Appendix C: Species of Special Consideration

Species of special consideration is a broad term intended to encompass names used by managing agencies such as sensitive species, species of special concern, endangered, threatened, etc. Some terms can vary appreciably in formality or use and the criteria for species status can vary among agencies. In addition, most taxa carry more than one listing status or designation.

The sensitive species analysis included all species within the "Northern and Eastern Mojave Planning Area," an almost eight million acre area of California and a small part of Nevada. This analysis found that the NEMO planning area supports roughly 175 plant and animal species of special consideration. These include species that are endangered, threatened, proposed, or candidate species under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended; endangered, threatened, proposed, or rare under the California Endangered Species Act; or agency-defined sensitive or endemic species of special concern. The following tables show these protective designations or others defined by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) or the California/Nevada Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB/NNDDB).

Habitats that support one or more species of special consideration were reviewed in this planning effort, although not typically given legal protective status by agencies as are individual species. Because of this, habitats of special consideration may also be referred to throughout this document as "sensitive habitats." Those sensitive habitats which were a focus of plan review were riparian, wetland, sand dune and wash habitats as well as widespread or local habitats key in supporting desert tortoise, bats, bighorn sheep, carbonate plants and a variety of endemic species.

 

Table C-1: Animals of Special Consideration Within the Northern and Eastern Mojave Planning Area

 

(Federally or State Listed or Proposed Species known to occur within Death Valley National Park are bolded)

 

 

Animal Species

 

Listing Status

RECORDED OR POTENTIAL OCCURRENCE IN NEMO

Common Name

Scientific Name

Federal

State

 Death Valley NP Mojave NP BLM
BIRDS

 
Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperi   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor (Former C2)

NPS SS

 CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

?

P
golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos Protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
long-eared owl Asio otus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
western burrowing owl Athene cunicularia-hypugea (Former C2) CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
ferruginous hawk Buteo regalis (Former C2)

NPS SS

 CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

P

P
Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni   Threatened

R

R

R
western snowy plover Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus Coastal populations are listed Threatened; Inland populations were formerly C2

NPS SS

 CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

 

 

 

R

  

 

 

 

R
northern harrier Circus cyaneus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
western yellow billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus occidentalis   Endangered

R

  

R
yellow warbler Dendroica petechia brewsteri   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

P

P
southwestern willow flycatcher Empidonax trailli extimus Endangered (Empidonax trailli is state listed Endangered)

R

R

R
prairie falcon Falco mexicanus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
western least bittern Ixobrychus exilis hesperis (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

  

P
California grey-headed junco Junco hyemalis caniceps   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
loggerhead shrike Lanius ludovicianus (Former C2)

NPS SS

 CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
gila woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis   Endangered      
elf owl Micrathene whitneyi   Endangered

R

P

  
western brown-crested flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"      
hepatic tanager Piranga flava   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
summer tanager Piranga rubra   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Former C2)

NPS SS

 CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

    
black-tailed gnatcatcher Polioptila melanura   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P (R?)
vermilion flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
Bendire's thrasher Toxostoma bendirei   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
Crissal thrasher Toxostoma crissale   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
Le Conte's thrasher Toxostoma lecontei   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
Virginia's warbler Vermivora virginae   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
least Bells vireo Vireo bellii pusillus Endangered Endangered

R

P

R
gray vireo Vireo vicinior   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

P
MAMMALS

 
desert pallid bat Antrozous pallida   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
Townsend's big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens NPS SS CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
Panamint kangaroo rat Dipodomys panamintinus panamintinus    

R

  

R
California leaf-nosed bat Macrotus californicus (Former C2) CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"  

P (R?)

R?
Amargosa vole Microtus californicus scirpensis Endangered Endangered    

R
desert bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis nelsoni BLM SS  

R

R

R
Mohave ground squirrel Spermophilus mohavensis (Former C2)

NPS SS

 Threatened

R

  

R
Kingston Mountain chipmunk Tamias panamintinus acrus      

R

R
american badger Taxidea taxus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
Amargosa southern pocket gopher Thomomys umbrinus amargosae (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

  

R
AMPHIBIANS

 
Inyo Mountains salamander Batrachoseps campi BLM SS

(Former C2)

 CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R?

