Many of the species in the UP Native Plant Program have not been thoroughly investigated and, therefore, considerable information is needed to produce consistent, sufficient amounts of seed, and to successfully plant the species under wildland conditions.  The UP Native Plant Program hired Kelly Memmott to conduct many of our studies. Following is a list of studies and background on each study.

Studies that relate to plant morphology, floral and seed development are important to a new group of native species.   Attempts to produce seed under cultivated conditions or plant species on wildland sites requires an understanding of these issues.  Studies are required to determine timing of development and the influences of environmental conditions on vegetative growth, flowers and seed development.  As studies influencing seed production and seed quality are completed, information will be obtained that would identify procedures or methods that could be employed to improve seed production, increase the quality of seed and regulate seed germination.

Cultivation Studies at BYU

Information related to seedbed requirements and seedbed ecology is critical to the success of plantings.  Most species require somewhat specific seedbed conditions to effectively absorb moisture, germinate and establish.  Many seeds fail to establish because they are not placed in the right location in the soil to germinate and emerge.  Seedbed requirements of a number of native species within the Native Plant Program are not known.  A series of screening trials have been established to evaluate the effects of planting methods, dates of seeding, planting rates, timing of emergence, and initial growth of a number of key species. 

Studies are needed to determine the compatibility of young seedlings of different species that would likely be planted together.  Many species are capable of establishing simultaneously when seeded together.  Other plants may benefit from staggered entry patterns simulating stages of natural succession.

It is important to investigate the expected recovery of native species from seeds surviving in the seed bank.  Defining the influence of tree and weed encroachment on seed banks and natural recruitment is essential in all communities.

• DNA, Germination and Dark-Respiration Studies

To further understand the range of ecological adaptation of individual species, the UP Native Plant Program is conducting several laboratory studies at Brigham Young University. The studies will be used to determine variability in populations (ecotypes) of key native species. Populations that are most adapted to the current natural settings of the Colorado Plateau will be used for restoration activities.

Seed from each species was collected at various locations around the Plateau in order to represent the range of environments that the species occurs naturally.  Comparative plantings will be established at representative sites on the Plateau.  Seeds collected from different populations of each species will be planted at the representative sites to record and compare survival, growth responses, recruitment and the influences of environmental conditions on plant growth.  

The majority of the species within the UP Native Plant Program have not yet been grown in cultivated fields.  Therefore, studies have been developed to investigate field production procedures.  Screening trials have been established to investigate row spacing, irrigation, fertilization, herbicides and plant disease.

UP Technical Committee tours studies at BYU

Specific seed production studies will be established with select commercial growers to advance seed rearing research.  Studies related to different methods of culture, insect pollination and harvesting will be initiated in coordination with the Colorado State Crop Improvement Association. 

Specific studies will be established to determine the best practices for wildland application of native seed.  Variables include: time of year and method of planting (aerial broadcast, dribbler behind equipment, etc).

• Wildland Shrub Seed Production and Plantings

Many key shrub species within the Colorado Plateau do not occur in stands that are adequate for wildland harvesting. They have been reduced in size and quality by grazing, wildfires, weed invasion and pinyon-juniper encroachment. Shrubs will be grown in either cultivated fields; protected, managed wildland plantings; or manipulated and modified wildland stands. Seed will be harvested from these areas and used in restoration activities.