Great Sand Dunes (ID: 558)

Project last modified by rneugarten on December 20, 2007.

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Basic
Viability
Threats
Viability Assessment
Action Plan
Strategy Effectiveness
Indicators
Resources

Project Info

Contact Name:
Terri Schulz

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Contact Organization:
The Nature Conservancy

Data Effective Date:
October 01, 2005

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·Targets
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·Strategies

Operational Unit(s):

Colorado

Ecoregion(s):

Southern Rocky Mountains

Country(ies):

United States of America

Project Description:
Draft Conservation Vision for the Great Sand Dunes

The vision for the Great Sand Dunes Area is the long-term conservation of a very large arid shrublands landscape along with rare species, aquatic and riparian systems. Landscape-level processes, including bison, maintain this landscape. This vision also includes the concept of boundary less management across state, federal, and Nature Conservancy ownership. This partnership will maintain functional native habitats and provide for the protection and enjoyment of this unique landscape providing special opportunities for compatible recreation, exploration, education and research that are designed to protect resource values.

Draft Ecological Goals for Great Sand Dunes Conservation Area

вЂў Conserve at least 27,000 acres in active dunes (currently approximately 30,000 acres within the site)

вЂў Conserve at least 100,000 acres in one patch of stabilized dune grassland and shrublands (currently 113,000 acres within the site)

вЂў Conserve at least 70,000 acres in one patch of functional ephemeral wetlands and greasewood flats (currently over 80,000 acres within the site)

вЂў Conserve at least 25,000 acres of wet meadows

вЂў Maintain at least 25 viable occurrences of the slender spiderflower

вЂў Conserve all acres of perennial riparian areas including land and water flow

вЂў Conserve at least 80 % of the ephemeral riparian areas including 6 of 7 occurrences of rare cottonwood forests with no more than 25% of the annual flow diverted on any stream within the site

вЂў Maintain viable populations of the endemic insects

вЂў Maintain at least 3000 bison roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres

вЂў Restore a viable population of leopard frogs within the Great Sand Dunes area

Wet meadows - vast expanses of saltgrass that the bison like to graze as well as riparian communities along Big Spring and Little Spring Creeks; add Cleome to target list for this system; Delete upper montane riparian and aquaticProfessor at Adams state studying amphibians especially in Rio Grande; concerned about declines and introduction of exotics;Ephemeral - Sand Creek, Deadman Creek; cottonwood and willow communitiesPerennial - Big and Little Spring Creek - herbaceous communitiesTarget Aquatic system - montane low-moderate gradient, headwater and creek, alluvial or glacial - SRM identified this as best in EDU;

Objectives

Name
By 2008, cooperative integrated weed management maintains or reduces weed distribution.
By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.
By 2015, a pure bison herd exists within the Great Sand Dunes area
By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity
By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres
By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values.
By 2015, restore amphibian community (leopard frogs)
Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows

Targets

Focal Conservation Target	Target Type	Habitat Type
Active Dune and Swale Complex	Ecological System	Desert/Arid :: Temperate
Stabilized sand dunes	Ecological System	Shrubland
Wet meadows	Ecological System	Wetlands
Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats	Ecological System	Shrubland
Lower Montane Riparian - perennial	Ecological System	Riparian Areas
Lower Montane Aquatic	Ecological System	Rivers, Streams, Creeks
Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral	Ecological System	Riparian Areas
Bison	Single Species: Mammal	Shrubland

Threats

Threat (Common Taxonomy) ^*	Targets Threatened
Closed Basin Project (Undefined :: Undefined )	Stabilized sand dunes Wet meadows Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral
Invasive/alien species (Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes :: Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species )	Active Dune and Swale Complex Stabilized sand dunes Wet meadows Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral
Operation of drainage or diversion systems (Natural System Modifications :: Dams & Water Management/Use )	Wet meadows Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Lower Montane Aquatic Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral
Invasive/alien animal species (Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes :: Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species )	Lower Montane Aquatic
Management of/for certain species (Undefined :: Undefined )	Stabilized sand dunes Wet meadows Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral Bison
Grazing practices (Agriculture & Aquaculture :: Livestock Farming & Ranching )	Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral
Federal land management policies (Undefined :: Undefined )	Bison
Fish Management Practices (Biological Resource Use :: Fishing & Harvesting Aquatic Resources )	Lower Montane Aquatic
Bison management practices (Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes :: Problematic Native Species )	Active Dune and Swale Complex Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Bison
Confined Aquifer pumping (Natural System Modifications :: Dams & Water Management/Use )	Wet meadows Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral
Crop production practices (Agriculture & Aquaculture :: Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops )	Wet meadows Lower Montane Aquatic Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral
Lack of grazing (Undefined :: Undefined )	Active Dune and Swale Complex Stabilized sand dunes Wet meadows
Recreational use (Human Intrusions & Disturbance :: Recreational Activities )	Stabilized sand dunes Bison
Inappropriate fire management (Natural System Modifications :: Fire & Fire Suppression )	Wet meadows

^* For information on the common taxonomy of threats, see http://conservationmeasures.org/CMP/IUCN/.

