GOERT: Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team

Plants at Risk

This RIG is involved with the recovery of plants at risk in Garry oak and associated ecosystems. Tasks include reviewing recovery plans, translocation plans, and new COSEWIC status reports for all plants and mosses at risk in Garry oak and associated ecosystems.

Publications to date include plant entries in the field manual titled Species at Risk in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems in British Columbia along with longer stewardship accounts of the same species. The RIG has also contributed to the following new multi-species recovery strategies:

• Recovery Strategy for Multi-Species at Risk in Garry Oak Woodlands in Canada (2006)
• Recovery Strategy for Multi-Species at Risk in Maritime Meadows associated with Garry Oak Ecosystems in Canada (2006)
• Recovery Strategy for Multi-Species at Risk in Vernal Pools and other Ephemeral Wet Areas Associated with Garry Oak Ecosystems in Canada (2006)
• Recovery Strategy for Rigid Apple Moss (2006): The recovery strategy for this endangered species is still in development. The final draft has been reviewed, and consultations were completed along with the three multi-species strategies above in the fall of 2005.

Suggested Research Topics

Studies are needed on the following subjects to support the development of effective species recovery plans:

Taxonomic and Genetic Issues

• Is the taxon distinct from its nearest relatives (hence deserving of taxonomic recognition)?
• Are B.C. populations genetically distinct from those elsewhere? Are there genetic or chromosomal differences that could subdivide the species (e.g. different ploidy levels)?
• Are amounts of genetic variability in B.C. populations similar to those for populations (or closely related species) elsewhere? Are some populations less variable than others?

Ecological Issues

Habitat preferences

• What microhabitats does the taxon prefer, and what are their physical characteristics (light levels, moisture regime, soil depth, unusual substrate features, other)?
• Do all plants and populations exhibit the same preferences, or do ecotypes exist?

Reproductive ecology

• What is the mating system — outcrossed, selfed, mixed? Is outcrossing obligate? Does the species have unusual reproductive features (e.g. unisexual flowers; dioecy)?
• What are the important life history features of the species (e.g., is it annual or perennial; does it reproduce by seed, vegetatively, or both; does it form clonal patches) that are essential to its recovery?
• What reproductive stages (flower production, fruit maturation, dispersal, germination, seedling establishment) are limiting? Do all populations in all years have similar limitations? If not, how do these vary?

Interactions with other species

• With what other species of all groups (vertebrate and invertebrate animals, fungal and microbial species, other plants) does the target species co-occur?
• What are the life-history impacts of other species, both positive (e.g., pollinators) and negative (e.g., pathogens, herbivores, competitors)?

Effects of disturbance

• How does the species respond to environmental variations (e.g. temperature, moisture)?
• What are the impacts of minor and major disturbances (e.g., human impacts, disease or insect outbreaks, fire)?

Additional Research Suggestions

1. Impacts of climate change. What are the potential or modeled effects of climate change on SAR plants and their habitats?
2. Species-specific dispersal information.
3. Accurate species distributions and total numbers of populations including historical range.
4. Effects of invasive species and response of invasive species, species at risk and habitat to management.
5. Ex situ germination/propagation methodologies and seed storage techniques.
6. Investigations of seed viability, germination requirements, seedbank longevity.
7. Effects of fire suppression on species and habitats.
8. Effects of restoration on species and habitats and appropriate restoration targets for species/communities.

For more information, please contact Plants at Risk RIG co-chairs Aimee Pelletier and Matt Fairbarns.