Recovery Plan for the Kuenzler Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus fendleri Englemann war. kuenzleri) (Castetter, Pierce et Schwerin) L. Benson

摘要

Goal: To remove Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleri from the Federal list of endangered and threatened species by managing the protecting the existing populations and by increasing the numbers of the taxon in existing and reestablished populations. Recovery Criteria: Criteria for the downlisting of Kuenzler hedgehog cactus include the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of existing natural populations; an increase in the numbers of the cactus to approximately 5000 individuals and maintenance of that population level of a period of 5 consecutive years. These criteria would include the management of the habitat and the establishment of a program to curtail collecting through enforcement and through a commercial artificial propagation program. Because of the samll range and naturally limited habitat of this cactus, a review of its status will be made once downlisting criteria have been met, to determine delisting requirements. Action Needed: Major steps needed to meet the recovery criteria include: develop management plans for populations; protect habitat on private lands; develop and implement habitat management plans; monitor population and identify law enforcement tasks to reduce collection; enforce existing taking prohibitions; study the need to develop artificial propagation programs and develop a comprehensive cactus trade management plan.