| Abstract Detail
Conservation Biology Duthie, A. Bradley [1], Smith, Marian [2]. Environmental Effects on Achenes of Boltonia decurrens, a Threatened Floodplain Species: Age, Mass, Germination & Viability. Boltonia decurrens is a plant on the federal list of threatened species; it exists only in the lower Illinois River and Mississippi River floodplains and is considered at risk of extinction in both Illinois and Missouri. Germination and early development are critical stages in a plant's life cycle; therefore, germination studies are necessary to the development of management strategies designed to establish new populations and to maintain current populations of B. decurrens. Although early studies of the species determined some basic information about germination, no study has been conducted to determine how long stored seeds retain their viability. This study examines the effects of achene age and mass on viability and germination, and also the effects of average yearly precipitation and temperature on achene mass, along with maternal effects on mass and viability. Results suggest that there is no reduction in achene germination or viability over a 15 year period, and that achene mass is strongly correlated with germination and viability. This study also found a significant positive correlation between average yearly temperature and achene mass, as well as strong maternal effects on achene mass.
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1 - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Biological Sciences, 511 Cougar Village, apt. 1C, Edwardsville, IL, 62025, United States
2 - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Biological Sciences, SIUE Biology Dept., Box 1651, Edwardsville, IL, 62026, United States
Keywords:
Boltonia decurrens
seed germination
seed viability
conservation
threatened species
floodplain
Illinois River.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Exhibit Hall (Northeast, Southwest & Southeast)/Hilton
Date: Sunday, July 8th, 2007
Time: 8:00 AM
Number: P65001
Abstract ID:906 |