Strategies

Strategy (Common Taxonomy)	Threats Addressed
Build coalition of interested parties to influence and facilitate bison expansion (tribes, local leaders, environmental organizations, national NPS and FWS, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), IUCN Species Action Group and media) ( External Capacity Building :: Alliance & Partnership Development )	Federal land management policies Lack of grazing Bison management practices
Continue to support NPS water right filing through process ( Land/Water Protection :: Resource & Habitat Protection )	Operation of drainage or diversion systems
Cooperative recreation management plan is developed and implemented across GSD (NPS/FWS/TNC) to protect biodiversity. ( Law & Policy :: Compliance & Enforcement )	Recreational use
Develop long term integrated water strategy to meet long term ecological goals based on assessment ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	Closed Basin Project Operation of drainage or diversion systems Confined Aquifer pumping Crop production practices
Eliminate FWS and NPS policy barriers to bison ( Law & Policy :: Policies & Regulations )	Federal land management policies Lack of grazing Bison management practices
Ensure adequate funding as needed to support cooperative weed efforts ( External Capacity Building :: Conservation Finance )	Invasive/alien species
Ensure that integrity of Big Spring, Little Spring, and Sand Creek by restricting use to supervised visitation ( Law & Policy :: Compliance & Enforcement )	Recreational use
establish an interagency partnership for weed management across GSD area ( External Capacity Building :: Alliance & Partnership Development )	Invasive/alien species
Implement adaptive management plan to achieve variability of vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows. ( Species Management :: Species Management )	-
Implement integrated management plan for elk and bison across GSD ( Species Management :: Species Management )	-
Minimize fragmentation in stabilized sand dunes by restricting roads and trails and land use within largest/remotest areas through land use planning and management plan implementation. ( Law & Policy :: Policies & Regulations )	-
Raise ~$250,000 for bison fencing ( External Capacity Building :: Conservation Finance )	-
Refine RGDSS groundwater model to assess impacts to biodiversity at finer scale ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	-
Reintroduce leopard frogs onto the Baca NWR ( Species Management :: Species Re-Introduction )	-
Test bison and replace animals over time as needed ( Species Management :: Species Management )	-
Use RGDSS to evaluate and minimize negative impacts to biodiversity from water decisions and uses ( Land/Water Management :: Habitat & Natural Process Restoration )	-

Viability Summary

Conservation Targets		Landscape Context		Condition		Size		Viability Rank
Conservation Targets		Grade	Weight	Grade	Weight	Grade	Weight	Viability Rank
1	Active Dune and Swale Complex	Very Good	1.0	Good	1.0	Very Good	1.0	Very Good
2	Stabilized sand dunes	Very Good	1.0	Good	1.0	Very Good	1.0	Very Good
3	Wet meadows	Good	1.0	Good	1.0	Very Good	1.0	Good
4	Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats	Poor	1.0	Good	1.0	Very Good	1.0	Fair
5	Lower Montane Riparian - perennial	Very Good	1.0	Very Good	1.0	Very Good	1.0	Very Good
6	Lower Montane Aquatic	Good	1.0	Good	1.0	Poor	1.0	Fair
7	Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral	Good	1.0	Good	1.0	Good	1.0	Good
8	Bison	Fair	1.0	Fair	1.0	Fair	1.0	Fair
Project Biodiversity Health Rank								Good

