A review of Arctomecon californica (Papaveraceae) with a focus on the species’ potential for propagation and reintroduction and conservation needs

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist
By: , and 

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Abstract

Las Vegas bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica) occurrences have fluctuated during the past several decades, in part due to interannual variability in rainfall that influences recruitment and mortality events; yet, development in the Las Vegas Valley continues to threaten habitat supporting this species. Arctomecon californica was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 2019 and is currently under review to determine whether listing is warranted (USFWS 2020). This review updates species information for A. californica and includes recent insights into the species' seed ecology, habitat requirements and suitability models, propagation and reintroduction, and pollinator biology. We include information from the past 20 years in these areas that supplement conservation and restoration actions for the species. We also identify topics with scarce information and highlight areas for future study, including the following: preservation of genetic diversity through germplasm collections, identification of mechanisms driving the species' soil endemism, maintenance of A. californica–pollinator relationships through understanding pollinator habitat, determination of the viable seed fraction and its longevity in the soil seed reserves, and prediction of population response to regional climate change based on demographic modeling.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A review of Arctomecon californica (Papaveraceae) with a focus on the species’ potential for propagation and reintroduction and conservation needs
Series title Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist
DOI 10.3398/042.014.0101
Volume 14
Issue 1
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 22 p.
First page 1
Last page 22
Country United States
State Arizona, Nevada
County Clark County, Mohave County
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