Post by meadowview on Mar 18, 2009 16:25:13 GMT
Hi Folks:
I've heard on the grapevine that some people may not understand the conservation work we are doing at Joseph Pines Preserve. To help close this gap I invite those who feel this way to 1.) Read our link under Joseph Pines called "About the Preserve". This link provides the basic rationale for what we are doing. 2.) Read our Sarracenia flava inbreeding paper from Am. J. Botany. 3.) Peruse our newsletter link for a variety of introduction stories.
To clarify, what we are doing at Joseph Pines Preserve in Sussex County, Virginia is restoring the longleaf pine/pitcher plant ecosystem via an integrated ecosystem approach. The pitcher plants are part of an ecosystem that has completely collapsed in Virginia with only fragments left in isolated, unprotected pockets. We are reintroducing 18 native, indigenous rare plant associates to the Joseph Pines Preserve. All of these plants are from southeastern Virginia.
We now have compelling evidence for much more widespread Sarracenia occurrence in Virginia and the reasons why they are now almost extinct in the state. While we did not have Sarracenia on our property they occur(ed) very close by and the discovery of key associates on our preserve are very suggestive of the historic occurrence of pitcher plants, and other rarities, on our preserve. What you have to understand is the incredible power of woody succession over time to completely eradicate some seepage wetland taxa. Some species can survive or persist in the seed bank through this successional period but others, such as Sarracenia, can not. In fact, I am now documenting the total extirpation of Sarracenia in Virginia and have predicted extinction dates for both the taxa as a whole and specific populations. I have personally witnessed and observed over the past ten years the loss of 9 of our 23 S. purpurea sites in Virginia. Ironically, if I was to take you to some of these sites you would ask "Why aren't there any pitcher plants here" and I would be able to tell you that they were there but were eliminated by woody succession. Joseph Pines Preserve likely experienced this kind of pitcher plant extirpation in the past.
The good news is that we have prevented the extinction of most Sarracenia germplasm in Virginia and it is now part of a functioning ecosystem at Joseph Pines Preserve. We obviously couldn't save all the organisms at certain sites but we have done our part to avoid an ecological disaster in the State of Virginia.
In regards to "What about the microorganisms you are missing?" I would counter that since we have an undisturbed piece of land, within the historic range of this ecosystem, that most of those organisms are already resident on the property. We're just adding components that have been lost over time through long term successional change and hardwood domination.
Our volunteers have played a big role in helping at the Preserve. Our March camping trip was a huge success with over 30 acres planted in native Virginia longleaf pine, additional hardwoods cleared from bogs, and experimental Sarracenia seed sowing complete. On that note, we now have natural regeneration of Sarracenia in most of our bogs and several of our introductions (Drosera, Eriocaulon, and Lanchocaulon) are spreading.
I invite you to come visit the Joseph Pines this season and see first hand the work we are doing. Please contact me to arrange a visit.
We are now working on expanding the preserve by an additional 136 acres. If we are successful with this purchase we will be able to restore one of the most impressive longleaf pine/pitcher plant ecosystems available for public viewing. You will be able to see tens of thousands of native Sarracenia flava streaming down from hillside springs to the banks of first order creeks. We know this used to occur in Virginia and are determined to recreate this reality.
Sincerely,
Phil Sheridan
Director
Meadowview Biological
Research Station
I've heard on the grapevine that some people may not understand the conservation work we are doing at Joseph Pines Preserve. To help close this gap I invite those who feel this way to 1.) Read our link under Joseph Pines called "About the Preserve". This link provides the basic rationale for what we are doing. 2.) Read our Sarracenia flava inbreeding paper from Am. J. Botany. 3.) Peruse our newsletter link for a variety of introduction stories.
To clarify, what we are doing at Joseph Pines Preserve in Sussex County, Virginia is restoring the longleaf pine/pitcher plant ecosystem via an integrated ecosystem approach. The pitcher plants are part of an ecosystem that has completely collapsed in Virginia with only fragments left in isolated, unprotected pockets. We are reintroducing 18 native, indigenous rare plant associates to the Joseph Pines Preserve. All of these plants are from southeastern Virginia.
We now have compelling evidence for much more widespread Sarracenia occurrence in Virginia and the reasons why they are now almost extinct in the state. While we did not have Sarracenia on our property they occur(ed) very close by and the discovery of key associates on our preserve are very suggestive of the historic occurrence of pitcher plants, and other rarities, on our preserve. What you have to understand is the incredible power of woody succession over time to completely eradicate some seepage wetland taxa. Some species can survive or persist in the seed bank through this successional period but others, such as Sarracenia, can not. In fact, I am now documenting the total extirpation of Sarracenia in Virginia and have predicted extinction dates for both the taxa as a whole and specific populations. I have personally witnessed and observed over the past ten years the loss of 9 of our 23 S. purpurea sites in Virginia. Ironically, if I was to take you to some of these sites you would ask "Why aren't there any pitcher plants here" and I would be able to tell you that they were there but were eliminated by woody succession. Joseph Pines Preserve likely experienced this kind of pitcher plant extirpation in the past.
The good news is that we have prevented the extinction of most Sarracenia germplasm in Virginia and it is now part of a functioning ecosystem at Joseph Pines Preserve. We obviously couldn't save all the organisms at certain sites but we have done our part to avoid an ecological disaster in the State of Virginia.
In regards to "What about the microorganisms you are missing?" I would counter that since we have an undisturbed piece of land, within the historic range of this ecosystem, that most of those organisms are already resident on the property. We're just adding components that have been lost over time through long term successional change and hardwood domination.
Our volunteers have played a big role in helping at the Preserve. Our March camping trip was a huge success with over 30 acres planted in native Virginia longleaf pine, additional hardwoods cleared from bogs, and experimental Sarracenia seed sowing complete. On that note, we now have natural regeneration of Sarracenia in most of our bogs and several of our introductions (Drosera, Eriocaulon, and Lanchocaulon) are spreading.
I invite you to come visit the Joseph Pines this season and see first hand the work we are doing. Please contact me to arrange a visit.
We are now working on expanding the preserve by an additional 136 acres. If we are successful with this purchase we will be able to restore one of the most impressive longleaf pine/pitcher plant ecosystems available for public viewing. You will be able to see tens of thousands of native Sarracenia flava streaming down from hillside springs to the banks of first order creeks. We know this used to occur in Virginia and are determined to recreate this reality.
Sincerely,
Phil Sheridan
Director
Meadowview Biological
Research Station
That's a lot of money and real dedication on your part .
