Rare Plants Flashcards
CNPS
California Native Plant Society
-a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding and appreciation of CA native plants and how to conserve them
What did CNPS develop?
inventory of rare and endangered plants in CA
- was “CNPS Inventory”
- Recently changed to California Rare Plant Rank (CRPR)
What is the rare plant program?
Develop current accurate information on the distrubution, ecology, and conservatio status of CA’s rare and endangered plants and to use this information to provide scienced based plant conservation
What is 1A classification?
Presumed Extinct, encourage field work to relocate extant populations
e.g, San Fernando Valley Spineflower
What is 1B classification?
Rare and Endangered in CA, most have declined significantly over the last century
- majority of plants in CNPS inventory
e. g. Many Stemmed Dudleya
What is 2B classification?
Presumed extinctin in CA –BUT MORE common elsewhere
List 2 recognizes the imortance of protectin geographic range of widespread species
What is 3 classification?
Thought to be uncommmon - more information needed
most cases the extent of surveys are not sufficient and many species have associated taxonomic problems
What is 4 classification?
WATCH LIST
limited distrbution or infrequent throughout a broader area in california
not rare, but “uncommon”
species on this list should be monitored to ensure that future substantial declines are minimized
Are plants protected under the ESA?
Not from the federal perspective: plants common in other states or countries are not eligible.
Until 1979 this was a similar policy in CA.
BUT, the passage of the Native Plant Protection Act : plants were considered for protection without regard to their distrubution outisde of the state
What ar the threat ranks?
- 1 seriously threatened
- 2 fairly threatened
- 3 not very threatened
How are rare plants protected?
Federal ESA, California ESA, CNPS, and CEQA
Reasons for plant rarity?
limited distrubution
habitat loss (vernal pools, salt marsh, native grasslands, clay soils)
restricted habitat requirements (hydrology, soils,)
unique habitat requirements