  

R
black toad Bufo exsul (Former C2) Threatened

R

  

R
REPTILES

 
Panamint alligator lizard Elgaria panamintinus NPS SS CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

  

R
desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii Threatened Threatened

R

R

R
banded gila monster Heloderma suspectum cinctum BLM SS CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"  

R

R
rosy boa Lichanura trivirgata (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

R

R
chuckwalla Sauromalus obesus (Former C2) CDF&G " Species of Special Concern"

R

R

R
FISH

 
Devils Hole Pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis Endangered NV Endangered

R

    
Amargosa River pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae BLM SS CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

  

R
Saratoga Springs pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis nevadensis   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

    
Shoshone pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis shoshone (Former C2) CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"    

R
Cottonball Marsh pupfish Cyprinodon salinus milleri   Threatened

R

    
Salt Creek pupfish Cyprinodon salinus salinus   CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

    
Mohave tui chub Gila bicolor mohavensis Endangered Endangered  

R

  
Amargosa Canyon speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus ssp 1 (Former C2) CDF&G "Species of Special Concern"

R

  

R
INSECTS

 
Death Valley Agabus diving beetle Agabus rumpi (Former C2)      

R
Furnace Creek naucorid bug Ambrysus funebris (Former C2)  

R

    
Kelso Jerusalem cricket Ammopelmatus kelsoensis (Former C2)    

R

  
Saratoga Springs Belastoma bug Belostoma saratogae (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

    
monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus    

R

P

R
Kelso giant sand treader cricket Macrobaenetes kelsoensis (Former C2)    

R

  
Furnace Creek riffle beetle Microcylloepus formicoideus NPS SS  

R

    
unnamed riffle beetle Microcylloepus similis NPS SS  

R

    
Amargosa Naucorid bug Pelocoris shoshone amargosus (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

  

R
Saline Valley Snow Front Scarab beetle Polyphylla anteronivea (Former C2)  

R

    
Death Valley June beetle Polyphylla erratica (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

    
Devils Hole riffle beetle Stenelmis calida calida NPS SS  

R

    
Shoshone cave whip scorpion Trithyreus shoshonensis BLM SS

NPS SS

      

R
SNAILS

 
Badwater snail Assiminea infima (Former C2)

NPS SS

  

R

    
Deep Springs fonticella Fonticella sp.        

R
Micrarionta rowelli bakerensis (no common name) Micrarionta rowelli bakerensis (Former C2)    

R

  
Oasis Valley spring snail Pyrgulopsis micrococcus NPS SS  

R

    
Grapevine Springs elongate tryonia Tryonia margae NPS SS  

R

    
robust tryonia Tryonia robusta NPS SS  

R

    
Grapevine Springs squat tryonia Tryonia rolandsi NPS SS  

R

    
Cottonball Marsh tryonia Tryonia salina NPS SS  

R

    
Amargosa tryonia Tryonia variegata NPS SS  

R

  

?

 

STATUS EXPLANATIONS

Federal

NPS SS = National Park Service Sensitive Species = Any species or infraspecies not otherwise designated whose population characteristics warrant special management or more intensive monitoring. Consideration may include but is not limited to: local rarity; endemism, park management objectives, usefulness of species as an indicator species, vulnerability to population declines; human disturbance; political concern / public interest

BLM SS = Bureau of Land Management Sensitive Species = Sensitive species are those designated by a State Director, usually in cooperation with the State agency responsible for managing the species as sensitive. They are those species that are: (1) under status review by the FWS/NMFS; or (2) whose numbers are declining so rapidly that Federal listing may become necessary; or (3) with typically small and widely dispersed populations; or (4) those inhabiting ecological refugia or other specialized or unique habitats.

