Authors
Rob Massatti, USGS
Bryce Richardson, Francis Kilkenny, USFS RMRS
Holly Prendeville, USFS, PNWRS
Steve Larson, Blair Waldron, ARS
Overview
Given the low migration rates and long divergence times between some pairs of P. spicata populations, using commercial germplasm sources could facilitate undesirable restoration outcomes when used in certain geographic areas, even if the environment in which the commercial materials thrive is similar to that of the restoration site. As such, population structure and history can be used to provide guidance on what geographic areas may need additional native plant materials so that restoration efforts support species and community resilience and improve outcomes.
Purpose
Investigate the processes that shaped P. spicata‘s geographic pattern of genetic variation across the Intermountain West
Geography
Pseudoroegneria spicata was sampled throughout the Intermountain West at each of 154 wildland sampling localities and reproductive stalks 60 to 500 individuals distributed across 0.5–5 acres. These efforts resulted in 887 unique individuals from localities distributed across five western states (WA, OR, ID, NV, and UT).
Results
Massatti, R.; Prendeville, H.R.; Larson, S.; Richardson, B.A.; Waldron, B.; Kilkenny, F,F. 2018. Population history provides foundational knowledge for utilizing and developing native plant restoration materials. Evolutionary Applications. 11(10): 2025-2039.
Cooke, B,; Richardson, B.; Kilkenny, F.; St. Clair, B.; Finch, D.; Prendeville, H. 2019. Science You Can Use (SYCU) – Getting climate-smart with seeds: How a new software tool helps prepare landscapes for expected future conditions. Fort Collins, CO: Science You Can Use Bulletin, Issue 35. Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.