plant conservation
Denver Botanic Gardens research staff collaborates with organizations and agencies to protect and conserve many of Colorado’s rarest plant species. Our goal is to protect Colorado’s natural heritage through surveys, population monitoring, genetic analysis, seed collection and reintroduction.
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Members of the Research and Conservation Department of Denver Botanic Gardens do the majority of their work in the fields and valleys outside the Gardens’ gates. See exactly what these researchers are working on and how they are fighting to protect the flora of Colorado. |
Surveys
Several species of rare wild plants in Colorado are not effectively conserved due to a lack of data. We are filling these gaps by collaborating with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and Colorado Natural Areas Program, to conduct floristic inventories, rare plant surveys, and ecological assessments.
Species we have surveyed:
- Cypripedium fasciculatum
- Cypripedium parviflorum ssp. pubescens
- Listera borealis
- Spiranthes diluvialis
- Oenothera acutissima
- Penstemon penlandii
Genetic Analysis:
Denver Botanic Gardens initiated a Conservation Genetic Program in 2009 through generous funding from the Gladys Cheesman Evans Endowment. We are working closely with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to answer genetic questions about four of Colorado’s federally listed plant species. Our research is investigating levels and patterns of genetic diversity, determining hybridization patterns, and even species identification through molecular methods.
Species for which we are conducting genetic work:
- Corispermum navicula
- Lesquerella congesta
- Phacelia formosula
- Physaria obcordata
- Sclerocactus glaucus
Monitoring
Similar to a census, a demographic monitoring study provides essential information for the management and protection of a rare plant species. These studies include collecting data about a population's birth and death rates, age distributions, sex ratios and population sizes. Some of our research projects have included investigation of non-target (i.e. unintentional) effects of biological control agents on Cirsium ownbeyi (Ownbey’s thistle) and Frankenia jamseii (James’ seaheath).
Species we have monitored:
- Astragalus microcymbus (Skiff milkvetch)
- Astragalus osterhoutii (Osterhout’s milkvetch)
- Eriogonum brandegeei (Brandegee’s muckwheat)
- Ligusticum porteri (Osha)
- Lupinus crassus (Paradox Valley lupine)
- Mirabilis rotundifolia (Roundleaf 4 o’clock)
- Penstemon harringtonii (Harrington’s penstemon)
- Sclerocactus glaucus (Colorado hookless cactus)
Reintroduction
Reintroducing plants involves the purposeful sowing of seeds or planting of seedlings of rare species, with the goal of establishing the plants in what was once their native range. The Gardens has conducted an experimental reintroduction of Eustoma grandiflorum (Showy prairie gentian) at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. The Conservation Genetics program will also inform future reintroductions of rare species throughout Colorado by identifying populations which should be targeted for seed collection. In addition, considerable urban restoration work is ongoing in Denver with dedicated volunteers through the Partners for Colorado Native Plants Program.
Seed Collection
As a member of the Center For Plant Conservation, Denver Botanic Gardens has collected and stored seeds of rare plants since 1988. Seed storage is a form of ex-situ conservation to provide genetic material for plant reintroductions and experimentation. All material is stored at the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, a USDA facility in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Below is the list of over 60 species for which we are the stewards.
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The Center for Plant Conservation national collection
Become a Rare Plant Monitoring Steward
Biological "hot spots" are regions that have been identified by scientists as having unusually high levels of endemism (species found nowhere else in the world). Seven of these have been identified across Colorado, including the Roan Plateau and Piceance Basin, which spread from Parachute, Colorado on the western slope north to Rifle. These habitats and their species are threatened by many natural and human-caused threats, and our scientists are working to protect them.
Denver Botanic Gardens has teamed up with the Colorado Natural Areas Program to engage our volunteers to take action as trained Rare Plant Monitoring (RPM) Stewards.
