NONVASCULAR BOTANICAL FIELD

RECONNAISSANCE REPORT PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST

FEATHER RIVER RANGER DISTRICT

STRAWBERRY ETALS PROJECT AREA

PREPARED BY: COLIN P DILLINGHAM 7 MARCH 2006

INTRODUCTION Vegetation Management Solutions, a Forest Service Enterprise Team, entered into an agreement with the Plumas National Forest to perform a nonvascular botanical survey for species of interest within the Strawberry Etals project area. The purpose of this botanical survey was to discover and document sensitive or special interest nonvascular plant species in order to help the forest best manage sensitive plant resources as timber harvest and fuel reduction activities take place within the Strawberry Etals project area. The survey was also floristic in nature so that the Plumas National Forest could attain better knowledge of the nonvascular plant community on National Forest lands. The survey area was the “Strawberry Etals Project” area as provided to Dillingham by Chris Christofferson and Jerry Gott. Survey routes of the Strawberry Etals project are identified on project maps in Appendix B of this report. Size of Project Area: 6,578 acres total, based on the GIS file, J:/fsfiles/office/fr/straw_etals/straw_avail. METHODS DATES OF FIELD WORK: April – June 2005. SURVEYORS: Colin Dillingham and David Toren. LEGAL SUDIVISION: See attached map (Appendix B) for specific survey areas. The survey routes are illustrated in units. The Strawberry Etals unit boundaries are outlined. Portions of the following townships were surveyed: T19N R9E; T20N R8E; T20N R9E, T21N R9E and T21N R8E. Quad(s): American House (52), La Porte (53), Strawberry Valley (59) and Goodyear’s Bar (58). Counties: Plumas, Sierra and Yuba Counties. Location: La Porte Bald Mountain south to the Yuba River

Project Description: Group Select small cuts will take place in the project area as well as Defensible Fuel Profile Zone, which are likely to include the following prescriptions; biomass thin, hand thin, pile, burn piles, mastication, and under burn. TYPE OF RECONNAISSANCE: the Survey Protocol consisted of General/ Intuitive control search techniques that were used within project area boundaries and focused on riparian zones and rock outcrops that appeared to have high diversity or potential for bryophyte species. High probability areas for target species were determined by reviewing USGS Quadrangle maps and Orthophotos were studied for rock outcrops, riparian zones and wetland areas. Personal communications with personnel involved or familiar with the project area included Linnea Hanson, Botanist, Chris Christofferson, Botanist and Kelly Whitsett, Hydrologist. Communications were completed in February and March 2005. The District GIS layer of plant occurrences and the Plumas NF springs layer were reviewed for occurrences within the project area and vicinity. Many roads were driven in the project area to look for additional habitat areas. Colin Dillingham and David Toren surveyed all identified high probability areas. High probability habitats are identified for each of the target species as follows: damp clay soils for Bruchia bolanderi; damp schist-type soils for Scopelophila ligulata; perennial shaded streams for Hydrothyria venosa; intermittently mesic rock habitat for Anomobryum julaceum, Didymodon norrisii and Mielichhoferia elongata; stream channels and water splash zones for Fissidens aphelotaxifolius and Fissidens pauperculus; fens and wet meadows or seeps for Helodium blandowii, Meesia triquetra, Meesia uliginosa and Sphagnum species; and exposed upland soils for Trichodon cylindricus. The survey was floristic in nature. All species of macro-lichens and bryophytes encountered were collected. Drier upland areas were not surveyed as intensively as riparian and wetland habitats because the potential for sensitive and special interest species is low. A thorough inventory of crustose lichens was not attempted, although limited collections were made. Areas of upland coniferous forest tend to have few unique bryophytes. Areas with extended snow cover (greater than 2 months) tend to have fewer bryophytes because winter is the growing season for many species. Growth for mosses under snow would be delayed until snowmelt. Complete bryophyte inventory is less important in these habitat types. Although a more thorough investigation undoubtedly would have yielded a larger species list, this effort provides an adequate sampling of the project area. POTENTIAL SENSITIVE SPECIES: Bruchia bolanderi, Hydrothyria venosa, Meesia triquetra, Meesia uliginosa. POTENTIAL SPECIAL INTEREST SPECIES: Anomobryum julaceum, Didymodon norrisii, Fissidens aphelotaxifolius, Fissidens pauperculus, Helodium blandowii, Mielichhoferia elongata, Scopelophila ligulata, Trichodon cylindricus and Sphagnum species.

