(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
OTHER COMMON NAMES - MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN; MONKSHOOD and NORTHERN;ACONITE;WOLFBANE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Angiosperm
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MAGNOLIOPHYTA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - MAGNOLIOPSIDA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - RANUNCULALES,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - RANUNCULACEAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - ACONITUM,
SPECIES AND SSP - NOVEBORACENSE,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - ACONITUM NOVEBORACENSE
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Northern Wild Monkshood
Aconitum noveboracense (Gray)
KINGDOM: Plant GROUP: Angiosperm
DIVISION: Magnoliophyta CLASS: Magnoliopsida
ORDER: Ranunculales FAMILY: Ranunculaceae
The following is adapted from Hardin, 1964 (03):
Aconitum noveboracense is a herbaceous, erect to reclining or
climbing perennial herb, 3 to 25 dm long. The tubers are 1 to 8 cm
long and up to 1.5 cm thick. The inflorescense is a terminal raceme,
or open panicle of lateral racemes with rachises, and the pedicels are
short and stout or long, slender and flexuous. The leaves are
glabrous, reniform to ovate in outline, with a (5-) 7- lobed leaf and
the lobes are very narrow and deeply lobed or toothed. The lowest
leaves are 4 to 10 cm wide. The cauline leaves become smaller upward
and the stem is glabrous. The inflorescence rachises and pedicels are
pubescent; the flowers are a pale to deep blue, helmet mostly about as
high as long, or slightly prolonged above the lateral descending beak.
There are 3 carpels which are glabrous, pubescent or glabrate.
The genus Aconitum was named by Linnaeus in 1762. Aconitum
noveboracense was named by Asa Gray in 1886 (03). In 1929 A.
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
noveboracense var. quasiciliatum was used which included only plants
from the unglaciated ("Driftless") area of southwestern Wisconsin and
neighboring states (02). Later Hardin, in a revision of the Eastern
US species of the genus, included A. noveboracense in the species A.
uncinatum as A.u. noveboracense (03). Iltis (06), although he has
never published his opinion, feels that the Driftless area Aconitum
plants may be part of Aconitum columbianum, a western US species (06).
Both Iltis (06) and Hardin (03) feel that the entire genus should be
monographed by modern taxonomic methods. In view of the taxonomic
problems, the name Aconitum noveboracense has been chosen to designate
the plants located in NY, OH, IA, and WI (03).
Common names for this species include aconite, wolfbane, northern
wild monkshood (by the US Fish and Wildlife Service) and northern
monkshood by the Ohio DNR (01). Illustrations appear in (07).
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
T: Federal Threatened
Non-consumptive recreational
Game (Consumptive Recreational)
Medicinal
Ornamental
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The northern wild monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense) has been
designated a Threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (50 CFR 17.12; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including the States of Iowa, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Removal and reduction to possession of any Federally listed plant
from an area under Federal jurisdiction is unlawful (50 CFR 17.61 and
17.71).
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
DOD (COE) -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
In general, the state laws prohibit the sale of listed plants
and the removal of such plants from land without permission of the
owner. Iowa, however, prohibits taking, possessing, transporting,
importing, exporting, selling, buying, or offering to buy any
federally or state listed plant species (08).
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
STATE: Iowa
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Iowa State Conservation Commission
STATUTE: Management and Protection of Endangered Plants and
Wildlife, 1975. Iowa Code Annotated, Chapter 109A.1,
109A.5
STATE: New York
DESIGNATED STATUS: Declining species, Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: New York Department of Environmental
Conservation
STATUTE: Environmental Conservation Law 9-1503(2), 6 New York
Code, Rules and Regulations 182.5, April 30, 1983
STATE: Ohio
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
STATUTE: Ohio Revised Code; Chapter 1518, Ohio Administrative
Code, 1501.31-23-01, Eff. July 11, 1980
STATE: Wisconsin
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
STATUTE: Wisconsin Code; Sec 29.415, Natural Resources 27.03,
Wisconsin Annotated Code, Eff. October 1981
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The species has some direct positive values to mankind which
include: Probable medicinal values, horticultural potential, source of
hybrid genetic material, a useful tool for the study of evolution,
educational value, and aesthetic value (non-consumptive recreational
value).
Concerning medicinal values, the genus has been of intrest
pharmacologically for centuries. Most parts of the plant,
particularly the roots and leaves, contain poisonous alkaloids that
are paralytic to the nervous and circulatory systems. Old World
monkshood have been the source of the drugs aconite and aconitine.