Threat Summary

Project-specific Threats (Common Taxonomy *)	Active Dune and Swale Complex	Bison	Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats	Lower Montane Aquatic	Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral	Lower Montane Riparian - perennial	Stabilized sand dunes	Wet meadows	Overall Threat Rank
Closed Basin Project (Undefined)	-	-	Very High	-	Medium	Medium	Low	Medium	High
Invasive/alien species (Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species)	Medium	-	High	-	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High
Operation of drainage or diversion systems (Dams & Water Management/Use)	-	-	High	Medium	Medium	High	-	Medium	High
Invasive/alien animal species (Invasive Non-Native/Alien Species)	-	-	-	High	-	-	-	-	Medium
Management of/for certain species (Undefined)	-	Medium	Low	-	Low	Low	Low	Low	Low
Grazing practices (Livestock Farming & Ranching)	-	-	Medium	-	Low	Low	-	-	Low
Federal land management policies (Undefined)	-	Medium	-	-	-	-	-	-	Low
Fish Management Practices (Fishing & Harvesting Aquatic Resources)	-	-	-	Medium	-	-	-	-	Low
Bison management practices (Problematic Native Species)	Low	Low	-	-	-	Low	-	-	Low
Confined Aquifer pumping (Dams & Water Management/Use)	-	-	Low	-	Low	-	-	Low	Low
Crop production practices (Annual & Perennial Non-Timber Crops)	-	-	-	Low	Low	-	-	Low	Low
Lack of grazing (Undefined)	Low	-	-	-	-	-	Low	Low	Low
Recreational use (Recreational Activities)	-	Low	-	-	-	-	Low	-	Low
Inappropriate fire management (Fire & Fire Suppression)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Low	Low
Threat Status for Targets and Project	Low	Medium	High	Medium	Medium	High	Low	Medium	High

Project Resources

Categories & Measures		Score

People
	Staff Leadership	-
	Multidisciplinary Team	-
People Average		-
Internal Resources
	Institutional Learning	-
	Funding	-
Internal Resources Average		-
External Resources
	Social/Legal Framework for Conservation	-
	Community and Constituency Support	-
External Resources Average		-

