| Abstract Detail
Conservation Biology Smoluch, Dominic [1], Costea, Mihai [2], Tony, Zammit [3], Stevens, Kevin [1]. Virginia Mallow (Sida hermaphrodita, Malvaceae) at the Taquanyah Conservation Area, Ontario, Canada: biology and interspecies interactions. Virginia Mallow (Sida hermaphrodita) is a rare perennial plant native to North America. There are only two known populations in Canada, the largest being located at the Taquanayh Conservation Area, Haldimand County, Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources recently released a recovery strategy, which highlighted the need for additional biological information with regards to this species. To further the biological understanding of this species and preliminarily ascertain the best strategy of recovery, we compared the germination rates of seeds collected in different years and analyzed the propagation and transplant success using either seeds or root segments with buds. In addition, we conducted a vegetation survey to determine the species that are associated with S. hermaphodita in such way that an interspecies interaction study can be conducted in the future. Seeds of the 2012-growing season exhibited significantly higher germination rates than seeds of the 2013 season. Plants grown from seeds showed an increased aboveground height compared to plants propagated from root segments. The highest association frequency of S. hermaphrodita at Taquanyah was with Solidago canadensis and Phalaris arundinacea. Both S. hermaphrodita and its associated species were mapped to allow a future monitoring of their population dynamics.
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Related Links:
Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby, Taquanyah Conservation Area Images
1 - Wilfrid Laurier University, Biology, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5, Canada
2 - Wilfrid Laurier University, Biology, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N/A, N2L3C5, Canada
3 - Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Road, Cambridge, ON, N1R 5W6, Canada
Keywords:
conservation
Seed germination
ecology
Sida hermaphrodita (Malvaceae)
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetation.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Hall D/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PCB009
Abstract ID:1136
Candidate for Awards:Ian and Syvia Taylor Award |
