Demography and population viability of an endangered plant species before and after protection from trampling
Rutman S, Maschinski J, Frye R. 1997. Demography and population viability of an endangered plant species before and after protection from trampling. Conservation Biology. 11(4):990
Land managers often suggest fencing to protect rare plant species from being trampled in heavily used recreation areas, but there are few documented examples of the efficacy of this strategy. In a 7-year demographic study we examined the reproduction, survival, and long-term viability of the endangered sentry milk-vetch (Astragalus cremnophylax var. cremnophylax) before and after protection from trampling. Models indicate that where trampling and bad climatic conditions were coupled, extinction was accelerated. Recovery of sentry milk-vetch will depend on continued protection, augmentation, and environmental factors, although risk of extinction remains very high.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rutman, Sue; Maschinski, Joyce; Frye, Robert
- Units
- GRCA
- Keywords
- absence, Abundance, Conservation, Demography, Distribution, Endangered Species, IAR, Plant Studies, population change, Presence, Resources Management, Trampling, Xeric Habitat