Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development
Northern Wild Monkshood
Aconitum noveboracense -- Threatened
Iowa
Current Status:
Logging and trampling by humans and livestock threaten this member of the buttercup family, whose widely separated populations probably date to the Ice Age when glaciers apparently destroyed intervening populations.
Achievements:
The Fish and Wildlife Service has purchased 110 acres of algific slopes, favored by the monkshood, for inclusion in the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge. Algific slopes are steep slopes comprised of talus at the base and connected to upslope sinkhole drainage systems; cold moist air moves through the system and percolates out around the talus. A prospectus also has been prepared for management of these additional acres. All high priority slopes have been examined, threats identified, management recommendations made, and acquisition boundaries laid out. Monkshood populations are being fenced to protect them from human and animal traffic on refuge and private lands.
Current Recovery Needs:
Additional purchase of habitat and fencing is needed, as well as continued species monitoring to determine population status and extent of threats.
Section 6 Funding and Activities:
In FY 1991, the State received $9,000 for fencing to protect the algific slopes supporting the plant. The fencing also benefitted the endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail (Discus macclintocki).
Partnerships
Iowa Department of Natural Resources: The Department has purchased and protected several algific slopes containing this species.The Nature Conservancy: The Conservancy purchased six algific slopes, then transferred one site to the Fish and Wildlife Service for incorporation into the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge. The Conservancy continues to monitor the monkshood and contact landowners to secure protection of other algific slope sites.
Recovery Plan Status:
Plan approved 9/23/83.
