Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 03044

Branch : Southern Appalachian Field Branch

Study Plan Number : 03044

Study Title : