Ontario Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, populations in relation to habitat size, paths, and woodland edges

Relationships between Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) populations and habitat size, paths, and woodland edges were explored in order to provide i nformation necessary for conservation planning. Habitat size was considered in the broad context of size of natural area as well as in the narrower co ntext of size of suitable, more or less wooded habitat. Linear regression d emonstrated a marginally significant negative relationship between number o f stems and natural area size. A significant negative relationship was foun d between number of stems and habitat size, Chi-square tests, based on comp arison of frequencies of Goldenseal patches with frequencies of random neig hbourhood points within 5 m of paths and 10 m of woodland edges, revealed a significant association between Goldenseal and both paths and edges. Regre ssion of population size with a disturbance factor, based on both paths and edges, revealed a significant positive effect of disturbance. These relati onships suggest that Goldenseal may be adequately protected in relatively s mall areas, that certain kinds of disturbance may not be detrimental, and t hat simulation of natural disturbance could even lead To successful recover y.