1. Emerging Challenges in Developing Germ Plasm of Native Species For Community Restoration By Stephen B. Monsen

2. Factors Influencing Community Restoration and Plant development Political Implications: Public officials and administrators lack an understanding of the enormous problems associated with restoration of existing disturbances. No effective long-term restoration programs have been developed for any regional area or community types. Research programs are not specifically in place to address restoration or are often misdirected.

3. Public Awareness and Perception of the Problem The general public is not aware of the issues related to community restoration. Alteration of many areas is not recognized or understood. Weed related problems are not recognized or managed. Loss of resource values are not fully appreciated. Many agency personnel, action groups, and scientists do not understand nor support effective remedial treatments. Changes in plant composition are not recognized as important. Present technology to contain weeds is not universally acceptable practices. Control of competition and site preparation practices are not understood and utilized.

4. Scientific and Ecological Considerations A diverse number of plant communities and associations have been altered. Reconstruction of complex associations is required. Multiple species and taxa are required to restore disturbances. Extensive loss of germ plasm has occurred. Enormous acreages have been affected. Many arid and semi-arid communities have been altered. A high incidence of weeds exist in most disturbances. Complex issues are associated with the reassembly of entire communities. Assembly and propagation of desired species is an enormous problem.

5. Diverse Number of Altered Plant Communities A diverse number of plant communities have been significantly altered. Disturbances exist throughout different elevation and regional areas. Some critical sites include: High elevation herblands Big sagebrush shrublands Pinyon/juniper woodlands Salt desert shrublands A large number of plants are required to restore most communities. Access and practicality for remedial treatments often limit treatments. Difficulty exists in minimizing further site degradation.

6. High Elevation Herblands

7. Big Sagebrush Shrublands

8. Reconstruction of Complex Associations is Required Reassembly of different species and life forms are essential to restore ecological stability of most sites. Restoring intermixed but diverse plant associations is essential. Success in community restoration is often dependent on successional processes. Inter-seeding or interjecting select species into disturbances is essential. Lack of data to direct community restoration is evident.

9. Multiple Species and Taxa are Required to Restore Disturbances Many species are site adapted and various ecotypes occur and must be utilized. Complexity in developing seed markets for multiple accessions is an issue. Practices required to produce seed of most native species are not known.

10. Multiple Herbs

11. Extensive Loss of Germ Plasm has Occurred Loss of plants is often so complete that seeding is required. Retaining germ plasm through field culture of seeds is a concern. Many species lack the ability to naturally repopulate a disturbance. Natural recovery is often limited due to lack of seed source. Parental populations that contribute to hybridization and species evolvement have been lost.

12. Erigeron pumilus

13. Hybrid Population of Big Sagebrush

14. Ploidy Levels-Affects on Plant Adaptation Multiple ploidy levels occur among 11 species 2 principal base chromosome numbers x= 8 and x= 9 Ploidy levels may be an adaptive strategy Polyploides better adaptive to ecological extremes than diploid relatives Autopolyploidy alters tolerance Polyploids are smaller shrubs with lower growth rates & increase drought tolerance Planting tetraploid (4x) Wyoming big sagebrush on drier sites

15. Enormous Acreages Have Been Affected Fires and other natural disturbances create enormous disturbances. Previous disturbances have seriously altered extensive areas. Losses continue to exceed areas restored. Natural recovery is not practical in many situations. Costs and associated resources limit complete restoration.

16. Tall Forb Disturbance

17. Many Arid and Semi-arid Communities Have Been Altered Disturbances have occurred in extremely harsh sites. Successful restoration is not always feasible. Costs are prohibitive. Alternate species often widely acceptable.

18. High Incidence of Weed Invasion and Extensive Competition Exists Weeds dominate and prevent natural or artificial recovery. Weed containment is essential to assure community restoration. A rapid increase in number of weedy species and areas of infestation is occurring. Acceptance of non- native species to moderate weed problems is a common practice.

19. Annual Weeds

20. Complexity Associated With Reassembly of Entire Communities Multiple seedings are normally required. Control of competition is essential. Creation of suitable seedbeds is necessary. Retention of existing native species is important. Lack of suitable site preparation and planting techniques and equipment is evident. Activist groups and agency personnel resist remedial treatments.

21. Seeding Equipment Aerial Seeding Broadcast/chaining Compact seeders Interseeding Seeding Equipment

22. Assembly and Propagation of Native Seeds Numerous species are required. Not all disturbances can sustain seed industry. Adjustment is seed industry is necessary. Practices to produce seeds in cultivation or from management of wildland stands are not well understood.

23. Aster glaucodes