Demography and Life History Characteristics of the Rare Kachina Daisy (Erigeron kachinensis, Asteraceae)
Allphin L and Harper KT. 1997. Demography and Life History Characteristics of the Rare Kachina Daisy (Erigeron kachinensis, Asteraceae). The American Midland Naturalist. 138(1):109-120
"Erigeron kachinensis is a rare endemic of the Colorado Plateau regions of southeastern Utah and southwestern Colorado. It occurs in small, isolated alcoves at seeps arising along sandstone canyon walls. The author monitored 100 individuals of E. kachinensis within each of six alcoves in Natural Bridges National Monument, from 1990 to 1994. Survival and vegetative and reproductive parameters were measured each year. Mortality varied among alcoves and size-classes, with higher mortality among smaller plants. Plants can live a long time, though no absolute age was determined because no mortality was observed among old plants. Growth rate increased as plant size increased. The largest size-classes produced the most seeds per plant, yet over 80% of seed production came from the three smallest size-classes due to abundance of individuals in these size-classes. Populations at different alcoves varied with respect to plant size and resistance to environmental stressors, as well as from year-to-year. Management actions that minimize natural or human disturbances in the hanging gardens is critical to maintain viable populations of the kachina daisy.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Allphin, Loreen; Harper, Kimball
- Units
- NABR
- Keywords
- Kachina daisy (Erigeron kachinensis), Management, Management/Administration, Monitoring, Mortality, NCPN springs literature 2003, Plant Studies, Population, Reproductive Success, San Juan County, Seeps, Threatened-Endangered-Sensitive Plants, UT