Abstract Detail

Transplantations and relocation of species at risk: learning from the past to plan for the future

Titus, Jonathan [1], Titus, Priscilla [2].

Reintroduction of the Endangered Huachuca Water Umbel in Southeastern Arizona.

Huachuca water umbel (Lilaeopsis schaffnerianassp. recurva) is a federally endangered aquatic perennial plant endemic to southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. The species was listed because of threats posed by the degradation and loss of wetlands throughout its limited range. Although the species is easily grown in a greenhouse, information regarding specific requirements that allow long-term persistence of HWU in natural habitats is lacking, and few efforts to reintroduce this species have been attempted. Using greenhouse-propagated material, we introduced 128 individual HWU plugs into four spring-fed wetland sites near Elgin, Arizona on the Audubon Research Ranch. The sites represent a range of habitat conditions. After two years, overall survival of transplanted plugs was 60% and the area occupied had increased by 845%. This study documented the response of transplanted HWU to periodic drying, disturbance due to scouring and trampling,and sediment deposition. We also examined the number of viable seeds incorporated into a seedbank at the study location in the first season after transplanting. This case study offered a model for watershed-wide reintroduction efforts of endangered plants. Since the study was completed, several additional efforts to introduce this plant have been undertaken. The study also illustrated the importance of low-level disturbance and the necessity of long-term monitoring and maintenance of competing plant species in establishing viable species reintroductions.

Broader Impacts:

1 - SUNY-Fredonia, Biology, Fredonia, NY, 14063, USA
2 -

Keywords:
endangered species
reintroduction
wetlands.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY08
Location: Delaware A/Hyatt
Date: Wednesday, July 11th, 2012
Time: 8:15 AM
Number: SY08001
Abstract ID:229