It may be that the alkaloids found in northern monkshood are unique
or in recoverable quanities for commercial purposes, but this has not
been researched (08).
The species does have horicultural potential as a garden
perennial and has been propogated by the University of Wisconsin.
A single case of a private transplantation effort to a homeside garden
also resulted in propagation/reproduction. As a source of hybrid
genetic material the value of the monkshood is promising. Using plant
breeding research techniques, genetic attributes of the species may
be incorparated into other species to produce hybrid, ornamental
garden monkshood with better horticultural qualities (08).
Northern monkshood also possesses considerable scientific
interest. Its unique and limited distribution appears to be related
Status - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
to glacial events which ended nearly 10,000 years ago in North
America. Thus the species has potential, along with other glacial
relict species, in helping to unravel complex ice-age events, post
glacial plant migrations, and the nature of ice-age floras in the
eastern United States. Therefore the northern monkshood is a prime
species for study to help understand the processes of species
evolution (08).
This species is of considerable educational and recreational
value. It is a rare, native wildflower that is sought by outdoor
enthusiasts and nature photographers.
75/04/21:40 FR 17612/ - Review for Endangered status
76/06/16:41 FR 24523/24529 - Proposed Rule
78/04/26:43 FR 17910/17916 - Listing as Threatened
79/01/17:44 FR 03636/03654 - Republication of list
80/12/15:45 FR 82480/82569 - Five year review
83/12/08:48 FR 55102/ - Status review for delisting/reclass.
85/07/22:50 FR 29900/29909 - Five year review
Status - 3 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - TERRESTRIAL
TERRESTRIAL
LAND USE -
Transportation, communications, and Util
Cropland and Pasture
Deciduous Forest Land
Mixed Forest Land
Bare Exposed Rock
Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The typical habitat of the northern monkshood over much of its
range is shaded to partially shaded cliffs and talus slopes (08).
These areas are often at edges of seepage areas from bases of
sandstone outcrops (sharon conglomerate) or talus slopes, and often
are found growing in the "drip line" of water from sandstone overhangs
approximately 10 feet in height (01).
There seems to be no exact substrate favored by the species but
local bedrock formations may be a good clue to its possible
occurrence. Populations have been found on early Ordovician dolomite,
Cambrian sandstone, shale, conglomerate sandstone (08), and limestone
bedrock formations (09).
The common factor of all present sites appears to be the cold
soil environment associated with the cliff, talus slope, and spring/
headwater stream situations (08). In most of the occupied habitats
there is either active cold air drainage or cold ground water flowage
from the nearby bedrock. The year-round soil temperatures average
range is from 11 to 18 degrees Celsius (08). Local distribution of
the species is also closely associated with areas where ground water
or subterranean air is emanating. This contributes to a local
microclimate with high relative humidity (08). The species does occur
in warm soil environments but apparently does not propagate in these
locales (08).
The microhabitat of the species is very critical to its survival.
The species is commonly found in thin, cold, soil layers deposited
over cobblestone-size limestone (09). The plants are shaded to the
north or east by shrubs or other herbaceous plants (09). Almost all
locations are on steep north-facing, limestone talus slopes (09) which
apparently provide the suitable microclimate for the species' growth
and survival.
Monkshood populations occur on or near dams/reservoirs in NY and
WI; roadsides and transmission line corridors in IA, OH, and NY; and
near quarry operations in WI and IA. The species is also found
adjacent to wooded habitat being cleared for pasture in IA and WI;
in habitat grazed by cattle in IA, WI, and OH; and along foot trails
in WI, NY, and in an Akron, OH, city park. One area in NY is located
within a few hundred meters of suburban homes (08).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
AUTOTROPH
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Aquatic Features: Springs [flowing]
G Terrestrial Features: Talus
G Terrestrial Features: Cliffs/ledges
G
G
G
G
G
G
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
HABIT:
The northern wild monkshood is a perennial herb (10).
LIFE CYCLE:
Perennial (10).
TYPE OF REPRODUCTION:
Sexual (10,08). The species can be propagated for
transplanting purposes (08).
REPRODUCTIVE PHENOLOGY:
Germination dates are unknown. Leafing dates are from late
April to early May. Budding dates are from late May to early June.
