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VOL. 44, NO.1 • JANUARY 2016 FREMONTIA JOURNAL OF THE NATIVE SOCIETY

CAN WE CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE? CONSERVCONSERVATIONATION AT CALIFORNIA’S EDGE THE CONSORTIUM OF CALIFORNIA HERBARIA THE : A LEGACY CONTINUED

VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016 FREMONTIA

V44_1_cover.pmd 1 12/19/15, 10:52 AM CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY CNPS, 2707 K Street, Suite 1; Sacramento, CA 95816-5130 FREMONTIA Phone: (916) 447-CNPS (2677) Fax: (916) 447-2727 Web site: www.cnps.org Email: [email protected] VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016 MEMBERSHIP Copyright © 2016 Membership is open to all. Membership form is located on inside back cover; California Native Plant Society dues include subscriptions to Fremontia and the CNPS Bulletin Mariposa Lily ...... $1,500 Family or Group ...... $75 Bob Hass, Editor Benefactor ...... $600 International or Library ...... $75 Beth Hansen-Winter, Designer Patron ...... $300 Individual ...... $45 Plant Lover ...... $100 Student/Retired/Limited Income . $25 Brad Jenkins, Mary Ann Showers, and Carolyn Longstreth, Proofreaders CORPORATE/ORGANIZATIONAL 10+ Employees ...... $2,500 4-6 Employees ...... $500 7-10 Employees ...... $1,000 1-3 Employees ...... $150 california Native Plant Society STAFF Monterey Bay: Brian LeNeve Dan Gluesenkamp: Executive Director Mount Lassen: Catie Bishop Aaron Sims: Rare Plant Botanist Napa Valley: Gerald Tomboc Protecting California’s Native Flora Becky Reilly: Events Coordinator North Coast: Larry Levine Since 1965 Caroline Garland: Office & Sales Coord. North San Joaquin: Jim Brugger Disclaimer: Daniel Hastings: Vegetation Field Asst. Orange County: Thea Gavin The views expressed by authors pub- Danny Slakey: Rare Plant Treasure Hunt Redbud: Denise Della Santina Riverside/San Bernardino: Katie Barrows lished in this journal do not necessarily Proj. Coord. Sacramento Valley: Glen Holstein reflect established policy or procedure of Greg Suba: Conservation Program Dir. CNPS. San Diego: David Varner Jaime Ratchford: Associate Vegetation San Diego: Marty Foltyn Ecologist San Gabriel Mtns.: Orchid Black Jennifer Buck-Diaz: Vegetation Ecologist San Luis Obispo: David Chipping Julie Evens: Vegetation Program Dir. Sanhedrin: Allison Rofe Laureen Jenson: Acctg. & HR Coord. Santa Clara Valley: Judy Fenerty North Coast Shasta Kendra Sikes: Vegetation Ecologist Statewide Chapters Santa Cruz County: Deanna Giuliano Mona Robison: Rare Plant Program Mgr. Sequoia: Vacant Sara Taylor: Vegetation Field Lead Shasta: Ken Kilborn Bryophyte Chapter Shanna Goebel: Administrative Assistant Sierra Foothills: Vacant Mt. Lassen Stacey Flowerdew: Membership & Dev. South Coast: David Berman Tahoe Coord. Tahoe: Brett Hall Sanhedrin Redbud Willis L. Jepson: Mary Frances Kelly-Poh Sacramento Dorothy Milo El Dorado King Young Napa CONTRACTORS & CHAPTER STAFF Yerba Buena: Ellen Edelson Baker Valley Willis Linn Bob Hass: Fremontia Editor Jepson Sierra Foothills BOARD OF DIRECTORS Marin East Mack Casterman: E. Bay Conserv. Analyst Bay North San Joaquin Mark Naftzger: Webmaster Steven Hartman: President Yerba Buena Santa Clara Vern Goehring: Legislative Analyst OPEN: Vice President Valley Nancy Morin: Treasurer Santa Cruz County Sequoia Bristlecone Carolyn Longstreth: Secretary Monterey CHAPTER COUNCIL—CHAPTERS & Bay Alta Peak DELEGATES Gordon Leppig: Director Gabi McLean: Director Alta Peak: Joan Stewart Jean Robertson: Director San Luis Obispo Kern Baja: César García Valderrama Christian Sarabia: Director Mojave Bristlecone: Stephen Ingram Michael Vasey: Director Channel Islands: David Magney Channel Islands San Gabriel Steve Windhager: Director Mtns. Dorothy King Young: Nancy Morin Carol Witham: Director Riverside – San Bernardino East Bay: Lesley Hunt Marty Foltyn: CC Representative Los Angeles – Orange Santa Monica Mtns. County El Dorado: Susan Britting Bill Waycott: CC Representative Kern County: Dorie Giragosian San Diego South Coast LA/Santa Monica Mtns.: Betsey Landis CHAPTER COUNCIL OFFICERS Marin: David Long Orchid Black: CC Chair Milo Baker: Liz Parsons Larry Levine: CC Vice Chair Baja Mojave Desert: Timothy Thomas OPEN: CC Secretary California MATERIALS FOR PUBLICATION CNPS members and others are welcome to contribute materials for publication in Fremontia. See the inside back cover for submission instructions. Staff and board listings are as of January 2016. Printed by Modern Litho: www.modernlitho.com

FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_cover.pmd 2 12/19/15, 10:52 AM CONTENTS

SAVE THE , SAVE THE PLANET, SAVE OURSELVES: CAN WE CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE? by Emily Brin Roberson ...... 2 At the CNPS 2015 Conservation Conference, three keynote speakers explained that conservation of plant diversity—and of the biosphere in general—cannot be achieved without also addressing social and economic inequality.

CONSERVATION AT CALIFORNIA’S EDGE by Evan Meyer, Jorge Simancas, and Nick Jensen ...... 8 Northwest , , contains some of the most intact stands of coastal vegetation in the southern California Floristic Province but is facing serious threats to its wild landscapes.

A POWERFUL RESOURCE FOR PLANT CONSERVATION EFFORTS: THE CONSORTIUM OF CALIFORNIA HERBARIA REACHES TWO MILLION SPECIMENS by Staci Markos, Richard L. Moe, and David Baxter ...... 16 The Consortium of California Herbaria (CCH) has helped bring herbaria into the 21st century and join the global effort to share data that was formerly stored only in collections. CNPS members play an important role in the CCH, and by doing so contribute to conservation and education efforts focused on the California flora.

REVISTING JOHN SAWYER AND DALE THORNBURGH’S 1969 VEGETATION PLOTS IN THE RUSSIAN WILDERNESS: A LEGACY CONTINUED by Melissa H. DeSiervo, Erik S. Jules, Michael E. Kauffmann, Drew S. Bost, and Ramona J. Butz ...... 20 In 1969 Humboldt State University (HSU) professors John Sawyer and Dale Thornburgh conducted over 200 vegetation surveys cataloging the plant diversity of the in an area known as the “Miracle Mile.” Forty-five years later a group of graduate students and colleagues at HSU resampled the plots to examine how this biodiversity hotspot may be changing due to a warming climate and fire suppression.

HONORABLE MENTIONS FROM THE BOTANICAL ART AND PHOTO- GRAPHY CONTESTS: CNPS 2015 CONSERVATION CONFERENCE ...... 26

THE COVER: Researchers from Humboldt State University camp out next to Little Duck Lake in the Russian Wilderness to resurvey vegetation plots first established by John Sawyer and Dale Thornburgh in 1969. The lake is located within the “Miracle Mile” that contains the highest diversity of conifers recorded in the world (18 species). Photograph by James Adam Taylor, 2014.

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V44_1_book.pmd 1 12/17/15, 12:22 PM Water purification, Arcata Marsh. Arcata uses restored and constructed native wetland communities to help filter contaminants and treat the city’s wastewater before discharge into Humboldt Bay. The marsh, which is on the Pacific Flyway, has hosted over 300 bird species. Photograph by Leslie Scopes-Anderson of the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. SAVE THE PLANTS, SAVE THE PLANET, SAVE OURSELVES: CAN WE CREATE A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE? by Emily Brin Roberson

t the 2015 CNPS Conserva- seem outside the scope of native and our planet. Runaway overcon- tion Conference in San plant supporters and researchers: sumption, population growth, cli- Jose, three of the Progress 1) the fact that human population mate change, toxification of air, soil and Promise presenta- growth and overconsumption are and water, and loss of biological di- tionsA were notable for the unusual rapidly destroying the environment, versity were all cited as leading to a themes they shared. They and 2) the need to fundamentally seemingly inevitable demise of the called upon CNPS to ac- restructure our societies and econo- human race and many other spe- knowledge and act upon mies if we are to avoid adding our- cies. All three speakers asserted that problems that might selves to the list of species whose only profound changes to our imperilment or extinction we have economy and society can avert the Illustration from op-ed by caused. coming disaster. Douglas Tallamy from the Acclaimed science fiction writer I interviewed these speakers to New York Times, March 11, Kim Stanley Robinson, distinguished explore their ideas and seek guid- 2015, symbolizing the central author and ecologist Paul Ehrlich, ance about how native plant enthu- role of plants to the web of life. Permission to reprint courtesy of and celebrated botanist Peter Raven siasts can fight the trends that are Courtney Wotherspoon, spoonstudio.com/ all presented grim and sobering endangering our planet, our flora, index.html. analyses of the state of our species and ourselves.