Overall Project Resource Rank

Assessment of Target Viability

Conservation Target	Key Attribute (Category)	Indicator	Current Indicator Measurement	Rating Comments: (Poor, Fair Good Very Good)	Current Rating and Date	Desired Rating and Date
Active Dune and Swale Complex	Species composition / dominance ¹ (Condition)	distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado) ²	-	Poor: Weed patches more than 5% of system; some patches much greater than 5 acre Fair: Weed patches 3 and 5% of system; a few patches greater than 5 acre, but still controlable Good: Weed patches between 1 and 3 % of system; no patches greater than 5 acre; Very Good: Weed patches less than 1% of system; no patches greater than 5 acre	Good ³ Mar 15, 2005	Very Good Mar 15, 2015
Active Dune and Swale Complex	Soil / sediment stability & movement (Landscape Context)	number of waking and sleeping dunes? ⁴	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Very Good	Very Good
Active Dune and Swale Complex	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (Size)	Areal extent of active dune and swale complex	ReGAP shows 27,000 acres of dunes, some areas classified as shrubland	Poor: less than 10,000 acres Fair: 10,000 - 20,000 acres Good: 20,000 - 30,000 acres Very Good: more than 30,000 acres	Very Good	Very Good
Stabilized sand dunes	Presence of key species - sage sparrow (Condition)	Distribution and size of sage sparrow population ⁵	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Very Good	Very Good
Stabilized sand dunes	Species composition / dominance ⁶ (Condition)	distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado) ⁷	-	Poor: Weed patches more than 5% of system; some patches much greater than 5 acre Fair: Weed patches 3 and 5% of system; a few patches greater than 5 acre, but still controlable Good: Weed patches between 1 and 3 % of system; no patches greater than 5 acre; Very Good: Weed patches less than 1% of system; no patches greater than 5 acre	Good ⁸	Very Good
Stabilized sand dunes	Intactness of ecological systems ⁹ (Landscape Context)	Fragmentation of ecological systems ¹⁰	-	Poor: Roads,canals, ditches, and trails more than 5% of needed ecological system occurences Fair: Roads, canals, ditches, and trails between 3 and 5% of occurrences Good: Roads, canals, ditches, and trails between 1 and 3 % of occurrences Very Good: Roads, canals, ditches, and trails less than 1% of occurrences	Very Good	Very Good
Stabilized sand dunes	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (Size)	Areal extent of stabilized sand dunes	ReGAP shows 113,000 acres of intermountain semi-desert shrub steppe	Poor: less than 10,000 acres Fair: 10,000 - 20,000 acres Good: 20,000 - 30,000 acres Very Good: more than 30,000 acres	Very Good	Very Good
Wet meadows	Presence of key species - slender spiderflower (Condition)	Persistence and size of slender spiderflower populations ¹¹	7 As; 11 Bs; and 11 Cs	Poor: less than 13 of the 29 occurrences are high quality (A or B ranked) Fair: 13-18 of the 29 occurrences are high quality (A or B ranked) Good: 19-25 of the 29 occurrences are high quality (A or B ranked) Very Good: Most of the 29 (at least 25) occurrences are high quality (A or B ranked)	Good	Good
Wet meadows	Species composition / dominance ¹² (Condition)	distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado) ¹³	-	Poor: Weed patches more than 5% of system; some patches much greater than 5 acre Fair: Weed patches 3 and 5% of system; a few patches greater than 5 acre, but still controlable Good: Weed patches between 1 and 3 % of system; no patches greater than 5 acre; Very Good: Weed patches less than 1% of system; no patches greater than 5 acre	Good ¹⁴	Good
Wet meadows	Groundwater (Landscape Context)	Depth to groundwater	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Good	Good
Wet meadows	Intactness of ecological systems ¹⁵ (Landscape Context)	Fragmentation of hydrologic pathways	-	Poor: Roads,canals, and ditches affect more than 20% of water volume Fair: Roads, canals, and ditches between 10 and 20% of water volume Good: Roads, canals, and ditches between 5 and 10 % of water volume Very Good: Roads, canals, and ditches less than 5% of water volume	Good	Good
Wet meadows	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (Size)	Areal extent of wet meadows	more than historically with irrigation expansion	Poor: less than 1 acre Fair: 1 - 20 acres Good: 20 - 75 acres Very Good: more than 75 acres	Very Good	Very Good
Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats	Species composition / dominance ¹⁶ (Condition)	distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado) ¹⁷	-	Poor: Weed patches more than 5% of system; some patches much greater than 5 acre Fair: Weed patches 3 and 5% of system; a few patches greater than 5 acre, but still controlable Good: Weed patches between 1 and 3 % of system; no patches greater than 5 acre; Very Good: Weed patches less than 1% of system; no patches greater than 5 acre	Good ¹⁸	Very Good
Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats	Intactness of ecological systems ¹⁹ (Landscape Context)	Fragmentation of hydrologic pathways	Canal isolates large area	Poor: Roads,canals, and ditches affect more than 20% of water volume Fair: Roads, canals, and ditches between 10 and 20% of water volume Good: Roads, canals, and ditches between 5 and 10 % of water volume Very Good: Roads, canals, and ditches less than 5% of water volume	Poor	Good
Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats	Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (Size)	Areal extent of ephemeral wetlands and greasewood flats	ReGAP shows 80,000 acres of greasewood; and 8,600 playas	Poor: less than 10,000 acres Fair: 10,000 - 20,000 acres Good: 20,000 - 30,000 acres Very Good: more than 30,000 acres	Very Good	Very Good
Lower Montane Riparian - perennial	Species composition / dominance ²⁰ (Condition)	distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado) ²¹	Big and Little Spring Creeks have been mapped and weeds treated	Poor: Weed patches more than 5% of system; some patches much greater than 5 acre Fair: Weed patches 3 and 5% of system; a few patches greater than 5 acre, but still controlable Good: Weed patches between 1 and 3 % of system; no patches greater than 5 acre; Very Good: Weed patches less than 1% of system; no patches greater than 5 acre	Very Good Mar 5, 2005	Very Good
Lower Montane Riparian - perennial	Surface Water Flow Regime ²² (Landscape Context)	Amount of water diverted from creeks ²³	-	Poor: More than 50% of water diverted and lost to system Fair: 25-50% of water diverted and lost to system Good: 10-25% of water diverted and lost to system Very Good: less than 10% of water diverted and lost to system	Very Good	Very Good
Lower Montane Riparian - perennial	extent of native riparian vegetation ²⁴ (Size)	% of each creek dominated by native vegetation ²⁵	-	Poor: less than 25% floodplain area dominated Fair: 50 - 25 % floodplain area dominated Good: 50 - 75% floodplain area dominated Very Good: more than 75% floodplain area dominated	Very Good ²⁶ Mar 15, 2005	Very Good Mar 15, 2015
Lower Montane Aquatic	Species composition / dominance (Condition)	presence of invasive species (bullfrogs and exotic fish) ²⁷	carp are found coming up from San Luis Lakes	Poor: invasive species are found in more than 15% of the system Fair: invasive species are found in 5 - 15% of the system Good: invasive species are found in less than 5% of the system Very Good: invasive species have not become established in the system	Good ²⁸	Good
Lower Montane Aquatic	Surface Water Flow Regime ²⁹ (Landscape Context)	Amount of water diverted from creeks ³⁰	-	Poor: More than 50% of water diverted and lost to system Fair: 25-50% of water diverted and lost to system Good: 10-25% of water diverted and lost to system Very Good: less than 10% of water diverted and lost to system	Good ³¹	Good
Lower Montane Aquatic	Population size & dynamics (Size)	population size of leopard frogs	-	Poor: - Fair: - Good: - Very Good: -	Poor	Good
Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral	Species composition / dominance ³² (Condition)	distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado) ³³	-	Poor: Weed patches more than 5% of system; some patches much greater than 5 acre Fair: Weed patches 3 and 5% of system; a few patches greater than 5 acre, but still controlable Good: Weed patches between 1 and 3 % of system; no patches greater than 5 acre; Very Good: Weed patches less than 1% of system; no patches greater than 5 acre	Good	Good
Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral	Surface Water Flow Regime ³⁴ (Landscape Context)	Amount of water diverted from creeks ³⁵	-	Poor: More than 50% of water diverted and lost to system Fair: 25-50% of water diverted and lost to system Good: 10-25% of water diverted and lost to system Very Good: less than 10% of water diverted and lost to system	Good	Good
Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral	extent of native riparian vegetation ³⁶ (Size)	% of each creek dominated by native vegetation ³⁷	-	Poor: less than 25% floodplain area dominated Fair: 50 - 25 % floodplain area dominated Good: 50 - 75% floodplain area dominated Very Good: more than 75% floodplain area dominated	Good	Good
Bison	Genetic composition (Condition)	% domestic cattle genes within bison population ³⁸	4.5% of cows	Poor: greater than 5% Fair: 3-5% Good: 1-3% Very Good: less than 1%	Fair	Good
Bison	Population structure & recruitment ³⁹ (Condition)	sex ratio ⁴⁰	close to 1:1	Poor: more than 10 :1 females to males ratio (typical production herd ratio) Fair: 3-9 : 1 females to males ratio Good: 1.5 -3 : 1 females to males ratio Very Good: 1.4 or fewer :1 females to males ratio	Very Good ⁴¹ Mar 15, 2005	Very Good Mar 15, 2015
Bison	Intactness of ecological systems (Landscape Context)	Fragmentation of landscape and ecological systems	-	Poor: Roads,canals, ditches, and trails more than 5% of needed ecological system occurences Fair: Roads, canals, ditches, and trails between 3 and 5% of occurrences Good: Roads, canals, ditches, and trails between 1 and 3 % of occurrences Very Good: Roads, canals, ditches, and trails less than 1% of occurrences	Good	Good
Bison	Size of available habitat (Landscape Context)	Area of land available for bison ⁴²	approx. 35,000 acres	Poor: Fewer than 30,000 acres available for bison Fair: 30,000 - 75,000 acres available for bison Good: 75,000 - 125,000 acres available for bison Very Good: more than 125,000 acres available for bison	Fair ⁴³ Mar 15, 2005	Good Mar 15, 2015
Bison	Population size & dynamics (Size)	Herd size ⁴⁴	1100 animals in 2004	Poor: less than 1000 animals Fair: 1000 - 2000 animals Good: 2000 - 3000 animals Very Good: More than 3000 animals	Fair ⁴⁵ Mar 15, 2005	Good Mar 15, 2015

