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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT color=#000000><FONT face=Arial>Dr. Covanes:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I read with interest your proposal to collect and spread seeds of threatened or endangered species in the Lamiaceae.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As I work with California State-listed plants, I definitely support conservation efforts that would benefit listed species. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Your suggestion to collect, grow, and disperse seeds of those species, however, is contrary to principles promulgated by state or federal agencies and conservation groups, as well as to laws and regulations written to protect listed species.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The potential for impacts to native populations outweigh any benefits that may result from seed collection, propagation, and translocation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These impacts include physical impacts, such as trampling and direct damage to plants, during seed collection; disruption of the native seedbank, especially in annual plants; loss of genetic diversity in donor sites; potential genetic contamination at the receiver site if populations of the translocated plants occur nearby; and, loss of genetic diversity in propagated plants.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Translocation of plants through direct seeding or outplanting is largely unsuccessful.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Based on available studies and monitoring reports, more than 80% of such efforts fail.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Reasons for failure are myriad and include lack of suitable substrates and microclimates at receiver sites, absence of suitable pollinators at the receiver sites, ecological stressors not found at the donor sites, lack of long-term maintenance at receiver sites, and importantly, lack of protection in perpetuity of the receiver site.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>There are many avenues available to further conservation of listed plants.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Dr. De Angelis' letter perfectly describes and summarizes such avenues.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I hope that further discussion among members of PCA will provide additional recommendations and guidance.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>Mary Ann Showers, Lead Botanist</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>Habitat Conservation Branch</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>California Department of Fish and Game</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>1416 - 9<SUP>th</SUP> Street, 12<SUP>th</SUP> Floor</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>Sacramento, CA<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>95814</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=3>916-651-6594</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A href="mailto:mshowers@dfg.ca.gov"><FONT face=Arial size=3>mshowers@dfg.ca.gov</FONT></A></P>
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