutrientinputs,therebychangingfood7068availabilityfornativespecies.Finally,thefreshwaterdiatomDidymospheniageminata7069commonlycalleddidymoorrocksnot ,althoughnativetolow‐nutrientcold‐water7070streamsofthearea,hasthepotentialtobecomeaprobleminwarmer,nutrient‐rich7071systemsbecauseitisexpandingitsgeographicrangeintosuchareas SpauldingandElwell70722007 .7073

9 Pollution 7074Bothurbanareasandruralcroplandsaresourcesofpesticide KimbroughandLitke1996 7075orfertilizerrunoff Carpenteretal.1998;Whiteetal.2003 .Thesestressorscanaffectthe7076aquaticcommunitycompositionandresiliencebyincreasinggrowthofalgae,depleting7077oxygenlevels,anddirectmortalityofaquaticspecies.NonpointpollutioninColorado7078streamsishighestinagriculturalandurbanlandscapesintheeasternplains,andalong7079developedstreamcorridorselsewhere.7080

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 70817082Transitionstreams7083


315

Underprojectedwarmingwatertemperaturesatmid‐century,theproportionofwarm7084waterreachlengthislikelytoincrease.Transitionalareaswouldgenerallymoveupin7085elevation,andbecomeconcentratedinthemountainregion.Withoutaccountingforwater7086temperaturesmaintainedbystoragerelease,coldwaterreachesmayessentiallydisappear7087fromthefoothillstreamsofColorado,andsomespeciesmaynotbeabletomigrateto7088suitableupstreamreaches FinkandDecker2015 .7089


Analysisofhydroperiodsovertimetodetermineflowsneededtomaintainstreamhabitat7091diversityisneeded.Decisionsupporttoolsareneededforprioritizingstreamsfor7092conservationandrestoration,basedonanticipatedbenefitstoTier1wildlifespecies.7093Evaluationofimpactsfromroadsonthesmallerstreamsisneeded.Roadsthatarenearor7094crossasmallstreamoftendowncutorchannelthewaterinsuchawaythatthewettedarea7095shrinksinsizewhenthewaterisflushedthroughtheareaatamorerapidpace,andthusis7096notabletospreadoutacrossthefloodplain.7097


Conservationactionsneededforstreamsinclude:managementofstreamflowstomaintain7099diversityofin‐streamhabitats;restorationofdegradedstreamreaches;protectingseeps7100andspringsfromdevelopment;controlofinvasivespecies;compatiblemanagementof7101grazing includingnativeandnon‐nativeungulates ;properplacementofroads,road7102crossings,andculverts;andprotection e.g.,viaconservationeasements withinimportant7103wildlifewatersheds.7104

Lakes and Reservoirs 7105

1 Residential & Commercial Development 7106MostnaturallakesinColoradoarenotheavilyimpactedbydevelopmentbecausetheyare7107smallandlocatedathighelevations.Residentialandrecreationaldevelopmentarea7108primarysourceofdisturbanceforreservoirsandshorelines,especiallyifconnectedwith7109largerwaterbodiesinlocationsfavorableforrecreationalactivity e.g.,scenicareasor7110easilyaccessiblefromurbanareas .Smallerreservoirsassociatedwithfloodcontrolor7111waterstorageonsmallerstreamsarenotgenerallyimpacted.7112

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 7113BothlakesandreservoirsprovidehabitatforSGCN,andrecreationaluseoftheseareascan7114beadisturbanceduringseasonallyimportantlifecycleevents e.g.,breeding,nesting for7115somespecies.7116


316

9 Pollution 7117Atmosphericdeposition airpollutantsdepositedtoecosystems occursinbothwet7118depositionthroughrain,snow,cloudorfog,andasdrydepositionviadustandgases.7119Atmosphericnitrogenandsulfurdepositioncanchangewaterchemistryandthereby7120impactaquaticvegetation,invertebratecommunities,amphibians,andfish.Highelevation7121lakesareparticularlysensitivetonitrogenandsulfurdeposition,andreceivemore7122depositionthanlowerelevationsduetogreateramountsofsnowandrain.Highelevation7123lakesareespeciallysensitivetoacidificationfromsulfurandnitrogendepositionand7124excessnitrogenenrichment,althoughbufferingcapacityvarieswithlocalgeology.7125Nonpointsourcesofnitrogenandphosphorus runofffromurbanandagriculturalareas 7126produceeutrophicationresultinginalgalbloomsandfishkillsinsomereservoirsand7127lakes.7128


IdentifyareaswhererecreationalactivitymaybeimpactinghabitatusebyTier1wildlife7130species.Developdecisionsupporttoolsforprioritizinglakeorreservoirhabitatsfor7131conservation,basedonanticipatedbenefitstoTier1wildlifespecies.Also,develop7132assessmenttechniquesandconductfield‐basedassessmentstodeterminethequantityand7133qualityoflakeorreservoirhabitatcurrentlyavailableforTier1wildlifespecies,andto7134evaluatetheresultsofrestoration.7135


Managewaterlevelswherepossibletoprotectlittoralhabitatidentifiedasimportantfor7137Tier1wildlifespecies.Developrecreationmanagementplanstomitigateandreduce7138humandisturbanceofTier1wildlifespeciesduringkeyseasonaluse.7139

OTHER HABITATS 7140

Cliffs & Canyons 7141

Threats 7142

3 Energy Production & Mining 7143Throughoutthestate,sandstone,limestone,granite,andshaleoutcropsarequarriedfora7144varietyofuses,whichessentiallydestroysthehabitat.IneasternColorado,windenergy7145developmentisfrequentlyconcentratedonoutcropsandcanyonrims,causing7146fragmentation,disturbance,andlossofhabitat.7147


317

4 Transportation Corridors 7148Surfaceimpactsbytransportationcorridordisturbancearelargelyduetoroad7149constructionandmaintenance,includingrockfallmitigation.7150

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 7151Aprimarythreattothishabitatisanthropogenicsurfacedisturbancethatleadstochange7152insoilorsubstratestructureorchangeinvegetationstructure.Canyonsandoutcropsof7153theeasternplainsaresubjecttodisturbancefrommilitarytrainingactivitiesinsomeareas.7154Manyoccurrencesofthishabitatarefoundonpubliclandswhererecreationaluse7155climbing canbeamajorsourceofdisturbance.7156

7 Natural System Modifications 7157Cliffsandcanyonsareoftenpartofwaterstorageconstructionprojects,andmaybe7158inundatedordisturbedbydamconstruction.Hydrologicalmodificationduetowater7159storagecanchangegroundwaterflowpatternsforcliffhabitats,withthepotentialto7160impactvegetationcompositionorpersistence.7161

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 7162Theprimarythreatofchangingclimateinthishabitatwouldbethepotentialforincreased7163frequencyofextremestormeventsthatresultinfloodsanderosion.7164


Nopriorityinformationneedshavebeenidentified.7166


Theprimaryconservationneedismaintenanceofappropriatepatchsizeandlandscape7168mosaic.7169

Alpine 7170

Threats 7171

1 Residential & Commercial Development 7172Ongoingthreatsfromdevelopmentinalpinehabitatsareassociatedwithrecreationareas7173andactivities,includingassociatedroadsandinfrastructure;thesearegenerallyarelimited7174inextent.7175

2 Agriculture 7176InsouthwesternColorado,sheepgrazingisastessorwiththepotentialtoalterspecies7177compositioninalpinehabitats.7178


318

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 7179Camping,hikingandotherrecreationalactivitiescanhavelocallysevereimpactson7180vegetation,withtheproliferationofsocialtrails,aswellasdisturbancetowildlife.Impacts7181aregreatestinareasthathaveaccesstopopular“fourteener”climbs.7182

9 Pollution 7183Anthropogenicnitrogendepositionisanongoingthreatthatcanchangepatternsofplant7184growthanddiversityinalpinehabitats Grantzetal.2003 .7185

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 7186Ourclimatechangevulnerabilityanalysis AppendixF indicatedthatalpinehabitatsin7187Coloradoaremoderatelyvulnerabletotheeffectsofclimatechangebymid‐century.The7188locationofthishabitatatthehighestavailableelevations,narrowbiophysicalenvelope,7189andedge‐of‐rangecharacterofmanyconstituentspeciescombinetolimitthepotentialfor7190thishabitattopersistinthelongtermunderprojectedconditions,whichistheprimary7191factorcontributingtothisassessmentresult.Invasivespecieshavenotpreviouslybeena7192threatinthesehabitats,butthereisapossibilitythatthiswillchangeunderfutureclimatic7193conditions.Likewise,firecouldbecomeafuturesourceofdisturbanceintheseareasif7194treesareabletoestablishathigherelevations.7195


Investigationsintotheeffectsofclimatechangeonalpinehabitatsandconstituentspecies7197isneeded.7198


Duetotheiruniquelocationswithinthestate,andthefactthattheyaregenerallyfederally7200ownedandmanagedlandscapes,theprimaryconservationactionforalpinehabitatsisto7201manageforviablecondition.7202

Sand Dunes 7203

Threats 7204

2 Agriculture 7205Smallerblowoutsandsanddunehabitatsoccursporadicallywithinstabilizedsandyareas7206ontheeasternplainsofColoradowheretheyareoftenthefocusofstabilizationeffortsby7207localranchersthatcanchangespeciescomposition Kelsoetal.2007 .Stabilization7208practicesorconversiontorowcrop7209agriculturemayfragmentordegradethesehabitats.7210


319

6 Human Intrusions & Disturbance 7211LargesanddunefieldsandotherunstablesandyhabitatsinColoradohavelimitedbut7212ongoingthreatfromrecreationaluse.Sanddunesinafewareas NorthDuneFieldin7213NorthPark arevulnerabletodisturbancebyexcessiveOHVrecreationaluse.7214

11 Climate Change & Severe Weather 7215Climatechangehasgreatpotentialtochangetheabundanceanddistributionofthese7216habitatsinColorado,ashashappenedinthepast MuhsandHolliday1995 .The7217development,extent,andpersistenceofunstablesandyareasanddunesaretightlylinked7218tolocalandregionalhydrology,includingbothsurfaceandgroundwater.Thedynamicsof7219thishabitatareaffectedbyprecipitation,sandsupply,windpatterns,theadjacent7220topography,andsurfaceflowinlocaldrainages.Theextentandmovementofunstable7221sandisgreaterinperiodsofdroughtandhighertemperatures;duneandsandsheet7222movementisprojectedtoincreaseunderfutureclimateconditions MuhsandMaat1993 .7223


Investigationsintotheeffectsofclimatechangeonsanddunehabitatsandconstituent7225speciesisneeded.7226


Duetotheiruniquelocationswithinthestate,andthefactthattheyaregenerallyfederally7228ownedandmanaged,theprimaryconservationactionforsanddunehabitatsistomanage7229forviablecondition.7230

Hot Springs 7231

Threats 7232

1 Residential & Commercial Development 7233MostofColorado’shotspringshavebeendevelopedtosomeextentforrecreationaluse.7234Effectsoftheseoftenextensivealterations,andtheassociatedrecreationalimpacts,are7235unknown.7236

3 Energy Production & Mining 7237Althoughhotspringsareacharacteristicfeatureofgeothermalenergy,itisonlyintheMt.7238Princetonareathathotspringhabitatoccursinanareawithsufficientpotentialfor7239geothermalenergydevelopmenttothreatenthehabitat.7240


320


Informationaboutcurrentconditionandpotentialimpactsofdevelopmentforhotspring7242habitatsislacking.7243


Theprimaryconservationactionforhotspringshabitatsistomanageforviablecondition7245ofthespeciesofconcern. 7246

Table 8. Key Habitats Threats and Conservation Actions.Sorted by Habitat Type and Habitat Name.

Aspen

Tier 1 Species Tier 2 Species

Forest



Reduced acreage due to fire suppression

Restore natural fire regime H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementRoads, trails, ski areas Coordinate on ecologically sensitive design of recreational facilities

M




M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation Implement compatible forest management practices

M



Native herbivore browsing Manage natural herbivory using context-appropriate methods (e.g., exclosures, fire, forest management)

M


Climate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts)


M




L


Fragmentation Avoid destruction of large tracts of native habitat

L

Group Species Common Name Primary

Amphibians Anaxyrus boreas boreas


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Ochotona princeps American pikaMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus

townsendii pallescensTownsend's big-eared bat ssp.

Mammals Gulo gulo WolverinePlants Ipomopsis ramosa Coral ipomopsisPlants Draba malpighiacea Whitlow-grass


Amphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aegolius funereus Boreal owlBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Otus flammeolus Flammulated owlBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawkBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherBirds Progne subis Purple martinBirds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerInsects Pyrgus xanthus Xanthus skipperMammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary batPlants Penstemon mensarum Grand Mesa penstemonPlants Botrychium lineare Narrowleaf grape fernPlants Draba smithii Smith whitlow-grassPlants Delphinium robustum Wahatoya Creek larkspur

Colorado's State Wildlife Action Plan - 2015

321


Lodgepole Pine


Forest



2.1 Site/Area ManagementInsect outbreaks Implement compatible forest management practices

H

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 5.2 Policies & RegulationsExurban development Promote consideration of biodiversity issues in transportation and land use planning processes

M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (clearcutting and salvage)


M


Altered fire regime (fire suppression leading to high intensity fires)





M


Exurban development Acquire conservation easement for habitat protection

L



L




Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Ochotona princeps American pikaMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Lynx canadensis LynxMammals Gulo gulo Wolverine


Amphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aegolius funereus Boreal owlBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawkBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherInsects Coloradia luski Lusk's pinemothInsects Agapema homogena Rocky Mountain agapemaMammals Martes americana American martenMammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Clethrionomys gapperi Red-backed voleMammals Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare


322


Mixed Conifer


Forest




M



Western spruce budworm Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringAltered species composition Conduct primary research on species and habitat responses to changing climate

M



L


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation Implement compatible forest management practices

L






Amphibians Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frogBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Ochotona princeps American pikaMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Lynx canadensis LynxMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus


Mammals Gulo gulo WolverinePlants Ipomopsis ramosa Coral ipomopsisPlants Hackelia gracilenta Mesa Verde stickseed


Amphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Otus flammeolus Flammulated owlBirds Strix occidentalis

lucidaMexican spotted owl

Birds Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawkBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherBirds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerInsects Coloradia luski Lusk's pinemothInsects Agapema homogena Rocky Mountain agapemaInsects Pyrgus xanthus Xanthus skipperMammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary batMammals Clethrionomys gapperi Red-backed volePlants Astragalus sparsiflorus Front Range milkvetchPlants Telesonix jamesii James telesonixPlants Botrychium lineare Narrowleaf grape fernPlants Ipomopsis aggregata

ssp. weberiRabbit Ears gilia

Plants Draba smithii Smith whitlow-grassPlants Astragalus iodopetalus Violet milkvetch