RECORDS AND INFORMATION RESEARCH

Table 1 includes species with locations or potential habitat known and/or suspected within the project area. Species Name Acronym Status* Potential in

Project Area Occurrences in Project Area

Bruchia bolanderi BRBO S moderate None Fissidens pauperculus

FIPA SI moderate None

Hydrothyria venosa HYVE S high None * - status codes: S = Region 5 Sensitive, SI = Special Interest

PREVIOUS SURVEYS SUMMARY Table 2 includes project surveys conducted within the vicinity of proposed project area. Project Name and Report Date

Acres surveyed

Species surveyed Intensity Month/Year of survey

Slapjack DFPZ 5307 Floristic General/Intuitive May – Dec 2003

WatDog DFPZ

6297 Floristic General/Intuitive July – Oct 2002

PROJECT SURVEY NEEDS SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Table 3 includes habitat requirements for listed species; potential of occurrence, potential impact sensitivity and survey needs assessment. Special interest category 2 species do not require surveys, but where presence was found, occurrence forms were completed. Species Habitat Occurrence

Potential Potential Impacts

Areas Unsurveyed

Survey Reqd?

Bruchia bolanderi

Clay soils along streams especially in meadows

moderate moderate 30 miles of streams, some with openings and also in headwaters of streams with potential.

Yes

Hydrothyria venosa

Streams high moderate 30 miles of streams Yes

Meesia triquetra Fens low Low to high

One wetland in Sierra County.

No

Meesia uliginosa

High elevation fens

low Low to high

One wetland in Sierra County.

No

Anomobryum julaceum

Ephemerally moist rock

low low General field review necessary to identify rock outcrops.

Yes

Didymodon norrisii

Vernally wet rock/ rocky drainages

moderate low Potential along riparian zones where bedrock is present

Yes

Fissidens aphelotaxifolius

Splash zones of streams

low moderate 30 miles of streams Yes

Fissidens pauperculus

Splash zones of streams

moderate moderate 30 miles of streams Yes

Helodium blandowii

High elevation fens

low Low to high

One wetland in Sierra County.

No

Mielichhoferia elongata

Vernally wet mineral rock outcrops

low low General field review necessary to identify rock outcrops.

Yes

Scopelophila ligulata

Vernally wet mineral rock outcrops

low low General field review necessary to identify rock outcrops.

Yes

Sphagnum species

Fens low Low to high

One wetland in Sierra County.

No

Trichodon cylindricus

Bare mineral soil

moderate low Much of upland forest has potential

for this species

Category 2 spp, survey not req’d

HABITAT TYPES INVESTIGATED: mixed coniferous forest types with scattered riparian zones characterized the Strawberry Etals project area. Some private areas

intermixed with the National Forest lands had been impacted by logging activities. Topography was moderate to steep with steep incised riparian zones on 50-60 percent gradient slopes. Surveys were focused in areas with a high moisture regime, especially riparian zones and wetland areas. Riparian areas, wetland areas, small waterfall areas and seeps over rock areas were intensively surveyed. Cursory reviews of scattered portions of dry upland forest were completed and limited surveys for Trichodon cylindricus were conducted. The majority of acres in dry upland habitat were not visited for nonvascular species. FIELD SURVEY LOCATION: The following areas are indicated on the attached maps in Appendix B. Survey routes are indicated for each survey route. Collection locations are identified on the maps in Appendix B, and legal locations and UTMs are provided in Appendix A. Field surveys of the majority of 30 miles of riparian zones to determine presence of Hydrothyria venosa, Bruchia bolanderi, Didymodon norrisii, Fissidens aphelotaxifolius or Fissidens pauperculus were completed. Riparian zones surveyed are listed below. Springs and fens were investigated for Meesia, Sphagnum and Helodium. Field surveys of forest openings identified on Orthophotos to determine if suitable rock habitat is present and to determine presence of Anomobryum julaceum, Didymodon norrisii, Mielichhoferia elongata and Scopelophila ligulata were completed. High Priority Survey Areas

Plumas County 10.0 miles of riparian habitat T21N R9E Section 7 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section. Section 8 – 2.0 miles of Headwater tributaries to Rabbit Creek. These riparian zones

have mature forest and have Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential, but none was found. Colin P Dillingham and David Toren (hereafter CPD and DT) surveyed on 7 June 2005 and collected specimens at points 33 and 34.

Section 9 – 0.2 miles of Headwater tributaries to Rabbit Creek. These riparian zones have mature forest and have Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential, but none was found. CPD and DT surveyed on 7 June 2005 and made no collections.

Section 9 – 0.2 miles of tributaries to East Branch of Rabbit Creek. CPD and DT surveyed on 7 June 2005 and made no collections.