State

CDFG "Species of Special Concern" = An administrative designation given to vertebrate species that appear to be vulnerable to extinction because of declining populations, limited ranges, and/or continuing threats. Some species may be just starting to decline, while others may have already reached the point where they meet the criteria for listing as a threatened or endangered species.

 

Table C-2: Plants of Special Consideration Within the Northern and Eastern Mojave Planning Area

 

(Federally or State Listed or Proposed Species known to occur within Death Valley National Park are bolded)

 

 

Plant Species

 

Listing Status

  

CNPS

 CNPS RED Code

 

recorded occurrences in nemo

Common Name

Scientific Name

Federal

State

CNPS

  

Death Valley NP

Mojave NP

BLM
Mormon needle grass Achnatherum aridum

2

2-1-1

R

R

  
Nevada onion Allium nevadense

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
pinyon rock cress Arabis dispar

2

2-1-1

R

    
Darwin rock cress Arabis pulchra var. munciensis BLM SS

2

3-1-1

R?

  

R
Shockley's rock cress Arabis shockleyi

2

3-2-1

R

    
white bear poppy Arctomecon merriamii BLM SS

1B

2-2-2

R

  

R
cloak fern Argyrochosma limitanea var. limitanea

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
playa milk-vetch Astragalus allochorous var. playanus

2

2-2-1

  

R

R
Darwin Mesa milk-vetch Astragalus atratus var. mensanus    

1B

3-1-3

R

    
Cima milk-vetch Astragalus cimae var. cimae

1B

3-2-2

  

R

  
black milk-vetch Astragalus funereus BLM SS

1B

3-2-2

R

    
Geyer's milk-vetch Astragalus geyeri var. geyeri BLM SS

2

3-2-1

R

  

R
Gilman's milk-vetch Astragalus gilmanii Former C2

4

1-2-2

R

  

?
shining milk-vetch Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans Proposed Threatened

1B

3-2-3

R

    
Sodaville milk-vetch Astragalus lentiginosus var. sesquimetralis Proposed Threatened CA Endangered;

NVCE

1B

3-3-2

R

    
curved-pod milk-vetch Astragalus mohavensis var. hemigyrus BLM SS NVCE#

1A

R?

  

?
little big-pod milk-vetch Astragalus platytropis

2

2-2-1

R

    
Preuss's milk-vetch Astragalus preussii var. preussii

2

3-1-1

R?

    
naked milk-vetch Astragalus serenoi var. shockleyi

2

2-2-1

R

?

?
scaly cloak fern Astrolepsis cochisensis

2

2-1-1

R?

  

R
ayenia Ayenia compacta

2

2-1-1

  

R

  
Fremont barberry Berberis fremontii

3

?-?-1

  

?

?
King's eyelash grass Blepharidachne kingii

2

2-1-1

R

  

R
red grama Bouteloua trifida

2

3-1-1

R

  

R
alkali mariposa lily Calochortus striatus BLM SS On NV watch list

1B

2-2-2

    

?
crucifixion thorn Castela emoryi

2

2-1-1

  

R

  
Jaeger's caulostramina Caulostramina jaegeri BLM SS

1B

3-2-3

R?

  

R?
Spring loving centaury Centaurium namophilum Threatened NVCE

R

  

?
Wooton's lace fern Cheilanthes wootonii

2

2-1-1

R?

R

?
desert birds beak Cordylanthus eremicus ssp. eremicus

4

1-1-3

R

?

?
purple bird's-beak Cordylanthus parviflorus

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
Tecopa birdsbeak Cordylanthus tecopensis BLM SS NV Threatened

1B

3-2-2

    

R
Gilman's cymopterus Cymopterus gilmanii

2

2-1-1

R

  

R
Ripley's cymopterus Cymopterus ripleyi

2

3-2-1

R

    
July gold Dedeckera eurekensis BLM SS CA Rare

1B

2-1-3

R

  

R
Panamint Dudleya Dudleya saxosa saxosa

4

1-2-3

R

    
Howe's hedgehog Echinocereus engelmannii var. howei BLM SS

1B

3-3-3

  

R

  
Panamint daisy Enceliopsis covillei BLM SS

1B

3-2-3

R

  

R
Ash meadows sunray Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. corrugata Threatened NVCE

4

1-1-1

R

    
nine-awned pappus grass Enneapogon desvauxii

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
Gilman's goldenbush Ericameria gilmanii

1B

3-1-3

R

    
forked buckwheat Eriogonum bifurcatum BLM SS NV Threatened

1B

3-2-2

?

