Conservation Assessment for Whorled Rosinweed (Silphium trifoliatum L.)

issued October 1, 2004Report issued on: October 1, 2004INHS Technical Report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Eastern Regio

New Records of Native and Non-Native Bark and Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Illinois

From 2009–2012, we conducted surveys with Lindgren funnel traps for native and non-native bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in northeastern Illinois. During this study, we collected a total of 10,194 bark and ambrosia beetles representing 50 species in 28 genera. Ten scolytine species not previously reported to occur in Illinois were collected during this survey. Three of these new records are species not native to North America, including Cyclorhipidion bodoanum (Reitter), Cyclorhipidion pelliculosum (Eichhoff), and Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham). Native species reported from Illinois for the first time include: Anisandrus obesus (LeConte), Dryocoetes autographus (Ratzeburg), Hylocurus spadix Blackman, Pityophthorus cariniceps LeConte, Pityophthorus puberulus (LeConte), Pseudothysanoes lecontei Blackman, and Xyleborinus gracilis (Eichhoff). The results presented here will update and improve the somewhat limited information regarding the overall bark and ambrosia beetle community in northeastern Illinois

Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/19011/thumbnail.jp

Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/19011/thumbnail.jp

Vulnerabilidad climática de los sistemas productivos cafeteros en el municipio de Belén de Umbría un acercamiento desde una propuesta metodológica

Las prácticas agrícolas han generado transformaciones en los paisajes y ecosistemas del planeta (Rojas et al, 2012). Sumado a esto, la intensificación de estas prácticas a partir de la expansión de modelos productivos asociados a monocultivos potencializa la pérdida de heterogeneidad en los ecosistemas y cambios en las estructuras vegetales, conllevando a la simplificación y homogenización ecológica (Guhl, 2004). La agricultura moderna, como forma de apropiación de los recursos por parte de las comunidades (Castellanos, 2005) ha generado impactos ambientales muy fuertes asociados a la variación de la oferta servicios ecosistémicos y por ende el bienestar de la sociedad. En los Andes colombianos, la agricultura, a través de la caficultura ha contribuido a trasformaciones paisajísticas, iniciando por la consolidación de la economía cafetera (1850-1970), para pasar a la intensificación en la producción del grano (1970-presente); en donde ambas transformaciones obedecen a un sistema de producción diferente (Guhl, 2004)

Lysimachia ciliata L.

https://thekeep.eiu.edu/herbarium_specimens_byname/20854/thumbnail.jp

Results of 2018–2019 assessment of Thuja occidentalis populations at the Fox River Fen

▷Collected seed from mature individuals of Thuja occidentalis at Trout Park and Chicago Junior School, as well as 3 control sites for comparison ▷Measured seed set, seed weight, and seed morphology to determine site variability ▷Conducted germination trials in growth chambers under incremental salt concentrations to determine the effect of salt on seed germination ▷Conducted periodic soil samples over the span of 1 year to assess salt levels at Trout Park and Chicago Junior School ▷Found differences between Trout Park and Chicago Junior School for reproductive metrics and soil salt levels, but not for germinationIllinois State Toll Highway Authorityunpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

2009 Vascular Plant Surveys in the Central Niobrara River Valley, Nebraska

The Niobrara River Valley in northern Nebraska is an important floristic area. It harbours a number of bryophyte, vascular plant, and animal species that are rarely found in close proximity to one another. Many of these species are more typical farther to the north, east, or west, but over time as climates have changed, have come to settle together in this valley (Kaul et al. 1988). The central Niobrara River Valley may be the most botanically diverse region of Nebraska. Approximately 580 of Nebraska’s roughly 2,000 vascular plant species have been documented for the Niobrara Valley Preserve (Schneider et al. 2005). This diversity results from the valley’s unique geology and geographic location which supports a variety of native communities ranging from western mixedgrass prairie to eastern deciduous woodlands. Although the composition of the flora of the central Niobrara River Valley is relatively well known, knowledge of the distribution and abundance of species continues to be refined. Information on rare species and new locations for species can be especially valuable to resource managers and can be utilized to map rare species distributions and model habitat suitability. For these reasons, vascular plant surveys were conducted at three sites on the central Niobrara River Valley in Cherry, Brown, and Keya Paha counties, Nebraska in 2009. The sites visited were the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (FNNWR), The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve (NVP), and the property of Martin Vanderploeg known as the Vanderploeg Tract (VT). The Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1912, is located in Cherry County approximately 5.5 miles northeast of Valentine. The Vanderploeg Tract, also in Cherry County, is under private ownership and is located approximately 3.5 miles south of Valentine. The Niobrara Valley Preserve, acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 1980, is located 8 miles south of Norden in Brown, Cherry, and Keya Paha counties. The purpose of this study was to: (1) document the vascular plant species present; (2) collect data on rare plant species occurrences; and (3) provide management recommendations for rare plants and plant communities