Section 9 – Small opening with a meadow that was surveyed 7 June 2005 by CPD and DT.

Section 16 – 0.7 miles of Rabbit Creek and tributaries. CPD and DT surveyed on 7 June 2005 and collected specimens at point 36.

Section 17 – 0.3 miles of Headwater tributaries to Valley Creek in SWSW of section. These riparian zones have mature forest and have Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential, although it is probably too high

elevation for good Fissidens habitat. CPD surveyed on 16 June 2005 and made no collections. The creek was dry in the upper reaches.

Section 17 – 1.1 miles of Rabbit Creek tributaries were surveyed 7 June 2005 by CPD and DT.

Section 18 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section. Section 19 – 0.1 miles of Valley Creek in NENE of section. These riparian zones have

mature forest and have low Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential. CPD surveyed on 16 June 2005 and made no collections. The creek was ephemeral and had low bryophyte diversity.

Section 20 – 1.3 miles of tributaries to Clark’s Ravine. CPD surveyed on 15 June 2005 and made no collections.

Section 20 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to Clark’s Ravine in SW ¼ of section. CPD surveyed on 16 June 2005 and made no collections. The headwaters had a spring with several wetland type mosses including the undescribed species Bryum (or Ptychostomum) “robustum” type.

T21N R9E Section 20 – 0.1 miles of tributaries to Clark’s Ravine near Barnard’s Diggings in SE ¼

of unit. CPD surveyed on 15 June 2005 and made collections at point 38. A first Plumas National Forest collection of Racomitrium has been sent to Dr. Halina Bednarek-Ochyra and results are pending.

Section 21 – 1.2 miles of Rabbit Creek. CPD surveyed on 16 June 2005 and made no collections. The creek is too high volume, bedrock is scoured and free of bryophytes and Hydrothyria. Section 21 - 0.4 miles of tributaries to Clark’s Ravine in western edge of section. CPD surveyed on 15 June 2005 and made no collections. Section 21 - 0.3 miles of tributaries to Clark’s Ravine in SESW of section. CPD surveyed on 15 June 2005 and made no collections.

Section 22 – 0.2 miles of Rabbit Creek at Slate Creek confluence. CPD surveyed on 16 June 2005 and made no collections.

Section 27 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section. Section 28 –1.1 miles of Clark’s Ravine and tributaries to Clark’s Ravine. These riparian

zones have mature forest and have Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential, although it may be too high elevation for Fissidens. CPD surveyed on 15 June 2005 and made collections at point 37, where there was high bryophyte diversity. The first Plumas National Forest records of the moss Grimmia torquata and the lichen Umbilicaria americana were collected.

Section 29 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to American House Ravine. CPD surveyed on 16 June 2005 and made no collections. There was a good quality spring in the lower section of the ravine.

Section 30 – 0.2 miles of tributaries to American House Ravine in NWNE of section. CPD surveyed on 3 June 2005 and found Hydrothyria venosa (occurrence #009).

Section 30 – 0.6 miles of American House Ravine in center of section. CPD surveyed on 3 June 2005 and found Hydrothyria venosa (occurrence #009) and made collections at point #32.

Section 30 – 0.2 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in NWSW of section. CPD surveyed on 2 June 2005 and made no collections.

Section 31 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section. Section 32 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek. This site was in an inaccessible,

steep area and no surveys were completed.

Plumas County – 1.8 miles of riparian habitat T21N R8E Section 25/26 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to Onion Creek. CPD surveyed on 2 June 2005

and made no collections. Section 36 – 0.7 miles of Onion Creek. CPD surveyed on 27 May 2005 and made

collections at site 30. Hydrothyria venosa was found (occurrence #008). Section 36 – 0.8 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek. CPD surveyed on 3 June 2005 and

made no collections.

Plumas County – 1.0 miles of riparian habitat T20N R8E Section 1 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section. Section 2 – 0.4 miles of Onion Creek. These riparian zones have mature forest and have

Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential. CPD surveyed on 27 May 2005 and made no collections. Hydrothyria venosa was found (occurrence #008). Also found Cypripedium fasciculatum at sites 125 and 125A.

Section 2 – 0.6 miles of Feney Ravine. CPD surveyed on 27 May 2005 and made collections at site 31.

Section 11 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section.

Yuba County – 8.8 miles of riparian habitat T20N R8E Section 1 – 0.2 miles of Simon Ravine. CPD surveyed on 13 May 2005 and made

collections at site 21. Section 1 – 0.9 miles of Gold Run Creek and tributaries. CPD and DT surveyed on 26

May 2005 and made collections at sites 26 and 27. The first Plumas National Forest collections of the liverworts Asterella gracilis and Blepharostoma trichophyllum were made.

