ENVIRONMENT
No. 230, June 12-18, 2003
No. 230, June 12-18, 2003
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ENVIRONMENT
No. 230, June 12-18, 2003 |
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ENVIRONMENT BRIEFS Endangered Species of the Southern US Activists identify most endangered US forests By J.R. Pegg Washington, DC, June 5 (ENS)— Americans concerned
about global deforestation need look no further than their own backyards
for endangered forests, environmentalists say. A new report released
this week by forest activists documents US forests at continued risk
from mismanagement and commercial logging, and takes aim at Bush administration
policies that they believe are further endangering the national forests.
To read the rest of this article, please visit: www.ens-news.com To access the report, see: www.greenpeaceusa.org High mercury levels found in rain Washington, DC, May 31 (ENS)— Rain falling
over 12 eastern states has been found to contain high levels of mercury
that exceed federal safe standards for people and wildlife, according
to a new National Wildlife Federation report. To read the rest of this article, please visit: www.ens-news.com Endangered Species of the Southern US A rare wetland gem The Southern Appalachians are renowned for their diversity of wildflowers. Throughout the spring and summer months the ground is full of color as some 1,500 species of flowers bloom. The mountain range, from the moist bottom lands to the rugged peaks, lends itself to a tremendous diversity as altitude climate zones, rainfall distribution, and a host of other more subtle factors lead to a multitude of microclimates. In one tiny niche, the seepage wetland headwaters of some local rivers, grows a flower unique in the entire world — the bunched arrowhead. One of the rarest plant species in the area, the bunched arrowhead occurs only in a few populations within five miles of Travelers Rest in South Carolina. There is also one population of the flower at a site near East Flat Rock, North Carolina. The main populations of the plant have been found in
the headwaters areas of the Enoree and Tyger rivers, though there is
speculation that other similar areas may contain this rare flower. Though this area has been protected, exotic invasive
weeds are a pressure on that population. Though the species was found in Buncombe County, North Carolina, it has since vanished from the headwaters areas of the French Broad River, presumably due to development pressure at the turn of the century. Besides the pressures from site development and exotic weeds, the bunched arrowhead is sensitive to alterations in the water flow levels of seepages and silt deposition. Developing and logging above seepages can lead to escalated erosion and a siltation of waterways. Though there is both a male and female flower, the bunched arrowhead has never been observed producing seed. Instead, the plant reproduces through rhizomes, connecting the plants in each population. The Fish and Wildlife Service characterizes the plant’s vegetative reproduction through these rhizomes as extensive. Scientists at the Cincinnati Zoo have successfully bred the plants under controlled conditions from tissue samples, and repopulation is being considered for some sites the plant had historically occupied. DESCRIPTION: Bunched Arrowhead is an immersed aquatic
perennial herb which grows 6 to 13 inches in height. Its spatulate-shaped
leaves reach 3 decimeters (12 inches long) and 2 centimeters (three-fourths
of an inch) wide, and stem from the base of the plant. The flowering
stalk is erect, with upper flowers male and lower flowers female. Male
flowers have three reflexed sepals, three white petals, and numerous
stamens with pubescent, dilated filaments. Female flowers have three
spreading or reflexed sepals, three white petals, and numerous separate
carpels. The stalks of the lowest whorl of flowers ascend in fruit,
and the fruiting head is of numerous achenes. Flowering and fruiting
occurs from May to July. |