Grantee Research Project Results
Conservation of a Florida Carnivorous Plant: Godfrey's Butterwort, Pinguicula ionantha
EPA Grant Number: MA916304Title: Conservation of a Florida Carnivorous Plant: Godfrey's Butterwort, Pinguicula ionantha
Investigators: Kesler, Herbert
Institution: Auburn University Main Campus
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006
Project Amount: $74,172
RFA: GRO Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Fellowship - Natural and Life Sciences , Academic Fellowships
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to study Pinguicula ionantha R.K. Godfrey (Lentibulariaceae), a recently described species endemic to a 25-mile radius area in the panhandle of Florida with the goal of its conservation. P. ionantha primarily occupies the transition zone between flatwood and cypress stringer habitats. Although there have been limited studies on some aspects of P. ionantha biology, no demographic information is available. Because of its shrinking population size, P. ionantha was listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on July 12, 1993, and is currently listed as Florida State endangered. Without population demographic information and knowledge of the effects of prescribed fire on P. ionantha, the long-term viability of this threatened plant cannot be ensured.
Approach:
In this study, I propose to conduct field and laboratory experiments to gain information needed to conserve threatened P. ionantha populations. The results of this research will be integrated to: (1) understand how the survival and fecundity of wild P. ionantha populations are directly impacted by prescribed fire; (2) better define and characterize the role of fire on vegetation height and density within the ecotonal habitat of P. ionantha; (3) describe population dynamics in relation to postfire succession using site-specific population matrices; and (4) simulate population extinction probability under different fire regimes with both stochastic population models and with a megamatrix model, which incorporates habitat succession rate with associated population dynamics.
Supplemental Keywords:
fellowship, Pinguicula ionantha, endangered species, conservation, population dynamics, Florida, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Ecological Risk Assessment, Habitat, Ecology and Ecosystems, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, conservation biology, habitat disturbance, land use effects, community composition, Godfrey's Butterwort, ecological consequences, habitat preservation, plant conservation, anthropogenic stressors, habitat use, species life historyProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.