[RWG] "Native plant" definitions of government agencies?

[Greg_Eckert at nps.gov]

This is what NPS has used to date:
this is from the NPS Management Policies 2001.  These policies have just
been revised and I have not received the final version.  I doubt if this
definition will have changed though.

4.4.1.3 Definition of Native and Exotic Species:


“Native species” are defined as all species that have occurred or now occur
as a result of natural processes on lands designated as units of the
national park system. Native species in a place are evolving in concert
with each other. “Exotic species” are those species that occupy or could
occupy park lands directly or indirectly as the result of deliberate or
accidental human activities. Exotic species are also commonly referred to
as non- native, alien, or invasive species. Because an exotic species did
not evolve in concert with the species native to the place, the exotic
species is not a natural component of the natural ecosystem at that place.

________________________________________________
Gregory E. Eckert, PhD             Program Manager
Ecosystem Management and Restoration
Natural Resource Program Center   National Park Service
#200           1201 Oakridge Drive     Fort Collins,CO  80525
voice 970/225-3594   fax  970/225-3585    greg_eckert at nps.gov




                                                                                                                                                  
                      Craig Dremann                                                                                                               
                      <craig at ecoseeds.com>                To:       apwg at lists.plantconservation.org                                              
                      Sent by:                            cc:       rwg at lists.plantconservation.org, (bcc: Greg Eckert/FTCOLLINS/NPS)             
                      rwg-bounces at lists.plantconse        Subject:  [RWG] "Native plant" definitions of government agencies?                      
                      rvation.org                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                  
                      06/27/2006 09:06 AM MST                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                  




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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