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V44_1_book.pmd 2 12/17/15, 12:22 PM OVERPOPULATION and nearly every other species CONSUMPTION, GROWTH, to eat sunlight, by creating the AND INEQUALITY All three speakers stressed that nourishment that drives food there are simply not enough re- webs on this planet. As if that The speakers all stressed that sources to support continued popu- weren’t enough, plants also pro- population stabilization alone can- lation growth. Paul Ehrlich wrote duce oxygen, build topsoil and not stop the demise of the biosphere. the landmark The Population Bomb hold it in place, prevent floods, The ways we use and distribute re- in 1968, calling attention to the sequester carbon dioxide, buffer sources also must change. All spoke population explosion and its threats extreme weather, and clean our vehemently about the necessity to to human survival. In 1968, accord- water (Tallamy 2015). curb overconsumption and explod- ing to the US Census, the global ing economic inequality. population was about 3.5 billion. By These are only some of the eco- Our current economy depends the year 2000 it had grown to about system services that Ehrlich and oth- on consumption, often of more than 6 billion. Today the earth supports ers have called our “life support sys- we need or of things we do not need 7 billion people, every one of whom tem.” Native plant communities also at all. We celebrate wealth as a vir- uses space, water, food, fiber, and buffer our climate and sustain our tue. People proclaim their “success” air, and produces waste. food and water supplies through through excess. The few who can Increasing greenhouse emissions pollination, pest control, water pu- will buy the biggest cars, smallest and climate change are among the rification, groundwater recharge, computers, and newest gadgets, many destructive consequences of and nutrient cycling, among other while their discards overflow the population growth. Globally, 2014 processes. According to Botanic Gar- landfills. This occurs with little was the warmest year on record; 14 dens Conservation International, thought given to reasons or conse- of the last 15 years were the warm- worldwide over half a billion people quences. As Raven put it, many think est in history. Certainly no one liv- who live in poverty depend directly that if they buy the products adver- ing in California can fail to notice on wild plant resources. tised on Thursday night football, all the changes in our weather and con- As we lose biological diversity is well in their lives. sequent impacts to plants and wild- we destabilize these services and the Similarly, the success and stabil- life. Raven noted that some predic- communities that depend upon ity of nations and industries is mea- tions have the world warming to a them. Raven and Ehrlich both refer- sured by “growth,” each unit of “virtually uninhabitable” level by the enced the “Biodiversity-Stability which, by definition, reflects in- end of this century. Paradigm.” Studies at Stanford’s Jas- creased consumption of resources per Ridge, the University of Minne- and increased generation of waste. LOSS OF BIOLOGICAL sota, and elsewhere (e.g., Tilman and Each speaker reiterated that the cur- DIVERSITY AND Downing 1994, Schulze and Mooney rent rate of consumption and waste ECOSYSTEM SERVICES 1994) demonstrate that diverse na- production already exceeds the car- tive ecosystems are more resilient rying capacity of this planet. Loss of biological diversity and under stress than homogeneous Ehrlich and Robinson both ecosystem services also follow over- ones. In diverse ecosystems, many referenced the Global Footprint population. As the number of hu- species are capable of performing Network (GFN) (footprintnetwork. mans increases, we expand into more similar functions. As the environ- org/en/index.php/GFN/), which land in search of resources and space. ment fluctuates— during an historic compares available resources with We displace other species, take over drought, to pick a random example humans’ consumption of them. their habitats, and inexorably reduce —different locally adapted species Raven pointed out that the Global genetic and species diversity. This are able to step in and maintain eco- Footprint Index calculates that we weakens the ability of the biosphere, system function. Healthy diverse are currently 50% over-capacity, or particularly native plants, to deliver native ecosystems are more likely as the GFN website explains, “It now the ecosystem services humans re- than damaged or fragmented ones takes the Earth one year and six quire for survival. to be climate-resilient, to reliably months to regenerate what we use A March 11, 2015 New York deliver ecosystem services when en- in a year.” Times op-ed by ecologist Douglas vironmental conditions change. As This orgy of consumption is not Tallamy described plants as follows: we lose diversity, we not only lose producing health or security for part of our life support system, we most people. Raven noted that at Plants are as close to biological weaken what remains, compromis- least 100 million people are so mal- miracles as a scientist could dare ing the stability of such necessities nourished as to be on the verge of admit. After all, they allow us as food and water supplies. starvation, while at least 800 mil-

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V44_1_book.pmd 3 12/17/15, 12:22 PM lion are suffering physically and lion, mostly in Asia and Africa— tain the life-supporting services they mentally from lack of food. That is live on less than $2 per day. And supply. They emphasized that con- because our resource use is not inequality is accelerating. Accord- servation of biodiversity is also merely excessive, it is fundamen- ing to Oxfam (oxfam.org)—a con- needed to allow us to repair the dam- tally unequal. Different nations, federation of 17 organizations work- age we have done to the biosphere. classes, races, and genders control ing around the world to find solu- Our remaining biological diver- and consume vastly different tions to poverty and injustice—the sity contains the tools to rebuild or amounts of resources and produce share owned by the wealthiest one restore damaged ecosystems. widely varying levels of waste. percent has increased by fully 10% Native plant communities and The problem is that we do not since 2009. ecosystems are invaluable, irreplace- share resources—we compete for able reservoirs of ecosystem services, them. Raven described human so- genetic diversity, and information. ciety as in “a hunter gatherer mode THE WAY FORWARD: Native plants and animals have where those who are stronger [sim- CONSERVING BIOLOGICAL evolved to exploit local soils, geol- ply] get more, and that is not ques- DIVERSITY ogy, and microclimates. Site-specific tioned [by society or its leaders].” adaptations have allowed them to As a result, the richest one percent The speakers agreed that conser- withstand fluctuating conditions of the population today control vation of our remaining biological over many thousands of years. If we nearly half the world’s wealth. diversity is necessary for a sustain- ever achieve a society where resto- Meanwhile, as Raven noted, half able future. We need to conserve ration of ecosystems and their ser- the people in the world—three bil- and restore native ecosystems to sus- vices becomes a priority, we must

Mature coast redwood forest, Humboldt County. Native plants are specifically adapted to local conditions such as fire regime, soils, and microclimate. They are more likely to survive stresses such as climate change and help ecosystems reliably deliver critical services such as pest, flood and landslide control, carbon sequestration, and pollinator habitat. Photograph by Gordon Leppig.

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V44_1_book.pmd 4 12/17/15, 12:22 PM have sources of the locally adapted GENDER EQUITY species and ecotypes that are the building blocks of those communi- All three speakers stressed that ties. Robinson noted: progress cannot be achieved with- out improvement—not only in eco- Imagine the world 1,000 years nomic equity—but in gender equity from now. Will humans be as well. Robinson noted: gone?….What will they use to do landscape restoration and What we have seen in the last steward a healthy biosphere? half-century is that in countries Many things, but those native Native plants provide essential habitat for where women have experienced native pollinators. Native bees, birds, and plant communities that haven’t other species pollinate billions of dollars a sudden success in increasing gone extinct will be a big part of of food crops in the US each year. Photo- their legal rights and in access their efforts. graph by Rich Hatfield, the Xerces Society. to education, work, and prop- erty, the population growth … Ehrlich cited conservation pio- not worry about which species they has dropped just as suddenly. neer Aldo Leopold, who famously may endanger by gathering wild The more a country has social advised land and ecosystem manag- food, or about the environmental justice and women’s rights, the ers that “to save all the pieces” “is impacts of the mass-produced food lower the population growth the first precaution of intelligent that is all they can afford. People rate is. In other words, our rela- tinkering.” Clearly, what has been frightened about how to feed their tions with each other are a cru- happening on this planet is neither children naturally stockpile as many cial component of our relation- intelligent nor mere tinkering, but resources as possible—land, fuel, ship to the biosphere. that only increases the importance water—to minimize risk and maxi- of saving as many “pieces” as pos- mize security. Survival today is more Ehrlich and Raven deplored the sible. For this reason, the speakers important than sustainability for the loss of intellectual capital—the said that conservation of native spe- future. “sheer mass of lost ideas” that has cies and communities at all scales is Conversely, as long as people resulted from the exclusion of needed, from the garden to the wa- perceive accumulation and con- women from political and economic tershed. All agreed that one source sumption as indicators of achieve- power. They suggested that we think of hope is in the many efforts under- ment and security, they will con- of this as we do the loss of species way around the world to conserve tinue to accumulate and consume diversity. Few species persist for long and restore native species and eco- as much as possible whether it is on this planet without taking ad- systems, including, notably, those sustainable or not, and whether they vantage of a range of traits exhibited of CNPS. need to or not. by individual members in order to Thus, under the current system, survive variable and challenging there are few incentives for either times. Similarly, our species cannot EQUITY VS. COMPETITION: the rich or poor to consider the im- long expect to survive our current THE “POST-CAPITALIST” pacts of their actions on the bio- ecological crisis if women, who make ECONOMY sphere or the planet. In fact, studies up at least half of our population, have shown that economic inequal- are not fully part of the decision- However, the speakers also em- ity is correlated with imperilment making process. phasized that we will never effec- of biological diversity at global and tively conserve or restore the bio- regional scales (Mikkelson et al. EDUCATION AND sphere without basic change in our 2007) So the first step is to change COALITION BUILDING societies and economies. Society’s the system, to attack both despera- central organizing concept must tion and excess. We need a society All three speakers called on us be changed from competition, con- based on security and sustainability to speak out to educate the public sumption, and economic growth rather than competition and fear. and decision makers. They observe to one of equity, stability, and sus- For this reason, all speakers stated a frightening and widespread lack tainability. forcefully that capitalism in its cur- of awareness of the degradation of Relentless competition for land rent form cannot be the economic our environment and its implica- and resources has produced wide- system in a sustainable future. We tions for our future. Ehrlich not so spread desperation along with in- need to develop what Robinson jokingly described his decades of equality. People who are starving do called a “post-capitalist” economy. efforts to call attention to the dan-

