BLM-(MT), Botanical and Biotic Crust Information, Eastern District

Background: In the fall of 2016, BLM was asked to participate in a non-vascular plant inventory in Musselshell County, MT. This location was chosen based on an evaluation of the MT Natural Heritage Programâ¿¿s (NHP) biological database which indicated no records for lichens, mosses, and other components of biotic soil crust. The results of this evaluation identified 11 Eastern Montana counties with no records. It was also noted that the diversity of vascular and non-vascular plant data from Eastern Montana is lacking in comprehensive information. Objectives: This project would help to fill information gaps on vascular and non-vascular plants associated with public, private, and state lands in Eastern MT. The goals of the project would be to supplement the MT NHP on-line field guide, build a more complete record of species in the database, and make this information available to all land owners. Public Benefit: This data will help land management make better informed decisions and bring more awareness of the role that of vascular and non-vascular plants play in a healthy ecosystem. The project would also look to bring simple and consistent monitoring of these species based on the functional areas that each support.