COMMENTS:

¹ Species composition is important even in matrix systems, weeds can dominate and change ecological processes

² The main weeds that we care about are Russian knapweed, whitetop, leafy spurge and Canada thistle Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Medium

³ Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low

⁴ should we measure the amount of open sand within stabilized sand dune area?

⁵ decrease abundance with grass cover so indicator of heavy grazing and salty/poorer soils? Map distribution and estimation of population size

⁶ Species composition is important even in matrix systems, weeds can dominate and change ecological processes

⁷ The main weeds that we care about are Russian knapweed, whitetop, leafy spurge and Canada thistle

⁸ Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known

⁹ Unfragmented landscapes are not as easily invaded by invasive species, ecological processes more likely to be functioning

¹⁰ CNHP SRM viability specs for matrix systems We will make an assumption of width of impact based on type of road then this can be assessed.

¹¹ Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Low

¹² Species composition is important even in matrix systems, weeds can dominate and change ecological processes

¹³ The main weeds that we care about are Russian knapweed, whitetop, leafy spurge and Canada thistle

¹⁴ Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known

¹⁵ Unfragmented hydrologic pathways mean that ecological processes more likely to be functioning

¹⁶ Species composition is important even in matrix systems, weeds can dominate and change ecological processes

¹⁷ The main weeds that we care about are Russian knapweed, whitetop, leafy spurge and Canada thistle

¹⁸ Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known

¹⁹ Unfragmented landscapes are not as easily invaded by invasive species, ecological processes more likely to be functioning

²⁰ Species composition is important even in matrix systems, weeds can dominate and change ecological processes

²¹ The main weeds that we care about are Russian knapweed, whitetop, leafy spurge and Canada thistle

²² surface water flow regime is a key element in the hydrologic regime

²³ While quite a bit of water is diverted, much is probably recaptured as return flow Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Low

