Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

19 May, 02 AM - 21 May, 01 AM

We propose to clarify the relationship between the Pacific Race of Pinus ponderosa and P. benthamiana, collected by Hartweg in 1847. Although Hartweg's exact location is unknown, his collection is likely to have come from the Sandhills of Santa Cruz County (Lauria 1996). Several researchers have suggested that these sandhill pines are distinct, either due to their unique ecological conditions or to a morphological or biochemical feature (Griffin 1964). However, no evidence supporting them as a distinct species had been published. As part of several range-wide studies of putative cryptic species encompassed within Pinus ponderosa, my laboratory at Hendrix College is using plastid and nuclear microsatellite evidence to compare genetic distance within and among these 'curious' populations. Our field sampling is nondestructive, requiring one small branchlet from each of 30 trees and one branch with cone as an herbarium voucher for the population. In order to evaluate the sandhill pines, we will use samples from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Quail Hollow County Park, and Henry Coe State Park. We will combine these with populations from Northern California, Utah, and Arizona. The populations in the Santa Lucia Mountains are critical to this study as well. An application has been under review for some time to allow collection in the Ventana Wilderness. Despite the encouragement of the regional botanist, it appears that the processing time will not result in a permit being issued in time for our field work next week. Further, it seems that the vast majority of ponderosa pine in the Santa Lucia Mountains is inside the wilderness. We therefore seek permission to make a collection from the natural ponderosa pine stand at Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve.

Visit #25079 @Landels-Hill Big Creek Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 23692 | Research

Sandhill ponderosa pine

faculty - Hendrix College

Reservation Members(s)

Ann Willyard May 19 - 21, 2011 (3 days)
Ann Willyard May 19 - 21, 2011 (3 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Highlands Camp 2 May 19 - 21, 2011