Anthesis dates are probably in mid-June. Fruiting dates are from
late July to early August. Seed/fruit dispersal is unknown (10,08).
Information seems limited on reprodutive phenology. The above
time periods are general and would change depending on latitude and
season length.
SEX OR SPORE STATUS:
Monoclinous (08).
POLLINATION, SPORE AND SEED DISSEMINATION:
The pollen dissemination agents are bumblebees (11). The seed
dissemination agent is probably water (08). Therefore, the seeds are
probably not dispersed far from the mother plant (08).
SEED BIOLOGY:
The northern monkshood produces copious amounts of seeds (08),
but the germination rate is low (10). The seeds remain dormant until
exposed to cold temperatures. New experiments with secondary cold
dormancy treatments have increased the germination rate slightly but,
not significantly (08).
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Populations of northen monkshood occur in very limited areas and
the total population (including all known sites) occurs on about 500-
plus acres with a average linear measurement of 2.5 miles of cliff
faces, talus slopes, and streams (08). Numbers of plants on these
sites range from 3 to over 10,000 depending on the size of habitat
(10,13).
The small number of cliff habitats possessing the correct
combination of exposure, cold and root-zone microclimate, together
with the poorly understood, particular requirements necessary for seed
germination appear to be the factors largley responsible for limiting
the species' distribution. The plants are generally slow-growing and
not very viable when transplanted (08). Some inherent reproductive
characteristics also seem to be a limiting factor in the species'
distribution and abundance.
ECOLOGICAL/EDAPHIC FACTORS:
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
Species populations have been found in early Ordovician dolomite,
Cambrian sandstone, shale and conglomerate sandstone (08), and
Mississippian and Pennsylvanian limestone (09). Factor classification
would be alfisols, including aqualfs and udalfs.
TROPHIC STATUS:
Autotrophic; phototrophic (08).
CHARACTERISTIC DOMINANCE:
The species is not considered to be dominant or subdominant,
simply a component of the vegetative community (10,08).
COMMUNITY ECOLOGY:
The northern monkshood is commonly associated with species
typical of eastern deciduous forest and of marsh and swamp wetlands
(08). The forest communities where the species occurs are stable.
However, a more pertinent danger than man-caused habitat alteration
or succession is the radical habitat changes due to rock slides (08).
Associated vascular species throughout the northern monkshood
range are; sugar maple (Acer saccharum), yellow birch (Betula
alleghaniensis), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), mountain maple
(Acer spicatum), Canadian mayflower (Cornus canadensis), red elder
(Sambcucus pubens), white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), wood nettle
(Laportea canadensis), in the upland areas (10,08). Marsh or swamp
wetland species include; willow herb (Epilobium coloratum), jewelweed
(Impatiens biflora), clearweed (Pilea pumila), fowl manna grass
(Glyceria striata), and small enchanters nightshade (Circaea alpina)
(10,08). Ferns are often affiliated with the moist conditions of the
cliffs and talus slopes. Those often found with the northern
monkshood across its range are; the bulber fern (Cystopteris
bulbifera), fragile fern (Cystopteris fragilis sensulato), northern
beach fern (Thelypteris phegopteris), oak fern (Gymnocarpium
dryopteris), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), and the florist's fern
(Dryopteris spinulosa). The following are northern monkshood's
associates specific to cliff habitats in the "Driftless Area" of
northeastern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin, exemplifing the unique
habitat characteristics of these cliffs and their phytogeographical
significance as refugia for floral elements surviving since glacial
times. Species belonging to this associate list posses contemporary
contiguous ranges distantly disjunct from the Driftless Area, and are
most often of western montane or artic affinities including; moschatel
(Adoxa moschatellina), golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium ioense),
Lapland rosebay (Rhododendron lapponicum), artic primrose (Primula
mistassinica), and sullivantia (Sullivantia renifolia). Monkshood
itself belongs to this extraordinary group of widely disjunct plants.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The northern wild monkshood is associated, at least in habitat
preference, with the Endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail (12).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
The northern monkshood belongs to a group of species that inhabit
the "Driftless Area" (unglaciated) of northeast Iowa and southwest
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
Wisconsin. Species belonging to this group posses contemporary
contiguous ranges distantly disjunct from the "Driftless Area"
outliers, and are most often of western montane or arctic affinities
(08). This may partially explain the microhabitat conditions
required by the species.