²⁴ extent is the appropriate size measure

²⁵ Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Medium

²⁶ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: High

²⁷ Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Low

²⁸ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

²⁹ surface water flow regime is a key element in the hydrologic regime

³⁰ While quite a bit of water is diverted, much is probably recaptured as return flow Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Low

³¹ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low

³² Species composition is important even in matrix systems, weeds can dominate and change ecological processes

³³ The main weeds that we care about are Russian knapweed, whitetop, leafy spurge and Canada thistle

³⁴ surface water flow regime is a key element in the hydrologic regime

³⁵ While quite a bit of water is diverted, much is probably recaptured as return flow

³⁶ extent is the appropriate size measure

³⁷ Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Low

³⁸ Big guesses here! Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Low

³⁹ sex ratio should mimic natural ratio which is close to 1:1

⁴⁰ Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: High

⁴¹ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low

⁴² Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Medium

⁴³ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low

⁴⁴ Based on Chris Pague's powerpoint stating that 3000 - 4000 animals was desirable; Confidence and reliability of these indicator rating descriptions: Medium

⁴⁵ Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

Objectives, Strategic Actions and Action Steps

Show all:
Strategic Action Measures
Action Steps Measures
Comments

Objective: By 2008, cooperative integrated weed management maintains or reduces weed distribution.

Strategic Action: establish an interagency partnership for weed management across GSD area (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Ensure adequate funding as needed to support cooperative weed efforts (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Objective: By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.

Strategic Action: Develop long term integrated water strategy to meet long term ecological goals based on assessment (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Continue to support NPS water right filing through process (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Use RGDSS to evaluate and minimize negative impacts to biodiversity from water decisions and uses
Strategic Action: Refine RGDSS groundwater model to assess impacts to biodiversity at finer scale

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Objective: By 2015, a pure bison herd exists within the Great Sand Dunes area

Strategic Action: Test bison and replace animals over time as needed

Objective: By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity

Strategic Action: Implement integrated management plan for elk and bison across GSD

Objective: By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres

Strategic Action: Test bison and replace animals over time as needed
Strategic Action: Eliminate FWS and NPS policy barriers to bison (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Build coalition of interested parties to influence and facilitate bison expansion (tribes, local leaders, environmental organizations, national NPS and FWS, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), IUCN Species Action Group and media) (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Objective: By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values.

Strategic Action: Cooperative recreation management plan is developed and implemented across GSD (NPS/FWS/TNC) to protect biodiversity. (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

Planned - -
Strategic Action: Ensure that integrity of Big Spring, Little Spring, and Sand Creek by restricting use to supervised visitation (measures info)

Progress Updated Comments

On Track - -
Strategic Action: Minimize fragmentation in stabilized sand dunes by restricting roads and trails and land use within largest/remotest areas through land use planning and management plan implementation.

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned	-	-

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track	-	-

Objective: By 2015, restore amphibian community (leopard frogs)

Strategic Action: Reintroduce leopard frogs onto the Baca NWR

Objective: Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows

Strategic Action: Implement adaptive management plan to achieve variability of vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows.

Strategy Effectiveness

Show all:
Comments
Objective Measures
Indicator Methods
Indicator Measures
Progress Reports

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2008, cooperative integrated weed management maintains or reduces weed distribution.

Indicator: distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado)

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Measurement Report:

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
Target: Active Dune and Swale Complex, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	Mar 15, 2005	Rough Guess	Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low
Target: Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
Big and Little Spring Creeks have been mapped and weeds treated	Mar 5, 2005		Not Specified
Target: Stabilized sand dunes, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known
Target: Wet meadows, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
Target: Active Dune and Swale Complex, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
On Track
Target: Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
On Track
Target: Stabilized sand dunes, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
On Track
Target: Wet meadows, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
On Track

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.

Indicator: % of each creek dominated by native vegetation

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Size, KEA: extent of native riparian vegetation
	Mar 15, 2005	Rapid Assessment	Not Specified	Confidence and reliability of the current rating: High
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Size, KEA: extent of native riparian vegetation
	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Size, KEA: extent of native riparian vegetation
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Size, KEA: extent of native riparian vegetation
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Amount of water diverted from creeks

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
Target: Lower Montane Aquatic, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Surface Water Flow Regime
	-	Rough Guess	Not Specified	Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Surface Water Flow Regime
	-		Not Specified
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Surface Water Flow Regime
	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
Target: Lower Montane Aquatic, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Surface Water Flow Regime
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Surface Water Flow Regime
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Surface Water Flow Regime
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Areal extent of ephemeral wetlands and greasewood flats

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
ReGAP shows 80,000 acres of greasewood; and 8,600 playas	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Areal extent of wet meadows

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
more than historically with irrigation expansion	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Depth to groundwater