323


Pinyon - Juniper


Forest


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus


Plants Lygodesmia doloresensis

Dolores River skeletonplant

Plants Boechera glareosa Dorn's rockcressPlants Pediocactus knowltonii Knowlton cactusPlants Astragalus humillimus Mancos milkvetchPlants Hackelia gracilenta Mesa Verde stickseedPlants Astragalus schmolliae Schmoll milkvetchPlants Penstemon scariosus

var. albifluvisWhite River penstemon


Amphibians Spea intermontana Great Basin spadefootBirds Falco peregrinus

anatumAmerican peregrine falcon

Birds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aegolius funereus Boreal owlBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Vireo vicinior Gray vireoBirds Baeolophus ridgwayi Juniper titmouseBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Strix occidentalis


Birds Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawkBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherBirds Gymnorhinus

cyanocephalusPinyon jay

Birds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerInsects Callophrys comstocki Comstock's hairstreakInsects Incisalia fotis Early elfinInsects Callophrys mossii

schryveriMoss's elfin

Insects Euphilotes spaldingi Spalding's blueInsects Pyrgus xanthus Xanthus skipperMammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Nyctinomops macrotis Big free-tailed batMammals Thomomys bottae

rubidusBotta's pocket gopher (rubidus ssp)

Mammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed skunk

Mammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary batPlants Lepidium crenatum Alkaline pepperwortPlants Nuttallia densa Arkansas Canyon

stickleafPlants Herrickia horrida Canadian River

spiny asterPlants Astragalus

debequaeusDeBeque milkvetch

Plants Penstemon degeneri Degener beardtonguePlants Camissonia

eastwoodiaeEastwood evening primrose

Plants Astragalus piscator Fisher Towers milkvetchPlants Penstemon fremontii

var. glabrescensFremont’s beardtongue

Plants Nuttallia chrysantha Golden blazing starPlants Physaria vicina Good-neighbor

bladderpodPlants Penstemon grahamii Graham beardtonguePlants Astragalus

equisolensisHorseshoe milkvetch

Plants Thelypodiopsis juniperorum

Juniper tumble mustard

Plants Aletes macdougalii ssp. breviradiatus

Mesa Verde aletes

Plants Astragalus naturitensis Naturita milkvetchPlants Oreocarya osterhoutii Osterhout cat’s-eye


324






M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (riparian area deforestation, woody encroachment, chaining sagebrush, seral stage imbalance, etc.)


M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementIps outbreaks, black stain root disease


M



Prepare climate change adaptation strategy to identify and address barriers to species movement and habitat shifting

M

01.1 Housing & Urban Areas 5.1 LegislationUrban, suburban, and ex-urban development


L




L

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementIncreasing disturbance from horseback riding, ATV use, bicycling


L

06.2 War, Civil Unrest & Military Exercises


Military training disturbance at Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site

Coordinate with related agencies to align goals, policies, measures of success, etc.

L



Plants Lupinus crassus Payson lupinePlants Penstemon scariosus

var. cyanomontanusPlateau penstemon

Plants Astragalus rafaelensis San Rafael milkvetchReptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnakeReptiles Hypsiglena

chlorophaeaDesert nightsnake

Reptiles Gambelia wislizenii Long-nosed leopard lizardReptiles Crotalus oreganus

concolorMidget faded rattlesnake

Reptiles Rena dissectus New Mexico threadsnakeReptiles Phrynosoma

modestumRound-tailed horned lizard

Reptiles Tantilla horbartsmithi Smith's black-headed snake

Reptiles Lampropeltis triangulum taylori

Utah milksnake


325


Ponderosa Pine


Forest





H


Altered native vegetation (increased tree density)


H


8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat shifting, climate interaction with natural processes e.g. fire.


M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 2.2 Invasive/Problematic Species Control

Roads or Railroads Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

L



Altered native vegetation Maintain appropriate patch size and habitat mosaic

L


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered habitat due to mountain pine beetle


L


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus


Plants Boechera glareosa Dorn's rockcressPlants Ipomopsis polyantha Pagosa skyrocket


Birds Falco peregrinus anatum


Birds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aegolius funereus Boreal owlBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Otus flammeolus Flammulated owlBirds Setophaga graciae Grace’s warblerBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Strix occidentalis


Birds Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawkBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherBirds Gymnorhinus


Birds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerInsects Incisalia fotis Early elfinInsects Coloradia luski Lusk's pinemothInsects Callophrys mossii


Insects Hesperia leonardus montana

Pawnee montane skipper

Insects Agapema homogena Rocky Mountain agapemaInsects Euphilotes spaldingi Spalding's blueInsects Pyrgus xanthus Xanthus skipperMammals Sciurus aberti Abert's squirrelMammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary batPlants Aletes humilis Larimer aletesPlants Astragalus

missouriensis var. humistratus

Missouri milkvetch


326


Spruce - Fir


Forest



2.1 Site/Area ManagementInsect outbreaks Implement compatible forest management practices

H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementLogging and hazard tree salvage Implement compatible forest management practices

M




M






Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Ochotona princeps American pikaMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Lynx canadensis LynxMammals Corynorhinus


Plants Ipomopsis ramosa Coral ipomopsisPlants Physaria scrotiformis West Silver bladderpodPlants Draba malpighiacea Whitlow-grass


Amphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aegolius funereus Boreal owlBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Otus flammeolus Flammulated owlBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherMammals Martes americana American martenMammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary batMammals Sorex hoyi montanus Pygmy shrewMammals Lepus americanus Snowshoe harePlants Townsendia rothrockii Rothrock townsend‑daisy

Subalpine Limber - Bristlecone Pine


Forest




White pine blister rust Manage recreation and other human disturbances to control the spread of pathogens

H

11.2 Droughts 5.2 Policies & RegulationsClimate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts, tornados, etc.)


H




M




Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Gulo gulo Wolverine


Birds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aegolius funereus Boreal owlBirds Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finchBirds Otus flammeolus Flammulated owlBirds Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcherBirds Gymnorhinus


Birds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerMammals Sorex nanus Dwarf shrewMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bear


327


Desert Shrub


Shrub



Disturbance from exploration and production, and associated spread of noxious weeds


H

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringPotential for conversion to exotic grasslands


H




M




M



M

03.3 Renewable Energy 4.2 TrainingConcentrated solar power development

Educate development industries about avoiding and/or mitigating wildlife impacts

L




L


Birds Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finchBirds Athene cunicularia Burrowing owlBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Charadrius montanus Mountain ploverMammals Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferretMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Cynomys gunnisoni Gunnison’s prairie dogMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus


Mammals Cynomys leucurus White-tailed prairie dog


Amphibians Spea intermontana Great Basin spadefootBirds Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrowBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Calamospiza

melanocorysLark bunting

Birds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkInsects Hemileuca

neumoegeniA buckmoth

Insects Callophrys comstocki Comstock's hairstreakInsects Euphilotes rita emmeli Desert buckwheat blueInsects Incisalia fotis Early elfinInsects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Nyctinomops macrotis Big free-tailed batMammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed

skunkMammals Vulpes macrotis Kit foxMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitReptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnakeReptiles Lampropeltis

californiaeCalifornia kingsnake

Reptiles Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Desert nightsnake

Reptiles Sceloporus magister Desert spiny lizardReptiles Gambelia wislizenii Long-nosed leopard lizardReptiles Crotalus oreganus




328


Greasewood


Shrub




Conversion to cropland, groundwater pumping, runoff from fertilizers & pesticides


H




M



Avoid destruction of large tracts of native habitat

M




M



Invasive plants Control non-native plants using accepted techniques appropriate to site-specific conditions

L


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Cynomys gunnisoni Gunnison’s prairie dogReptiles Aspidoscelis

neotesselataColorado checkered whiptail


Birds Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrowBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Amphispiza belli Sage sparrowMammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed

skunkMammals Vulpes macrotis Kit foxMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Lepidium crenatum Alkaline pepperwortReptiles Hypsiglena






329


Oak and Mixed Mountain Shrublands


Shrub





M



M





L



Altered native vegetation (grazing intensity)


L


Birds Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Cynomys gunnisoni Gunnison’s prairie dogMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Corynorhinus



Birds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Setophaga graciae Grace’s warblerBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbirdBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkBirds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerInsects Incisalia fotis Early elfinInsects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Eurystrymon favonius

ontarioNorthern hairstreak

Insects Anisota oslari Oslar's oakworm mothInsects Hesperia ottoe Ottoe skipperInsects Euphilotes spaldingi Spalding's blueInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed

skunkMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Sorex preblei Preble's shrewMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Penstemon mensarum Grand Mesa penstemonPlants Astragalus


Missouri milkvetch

Reptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnakeReptiles Lampropeltis

triangulum tayloriUtah milksnake


330


Sagebrush


Shrub


Birds Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finchBirds Athene cunicularia Burrowing owlBirds Tympanuchus

phasianellus columbianus


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Centrocercus

urophasianusGreater sage-grouse

Birds Centrocercus minimus Gunnison sage-grouseMammals Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferretMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Cynomys gunnisoni Gunnison’s prairie dogMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Corynorhinus


Mammals Cynomys leucurus White-tailed prairie dogPlants Eriogonum brandegeei Brandegee

wild buckwheatPlants Physaria pulvinata Cushion bladderpodPlants Boechera glareosa Dorn's rockcressPlants Lepidium huberi Huber's pepperwortPlants Astragalus osterhoutii Kremmling milkvetchPlants Gutierrezia elegans Lone Mesa snakeweedPlants Penstemon penlandii Penland penstemonPlants Physaria rollinsii Rollins twinpodPlants Astragalus

microcymbusSkiff milkvetch

Plants Phacelia gina-glenneae

Troublesome phacelia


Amphibians Spea intermontana Great Basin spadefootBirds Leucosticte atrata Black rosy-finchBirds Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrowBirds Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrowBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Calamospiza


Birds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Amphispiza belli Sage sparrowBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkInsects Callophrys comstocki Comstock's hairstreakInsects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Vulpes macrotis Kit foxMammals Sorex preblei Preble's shrewMammals Brachylagus

idahoensisPygmy rabbit

Mammals Lemmiscus curtatus Sagebrush voleMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Cirsium perplexans Adobe thistlePlants Lepidium crenatum Alkaline pepperwortPlants Oxytropis besseyi var.

obnapiformisBessey locoweed

Plants Lomatium concinnum Colorado desert‑parsleyPlants Boechera crandallii Crandall's rock-cressPlants Penstemon fremontii

var. glabrescensFremont’s beardtongue

Plants Astragalus anisus Gunnison milkvetchPlants Thelypodiopsis

juniperorumJuniper tumble mustard

Plants Oenothera acutissima Narrow-leaf evening primrose

Plants Astragalus naturitensis Naturita milkvetchPlants Penstemon scariosus

var. cyanomontanusPlateau penstemon

Plants Mertensia humilis Rocky Mountain bluebellsPlants Astragalus iodopetalus Violet milkvetchPlants Penstemon acaulis

var. yampaensisYampa beardtongue

Reptiles Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Desert nightsnake

Reptiles Gambelia wislizenii Long-nosed leopard lizardReptiles Rhinocheilus lecontei Long-nosed snakeReptiles Crotalus oreganus




331

Table 8 - Continued.General Threat General Conservation ActionSpecific Threat Specific Conservation Action Priority



Conversion to cropland, primarily pasture grasses, chaining

Restore sagebrush using accepted techniques appropriate to site-specific conditions

H




H


Oil and gas drilling Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

H

04.2 Utility & Service Lines 5.1 LegislationOil and gas pipelines Promote consideration of biodiversity issues in transportation and land use planning processes

H



Altered native vegetation (juniper encroachment)

Re-seed native species H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation (low forb and grass diversity)


H




H




M


Coal mining Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M


Overhead utility lines and towers Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M





Invasive plants – cheatgrass Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

L


332


Saltbush


Shrub




Altered native vegetation, erosion Implement Best Management Practices for livestock grazing

H




M




M



L


5.2 Policies & RegulationsConversion to cropland Promote zoning that concentrates use and protects habitat

L



Vegetation loss from a variety of sources, leading to erosion


L


Birds Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finchBirds Athene cunicularia Burrowing owlBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Charadrius montanus Mountain ploverPlants Aletes latilobus Canyonlands aletesPlants Eriogonum

pelinophilumClay-loving wild buckwheat

Plants Sclerocactus glaucus Colorado hookless cactusPlants Lygodesmia

doloresensisDolores River skeletonplant

Plants Sclerocactus mesae-verdae

Mesa Verde hookless cactus

Plants Astragalus tortipes Sleeping Ute milkvetchPlants Penstemon scariosus



Birds Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrowBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkMammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed

skunkMammals Vulpes macrotis Kit foxMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Cirsium perplexans Adobe thistlePlants Calochortus ciscoensis Cisco sego lilyPlants Eriogonum clavellatum Comb Wash buckwheatPlants Astragalus cronquistii Cronquist milkvetchPlants Astragalus


Plants Camissonia eastwoodiae

Eastwood evening primrose

Plants Astragalus piscator Fisher Towers milkvetchPlants Oreocarya revealii Gypsum Valley cat’s- eyePlants Oreocarya osterhoutii Osterhout cat’s-eyePlants Mentzelia

paradoxensisParadox stickleaf





333


Sandsage


Shrub





H


Disturbance, fragmentation, and loss of native habitat due to wind energy development & associated infrastructure


H


Urban, suburban, and exurban development


M


Disturbance, fragmentation, and loss of native habitat due to oil/gas development & associated infrastructure


M


Altered native vegetation Restore natural fire regime L




L


Birds Athene cunicularia Burrowing owlBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Tympanuchus

pallidicinctusLesser prairie-chicken

Birds Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesi



Birds Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrowBirds Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrowBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Tympanuchus cupido Greater prairie-chickenBirds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhiteBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkBirds Bartramia longicauda Upland sandpiperMammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed

skunkMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitReptiles Rhinocheilus lecontei Long-nosed snakeReptiles Lampropeltis

triangulum tayloriUtah milksnake

Reptiles Kinosternon flavescens

Yellow mud turtle


334


Upland Shrub


Shrub





M



M




M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreation Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

M




M






L


Birds Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finchBirds Tympanuchus



Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus



Birds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrowBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbirdBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkBirds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerInsects Incisalia fotis Early elfinInsects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Callophrys mossii


Insects Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywingInsects Agapema homogena Rocky Mountain agapemaInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed

skunkMammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Nuttallia densa Arkansas Canyon

stickleafPlants Draba smithii Smith whitlow-grass


335


Foothill and Mountain Grasslands


Grassland





H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementTrails and other open space infrastructure


M



M


Altered native vegetation Restore natural fire regime M



Invasive or exotic species Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

M




Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Grus canadensis

tabidaGreater sandhill crane

Birds Charadrius montanus Mountain ploverMammals Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferretMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Cynomys gunnisoni Gunnison’s prairie dogMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Perognathus fasciatus Olive-backed pocket

mouse Mammals Corynorhinus


Mammals Cynomys leucurus White-tailed prairie dogPlants Ipomopsis polyantha Pagosa skyrocket


Birds Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald eagle

Birds Dolichonyx oryzivorus BobolinkBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Calamospiza


Birds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbirdBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkInsects Bombus

pensylvanicus American bumble bee

Insects Atrytone arogos Arogos skipperInsects Euphilotes rita

coloradensisColorado blue

Insects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywingInsects Hesperia leonardus

montanaPawnee montane skipper

Insects Speyeria idalia Regal fritillaryInsects Polites rhesus Rhesus skipperInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeInsects Pyrgus xanthus Xanthus skipperInsects Bombus fervidus Yellow bumble beeInsects Proserpinus

flavofasciataYellow-banded day sphinx

Mammals Ovis canadensis Bighorn sheepMammals Bison bison BisonMammals Thomomys bottae

rubidusBotta's pocket gopher (rubidus ssp)

Mammals Conepatus leuconotus Common hog-nosed skunk

Mammals Canis lupus Gray wolfMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Sorex preblei Preble's shrewMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Eriogonum

coloradenseColorado wild buckwheat

Plants Penstemon degeneri Degener beardtonguePlants Penstemon mensarum Grand Mesa penstemonPlants Astragalus


Missouri milkvetch

Plants Botrychium lineare Narrowleaf grape fern


336

Table 8 - Continued.11.1 Habitat Shifting & Alteration



M




L


337


Mixed and Tallgrass Prairies


Grassland



1.1 Site/Area ProtectionConversion to cropland Purchase habitat for conservation purpose

H




H




H



H




M



Noxious weeds Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

M


Altered fire regime, encroacment by woody plants

Restore native prairie using site-specific techniques and context

L

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringClimate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts, tornados, etc.)


