Create your own conference schedule! Click here for full instructions

Abstract Detail



Conservation Biology

Zaya, David [1], Poole, Jackie [2], Bell, Timothy [3], Coons, Janice [4], Molano-Flores, Brenda [5].

Correlating demographic vital rates and population viability with climate conditions in Tobusch fishhook cactus.

Tobusch fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii) is a perennial cactus endemic to the Edwards Plateau of Texas.  Habitat loss, habitat degradation, insect herbivory, and extreme climatic events threaten the conservation of this rare and endangered species.  We used demographic data to assess population viability, correlate vital rates with climatic conditions and biotic factors, and to predict how population viability will be affected by climate change.  Demographic and climate data from 11 sites and up to two decades were included in our analyses.  We predict declines in most populations of Tobusch Fishhook Cactus.  Past rapid declines were usually associated with the prevalence of herbivory by an undescribed weevil.  There is some evidence of correlation of vital rates with annual temperature and precipitation.  Thus, modeling future climate concurrently with population dynamics may be a more useful strategy for accurate assessing predictions of future population growth.  Our work clarifies which populations are most likely to persist in the future and how future emissions scenarios affect the evaluation of each population. 


Log in to add this item to your schedule

1 - University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey, 1816 S. Oak Street, Chicago, IL, 61820, USA
2 - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Rd, Austin, TX, 78703, USA
3 - Chicago State University, Department Of Biological Sciences, 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60628-1598, USA
4 - Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Ave, CHARLESTON, IL, 61920-3099, USA
5 - ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY, CENTER FOR WILDLIFE And PLANT ECOLOGY, 1816 South Oak Street, CHAMPAIGN, IL, 61820-6970, USA

Keywords:
Demography
Sclerocactus
Endangered species
population dynamics
Climate change
herbivory.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 16
Location: Firs North/Boise Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 10:15 AM
Number: 16009
Abstract ID:860
Candidate for Awards:None


Copyright © 2000-2013, Botanical Society of America. All rights reserved