Section 11 – 0.3 miles of Stowman Ravine in SWSE of section. CPD surveyed on 19 May 2005 and made collections at site 24.

Section 11 – 0.3 miles of Stowman Ravine in NE 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 15 May 2005 and made no collections.

Section 12 – 0.6 miles of Simon Ravine. CPD surveyed on 13 May 2005 and made collections at site 21.

Section 13, 14, 15 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in these sections.

Section 22 – 0.5 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in south 1/2 of section. CPD surveyed on 14 April 2005 and made collections at site 4.

Section 22 – 0.1 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in NENE of section. CPD surveyed on 15 May 2005 and made no collections.

Section 23 – 1.0 mile of Brushy Creek. CPD surveyed on 12 May 2005 and made collections at site 19.

Section 23 – 1.0 mile of Diamond Ravine. CPD surveyed on 5 May 2005 and made collections at site 13. The first Plumas National Forest collection for the lichen Ramalina dilacerata was made.

T20N R8E Section 25 – Opening in forest, field reviewed to determine if rock outcrops were present

on north side of FS road 20N06 in NENE of section. CPD surveyed on 28 April 2005 and made no collections in the unremarkable habitat.

Section 25 – 0.4 miles of Rock Creek in SENE of section. CPD surveyed on 28 April 2005 and made no collections.

Section 25 – 0.5 miles of Rock Creek in center of section. CPD surveyed on 28 April 2005 and made no collections.

Section 25 – 0.4 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in SENW of section. CPD surveyed on 28 April 2005 and made no collections.

Section 25 – 0.4 miles of tributaries to Canyon Creek in SW 1/4 of section with opening in forest. No fen was found at head of tributary. Bruchia bolanderi was not found. CPD surveyed on 28 April 2005 and collected at point 8, including Fissidens bryoides.

Section 26 – 0.4 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in SW 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 5 May 2005 and made collections at site 12.

Section 27 – 0.4 miles of Brushy Creek in NW ¼ of section. CPD surveyed on 12 May 2005 and made collections at site 15-18. Sensitive plants Hydrothyria venosa, Buxbaumia viridis and Cypripedium fasciculatum were found. The first Plumas National Forest collections for the liverwort Lophocolea bidentata and the moss Buxbaumia viridis were made.

Section 27 – 0.6 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in south 1/2 of section and 0.5 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in north 1/2 of section 34. CPD surveyed on 14 April 2005 and made collections at sites 1-3.

Section 35 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in west 1/2 of section. CPD surveyed on 28 April 2005 and made no collections.

T19N R8E Section 2,3,9,10,11 –This is very steep and remote country with only one rugged 4WD

road to Race Track Point. There are no mapped tributaries to Slate Creek, Canyon Creek or the Yuba River in any of the Strawberry Etals project units in these sections.

Section 3 – Forest opening in SE ¼ of section, could be field reviewed to search for rock outcrops – along trail between Oak Flat and Race Track Point. CPD hiked portion of trail 5 May 2005, but trail rapidly became too overgrown with manzanita and other brush to proceed. No collections were made.

Yuba County – 2.5 miles of riparian habitat

T20N R9E

Section 6 – 0.6 miles of tributaries to Slate Creek in NW 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 19 May 2005 and made collections at sites 22 and 23.

Section 6 – 0.2 miles of Gold Run Creek in SW 1/4 of section 6 and 0.6 miles of tributaries to Gold Run Creek in NW 1/4 of section 7. CPD and DT surveyed on 26 May 2005 and made collections at site 28. The first Plumas National Forest collection for the moss Blindia acuta was made.

Section 7 – 0.4 miles of tributaries to Gold Run Creek in center of west 1/2 of section. CPD and DT surveyed on 26 May 2005 and made collections at site 25.

Section 7 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to Gold Run Creek in SWSW of section. CPD surveyed on 13 May 2005 and made no collections.

Section 18– 0.3 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in SW 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 6 May 2005 and made no collections in the dry draw. A spotted owl was seen and details were previously given to Cindy Roberts.

Section 18– 0.1 miles of Little Rock Creek in NW 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 6 May 2005 and made no collections. The creek was dry.