L


Birds Athene cunicularia Burrowing owlBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Tympanuchus


Birds Charadrius montanus Mountain ploverBirds Tympanuchus

phasianellus jamesiPlains sharp-tailed grouse

Mammals Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferretMammals Perognathus fasciatus Olive-backed pocket

mouse Reptiles Sistrurus catenatus Massasauga



Bald eagle

Birds Dolichonyx oryzivorus BobolinkBirds Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrowBirds Calcarius ornatus Chestnut-collared

longspurBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Calamospiza


Birds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhiteBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkBirds Bartramia longicauda Upland sandpiperInsects Bombus


Insects Atrytone arogos Arogos skipperInsects Callophrys comstocki Comstock's hairstreakInsects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Hesperia ottoe Ottoe skipperInsects Speyeria idalia Regal fritillaryInsects Polites rhesus Rhesus skipperInsects Bombus fraternus Southern plains bumble

beeInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeInsects Bombus fervidus Yellow bumble beeMammals Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed prairie dogMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitReptiles Lampropeltis


Reptiles Phrynosoma cornutum Texas horned lizard


338


Shortgrass Prairie


Grassland


Birds Athene cunicularia Burrowing owlBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Charadrius montanus Mountain ploverMammals Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferretMammals Perognathus fasciatus Olive-backed pocket

mouse Reptiles Aspidoscelis


Reptiles Sistrurus catenatus Massasauga


Amphibians Scaphiopus couchii Couch's spadefootAmphibians Anaxyrus debilis Green toadBirds Haliaeetus

leucocephalusBald eagle

Birds Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrowBirds Calcarius ornatus Chestnut-collared

longspurBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Ammodramus

savannarumGrasshopper sparrow

Birds Calamospiza melanocorys

Lark bunting

Birds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Rhynchophanes

mccowniiMcCown’s longspur

Birds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkInsects Bombus


Insects Euphilotes rita coloradensis

Colorado blue

Insects Danaus plexippus Monarch butterflyInsects Bombus morrisoni Morrison bumble beeInsects Eurystrymon favonius

OntarioNorthern hairstreak

Insects Speyeria idalia Regal fritillaryInsects Polites rhesus Rhesus skipperInsects Callophrys mcfarlandi Sandia hairstreakInsects Bombus fraternus Southern plains bumble


beeInsects Euphyes bimacula Two-spotted skipperInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeInsects Euproserpinus wiesti Wiest's sphinx mothInsects Bombus fervidus Yellow bumble beeMammals Bison bison BisonMammals Cynomys ludovicianus Black-tailed prairie dogMammals Vulpes velox Swift foxMammals Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbitPlants Frasera coloradensis Colorado green gentianPlants Asclepias uncialis

ssp. uncialisDwarf milkweed

Plants Oonopsis puebloensis Pueblo goldenweedPlants Oonopsis foliosa var.

monocephalaRayless goldenweed

Plants Trifolium dasyphyllum ssp. anemophilum

Whip-root clover

Reptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnakeReptiles Hypsiglena


Reptiles Rhinocheilus lecontei Long-nosed snakeReptiles Rena dissectus New Mexico threadsnakeReptiles Phrynosoma

modestumRound-tailed horned lizard

Reptiles Phrynosoma cornutum Texas horned lizard


339






H



Altered native vegetation (grazing intensity)


H




H

01.2 Commercial & Industrial Areas

5.2 Policies & RegulationsUrban, suburban, and exurban development


M




M



Windbreaks, agricultural methods such as tilling, pitting


M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 5.2 Policies & RegulationsRoads or Railroads (super slab) Promote consideration of biodiversity issues in transportation and land use planning processes

M




M


Climate variability (intensification or alteration of normal weather patterns, e.g., droughts)


M


Wind energy development Implement Best Management Practices for energy development

L


Altered native vegetation (woody encroachment, seral stage imbalance, etc.)

Restore natural fire regime L

Reptiles Lampropeltis triangulum taylori

Utah milksnake


340


Playas


Riparian and Wetlands





H




H



Conversion to cropland Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

M




M



Natural system modification - wetland filling, eutrophication, siltation


M



Fertilizer runoff, herbicide/pesticide spraying or runoff


M


Urban, suburban, and exurban development


L





L




L

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of water due to drought and exacerbated by climate change


L


Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Charadrius montanus Mountain ploverReptiles Aspidoscelis






Bald eagle

Birds Calamospiza melanocorys

Lark bunting

Birds Sterna antillarum Least ternBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Rhynchophanes


Birds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Charadrius melodus Piping ploverBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkBirds Plegadis chihi White-faced ibisPlants Cleome multicaulis Slender spiderflowerReptiles Lampropeltis



341









H


Gravel mining Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

H



Altered hydrological regime (dams and diversions)


H



Channelization Implement streambank or in-stream restoration/improvements

H



Invasive plants - tamarisk and Russian olive


H




M

01.2 Commercial & Industrial Areas

5.2 Policies & RegulationsDevelopment along major stream corridors


M



Conversion or altered vegetation for hay making

Restore riparian vegetation using site-specific techniques and context

M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Fragmentation (roads) Implement Best Management Practices for transportation projects

M




M


5.4 Compliance & EnforcementWater pollution, fertilizer runoff Enforce state/federal/local pollution standards

L





L




Amphibians Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frogBirds Tympanuchus



Birds Empidonax traillii extimus


Birds Coccyzus americanus occidentalis


Birds Lagopus leucura White-tailed ptarmiganMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Zapus hudsonius

luteusNew Mexico jumping mouse

Mammals Zapus hudsonius preblei


Plants Spiranthes diluvialis Ute ladies’-tresses


Amphibians Lithobates blairi Plains leopard frogAmphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Haliaeetus

leucocephalusBald eagle

Birds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhiteBirds Catharus fuscescens VeeryInsects Incisalia fotis Early elfinInsects Speyeria nokomis

nokomisGreat Basin silverspot butterfly

Insects Capnia nelsoni Nelson’s snowflyInsects Bombus fraternus Southern plains bumble


beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Lasiurus cinereus Hoary batMammals Lepus americanus Snowshoe hareReptiles Thamnophis sirtalis Common gartersnake


342


Wetlands






Amphibians Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frogBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Grus canadensis


Birds Lagopus leucura White-tailed ptarmiganPlants Mimulus gemmiparus Budding monkey flowerPlants Oenothera

coloradensis ssp. coloradensis

Colorado butterfly plant

Plants Eutrema penlandii Penland alpine fen mustard


Amphibians Acris crepitans Blanchard's cricket frogAmphibians Scaphiopus couchii Couch's spadefootAmphibians Gastrophryne olivacea Great Plains

narrowmouth toadAmphibians Lithobates blairi Plains leopard frogAmphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Botaurus lentiginosus American bitternBirds Falco peregrinus



Bald eagle

Birds Bucephala islandica Barrow's goldeneyeBirds Chlidonias niger Black ternBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Charadrius melodus Piping ploverBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Plegadis chihi White-faced ibisBirds Grus americana Whooping craneInsects Epitheca petechialis Dot-winged baskettailInsects Speyeria nokomis


Insects Libellula nodisticta Hoary skimmerInsects Somatochlora

hudsonicaHudsonian emerald

Insects Danaus plexippus Monarch butterflyInsects Sympetrum madidum Red-veined meadowflyInsects Speyeria idalia Regal fritillaryInsects Bombus fraternus Southern plains bumble


beeInsects Ochrotrichia susanae Susan's purse-making

caddisflyInsects Euphyes bimacula Two-spotted skipperInsects Boloria improba

acrocnemaUncompahgre fritillary

Insects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Sorex hoyi montanus Pygmy shrewMammals Lontra canadensis River otterMammals Lepus americanus Snowshoe hareMollusks Promenetus

umbillicatellusCockerell

Mollusks Promenetus exacuous Sharp spritePlants Limnorchis zothecina Alcove bog orchidPlants Anticlea vaginatus Alcove death camasPlants Salix arizonica Arizona willowPlants Oenothera acutissima Narrow-leaf

evening primrosePlants Thelypodium

paniculatumNorthwestern thelypody

Plants Puccinellia parishii Parish’s alkali grassPlants Ptilagrostis porteri Porter feathergrassPlants Cleome multicaulis Slender spiderflowerReptiles Thamnophis sirtalis Common gartersnakeReptiles Kinosternon

flavescensYellow mud turtle


343

Table 8 - Continued.General Threat General Conservation ActionSpecific Threat Specific Conservation Action Priority



H


2.1 Site/Area ManagementRoads and trails Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

H



Conversion to pasture grass or other altered vegetation


H




H



Altered hydrological regime (surface or aquifer) - altered flow and fluctuating water temperatures


H




H




H




M





M

04.1 Roads & Railroads 5.3 Private Sector Standards & Codes

Fragmentation Implement Best Management Practices for transportation projects

L



Aquatic





H



Altered hydrological regime Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

H



Invasive animals Control non-native fish using accepted integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

H



Recreation area developments Acquire water rights or instream flow rights

M



Invasive plants - tamarisk Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

M



Irrigated tilled and untilled crops Improve erosion and excess sedimentation conditions

L



Domestic livestock grazing Implement streambank or in-stream restoration/improvements

L




Fish Catostomus discobolus

Bluehead sucker

Fish Gila elegans Bonytail chubFish Ptychocheilus lucius Colorado pikeminnowFish Catostomus latipinnis Flannelmouth suckerFish Gila cypha Humpback chubFish Catostomus

platyrhynchusMountain sucker

Fish Xyrauchen texanus Razorback suckerFish Gila robusta Roundtail chubMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus



Amphibians Hyla arenicolor Canyon tree frogBirds Falco peregrinus


Birds Pelecanus erythrorhynchos


Birds Bucephala islandica Barrow's goldeneyeBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Progne subis Purple martinBirds Plegadis chihi White-faced ibisInsects Stylurus intricatus Brimstone clubtailInsects Ametropus neavei Mayfly, spp.Mammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Lontra canadensis River otterMollusks Ferrissia walkeri Cloche ancylidMollusks Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylidMollusks Promenetus exacuous Sharp spriteReptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnake


344


Colorado Plateau - Wyoming Basins Streams


Aquatic





H




H



Non-native fish Control non-native fish using accepted integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

H





M



Invasive plants - tamarisk Write and/or implement integrated weed/pest management plan

M



Irrigated hay meadows Restore native habitat L


Amphibians Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frogBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Centrocercus

urophasianusGreater sage-grouse

Fish Catostomus discobolus

Bluehead sucker

Fish Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus


Fish Catostomus latipinnis Flannelmouth suckerFish Catostomus

platyrhynchusMountain sucker

Fish Gila robusta Roundtail chubMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus



Amphibians Hyla arenicolor Canyon tree frogBirds Falco peregrinus



Bald eagle

Birds Bucephala islandica Barrow's goldeneyeBirds Cypseloides niger Black swiftBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkInsects Speyeria nokomis


Insects Libellula nodisticta Hoary skimmerMammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Lontra canadensis River otterReptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnake


345


Eastern Plains Rivers


Aquatic




Altered hydrological regime (aquifer) Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

H



Altered hydrological regime (surface) Restore native habitat using site-specific techniques and context

H




Collaborate with relevant agencies and stakeholders to adjust operation of dam

H





M

09.2 Industrial & Military Effluents


Mining and energy production Implement Best Management Practices for energy development and mining

M


Urban & exurban development Implement Best Management Practices for urban development, landscaping, etc.

L



Consumptive use for irrigation Acquire water rights or instream flow rights

L


Amphibians Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frogBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleFish Etheostoma cragini Arkansas darterFish Hybognathus

hankinsoniBrassy minnow

Fish Platygobio gracilis Flathead chubFish Lepomis humilis Orangespotted sunfishFish Etheostoma spectabile Orangethroat darterFish Hybognathus placitus Plains minnowFish Fundulus sciadicus Plains topminnowFish Noturus flavus StonecatFish Phenacobius mirabilis Suckermouth minnowMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Zapus hudsonius





Amphibians Acris crepitans Blanchard's cricket frogAmphibians Lithobates blairi Plains leopard frogBirds Falco peregrinus





Bald eagle

Birds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconFish Etheostoma exile Iowa darterInsects Epitheca petechialis Dot-winged baskettailInsects Argia alberta Paiute dancerInsects Mesocapnia frisoni Plains snowflyMammals Lontra canadensis River otterMollusks Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylidReptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnakeReptiles Thamnophis sirtalis Common gartersnakeReptiles Rhinocheilus lecontei Long-nosed snake


346


Eastern Plains Streams


Aquatic



2.1 Site/Area ManagementIncompatible grazing Implement compatible grazing practices

H



Altered hydrological regime (aquifer) Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

H



Altered hydrological regime (surface) Restore or maintain suitable hydrological regime

H



Irrigation Acquire water rights or instream flow rights

M





M





M


Habitat fragmentation Implement Best Management Practices for urban development, landscaping, etc.

