Le. Watson et al., CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF A RARE PLANT-SPECIES, ERIOCAULON KORNICKIANUM(ERIOCAULACEAE), American journal of botany, 81(8), 1994, pp. 980-986
Historical and current ecological and genetic factors were examined in
western populations of Eriocaulon kornickianum to determine the cause
and consequence of rarity in this disjunct species and to assess its
extinction vulnerability. Reproductive biology was examined, which inc
luded an examination of breeding systems, seed set, and pollen viabili
ty. Recruitment into and maintenance of the populations was evaluated
using seed bank estimates. A disturbance study was conducted that exam
ined the effects of competing vegetation and associated species, and i
ncluded clipping, burning, and artificial seeding. Enzyme electrophore
sis was used to measure genetic variation in an effort to examine gene
flow within and among populations. Many factors are contributing to t
he decline of the western populations of this species and include an a
nnual or weak perennial life history, no vegetative reproduction, low
seed set, little seed bank contribution to population growth and maint
enance, genetic homogeneity, a restricted habitat, and poor competitiv
e abilities. Continuing studies of genetic variation are being used to
examine historical factors that may have resulted in a genetic bottle
neck observed in the western populations.Historical and current ecolog
ical and genetic factors were examined in western popultions of Erioca
ulon kornickianum to determine the cause and consequence ofrarity in t
his disjunct species and to assess its extinction vulnerability. Repro
ductive biology was examined, which included an examination ofbreeding
systems, seed set, and pollen viability. Recruitment into and mainten
ance of the populations was evaluated using seed bank estimates. A dis
turbance study was conducted that examined the effects of competing ve
getation and associated species, and included clipping, burning, and a
rtificial seeding. Enzyme electrophoresis was used to measure genetic
variation in an effort to examine gene flow within and among populatio
ns. Many factors are contributing to the decline of the western popula
tions of this species and include an annual or weak perennial life his
tory, no vegetative reproduction, low seed set, little seed bank contr
ibution to population growth and maintenance, genetic homogeneity, a r
estricted habitat, and poor competitive abilities. Continuing studies
ofgenetic variation are being used to examine historical factors that
may have resulted in a genetic bottleneck observed in the western popu
lations.