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of hydrologic pathways

Measure	Date	Trend
Target: Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Intactness of ecological systems
Canal isolates large area	-	Not Specified
Target: Wet meadows, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Intactness of ecological systems
	-	Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
Target: Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Intactness of ecological systems
Planned
Target: Wet meadows, Category: Landscape Context, KEA: Intactness of ecological systems
Planned

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Persistence and size of slender spiderflower populations

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
7 As; 11 Bs; and 11 Cs	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, a pure bison herd exists within the Great Sand Dunes area

Indicator: % domestic cattle genes within bison population

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
4.5% of cows	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity

Indicator: Area of land available for bison

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
approx. 35,000 acres	Mar 15, 2005	Rough Guess	Not Specified	Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Elk population size and distribution

Progress	Updated	Comments
Target: Bison; Threat: Management of/for certain species
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral; Threat: Management of/for certain species
On Track
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial; Threat: Management of/for certain species
On Track
Target: Stabilized sand dunes; Threat: Management of/for certain species
On Track
Target: Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats; Threat: Management of/for certain species
On Track
Target: Wet meadows; Threat: Management of/for certain species
On Track

(methods) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of landscape and ecological systems

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
	-		Not Specified

Progress	Updated	Comments
Planned

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Herd size

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
1100 animals in 2004	Mar 15, 2005	Expert Knowledge	Not Specified	Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Medium

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: sex ratio

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
close to 1:1	Mar 15, 2005	Rough Guess	Not Specified	Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low

Progress	Updated	Comments
On Track

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres

Indicator: % domestic cattle genes within bison population

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Area of land available for bison

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of landscape and ecological systems

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Herd size

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: sex ratio

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values.

Indicator: Distribution and intensity of recreational use

(methods) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of ecological systems

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of hydrologic pathways

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of landscape and ecological systems

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: By 2015, restore amphibian community (leopard frogs)

Indicator: population size of leopard frogs

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: presence of invasive species (bullfrogs and exotic fish)

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Percent Complete: 0%

Objective: Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows

Indicator: Areal extent of stabilized sand dunes

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado)

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Measurement Report:

Measure	Date	Source	Trend	Comments
Target: Active Dune and Swale Complex, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	Mar 15, 2005	Rough Guess	Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known Confidence and reliability of the current rating: Low
Target: Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - perennial, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
Big and Little Spring Creeks have been mapped and weeds treated	Mar 5, 2005		Not Specified
Target: Stabilized sand dunes, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known
Target: Wet meadows, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified	Areal extent of weeds on Baca is not known
Target: Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral, Category: Condition, KEA: Species composition / dominance
	-		Not Specified

Indicator: Distribution and size of sage sparrow population

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

Indicator: Fire size, distribution, and suppression techniques

(methods) (progress report)

Indicator: Fragmentation of ecological systems

(methods) (measurement report) (progress report)

