[PCA] "Native plant" definitions ?

[Emily Roberson]

Native Plant Conservation Campaign folks and others: 

This is very important right now because the Forest Service has a draft
policy on revegetation with native plants out for comment right now. 

The proposed definition of "genetically appropriate" plants for revegetation
and restoration projects is somewhat problematic or at least could use some
refining. Their definition of "native" also needs review.

Any comments or definitions of "native", "local native" or anything related
would be VERY helpful. I am interested not just in agency definition but
also in scientific definitions, native plant organization definitions, etc. 

THANK YOU! 

======================================

Draft policy attached FYI. Comments are due by 7/25. 

Here are the definitions:

Genetically appropriate. 
A plant adapted to target site conditions (e.g., has good establishment,
vigor, and reproductive capabilities); sufficiently diverse to respond and
adapt to changing climates and environment conditions; unlikely to cause
genetic contamination and undermine
local adaptations, community interactions, and function of resident native
species within the
ecosystem; unlikely to become (unnaturally or inappropriately) invasive and
displace other
native species; unlikely to be a source of non-native invasive pathogens;
likely to maintain
critical connections with pollinators.
 
Native plant. 
All indigenous, terrestrial, and aquatic plant species that evolved
naturally in an
ecosystem.

Emily
____________________________
Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D.
Director
Native Plant Conservation Campaign
A Program of the Center for Biological Diversity

PMB 151 (not p.o.b) 
1459 18th St. 
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: 415 970 0394 

Email:  eroberson at biologicaldiversity.org 
Web:   http://www.plantsocieties.org 
          www.biologicaldiversity.org 

The mission of the NPCC is to promote appreciation and conservation of
native plant species and communities through collaboration, education, law,
policy, land use and management.

.


-----Original Message-----
From: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Craig Dremann
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 9:07 AM
To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Cc: rwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [APWG] "Native plant" definitions of government agencies?

Dear All,

Government land management agencies write manuals and definitions for
the work they do.

The US Forest Service manual has a definition for "native plants", to
differentiate the native plants from the exotic plants.

Andrew Kratz, a Forest Service Regional Botanist in Colorado and I were
having a discussion about the Forest Service's current definition of
"native plant", which follows:

"All indigenous, terrestrial, and aquatic plant species that evolved
naturally in an ecosystem." (FSM 2070.5)

Unfortunately, at first glance, the sentence looks correct, but has
numerous errors in it.   We are suggesting a rewrite, as follows:

"The indigenous plant species of a particular area, both aquatic and
terrestrial, that are natural members of the local ecosystem."

Are there any other government agency definitions of "native plant" out
there?

Sincerely,  Craig Dremann (650) 325-7333

_______________________________________________
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APWG at lists.plantconservation.org
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