devils lake fish

A draft revised recovery plan for running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) is now available for public comment. Running buffalo clover occurs in 120 populations in three geographical regions: Appalachian (West Virginia and southeastern Ohio), Bluegrass (southwestern Ohio, central Kentucky and Indiana), and the Ozarks (Missouri). Running buffalo clover was listed as endangered in 1987. At the time of listing only one population was known; in 1989 when the original recovery plan was completed, running buffalo clover was known from 13 populations. The primary threat to running buffalo clover is habitat alteration. Factors that contribute to this threat include natural forest succession, and subsequent canopy closure, competition by invasive plant species, catastrophic disturbance such as development or road construction, and may include the elimination of bison and other large herbivores. This first revision of the recovery plan provides updated information on the status and biology of the species and guides the recovery of running buffalo clover throughout its range. A copy of the draft revised recovery plan may be obtained by visiting the Service's website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered. Comments on the plan will be accepted until October 11, 2005.