Terraria Haydenii Grow-out and Introductions near Wah Wah Pass, Utah
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Project ID: 7204
Status: Proposed
Fiscal Year: 2025
Submitted By:
N/A
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Project Manager: Dustin Rooks
PM Agency: Bureau of Land Management
PM Office: Richfield
Lead: Bureau of Land Management
WRI Region: Southern
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Description:
Discovered just a few years ago, Terraria haydenii is one of the most imperiled plants in Utah. Its total natural global footprint is only about 5,000 square feet! This project proposes funding to facilitate seeds to be grown and propagated in a greenhouse setting, and then sown onto additional small sites of unoccupied habitat in the vicinity of Wah Wah Pass, Utah. Experimental transplanting at one unoccupied site appears to have been successful as plants have survived for 3yrs and set seed.
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Location:
Additional tiny hilltop skarn exposures of habitat exist in the vicinity of the two extant populations of Wah Wah Pass, and it is upon these that we propose to introduce these plants. Some sites will need some minor mechanical scraping to remove organic soil that supports plants that will out compete the Terraria.
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Project Need
Need For Project:
Just two tiny hilltop sites exist for Terraria haydenii, but there are nearby exposures of potential habitat that may support plants. Aside from the severely restricted habitat, it also seems to have a short seed viability window (no seed bank), and the marble upon which these plants grow is sought after by rockhounds seeking for "spider marble" or green grossular garnets which are found in similar marble less than a mile west of the occupied sites. This garnet site may have once supported this plant but it has been completely removed by mining. We hope to increase the number of occurrences of this plant to alleviate the threat of extinction due to its tiny, fragile and special habitat.
Objectives:
--Contract with High Mountain Nursery or other companies willing to grow Terraria haydenii for transplanting and to keep some for future years' terraria seed stock.
--Increase the number of plants from 1,306 from two locations to in 2023 to 5,000 plants over several locations by 2030.
--Keep plants in an Ex-Situ setting for added security since seed is short-lived.
Project Location/Timing Justification (Why Here? Why Now?):
Only white, low-gradient exposures will apparently suffice, since this plant cannot compete with common plants on more developed soils with organic matter. Plants will be sown in spring and fall, especially depending upon soil moisture at the time of sowing. Success in transplanting shows equal results when sown in spring versus fall.
Relation To Management Plan:
--Conserve and recover all SSS (including listed species) and the ecosystems on which they depend.
--Promote recovery and conservation of special status plant, fish, and animal species, including those listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
--Continue to work with the [USFWS] and others to ensure that plans and agreements are updated as necessary to reflect the latest scientific data.
This project will clearly assist CCFO with meeting goals and objectives spelled out in the land use plan.
Fire / Fuels:
Not applicable.
Water Quality/Quantity:
Not applicable.
Compliance:
Categorical exclusion to be signed by 3/21/2024.
Methods:
Currently High Mountain Nursery is having some success growing terraria and will likely be able to continue to supply plants and seed for future years of this project. In-house BLM seed germination and introduction has had some success, so it is expected that increases to population in new habitats will be successful.
Monitoring:
Tagging of individuals for annual demographic study will be undertaken to ensure the success of introductions and to document increase in population.
Partners:
Brigham Young University
Utah Natural Heritage Program
Future Management:
This species will continue to be an imperiled species but the BLM will continue to do everything possible to ensure its existence for future generations. These areas of potential habitat are proposed to be withdrawn from mineral extraction in the new land use plan. The BLM will continue to conserve these sites by removing nearby fire rings and obstructing unauthorized vehicle use in these areas of habitat.
Sustainable Uses of Natural Resources:
Not applicable.
| Budget | WRI/DWR | Other | Budget Total | In-Kind | Grand Total |
| $20,000.00 | $0.00 | $20,000.00 | $15,000.00 | $35,000.00 |
| Item | Description | WRI | Other | In-Kind | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contractual Services | Funding is to be sought from ESMF for the propagation of Terraria haydenii by High Mountain Nursery or other vegetation supply companies for 2025 and future years of propagation. | $20,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2025 |
| Personal Services (permanent employee) | BLM permanent employees will commit to overseeing all site preparation, transporting of live plants, hand planting, and after care as needed for 2025 and beyond. | $0.00 | $0.00 | $10,000.00 | 2025 |
| Personal Services (seasonal employee) | BLM will provide one or more seasonal employees to assist with planting and after care as needed for this project in 2025 and beyond as necessary for project success and monitoring. | $0.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 | 2025 |
| Funding | WRI/DWR | Other | Funding Total | In-Kind | Grand Total |
| $20,000.00 | $0.00 | $20,000.00 | $15,000.00 | $35,000.00 |
| Source | Phase | Description | Amount | Other | In-Kind | Year |
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| Bureau of Land Management (BLM) | In-kind contributions include estimated costs of BLM permanent and seasonal staff and vehicles for site preparation, direct sowing, and after care of plants on these site for 2025 and at least one year to follow. | $0.00 | $0.00 | $15,000.00 | 2025 | |
| Species Protection Account | $20,000.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 2025 |
Species
| Species | "N" Rank | HIG/F Rank |
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Habitats
| Habitat | ||||
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| Not Listed | ||||
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Project Comments
Completion
Start Date:
End Date:
FY Implemented:
Final Methods:
Project Narrative:
Future Management:
Map Features
| ID | Feature Category | Action | Treatement/Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13806 | Affected Area |
Project Map
