Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Lyons-Sobaski, Sheila [1], Fink, Nadiya [2], Esker, Terry [3].

Understanding the long-term population dynamics of Sabatia campestris (Gentianaceae), a state-endangered plant of the Illinois prairie.

Studies of endangered plants may benefit by the long-term monitoring of populations to better understand the climate and disturbance regimes that may influence the dynamics of populations. Within Illinois, prairie rose gentian (Sabatia campestris Nutt.) is a state-endangered annual that is typically found in prairie remnants located along railroad rights-of-way. We tested the hypothesis that populations would respond positively to disturbance and high spring precipitation. Data were gathered by annually censusing six populations for as many as seventeen consecutive years. Sites were monitored for climate data and major disturbances. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models indicated that disturbance, soil temperatures in winter and spring, and precipitation in spring and winter were all important predictors of the number of plants occurring in the next growing season. These data indicate that prairie rose gentian populations in Illinois are dependent upon disturbance and climate. Many variables influence population and these data provide empirical evidence to better understand the dynamics of annual plant populations.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Albion College, Biology Department, 611 East Porter Street, Albion, MI, 49224-1831, USA
2 - Albion College, Mathematics and Computer Science, 611 East Porter Street, Albion, Michigan, 49224, United States
3 -

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PCB009
Abstract ID:862