L




Fish Platygobio gracilis Flathead chubFish Lepomis humilis Orangespotted sunfishFish Etheostoma spectabile Orangethroat darterFish Hybognathus placitus Plains minnowFish Fundulus sciadicus Plains topminnowFish Chrosomus

erythrogasterSouthern redbelly dace

Fish Noturus flavus StonecatFish Phenacobius mirabilis Suckermouth minnowMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Zapus hudsonius





Amphibians Acris crepitans Blanchard's cricket frogAmphibians Gastrophryne olivacea Great Plains

narrowmouth toadAmphibians Anaxyrus debilis Green toadAmphibians Lithobates blairi Plains leopard frogBirds Falco peregrinus



Bald eagle

Birds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhiteBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkFish Etheostoma exile Iowa darterInsects Epitheca petechialis Dot-winged baskettailInsects Libellula nodisticta Hoary skimmerInsects Somatochlora

ensigeraLemon-faced emerald

Insects Argia alberta Paiute dancerInsects Mesocapnia frisoni Plains snowflyInsects Euphyes bimacula Two-spotted skipperMammals Lontra canadensis River otterMollusks Anodontoides

ferussacianusCylindrical papershell

Mollusks Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylidMollusks Uniomerus

tetralasmusPondhorn

Reptiles Thamnophis cyrtopsis Blacknecked gartersnakeReptiles Thamnophis sirtalis Common gartersnakeReptiles Hypsiglena


Reptiles Rena dissectus New Mexico threadsnakeReptiles Kinosternon

flavescensYellow mud turtle


347


Lakes


Aquatic





Implement Best Management Practices for transportation projects, urban development, landscaping, etc..

M



Nutrient loads Implement Best Management Practices for agricultural production

M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreational infrastructure development


L

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreational use that disturbs species of concern


L

09.5 Air-Borne Pollutants 5.4 Compliance & EnforcementExcess nitrogen deposition Enforce state/federal/local pollution standards

L




Amphibians Lithobates pipiens Northern leopard frogFish Oncorhynchus clarkii

pleuriticusColorado River cutthroat trout

Fish Catostomus latipinnis Flannelmouth suckerFish Oncorhynchus clarkii

stomiasGreenback cutthroat trout

Fish Chrosomus eos Northern redbelly daceFish Lepomis humilis Orangespotted sunfishFish Gila pandora Rio Grande chubFish Oncorhynchus clarkii

virginalisRio Grande cutthroat trout

Fish Chrosomus erythrogaster



Amphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Bucephala islandica Barrow's goldeneyeBirds Plegadis chihi White-faced ibisFish Couesius plumbeus Lake chubInsects Libellula nodisticta Hoary skimmerInsects Sympetrum madidum Red-veined meadowflyMollusks Ferrissia walkeri Cloche ancylidMollusks Promenetus


Mollusks Anodontoides ferussacianus


Mollusks Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylidMollusks Uniomerus

tetralasmusPondhorn

Mollusks Acroloxus coloradensis


Mollusks Promenetus exacuous Sharp spriteMollusks Physa gyrina

utahensisUtah physa

Reptiles Kinosternon flavescens

Yellow mud turtle


348


Mountain Streams


Aquatic






H



Invasive animals Control non-native fish using accepted integrated pest management techniques for aquatic habitats

M






Fish Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus


Fish Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias


Fish Catostomus platyrhynchus

Mountain sucker

Fish Gila pandora Rio Grande chubFish Oncorhynchus clarkii

virginalisRio Grande cutthroat trout

Fish Catostomus plebeius Rio Grande suckerMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Zapus hudsonius




Mammals Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens


Plants Draba weberi Weber’s draba


Amphibians Lithobates sylvatica Wood FrogBirds Falco peregrinus



Bald eagle

Birds Bucephala islandica Barrow's goldeneyeBirds Cypseloides niger Black swiftBirds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Progne subis Purple martinInsects Arsapnia arapahoe Arapahoe snowflyMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearMammals Lontra canadensis River otterMollusks Promenetus


Mollusks Acroloxus coloradensis


Mollusks Promenetus exacuous Sharp sprite

Reservoirs and Shorelines


Aquatic



2.1 Site/Area Management Coordinate on ecologically sensitive design of recreational facilities

M

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area Management Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

M




Birds Sterna antillarum Least ternBirds Charadrius melodus Piping ploverBirds Charadrius

alexandrinus nivosusWestern snowy plover

Birds Plegadis chihi White-faced ibisInsects Bombus fraternus Southern plains bumble


beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMollusks Ferrissia walkeri Cloche ancylidMollusks Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylid


349


Rio Grande Valley Rivers


Aquatic





H


8.0 Research & MonitoringAltered flows, temperature, and other habitat characteristics related to changing temperature and precipitation regimes


H



consumptive water use Acquire water rights or instream flow rights

M



L


Fish Gila pandora Rio Grande chubFish Catostomus plebeius Rio Grande sucker

Rio Grande Valley Streams


Aquatic





H




H




M



L


Fish Gila pandora Rio Grande chubFish Catostomus plebeius Rio Grande sucker


350


Transition Streams


Aquatic





H




H


Altered hydrological regime Acquire water rights or instream flow rights

L




Fish Luxilus cornutus Common shinerFish Platygobio gracilis Flathead chubFish Chrosomus eos Northern redbelly daceFish Lepomis humilis Orangespotted sunfishFish Etheostoma spectabile Orangethroat darterFish Fundulus sciadicus Plains topminnowFish Chrosomus

erythrogasterSouthern redbelly dace

Fish Noturus flavus StonecatFish Phenacobius mirabilis Suckermouth minnowMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Zapus hudsonius




Mammals Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens






Bald eagle

Birds Passerina amoena Lazuli buntingBirds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Strix occidentalis


Birds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warblerFish Etheostoma exile Iowa darterInsects Arsapnia arapahoe Arapahoe snowflyInsects Celastrina humulus Hops feeding azureInsects Callophrys mossii


Insects Mesocapnia frisoni Plains snowflyMammals Lontra canadensis River otterMollusks Physa gyrina

utahensisUtah physa


351


Agriculture


Other




Birds Centrocercus urophasianus

Greater sage-grouse

Birds Grus canadensis tabida


Birds Centrocercus minimus Gunnison sage-grouseBirds Tympanuchus


Birds Charadrius montanus Mountain plover



Bald eagle

Birds Patagioenas fasciata Band-tailed pigeonBirds Dolichonyx oryzivorus BobolinkBirds Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrowBirds Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrowBirds Calcarius ornatus Chestnut-collared

longspurBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Tympanuchus cupido Greater prairie-chickenBirds Calamospiza


Birds Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpeckerBirds Lanius ludovicianus Loggerhead shrikeBirds Numenius americanus Long-billed curlewBirds Rhynchophanes


Birds Colinus virginianus Northern bobwhiteBirds Circus cyaneus Northern harrierBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Asio flammeus Short-eared owlBirds Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawkBirds Bartramia longicauda Upland sandpiperBirds Plegadis chihi White-faced ibisBirds Grus americana Whooping craneInsects Bombus


Insects Danaus plexippus Monarch butterflyInsects Bombus fraternus Southern plains bumble


beeInsects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeInsects Bombus fervidus Yellow bumble beeMammals Vulpes velox Swift fox


352


Alpine


Other


09.5 Air-Borne Pollutants 5.4 Compliance & EnforcementAnthropogenic nitrogen deposition Enforce state/federal/local pollution standards

H




H

11.3 Temperature Extremes 8.0 Research & MonitoringHabitat shifting and alteration due to climate change


H

06.1 Recreational Activities 5.4 Compliance & EnforcementAltered vegetation from hiking, camping, etc.


M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementRoads, trails, ski areas Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

L


2.1 Site/Area ManagementAltered native vegetation - Sheep grazing


L


Birds Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finchBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleBirds Lagopus leucura White-tailed ptarmiganMammals Ochotona princeps American pikaMammals Gulo gulo WolverinePlants Descurainia kenheilii Heil’s tansy mustardPlants Eutrema penlandii Penland alpine fen

mustardPlants Oreoxis humilis Pikes Peak spring parsleyPlants Aliciella sedifolia Stonecrop giliaPlants Draba weberi Weber’s drabaPlants Physaria scrotiformis West Silver bladderpodPlants Draba malpighiacea Whitlow-grass


Birds Leucosticte atrata Black rosy-finchBirds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconBirds Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbirdInsects Bombus suckleyi Suckley cuckoo bumble

beeInsects Boloria improba

acrocnemaUncompahgre fritillary

Insects Bombus occidentalis Western bumble beeMammals Martes americana American martenMammals Ovis canadensis Bighorn sheepMammals Ursus arctos Grizzly bearPlants Physaria alpina Avery Peak twinpodPlants Draba exunguiculata Clawless drabaPlants Delphinium ramosum

var. alpestreColorado larkspur

Plants Eriogonum coloradense

Colorado wild buckwheat

Plants Castilleja puberula Downy Indian paintbrushPlants Ipomopsis globularis Globe giliaPlants Draba grayana Gray's Peak

whitlow‑grassPlants Telesonix jamesii James telesonixPlants Townsendia rothrockii Rothrock townsend‑daisyPlants Draba graminea San Juan whitlow‑grassPlants Saussurea weberi Weber saussurea


353


Barrens


Other



Housing, urban and ex-urban development


H


Habitat fragmentation and degradation


H




H

06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementMotorized recreation (OHV) Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

M


Plants Corispermum navicula Boat-shaped bugseedPlants Eriogonum brandegeei Brandegee

wild buckwheatPlants Physaria pulvinata Cushion bladderpodPlants Phacelia submutica DeBeque phaceliaPlants Boechera glareosa Dorn's rockcressPlants Physaria congesta Dudley Bluffs bladderpodPlants Penstemon gibbensii Gibben’s beardtonguePlants Gutierrezia elegans Lone Mesa snakeweedPlants Packera mancosana Mancos shale packeraPlants Sclerocactus mesae-

verdaeMesa Verde hookless cactus

Plants Phacelia formosula North Park phaceliaPlants Ipomopsis polyantha Pagosa skyrocketPlants Penstemon debilis Parachute penstemonPlants Physaria obcordata Piceance twinpodPlants Physaria rollinsii Rollins twinpodPlants Physaria scrotiformis West Silver bladderpodPlants Penstemon scariosus



Plants Physaria bellii Bell’s twinpodPlants Lomatium concinnum Colorado desert‑parsleyPlants Astragalus


Plants Townsendia fendleri Fendler’s townsend‑daisyPlants Nuttallia chrysantha Golden blazing starPlants Penstemon grahamii Graham beardtonguePlants Townsendia glabella Gray’s townsend‑daisyPlants Oreocarya revealii Gypsum Valley cat’s- eyePlants Oreocarya osterhoutii Osterhout cat’s-eyePlants Physaria pruinosa Pagosa bladderpodPlants Lupinus crassus Payson lupinePlants Physaria parviflora Piceance bladderpodPlants Oonopsis puebloensis Pueblo goldenweedPlants Mentzelia rhizomata Roan Cliffs blazing starPlants Oxybaphus

rotundifoliusRound-leaf four o’clock

Plants Thalictrum heliophilum Sun-loving meadow rue


354


Cliffs and Canyons


Other


06.1 Recreational Activities 5.4 Compliance & EnforcementTrail development, climbing Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

H

11.2 Droughts 8.0 Research & MonitoringLack of water for seep habitats Research population parameters and/or monitor status

H

03.2 Mining & Quarrying 2.1 Site/Area ManagementRock quarrying Manage to limit disturbance, especially to roost sites, maternity colonies, and hibernacula

M


Wind turbines in Eastern Colorado outcrop areas


M



L


Birds Leucosticte australis Brown-capped rosy-finchBirds Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagleMammals Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotisMammals Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotisMammals Euderma maculatum Spotted batMammals Corynorhinus


Plants Mimulus gemmiparus Budding monkey flowerPlants Aletes latilobus Canyonlands aletesPlants Astragalus deterior Cliff-palace milkvetchPlants Astragalus humillimus Mancos milkvetchPlants Hackelia gracilenta Mesa Verde stickseedPlants Erigeron wilkenii Wilken fleabaneReptiles Aspidoscelis



Amphibians Hyla arenicolor Canyon tree frogArachnids Hypochilus bonneti A lampshade spiderBirds Falco peregrinus


Birds Cypseloides niger Black swiftBirds Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawkBirds Strix occidentalis


Birds Falco mexicanus Prairie falconInsects Euphilotes rita

coloradensisColorado blue

Mammals Idionycteris phyllotis Allen's big-eared batMammals Nyctinomops macrotis Big free-tailed batMammals Ovis canadensis Bighorn sheepPlants Limnorchis zothecina Alcove bog orchidPlants Anticlea vaginatus Alcove death camasPlants Telesonix jamesii James telesonixPlants Erigeron kachinensis Kachina daisyPlants Aletes humilis Larimer aletesPlants Aletes macdougalii

ssp. breviradiatusMesa Verde aletes

Plants Astragalus naturitensis Naturita milkvetchPlants Potentilla rupincola Rocky Mountain cinquefoilPlants Draba smithii Smith whitlow-grassReptiles Crotalus oreganus


Hot Springs


Other



2.1 Site/Area ManagementRecreational infrastructure Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

H

03.3 Renewable Energy 5.2 Policies & RegulationsGeothermal power development Establish mitigation requirements for developments and other projects that impact species/habitats

L


Mollusks Physa cupreonitens Hot Springs physa


355


Sand Dunes


Other


06.1 Recreational Activities 2.1 Site/Area ManagementOHV use Manage public use to be compatible with biodiversity

M


8.0 Research & MonitoringPotential for increased dune & sheet movement


M


2.1 Site/Area ManagementConversion to cropland, or other stabilization practices


L


Plants Corispermum navicula Boat-shaped bugseedGroup Species Common Name Primary

Insects Amblyderus werneri Great Sand Dunes anthicid beetle

Insects Cicindela theatina San Luis Dunes tiger beetle

Insects Euproserpinus wiesti Wiest's sphinx moth


356

357

7248

UtmostinpriorityforachievingthegoalsoftheSWAPistheabilitytomonitorprogress7249towardbenchmarkmeasuresofsuccessandpopulationsecuritythresholdsforspeciesand7250habitats.Thisclearlyreflectstheneedforacomprehensivesystemthatallowsinformation7251frompastandfutureinventories,surveys,research,andmanagementactionstobe7252accumulated,consolidatedatmultiplescales,andeasilyandrapidlydistributedand7253comparedtobenchmarks.Manyoftheelementsneededforsuchasystemarealreadyin7254place.72557256CPWandCNHPmaintaindatabasesthathousedetailedbiologicalandlocationinformation7257onwildlifespeciesandhabitatsinthestate.TheCrucialHabitatAssessmentTool CHAT ,7258developedbytheWesternGovernors’Associationandmultipleconservationpartners,7259prioritizeshabitatsbyimportancetovulnerablewildlifespecies14.TheColorado7260Ownership,Management,andProtectiondatabase COMaP consolidatesownershipdata7261onprotectedlandsinthestate15.Thesedatamanagementtoolscanbeusedtogetherto7262supportacomprehensivemonitoringprogramtogaugeprogresstowardconservation7263goals.7264

