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MONITORING AND RECOVERY OF SILENE SPALDINGII AT FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE
Author
Conley, Julie L.
Gregg, Michael A.
Prickett, Kelsey
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2018
Body

The southern portion of Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB) in Spokane County, Washington contains �biscuit-swale� topographic features and vernal pools. Some of the �biscuits� (soil mounds) provide habitat for the threatened species, Spalding�s catchfly (Silene spaldingii) (SISP), first discovered there in 1994. From 2014-2017 the Land Management Research Demonstration (LMRD) team from Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, has monitored this SISP population, comprised of 8 flower clusters on less than 18 acres. The number of plants detected has increased each year with 67 individuals found in 2014 and 134 in 2017- the bulk of the increases coming from just 3 of the 8 clusters. We observed that mounds with fewer or no SISP have a higher percent cover of noxious weeds.� In 2015 we partnered with Washington State University Extension to release and monitor Chrysolina hyperici beetles for the control of St. John�s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). In 2016 we selected several soil mounds with no SISP detected in 5-10 years for restoration and SISP augmentation. Small plots approximately 40 meters square were hand-cleared of noxious weeds in June, August, and November of 2016, and native grass seed was hand broadcast, raked and foot-packed in November. SISP seeds from the 6 clusters with detected plants in August 2016 were collected and provided to BFI Native Seeds Inc. The seeds underwent cold stratification over winter, germinated in March 2017 and were transplanted into 20cm deep plugs. The plugs are now rosettes with healthy root systems entering dormancy and ready for out planting along with native forb and grass plugs in October 2017. LMRD plans to monitor survival for several years (SISP can be dormant for 1-3 years) and use lessons learned to continue and expand SISP recovery efforts at Fairchild AFB.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Reno, NV