December 2012 Number 1 - Utah Native Plant Society

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Utah Native Plant Society Conservation and Restoration Research at The Arboretum at Flagstaff Kristin E. Haskins and Sheila Murray The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Flagstaff, AZ Abstract. The Colorado Plateau is experiencing increased climate change effects and population expansion. Many native plant species are at risk for becoming rare or threatened, and it is challenging to secure local, native plant seed for use in restoration. Here we highlight two examples of our conservation efforts for Astragalus cremnophylax var. cremnophylax in the Grand Canyon and Purshia subintegra in the Verde Valley of central Arizona, and discuss our involvement in a local native plant propagation movement conducted by the US Forest Service and the Museum of Northern Arizona. The Arboretum has been working toward rare plant conservation and restoration efforts for over 25 years. SENTRY MILK-VETCH CONSERVATION Astragalus cremnophylax var. cremnophylax (Figure 1) was listed as a species of concern in 1980 and was bumped up to endangered species status in 1990. This tiny legume is found only at Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) in limestone outcrops. Threats to this species include development of the park and climate change. In 2005, The Arboretum began working with GCNP and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve this rare species. The initial task was to increase seed availability through ex-situ propagation. Typically, seeds are propagated in sterile potting mix that can provide mixed results in terms of seed germination and growth. In an effort to improve seedling performance, we examined the effects of different soil treatments: 1) potting soil with Rhizobium added and 2) potting soil with a native Figure 2. Astragalus cremnophylax var. cremnophylax grown with a native soil inoculum (left) and in standard, sterile potting soil (right). Photo by Sheila Murray. inoculum added versus traditional potting soil. After five months of growth, seedlings propagated with a native soil inoculum had significantly greater aboveground volume than seedlings grown in either of the other two treatments (Figure 2). We are currently tracking these plants to determine if these differences will translate into increased seed production. Ultimately, we aim to conserve Sentry Milk-vetch by expanding established and adding new populations at GCNP. Figure 1. Astragalus cremnophylax var. cremnophylax in bloom. Photo by Julie Crawford. ARIZONA CLIFFROSE RESTORATION Purshia subintegra, or Arizona cliffrose, is known from four populations in central Arizona, with the largest population occurring in the Verde Valley. This xeric, evergreen member of the Rosaceae was listed as endangered in 1984. Major threats include development, overgrazing and climate change. The Arizona Department of Transportation funded work by The Arboretum from 120
Calochortiana December 2012 Number 1 1996-2000 in response to road construction that would result in a loss of Arizona cliffrose habitat. The Arboretum developed a protocol for propagating Arizona cliffrose via cuttings (Figure 3), as recent droughts had prevented the species from producing seed. Additionally, The Arboretum examined ways in which the propagated cuttings (Figure 4) could be put back in the field onto protected sites. Since out-planting in 2001, the Research Department has been involved in monitoring the new populations. We are happy to report that the new populations are doing well. ARIZONA NATIVE PLANT PROPAGATION In 2007, The Arboretum began a collaborative project with the U.S. Forest Service and The Museum of Northern Arizona to collect and propagate native seeds for use in local restoration efforts (Figure 5). This project arose in response to a high demand and lack of supply of local seed genotypes that were crucially needed after large scale forest fires hit the area in 2002. The first phase of the project is to collect and propagate seeds of native species that appeal to land managers for use in re-vegetation projects. Plant species are being chosen for their wildlife forage quality and likelihood of propagation success. We are also focusing on species that are not already in commercial production. Our goal is to start small, but eventually produce a reliable source for local seed genotypes that can be used by local land managers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Research Department at The Arboretum at Flagstaff (a.k.a. Kris and Sheila) would like to thank all of our wonderful volunteers and the following groups for financial support: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Department of Transportation, and The U.S. Forest Service. Figure 4. An Arboretum volunteer helps re-pot Purshia subintegra in the research greenhouse. Photo by K. Haskins. Figure 3. Sheila Murray collects cuttings of Purshia subintegra in the Verde Valley, AZ. Photo by Joyce Maschinski. Figure 5. The research greenhouse at The Arboretum; where plant propagation will take place. Photo by K. Haskins. 121
Page 1 and 2:
Calochortiana December 2012 Number
Page 3 and 4:
Page 5 and 6:
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44:
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50:
Page 51 and 52:
Page 53 and 54:
Page 55 and 56:
Page 57 and 58:
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Species # Training Samples Calochor
Page 69 and 70: Species # Training Samples Calochor
Page 71 and 72: Species # Training Samples Calochor
Page 73 and 74: Calochortiana December 2012 Number
Page 97 and 98: case of the former lake beds a duri
Page 119: Calochortiana December 2012 Number
Page 139 and 140: A. lentiginosus var. ursinus (publi
Page 171 and 172:
Page 173 and 174:
Page 175 and 176:
Page 177 and 178:
Page 179 and 180:
Page 181 and 182:
Page 183 and 184:
Page 185 and 186:
Page 187 and 188:
Page 189 and 190:
Page 191 and 192:
Page 193 and 194:
Page 195 and 196:
Page 197 and 198:
Page 199 and 200:
Page 201 and 202:
Page 203 and 204:
Page 205 and 206:
Page 207 and 208:
Page 209 and 210:
Pot Score Min Score Trend Threat In
Page 211 and 212:
Page 213 and 214:
Page 215 and 216:
Page 217 and 218:
Page 219 and 220:
Page 221 and 222:
Page 223 and 224:
Page 225 and 226:
Page 227 and 228:
Page 229 and 230:
Page 231 and 232:
Page 233 and 234:
Page 235 and 236:
Page 237 and 238:
show all

December 2012 Number 1 - Utah Native Plant Society

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?