Seed Production and Maturation of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid

A population of threatened western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) was selected in 2004 on the Sheyenne National Grassland in southeastern North Dakota to study seed production and maturation for future use in population viability modeling. We randomly collected 30 seed capsules from the population under a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: 1) identify capsule parameters that might be correlated with seed number and viability, 2) estimate an appropriate sample size to obtain accurate seed production estimates, 3) quantify seed production and viability per seed capsule, and 4) document temporal patterns in seed embryo development. We found that the number of seeds per capsule was weakly correlated with capsule weight (R2 = 0.23, P = 0.04), while the proportion of viable seeds within a capsule was weakly correlated with capsule length (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.01) and capsule circumference (R2 = 0.17, P = 0.04). However, seed production and embryo viability varied extensively in our study to the extent that capsule measurements were not reliable indicators of fecundity or fertility. Our study provides guidance for the sample size required to make statistical inferences regarding seed production and seed viability in western prairie fringed orchid populations. Our data also suggest that orchid seeds undergo maturation up to the time of capsule dehiscence based on increases we observed from August to September in seed weights and proportion of large embryos. Our observations reinforce the importance of moratoriums on grazing and mowing in some areas of orchid habitat until after mid-September

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

In Situ Development of Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Seeds, Protocorms, and Seedlings in Grazed and Non-Grazed Prairie Habitat

In 1989, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) as threatened. Although this orchid has been monitored for years, there is little scientific documentation of its biology, ecology, and phenology, nor the impacts of management activities on its populations. Our objectives were to document seed germination and seedling production rates after one year in situ, and compare seed germination in grazed and non-grazed prairie habitat in the Sheyenne National Grassland (SNG) in southeastern North Dakota. Of 18,717 planted seeds, we recovered 1,561 swollen embryos, 94 protocorms, and 51 seedlings. We documented no difference in germination rate between seeds planted in grazed versus non-grazed prairie. However, our results suggested that 15 new flowering orchids may be produced from each flowering orchid that survives the growing season on the SNG. Thus, our findings confirm successful production of western prairie fringed orchid seedlings after one year in situ. Further research is needed to evaluate potential impacts of livestock grazing on other stages of the orchid life cycle, particularly protocorm and seedling survival rates

Seed Production and Maturation of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid

A population of threatened western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) was selected in 2004 on the Sheyenne National Grassland in southeastern North Dakota to study seed production and maturation for future use in population viability modeling. We randomly collected 30 seed capsules from the population under a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to: 1) identify capsule parameters that might be correlated with seed number and viability, 2) estimate an appropriate sample size to obtain accurate seed production estimates, 3) quantify seed production and viability per seed capsule, and 4) document temporal patterns in seed embryo development. We found that the number of seeds per capsule was weakly correlated with capsule weight (R2 = 0.23, P = 0.04), while the proportion of viable seeds within a capsule was weakly correlated with capsule length (R2 = 0.20, P = 0.01) and capsule circumference (R2 = 0.17, P = 0.04). However, seed production and embryo viability varied extensively in our study to the extent that capsule measurements were not reliable indicators of fecundity or fertility. Our study provides guidance for the sample size required to make statistical inferences regarding seed production and seed viability in western prairie fringed orchid populations. Our data also suggest that orchid seeds undergo maturation up to the time of capsule dehiscence based on increases we observed from August to September in seed weights and proportion of large embryos. Our observations reinforce the importance of moratoriums on grazing and mowing in some areas of orchid habitat until after mid-September

Cattle Grazing Reduces Survival and Reproduction of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid

QuantifYing impacts of livestock grazing and prairie management strategies on the threatened western prairie\u27 fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) is difficult due to the erratic appearance of the orchid above-ground. We monitored above-ground survival of orchids from flowering to mature seed capsule production, comparing plant height, flower numbers, and seed capsule numbers from 2002-2004 in rotationally grazed pastures and non-grazed sites. Orchid survival differed significantly between grazed and non-grazed pastures, with the proportion of plants surviving from flower to capsule production consistently lower in grazed pastures. Mean orchid survival in grazed and non-grazed areas was 40% and 87%, respectively. The proportion., of surviving plants producing capsules greater than 3 mm in diameter was significantly greater in non-grazed pastures. Flower and bud production did not differ between grazed and non-grazed areas, tlnd plant height was significantly greater in non-grazed) areas. High levels of above-ground plant mortality may reduce orchid tuber winter survival and robustness of above-ground; growth the following growing season. Creation of protected orchid nursery areas within grazed pastures is suggested to reduce high mortality of above-ground orchid plants

In Situ Development of Western Prairie Fringed Orchid Seeds, Protocorms, and Seedlings in Grazed and Non-Grazed Prairie Habitat

In 1989, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara) as threatened. Although this orchid has been monitored for years, there is little scientific documentation of its biology, ecology, and phenology, nor the impacts of management activities on its populations. Our objectives were to document seed germination and seedling production rates after one year in situ, and compare seed germination in grazed and non-grazed prairie habitat in the Sheyenne National Grassland (SNG) in southeastern North Dakota. Of 18,717 planted seeds, we recovered 1,561 swollen embryos, 94 protocorms, and 51 seedlings. We documented no difference in germination rate between seeds planted in grazed versus non-grazed prairie. However, our results suggested that 15 new flowering orchids may be produced from each flowering orchid that survives the growing season on the SNG. Thus, our findings confirm successful production of western prairie fringed orchid seedlings after one year in situ. Further research is needed to evaluate potential impacts of livestock grazing on other stages of the orchid life cycle, particularly protocorm and seedling survival rates