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V44_1_book.pmd 5 12/17/15, 12:22 PM gers of overpopulation: “I think of avoid seeing and acting on the em- spectives “to build a secure and sus- myself as a total failure.” Raven pirical evidence of things like cli- tainable world for all humanity.” summed up perceptions of resource mate change and overpopulation. He MAHB focuses on battling the “hu- supply: “Ask [the] average person asserted that we need to agitate for man behavior and collective actions on the street, [and] they will say “an evidence-based world.” He urged [that are] leading to global collapse.” there is plenty of everything...” us to write letters to politicians, pub- Robinson also stressed the need What can be done to create lications, and anyone who will lis- for broad coalitions and tolerance greater awareness? Raven, a mem- ten to take action, particularly on among allies. He cautioned against ber of the Pontifical Academy of Sci- overpopulation and the perils of un- the debilitating results of falling into ences, which advises the Pope, con- controlled economic growth. [Sigmund Freud’s] “narcissism of tended that “What is needed is a All three stressed that a broad small differences,” in which you fight moral revolution [to promote eco- and varied coalition will be neces- people on your own side who don’t nomic and social equity]. Religious sary for change. In 2000 Ehrlich quite see things as you do, rather groups could play a big role.” Since helped found the Millennium Alli- than fighting the outright enemies his historic and groundbreaking en- ance for Humanity and the Bio- of your cause. cyclical this past June, Pope Francis sphere (MAHB) (mahb.stanford.edu/ Raven said he finds hope in the has called for precisely the kinds of welcome/). MAHB is multidisci- ideas and courage of individuals. He changes in our relationships with plinary and includes conservation, recommends identifying successful each other and the environment that civil rights, and scholarly groups, as and charismatic individuals and the speakers described. well as businesses and individuals. projects to copy or collaborate with. On the other hand, Ehrlich sug- It seeks to build a global community He also suggested working with re- gested that faith is often used to that draws on a wide variety of per- ligious leaders and building inter-

GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION n 2002, the sixth meeting of the Conference of the ing Emily Roberson, I Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity participated in the at The Hague adopted a Global Strategy for Plant development and Conservation (GSPC). CNPS representatives, includ- adoption of the GSPC. The Strategy recognizes that “without plants, there is no life.” It therefore seeks to “halt the continuing loss of global plant diversity.” The GSPC includes five objectives covering plant science, conservation, management, and education. It identifies 16 quantitative global targets to help each nation work towards those objectives. Targets include an online flora, in situ conservation of most threatened plants, protection of important areas for plant diversity, conservation of wild-harvested spe- cies, and increased capacity for botanical training. The is the only nation on the planet The late Wangari Maathai (above right), a Nobel Peace Prize that is not a Party to the Global Convention on winner, founded Kenya’s Greenbelt Movement to plant native Biological Diversity. Therefore, the US does not for- trees to empower women, control erosion, provide food and mally participate in the implementation of the GSPC. fuel, and mediate climate change. She said: “If you destroy the forest then the river will stop flowing, the rains will become More information is available online at the Global irregular, the crops will fail, and you will die of hunger and Strategy for Plant Conservation website: cbd.int/gspc/ starvation.” Photographs courtesy of the Greenbelt Movement. default.shtml.

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V44_1_book.pmd 6 12/17/15, 12:22 PM Coal produces more greenhouse emissions than any other fuel. It is also a leading source of toxic water pollution. Nonetheless, global coal use increased more quickly than any other fossil fuel in 2013. Coal still makes up 39% of US electric generation. Shown here is coal being mined in South Africa. Photograph courtesy of the United Nations.

national partnerships. For example, in conservation circles is what these cial and economic justice into our the United Nations declared 2015 speakers pointed out: we have little goals, partnerships, education, and the “International Year of Soils” chance to save our flora or our bio- political action. (fao.org/soils-2015/en/) and sphere unless we create equitable launched a public relations cam- societies and economies. Humans REFERENCES paign to build awareness about soils have exploited each other even as and ecosystem services. The Global we exploit our environment. We Leopold, LP., ed. 1953. Round River: Strategy for Plant Conservation (see treat each other with the same From the Journals of Aldo Leopold. sidebar on page 6) created a frame- greedy, entitled, thoughtless, and Oxford University Press, New York. work within the Convention on Bio- destructive disregard as we treat the Mikkelson, G.M., A. Gonzalez, and G.D. Peterson. 2007. Economic in- logical Diversity for nations to con- rest of the biosphere, and with simi- equality predicts biodiversity loss. serve botanical resources. lar destructive and perilous conse- PLoS ONE 2(5): e444. quences. Tallamy, D.W. 2105. The chickadee’s START TODAY As long as we are forced to com- guide to gardening - in your garden, pete with one another for resources, choose plants that help the environ- This planet is in crisis. The cli- as long as millions are desperate, as ment. New York Times op-ed. March mate is changing. We are losing spe- long as accumulation is equated with 11, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/ cies, ecosystems, and their services security and success, we have no 2015/03/11/opinion/in-your-garden- at an alarming rate. Plant scientists hope of slowing, let alone reversing, choose-plants-that-help-the- and conservation advocates have the ravages to plant communities environment.html. Tilman, D., and J.A. Downing. 1994. crucial roles to play in any solution. and our planet. Biodiversity and stability in grass- We have no future without aggres- These speakers tell us that we lands. Nature V(367): 363. sive conservation of biodiversity in cannot successfully conserve plants, Schulze, E-D, and H.A. Mooney, eds. general, and plant diversity in par- or the life support systems they an- 1994. Biodiversity and Ecosystem ticular. We cannot hope for a stable chor, without creating societies and Function. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, or sustainable future unless we pro- economies based on equity rather Germany. tect and restore the biosphere and than competition, sustainability the ecosystem services—the “life rather than exploitation. Native plant Emily B. Roberson, Native Plant Conser- support system”—it provides. advocates, and the broader conser- vation Campaign, PMB 151, 1459 18th Fremontia readers know this. vation community, must recognize Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, emilyr@ What has been less recognized that basic link and incorporate so- plantsocieties.org

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V44_1_book.pmd 7 12/17/15, 12:22 PM CONSERVATION AT CALIFORNIA’S EDGE by Evan Meyer, Jorge Simancas, and Nick Jensen

orthwest Baja California conflict plays out every day. Legal of the longest in the world. The is a land of contrasts. It’s protection of parcels of pristine land northwestern portion of the penin- a landscape of ocean and and increasing local awareness of sula, from the US border to just north desert, sky and scrub, the region’s unique biodiversity con- of the town of El Rosario is consid- Narroyo and ridge. In many ways it trasts with large-scale habitat loss ered to be part of the California contrasts with its northern neigh- and degradation. In this article, we Floristic Province (CFP). The CFP, bor, but it also shares a lot with describe some of the threats to the or the portion of California, south- California, USA, including the region’s irreplaceable biodiversity, ern Oregon, and northwest Baja unique North American Mediterra- highlighting land conservation California under the influence of a nean climate. Conservation goals efforts along the coastal regions of Mediterranean Climate, has been and challenges are shared by the northwest Baja California. identified as one of 35 worldwide two states as well. One of these is biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al. shared by much of the world: how NORTHWEST BAJA: 2000.) Like other biodiversity hot- to conserve biodiversity in the face A BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT spots, the CFP showcases a high of increasing human population level of endemism combined with growth, agricultural development, Stretching for more than 1,200 imminent threats to biodiversity and globalization, climate change, and kilometers between the Pacific is a globally recognized target area the demand for natural resources. Ocean and the Gulf of California, for conservation. In northwest Baja California, this the Baja California peninsula is one A suite of widespread and domi-

Stunning coastal vistas and untouched wild landscapes can still be found in northwest Baja California. All photographs by Evan Meyer unless otherwise noted.

