Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development
Autumn Buttercup
Ranunculus acriformis var. aestivalis -- Endangered
Utah
Current Status:
Grazing and trampling by livestock, irrigation, and related agricultural practices have destroyed most of the autumn buttercup's historic habitat.
Achievements:
The Nature Conservancy has acquired and fenced much of the species' remaining habitat, alleviating damage from excessive livestock grazing and trampling. The Fish and wildlife Service assisted The Nature Conservancy in this effort. As a result, the species' population increased from 12 plants in 1987 to over 500 in 1991. The Nature Conservancy and Service funding have also provided habitat surveys, population monitoring, and genetic studies.
Current Recovery Needs:
Recovery of the autumn buttercup will require continued protection for The Nature Conservancy site, protection of the species' other known population, discovery and/or establishment of additional populations in suitable habitat, and increased biological and ecological studies of the species and its habitat.
Section 6 Funding and Activities:
The Utah Natural Heritage Program received $6,000 in FY 1991 and another $6,000 in FY 1992 to survey and monitor autumn buttercup populations.
Partnerships
Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Soil Conservation Service: These Federal agencies are identified in the species' recovery plan as being responsible for its recovery. Currently, however, there are no known populations of the autumn buttercup on land under Federal jurisdiction.Utah Natural Heritage Program: This State agency inventories and monitors the species' populations.
The Nature Conservancy: The Conservancy, a private organization, acquired autumn buttercup habitat near Bear Valley and protects it from livestock grazing.
Arboretum at Flagstaff (Center for Plant Conservation program), Brigham Young University's Botany Department, and Utah State University's Bee Biology and Systematics Laboratory: These three partners in recovery are conducting research on the biology and ecology of the autumn buttercup.
Recovery Plan Status:
Plan approved 9/16/91.