Species Monitoring 7265

Forspecies,Colorado’smonitoringwillfirstemployexistingsurveysandinventories,7266includingmonitoringbeingdonebyCPWandconservationpartners Table9 .Formanyof7267ourhighestprioritySGCN,long‐termmonitoringeffortsareon‐going.Inadditiontothe7268monitoringeffortslistedinTable9,CPWresourcestewardshipstaffconductavarietyof7269monitoringprogramsonStateParkLands,includingraptormonitoring,birdsurveys7270includingsongbirds,waterfowl,migratorybirds ,andpresence/absenceofsmall7271mammalsandamphibians.Inanumberofcases,monitoringorresearchwillneedtobe7272thefirststepwhenexistingstatusof,andthreatsto,SGCNareunknown.Therearethree7273Tier1and41Tier2vertebrateandmolluskSGCNnotcurrentlycoveredbyexisting7274monitoringefforts identifiedbyblanksinTable9 .Developmentofmonitoringprograms7275willbeapriorityconservationactionformanyofthesespecies.72767277CPW’sColoradoNaturalAreasProgram CNAP providesmonitoringofrarespecies,7278especiallyrareplants,whichisfurtheroutlinedintheRarePlantSWAP AppendixA .7279CNAPandsomestateparksalsoperiodicallyinventoryinvertebratesandusevolunteersto7280monitorbutterflies.However,ofthenon‐molluskinvertebrateSGCN,veryfewspeciesare7281regularlymonitored AppendixB ,andallofthosearemonitoredonlyatthelocalscale.7282BecauseCPWdoesnothavelegislativeauthorityoverthesespeciesgroups,werelyupon7283

14http://westgovchat.org15http://centroid1.warnercnr.colostate.edu/COMaP_v9/download_comap9.html

358

ourconservationpartnerstofillthisgap.TheColoradoButterflyMonitoringNetwork16,7284launchedin2013bytheButterflyPavilion,isoneexampleofhowColoradoanscanhelp7285meetthisneed.7286

Habitat Monitoring 7287

Therearecurrentlyveryfewmonitoringprogramsforhabitatatastatewidescale.TheU.S.7288ForestService’snationalForestInventoryandAnalysisisimplementedacrossallforest7289typesinColoradobytheColoradoStateForestService17.TheColoradoStateForestService7290alsosurveysforestinsectanddiseaseoutbreaks18.HabitatmonitoringonStateParksis7291conductedbyCPWresourcestewardshipstaffthroughvegetationplotmonitoring.CNAP7292conductslong‐termmonitoringofnumerousrepresentativeandrareplantcommunities7293whichareidentifiedanddesignatedwithinthestate’snaturalareassystem.Federal,state,7294andlocalpubliclandmanagersmonitorlandswithintheirjurisdictionstovaryingdegrees,7295butnoformalprogramexistsformonitoringhabitatsacrossownershipboundaries.As7296naturalresourcestewardshipevolvesoverthecomingyears,identifyingnewwaysto7297coordinatemonitoringofhabitatsisneeded.7298

Measuring Conservation Success 7299

Tofacilitatemonitoringtheeffectivenessofimplementedconservationeffortsata7300statewidescale,periodicassessmentsoftheconservationstatusofSGCNandkeyhabitats7301willbeconductedfollowingmethodsdevelopedfortheStateofColorado’sBiodiversity7302report Rondeauetal.2011 .TheStateofColorado’sBiodiversitypresentsameasureof7303theeffectivenessofconservationactionforselectspeciesandecosystems,followinga7304systematicandrepeatablescorecardapproach.Methodsbehindtheanalysiswere7305developedbytheColoradoNaturalHeritageProgramandTheNatureConservancy,with7306inputfromCPW.Speciesandecosystemswereassessedforbiodiversitystatus,threats,7307andcurrentlevelofprotection.Eachofthesethreemaincategorieswasanalyzed7308accordingtoseveralsub‐categories,asappropriateforplants,animals,andecosystems.7309Sub‐categoriesforbiodiversitystatusincludeindicatorsofbothsizeandcondition e.g.,7310abundance,numberofpopulations,landscapesetting,andsoon .Threatswereevaluated7311forscope,severity,andimmediacy.Protectionstatuswasassessedbasedonthe7312proportionofknownpopulationsonlandsthatarelegallyprotectedfromconversion note7313thatthismeasurereflectsthelong‐termsecurityoftheexistinglanduseinalegal7314framework;itisnotsuggestiveoftherelativequalityofagivenoccurrence .73157316Allfactors,takentogether,werecombinedtoprovideanoverallindicationofhoweffective7317pastandcurrentconservationactionshavebeeninthecontextofcurrentlanduseand7318

16http://www.nab‐net.org/program/colorado‐butterfly‐monitoring‐network17http://csfs.colostate.edu/forest‐management/forest‐inventory‐analysis/18http://csfs.colostate.edu/forest‐management/common‐forest‐insects‐diseases/

359

humanactivity,aswellaswhattypesofconservationstrategiesmightbemosteffectivein7319thefuture.Ultimately,speciesandecosystemswerecategorizedasEffectivelyConserved,7320ModeratelyConserved,UnderConserved,orPoorlyConserved.Itisimportantto7321understandthatthesearerelativescoresfromastatewideperspective.Thesemethodsdo7322notaddressregional,watershed,orlocalstatusandcontext.Likewise,theydonotaddress7323listingfactorsassociatedwiththeEndangeredSpeciesAct,andarenotappropriateforthat7324purpose.Thestrengthofthescorecardapproachisthatitsupportsperiodicre‐assessment7325ofecosystemsandspeciesstatusasawaytoevaluateprogresstowardconservationgoals.7326Rondeauetal. 2011 providesadditionaldetailsonmethodsandcurrentresults the7327ExecutiveSummaryforthe2011reportisattachedasAppendixG;thefullreportcanbe7328downloadedfromhttp://www.cnhp.colostate.edu .Notethatconditionshavealready7329changedforsomespeciesandecosystemsreviewedinthe2011report.Keepingthe7330analysisaswellastheunderlyingdataandassumptionscurrentisahighpriorityfor7331monitoringthestatusofSGCNandtheirhabitatsandtheeffectivenessofimplemented7332conservationactions.73337334Ourgoalistoupdatethebiodiversitystatusanalysiseveryfiveto10years.This,in7335conjunctionwithscheduledreviewoftheSWAP especiallyreviewofspecies’status7336relativetoTier1andTier2SGCNdesignation ,willprovidetheinformationneededto7337identifyconservationsuccessesandemergingneeds,prioritizeresourceexpenditures,and7338directpartnercollaboration.7339


360

Table 9. Existing monitoring plans for SGCN. Focus: SS = Single Species; MS = Multi-species. Agency/Organizations: BCNA = Boulder 7340County Nature Association; BLM = Bureau of Land Management; CNHP = Colorado Natural Heritage Program; CPW = Colorado Parks & Wildlife; 7341IWJV = Intermountain West Joint Venture; RMBO = Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory; UDWR = Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; USACOE = 7342U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; USFS = U.S. Forest Service; USFWS = U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; USGS = U.S. Geological Service; WAFWA = 7343Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies; WYGF = Wyoming Game & Fish. 7344

Species Common Name Document Citation Focus Long-term

Geographic Scope

Agency or Organization

leads

AMPHIBIANS – TIER 1

Anaxyrus boreas boreas

Boreal toad (Southern Rocky Mountain population)

(1) Conservation plan and agreement for the management and recovery of the southern Rocky Mountain population of the boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas). 2001. Boreal Toad Recovery Team, Loeffler, C. (ed.). 76 pp. + appendices. (2) Boreal toad survey and monitoring project summary 1999 - 2012. Lambert and Schneider 2013. Colorado Natural Heritage Program report for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

SS X (1) Multi-state: CO, WY, NM (2) Statewide

(1) CPW and 8 other agency signatories

(2) CNHP, CPW

Lithobates pipiens

Northern leopard frog

Dosch, K.L., P.T.J. Johnson, and V. McKenzie. 2008. Northern leopard frog (Lithobates [=Rana] pipiens) sampling protocol for Colorado. University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. 42pp.

SS Statewide CPW

BIRDS – TIER 1

Leucosticte australis

Brown-capped rosy-finch

Indian Peaks four season bird counts, 20 year summary (1982-2001)

MS X Local BCNA

Athene cunicularia Burrowing owl

(1) Integrated Monitoring in BCRs: http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/Projects/IntegratedMonitoringinBirdConservationRegions.aspx (2) Breeding Bird Survey: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/ (3) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X

(1) Multi-state(2) North America

(3) Statewide

(1) CPW, USFS, RMBO,

BLM (2) USGS (3) CPW



(1) Columbian sharp-tailed grouse conservation plan: Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Counties, Northwest Colorado (2) Annual Lek Surveys - unpublished internal report, no citation

SS X Statewide CPW


361


Geographic Scope


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Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagle

(1) Nielson, R. M., Mcmanus, L., Rintz, T., Mcdonald, L. L., Murphy, R. K., Howe, W. H. and Good, R. E. 2014. Monitoring abundance of golden eagles in the western United States. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 78: 721–730. doi: 10.1002/jwmg.704 (2) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

(3) Winter Raptor Survey http://bcna.org/raptorlinks.html

(1) SS (2) MS (3) MS

(2) X (3) X

(1) Western U.S.

(2) Statewide (3) Local

(1) USFWS (2) CPW (3) BCNA

Centrocercus urophasianus

Greater sage-grouse

(1) Colorado Greater Sage-Grouse Steering Committee. 2008. Colorado Greater sage-grouse conservation plan. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver, Colorado, USA. (2) Annual Lek Surveys - unpublished internal report, no citation

SS X Statewide CPW

Grus canadensis tabida


(1) Pacific Flyway wide fall staging counts in production areas (currently limited in Colorado to the upper Yampa River valley, the San Luis Valley, and the Delta vicinity): Subcommittee on Rocky Mountain Greater Sandhill Cranes. 2007. Management plan of the Pacific and Central Flyways for the Rocky Mountain population of greater sandhill cranes. [Joint] Subcommittees, Rocky Mountain Population Greater Sandhill Cranes, Pacific Flyway Study Committee, Central Flyway Webless Migratory Game Bird Tech. Committee [c/o USFWS, MBMO], Portland, OR. 97pp. (2) Yampa Valley breeding population monitoring (a revised monitoring protocol is being pilot tested beginning in 2015): Graham, V. K. 1992. Recovery Plan for the Colorado population of the greater sandhill crane. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Grand Junction, CO.

SS X (1) Multi-state

(2) NW Region

(1) USFWS (2) CPW

Centrocercus minimus

Gunnison sage-grouse

(1) Gunnison Sage-Grouse Rangewide Steering Committee. 2005. Gunnison sage-grouse rangewide conservation plan. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver, Colorado, USA. (2) Annual Lek Surveys - unpublished internal report, no citation

SS X

(1) Range-wide

(2) Range in CO

CPW, UDWR

Tympanuchus pallidicinctus

Lesser prairie-chicken

(1) Range-wide Aerial Surveys: http://www.wafwa.org/documents/LPC-aerial-survey-results-2014.pdf (2) Annual Lek Surveys - unpublished internal report, no citation

SS X

(1) Range-wide

(2) Range in Colorado

(1) WAFWA (2) CPW

Charadrius montanus Mountain plover

(1) Integrated Monitoring in BCRs: http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/Projects/IntegratedMonitoringinBirdConservationRegions.aspx (2) Breeding Bird Survey: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/

MS X (1) Multi-state

(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS


362


Geographic Scope


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Tympanuchus phasianellus jamesii


Annual Lek Surveys - unpublished internal report, no citation. SS X Weld, Logan,

Morgan Counties

CPW

Empidonax traillii extimus


Federal survey protocol: http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/tm2a10/ SS Rangewide USFWS, USGS



Federal survey protocol. SS Rangewide USFWS

Lagopus leucura White-tailed ptarmigan

(1) White-tailed ptarmigan 2012-2013 progress report. Seglund, A.E. and P. Street. CPW 35pp. (2) White-tailed ptarmigan summary report 2011 and project proposal 2012-2014. Seglund A.E. CPW 19pps. Reports outline monitoring using occupancy and mark resight techniques.

SS X Statewide CPW

FISH – TIER 1

Etheostoma cragini Arkansas darter

(1) Colorado Parks and Wildlife.Krieger, D., T. Nesler, C. Bennett, G. Dowler and J. Melby. 2001. Arkansas Darter (Etheostoma cragini) Recovery Plan. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 23 pp. (2) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the Arkansas River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

(1) SS (2) MS

X Range in CO CPW

Catostomus discobolus Bluehead sucker

Range-Wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta), bluehead Sucker (Castomus discobolus), and Flannelmouth Sucker (Castomus latipinnis). 2005. Prepared fo the Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council, by Utah Department of Natural Resources. 61pp.

MS X Rangewide Rotating lead, CPW is current

chair

Gila elegans Bonytail chub

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. 2014. Recovery Implementation Program Section 7 Consultation, Sufficient Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement, October 15, 1993 (revised March 8, 2000), and Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP)

MS X Upper

Colorado River Basin

USFWS

Hybognathus hankinsoni Brassy minnow

DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X So. Platte

Basin in CO CPW


363


Geographic Scope


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Ptychocheilus lucius

Colorado pikeminnow

(1) Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. 2014. Recovery Implementation Program Section 7 Consultation, Sufficient Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement, October 15, 1993 (revised March 8, 2000), and Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP) (2) San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. 2014. Long Range Plan.

MS X

Rangewide in Upper CO Basin incl. San Juan

USFWS



CRCT Coordination Team. 2006. Conservation strategy for Colorado River cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus) in the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins. 24p.

SS X Rangewide WYGF

Luxilus cornutus Common shiner DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X Range in CO CPW

Catostomus latipinnis

Flannelmouth sucker

Range-Wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta), bluehead Sucker (Castomus discobolus), and Flannelmouth Sucker (Castomus latipinnis). 2005. Prepared fo the Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council, by Utah Department of Natural Resources. 61pp.


chair

Platygobio gracilus Flathead chub

DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the Arkansas River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.


Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias


(1) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Greenback cutthroat trout recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado. (2) Recovery Outline (in prep)

SS X Rangewide USFWS, CPW

Gila cypha Humpback chub

Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. 2014. Recovery Implementation Program Section 7 Consultation, Sufficient Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement, October 15, 1993 (revised March 8, 2000), and Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP)

MS X Upper

Colorado River Basin

USFWS

Catostomus playtrhynchus Mountain sucker Monitoring as part of routine sampling. Statewide CPW

Phoxinus eos Northern redbelly dace




364


Geographic Scope


leads

Lepomis humilis Orangespotted sunfish

1) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the Arkansas River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X

(1) Arkansas Basin in CO (2) South Platte Basin in CO

CPW

Etheostoma spectabile

Orangethroat darter

Monitoring as part of routine sampling. Statewide CPW

Hybognathus placitus Plains minnow

(1) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the Arkansas River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (2) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X

(1) Arkansas Basin in CO (2) So. Platte Basin in CO

CPW

Fundulus sciadicus

Plains topminnow


Xyrauchen texanus

Razorback sucker

(1) Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program. 2014. Recovery Implementation Program Section 7 Consultation, Sufficient Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement, October 15, 1993 (revised March 8, 2000), and Recovery Implementation Program Recovery Action Plan (RIPRAP) (2) San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. 2014. Long Range Plan.

MS X

Rangewide in Upper CO Basin incl. San Juan

USFWS

Gila pandora Rio Grande chub Monitoring as part of routine sampling. Statewide CPW

Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis

Rio Grande cutthroat trout

RGCT Conservation Team. 2013. Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis) Conservation Strategy. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver, CO.

SS X Rangewide CPW

Catostomus plebeius

Rio Grande sucker

Langlois, D., J. Alves and J. Apker. 1994. Rio Grande sucker recovery plan. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver. 22 pp.

SS X Range in CO CPW

Gila robusta Roundtail chub

Range-Wide Conservation Agreement and Strategy for Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta), bluehead Sucker (Castomus discobolus), and Flannelmouth Sucker (Castomus latipinnis). 2005. Prepared for the Colorado River Fish and Wildlife Council, Utah Department of Natural Resources. 61pp.


chair

Phoxinus erythrogaster


DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the Arkansas River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.



365


Geographic Scope


leads

Noturus flavus Stonecat DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X So. Platte

Basin in CO CPW

Phenacobius mirabilis

Suckermouth minnow

(1) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the Arkansas River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (2) DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

MS X

(1) Arkansas Basin in CO (2) So. Platte Basin in CO

CPW

MAMMALS – TIER 1

Ochotona princeps American pika

American Pika surveys 2008-2012 Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Seglund, A. 33pp.Outlines monitoring protocol using occupancy.

SS X Statewide CPW

Mustela nigripes Black-footed ferret

Black-footed Ferret Recovery Plan, 2nd revision. 2013. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, CO.

SS X Rangewide USFWS, CPW

Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis

(1) NABat (USGS draft) (2) CPW WNS Surveillance Plan, http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Research/WildlifeHealth/CPW_BatWNSsurveillanceplan_20112012.pdf (3) Surveillance, monitoring and life history investigations of bats within Colorado, multiple reports

MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional

(1) USGS, CPW(2) CPW

(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP

Cynomys gunnisoni

Gunnison’s prairie dog

Protocol for conducting prairie dog occupancy surveys. 2007. Andelt, W.F. and A.E. Seglund. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 14pp.

SS X Rangewide CPW

Myotis lucifigus Little brown bat


MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional


(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP

Lynx canadensis Lynx Protocol for Monitoring Canada Lynx in Colorado. 2014. Ivan, J., and T. Shenk. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 37 pp.

SS X Statewide CPW, USFS,

BLM

Zapus hudsonius luteus

New Mexico meadow jumping mouse

(1) Species Status Assessment Report for the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus). 2014. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, NM. (2) USFWS Recovery Outline: New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse - status pending (http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=A0BX)

SS Rangewide USFWS


366


Geographic Scope


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Perognathus fasciatus

Olive-backed pocket mouse

Zapus hudsonius preblei


none (is an action under the current draft of the Recovery Plan)

Lontra canadensis River otter

State of Colorado River Otter Recovery Plan. 2003. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 51pp. (http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/RecoveryPlans/CDOW2003Riverotterrecoveryplan.pdf#search=river%20otter)

SS X Basin CPW

Euderma maculatum Spotted bat


MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional


(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP




MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional


(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP

Cynomys leucurus

White-tailed prairie dog

Protocol for conducting prairie dog occupancy surveys. 2007. Andelt, W.F. and A.E. Seglund. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 14pp.

SS X Rangewide CPW

Gulo gulo Wolverine

REPTILES – TIER 1

Aspidoscelis neotesselata

Colorado checkered whiptail

Draft Great Plains Reptile Montoring Protocol (D. Martin) MS X Regional CSU, CPW

Sistrurus catenatus Massasauga Draft Great Plains Reptile Montoring Protocol (D. Martin) MS X Regional CSU, CPW

AMPHIBIANS – TIER 2

Hyla arenicolor Canyon tree frog


367


Geographic Scope


leads

Scaphiopus couchii

Couch's spadefoot

Spea intermontana

Great Basin spadefoot

Gastrophryne olivacea

Great Plains narrowmouth toad

Anaxyrus debilis Green toad

Acris crepitans Northern cricket frog

Lithobates blairi Plains leopard frog

Lithobates sylvatica Wood frog

BIRDS – TIER 2

Botaurus lentiginosus American bittern

Falco peregrinus anatum


(1) Post-delisting Monitoring Plan: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/Peregrineplan2003.pdf (2) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife

(1) SS (2) MS

X (1) U.S.

(2) Statewide(1) USFWS

(2) CPW

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos


(1) http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/birds/western_colonial/Atlas_WCWS_interior_1-23-2014_FINAL.pdf (2) Project Colony Watch http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/CitizenScience/ColonyWatch.aspx

MS (1) Intertior

Western U.S.(2) Colorado

(1) USFWS (2) RMBO

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle

(1) Post-delisting Monitoring Plan: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/protect/pdf/BEPDMP_100511_OMBFINALfor%20posting_Jan2013Final.pdf (2) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (3) Winter Raptor Survey http://bcna.org/raptorlinks.html

(1) SS (2) MS (3) MS

X (1) U.S.


(1) USFWS (2) CPW (3) BCNA


368


Geographic Scope


leads

Patagioenas fasciata

Band-tailed pigeon

Bucephala islandica

Barrow's goldeneye

Leucosticte atrata Black rosy-finch

Cypseloides niger Black swift

Chlidonias niger Black tern


MS (1) Intertior


(1) USFWS (2) RMBO

Dolichonyx oryzivorus Bobolink



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Aegolius funereus Boreal owl Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. MS X Statewide CPW

Spizella breweri Brewer’s sparrow

(1) Integrated Monitoring in BCRs: http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/Projects/IntegratedMonitoringinBirdConservationRegions.aspx (2) Breeding Bird Survey: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/ (3) 50-years of bird banding data from the Allegra Collister Nature Preserve, Boulder County, 2011

MS X

(1) Multi-state (2) North America (3) Local


BLM (2) USGS (3) BCNA

Peucaea cassinii Cassin’s finch



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Aimophila cassinii Cassin’s sparrow



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Calcarius ornatus Chestnut-collared longspur



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS


369


Geographic Scope


leads

Buteo regalis Ferruginous hawk

(1) Integrated Monitoring in BCRs: http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/Projects/IntegratedMonitoringinBirdConservationRegions.aspx (2) Breeding Bird Survey: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/ (3) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (4) Winter Raptor Survey http://bcna.org/raptorlinks.html

MS X

(1) Multi-state (2) North America



BLM (2) USGS (3) CPW (4) BCNA

Otus flammeolus Flammulated owl Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. MS X Statewide CPW

Setophaga graciae Grace’s warbler



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Ammodramus savannarum

Grasshopper sparrow



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Vireo vicinior Gray vireo



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Tympanuchus cupido

Greater prairie-chicken

(1) Greater prairie-chicken inventory assessment. 2005. Stratman, M. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 15pp. (2) Annual Lek Surveys - unpublished internal report, no citation

SS X Rangewide CPW

Baeolophus ridgwayi Juniper titmouse



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Calamospiza melanocorys Lark bunting



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Passerina amoena Lazuli bunting



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS


370


Geographic Scope


leads

Sterna antillarum Least tern

(1) Endangered Species Management Plan for Piping Plovers and Interior Least Terns (John Martin Reservoir Project and John Martin State Park). US Army Corps of Engineers. May 22, 2002 (2) Piping Plover and Interior Least Tern Recovery Plan. State of Colorado, Jennifer Slater. September 1994. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/RecoveryPlans/PipingPloverLeastTernRecoveryPlan.pdf (3) Piping Plover and Least Tern Monitoring, Protection, and Habitat Improvement At John Martin Reservoir and Southeast Colorado. Duane Nelson. October 14, 2014, September 30, 2013.

MS X CO

(1) CPW (2)US Army

Corps of Engineers

Melanerpes lewis Lewis’s woodpecker



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Lanius ludovicianus

Loggerhead shrike



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Numenius americanus

Long-billed curlew



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Rhynchophanes mccownii

McCown’s longspur



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Strix occidentalis lucida

Mexican spotted owl

(1) Federal survey protocol: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/endspp/protocols/MexicanSpottedOwlSurveyProtocol2012.pdf (2) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

(1) SS (2) MS

(2) X (1)

Rangewide(2) Statewide

(1) USFWS (2) CPW

Colinus virginianus

Northern bobwhite

Management procedures for northern bobwhites in eastern Colorado. 1984. Snyder, W. Special Report #56. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 22pp.

SS X Statewide CPW

Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawk

Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. MS X Statewide CPW


371


Geographic Scope


leads

Circus cyaneus Northern harrier


(4) Winter Raptor Survey http://bcna.org/raptorlinks.html

MS X




BLM (2) USGS (3) CPW (4) BCNA

Contopus cooperi Olive-sided flycatcher



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus Pinyon jay



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Charadrius melodus Piping plover

(1) Endangered Species Management Plan for Piping Plovers and Interior Least Terns (John Martin Reservoir Project and John Martin State Park). US Army Corps of Engineers. May 22, 2002 (2) Piping Plover and Interior Least Tern Recovery Plan. State of Colorado, Jennifer Slater. September 1994. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/RecoveryPlans/PipingPloverLeastTernRecoveryPlan.pdf (3) Piping Plover and Least Tern Monitoring, Protection, and Habitat Improvement At John Martin Reservoir and Southeast Colorado. Duane Nelson. October 14, 2014, September 30, 2013.

MS X CO (1) CPW

(2) USACOE

Falco mexicanus Prairie falcon (1) Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (2) Winter Raptor Survey http://bcna.org/raptorlinks.html

MS X (1) Statewide

(2) Local (1) CPW (2) BCNA

Progne subis Purple martin



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Selasphorus rufus

Rufous hummingbird

Breeding Bird Survey: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/ MS X North America USGS


372


Geographic Scope


leads

Amphispiza belli Sage sparrow



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Asio flammeus Short-eared owl Raptor Monitoring Strategy, 2015 Draft, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. MS X Statewide CPW

Buteo swainsoni Swainson’s hawk


MS X


(3) Statewide


BLM (2) USGS (3) CPW

Bartramia longicauda

Upland sandpiper



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Catharus fuscescens Veery



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Oreothlypis virginiae Virginia’s warbler



(2) North America


BLM (2) USGS

Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus

Western snowy plover

(1) Snowy Plover Survey Summary, Blanca Wetlands, San Luis Valley, 2014 BLM unpublished report (2) International Snowy Plover Survey Protocol, Discrete Site Survey Methodologies, 2007 USFWS

SS X (1) Regional (2) Statewide

(1) BLM (2) USFWS,

IWJV

Plegadis chihi White-faced ibis

(1) http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/birds/western_colonial/Atlas_WCWS_interior_1-23-2014_FINAL.pdf (2) Project Colony Watch http://rmbo.org/v3/avian/CitizenScience/ColonyWatch.aspx

MS (1) Intertior


(1) USFWS (2) RMBO


373


Geographic Scope


leads

Grus americana Whooping crane Annual Survey: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/science/whooping_crane_surveys.html

SS X Wintering Grounds

USFWS

FISH – TIER 2

Etheostoma exile Iowa darter DRAFT Conservation Plan for the Native Fishes of the South Platte River Basin, CO. 2013. Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Couesius plumbeus Lake chub


MAMMALS – TIER 2

Sciurus aberti Abert's squirrel

Idionycteris phyllotis

Allen's big-eared bat


MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional


(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP

Martes americana American marten

Nyctinomops macrotis

Big free-tailed bat


MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional


(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP


374


Geographic Scope


leads

Ovis canadensis Bighorn sheep

(1) Stiver, J. R. 2011. Bighorn sheep management plan: Data analysis unit RBS-8, Pikes Peak/DomeRock/Beaver Creek Sheep Herd. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Springs, CO 42 pp. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/DAU/BighornSheep/RBS-8DAUplan.pdf (2) Stiver, J. R. 2014. Bighorn sheep management plan: Data analysis unit RBS-14, Rampart Herd. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Springs, CO. 27 pp. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/DAU/BighornSheep/RBS-14DAUPlanFinal.pdf (3) Diamond, B. and B. Banulis. 2012. Bighorn Sheep Management Plan: Data Analysis Unit RBS-21, San Juans West, Game Management Units S-21 & S-33. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Montrose, CO. 106 pp. http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/DAU/BighornSheep/RBS21DAUplan_SanJuansWest.pdf (4) George, J. L., R. Kahn, M. W. Miller, and B. Watkins. 2009. Colorado Bighorn Sheep Management Plan 2009-2019. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Denver, CO. 88 pp.

SS X Local,

Statewide CPW

Bison bison Bison

Cynomys ludovicianus

Black-tailed prairie dog

USGS Protocol, McDonald, L.L., Stanley, T.R. , Otis, D.L., Biggins, D.E., Stevens, P.D., Koprowski, J.L., and Ballard, Warren. 2011. Recommended methods for range-wide monitoring of prairie dogs in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5063, 36p.

SS X Rangewide CPW

Thomomys bottae rubidus

Botta's pocket gopher (rubidus ssp)

Conepatus leuconotus

Common hog-nosed skunk

Sorex nanus Dwarf shrew

Canis lupus

Gray wolf - two subspecies (Northern and Mexican)

Respond to sighting reports - no formal monitoring program CPW

Ursus arctos Grizzly bear Respond to sighting reports - no formal monitoring program CPW


375


Geographic Scope


leads

Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat


MS (1) X

(1) Rangewide

(2) Site, Statewide

(3) Regional


(3) CPW, BLM, CNHP

Vulpes macrotis Kit fox

(1) Kit Fox 2007 survey report southwestern region. Seglund A.E. and J. Garner. CPW 17pp. (2) 2008 year-end survey report non-invasive sampling survey results for kit fox in west-central colorado. Reed- Eckert, M. CPW 22pp.

