Summary results of an analysis of the status of Mimulus gemmiparus based on several ranking factors. This species was concluded to be "Effectively Conserved”. From Rondeau et al. 2011.
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Recreational activities are considered to be the primary threats to the species at this time (Rondeau et al. 2011) combined with the fact that the total population of this species is small, known from a very small area, and is highly vulnerable to stochastic events by one of the threats mentioned below. Most of the M. gemmiparus locations occur in close proximity to trails or roads. Because M. gemmiparus tends to grow in dense colonies within small areas, one minor disturbance could extirpate an entire population. Beardsley and Steingraeber (2013) provide evidence that these sorts of events are common and unpredictable. For example, a group of hikers sought refuge from a storm in 2010 under the rock ledge that overhangs a population of M. gemmiparus and could have easily trampled the small plants (Beardsley and Steingraeber 2013). Therefore, M. gemmiparus could be easily impacted or trampled by off-trail activity by tourists, hikers, and horses or trail maintenance activities. Existing M. gemmiparus populations are also susceptible to ecological or human-related disturbances that could alter soil conditions, affect hydrology, or increase competition with other species. Ecological disturbances could include succession, wildfire, drought, rock fall, flash flood, erosion, climate change, tree blowdown, and invasion of exotic plants (Beatty et al. 2003). Further, Colorado climate scenarios for 2050 suggest temperature will increase by 3-7 F and precipitation may decrease or increase. The impact to any given rare plant habitat is likely to vary. Long-term monitoring that includes weather and soil moisture data is critical to understanding climate impacts.