Conservation of the Illinois flora: A climate change vulnerability assessment of 73 plant species

It will be important for land managers, ecological researchers and policymakers to understand how predicted climate changes may affect the flora of Illinois. A climate change vulnerability assessment was completed in 2011 for the162 Animal Species in Greatest Need of Conservation using NatureServe’s Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) tool. Here we selected 73plant species found in Illinois and calculated their relative vulnerabilities to predicted climate changes, also using the NatureServe CCVI tool. We selected species from several groups that we felt would be broadly representative of the Illinois flora. These groups included: rare plants, invasive plants, important prairie species, important woodland/savanna species, important forest species, and plants important to society. We compiled and entered data regarding both the species’ exposures to predicted climate changes and their sensitivities to those changes. Exposures were determined by overlapping species range maps for Illinois with maps of temperature and moisture (AET:PET) predictions for the middle of this century. Species sensitivities were determined by interviewing between 4 and 12 experts for each plant species. Experts answered questions found in the CCVI tool regarding the species’ biologies, ecologies and behaviors. Results for each individual survey were averaged for each species. Results fell into one of five vulnerability categories: Extremely Vulnerable, Highly Vulnerable, Moderately Vulnerable, Not Vulnerable/Presumed Stable, and Not Vulnerable/Increase Likely. Results for these 73species in Illinois fell into all 5 vulnerability categories, with the majority (67%) falling into the Presumed Stable category. The species most vulnerable to predicted climate changes were all of conservation concern; most were federal or state listed species. Native species tended to be more vulnerable than non-natives, and plants important to prairies, savannas and forests were equally vulnerable to predicted changes. The four species were ranked as likely to increase in population size or range extent due to predicted climate changes were: Ailanthus altissima(tree of heaven), Ambrosia artemisiifolia(ragweed), Microstegium vimineum(Japanese stiltgrass) and Toxicodendron radicans(poison ivy). We advocate for 8 important next-steps to ensure adequate conservation of Illinois plants in a future with climate change, based on the findings of this report: 1) Investigate the climate change vulnerabilities of all rare plants in Illinois. Rare plants are the most vulnerable group of species in this report. 2) Prioritize research on plants’ abilities to phenologically track changes in seasonality, population genetics, species interactions, dispersal distances, thermal and hydrological tolerancesand soil preferences/tolerances. 3) Continue to monitor population trends. Increase capacity to monitor species with the most uncertain responses to climate changes, the most vulnerable species, and all rare species. 4) Monitor invasive speciesfor changes in populations and behavior. Assess all invasive species using NatureServe’s CCVI tool or another tool. 5) Increase connectivity between natural areas. Increase acreage of natural areas. 6) Managers, policymakers, researchers and the public shouldwork together to fully consider the role that assisted migration should or should not play in Illinois plant conservation. 7) Compile work done by various agencies and NGOs on the climate change vulnerabilities of Illinois species and ecosystems to detect trends, and to identify appropriate research, management and policy priorities. 8) Use adaptive management approaches to care for natural areas in Illinois in order to best achieve land management goals in an uncertain future.Illinois Natural History SurveyIllinois Department of Natural ResourcesIllinois Department of Transportationunpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Review of the life history and conservation of federally endangered plant species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA

This review aims to summarize information critical to the conservation of the federally listed endangered species of South Texas, which occur along the border of Texas and Mexico. This paper describes the characteristics, habitat, population status, distribution, life history, threats, and restoration of endangered plant species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, which includes Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo, and Starr County. Seven federally listed species are considered including Ambrosia cheiranthifolia, Asclepias prostrata, Astrophytum asterias, Ayenia limitaris, Manihot walkerae, Lesquerella thamnophila (syn. Physaria thamnophila), and Thymophylla tephroleuca. An eighth species, Physostegia correllii is under consideration for federal listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This paper assembles information on the background, biological status, major threats, and conservation to aid managers and the scientific community in restoring and managing these species. - El objetivo de esta revisión es resumir la información crítica para la conservación de las especies en peligro de extinción incluidas en la lista federal del sur de Texas, que se encuentran a lo largo de la frontera entre Texas y México. En este documento se describen las características, el hábitat, el estado de la población, la distribución, el ciclo biológico, las amenazas y la restauración de las especies vegetales en peligro de extinción del Valle Inferior del Río Grande, Texas, que incluye los condados de Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo y Starr. Se consideran siete especies incluidas en la lista federal, entre ellas Ambrosia cheiranthifolia, Asclepias prostrata, Astrophytum asterias, Ayenia limitaris, Manihot walkerae, Lesquerella thamnophila (syn. Physaria thamnophila) y Thymophylla tephroleuca. Una octava especie, Physostegia correllii, está siendo considerada por el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. para su inclusión en la lista federal. Este documento reúne información sobre los antecedentes, el estado biológico, las principales amenazas y la conservación para ayudar a los gestores y a la comunidad científica a restaurar y gestionar estas especies