BLM-ID Tasks GeomorphIS Team to Conduct Downingia Species Surveys In Idaho

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Boise District, has tasked a GeomorphIS-Pyramid Botanical Consultants team to conduct surveys of Downingia insignis (Harlequin calicoflower) and Downingia bacigalupii (Bach’s calicoflower) in W Idaho during 2023.  There are a total of 42 element occurrences (EOs) on the Boise District with high potential for additional populations. Both species are threatened from livestock grazing and climate change/drought. Downingia sp are riparian obligates, often occurring in ephemeral pools or livestock ponds. Actions are necessary to assess the condition/health of the known EOs, identify potential habitat and inventory for new populations, and better understand the habitat requirements and distribution for these species. This project proposes to visit known EOs and collect plant and habitat information. This will be compared against baseline data to assess trend for each EO. Additionally, potential habitat would be surveyed for potential occupancy.