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- Title
Persistence and Prolonged Winter Dormancy of the Federally Endangered Schwalbea americana L. (Scrophulariaceae) Following Experimental Management Techniques.
- Authors
Norden, A. Heather; Kirkman, L. Katherine
- Abstract
The federally endangered hemiparasite, Schwalbea americana L., American chaffseed (Scrophulariaceae), is a long-lived perennial herb adapted to fire-maintained ecosystems, such as Pinus palustris Mill. — Aristida spp. (longleaf pine-wiregrass) communities of the southeastern Coastal Plain. Schwalbea americana exhibits fire-induced flowering, and populations reportedly decline in the absence of fire; however, long-term population response to alternative management options, along with recovery potential following short-term fire exclusion, is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the population status and recovery of S. americana following short-term population declines associated with prior experimental management techniques. Specifically, we examined density of individuals and new recruits in 2001, and survivorship of individuals between 1992-2001, in four natural populations that were subjected to experimental management techniques between the years 1992-1996. Treatments included dormant season burn (March), growing season burn (June), growing season mowing (June), and control (no treatment). Our findings indicate that none of the short-term experimental management techniques have a detrimental effect on population persistence (five years post-treatment), and the population fluctuations that we observed may be related more to precipitation patterns than to residual effects of experimental treatments. Additionally, S. americana exhibits periods of prolonged winter dormancy that may facilitate long-term population persistence during unfavorable environmental conditions or fire suppression.
- Subjects
PERENNIALS; HERBS; FLOWERS; PLANTS; ENDANGERED species; AGRICULTURE
- Publication
Natural Areas Journal, 2004, Vol 24, Issue 2, p129
- ISSN
0885-8608
- Publication type
Article