Sierra County – 5.9 miles of riparian habitat

T20N R9E Section 6 – 0.1 miles of Gold Run Creek. CPD and DT surveyed on 26 May 2005 and

made no collections. Section 7 – 0.1 miles of tributaries to Gold Run Creek in NESE of section. CPD and DT

surveyed on 26 May 2005 and made collections at site 29. Section 7 – 0.2 miles of tributaries to Gold Run Creek in NENW of section. CPD and DT

surveyed on 26 May 2005 and made no collections. Section 8, 9, 16 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in these

sections. Section 17 – Wetland and Pond on topographic map along 0.4 miles of tributaries to

Rock Creek on southern boundary of section. Check for fen species such as Meesia, Sphagnum or Helodium. CPD surveyed on 29 April 2005 and made no collections. The site had an old man-made dam that created the pond; it was not a fen.

Section 18 – 0.2 miles of headwater tributaries to Rock Creek in NWNE of section. CPD surveyed on 6 May 2005 and made no collections.

Section 18 – 0.5 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in SE 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 6 May 2005 and made collections at point 14. Collection site was below a hydraulically mined area; the tributary comes out of an old mining tunnel. Old Union Hill cemetery and old mining buildings were on adjacent private land.

T20N R9E Section 18 – forest opening should be field reviewed for rock outcrop in NESE of

section. CPD surveyed on 6 May 2005 and made no collections. The site was an old hydraulically mined site. One noxious weed point was given to Chris Christofferson.

Section 19 – 1.4 miles of Rock Creek. The riparian zones in this section have mature forest and were thought to have Hydrothyria venosa, Fissidens pauperculus and F. aphelotaxifolius potential. However, during field review it was determined that Rock Creek is too large for these species as it scours the creek bed. CPD surveyed

on 15 April and 6 May 2005 and made collections at site 6. The first Plumas National Forest collection for the lichen Xanthoria fulva was made.

Section 19 – 0.5 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in NW 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 15 April 2005 and made no collections.

Section 19 – 0.2 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in SW 1/4 of section. CPD surveyed on 15 April 2005 and made no collections.

Section 19 – 0.4 miles of Little Rock Creek in center of north 1/2 of section. CPD surveyed on 15 April 2005 and made collections at sites 4 and 5. The first Plumas National Forest collection for the lichens Melanelia exasperatula and Ochrolechia oregonensis were made.

Section 19 – 0.5 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in south ½ of NE 1/4 of section 19 and 0.5 miles of tributaries to Rock Creek in NW 1/4 of section 20. CPD surveyed on 29 April 2005 and made collections at points 10 and 11.

Section 20 – 0.3 miles of tributaries to Canyon Creek in NWSW of section. CPD surveyed on 29 April 2005 and made no collections.

Section 21 – No riparian habitat in Strawberry Etals project boundary in this section. Section 30 – 0.6 miles of Rock Creek in western 1/2 of section. CPD surveyed on 29

April 2005 and made collections at point 7. GPS MAPPING STANDARDS Global Positioning System (GPS) is a system utilizing signals transmitted from satellites to determine the coordinate location (x,y,z) of points on the ground. Receiver settings were set to the following specifications for all data collection. A. PDOP: 8 B. Elevation Mask: 15 C. Signal (SRN) Level: 6 D. Logging Mode - 3D only. Point features consisted of position averaging from a minimum of 20 position fixes. All data was differentially corrected using base files from one of the established Community Base Stations. In order to obtain desired accuracies, the GPS equipment used was a GEO Explorer and was capable of yielding accuracies of not greater than 3 meters after differential correction. RESULTS Two special status nonvascular plant species were discovered in the Strawberry Etals project area. Additional nonvascular plant surveys are not considered necessary at this time. In addition, Cypripedium fasciculatum was found and occurrence forms were submitted to Linnea Hanson. Several riparian zones were present throughout Strawberry Etals project area, some with relatively undisturbed habitat with cool perennial streams, the habitat type required by Hydrothyria venosa. Three occurrences of Hydrothyria venosa were found in the project

