Rare and Keystone Species Plant Ecology

Research Team: Dr. L. Katherine Kirkman (Associate Scientist), Kimberly L. Coffey (Research Technician III), Heather K. Norden (Graduate Student), Kathy Aleric (Graduate Student), and Maureen K. Mulligan (Graduate Student)

Many of the species characteristic of the to fire-maintained longleaf habitats are rare or endemic and little is known about their life history characteristics or specific responses to management activities. We are conducting ecological studies of two federally endangered plant species that occur at Ichauway, Schwalbea americana (American chaffseed) , and Lindera melissaefolia (pond berry) to determine aspects of their life history that could be considered in developing management strategies to maintain and increase populations.

We are examining life history traits of species that play key functional roles in the ecosystem. For example, studies of competition effects on establishment and reproductive responses to fire and nutrients of Aristida beyrichiana (wiregrass) are being conducted because of its dominance in the ground cover, its importance as a source of fine fuel, and its difficulty in reestablishment following soil disturbance.

Studies to determine the role of seed longevity and dispersal mechanisms of plants that are susceptible to disturbance are on-going to identify species that will require active reintroduction in restoration efforts.

Additional Information:

Mulligan, M. K. and L. K. Kirkman. 2002. Burning influences on wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) restoration plantings: natural seedling recruitment and survival. Restoration Ecology 10:334-339.

Mulligan, M. K., L. K. Kirkman and R. J. Mitchell. 2002. Aristida beyrichiana (wiregrass) establishment and recruitment: implication for restoration. Restoration Ecology 10:68-76.

Mulligan, M. K. and L. K. Kirkman. 2002. Competition effects on wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) growth and survival. Plant Ecology 167:39-50.

Helton, R. C., L. K. Kirkman and L. J. Musselman. 2000. Host preference of the federally endangered hemiparasite Schwalbea americana L. (Scrophulariaceae). Journal of Torrey Botanical Society 127:300-306.

Kirkman, L. K., M. B. Drew and D. Edwards. 1998. Population effects of experimental fire regimes on the population dynamics of Schwalbea americana L. Plant Ecology 137:115-137.

Determann, R., L. K. Kirkman and H. Nourse. 1997. Plant conservation by propagation. Tipularia: a botanical magazine published by the Georgia Botanical Society 12:2-12.

Funded by: The Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center and the US Fish and Wildlife Service