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Biologists Study Endangered Plant Found in Santa Ana River Wash |
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Reprinted courtesy of Cal State Fullerton Dateline by Dave Reid |
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The Santa Ana River Woolly Star - an endangered plant with stringy branches and small, purplish tubular flowers - is the subject of a
long-term research project that has broad implications for the wildlife habitat throughout the river basin, according to Eugene Jones,
chair and professor of biological sciences. Jones, whose specialty is plant reproductive biology, and Jack Burk, professor of biological science and an expert in plant population ecology, have studied the plant and the potential effects of a dam on its habitat since 1987, under grants from government and private agencies. The rare perennial plant grows only in a small area of the Santa Ana River wash above Redlands. A detailed study of it was prompted when the Seven Oaks Dam, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control project, was first proposed in the 1980's. |
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| Robert L. Allen | ||
| Two professors of biological science have received grants in support other study of the endangered Santa Ana River Woolly Star. Eugene Jones and Jack Burk have been studying the plant since 1987. |
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On the list of the 10 most endangered plant species in California, the plant likes a sandy environment. Dam construction in the area could
mean its extinction, Jones noted. "A dam has the potential to change the ecosystem of the plant and its habitat. Ongoing research was needed," Jones said. During the past three years the dam has operated, there have been no episodes o major flooding to put its full capabilities to the test. In the event of a 50-year flood, the dam is designed to lessen the threat to Orange County by half. The study has provided a rich fiend of research for Cal State Fullerton students. "We've had 10-12 graduate students working on this project over the years, plus numerous undergraduate students," said Jones. Students have produced upwards of 10 master's theses on various aspects of plant research, and three more are in progress." Research tasks for the project include population and habitat monitoring demography and habitat manipulation studies, habitat renewal and population expansion. Now in its seventh year, the current research is funded with a $58,884 annual budget. Research is funded through eight years. In discussing the project, Jones emphasizes the implications for the entire region and its dwindling population of plant communities in the face of urban encroachment and the implementation of various flood control measures. "This plant and others will help us determine how our entire ecosystem is being modified. It is a major indication of disappearing river habitats in Southern California," Jones said. |
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Biological Science