area. Occurrence forms were turned in as part of the report. These sites should be managed to maintain the integrity of the riparian zone. Fissidens was found along several riparian zones, some of which were in splash zones of small (1 foot) waterfalls, the habitat type occupied by Fissidens aphelotaxifolius. Only Fissidens crispus and F. bryoides were found at these sites and not F. aphelotaxifolius or F. pauperculus. . No fen or fen-like wetlands were located in the project area and therefore habitat for Meesia triquetra, Meesia uliginosa, Sphagnum species or Helodium blandowii could not be found. Several Didymodon collections were made including Didymodon vinealis on ephemerally wet rock habitats. Didymodon norrisii, Mielichhoferia elongata and Scopelophila ligulata were not located. Potential habitat of perennially moist clay bank habitat for Bruchia bolanderi was not identified in any of the riparian zones investigated. Many of the riparian sites may have been too shaded for Bruchia bolanderi. The Strawberry Etals project area was diverse and included 100 bryophyte species (90 mosses and 10 liverworts) and 44 species of lichens. This is the largest nonvascular plant species list for any project yet on the Plumas National Forest. Species discovered during this project survey that have not previously been recorded on the Plumas National Forest include the following: Mosses (4 species) – Blindia acuta, Buxbaumia viridis, Racomitrium elongatum (verification pending) and Grimmia torquata; Liverworts (3 species) – Asterella gracilis, Blepharostoma trichophyllum and Lophocolea bidentata and Lichens (6 species) – Melanelia exasperatula, Ochrolechia oregonensis, Parmelia saxatilis, Ramalina dilacerata, Umbilicaria americana and Xanthoria polycarpa. Most of these species have been verified so the list above is relatively firm; however further review of herbarium specimens will continue. The spreadsheet in Appendix A will be updated if species identifications are changed. None of these species are outside of their expected range with the exception of the Buxbaumia viridis and Racomitrium elongatum. These were the first Sierra Nevada Mountains records for the species. Three species identified during project surveys appear to be undescribed species. Schistidium “splendens” has been included in the Norris and Shevock (2004) key to California mosses and is listed as species A. Bryum (Ptychostomum) “robustum” has been included in Spence (2006) unpublished key to the Bryaceae and is listed as Ptychostomum species A. A species of Syntrichia appears to be undescribed as well, which has been found in this project area. There is no published information on this taxon, but Syntrichia expert Ken Kellman is tentatively recognizing it at the species level. Informal consultation with Dr. Norris and Dr. Spence indicate that these taxa do not warrant special management considerations.

Surveys were concentrated in areas of high moisture regime, and collections were more intensive in these areas. Surveys that were conducted in dry upland habitats were usually depauperate in bryophyte diversity. Consequently, the species found are largely wetland or riparian associated species. A complete inventory is included in this report in Appendix A. Many specimens have been mailed off and verified and incorporated into several Herbaria across the country. David Toren has verified many of these specimens in 2005 and 2006 and these were incorporated into the UC Berkeley and California Academy of Sciences Herbaria. Bill Doyle at UC Santa Cruz, verified liverwort specimens and these specimens were placed in the UC Santa Cruz Herbarium. Bruce McCune at Oregon State University, Susanne Altermann at UC Santa Cruz, Dr. Eric Peterson at Nevada Natural Heritage Program in Reno and Judy Robertson at Sonoma State University verified lichens. It is unlikely that any species on the sensitive or special interest list were collected and misidentified. Although several specimens are still in the verification or redetermination process, project implementation may commence before species verifications are complete. Appendix A will be amended after collections are verified. Appendix A will continue to be a liquid document and updated regularly. Each Appendix A update will be separately dated. LITERATURE CITED Norris, Daniel H. and James R. Shevock. 2004. Contributions toward a Bryoflora of California: II. A Key to the Mosses. Madroño 51(2):133-269. Spence, John. 2006. Key to the Bryaceae of North America. Unpublished manuscript.

Electronic Versions of Strawberry Etals Project Reports: An electronic version of this report is filed as: K:/tm02/botany/colin_vms_work/project_areas/strawberry etals/ straw_nonvasc_reconnaissance The arcview project is filed as: K:/tm02/botany/gis/colin/moss/moss.apr The excel spreadsheet for Strawberry Etals is filed as: K:/tm02/botany/colin_vms_work/project_areas/ strawberry etals/ straw_list Appendix A. Legal and UTM locations are in Appendix A for each collection site. Many herbarium specimens were prepared and indicated on the spreadsheet with a collection number, e.g. CPD1907 (my initials plus collection number). If a “V” follows the collection number, this indicates that an expert verified the collection. The “X” in the spreadsheet indicates that the species was identified from that collection location, but no herbarium voucher was made. Boldfaced species are new to the Plumas National Forest and Plumas, Sierra or Yuba County or are species of management interest. Appendix B. These maps show nonvascular plant collection locations (numbered black points). Surveyed travel routes are highlighted in red. Strawberry Etals unit boundaries are shown as blue polygons. The Hydrothyria venosa populations are shown as green polygons. Appendix C. Buxbaumia Vindis Occurrence Appendix D. Hydrothynia Venosa Appendix E. Strawberry Etals species list.

