Download Emerging Challenges In Developing Germ Plasm of Native Species

Emerging Challenges in Developing
Germ Plasm of Native Species
For Community Restoration
By
Stephen B. Monsen
Factors Influencing Community Restoration and
Plant development
Political Implications:
Public officials and administrators lack an
understanding of the enormous problems
associated with restoration of existing
disturbances.
No effective long-term restoration programs have been
developed for any regional area or community
types.
Research programs are not specifically in place to
address restoration or are often misdirected.
Public Awareness and Perception of the Problem
The general public is not aware of the issues related to
community restoration.
Alteration of many areas is not recognized or understood.
Weed related problems are not recognized or managed.
Loss of resource values are not fully appreciated.
Many agency personnel, action groups, and scientists do not
understand nor support effective remedial treatments.
Changes in plant composition are not recognized as important.
Present technology to contain weeds is not universally acceptable
practices.
Control of competition and site preparation practices are not
understood and utilized.
Scientific and Ecological Considerations
A diverse number of plant communities and
associations have been altered.
Reconstruction of complex associations is required.
Multiple species and taxa are required to restore
disturbances.
Extensive loss of germ plasm has occurred.
Enormous acreages have been affected.
Many arid and semi-arid communities have been altered.
A high incidence of weeds exist in most disturbances.
Complex issues are associated with the reassembly of
entire communities.
Assembly and propagation of desired species is an
enormous problem.
Diverse Number of Altered Plant Communities
A diverse number of plant communities have been significantly
altered.
Disturbances exist throughout different elevation and regional
areas.
Some critical sites include:
High elevation herblands
Big sagebrush shrublands
Pinyon/juniper woodlands
Salt desert shrublands
A large number of plants are required to restore most
communities.
Access and practicality for remedial treatments often limit
treatments.
Difficulty exists in minimizing further site degradation.
High Elevation Herblands
Big Sagebrush
Shrublands
Reconstruction of Complex Associations is
Required
Reassembly of different species and life forms are essential to
restore ecological stability of most sites.
Restoring intermixed but diverse plant associations is essential.
Success in community restoration is often dependent on
successional processes.
Inter-seeding or interjecting select species into disturbances is
essential.
Lack of data to direct community restoration is evident.
Multiple Species and Taxa are Required to Restore
Disturbances
Many species are site adapted and various ecotypes
occur and must be utilized.
Complexity in developing seed markets for multiple
accessions is an issue.
Practices required to produce seed of most native
species are not known.
Multiple Herbs
Extensive Loss of Germ Plasm has Occurred
Loss of plants is often so complete that seeding is
required.
Retaining germ plasm through field culture of seeds is a
concern.
Many species lack the ability to naturally repopulate a
disturbance.
Natural recovery is often limited due to lack of seed
source.
Parental populations that contribute to hybridization and
species evolvement have been lost.
Erigeron pumilus
Hybrid Population of Big Sagebrush
Ploidy Levels-Affects on Plant
Adaptation
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Multiple ploidy levels occur among 11 species
2 principal base chromosome numbers
x= 8 and x= 9
Ploidy levels may be an adaptive strategy
Polyploides better adaptive to ecological
extremes than diploid relatives
Autopolyploidy alters tolerance
Polyploids are smaller shrubs with lower growth
rates & increase drought tolerance
Planting tetraploid (4x) Wyoming big sagebrush
on drier sites
Enormous Acreages Have Been Affected
Fires and other natural disturbances create enormous
disturbances.
Previous disturbances have seriously altered extensive
areas.
Losses continue to exceed areas restored.
Natural recovery is not practical in many situations.
Costs and associated resources limit complete
restoration.
Tall Forb Disturbance
Many Arid and Semi-arid Communities Have Been
Altered
Disturbances have occurred in extremely harsh sites.
Successful restoration is not always feasible.
Costs are prohibitive.
Alternate species often widely acceptable.
High Incidence of Weed Invasion and Extensive
Competition Exists
Weeds dominate and prevent natural or artificial recovery.
Weed containment is essential to assure community restoration.
A rapid increase in number of weedy species and areas of
infestation is occurring.
Acceptance of non- native species to moderate weed problems is
a common practice.
Annual Weeds
Complexity Associated With Reassembly of Entire
Communities
Multiple seedings are normally required.
Control of competition is essential.
Creation of suitable seedbeds is necessary.
Retention of existing native species is important.
Lack of suitable site preparation and planting techniques and
equipment is evident.
Activist groups and agency personnel resist remedial treatments.
Seeding Equipment
Seeding Equipment
Aerial Seeding
Broadcast/chaining
Compact seeders
Interseeding
Assembly and Propagation of Native Seeds
Numerous species are required.
Not all disturbances can sustain seed industry.
Adjustment is seed industry is necessary.
Practices to produce seeds in cultivation or from
management of wildland stands are not well
understood.
Aster glaucodes