  

R
Reveal's buckwheat Eriogonum contiguum

2

2-1-1

R

    
Wild Rose canyon buckwheat Eriogonum eremicola BLM SS

1B

3-1-3

R

  

R
Thorne's buckwheat Eriogonum ericifolium var. thornei CA Endangered

1B

3-2-3

  

R

  
jointed buckwheat Eriogonum intrafractum Former C2

4

1-1-3

R

  

?
Panamint Mountains buckwheat Eriogonum microthecum var. panamintense BLM SS

1B

3-1-3

R

  

R
juniper buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum var. juniporinum

2

3-1-1

  

R

R
hairy erioneuron Erioneuron pilosum

2

2-1-1

R

R

  
viviparous foxtail cactus Escobaria vivipara var. rosea

1B

3-2-2

  

R

  
Clark Mountain spurge Euphorbia exstipulata var. exstipulata

2

3-3-1

  

R

  
hot-springs fimbristylis Fimbristylis thermalis

2

2-2-1

R

    
Kingston Mountain bedstraw Galium hilendiae ssp. kinstonense BLM SS NV Threatened

1B

3-1-2

    

R
Telescope peak bedstraw Galium hypotrichium ssp. tomentellum

1B

3-1-3

R

    
Wrights's bedstraw Galium wrightii

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
Ripley's gilia Gilia ripleyi

2

3-1-1

R

  

?
golden carpet Gilmania luteola

1B

3-1-3

R

    
pungent glossopetalon Glossopetalon pungens BLM SS

1B

3-2-2

  

R

  
Ash meadows gumplant Grindelia fraxino-pratensis Threatened On NV watch list

1B

3-2-2

    

R
Inyo hulsea Hulsea vestita ssp. inyoensis BLM SS

2

2-2-1

R

    
Yellow ivesia Ivesia arizonica var. arizonica

3

?-?-1

R

    
Jaeger's ivesia Ivesia jaegeri BLM SS On NV watch list

1B

3-1-2

  

R

  
Kingston Mountains cinquefoil Ivesia patellifera BLM SS

1B

3-1-3

    

R
sand linanthus Linanthus arenicola

2

1-2-1

R

R

  
scrub lotus Lotus argyraeus var. multicaulis

1B

3-1-3

  

R

  
Providence Mountains lotus Lotus argyraeus var. notitius

1B

2-1-3

  

R

  
Panamint Mountains lupine Lupinus magnificus var. magnificus BLM SS

1B

3-1-3

R

    
wolftail Lycurus phleoides var. phleoides

2

3-2-1

  

R

  
spearleaf Matelea parvifolia

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
violet twining snapdragon Maurandya antirrhiniflora ssp. antirrhiniflora

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
rock lady Maurandya petrophila BLM SS CA Rare

1B

3-2-3

R

    
Utah monkeyflower Mimulus glabratus ssp. utahensis

2

3-2-1

R

    
appressed muhly Muhlenbergia appressa

2

2-2-1

  

R

  
tough muhly Muhlenbergia arsenei

2

2-1-1

  

R

  
delicate muhly Muhlenbergia fragilis

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
few-flowered muhly Muhlenbergia pauciflora

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
false buffalo-grass Munroa squarrosa

2

3-2-1

  

R

  
forked purple mat Nama dichotomum var. dichotomum

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
slender Woolly-heads Nemacaulis denudata var. gracilis

2

2-2-1

  

R

  
Amargosa niterwort Nitrophila mohavensis Endangered CA Endangered

1B

3-3-2

R?