Appendix C

PLANT OCCURRENCE DISCOVERY RECORD PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST

X Sensitive Special Interest

__X _New Occurrence ____Revisit

BOTANY

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Buxbaumia viridis (moss) OCCURRENCE #: 11-001 PROJECT: Strawberry Etals DFPZ PROJECT SURVEY UNIT: Brushy Creek DISCOVERY DATE: 12 May 2005 DISCOVERED BY: Colin Dillingham SURVEYOR(S): Colin Dillingham DATES of FIELD WORK: 12 May 2005

LOCATION NATIONAL FOREST: Plumas RANGER DISTRICT: Feather River COUNTY: Yuba QUAD(S): Strawberry Valley LEGAL: TOWNSHIP 20N, RANGE 8E section 26 NWNW. LOCATION: On east side of Brushy Creek on a conifer log. The site is 2.5 miles east of Strawberry Valley and 27 miles east of Oroville. UTM: Datum NAD 1927 Northing 4381481 and Easting 666927

OCCURRENCE

SIZE of SITE: One log is populated by Buxbaumia viridis in this occurrence. Numerous logs were examined both up and down stream. No other Buxbaumia was located. NUMBER of PLANTS: The population had 13 sporophytes, one mature sporophyte had already matured and released its spores. The remaining 12 sporophytes were immature and had not released the spores. DESCRIPTION: (phenology, age class, density, etc) – This genus is known by the presence of a sporophyte, but lacking a gametophyte. One mature capsule was present

and illustrated the diagnostic character of the cuticle peeling back the length of the capsule. VOUCHER SPECIMEN- COLLECTOR: Colin Dillingham # 1948 STORED AT Mt Hough RD and a duplicate will be placed at UC Berkeley. This specimen was identified by Colin Dillingham and verified by David Toren. SUITABILITY FOR MONITORING: The population is not abundant, although individual plants appear healthy.

HABITAT ELEVATION: 3400 feet ASPECT: slope faces west, stream faces southwest SLOPE: 70-100% SHADED: deep shade MOISTURE: moist, in spray zone of waterfall HUMUS/DUFF: zero duff, growing directly on rotten log.

DESCRIPTION (microhabitat, timber type, plant associates, etc.): Growing on rotten, barkless old-growth conifer log, one end is Brushy Creek and in spray zone at bottom of 20-ft tall cascading waterfall. This site remains moist year round. In bottom of steep draw and underneath 80% canopy cover of Pseudotsuga menziesii, Calocedrus decurrens, Taxus brevifolia and Alnus rhombifolia. SOIL INVENTORY TYPE: (SRI name & mumber): OTHER SOIL INFORMATION: (parent material, texture, etc): TOPOGRAPHY of AREA: Extremely steep slopes from 70 to 100% slope in the vicinity of the occurrence.

DISTURBANCE NATURE of DISTURBANCE: This site has no evidence of previous human disturbance. CURRENT CONDITION: Creek appears to be a stable, perennial creek. The forest is old-growth and has not been impacted in the immediate vicinity of the Buxbaumia. POSSIBLE FUTURE THREATS: Buxbaumia viridis requires a moist microsite. Prior to this detection, the Sierra Nevada Mountains were thought to be too dry to contain habitat for this species. However, this unique microsite of a log with one end submerged in a perennial stream and at the bottom of a 20-foot tall cascading waterfall make this site more moist than is typical. Altering the flow of Brushy Creek could impact this site by reducing the spray from the waterfall.

The Strawberry Etals DFPZ project could impact this Buxbaumia viridis population if it reduced the shade of this site. However, I suspect that harvest activities and fuel reduction activities are unlikely to be implemented in the immediate vicinity of the Buxbaumia because of the steep slope. Because the site is proposed for treatment, I suggest that either a no-treatment buffer or a light impact understory treatment be placed on the riparian zone to protect this species. Because Brush Creek is a fish-bearing stream, riparian buffers of 300-feet placed on the streams for fish should be adequate for Buxbaumia viridis. Obviously a prescribed burn that eliminated the log that Buxbaumia is growing on would eliminate the population. No burns that would consume logs greater than 16 inches in diameter should be permitted in the Brushy Creek riparian zone. Pile burning brush is of no concern.

