Non-native species (those introduced to an area outside of its natural range) have been listed as one of the five major causes of extinction world-wide. One such species, European beach grass, was planted throughout sand dunes on the west coast of the United States in the early 1990’s to help prevent natural erosion that was destroying valued coastal real estate. Since that time, European beach grass has spread widely forming dense clumps with root systems that change the shape and structure of the sand dunes. This species not only takes up space and crowds out native plant species, but it changes the formation of the dunes which has consequences for the plants and animals that live there.
For my fellowship, I am writing a 5-year status review for the endangered Tidestrom’s Lupine. This small flowering plant is found in unstabilized dunes on the northern California coast and researchers and land managers have been trying to figure out what is causing its decline and how it can be protected from extinction. The primary threat to this species is the invasion of European beach grass which is displacing the lupine from its native habitat. The last 5-year review for Tidestrom’s Lupine was published in 2009, so the status review that I am preparing will talk about what has changed since that time and how the species is doing now. In order to write this review, I need to get an idea of what the recent population numbers are and what threats are still affecting the species. To do this, I have been contacting people at the National Park Service, State Parks, and Universities who have been studying Tidestrom’s Lupine. I’ve really enjoyed the collaboration involved on this project and the opportunity to bring all the information together into a synthesis of what we know about this species while brainstorming conservation actions can be taken to increase its numbers and long-term viability.
Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Program: US Fish & Wildlife Service - DFP
Location: Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office