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V44_1_book.pmd 8 12/17/15, 12:22 PM Reserva Valle Tranquilo occurs at the southern limit of the California Floristic Province. Its rocky ridges and sandy arroyos host a diverse flora.

nant Baja California species reach tion rises, MSS gives way to chapar- nation of climate, soil, and histori- their northern limit at or near the ral, then high-elevation conifer for- cal and current ecological interac- border, while many species more ests in the Sierra Juarez and Sierra tions has led to the evolution of characteristic of southern Califor- San Pedro Martír. Vernal pools and numerous globally rare species with nia reach their southern limit in other rare plant communities occur limited distributions. Plants such northern Baja. To the south, the end throughout the region. These com- as Wiggins’ evening primrose (Oeno- of the CFP and northern reaches of munities are typical of the southern thera wigginsii), restricted to coastal the great Vizcaino desert are demar- CFP, but also contain many species sand dunes south of San Quintín, cated by the presence of the other- unique to Baja. In many cases, they and Anthony’s liveforever (Dudleya worldly boojum tree (Fouquiera have been subject to less develop- anthonyi), known from the volcanic columnaris) and cardon ( ment pressure and disturbance than cinder cones of San Quintín Bay, are pringlei) forests. their US counterparts. examples of plants whose narrow A high diversity of habitat types In the CFP as a whole, nearly ranges make them especially vul- occurs in the CFP portion of Baja. 61% of the more than 3,500 plant nerable to extinction. The challenge Perhaps the most common in the species are considered endemic— of conserving rare plants in the face coastal belt is Maritime Succulent occurring nowhere else on Earth. of increasing threats from burgeon- Scrub (MSS). Moving east, as eleva- In northern Baja, a unique combi- ing human populations is a conflict

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V44_1_book.pmd 9 12/17/15, 12:22 PM that is all too familiar to the readers where availability of cheap ocean- opment, the clearing of scrub for of Fremontia. front property led to the construc- agriculture, grazing, or simply to tion of many new vacation homes, denote land ownership, is an increas- THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY condos, and hotels. During the eco- ing problem in northwest Baja Cali- nomic downturn of the late 2000s, fornia. A prime example of this loss An imminent and continuing many of these projects were aban- of habitat can be seen at the Colonet threat to the biodiversity in north- doned. Today, the coast between Mesa, an area that has been recog- west Baja is loss of habitat. Close to Tijuana and Ensenada is littered with nized for its plant diversity (Harper the border, accelerated loss of coastal half-finished buildings and disturbed et al. 2011). This threat has led habitat can be attributed to the Baja coastal habitat. to the initiation of the “Piensalo 2 real estate boom of the early 2000s In addition to residential devel- Veces: La Importancia de No Des- montar” campaign (“Think twice, the importance of not clearing”) by the newly-formed Baja California CNPS Chapter. This campaign seeks to increase local awareness of the value of intact vegetation. In the San Quintín area, the ma- jor loss of habitat can be attributed to large scale agriculture and poorly planned urbanization. Farming has increased dramatically in the last 50 years, with tremendous impact not only on the landscape, but also to water resources. Overexploitation via surface water diversion and groundwater pumping has caused the intrusion of saltwater and pol- lution, leading to decreased water quality. Saline intrusion has been implicated in a loss of plant species diversity, especially in vernal pools (Vanderplank et al. 2013). The im- pact on the biota of surface water diverted from the Sierran foothills has not been well studied. A com- mon sight throughout this area is working farm land as well as fallow fields—the tell-tale sign of tempo- rary agricultural conversion for short-term gain. Once plowed, di- verse native MSS does not recover quickly. It is usually replaced by a monoculture of the invasive African ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crys- tallinum).

STATE OF LAND PROTECTION San Quintín Bay is the southern- most large bay in the CFP, and un- Baja California is a biodiversity hotspot. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Shaw’s agave (Agave shawii ssp. goldmaniana), Eriodictyon sessilifolium, Hazardia berberidis, totem pole like the other large bays to its north (). Certain species do not have English common names. Agave and (Ensenada, San Diego, Long Beach, Hazardia photographs by James Riley; other photographs by Evan Meyer. Ventura, etc.) has seen relatively

10 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 10 12/17/15, 12:23 PM WHAT IS MARITIME SUCCULENT SCRUB? aritime Succulent Scrub (MSS) is a unique habitat type M that is only found in the lowest portion of the California Floristic Province. Beginning in isolated patches just north of the US-Mexican border, MSS is the dominant plant commu- nity on the west coast of Baja California between Ensenada and El Rosario. This community is a hotspot for endemism and diversity. In addition to the many endemic species, plants from the adjacent Sonoran Desert and Coastal Sage Scrub communi- ties converge here, forming a unique assemblage. MSS gets its name from the many succulent species that grow within it. Some iconic species include Shaw’s agave (Agave shawii), golden cereus (Bergerocactus emoryi), livefor- evers (Dudleya spp.), and cliff spurge (Euphorbia misera). For more information on the plant diversity of MSS see Riley et al. 2015. Con- servation and manage- ment of this habitat is incredibly important to sustain the complex web of biodiversity that is unique to MSS. We urge Fremontia readers to join ongoing efforts to conserve this amaz- ing region.

The succulent plants that give Maritime Succulent Scrub its name include (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) liveforevers (Dudleya spp.), golden cereus (Bergero- cactus emoryi), dagger cactus (Stenocereus gumosus), and fishhook cactus (Mamillaria dioca).

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V44_1_book.pmd 11 12/17/15, 12:23 PM limited development. The bay is an zations (NGOs), Punta Mazo was incredibly important ecological area purchased and made into a nature for the entire Pacific Coast, support- reserve. This healthy, intact dune ing large stands of eelgrass that pro- system is a refuge for rare coastal vide habitat for a diverse array of plants that once occurred more vertebrate and invertebrate species. abundantly in California such as The bay supports up to 55% of the beach spectacle pod (Dithyrea mar- Pacific flyway population of black itima) and coast wooly heads (Nema- brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) dur- caulis denudata var. denudata). ing the nonbreeding season (Mallek To see these plants thriving in 2010) and is an important site for their native habitat is truly remark- thousands of shorebirds and other able, but it is also a reminder of the migratory and resident birds. widespread loss of this unique One of the great conservation coastal habitat that has occurred success stories in northwest Baja north of the border. Terra Peninsu- California was the acquisition and lar, a binational NGO focused on protection of a portion of the tidal land conservation in northwest Baja estuary and sand dunes at San California, was instrumental in the Quintín Bay. Punta Mazo, a large acquisition of Punta Mazo and is and pristine dune system that forms now in negotiations to secure adja- the western edge of the bay was at cent parcels to preserve more of this one time eyed by developers as prime irreplaceable coastal habitat. real estate for a large hotel and rec- To the south of San Quintín lies reation complex. In 2012, through another nature reserve known as the hard work of American and Reserva Natural Valle Tranquilo. Mexican nongovernmental organi- Managed by Terra Peninsular, it is

The clearing of land for agriculture is a major threat to Baja’s coastal dunes. In many areas the land is left fallow and soon becomes a monoculture of the highly invasive, non-native African iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum).

12 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 12 12/17/15, 12:23 PM The sand dunes at Punta Mazo (TOP) support a healthy dune flora, which includes robust populations of several species which are rare north of the border such as Beach spectacle pod (Dithyrea maritima) (LEFT) and coastal wooly heads (Nemacaulis denudata) (RIGHT).

comprised of nearly 16,000 hect- English common names) are found Baja occur in the high mountains. ares. The reserve contains ridges throughout the area. The reserve Two federal parks—the Sierra San covered in thick MSS, rocky arroyos occurs at the very southern edge of Pedro Martír National Park and the with a more desert-like appearance the CFP, and is the transition be- smaller Constitution 1857 National and shaded canyons filled with dis- tween the succulent scrub and the Park—preserve important mountain- junct populations of mission man- desert. Amidst the Californian veg- ous habitat but do not offer any pro- zanita (Xylococcus bicolor) at the etation one sometimes finds plant tection to coastal landscapes. With southern limit of its distribution. outliers from the adjacent Vizcaino such natural diversity and endemism Robust, healthy populations of desert, such as the boojum and contrasted by the region’s increasing northwest Baja California endemics cardon. development, urbanization, and ag- such as Hazardia rosarica, Amsinckia Aside from these two privately riculture, there is a critical need to inepta, Mammillaria brandegeei, and managed reserves, the only other create additional nature reserves in Eriogonum fastigiatum (none have large protected areas in northwest coastal northwest Baja.

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V44_1_book.pmd 13 12/17/15, 12:23 PM POSITIVE DIRECTIONS The momentum to conserve the unique CFP habitats of Baja is strong and growing. The incorporation of the Baja California CNPS Chapter in May of 2013 and the forthcoming opening of the first botanical garden of the San Quintín Valley in 2016 provide evidence of the local inter- est in habitat conservation and the desire for binational partnerships. Conservationists from both sides of the border realize that there is still time to protect habitat in coastal CFP Baja, but it must happen soon. With a growing human presence on the landscape, acquisition of key habi- tat, wildlife corridors, and diverse areas is essential to prevent a major loss of biodiversity. This effort needs the support of all. We urge Fremontia readers to support land conserva- ABOVE: Acmispon distichus is a showy mound-forming species endemic to sandy tion efforts in the area, to get in- coastal areas in western Baja California. • volved with the CNPS Baja Chapter LEFT: Munz’s sage (Salvia munzii) grows and with the Jardín Botanico San throughout the coastal region of northwest Quintín, and to conduct biodiversity Baja. In the US it is limited to a few research in northwest Baja. Those populations in San Diego County. • RIGHT: The rare Tecate cypress (Hesperocyparis forbesii, CRPR 1B.1) is endemic to the BELOW: The cinder cones of San Quintín Peninsular Ranges of Southern California Bay are home to Anthony’s liveforever and northwestern Baja California. This (Dudleya anthonyi) (inset), a narrowly photo comes from a large stand near the endemic species of northwestern Baja. town of San Vicente. Photograph by James Riley.

