Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2000 09:18:58 -0700 From: Robert Ziemer <rrz7001@axe.humboldt.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1210$foo@default> Subject: Re: collecting wild plants
I don't see a serious problem with an authorized rescue of plants about
to be destroyed by a bulldozer or some other planned habitat
destruction. However, I do question the wisdom of 'saving' plants from
drought, floods, fire, etc. I suspect that CP grow where they do and
have evolved the way that they have because they are periodically
subjected to unusual conditions. Our efforts to save them from these
conditions may be misguided. For example, we are recognizing that
preventing wildfire leads to ecologic succession that reduces good CP
habitat in favor of more fire intolerant species. Rare extended flooding
favors those plants that are more tolerant to wet conditions, killing
those that are less tolerant. Similarly, unusual extended drought may be
exactly what some plants need to gain an advantage over competitors. I
think we should be cautious about rescuing plants and animals from
natural environmental variations that may appear very unusual or extreme
to the short-term casual observer.
---Bob Ziemer---
> Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 13:41:17 -0400 From: Prem Subrahmanyam
> <prems@noblestar.net> Subject: Re: collecting wild plants I'm curious
> where this would leave CP's that were collected as a preservational
> measure? For instance, here in Florida, we're experiencing our third
> year of drought...not that we haven't had any rain, but rainfall
> amounts have been consistently below normal for three years. As a
> result, some of the barely-wet-but-normally-ok places where some
> Sarracenia (and some Cleistes orchids) grow have nearly dried up and
> the sand turned to powder. I could not stand to watch those poor
> little Sar's wilt by the roadside and have removed plants in the
> driest of places in that area last year and established them in
> cultivation (many of those plants are about to flower)...hopefully,
> once conditions return to normal, rainfall-wise, I can return them to
> their original homes. --> Prem
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