  

R
Eureka Dunes evening primrose Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis Endangered CA Rare

1B

3-2-3

R

    
short-joint cactus Opuntia basilaris var. Brachyclada BLM SS

1B

3-2-3

  

R

  
curved-spine beavertail Opuntia curvospina

2

2-2-1

  

R

  
beautiful cholla Opuntia pulchella

2

2-2-1

    

R
Watson's oxytheca Oxytheca watsonii

2

3-2-1

R

  

R
cliff brake Pellaea truncata

2

2-1-1

  

R

  
limestone beard tongue Penstemon calcareus

2

2-1-1

R

R

?
Death Valley beardtongue Penstemon fruticiformis var. amargosae BLM SS

4

1-1-2

R

R

R
Pahute Mesa penstemon Penstemon pahutensis

R

    
Stephen's beardtongue Penstemon stephensii BLM SS

1B

2-2-3

    

R
Inyo laphamia Perityle inyoensis BLM SS

1B

3-2-3

    

R
Hanaupah rock daisy Perityle villosa BLM SS

1B

3-1-3

R

    
Death Valley sandpaper plant Petalonyx thurberi ssp. gilmanii BLM SS

1B

3-2-3

R

  

?
Saline Valley phacelia Phacelia amabilis

3

3-1-3

R

  

R
Aven Nelson's phacelia Phacelia anelsonii

2

2-1-1

R?

R

  
Death Valley round-leaved phacelia Phacelia mustelina On watch list in NV

1B

2-1-2

R

    
Goodding's phacelia Phacelia pulchella var. gooddingii

2

3-1-1

R

  

R
two-needle pinyon pine Pinus edulis

3

3-1-1

  

R

  
small-flowered rice grass Piptatherum micranthum

2

2-1-1

    

R
desert popcorn-flower Plagiobothrys salsus

2

3-2-1

    

R
notch-beaked milkwort Polygala heterorhyncha

1B

2-1-2

R

    
narrow-leaved cottonwood Populus angustifolia

2

3-2-1

?

?

?
Albert's sanvitalia Sanvitalia albertii

2

3-2-1

  

R

  
burro grass Scleropogon brevifolius

2

3-1-1

  

R

  
desert wing-fruit Selinocarpus nevadensis

2

3-1-1

    

R
Rusby's mallow Sphaeralcea rusbyi ssp. eremicola BLM SS

1B

3-2-3

R

  

R
Eureka Valley dunegrass Swallenia alexandrae Endangered CA Rare

1B

3-2-3

R

    
holly-leaved tetracoccus Tetracoccus ilicifolius

1B

3-1-3

R

    
Plummer's woodsia Woodsia plummerae

2

3-1-1

  

R

  

  

STATUS EXPLANATIONS
Federal
BLM SS = BLM Sensitive Species = Sensitive species are those designated by a State Director, usually in cooperation with the State agency responsible for managing the species as sensitive. They are those species that are: (1) under status review by the FWS/NMFS; or (2) whose numbers are declining so rapidly that Federal listing may become necessary; or (3) with typically small and widely dispersed populations; or (4) those inhabiting ecological refugia or other specialized or unique habitats.
State
NVCE = Critically Endangered in Nevada
NVCE# = Recommended for Critically Endangered List, pending formal list
California Native Plant Society (CNPS)
List 1A = Plants presumed extinct in California
List 1B = Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and elsewhere
List 2 = Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, but more common elsewhere
List 3 = Plants about which we need more information--a review list
List 4 = Plants of limited distribution--a watch list
CNPS RED Code
R (Rarity)
1 = Rare, but found in sufficient numbers and distributed widely enough that the potential for extinction is low at this time
2 = Distributed in a limited number of occurrences, occasionally more if each occurrence is small
3 = Distributed in one to several highly restricted occurrences, or present in such small numbers that it is seldom reported
E (Endangerment)
1 = Not endangered
2 = Endangered in a portion of its range
3 = Endangered throughout its range
D (Distribution)
1 = More or less widespread outside California
2 = Rare outside California
3 = Endemic to California

