Comprehensive Evaluation Report

on the Grasslands soils. Predictions for a drying climate trend and increases in irrigation use on private
land may additionally reduce water levels and availability.
Climate change effects may take years to manifest themselves and the correct actions to address them
may not be apparent, however, climate change is considered a “reasonably foreseeable” effect. While
there is scientific uncertainty about extent and timing of climate change there are also effects that are
beginning to be observed. Extent and intensity of fires, insect and disease events are increasing. Drought
is increasing as is the intensity of flood events.
Species Diversity 8
Analysis of ecological sustainability must include consideration of both ecosystem and species diversity.
To better capture the ecological sustainability of the Grasslands, a hierarchical approach was used to
analyze species diversity on the Grasslands. A comprehensive list of species (including plant, macrolichen,
bird, insect, and animal species) that have population or habitat concerns and that are found in
Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma was developed using:
o Lists maintained under the Ecological Services Agency of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
o Species ranks maintained by NatureServe
o New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma State T& E lists
o New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma priority Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy,
(CWCS) species
o Species for which there are local concerns resulting from declines in habitat, population, and/or
distribution
o Species that are of high public interest, and
o Species that have emerging issues (such as invasive species).
Using this comprehensive list as a starting point, research was conducted to determine those species that
currently have:
o population and/or habitat within the Plan area
o population and/or habitat concerns (e.g., small or decreasing population, degrading habitat or
habitat loss, etc.)
o or may be affected by Forest Service management actions
Species and Habitat Associations
The species included in (Table 2 Species for Consideration in Plan Revision and Habitat Association)
were organized according to their associated Vegetation Types and the Grasslands on with they occur
Some species, however, are not associated with a vegetation type, but rather, are dependent on unique
habitat features (such as Playa Lakes, aquatic or riverine wetlands, etc. The species habitat associations
were used to assess the status of species and severity of risk to ecosystem characteristics.
Table 2 Species for Further Consideration in Plan Revision and Habitat Association
# Common Name Ranger
District
Habitat or Vegetation Type
1 Alpine Fever-few KRB Shortgrass Prairie
8 USDA 20011a p. 55-57
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