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V44_1_book.pmd 14 12/17/15, 12:23 PM Looking south at Punta Mazo, a sand spit which forms the western edge of the San Quintín Bay. In 2012 Punta Mazo was made into a protected natural reserve.

interested in supporting these efforts REFERENCES should contact the Baja chapter of Harper, A.B., et al. 2011. Plants of the CNPS ([email protected]), Jardín Colonet Region, Baja California, Botanico San Quintín(jardinbotanico Mexico, and a vegetation map of [email protected]), and/or Terra Penin- Colonet Mesa. Aliso: A Journal of sular (cesarguerrero@terrapeninsu- Systematic and Evolutionary Botany lar.org). 29:1. These natural areas are at a cross- Mallek, E., J. Wotham, and B. Eldridge. roads. While significant habitat has 2010. Winter waterfowl survey: already been lost, there are still real Mexico West Coast and Baja Califor- opportunities to preserve untouched nia. US Fish and Wildlife Service. Available from: http://alaska.fws.gov/ land. On a recent trip down the Baja mbsp/mbm/waterfowl/surveys/pdf/ coast south of Ensenada we found mexico_brant.pdf. The next generation learns about propa- gation of Baja California native plants at a many beautiful, intact stands of MSS Myers, N., et al. 2000. Biodiversity covering marine terraces high above ranch in the Guadalupe Valley. This event, hotspots for conservation priorities. organized by the Mexican federal agency the azure waters of the Pacific. But Nature 403: 853–858. Conafor, promoted knowledge of native increasing residential and agricultural Riley, J. 2015. Plant Guide: Maritime plant production for restoration of dis- development is making these pris- Succulent Scrub Region, Northwest turbed landscapes. tine habitats smaller and much more Baja California, Mexico, ed. J. fragmented. The loss of habitat that Rebman and S. Vanderplank. Botani- cal Research Institute of Texas. Fort has occurred north of the border in Evan P. Meyer, 1500 N. College Avenue, Worth, TX. the coastal region is extensive. In Claremont, CA 91711, emeyer@rsabg. Vanderplank, S., et al. 2014. Conser- northwest Baja, the opportunity for a vation challenges in a threatened org; Jorge Eduardo Simancas Ortiz, more sustainable development exists, hotspot: agriculture and plant bio- Tamaulipas No. 373. Depto 1. 22890 Playa where cities and agriculture are bal- diversity losses in Baja California, Hermosa, Ensenada, Baja California, anced with intact, diverse habitat. Mexico. Biodiversity and Conserva- Mexico; Nick Jensen, 1500 N. College We can all help make this a reality. tion 23: 2173–2182. Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711

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V44_1_book.pmd 15 12/17/15, 12:23 PM Gaps in our floristic knowledge: The Cima Cinder Cones of eastern San Bernardino County is a vast region that has only recently received attention from botanists. There are many similarly unexplored regions in California where data gaps exist, especially in the deserts. Photograph by Jim André. A POWERFUL RESOURCE FOR PLANT CONSERVATION EFFORTS: THE CONSORTIUM OF CALIFORNIA HERBARIA REACHES TWO MILLION SPECIMENS by Staci Markos, Richard L. Moe, and David Baxter

lants are all around us. They mately 350,000 plant species world- edented rates of climate change, an provide food, medicine, shel- wide and 50,000 to 75,000 remain important component of conserv- ter, beauty, and ecosystem to be described (P. Raven, pers. ing biodiversity is the protection of Pfunctions. There are approxi- comm. 2014). In the face of unprec- wildlands. These areas will serve as 16 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 16 12/17/15, 12:23 PM refugia for species (and their genes), and it is from these areas that spe- MAKING A HERBARIUM SPECIMEN cies will migrate and adapt to new environments. To understand what he process of making a herbarium specimen begins in the field areas need the most protection in Twhere the collector records details including date, location, habi- California, we need to understand tat, features of the plant, and associated species. A documentation what species occur in the state, how field book is often used (pictured is the Plant Collecting and Documen- those species are related to each tation Field Notebook, 3rd Edition, by Michael G. Simpson). Once the other, and how they are distributed plant is collected, it is put in a plant across the landscape. press and dried. The identity of a Describing and cataloging plant plant can be determined in the field diversity is a daunting task, but bota- or laboratory/office using a resource nists have been formally doing this like the second edition of The Jepson work since the mid 18th century. It Manual (pictured) and, if necessary, continues today with initiatives like careful examination with a dissect- the Jepson eFlora that contains taxo- ing microscope. Once dried, the plant nomic treatments and identification and label are mounted on acid-free keys for over 8,000 native and natu- paper. Each herbarium loads data ralized plant taxa occurring in wild- from labels into a database that is lands or otherwise outside of culti- then shared with the Consortium of vation in California (ucjeps.berkeley. California Herbaria. Photograph by edu/IJM.html). This work relies on Staci Markos. botanical collections stored in her- baria. It is here that the foundations of our understanding reside. From able, tangible record of biodiversity tion from California these collections, we have a window at a particular time and place. specimens that are housed in 35 into our past and can understand participating herbaria (Figure 1; more deeply the present. And with WHY HERBARIA ARE ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consortium/). DNA sequencing, improved phylo- IMPORTANT Through a single interface, the genetic techniques, digitization of CCH serves over 2 million speci- herbarium collections, and power- In California, herbaria maintain men records, over 71% of which ful new modeling techniques, scien- plant collections dating from the are georeferenced (i.e., include lati- tists have been able to depict future mid-1800s to the present. Tradi- tude and longitude; Figure 2). With scenarios related to biodiversity and tionally, herbaria were used as a support from the California Digital how it might be distributed across resource for identifying plants, es- Library, the CCH began in 2003 the globe. tablishing their geographic range, with botanical collections from the and describing new species. Speci- University and Jepson Herbaria and WHAT IS A HERBARIUM? mens and their associated data are it quickly expanded into what the also powerful tools for researchers CCH is today, a truly collaborative Herbaria are collections of spec- seeking to answer a wide array of network of herbaria from through- imens from all plant groups– questions ranging from evolution out the state and beyond. angiosperms, gymnosperms, ferns, and local patterns of diversity to bryophytes, and algae. Fungi and global climate change. Specimen WHY THE CCH IS lichens are also included. Typically, data have also been used to address IMPORTANT the process of making a plant speci- questions related to invasive spe- men begins in the field by taking a cies, conservation, and natural re- Before the CCH existed, the only plant (or part of a plant) and press- source management. way for researchers to access plant ing it between two sheets of paper. specimens and their data was to per- Field notes accompany each collec- sonally visit a herbarium and go into tion and detail the location and other WHAT IS THE CONSOR- “the stacks,” where the pressed important site features. Once in the TIUM OF CALIFORNIA specimens are stored in herbarium plant press, specimens are dried, HERBARIA (CCH)? cabinets. A few herbaria had online mounted on acid-free paper, and databases but comparative research accessioned into the collection. Bo- The Consortium of California entailed accessing data in different tanical specimens are an irreplace- Herbaria is a gateway to informa- formats that could not be readily

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V44_1_book.pmd 17 12/17/15, 12:23 PM TABLE 1. A FULL LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONSORTIUM OF CALIFORNIA HERBARIA. ACRONYM COLLECTION FULL NAME BLMAR Bureau of Land Management Arcata Field Office Herbarium CATA Catalina Island Conservancy Herbarium CAS/DS California Academy of Sciences (incl. Dudley Herbarium) CDA California Department of Food and Agriculture Herbarium CHSC Chico State Herbarium, CSU Chico CLARK Riverside Metropolitan Museum Herbarium CSUSB CSU San Bernardino Herbarium DAV/AHUC UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity Herbarium GMDRC Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center HSC Vascular Plant Herbarium, Humboldt State University IRVC UC Irvine Herbarium JOTR Joshua Tree National Park Herbarium JROH Oakmead Herbarium, Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve LA UC Los Angeles Herbarium MACF Fay A. MacFadden Herbarium, CSU Fullerton OBI California Polytechnic State University Herbarium PASA Pasadena City College Herbarium (in Huntington Botanic Garden) PGM Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History RSA/POM Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden Herbarium (incl. Pomona College Herbarium) SACT CSU Sacramento Herbarium SBBG Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Herbarium SCFS Sagehen Creek Field Station Herbarium SD San Diego Natural History Museum Herbarium SDSU San Diego State University Herbarium SFV CSU Northridge Herbarium SJSU Carl W. Sharsmith Herbarium, San Jose State University UC/JEPS University and Jepson Herbaria, UC Berkeley UCR UC Riverside Herbarium UCSB Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) Herbarium, UC Santa Barbara UCSC UC Santa Cruz Herbarium VVC A. Louise Baartz Memorial Herbarium, Victor Valley College YM Yosemite National Park Herbarium

EXTRA-CALIFORNIA PARTICIPANTS HUH Harvard University Herbaria NY Steere Herbarium, New York Botanic Garden SEINET Southwest Environmental Information Network

Source: David Baxter, University and Jepson Herbaria, 2015.

combined. The CCH has revolu- records online in a way that permits regional emphasis, a broad geo- tionized the way these data can be a variety of comparisons. graphic representation of herbaria accessed by collating a tremendous There are several advantages to significantly strengthens the CCH’s amount of information contained having a statewide representation of power to display a taxon’s geo- on specimen labels from large and herbaria participating in the CCH. graphic range (via georeferenced lo- small herbaria and placing these First, since some herbaria have a calities). A good example is Salix