PLANT LIST

TREES: SHRUBS: HERBS: Pseudotsuga menziesii Cornus sessilis Calocedrus decurrens Lithocarpus densiflorus Taxus brevifolia Alnus rhombifolia BRYOPHYTES: Buxbaumia viridis brown-colored Otidea fungus growing out of same log. Lophocolea bidentata Aulacomnium androgynum Orthodicranum tauricum Hypnum subimponens REPORTERS: Colin Dillingham JOB TITLE: Ecologist DATE: 14 June 2005

Appencix D

PLANT OCCURRENCE DISCOVERY RECORD PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST

X Sensitive Special Interest

__X _New Occurrence ____Revisit

BOTANY

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hydrothyria venosa (lichen) OCCURRENCE #: 11-007 PROJECT: Strawberry Etals DFPZ PROJECT SURVEY UNIT: Brushy Creek DISCOVERY DATE: 12 May 2005 DISCOVERED BY: Colin Dillingham SURVEYOR(S): Colin Dillingham DATES of FIELD WORK: 12 May 2005

LOCATION NATIONAL FOREST: Plumas RANGER DISTRICT: Feather River COUNTY: Yuba QUAD(S): Strawberry Valley LEGAL: TOWNSHIP 20N, RANGE 8E sections 23 and 26. LOCATION: In Brushy Creek. The population starts where the sediment load lightens up and there is a sufficient amount of bedrock available for Hydrothyria. The population apparently disappears where the stream gradient gets to steep for Hydrothyria. UTM: Datum NAD 1927 Northing 4381616 and Easting 667097

OCCURRENCE

SIZE of SITE: Total length of creek populated by Hydrothyria venosa in this occurrence is approximately 0.43 miles. NUMBER of PLANTS: The population does not appear nearly as vigorous as other populations I have found on the Plumas NF. This occurrence only has isolated patches of 5 or 10 plants. I only saw a total of 60 plants in the 0.43 miles of creek. I am certain there is more plants than that as I did not have time to scour the entire creek bed and the

stream was very high and I could not see into many of the pools. There had been recent rain on snow and Brushy Creek was flowing high. DESCRIPTION: (phenology, age class, density, etc) – Large, lettuce-like veined leaves with purplish tinge growing submerged in the stream is diagnostic for this species. The fruiting structures (apothecia) were abundant. VOUCHER SPECIMEN- COLLECTOR: Colin Dillingham # 1943 STORED AT Mt Hough RD and a duplicate will be placed at Chico State University. This specimen was identified by Colin Dillingham. SUITABILITY FOR MONITORING: The population is not abundant, although individual plants appear healthy. If a treatment is proposed that would be monitored, a better population estimate at lower water conditions would be recommended.

HABITAT ELEVATION: 3400-3575 feet ASPECT: creek bottom, creek is running southwest. SLOPE: 2 – 20% SHADED: deep shade MOISTURE: submerged in stream HUMUS/DUFF: zero duff, growing directly on rock and submerged in stream.

DESCRIPTION (microhabitat, timber type, plant associates, etc.): Growing on submerged rock underneath 90% canopy cover of Pseudotsuga menziesii and Calocedrus decurrens with an understory of Taxus brevifolia and Cornus. SOIL INVENTORY TYPE: (SRI name & mumber): OTHER SOIL INFORMATION: (parent material, texture, etc): TOPOGRAPHY of AREA: Low gradient in the upper end of the occurrence, 2 – 5%, but much steeper, 20% average gradient in the downstream end of the occurrence.

DISTURBANCE NATURE of DISTURBANCE: This site has not received disturbance on the upstream end of the occurrence, although there has been a sediment load delivered to this creek for somewhere further upstream. The population is not vigorous in the upstream end of the occurrence because much of the bedrock is covered with sediment. The downstream end of the occurrence is being mined by small scale dredge equipment (found dredge and gas can stashed in bushes). CURRENT CONDITION: Creek appears to be a stable, perennial creek. POSSIBLE FUTURE THREATS: Hydrothyria venosa requires perennial, relatively stable water flows with clear, cool water.

The Strawberry Etals DFPZ project could impact this Hydrothyria venosa population if it added sediment or increased water temperature in the stream. Harvest activities and fuel reduction activities have the potential to impact the stream. I suggest that either a no-treatment buffer or a light impact understory treatment be placed on the riparian zone to protect this species. Because Brush Creek is a fish-bearing stream, riparian buffers of 300-feet placed on the streams for fish should be adequate for Hydrothyria venosa.

PLANT LIST

TREES: SHRUBS: HERBS: Pseudotsuga menziesii Cornus sessilis Cypripedium fasciculatum Calocedrus decurrens Lithocarpus densiflorus Adenocaulon bicolor Taxus brevifolia Clintonia uniflora Acer macrophyllum Goodyera oblongifolia Smilacina racemosa BRYOPHYTES: Buxbaumia viridis Leucolepis acanthoneura REPORTERS: Colin Dillingham JOB TITLE: Ecologist DATE: 14 June 2005