SS X Local CPW

Sorex preblei Preble's shrew

Brachylagus idahoensis Pygmy rabbit

Sorex hoyi montanus Pygmy shrew

Clethrionomys gapperi Red-backed vole

Lemmiscus curtatus Sagebrush vole

Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare SW Region Long term pellet counts (Wait) SS X Basin CPW

Vulpes velox Swift fox

Conservation assessment and conservation strategy for swift fox in the United States-2011 update. Dowd Stukel, E., ed. 2011. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, Pierre. 100pp. http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/SwiftFoxConservationTeam.aspx

SS X Rangewide CPW

Lepus townsendii White-tailed jackrabbit

REPTILES – TIER 2

Thamnophis cyrtopsis

Black-necked gartersnake


376


Geographic Scope


leads

Lampropeltis californiae

California kingsnake


Thamnophis sirtalis

Common gartersnake

Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Desert nightsnake


Sceloporus magister

Desert spiny lizard

Gambelia wislizenii

Long-nosed leopard lizard

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Long-nosed snake


Crotalus oreganus concolor

Midget faded rattlesnake

Lampropeltis triangulum Milksnake Draft Great Plains Reptile Montoring Protocol (D. Martin) MS X Regional CSU, CPW

Rena dissectus New Mexico threadsnake


Phrynosoma modestum

Round-tailed horned lizard


Tantilla horbartsmithi

Smith’s black-headed snake

Phrynosoma cornutum

Texas horned lizard


Kinosternon flavescens Yellow mud turtle

MOLLUSKS – TIER 2

Ferrissia walkeri Cloche ancylid

Promenetus umbillicatellus Cockerell


377


Geographic Scope


leads

Anodontoides ferussacianus


Ferrissia fragilis Fragil ancylid

Physa cupreonitens

Hot springs physa

Uniomerus tetralasmus Pondhorn

Acroloxus coloradensis


Promenetus exacuous Sharp sprite

Physa gyrina utahensis Utah physa

7345


378

7346

7347

Thischapterpresentsaseriesofmapstohelpguideconservationeffortsacrossthestate.7348Thesemapsareusefulforbroad‐scaleanalysisofwhereconservationeffortsmightbemost7349warrantedandmostsuccessful.Itisimportanttonotethatthesemapstakeinto7350considerationonlythoseenvironmentalfactorsthatcanbemappedatastatewidescale7351usingavailabledata.73527353Thefirstsixmapsindicaterelativeconditionoffreshwater,terrestrialupland,and7354wetland/riparianhabitats.Thisinformationcanbeusedtoidentifyareasatabroadscale7355thatarelikelytobeinhigherqualitycondition,andthereforegoodcandidatesforland7356protectionstrategies,aswellasthosethataremorelikelyindegradedconditionandin7357needofrestoration.ThefinaltwomapsdisplaySGCNconcentrationareasforaquaticand7358terrestrialspecies,respectively.7359

Freshwater Habitats 7360

ThefreshwaterconditionmapforColorado,developedbyTheNatureConservancyand7361includedherewithpermission,providesageneralindicationoftheconditionoffreshwater7362ecosystemsinColorado Figure13 .Detailsondatainputsandmethodscanbefoundin7363TNC 2012 .Themapdisplaysrelativelevelofimpactforeachstreamreachbasedon7364multiplemappablelandscapemeasures,eachofwhichwererankedonascaleofVeryGood7365toPoor Table10 .Astreamreachwithagoodorverygoodrank minimalorlowimpact 7366maybenefitfromprioritizedprotectionefforts.Itisimportanttonotethatevenastream7367reachwithapoorranking mayprovideimportanthabitatandsupportspeciesofconcern.7368However,thepoorrankingindicatesthatthosespeciesmaybeatrisk,andservesasa7369guidelineforidentifyingplacesthatcouldbenefitfromrestorationefforts.Mapcategories7370rangefromminimalimpact verygoodcondition tohighimpact verypoorcondition ,7371accordingtothedefinitionsinTable11.7372 7373

7374


379

Table 10. Measures included in the freshwater condition map. All factors are weighted equally. 7375

Natural Flow Regime

Riparian Condition

Development Connectivity Water Quality

Consumptive Use (Agricultural Use, Municipal Use, Trans-basin Diversions)

Reservoir Storage

Riparian Land Use

Non-native Plants – Tamarisk – in the Riparian Vegetation

Land Use Road Density Road

Crossings Oil and Gas Mining

Instream Barriers to Fish Movement

Streams with a 303d and/or Monitoring and Evaluation Designation

7376

Table 11. Definitions of map categories for freshwater condition. 7377

Level of Impact Summary Measure Minimal All measures in Very Good or Good category Low >=1 category is Fair; all others Very Good or Good Moderate 1-2 categories are Poor; all others Very Good, Good, or Fair High >2 categories are Poor


380

7378

Figure 13. Condition of freshwater habitats in Colorado. 7379


381

Terrestrial Landscape Integrity Model 7380

Thismapistheterrestrialuplandcounter‐parttotheaquaticconditionmap.Thismodel7381wasoriginallycreatedforRondeauetal.201119,buthasbeenupdatedforinclusioninthe7382SWAP.Thismodelisbasedonmappedlocationsofsevenland‐useimpacts:urban7383development,agriculture,roads,oilandgaswells,above‐groundtransmissionlinesand7384pipelines,andsurfacemines,andwindturbines.Datausedtomaptheselandusesare7385listedinTable12.Distancedecaycurvesrepresentingtheareathateffectsextendbeyond7386thefootprintofthelandusewereincorporated Figure14 .Thiswasdoneinrecognition7387thatimpactsfromanyparticularland‐usedisturbanceextendsomedistanceoutfromthe7388sourceoftheimpact,butlessenoverthatdistance.Theresultingmodel Figure15 7389providesastatewideperspectiveforlocationandrelativedegreeofhumanimpactonthe7390landscape.Theassumptionisthatwhereimpactsarehigher,generalconditionof7391remaininghabitatislikelytobedecreased,andviceversa.SeeRondeauetal. 2011 for7392detailedanalysismethods.73937394Table 12. Source data for land uses represented in the landscape integrity model. 7395

Land Use Source Data High/med intensity development SWReGAP high/medium development types Low intensity development SWReGAP low intensity development types Agriculture* SWReGAP agriculture Roads - primary & secondary 2013 TIGER/Line roads Roads - local & rural 2013 TIGER/Line roads Oil & gas wells - active Colorado Oil & Gas Commission (2015) Oil & gas wells - inactive Colorado Oil & Gas Commission (2015) Gas pipelines 2013 TIGER\Line utilities

Transmission lines Powerline Corridors in the Western United States and Canada (Connelly et al. 2004)

Surface Mines - active Colo. Division of Reclamation, Mining, & Safety (2013) Surface Mines - inactive Colo. Division of Reclamation, Mining, & Safety (2013)

Wind Turbines USGS Onshore Industrial Wind Turbine Locations for the United States (2014)

*The agriculture category in SWReGAP includes cropland and irrigated hay fields. 739673977398

19http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2011/Scorecard_march1_2012_final.pdf


382

7399Figure 14. Distance decay curves for land uses represented in the landscape integrity model. 7400


383

7401 Figure 15. Landscape integrity model for Colorado.


384

Wetland and Riparian Habitats 7402

ThroughapartnershipamongtheUSFWS,CPW,andCNHP,fine‐scalemappingofwetlands7403basedontheU.S.FishandWildlifeService’sNationalWetlandInventoryProgramhasbeen7404completedforColorado USFWS2010,aseditedbyCNHPin2014 .Inaddition,theRocky7405MountainBirdObservatoryandPlayaLakesJointVenturehavedevelopedaGISdatalayer7406forplayasonColorado’seasternplains RMBO2009 .Thesedatawereusedinconjunction7407withawetland‐specificlandscapeintegritymodeltoproduceFigure16,whichdepictslevel7408ofhumanimpactonwetlandandriparianhabitats.Foreachwetland/riparianpolygon,the7409meanvalueoftheoverlappingportionofthewetlandlandscapeintegritylayerwas7410calculatedtoestimategenerallevelofimpactforthathabitatpatch.Workiscurrently7411underwaytoexplorefieldandmappingmethodsfordeterminingwetlandquality Lemlyet7412al.2011 .Thisgoaliscomplicatedbythefactthatqualitymeasuresfromafloristic7413standpointandfromawildlifestandpointarenotnecessarilyequivalent.Resultsofthis7414explorationwerenotcompleteintimeforinclusioninthisiterationofColorado’sSWAP.7415OurhopeisthatthenextSWAPrevisionwillincludeamorerobusttreatmentofcondition7416forthesehighpriorityhabitats.74177418Thewetland‐specificlandscapeintegritymodelforColoradoismeanttoreflecttheimpact7419towetlandandriparianhabitatsfromcumulative,mappable,anthropogenicchangestothe7420landandwater.ThismodelisbasedontheinputslistedinTable13.74217422Table 13. Data sources for the wetland-specific landscape integrity model. 7423

Land Use Source Data Housing & commercial development LANDFIRE Current Vegetation for Colorado (2006) Low intensity development SWReGAP low intensity development types Agriculture - tilled, fallow tilled, orchards & vineyards

LANDFIRE Current Vegetation for Colorado (2013)

Oil & gas wells Colorado Oil & Gas Commission (2015) Wind turbines CNHP (2011) Active sand & gravel mines Colo. Division of Reclamation, Mining, & Safety (2008) Other active mines Colo. Division of Reclamation, Mining, & Safety (2008) Reservoir storage as a proportion of mean annual flows

The Nature Conservancy (2012)

Altered flow as a proportion of mean annual flows

The Nature Conservancy (2012)

Density of dams & diversions The Nature Conservancy (2012) Water wells - active The Nature Conservancy (2012) Tamarisk infestations The Nature Conservancy (2012)


385

7424


386

Terrestrial Upland Habitats 7425

Rondeauetal. 2011 developedamapofdistinctpatchesofmatrix‐formingandlarge7426patchecologicalsystems,derivedfromSouthwestRegionalGAPvegetationdatalayer.7427Theseecologicalsystempatchesareroughlyequivalenttotheterrestrialhabitatsas7428definedinthisSWAP.Thesemapsshowcomparativeconditionfordiscretepatchesofeach7429habitattype,accordingtobiodiversitystatusscoresoriginallydevelopedforRondeauetal.74302011.Componentsofbiodiversitystatusaresub‐scoresforpatchsize,patchcondition,7431landscapecontext,andlandscapeintegrity.Generalmethodsdescribedbeloware7432summarizedfromRondeauetal.2011.7433

Habitat Patches 7434

CNHPusedtheSouthwestRegionalGapAnalysisProject SWReGAP landcoverdataset7435USGS2004 toproduceageneralizedvegetationmapfromwhichwecouldidentify7436discreteecologicalsystempatches.Tothegeneralizedmap,wethenaddedcurrent7437highwaydatatorepresentexistingfragmentationofthelandscape.Oftheresulting7438discretepatchesofeachecologicalsystemtype,weretainedonlypatcheslargerthanthe7439minimumsizejudgedtobeviableasanecologicalsystematthelandscapescale,according7440tomethodsinRondeau 2001 andCNHP 2005a .7441

Size 7442

Patchesthatmetminimumsizecriteriawerescoredfrom5to10,dependingonsize Table744314 .Patchesthatdidnotmeetminimumsizerequirementswerenotincludedasviablein7444Rondeauetal.2011.However,theyhavebeenaddedtothesemaps Figures17‐19 and7445rankedas"Poor"withoutregardtotheothersub‐scores.74467447 7448


387

Table 14. Total acres, minimum patch size, number of patches, and largest patch size for each 7449habitat. 7450

Habitat Type

Habitat Name Total acres Minimum

patch size (ac.)

No. patches

Largest patch (ac.)

Forest Aspen 3,580,854 20,000 1,564 513,422

Forest Lodgepole 2,199,719 30,000 643 264,169

Forest Mixed Conifer 881,470 2,500

1,562 39,416

Forest Pinyon-Juniper 6,753,665 30,000 1,300 512,906

Forest Ponderosa 3,220,299 30,000 1,153 516,244

Forest Spruce-fir 4,880,993 20,000 956 458,277

Grass Grasslands 3,020,774 5,000

1,551 281,180

Grass Shortgrass 11,855,161 50,000 1,827 1,072,828

Other Alpine Tundra 1,681,811 10,000 480 250,971

Shrub Montane-Foothills Shrub 388,143 1,000

562 43,507

Shrub Greasewood 443,159 1,000

367 136,846

Shrub Oak & Mixed Mtn Shrub 2,717,457 5,000 1224 206,256

Shrub Sagebrush 5,564,595 30,000 1,995 924,242

Shrub Saltbush 763,237 1,000

356 77,768

Shrub Sandsage 1,959,449 14,000 672 179,704

Shrub Semi-desert Steppe 776,043 5,000

243 172,992

7451

Patch Condition 7452

PatchconditionwasscoredbyusingtheLANDFIREFireRegimeConditionClassdataset7453USFS2007 thatmapsdegreeofdeparturefromhistoricfireregime.Thefirecondition7454metricismostmeaningfulforforests,butwasincludedforallhabitatsexceptalpine,7455greasewood,saltshrub,andshrub‐steppe.Thismetricwasjudgedtobenotmeaningfulfor7456thesehabitatsbecausealpinedoesnottypicallyburn,andLANDFIREdatasetdoesnot7457representthesethreeshrublandtypeswell.TheConditionsub‐scoreinRondeauetal.74582011onlyreflecteddegreeofdeparturefromnormalfireregime.Sincethatanalysiswas7459completed,Coloradohasexperiencedanumberofsignificantinsectoutbreaksand7460wildfires.Thus,forforesthabitats,theconditionsub‐scorewasupdatedbyincorporating7461degreeoftreemortalityduetoinsectinfestationanddiseaseasmappedbytheU.S.Forest7462Serviceaerialsurveysfrom2008‐2014.Whilenotaddedtothesub‐score,theaerial7463extentsofrecentlarge‐scalefiresandmud‐slides 2012‐2014,RockyMountainIncident7464Managementdata wereoverlaidonecosystempatchesasahighlytransparentwhite,so7465theywouldlightenthecolor andthereforetheapparentcondition justforthefootprintof7466thedisaster,andnottheecosystempatchasawhole.7467


388

Landscape Context and Integrity 7468

Landscapecontextwasscoredbycalculatingtheproportionofthelandscapewithin½mile7469ofapatchthatiscoveredwithnaturalvegetation.Landscapeintegritywascalculatedusing7470aGISlayerthatrepresentsthecumulativeimpactsfromoilandgaswells,gaspipelines,7471surfacemines,urbandevelopment,agriculture,roads,andtransmissionlines i.e.,the7472LandscapeIntegritymap,Figure15,inthischapter .7473

Overall Biodiversity Status 7474

Thefoursub‐scoreswereaveragedtoproducethebiodiversitystatusscores,whichare7475usedtorepresenttheoverallhabitatconditionpresentedonFigures17‐19.Thesescores,7476rangingfrom0to10,havebeenclassifiedas:747774780‐2.5 Poor74792.5‐5.0 Fair74805.0‐7.5 Good74817.5‐10 VeryGood7482