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V44_1_book.pmd 18 12/17/15, 12:23 PM FIGURE 1. LOCATIONS OF Additional research has used data FIGURE 3. GEOREFERENCED CALIFORNIA HERBARIA from the CCH to address questions RECORDS OF SALIX PARTICIPATING IN THE CCH. related to climate change, adapta- LAEVIGATA SPECIMENS tion, and evolution (Google Scholar SERVED THROUGH CCH. page, ucjeps.berkeley.edu/consor- tium/citations/). Importantly, the CCH provides a reliable source of information on the distribution of rare plants and these data help sup- port conservation efforts through- out the state. The California Natural Diversity Database uses the CCH to update occurrence information. The Rare Plant Program of CNPS uses data from the CCH to help deter- mine California Rare Plant Ranks and to prioritize taxa and locations for Rare Plant Treasure Hunts. In addition to aiding with conserva- A wide range of herbaria participate in the CCH. They include collections at colleges tion status reviews, information from and universities, government agencies, the CCH such as elevation ranges, Points are categorized into five groups private institutions, botanic gardens, and blooming periods, species associates, according to the latitude of the institu- natural reserves and field stations. habitat, and edaphic substrates is tion holding the specimen, in order to demonstrate regional emphasis. Source: David Baxter, University and utilized in the CNPS Rare Plant In- Jepson Herbaria, 2015. ventory, by consulting biologists, Source: David Baxter, University and and by individual botanists gather- Jepson Herbaria, 2015. laevigata (Figure 3). The CCH helps put the puzzle pieces together by ing information about rare and displaying a more complete repre- FIGURE 2. DENSITY MAP OF common taxa. The CCH is also the sentation of the taxon’s geographic GEOREFERENCED SPECIMENS largest contributor to the Calflora range than is represented by any SERVED BY THE CCH. Observation Database. single collection. Second, some Due to the efforts of many indi- areas in California remain under- viduals and institutions, including represented by collections and flo- administration and software devel- ristic exploration is still needed. opment by the University and Jepson Researchers working at remote Herbaria (UC Berkeley), the CCH herbaria can help fill gaps in our has helped bring herbaria into the floristic knowledge by adding to the 21st century and join the global collections and fleshing out patterns effort to share data that was for- of biodiversity in the state. Third, merly stored only in collections. herbaria provide undergraduate stu- Members of the California Native dents from all over California with Plant Society have an important role training opportunities and exposure in the CCH. By supporting herbaria, to natural history collections, hope- volunteering in the collections, add- fully leading them to a life-long ing new specimens, and comment- appreciation of nature and interest ing on records in the CCH interface, in protecting native plants. This map shows the varying collection everyone can contribute to our density in California. Darker shades of shared goals of understanding and orange indicate a higher number of conserving the California flora. USES OF DATA FROM specimens collected from a grid cell. Note THE CCH that only specimens with known latitude and longitude data (71% of records) are All authors are affiliated with the Univer- The CCH has been cited in over mapped. Some parts of the state remain to sity and Jepson Herbaria, 1001 VLSB 100 publications including floristic be documented. #2465, Berkeley, CA, 94720-2465; studies, phylogenetic investigations, Source: Global Biodiversity Information [email protected]; rlmoe@berkeley. and studies of invasive species. Facility,www.gbif.org, 2015. edu; [email protected]

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V44_1_book.pmd 19 12/17/15, 12:24 PM REVISTING JOHN SAWYER AND DALE THORNBURGH’S 1969 VEGETATION PLOTS IN THE RUSSIAN WILDERNESS: A LEGACY CONTINUED by Melissa H. DeSiervo, Erik S. Jules, Michael E. Kauffmann, Drew S. Bost, and Ramona J. Butz

hortly after joining the fac- HSU professor Dale Thornburgh, balfouriana), and into the Little Duck ulty of Humboldt State Uni- began a journey that would change Lake Basin. At the southern end of versity (HSU) in 1966, John our understanding of conifer dis- the lake, Dale identified the first sub- Sawyer received a letter from tributions, plant associations, and alpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) in Cali- Sone of America’s leading evolution- wilderness in California. fornia, although it took him half-an- ary biologists and California floris- After a successful trip to Blake’s hour to convince John! Around the tic experts, G. Ledyard Stebbins. Fork and the surrounding Salmon campfire, maps came out and spe- Stebbins suggested that John visit a Mountains, John and Dale became cies lists were made. They deter- remote place in the Klamath Moun- enchanted with the region. They mined that in a roughly drawn tains known as Blake’s Fork to verify planned their next trip with hopes square mile—encompassing the a report of one of California’s rarest of finding more Engelmann spruce ridges and valleys around Little Duck conifers—Engelmann spruce (Picea along Sugar Creek, just over the Lake—17 species of conifers could engelmannii). He encouraged John Salmon Crest from Blake’s Fork. In be found. The “Miracle Mile” was to record his findings in a new data- the summer of 1968 they walked up born (Kauffmann 2012). base called the Inventory of Rare and Sugar Creek, documenting and col- Endangered Vascular Plants of Cali- lecting plants along the way. Wan- PRESERVING A BOTANICAL fornia organized by the California derlust found them climbing the LEGACY Native Plant Society. With conifers south-facing ridge above Sugar Lake, calling, John and his friend, fellow where they found foxtail pines (Pinus In the summer of 1969, John Sawyer and Dale Thornburgh began John Sawyer (back) and Dale Thornburgh (front) climbing through chaparral near South formal research in the “Miracle Mile” Sugar Lake in the Russian Wilderness in summer 1969. Photograph by Steve Selva. and the surrounding area. With the help of two undergraduate field as- sistants, Steve Selva and Dan Franck, they conducted over 200 vegetation surveys in the drainages surround- ing Russian Peak and used that data to describe 15 California plant asso- ciations (Sawyer 2006, Sawyer 2007). These explorations led to a unique understanding of these for- ests and the revelation that preser- vation outside National Forest land was essential. Sawyer and Thorn- burgh’s research was the basis for the preservation of the 12,000-acre Russian Wilderness in 1984. That area contains both the Duck Lake Botanical Area and the Sugar Creek Research Natural Area (RNA), which meet at the “Miracle Mile.” While Sawyer and Thornburgh recorded 17 conifer species in 1969, the 18th went unnoticed for 40 more years. In 2012 Richard Moore, a resi-

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V44_1_book.pmd 20 12/17/15, 12:24 PM Richard Moore, a resident of Callahan, California and longtime explorer of the Klamath Mountains, discovered the elusive 18th conifer species—western juniper (Juniperus occidentale)—in the “Miracle Mile” 40 years after Sawyer and Thornburgh’s expeditions. Mt. Shasta can be seen in the background. Photograph by Michael Kauffman.

dent of the town of Callahan just at RESURVEYING THE the edge of the Russian Wilderness SAWYER-THORNBURGH and lifelong explorer of the Salmon- PLOTS Trinity Mountains, documented western juniper (Juniperus occiden- In the spring of 2014 the Jules talis) on a steep and scarcely trav- Laboratory at HSU received the eled hillside near Sugar Lake. unique opportunity to continue re- In addition to the area being search in Sugar Creek, and continue considered one of the richest assem- the botanical legacy initiated by Saw- blages of conifers in the temperate yer and Thornburgh 45 years be- world, the “Miracle Mile” is also fore. (Sawyer had died in 2012, and home to over 400 understory plants. Thornburgh in 2013.) The project This diversity exists because the started as a partnership between HSU Salmon Crest is the divide between and the US Forest Service, with the the arid east side (which soon gives goal of assessing ecological change John Sawyer (left), Dan Franck, under- way to the Cascades and Great in the Russian Wilderness, in par- graduate field assistant (middle), and Dale Thornburgh (right) setting up camp in Basin) and the moister west side ticular the impacts of fire suppres- Etna, California, a town near the “Miracle with a coastal maritime influence. sion and climate change on forest Mile” in the Russian Wilderness, 1969. The region is a crossroads where composition and structure. Photograph by Steve Selva. Great Basin species like western Our team began by contacting juniper mix with species that prefer John’s wife, Jane Cole, and his best ging, they were able to uncover spe- a more temperate climate, such as friend and fellow botanist, J.P. Smith, cies lists and binders of original plot Oettinger’s trillium (Trillium ovatum to help us track down the original data along with our golden ticket: a subsp. oettingeri), California Rare Sawyer-Thornburgh datasheets and hand-drawn map of plot locations. Plant Rank 4.2.3. maps from 1969. With a little dig- This data had to be digitized, so we

VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016 FREMONTIA 21

V44_1_book.pmd 21 12/17/15, 12:24 PM the course of two summers to relo- tion and structure over the last 45 cate and resample the Sawyer- years. For example, we found sig- Thornburgh plots. With practice we nificant increases in coverage of fine-tuned our strategy for plot relo- white fir () through- cation by navigating to areas that out our study area, which is consis- matched the slope, aspect, and to- tent with other historical resurvey pographic position of the original projects in the Pacific Northwest plot descriptions. Then we searched (Dolanc 2012). Furthermore, our for smaller-scale areas containing the data shows that white fir (consid- conifer and understory plant spe- ered a fire intolerant species) is ap- cies listed on the datasheet. pearing at higher elevations than it We were unable to verify exact was 45 years ago. plot locations because there were Aside from the few acres that no field markers left from 1969. burned in the 2014 Whites Fire, the However, we limited our search win- majority of the Russian Wilderness dow to 200 meters (or about 218 has not experienced a large-scale yards) from the hand-drawn map wildfire in over 100 years. Histori- points, and only resurveyed plots cally, the Klamath Region is described that matched John and Dale’s de- as having had a mixed-severity fire tailed descriptions. To collect data regime, with a fire return interval of comparable to 1969, we mimicked about 15 years in lower elevation the relevé plot protocol described in mixed conifer forests (Taylor and Sawyer and Thornburgh’s report, Skinner 1998, 2003). Based on these which included percent cover of all estimates, lower elevation forests in trees in three size classes (overstory, the Sugar Creek basin have missed saplings, and seedlings) as well as anywhere between three and six shrubs and herbaceous plants (Saw- fire cycles, which has led to a dense yer and Thornburgh 1977). We overcrowding of fire-intolerant taxa supplemented our historical data such as white fir, and to a lesser comparison with an extensive sur- extent in this region, Douglas-fir. vey of individual trees, including Other tell-tale signs of fire suppres- detailed data on forest pathogens— sion in this region include heavy something that was not done in accumulations of litter and duff the 1969 survey. In summer 2015 around large pines, and conifer Common understory plants growing in we began an additional project mea- encroachment into upper montane a seep near Little Duck Lake. TOP: White suring the build-up of fuel loads and subalpine meadows. marsh marigold (Caltha leptosepala) and around “legacy pines” (the larger mountain laurel (Kalmia polifolia). BOTTOM: sugar pines, Pinus lambertiana) to Sierra laurel (Leucothoe davisiae), a com- mon understory shzrub in moist red fir calculate litter and duff accumula- forests and seeps in the Klamath Moun- tion in lower elevation mixed coni- tains. Photographs by Melissa DeSiervo. fer forests.

began by scanning original maps, uploading them to ArcMap, and us- CHANGES IN FOREST ing computer software to align COMPOSITION AND prominent features such as topo- STRUCTURE graphic lines and lakes with aerial imagery. We also found over 1,200 After two summers of data HSU Herbarium specimens collected collection, we had successfully by Sawyer and Thornburgh in 1969 resampled 155 of the Sawyer- that could assist us as a reference Thornburgh plots, measuring over species list for the area. 3,300 trees and recording hundreds In summer 2014 we set off on of understory plant species. Our data Original plot datasheet from 1969 research the first of approximately 25 trips analysis thus far shows a few im- expedition to the “Miracle Mile.” Photo- to the Russian Wilderness over portant changes in forest composi- graph by James Adam Taylor.

22 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 22 12/17/15, 12:24 PM MORTALITY OF SHASTA RED FIR hasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. S shastensis) inhabits the upper montane and subalpine zones of southwestern Oregon and northwestern California (Shasta, Siskiyou, and Trinitiy Counties) and is considered a hybrid between Cali- fornia red fir (Abies magnifica var. mag- nifica) and the more northern species, noble fir (Abies procera) (Mathiasen and Daughherty 2008). Several recent studies in the Pacific Northwest have shown declines in Cali- fornia red fir (Bulaon and Mackenzie 2007, Mortenson 2011). In addition, annual aerial detection surveys that the USDA has con- ducted from 2009 to the present in North- ern California have revealed significant mortality in both Shasta and California red fir (Heath et al. 2009, 2013). Red fir decline is generally attributed Many Shasta red fir stands in the Russian Wilderness show signs of true to a complex array of climatic factors such fir dwarf mistletoe (Arcethobium abietinum) infestation and cytospora as decreased snowpack and warmer tem- (fungal) cankers causing crown dieback. Within a few years most of the peratures that trigger increases in native trees in these highly affected stands will die. • INSET: True fir dwarf mistletoe is a native parasitic plant that extracts water and nutrients from its host pathogens. These include dwarf mistletoe and can cause considerable stress on the tree. Approximately one-fifth of (Arceuthobium spp.), canker-forming fungi the live Shasta red firs sampled in 2014 and 2015 contained mistletoe (Cytospora spp.), root diseases (Hetero- infestation. Photographs by Melissa DeSiervo. basidion annosum, Armillaria ostoyae), and fir engraver beetle (Scolytus ventralis). Dwarf mistle- or contain other pathogens are often attacked and toe and Cytospora infection frequently occur in com- killed by fir engraver beetle. Signs of fir engraver bination, with signs and symptoms of attack include “buckshot” holes in the bark (exit unhealthy trees including tumefactions holes of adult beetles) and substantial pitching on (swelling of branches) and brooming the bole (main stem) of the tree. In stands with (dense aggregations of abnormal significant mortality, many downed logs and branch and twig growth), and flagging branches will contain the distinctive fir engraver (dead branches). In highly affected beetle galleries, and many dead trees will sprout stands, there is often significant canopy fruiting bodies of the fungi Cryptoporus volvatus. dieback and many trees with dying and/or dead tops. Trees that are drought stressed and/

ABOVE: Fir engraver beetle (Scolytus ventralis) infestation is largely responsible for the ongoing mortality event of Shasta red fir in the Russian Wilderness, and the beetle’s gallery patterns can be seen on many standing dead trees and fallen logs. The adult female beetle bores a thick, horizontal gallery and lays her eggs in the perpendicular side galleries, creating a distinctive pattern that is distinguishable from other bark beetle species. • RIGHT: Another indication of bark beetle induced mortality is the white round fruiting bodies of the fungi Cryptoporus volvatus on standing dead trees and logs. The fungus spores are carried into the tree by bark beetles and woodborers and help to decay the sapwood of the tree that has been killed by bark beetles.

VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016 FREMONTIA 23

V44_1_book.pmd 23 12/17/15, 12:24 PM were dead, and one-third FUTURE WORK were categorized as “un- healthy” or “sick” based The Russian Wilderness is sub- on signs and symptoms ject to the complex threats of global of forest pathogens such climate change, and our research as dwarf mistletoe, fir en- aims to describe how the ecology of graver beetle, and prob- this biodiversity hotspot is shifting. able Cytospora (fungal) Using the Sawyer-Thornburgh his- infection (see sidebar). torical dataset, we have been able to We believe that these na- detect some important changes in tive pathogen outbreaks forest composition and structure in are strongly tied to the this diverse area over the past 45 increasingly warmer and years, including an increase in a fire- drier climate, which is intolerant species, white fir, and an making trees more water extensive mortality event for a stressed and thus less re- drought sensitive, higher elevation sistant to pathogens. We species, Shasta red fir. In addition to Humboldt State University researchers Drew Bost, Stefani hypothesize that Shasta digging deeper into our tree dataset, Brandt, Emily DeStigter, and Melissa DeSiervo near red fir is a particularly we are currently in the process of Bingham Lake in 2014. They were part of the team that vulnerable species be- analyzing the historical and present resurveyed vegetation work done 45 years earlier by John understory plant data and expect to Sawyer and Dale Thornburgh. Photograph by a friendly, cause it inhabits the “up- but nameless, hiker. per montane zone” and is publish our findings soon. We hope heavily reliant on snow- that this work will advance a bo- Another pivotal finding of our pack, which has decreased dramati- tanical legacy and establish a pre- research thus far is a current, large- cally over the past 15 years. Again, eminent understanding of one of the scale mortality event for Shasta red the lack of fire leading to dense over- most species-rich temperate conif- fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis). crowding throughout this region erous forests on Earth. Over the course of two years, we may be another reason why usually sampled over 700 Shasta red fir trees innocuous pathogens are now hav- REFERENCES across the Russian Wilderness of ing a deleterious effect on forest Bulaon, B.M., and M. MacKenzie. 2007. which approximately one-quarter stands. Red fir decline and mortality on the Stanislaus National Forest. FHP Re- port No. SS07-01. USDA Forest Ser- vice, Sonora, CA. Dolanc, C.R., J.H. Thorn, and H.D. Safford. 2013. Widespread shifts in the demographic structure of subal- pine forests in the Sierra , California 1934 to 2007. Global Ecol- ogy and Biogeography 22: 264–276. Heath, Z., et al. 2009. 2009 Aerial Sur- vey Results: USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Forest Health Protection. McClellan, CA. Heath, Z., J. Moore, and M. Woods. 2013. 2013 Aerial Survey Results: California. R5-PR-034. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region For- est Health Protection. McClellan, CA. Kauffmann, M.E. 2012. Conifer Coun- try. Backcountry Press, Kneeland, CA. Mathiasen, R.L., and C.M. Daugherty. 2008. Distribution of red fir and noble fir in Oregon based on dwarf Humboldt State University graduate Melissa DeSiervo, and canine assistant Tundra, mistletoe host specificity. Northwest collecting data in a subalpine fir stand in 2014. Photograph by Drew Bost. Science 82: 108–119.

24 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 24 12/17/15, 12:24 PM FIGURE 1: THE “MIRACLE MILE” Sawyer, J.O., and D.A. Thornburgh. 1977. Montane and subalpine veg- etation of the Klamath Mountains. In Terrestrial Vegetation of California, ed. M. Barbour and J. Major. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. Taylor, A.H., and C.N. Skinner. 1998. Fire history and landscape dynam- ics in a late-successional reserve, Klamath Mountains, California, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 111: 285–301. Taylor, A. H., and C.N. Skinner. 2003. Spatial patterns and controls on his- torical fire regimes and forest struc- ture in the Klamath Mountains. Eco- logical Applications 13: 704–719.