Due to the attractive flowers possessed by many species of the
genus Aconitum, there has been a considerable amount of interest in
the propagation of monkshood species under controlled conditions.
While there has been only limited experimentation with northern
monkshood, the evidence so far suggests that this species is difficult
to propagate. Several germination trials have been carried out by
the University of Wisconsin and New York. All trials again indicated
low germination success (less than one percent) under standard, cold
stratification treatment (08). All the above mentioned study results
indicate that first-year, cold, wet-stored seeds have the highest
success rate. There has been one instance where a garden held
northern monkshood has apparently self-seeded to produce surviving
progeny. Two adult monkshood transplanted from nearby Kickapoo River
cliffs to a homeside garden in 1969 produced one or two new plants by
seed and the seedlings themselves reached maturity (08). However,
from transplant experiences, it appears that the species can be
transplanted at certain times of the year (best in early spring or
late fall) without high mortality due to transplant shock. The long
term survival of the transplants and the production of progeny from
these plants is not promising, even with plants moved into habitats
already containing native monkshood (08).
In summary, the propagation experience with northern monkshood
has shown the species to be unpredictable in germination and difficult
to maintain as seedlings. There have been enough encouraging results
recently, however, to recommend that further studies on germination
and juvenile survivorship in controlled environments be conducted
(08).
Life History - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human disturbance of populations
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Restricting/regulating human use of habitats
Beneficial Land Acquisition
Beneficial Stocking captive-reared wild-strain animals
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Transplanting Wild Eggs/Wild Seeds
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Native Vertebrates
Beneficial Controlling/Removing Domestic Animals
Adverse Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Existing Harassment/Vandalism/Indiscriminate Killing
Adverse Collecting
Existing Collecting
Adverse Hiking/Camping
Existing Hiking/Camping
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Highway/Railroads
Existing Highway/Railroads
Adverse Transmission Lines/Towers
Existing Transmission Lines/Towers
Adverse Applying herbicides
Existing Applying herbicides
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Surface Mines
Existing Surface Mines
Adverse Migration barriers
Existing Migration barriers
Adverse Reservoirs
Existing Reservoirs
Adverse Grazing
Existing Grazing
Adverse Forest Alteration
Existing Forest Alteration
Adverse Harvesting
Existing Harvesting
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
In 1966, colonies of northern monkshood where discovered in the
basin of a proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control and
recreation reservoir (La Farge Reservoir) along the Kickapoo River in
southwestern Wisconsin. This discovery, and subsequent surveys,
prompted the Federal listing of the species (08).
The northern monkshood is limited to specific habitats and the
micro-climate of these habitats is critical to the species
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
reproduction. Other reasons for its current Threatened status
include human disturbance in habitats associated with recreational
areas and garbage dumps, inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms,
deer browsing, dams and reservoirs, road construction and maintenance
activities, power line construction and maintenance, logging
operations, quarrying operations, grazing, development, scientific
overcollecting and overvisitation, and natural catastrophies (08).
Some present known sites are very close to existing roadways, power
lines, and urban areas (01). Some forest and agricultural practices
can also have an adverse effect on the species' propagation (i.e.,
skidding of logs, herbicide use, etc.) (08).
A number of threats have been identified at confirmed extant
localities, some of which may adversely impact the integrity of all or
part of the population (08). The proximity of monkshood cliffs to
water courses has sometimes put monkshood close to dams and their
resultant reservoirs. In certain cases, the pre-existing condition of
the reservoir basin as monkshood habitat is unknown, so it is
speculative to guess wheather the reservoir did in fact inundate
the species. However, the occurrence of reservoirs downstream from
monkshood habitats does curtail seed dispersal via flowing water.
The most significant reservoir threat to a northern monkshood
population continues to be that posed by completion of the US Army
Corps of Engineers "La Farge Reservoir" project along the Kickapoo
River in Wisconsin. The proposed 1,700 acre reservoir would inundate
a significant percent of the total population. The reservoir has yet
to be created, despite completion of over 70 percent of the dam. The
project was halted largely due to the poor water quality projected for
the recreation-oriented lake. Impacts to a scenic, rural valley, and
to rare cliff-dwelling biota were ancillary reasons for shelving the
project in 1976. The Congressional authority for the project has not
yet been withdrawn, so the possibility still exists that the project
will be resurrected in its former scope or in a scaled-down version.
A new feasibility study was initiated in 1983 (08).
