CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF A RARE PLANT-SPECIES, ERIOCAULON KORNICKIANUM(ERIOCAULACEAE)

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.