Update of Native Plant Research and Activities at the Great Basin Research Center, Ephraim, Utah Kevin Gunnell Great Basin Research Center Project Leader Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Division of Wildlife Resources Resource Goal Expand wildlife populations and conserve sensitive species by protecting and improving wildlife habitat – Recognizes the importance of properly functioning habitat. – This goal can be achieved by using native and/or introduced plant materials.

Great Basin Research Center and Seed Warehouse Short and Long Term Research Short and Long Term Research – Rangeland Management Techniques – Long Term Vegetation Monitoring Plant Materials Development Plant Materials Development – Great Basin Native Plant Project Restoration Equipment Restoration Equipment – Maintenance and Repair – Development of New Technology and Techniques – Transport and Setup Seed Resources Seed Resources – Bulk Ordering and Long Term Storage – Reduces Costs – Custom Seed Mix Development – Custom Mixing, Bagging

Range Trend Vegetation Monitoring

GBRC/GBNPP Native Forb Project Rangeland establishment research. – Development of methods for increased establishment of native forb species in rangeland settings. Cultural practices research. – Development of protocols for establishment, maintenance, and harvest for native seed production. Seed Increase. – Increase from wildland collections for research and distribution of native seed to commercial growers.

Ongoing Research N-sulate® Fabric Assessment Study N-sulate® Fabric Assessment Study – Determine the effects of N-sulate® fabric on germination and establishment of native forb species in a wildland setting. – Study established in 2009 and 2010 in 4 locations. – Data collected 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years after treatment. – Final 5 year data collection to occur summer – Analysis and publication anticipated in 2016.

Ongoing Research N-sulate® Fabric Assessment Study Scientific NameSeeded Rate (g) Balsamorhiza sagittata17 Cleome serrulata2.8 Hedysarum boreale21.3 Linum perenne Appar3.12 Lupinus argenteus63.8 Penstemon pachyphyllus4.3 Poa fendleriana1.1 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia2.3 Scientific NameSeeded Rate (g) Agoseris grandiflora4.5 Agoseris heterophylla1.9 Argemone munita8.7 Heliomeris multiflora nevadensis1.9 Lomatium nudicaule28.4 Nicotiana attenuata0.4 Thelypodium milleflorum0.4 Mix 1Mix 2

Ongoing Research Forb Seeding Methodology Forb Seeding Methodology – Evaluate native forb establishment in Wyoming big sagebrush communities using four different pieces of planting equipment: Truax drill, Lawson aerator, Dixie pipe harrow, and Ely chain. – Study established in 2008 and 2009 on 2 locations. – Data collected 1 year, 2 years, and 6 years after treatment. – Final 6 year data collection to occur summer – Analysis and publication anticipated in 2016.

Ongoing Research Forb Seeding Methodology SpeciesBulk lbs/ac PLS lbs/ac Seeds/ft 2 Sphaeralcea munroana Linum perenne Hedysarum boreale Lupinus argenteus Penstemon palmeri Astragalus utahensis Balsamorhiza sagittata Penstemon eatonii Crepis acuminata Total

Ongoing Research Cushion Buckwheat Common Garden – Analyze seed production of 11 native collected accessions of cushion buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium) and G1 production seed from those accessions to test if seed production is a heritable trait. Evaluate drought tolerance of the same accessions with a common garden planted on the Desert Experimental Range. – Established fall – Survival, seed production, seed size, and seed viability collected through summer – Analysis and publication anticipated in 2016.

Ongoing Research Cushion Buckwheat Common Garden Lot #SiteEcoregion EROV-U Sand Pass13k Lahontan Sagebrush Slopes EROV-U Toano13q Carbonate Woodland Zone EROV-U Crittenden Res.13r Central Nevada High Valleys EROV-U Crittenden Res.80a Dissected High Lava Plateau EROV-U Newcastle13c Sagebrush Basins and Slopes EROV-U Jungo Road13z Upper Lahontan Basin EROV-U Cobre80a Dissected High Lava Plateau EROV-U Hwy 26 mm g Eastern Snake River Basalt Plains EROV-U7-2002Pequop Foothills13p Carbonate Sagebrush Valleys EROV-U8-2002North Battle Mountain13m Upper Humboldt Plains EROV-U9-2002Adobe Hill13m Upper Humboldt Plains

Forthcoming Papers Seed Scarification Methods for Four Great Basin Lupine Species Covy Jones, Mikel Stevens, Von Jolley, Bryan Hopkins, Scott Jensen, Dave Turner, Jason Stettler – In review: Native Plants Journal Cultural Practices of Four Great Basin Lupine Species Covy Jones, Mikel Stevens, Jason Stettler, Von Jolley, Bryan Hopkins – To be submitted spring 2015 Seed Production Trends of Great Basin Lupine Species Jason Stettler, Covy Jones, Scott Jensen – To be submitted summer 2015 Treating Iron Deficiency Chlorosis in Great Basin Lupine Species Jason Stettler, Kevin Gunnell, Scott Jensen – To be submitted fall 2015 Field Testing Species Distribution Models for Two Western Penstemon Species Jason Stettler – To be submitted summer 2015 Climate Adaptation and Drought Tolerance of Globemallow Plantings at the Desert Experimental Range Jason Stettler, Covy Jones, Scott Jensen – To be submitted summer 2015

Seed Increase Germination and Propagation Facilities Germination and Propagation Facilities – Greenhouse, Drive-in Coolers, Incubators, and Shade House 2 Farms 2 Farms – Snow Field Station, Ephraim UT 26 Acres (20 irrigated, 6 unirrigated) 26 Acres (20 irrigated, 6 unirrigated) – Fountain Green, UT 20 Acres 20 Acres Specialized Equipment Specialized Equipment – Planting, Maintenance, Harvesting, and Cleaning

Seed Increase Harvested 2014 – 12 species with 58 accessions Species# of AccessionsLocation Astragalus filipes1Ephraim Crepis acuminata3Ft. Green Crepis intermedia3Ft. Green Cryptantha sp.1Ft. Green Dalea ornata1Ephraim Enceliopsis nudicaulis3Ft. Green Ipomopsis aggregata3Ft. Green Leymus cinereus31*Ephraim Linum lewisii6Ephraim Lupinus arbustus1Ephraim Lupinus sericeus1Ephraim Penstemon pachyphyllus4Ft. Green *Foundation source of UDWR Tetra Great Basin Wildrye selected release. Accessions are pooled when harvested.

Seed Increase Harvested 2014 – 12 species with 58 accessions Seed Sown – 2 species with 24 accessions Species# of AccessionsLocation Heliomeris multiflora nevadensis5Ft. Green Penstemon pachyphyllus19Ft. Green

Seed Increase Stratification of Showy Goldeneye ( Heliomeris multiflora ssp. nevadensis) – Cold stratification at 2.8 C for varying duration – Germinated at 15 C dark – Peak germination by 7 weeks

Seed Increase Future Plans Future Plans – Expansion of UDWR Tetra Great Basin Wildrye foundation seed field (Spring 2015). – Role of increasing seed from wildland collections to support further research and increase distribution of native seed to commercial growers. – Continued development of propagation, maintenance and harvest protocols for increase species. – Continued support and interest in native forb research.

Focus on native species with high wildlife value. Focus on native species with high wildlife value. Invitation for Collaboration and Research

Focus on native species with high wildlife value. Focus on native species with high wildlife value. Kevin Gunnell GBRC Project Leader Ext. 205

Questions Kevin Gunnell GBRC Project Leader Ext. 205