Report on Las Vegas Bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica) Monitoring

Powell, Elizabeth

The Las Vegas bearpoppy (LV bearpoppy), Arctomecon californica, is an endemic rare plant of southern Nevada. It is found on gypsum soils in Las Vegas Valley and near springs associated with the Colorado River. Although a few of studies have investigated the ecology of this plant, none of these studies have followed a population of the species over a long period of time (Mistretta, et al. 1995, Sheldon Thompson and Smith, 1997). Las Vegas bearpoppy monitoring was initiated in 1998. Permanent transects were place for 3 sites within Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA) (Callville Wash, Road 100, and Blue Point Spring) and 3 sites on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) managed lands (Sunrise Hills, Rainbow Gardens, and Bitter Springs). One site was monitored on private property at the North Las Vegas Airport. These sites cover the range of soil types and population range of the species in Clark County at each site. Baseline data and photographs were taken of each plot in 5 transects (photographs were not taken at North Las Vegas Airport, nor at Bitter Springs). Monitoring design incorporates the need for a long-term data set and minimal impact to sites being monitored. All transect locations have been mapped by GPS.