Predictive Mapping of Potentially Listed Rare Plant Species

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has identified a number of rare plants that may be proposed for listing as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the next several years. Because the distribution and habitat requirements for many of these species is poorly known, TxDOT could be subject to increased numbers of surveys for these plants in the near future. Without well informed tools to identify areas that potentially support these species, TxDOT could be subject to significant survey cost and delays to ensure project compliance with the ESA. This project will identify existing populations and define habitat requirements (e.g., soils, land-use, and community associations) for these potentially-listed species. Distribution maps will be created and researchers will develop predictive metrics and models that will enable TxDOT to understand the likelihood of impacting these species in future projects, including identification of suitable habitat as well as areas that are clearly unsuitable habitat for the target species.

Record URL:

Language

English

Project

Status: Active
Funding: $92064
Contract Numbers:
0-6973
Sponsor Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation

125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483
Project Managers:
Glancy, Chris
Performing Organizations:
Tarleton State University

1333 W. Washington
Stephenville, Texas United States 76402
Principal Investigators:
Kafley, Hemanta
Start Date: 20180606
Expected Completion Date: 20190831
Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

TRT Terms: Environmental protection; Plants; Roadside flora
Subject Areas: Environment;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 01690701
Record Type: Research project
Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
Contract Numbers: 0-6973
Files: RiP, STATEDOT
Created Date: Jan 9 2019 1:55PM