 

Table C-3: Formally Listed Animals Within Death Valley National Park

 

 

Animal Species

 

 

Listing Status

  

 

Habitat

 

 

Distribution

 

 

Threats

Importance of nemo to Long-Term Conservation of the Species

Common Name

Scientific Name

Federal

State
BIRDS 
Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni Threatened Breeds in juniper-sage flats, riparian areas and in oak savanna. Requires adjacent suitable foraging areas such as grasslands, alfalfa or grain fields supporting rodent populations. Trees are important nesting habitat in desert. Western half of U.S., w Canada, ne MX. In CA, primarily migrants throughout planning area. Has been recorded at the Amargosa Canyon Natural Area and its immediate drainage and at MOJA1 and DEVA2. Owens Valley supports a small breeding population Although formerly abundant in CA, loss of nesting habitat has reduced the state's population significantly.

Off-site pesticide use is another significant threat.

 The planning area encompasses little of the species' total range.
western yellow billed cuckoo Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Endangered Riparian forest nester, along the broad lower flood-bottoms of larger river systems. Nests in riparian jungles of willow, often mixed with cottonwoods, with lower story of blackberry, nettles, or wild grape. Probably only 50 pairs of cuckoos are presently in CA (primarily at Kern & Sacramento Rivers). Has been recorded at Amargosa Canyon Natural Area and at DEVA, also at Prado Basin, Mojave R. (Victorville), Owens Valley, Santa Clara R. CA summer migrant. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to clearing of riparian stands for flood control, land reclamation, agriculture and urbanization. Lowering water tables due to irrigation, construction of dams and urban growth. Exotic vegetation and grazing. The planning area encompasses little of the species' total range.
southwestern willow flycatcher Empidonax trailli extimus Endangered (Empidonax trailli is State listed Endangered) Inhabit extensive thickets of low, dense willows on edge of wet meadows, ponds, or backwaters. Require dense willow thickets for nesting and roosting; low, exposed branches are used for singing posts and hunting perches. 2000-8000 ft elev. Only 300-500 nesting pairs thought to exist over species' entire range (70 pairs in CA). Breeding range includes s CA, s NV, s UT, NM, w TX; (possibly sw CO, n Baja, CA and Sonora, MX). Recorded at Amargosa Canyon Natural Area, DEVA, and at least at the species level at MOJA. Cowbird parasitism and habitat modification are primary threats; the latter from: water diversion, livestock grazing (including destruction of nests by cattle). ORV / OHV3 and other recreational uses. Certain wetlands in NEMO are ephemeral sites for SWWF. Because migration routes and wintering grounds are not well known and habitat patches as small as 0.5 hectares can support 1-2 nesting pairs, the planning area may be of some although limited importance to species recovery.
elf owl Micrathene whitneyi Endangered In CA, nesting area is limited to cottonwood-willow and mesquite riparian zone along the Colorado River. Nests in deserted woodpecker holes, often in larger trees which offer insulation from high daytime temperatures. Along the Colorado River. Has been recorded at DEVA.
least Bells vireo Vireo bellii pusillus Endangered Endangered Riparian; willow-cottonwood forest, oak woodland, shrubby thickets and dry washes established with arroyo willows. Small amounts of aquatic and herbaceous cover. Dense shrub layer from 2.0 to 9.9 ft above ground. Only in CA and Baja CA. Small scattered areas in south/south-central CA; coastal/inland. Currently breeds in few scattered riparian habitat in s CA, in Amargosa River. Has been recorded at Amargosa Canyon Natural Area and its immediate drainage; also at DEVA. Loss of riparian habitat. Brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds. Susceptibility to rapid local extinction resulting from disease outbreak or increase in predators or parasites. Nest predation by birds, snakes and mammals. The planning area represents fringe habitats for LBV and low numbers of documented birds, given depleted habitats near large population centers in southern CA; however, NEMO management may contribute to species recovery.
MAMMALS 
Mohave ground squirrel Spermophilus mohavensis (Former C2)

