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TITLE:
Monitoring Lilaeopsis shaffneriana Along the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
INVESTIGATORS:
Robert Frye and Sarah Haas (UA)
OBJECTIVES:
1. To conduct field surveys of known populations and habitat distributions along the San Pedro, between highway bridges 90 and 92, of Lilaeopsis shaffneriana.
2. To establish long term plots for monitoring known populations along the riparian area using GPS equipment.
3. To identify short and long term threats to specific populations and habitat area.
4. To develop an assessment of current status and conservation needs to maintain or restore viable populations and metapopulations within the San Pedro riparian area.
APPROACH:
Monitor the habitat during optimal growth months of the Lilaeopsis (May - Sept 1997) and develop long term plots via GPS equipment to quantify the extent of Lilaeopsis distribution/abundance along the San Pedro. Field surveys will include identifying new populations, measuring length and width of patches and distance between patches.
Field data will be compiled and used to develop a conservation strategy for the species and habitat combining life history information (population ecology, reproduction, dispersal mechanisms, sources of mortality), habitat and environmental/ecological requirements of the species, threats to the population (including reasons for listing) and potential activities that should protect or recover known populations.
DATA COLLECTION:
1. Lilaeopsis frequency/abundance along the San Pedro (if populations can be isolated and measured) during short and long term monitoring periods (proposed monitoring covers 3 year study period as suggested by USFW).
2. Qualitative information on habitat including water/soil quality, stream flow, canopy cover and species composition at each population site.
DATA REQUIRED FROM OTHER INVESTIGATORS:
1. Stream discharge measurements.
2. Meteorological data at site.
3. Vegetation measurements.
4. Seasonal groundwater flux data.
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