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Golden saxifrage
Saxifraga chrysantha
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G4
State (S-rank): S1
External links
Species range
Estimate from download of data from Utah Rare Plant Database on July 18, 2024.
Geocat 2 observations: Extent of Occurrence: 0 km2.
Historic observations over 40 years old were not used.
Alpine tundra, fell fields, and rock stripes with Smelowskia, Parrya, primula, and sedges at 3415 to 3960 m in the Uinta Mts., Duchesne and Summit cos.; Wyo. s. to N. Mex
Threats or limiting factors
The main threats are from habitat degradation due to grazing, fire, and drought.
Threats compiled using observations and notes from Utah Rare Plant Database and Utah Geospatial Resource Center GIS Data downloaded in 2024. Severity of impacts are not well known so ranges are provided where appropriate. All occurrences are within grazing allotments. All are within mountain goat habitat. Fire has impacted some occurrences and this risk is likely increasing due to beetle kill. Drought and climate change is also a threat and likely impacting this species through out it's range (Wrobleski, 2023).
UNPS, accessed 2024: A taxon not included in previous versions of the UNPS Rare Plant list, but its apparent rarity in Utah warrants further research. Only 14 specimens at BRY have been collected. It has been found only in the Uinta Mountains in Duchesne and Summit Counties in Utah. This taxon's primary range is in the Rocky Mountains. Habitat Specificity scored as "1" since it is alpine tundra species according to A Utah Flora ("Alpine tundra, fell fields, and rock stripes with Smelowskia, Parrya, primula, and sedges"). Threats to this taxon include grazing-related impacts from naturalized mountain goats. Goats were introduced by the State of Utah for trophy hunters. Climate change is also a threat. Droughts and rapid snowmelt due to wind-blown sediments are melting snowpack earlier than normal in our region. These are the primary reasons for the upgrade of the threats to this species to a "1". Trends are scored as "unknown" due to uncertainty of the magnitude of the impacts of disturbance on extant populations and the lack of population-level surveys. It is a high priority to monitor these alpine endemics that may be impacted by naturalized animals introduced by the State of Utah.