All Monitoring Indicators

Methods	Objectives	Key Indicator References by Target (w/Current Indicator Measurement)	Threat References by Target (w/Current Indicator Measurement)
Indicator: % domestic cattle genes within bison population
Hair samples will be DNA tested; high priority to do this once;	By 2015, a pure bison herd exists within the Great Sand Dunes area By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres	Bison Condition: Genetic composition (4.5% of cows)	-
Indicator: % of each creek dominated by native vegetation
Mapping of high priority weeds across the site	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.	Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral Size: extent of native riparian vegetation (-) Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Size: extent of native riparian vegetation (-)	-
Indicator: Amount of water diverted from creeks
Water use is measured and reported SLV water conservation district	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.	Lower Montane Aquatic Landscape Context: Surface Water Flow Regime (-) Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral Landscape Context: Surface Water Flow Regime (-) Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Landscape Context: Surface Water Flow Regime (-)	-
Indicator: Area of land available for bison
GIS map of bison fences	By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres	Bison Landscape Context: Size of available habitat (approx. 35,000 acres)	-
Indicator: Areal extent of active dune and swale complex
ReGAP and/or other ecoregional planning maps - I and M mapping effort	-	Active Dune and Swale Complex Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (ReGAP shows 27,000 acres of dunes, some areas classified as shrubland)	-
Indicator: Areal extent of ephemeral wetlands and greasewood flats
ReGAP and/or other ecoregional planning maps - I and M mapping effort	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.	Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (ReGAP shows 80,000 acres of greasewood; and 8,600 playas)	-
Indicator: Areal extent of stabilized sand dunes
ReGAP and/or other ecoregional planning maps - I and M mapping effort	Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows	Stabilized sand dunes Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (ReGAP shows 113,000 acres of intermountain semi-desert shrub steppe)	-
Indicator: Areal extent of wet meadows
ReGAP and/or other ecoregional planning maps - I and M mapping effort	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.	Wet meadows Size: Size / extent of characteristic communities / ecosystems (more than historically with irrigation expansion)	-
Indicator: Depth to groundwater
groundwater wells across some of the area; may need to put some more in;	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.	Wet meadows Landscape Context: Groundwater (-)	-
Indicator: Distribution and intensity of recreational use
TBD - trail survey?; hunting activity?	By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values.	-	Bison Bison management practices (-) Federal land management policies (-) Recreational use (-) Stabilized sand dunes Recreational use (-)
Indicator: Distribution and size of sage sparrow population
Distribution, density and abundance of sage sparrow assessed by different categories of ecological system variability - need to recruit graduate student	Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows	Stabilized sand dunes Condition: Presence of key species - sage sparrow (-)	-
Indicator: Elk population size and distribution
New NPS methodology in elk/bison study	By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity	-	Bison Management of/for certain species (-) Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Management of/for certain species (-) Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral Management of/for certain species (-) Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Management of/for certain species (-) Stabilized sand dunes Management of/for certain species (-) Wet meadows Management of/for certain species (-)
Indicator: Fire size, distribution, and suppression techniques
Interagency fire (USFS)	Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows	-	Active Dune and Swale Complex Invasive/alien species (-) Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Invasive/alien species (-) Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral Invasive/alien species (-) Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Invasive/alien species (-) Stabilized sand dunes Invasive/alien species (-) Wet meadows Inappropriate fire management (-) Invasive/alien species (-)
Indicator: Fragmentation of ecological systems
Fragstats	By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values. Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows	Stabilized sand dunes Landscape Context: Intactness of ecological systems (-)	-
Indicator: Fragmentation of hydrologic pathways
Assess impact of closed basin infrastructures on ephemeral wetlands and whether something can be done;	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values. By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values.	Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Landscape Context: Intactness of ecological systems (Canal isolates large area) Wet meadows Landscape Context: Intactness of ecological systems (-)	-
Indicator: Fragmentation of landscape and ecological systems
Fragstats	By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres By 2015, recreational use and future projections will support biodiversity values.	Bison Landscape Context: Intactness of ecological systems (-)	-
Indicator: Herd size
Count during round up or from air	By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres	Bison Size: Population size & dynamics (1100 animals in 2004)	-
Indicator: Persistence and size of slender spiderflower populations
CNHP methodology	By 2010, maintain water rights (TNC/FWS/NPS/BLM/Colorado) while optimizing conservation values.	Wet meadows Condition: Presence of key species - slender spiderflower (7 As; 11 Bs; and 11 Cs)	-
Indicator: distribution and abundance of high priority invasive species (Categories A or B in Colorado)
Mapping of high priority weeds across the site	By 2008, cooperative integrated weed management maintains or reduces weed distribution. Through 2015, maintain/improve variability in stabilized sand dune vegetation and persistence of sage sparrows	Active Dune and Swale Complex Condition: Species composition / dominance (-) Ephemeral Wetlands and Greasewood Flats Condition: Species composition / dominance (-) Lower Montane Riparian - ephemeral Condition: Species composition / dominance (-) Lower Montane Riparian - perennial Condition: Species composition / dominance (Big and Little Spring Creeks have been mapped and weeds treated) Stabilized sand dunes Condition: Species composition / dominance (-) Wet meadows Condition: Species composition / dominance (-)	-
Indicator: number of waking and sleeping dunes?
TBD - Fred Bunch suggested this with no methods	-	Active Dune and Swale Complex Landscape Context: Soil / sediment stability & movement (-)	-
Indicator: population size of leopard frogs
Auditory monitoring in spring; search for egg masses?	By 2015, restore amphibian community (leopard frogs)	Lower Montane Aquatic Size: Population size & dynamics (-)	-
Indicator: presence of invasive species (bullfrogs and exotic fish)
Presence/absence within site, might show up in amphibian surveys, etc.	By 2015, restore amphibian community (leopard frogs)	Lower Montane Aquatic Condition: Species composition / dominance (carp are found coming up from San Luis Lakes)	-
Indicator: sex ratio
Count during round up or from air	By 2015, elk and bison are managed within ecological carrying capacity By 2015, more than 3000 bison are roaming freely across at least 125,000 acres	Bison Condition: Population structure & recruitment (close to 1:1)	-

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Great Sand Dunes (ID: 558)

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Progress	Updated	Comments
Target: Bison; Threat: Bison management practices
Planned
Target: Stabilized sand dunes; Threat: Recreational use
Planned
Target: Bison; Threat: Federal land management policies
Planned
Target: Bison; Threat: Recreational use
Planned