NPS SS

 Threatened Open desert scrub, alkali desert scrub, Joshua tree woodland. Feed in annual grasslands. Prefers sandy to gravely soils. Avoids rocky areas; uses burrows at base of shrubs for cover; nests are in burrows. 1800-5000 feet elevation. Western Mojave Desert, Inyo, Kern, San Bernardino, Los Angeles counties. Has been recorded at DEVA and BLM4. Degradation of habitat by agriculture, OHV / ORV activity, military maneuvers, livestock grazing. Isolation of individual populations due to habitat fragmentation.
AMPHIBIANS 
black toad Bufo exsul (Former C2) Threatened Near springs, watercourses, marshes, wet meadows. Seek cover under and between clumps of vegetation, surface objects. 5000-52000 ft elev. Found only in Deep Springs Valley between the White and Inyo Mountains. Mostly at Corral Springs, Bog Mound Springs and Buckhorn Springs and a few at Antelope Springs 5 miles to the north. Has been recorded at DEVA and BLM. State threatened due to naturally small populations and restricted habitat. Water development and diversion. Vulnerability to excessive vegetation growth surrounding its habitat. The planning area is important to the recovery of this species.
REPTILES 
desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii Threatened Threatened Wide variety of habitats including alluvial fans, desert washes, broad valleys, creosote bush communities with annual flower blooms. Friable soil for digging burrows. Mojave Desert portions of CA, NV, and north of the Colorado River in AZ and southwestern UT. Has been recorded at DEVA, MOJA, and BLM. Upper respiratory tract and shell lesion diseases. Collection. Predation by ravens and canids. Conflicts with livestock and feral burros (trampling). Direct mortality and injury by humans from poaching, shooting, OHV / ORV use. NEMO includes roughly 10-15% of total critical habitat designated for DT. Populations receive relatively few human impacts and may be relatively disease-free as compared with western Mojave populations, an important consideration for species recovery.
FISH 
Devils Hole Pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis Endangered NV Critically Endangered Occurs only at Devils Hole in NV (NPS administered) but part of the larger system that includes Ash Meadows. Endemic to DEVA Class I.5 Groundwater mining in Ash Meadows directly lowers the water level in Devil's Hole and progressively exposes the shallow limestone shelf upon which the pupfish depend for food and spawning. This species occurs entirely within the planning area at DEVA.
STATUS EXPLANATIONS
Federal
NPS SS = National Park Service Sensitive Species = Any species or infraspecies not otherwise designated whose population characteristics warrant special management or more intensive monitoring. Consideration may include but is not limited to: local rarity; endemism, park management objectives, usefulness of species as an indicator species, vulnerability to population declines; human disturbance; political concern / public interest
NOTES
1 MOJA = Mojave National Preserve
2 DEVA = Death Valley National Park
3 OHV/ORV = Off-Highway Vehicles or Off-Road Vehicles
4 BLM = Bureau of Land Management public lands within the NEMO Planning Area
5 Endemic to DEVA Class I = Entire distribution occurs within the boundary of the former Death Valley National Monument

 

Table C-4: Formally Listed Plants Within Death Valley National Park

 

 

Plant Species

 

 

Listing Status

  

 

CNPS

  

CNPS RED Code

 

 

Habitat

 

 

Distribution

 

 

Threats

Importance of nemo to Long-Term Conservation of the Species
Common Name Scientific Name Federal State CNPS
shining milk-vetch Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans Proposed Threatened

1B

3-2-3

 Desert dunes forming dense clumps along the lower slopes of mobile dunes. +/- 3050-3100 ft elev. Northern Mojave Desert (Eureka Valley). More strongly perennial, with longer hairs than similar plants of the variety 'variabilis.' Trampling, OHV / ORV1 use, noxious weed invasion (Russian thistle). The entire known range of this variety is within the planning area.
Spring loving centaury Centaurium namophilum Threatened NV Critically Endangered Eastern Mojave Desert, Ash Meadows.