Road construction and maintenance activities have been implicated
in threatening northern monkshood populations. Excessive use of
deicing agents in winter and herbicides in summer are potential
problems (08).
The sizable northern monkshood population along the Yellow River,
IA, has been crossed by two powerline corridors, which have destroyed
habitat by clearing and maintenance activities. The main threat from
in-place corridors is further habitat degradation from maintenance
activities, especially herbicide drift from aerially dispersed weed
retardants (08).
All northern monkshood habitats are in wooded situations, some of
which may be subject to periodic logging operations. Destruction of
the habitat may be due to logging machinery, skidding of logs, and
modification of requisite light conditions (removal of shade trees).
Some habitats in IA and WI are subject not only to logging for
commercial harvest, but they may be cleared of trees to create pasture
on the otherwise non-productive farmland (08).
The association of northern monkshood with cliffs and talus
slopes makes the species susceptible to damage from quarrying, which
has occurred in the past at the Loddes Mill Bluff (WI) and Elkader
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
(IA) locations. It is difficult to assess how much of the original
populations were affected by the quarrying (if any). But their close
proximity to the quarries indicates that there may have been impacts
(08).
Browsing by animals, most commonly cattle and white-tailed deer,
has been a problem. Before federal aquisition, much of the Kickapoo
River Valley (WI) population was accessible to cattle grazing. The
major impacts to the northern monkshood population from grazing are
weakening of the plants, especially when animals are at high density
and the site is used as a pathway, resting place, or wallow (08).
Two types of developments have been noted to affect existing
populations of this species. Foot trail developments have affected
or have the potential for affecting populations at Parfreys Glen (WI)
and Beaverbrook (NY) by creating a muddy path at the base of the cliff
where northern monkshood occurs, reducing the likelihood of
reproduction. At the Beaverbrook (NY) site, a state trail crosses
within a few meters of the monkshood population, and should this trail
be redirected or expanded, a portion of the population could be
adversely affected. Low density foot traffic occurs at the base of
other cliffs containing the species (Bixby Park, IA; Nelson, OH;
Akron, OH; Loddes Mill Bluff, WI; and some of the Kickapoo, WI,
cliffs) but the level of traffic on these volunteer trails does not
currently pose a threat (08).
Over the course of several generations, scientific curiosity
about a rare species may contribute to its demise, by overvisitation
to the site and overcollecting. This problem is suggested in the case
of northern monkshood, by the collection of plants from the small
Parfreys Glen (WI) population on at least nine independent occasions
in less than 45 years. Collectors often gather more than one plant so
that duplicates can be distributed to various herbarium collections.
There are a number of natural events and factors which can
adversely affect a population of this species, including; drought,
flooding, cliff failure, disease, and predation. The species seems to
be able to rebound from these events, (with the exception of cliff
failure which almost always results in total destruction of the site),
with only limited mortality or more often only a weakening or death to
the present year's growth (08).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. The Northern Monkshood
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, MN.
81 pp.
The primary goal of the Recovery Plan is to improve security
for any of the species' small number of locations so as to minimize
actions that would damage or destroy existing habitats. Two
additional goals for the recovery effort are the discovery of all
northern monkshood sites through surveys of poorly known regions
within its known range, and the continued research into the controlled
propagation of the species.
Possible Recovery actions include:
(1) Affording some level of land ownership or land-use zoning
Management Practices - 3 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
protection to all habitats of species occurrence.
To secure some level of protection for known habitats can be
accomplished by a variety of means, such as fee aquisition, easement,
preserve designation, or landowner contract. Decisions regarding
site conditions should consider, degree of threat, ability for
management, and need for controlled access. An effort can also be
made to make private landowners aware of their special resource, long
term protection needs, and options available to assure long term
protection. The initiation of contacts leading to protective
agreements with natural resource and transportation agencies, and
public utility staffs whose activities have the greatest likelihood of
impacting certain populations of monkshood is crucial to the species
continued existence.
(2) Minimize known threats to populations.
One of the most important issue is to resolve the La Farge
Reservoir project in WI. The completion of this flood control project
along the Kickapoo River poses the single largest threat to the
species numbers anywhere. The project was halted in 1977 due to
projection of poor water quality in the conservation reservoir, lack
of flood control for an adequate distance downstream, and impacts to
the scenic valley and its biota. Despite these problems, the project
may be reactivated unless it is deauthorized by Congress. Management
activities need to be initiated as soon as possible including; fencing
of sites to prevent grazing, trampling, collecting, and vandalism.
