Recovery Plan: Sierra Bermeja Plants 'Aristidu chaseae', 'Lyonia truncata var. proctorii', 'Vernonia proctorii'.

摘要

Aristida chaseae, a perennial grass, and Lyonia truncata var. proctorii, and Vernonia proctorii, two small shrubs, are three endemic plants restricted in distribution to southwestern Puerto Rico. A. chaseae is known from only two areas, the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in the municipality of Cabo Rojo and the range of hills known as the Sierra Bermeja in the municipalities of Lajas and Cabo Rojo. The two small shrubs are known only from the summit area of Cerro Mariquita in the Sierra Bermeja. In the Sierra Bermeja, all three species are threatened by wildfires and agricultural, residential, and tourist development. Aristida chaseae may be threatened by competition from introduced grass species. These three species were determined to be endangered on April 27, 1993, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993). Critical habitat was not designated for these species because of the risks of vandalism.