Melissa H. DeSiervo, Department of Ecol- ogy and Evolutionary Biology, Dartmouth Location of the “Miracle Mile” within the Russian Wilderness, a biodiversity hotspot first College, Life Sciences Center, 78 College discovered by Humboldt State University professors John Sawyer and Dale Thornburgh Street, Hanover, NH, 07355, Melissa.H. in 1969. [email protected]; Erik S. Jules Source: Michael Kauffmann, 2015. and Drew S. Bost, Department of Bio- logical Sciences, Humboldt State Univer- sity, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA, 95521, Mortenson, L.A. 2011. Spatial and eco- Berkeley, CA. [email protected], Drew.Bost@ logical analysis of red fir decline in Sawyer, J.O. 2007. Forests of north- humboldt.edu; Ramona J. Butz, US Forest California using FIA data. Master’s western California. In Terrestrial Service, 1330 Bayshore Way, Eureka, thesis. Oregon State University, Vegetation of California, ed. M.G. CA, 95501, [email protected]; Michael Corvallis, OR. Barbour, T. Keeler-Wolf, and AA. Kauffmann, 2110 Greenwood Heights Sawyer, J.O. 2006. Northwest Califor- Schoenherr. 3rd ed. University of Drive, Kneeland, CA, 95549, Michaele nia. University of California Press, California Press, Berkeley, CA. [email protected]

FIGURE 2: CONIFERS OF THE “MIRACLE MILE”

The “Miracle Mile,” a square mile area located in the Russian Wilderness in the Klamath Mountains contains 18 species of conifers, the highest diversity of conifers on record anywhere in the world.

SOURCE: Michael Kauffmann, 2015.

VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016 FREMONTIA 25

V44_1_book.pmd 25 12/17/15, 12:24 PM HONORABLE MENTIONS FROM THE BOTANICAL ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTESTS: CNPS 2015 CONSERVATION CONFERENCE

[Editor’s Note: Images of the First, Second, Third Place, and Conference Choice winners for both contests appeared in the September 2015 issue of Fremontia.]

BOTANICAL ART CONTEST WINNERS

Terry Smith Sisyrinchium bellum, blue-eyed grass Julie Himes Piperia transversa, royal rein orchid

Margo Bors Symphyotrichum chilense, Pacific or California aster Eliza Jewett Quercus agrifolia, Maria Cecilia Freeman coast live oak Notholithocarpus densiflorus, tanoak

26 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 26 12/17/15, 12:24 PM Dylan Neubauer albus, white fairy lantern/white globe lily

Melissa Mooney Enceliopsis Sky

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST WINNERS

Paul G. Johnson A Swertia by Any Other Name Would Taste as Sweet

Keir Morse Bouteloua gracilis, blue grama

Jeb Bjerke Lilium kelleyanum, Kelley’s lily

Judy Kramer Ladybug on Tidytip (Layia fremontii)

VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016 FREMONTIA 27 Amanda Vasquez Native Youth Gathering Manzanita

V44_1_book.pmd 27 12/17/15, 12:25 PM CORRECTIONS n Hazel Gordon’s article from I the last issue, the names of three past CNPS presidents— Jonathan Libby, Lori Hubbart, and Jake Sigg—were mis- spelled on page 10. The Willis Jepson Chapter was inadvert- ently omitted from the chap- ter list on page 11. Sincere apologies to the chapter. In Randall Morgan’s bio on page 43, the correct spelling is the Zayante Sandhills, and in the Danielsens’ bio on page 44, the name of the East Bay Chapter nursery should have been Na- tive Here Nursery. And from R. Mitchell Beauchamp: “The Fremontia 43(3):38 article indicated that the journal’s name was pro- posed by Robert Ornduff. Ac- tually there was a contest to Paul G. Johnson name it and several entrants Mono Pass had chosen Fremontia; how- ever, my entry was the first to Natalie Rossington arrive. At the time I was a Jones tidytips, Layia jonesii, graduate student at the City in San Luis Obispo University of New York and New York Botanical Garden. Dr. Ornduff sent me a copy of his popular UC publication on California vegetation as the prize. I think I still have the little book, and the card noti- fying me as the contest win- ner. The name of the journal, however, did not sit well with G. Ledyard Stebbins, Jr. He was very vocal in pointing out the savage proclivity of Gen- eral Frémont with the native Americans, not to mention that the plant depicted as the mag- azine’s logo was actually in the Fremontodendron while Fremontia was a syn- onym of some homely cheno- pod!”

28 FREMONTIA VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_book.pmd 28 12/17/15, 12:25 PM Join Today! CNPS member gifts allow us to promote and protect California’s native plants and their habitats. Gifts are tax-deductible minus the $12 of the total gift which goes toward publication of Fremontia. ❏ $1,500 Mariposa Lily ❏ $600 Benefactor ❏ $300 Patron ❏ $100 Plant Lover ❏ $75 Family ❏ $75 International or Library ❏ $45 Individual ❏ $25 Limited Income CORPORATE/ORGANIZATIONAL ❏ $2,500 10+ Employees ❏ $1,000 7-10 Employees ❏ $500 4-6 Employees ❏ $150 1-3 Employees

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CONTRIBUTORS (continued from back cover) Evan Meyer is the conservation program manager at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic SUBMISSION Garden and is a research associate at Terra Peninsular. INSTRUCTIONS Richard L. Moe worked for 25 years as a phycologist and programmer at the CNPS members and others are University and Jepson Herbaria, UC Berkeley, and is now retired. invited to submit articles for pub- lication in Fremontia. If inter- Emily B. Roberson is the former senior policy analyst for CNPS. She is the direc- ested, please first send a short tor of the Native Plant Conservation Campaign, a national network of native plant societies (plantsocieties.cnps.org). summary or outline of what you’d like to cover in your ar- Jorge Simancas is a biologist and conservationist who has done extensive field ticle to the Fremontia editor at work in the San Quintín region of Baja California. [email protected]. Instruc- tions for contributors can be found on the CNPS website, www.cnps.org, under Publica- TELOS The most complete offering tions/Fremontia. RARE of bulbs native to the western USA available anywhere, our stock is Fremontia Editorial Advisory BULBS propagated at the nursery, Board with seed and plants Jim Andre, Phyllis M. Faber, from legitimate sources only. Holly Forbes, Naomi Fraga, Dan Gluesenkamp, Brett Hall, David Keil, Patrick McIntyre, Kara Moore, Telos Rare Bulbs Pam Muick, Bart O’Brien, Roger P.O. Box 1067, Ferndale, CA 95536 Raiche, Teresa Sholars, Dick www.telosrarebulbs.com Turner, Mike Vasey

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CONTRIBUTORS FROM THE EDITOR

David Baxter is biodiversity informatics manager for the his will be my last issue as editor of Fremontia. My involvement with CNPS’s botanical journal began some University and Jepson Herbaria, UC Berkeley, and technical 15 years ago in 2001 when then editor Linda Vorobik editor of the Jepson Flora Project and the Consortium of T asked me to serve as her copy editor. She was an excellent California Herbaria. person from whom to learn the inner workings of a journal, as she set a high standard. Later, in 2009, following Bart Drew S. Bost is a master’s student at Humboldt State Uni- O’Brien’s editorship, I was invited to take over the helm of versity, and is studying red fir mortality throughout Northern Fremontia, while remaining editor of CNPS’s quarterly news- California. letter, the CNPS Bulletin. Managing both publications was challenging in terms of the work load and meeting dead- Ramona J. Butz is the northern province ecologist for the lines, but it also provided special opportunities to coordi- Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, and Six Rivers National Forests, and nate content. an adjunct faculty member at Humboldt State University. Fremontia is a journal that looks somewhat like a maga- zine, but without all the ads. Like other journals, it contains Melissa H. DeSiervo is a doctoral student at Dartmouth articles of a serious, scholarly nature and is peer-reviewed. College, and is studying arctic plant ecology. She completed Unlike most journals, however, which cater to a narrow her master’s degree at Humboldt State University in 2014. readership and tend to be written in a dry, highly technical manner, Fremontia is what I’ve come to regard as a “hybrid” Nick Jensen is a PhD student at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic journal. Its readership is quite diverse and includes scien- Garden, and the former rare plant botanist at CNPS. tists, agency staff, consultants, policymakers, conservation- ists, home gardeners, business people, students, educators, Erik S. Jules is a professor of biological sciences at Humboldt and others. State University with over 20 years of experience in forest The challenge in producing such a journal is in how its ecology, habitat fragmentation, forest pathology, and envi- articles are written. They must be understood by those with ronmental history. limited scientific background, yet be scientifically robust. Most important, they must be written in an engaging man- Michael E. Kauffmann is an avid naturalist, environmental ner. This is why I’ve always asked authors to think in terms educator, ecologist, and author. He has written several books of telling a story about science, rather than merely present- including Conifer Country and Conifers of the Pacific Slope. ing facts and findings. When that happens, people want to read what’s there. Staci Markos is assistant director for development and out- Thanks one more time to all who have contributed to reach at the University and Jepson Herbaria, UC Berkeley, Fremontia’s enduring success: our proofreaders, editorial an editor of the Jepson Flora Project, and administrative co- board members, CNPS staff, and the authors. chair of the Consortium of California Herbaria. —Bob Hass

FREMONTIA ((continued on inside back cover)) VOL. 44, NO. 1, JANUARY 2016

V44_1_cover.pmd 4 12/19/15, 10:52 AM

Dear Friend,

We hope you enjoy this publication. It is full of great articles and beautiful photos, all contributed by dedicated volunteers, and is just one of countless benefits offered by the California Native Plant Society. CNPS is dedicated to understanding, saving, and celebrating California’s wild plants and places.

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CNPS members on field trip at Yolo Bypass. Photo: Gary Hundt Glue Strip Clearance (when folded)