(According to Jepson, all are apparently C. exaltatum). Has been recorded at DEVA.2

  
July gold Dedeckera eurekensis BLM SS CA Rare

1B

2-1-3

 Mojavean desert scrub; limestone outcrops, on rocky ridges, cliffs, talus slopes, and sometimes in washes, restricted to carbonate soils, restricted to Bonanza King Formation dolomite and Polet Formation limestone. 4000-7200 ft elev. Ten disjunct occurrences in the Last Chance, Inyo, White and Panamint Mountains (Inyo County, CA). Locations is rocky canyons west of Saline Valley, especially Hunter Canyon; also found on Owen’s Valley slopes. Has been recorded at DEVA and BLM.3 Mining, OHV / ORV use, small hydroelectric development, possibly collecting for firewood.  
Ash meadows sunray Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. corrugata Threatened NV Critically Endangered

4

1-1-1

 E. nudicaulis is found in Great Basin scrub, Mojavean desert scrub, stony hillsides and canyons, calcareous substrates. 3100-6600 ft elev. E. nudicaulis is uncommon. White and Inyo Mountains, desert mountains to ID, UT, northern AZ. Also in Last Chance Mountains.  
rock lady Maurandya petrophila BLM SS CA Rare

1B

3-2-3

 Mojavean desert scrub, limestone crevices of canyons, narrow steep canyon walls within limestone crevices, shaded from afternoon sun. 3600-5000 ft elev. Northern Mojave Desert, Titus, Fall Canyons, Death Valley region, Inyo County.
Eureka Dunes evening primrose Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis Endangered CA Rare

1B

3-2-3

 Desert dunes (away from slopes), generally with Psorothamnus polydenius. 2950-3950 ft elev. Northernmost Mojave Desert (Eureka Valley). Populations are few but large. Known from fewer than five occurrences in the Eureka Dunes. Trampling, occasional off-road driving, noxious weed invasion (Russian thistle).
Eureka Valley dunegrass Swallenia alexandrae Endangered CA Rare

1B

3-2-3

 Desert dunes; active desert dunes. 2900-4000 ft elev. White and Inyo Mountains (Eureka Valley in northeastern Inyo County).

The only known populations in the world are in the Eureka Dunes. Only four populations are known all in southern Eureka Valley in relatively deep sand.

Unauthorized OHV / ORV use and other unmanaged recreational dune use. The total range of the species is within the planning area.

 

STATUS EXPLANATIONS
Federal
BLM SS = BLM Sensitive Species = Sensitive species are those designated by a State Director, usually in cooperation with the State agency responsible for managing the species as sensitive. They are those species that are: (1) under status review by the FWS/NMFS; or (2) whose numbers are declining so rapidly that Federal listing may become necessary; or (3) with typically small and widely dispersed populations; or (4) those inhabiting ecological refugia or other specialized or unique habitats.
California Native Plant Society (CNPS)
List 1A = Plants presumed extinct in California
List 1B = Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and elsewhere
List 2 = Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, but more common elsewhere
List 3 = Plants about which we need more information--a review list
List 4 = Plants of limited distribution--a watch list
CNPS RED CODE
R (Rarity)
1 = Rare, but found in sufficient numbers and distributed widely enough that the potential for extinction is low at this time
2 = Distributed in a limited number of occurrences, occasionally more if each occurrence is small
3 = Distributed in one to several highly restricted occurrences, or present in such small numbers that it is seldom reported
E (Endangerment)
1 = Not endangered
2 = Endangered in a portion of its range
3 = Endangered throughout its range
D (Distribution)
1 = More or less widespread outside California
2 = Rare outside California
3 = Endemic to California
1 OHV/ORV = Off-highway vehicle, off-road vehicle
2 DEVA = Death Valley National Park
3 BLM = Bureau of Land Management public lands within the NEMO Planning Area

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