(3) Create a population and landowner monitoring system in each state.
Population monitoring efforts in each state will serve as an
early warning system to indicate population declines, threats, and
land use or ownership changes.
(4) Maintain a clearing house for Endangered species locations and
conflict-resolution advice.
Initiation of an educational effort with the scientific community
will help to prevent damage to sites resulting from overcollecting,
trampling, and soil compaction.
(5) Search for additional localities in poorly known portions of the
species range.
State surveys to search for additional northern monkshood
populations should be initiated or completed as it is probable that
all the site locations have not yet been found. Pursuing acquisition
of properties and land-use zoning and or designation apropriate for
the enhancement of habitat protection are vital to the species
continued propagation.
(6) Continue research on the autecology of the species.
Taxonomic studies are needed to determine the specific validity
of noveboracense. Continued research is necessary on the propagation
of the species under greenhouse and garden conditions. The goal of
this research should be the production under controlled conditions of
the monkshood from seed to the survival of first generation plants
through seed production. This would supply a demand for seed by
horticulturists and the establishment of experimental colonies on
which to develop management techniques, and enhance life history
knowledge. Life history research on the species in native habitats
can determine such factors as breeding (pollination) systems,
dispersal mechanisms, predation, juvenile mortality, adult longevity,
Management Practices - 4 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
and habitat requirements.
Scientific research in the areas of pilot transplants, tissue
culture techniques, and seed plots are vital to the goal of increasing
the populations.
(7) Strengthen protective legislation for Endangered and Threatened
species and their habitats.
Lastly, the strengthening of protection laws for plant species
at the state and federal level will ultimately discourage activities
threatening existing sites (08).
Management Practices - 5 (DRAFT) - References
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Alverson, W.S. 1981. Results of the 1979-81 field surveys in
Wisconsin of vascular plant species potentially Endangered or
Threatened in the United States. Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
02 Fassett, N.C. 1929. Notes from the herbarium of the University
of Wisconsin. IV Rhodora 31: 49-53.
03 Hardin, J.W. 1964. Variation of Aconitum of eastern United
States. Brittonia 16: 80-94.
04 Keener, C.S. 1976. Studies in the ranunculaceae of the
southeastern United States. Castanea 41: 12-20.
05 Brink, D.E. 1981. Tuberous aconitum (ranunculaceae) of the
continental United States; morphological variation, taxonomy, and
disjunction.
06 Iltis, H.H. 1965. The genus gentianopsis (gentianaceae);
transfersand phytogeographic comments. Sida 2: 129-153.
07 Courtney, B. and J.H. Zimmerman. 1972. Wildflowers and weeds.
Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.
08 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. National Recovery Plan for
Northern Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense). WI DNR for the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 81 pp.
09 Read, R.H. 1978. Final report and study of certain driftless
area flora and cliff communities. WI DNR report.
10 Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 1981. Ohio status of
Aconitum novebaracense Gray. Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
11 Leppick, E.E. 1964. Floral evolution in the ranunculaceae. Iowa
St. J. Sci. 39: 1-101.
12 Frest, T.J. 1983. National Recovery Plan for the Iowa Pleistocene
Snail (Discus macclintocki). Report to USFWS.
13 Frest, T.J. 1985. Personal communication.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. National Recovery Plan for
Northern Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense). WI DNR for the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 81 pp.
02 Alverson, W.S. 1981. Results of the 1979-81 field surveys in
Wisconsin of vascular plant species potentially Endangered or
Threatened in the United States. Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
03 Whitson, P. 1986. Personal communication. University of Northern
Iowa, Department of Biology, Cedar Falls, IA. 50613.
04 Read, R. 1986. Personal communication. Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, Bureau of Environmental Impact, Box 7921,
Madison, WI. 53707.
05 Clemants, S. 1986. Status of Aconitum noveboracense in New York.
Unpubl. rept. New York Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife
Resources Center, Delmar, NY. 12054.
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species MONKSHOOD, WILD, NORTHERN
Species Id ESIS703001
Date 13 MAR 96
06 Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 1985. 1985 report on
Aconitum populations in Summit and Portage counties, Ohio. Unpubl.
rept. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural
Areas and Preserves, Fountain Square, Building D-3, Columbus, OH.
43224.
References - 2