7483Forthesemaps,thepatchconditionandlandscapeintegritysub‐scoresfromRondeauetal.74842011wereupdatedwithnewinformationandthebiodiversitystatusscorere‐calculated.7485


389

7486Figure 17. Terrestrial upland habitat condition - Forests. 7487


390

7488Figure 18. Terrestrial upland habitat condition – Shrublands 7489


391

7490Figure 19. Terrestrial upland habitat condition – Grasslands and Other Habitats 7491

Colorado’sStateWildl

392

High Priority Watersheds for Aquatic SGCN 7492

ThismaprepresentsthenumberofTier1fishspeciesknowntooccurineachHUC107493watershedinthestate,accordingtodataavailableinCPW’sfishdatabaseasofDecember74942014 Figure20 .Thereare25fishspeciesontheTier1SGCNlist;amaximumofeight7495differentspeciesoccurinthesamewatershed.Thismapisanindicatorofspeciesrichness7496only;itdoesnotconsiderrelativehabitatquality,orpopulationmetricssuchasdensityor7497abundance,acrosswatersheds.7498


393

7499Figure 20. Priority watersheds for aquatic Tier 1 SGCN. 7500


394

Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool

ThefirstiterationoftheCrucialHabitatAssessmentTool20 CHAT mapwasdevelopedin2013,incollaborationwiththeWesternGovernors’Associationand18otherstates,forthepurposeofcreatingaregionalspatialdatatooltoidentifycrucialwildlifehabitatacrossthewesternU.S.AspartofColorado’sCHATeffort,amapofSpeciesofGreatestConservationNeedwasdeveloped.TheoriginalSGCNCHATlayerforColoradohasbeenupdatedtoreflectthenewlyrevisedlistofTier1SGCN,andtoincorporateimproveddistributiondataforthosespecies Figure22 .UsingStateWildlifeGrantfunds,wedevelopedspeciesdistributionmodelsfor16Tier1SGCN.Thesenewly‐developedmodels,pre‐existingspeciesdistributionmodels,anddocumenteddistributiondataforTier1terrestrialvertebrateandplantSGCNhavebeencombinedattheresolutionof640acrehexagonsacrossthestate.EachhexagonwasthenplacedintooneoffivehabitatprioritycategoriesbasedoncriterialistedinTable15.

AsdefinedbytheWesternGovernors’WildlifeCouncil 2013 ,crucialhabitatsareplacescontainingtheresources,includingfood,water,cover,shelterandimportantwildlifecorridors,thatarenecessaryforthesurvivalandreproductionofaquaticandterrestrialwildlifeandtopreventunacceptabledeclines,orfacilitatefuturerecoveryofwildlifepopulations,orareimportantecologicalsystemswithhighbiologicaldiversityvalue.CrucialhabitatsarecategorizedaccordingtothefollowingdefinitionsusingthecriteriainTable15.SeeTable16forcriteriaasappliedforeachSGCN.Category1:habitats,includingwildlifecorridors,thatarerareorfragileandareessentialtoachievingand/ormaintainingwildlifespeciesviabilityorexceptionaldiversity.Thehabitatcontainsauniquecombinationoflocationorcompositionorcomplexityofthehabitatorcorridorwhichcannotbeduplicated,andisthereforeconsideredirreplaceable.

Category2:Habitat,includingwildlifecorridors,whichislimitingtoafishorwildlifecommunity,population,ormetapopulation.Lossofanyofthishabitatorcorridorcouldresultinasignificantlocalorpopulation‐leveldeclineinspeciesdistribution,abundance,orproductivity.Thehabitatorcorridorisessentialtoachievingandmaintainingfishandwildlifetargetpopulationormanagementobjectives.Restorationorreplacementisdifficult,ormaybepossibleonlyintheverylongterm.

Category3:Habitat,includingwildlifecorridors,thatcontributessignificantlytothemaintenanceoffishorwildlifecommunities,populations,ormetapopulations.Lossofasignificantportionofthehabitatorcorridorcouldresultinlocalorpopulation‐leveldeclinesinspeciesdistribution,abundance,orproductivity.Impactscanbeminimizedorreduced,andhabitatorcorridorsrestoredorreplacedbyutilizingappropriatebestmanagementpractices.

20http://westgovchat.org


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CommonHabitat representedonmapasCategory4 :Habitatwhichisrelativelycommon,generallylesslimitingtofishandwildlifecommunities,populations,ormetapopulations,andgenerallybettersuitedforlanduseconversion.Large‐scaleorcumulativeimpactstospeciesorhabitatcouldresultindeclinesinspeciesdistributionorabundance,however,thelossmaybedifficulttomeasure.Impactsfromindividualprojectsorlanduseactionscanbeminimized,andhabitatrestoredorreplaced,sothateffectivehabitatfunctionorspeciesdistributionorabundanceismaintained.

HabitatSignificanceUnknown representedonmapasCategory5 :Landslikelytohavesignificantwildlifevalues,butforwhichthereisinsufficientdataoralackofinformationabouttheimportanceofthehabitatinmeetingconservationobjectives.

Table 15. Criteria for CHAT categories. Federal listing codes: E = Endangered; T = Threatened, C = Candidate; NatureServe conservation status codes: G1= critically imperiled; G2 = imperiled; G3 = vulnerable; G4 = apparently secure; G5 = demonstrably secure.

CHAT Category

Criteria

1 At least one T, E, G1, or G2 species with documented occurrence, or at least two G3 species with documented occurrence

2 At least one document occurrence of a C or G3 species, or at least two documented occurrences of G4 species

3 Modeled distribution of at least one G3 species, or documented occurrence of at least one G4 species

4 Modeled distribution of at least one C or G4 species, or documented occurrence of at least one G5 species

5 Modeled distribution of at least one G5 species


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Table 16. CHAT categorization criteria, by species.

Species Federal Listing Status

NatureServe Status Rank

Documented Occurrence

Modeled Distribution

TIER 1 AMPHIBIANS

Boreal Toad G1 X X

Northern Leopard Frog G5 X X

TIER 1 BIRDS

Brown-capped Rosy-finch G4 X X

Burrowing Owl G4 X X

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse G3 X X

Golden Eagle G5 X

Greater Sage Grouse C G3 X X

Greater Sandhill Crane G4 X X

Gunnison Sage Grouse T G1 X X

Lesser Prairie-chicken C G3 X X

Mountain Plover G3 X X

Plains Sharp-tailed Grouse G4 X X

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher E G1 X X

Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo T G4 X

White-tailed Ptarmigan G5 X X

TIER 1 MAMMALS

American Pika G5 X

Black-footed Ferret E G4 X

Fringed Myotis G4 X X

Gunnison's Prairie Dog C G5 X X

Little Brown Myotis G4 X

Lynx T G4 X

New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse G4 X

Olive-backed Pocket Mouse G5 X

Preble's Meadow Jumping Mouse T G2 X X

Spotted Bat G4 X X

Townsend's Big-eared Bat subsp. G3 X X

White-tailed Prairie Dog G4 X X

Wolverine G4 X

TIER 1 REPTILES

Colorado Checkered Whiptail G2 X X

Massasauga C G3 X X

TIER 1 PLANTS

Aletes latilobus G1 X

Aliciella sedifolia G1 X

Astragalus deterior G1 X


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Species Federal Listing Status

NatureServe Status Rank

Documented Occurrence

Modeled Distribution

Astragalus humillimus E G1 X

Astragalus microcymbus C G1 X

Astragalus osterhoutii E G1 X

Astragalus schmolliae C G1 X

Astragalus tortipes C G1 X

Boechera glareosa G1 X

Corispermum navicula G1 X

Descurainia kenheilii G1 X

Draba malpighiacea G1 X

Draba weberi G1 X

Erigeron wilkenii G1 X

Eriogonum brandegeei G1 X

Eriogonum pelinophilum E G2 X

Eutrema penlandii T G1 X

Gutierrezia elegans G1 X

Hackelia gracilenta G1 X

Ipomopsis polyantha E G1 X

Ipomopsis ramosa G1 X

Lepidium huberi* G1

Lygodesmia doloresensis G1 X

Mimulus gemmiparus G1 X Oenothera coloradensis ssp. coloradensis T G2 X

Oreoxis humilis G1 X

Packera mancosana G1

Pediocactus knowltonii* G1

Penstemon debilis T G1 X

Penstemon gibbensii G1 X

Penstemon penlandii E G1 X

Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis C G1 X

Phacelia formosula E G1 X

Phacelia submutica T G2 X

Physaria congesta T G1 X

Physaria obcordata T G1 X

Physaria pulvinata G1 X

Physaria rollinsii G1 X

Physaria scrotiformis G1 X

Sclerocactus glaucus G2 X

Sclerocactus mesae-verdae T G2 X

Spiranthes diluvialis T G2 X * No locational data for these species exist for Colorado, so they are not represented on the CHAT map.


398

1Figure 21. Crucial habitat for Tier 1 terrestrial animal and plant SGCN. Areas in white on the map indicate places where there are no 2documented occurrences or modeled habitat for any Tier 1 SGCN. 3


399

Review and Updates to the SWAP

GuidanceprovidedbyUSFWSandtheAFWABestPracticesforStateWildlifeActionPlansdocumentforupdatingSWAPsdistinguishesbetweenmajorrevisionsandminorrevisions.MajorrevisionsincludeanychangetotheSGCNlistorthethreatsassessment,oranychangethatcouldresultinchangestoconservationactionsortheirpriority.WehavegeneratedourSGCNlistandthesubsequentanalyseswithaneyetopotentialchangesinconservationissuesoverthenextdecade.Thus,wedonotanticipatetheneedtoconductmajorrevisionsoverthe10‐yearlifeofthisplan.Ifthatneedweretooccur,wewouldfollowUSFWSguidanceinconductingmajorrevisions.Meanwhile,asnewinformationbecomesavailablerelativetorequiredSWAPelements,itwillbeincorporatedintotheSWAPdatabaseforuseinthenextscheduledSWAPupdate.

Partner Coordination & Public Participation

Developmentofthe2006SWAPwasamulti‐prongedapproachthatengagedtechnicalexpertsandgeneralstakeholdersseparately.ThiswasanappropriateapproachatthetimebecauseSWAPswereanewconceptthatrequiredagreaterlevelofphilosophicalexplorationandunderstandingbyallpartiesthanisneededtoday.Also,the2006SWAPwasthefirststatewide,strategicwildlifeconservationplanintendedforusebyallrelevantpartieseverdevelopedforColorado.Overthepastdecade,familiaritywithanduseoftheSWAPhasbecomeroutinebymanyagencies,conservationpartners,andstakeholders.Coloradoisfortunatetohavearelativelywell‐connectedcommunityofconservationpractitioners,withagreatdealofcross‐overintermsofscientificand/orlandmanagementexpertiseamongagenciesandNGOs.This,combinedwiththefactthatthedevelopmentofthe2015SWAPwasarevisionofanexistingdocument,asopposedtoa“startingfromscratch”effort,negatedtheneedtodistinguishbetweentechnicalexpertsandotherstakeholders.Thus,wefocusedthemajorityofourpublicparticipationeffortsonimprovingthescientificcontentratherthanconductingin‐persongeneralpublicinformationactivities.Tobetterfacilitateinvolvementbyallinterestedparties,weorganizedourcollaborationeffortsaroundonlineparticipation,asdescribedbelow.


400

Stakeholder Identification

DuringtheSWAPrevisionprocess,wedevelopedalistofover300stakeholdersthatincludedrepresentativesfromalllevelsofgovernment,aswellasnon‐governmentalorganizations,NativeAmericanTribes,theprivatesector,interestgroups,andprivatecitizens Table17 .Thislistincludedallthosewhoparticipatedinthedevelopmentofthe2006SWAP,agencyandNGOscientistsandlandmanagersidentifiedbyCPWstaffasimportantcollaborators,membersoftheColoradoSportsmen’sRoundtable,andmanyothers.OnMay9,2014,apressreleasewaspublishednotifyingthepublicoftheSWAPrevisionprocess,andinvitingparticipation.Allwhorespondedtothisnoticewitharequesttobeaddedtothestakeholderlistwereincluded.Table17presentsatallyofthenumberofstakeholderrepresentativesbyorganizationtype.AfulllistofstakeholderagenciesandorganizationsisincludedinAppendixH.

Table 17. Summary of stakeholders by organization type.

Partner/Stakeholder Category Number of Representatives

Federal Agencies 58

State Agencies (not including CPW) 10

Local Governments 23

Native American Tribes 2

Non-governmental Organizations 120

Universities 32

Private Consulting Firms 17

Private Citizens 55

Industry 1

Stakeholder Comment Opportunities

Tosupportbroadpublicparticipation,CPWcreatedadedicatedwebpageontheColoradoParksandWildlifehomepage21aswellasadedicatedemailaddressfordirectcommunicationwithstakeholders.TheSWAPwebpagehostedbackgroundinformationontheSWAP,andinstructionsforstakeholderinvolvementintherevisionprocess.AllreviewdraftsofSWAPcomponentswerepostedforpublicaccess,andemaileddirectlytoallstakeholdersontheSWAPdistributionlist.

21http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/StateWildlifeActionPlan.aspx


401

OnJune9,2014,anemailwassenttoallstakeholdersinvitingthemtojoinaSWAPrevisionkick‐offwebinar.Thepurposeofthewebinarwastointroducetherevisionprocess,toalertstakeholderstothescheduledcommentperiods,andtoexplaintheproceduresforsubmittingcomments.ThewebinarwasrecordedandpostedtotheSWAPwebpageforstakeholderswhowereunabletoattendtheoriginalwebinar.StakeholdershadfouropportunitiestoprovidecommentsondraftcomponentsoftheSWAP,andoneopportunitytoprovidefinalcommentsonthedraftSWAPinitsentirety,accordingtotheschedulepresentedinTable18.TheemailsinvitingstakeholderinputforeachcommentperiodareincludedinAppendixI.Aftereachreviewperiod,stakeholdercommentswerecompiledandsummarized,alongwithCPWresponsestoeachcomment.ThesesummarieswerethenpostedontheSWAPwebpagetoallowstakeholderstotrackthedevelopmentofeachSWAPchapter.


402

Table 18. Schedule of SWAP revision milestones and stakeholder comment opportunities.

Colorado's SWAP Revision Process

2014 2015 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Element 1: SGCN

CPW review

Draft chapter prep

Stakeholders comment

Element 2: Habitats

CPW review

Draft chapter prep

Stakeholders comment Elements 3 and 4: Threats and Conservation Actions

CPW review

Draft chapter prep


Element 5: Monitoring & Measures of Success

CPW review

Draft chapter prep


Draft SWAP Prep

DRAFT SWAP prep CPW LEADERSHIP REVIEW

FINAL DRAFT prep

CPW review


Finalization Phase

FINAL SWAP prep CPW Leadership Approval

Delivery to USFWS


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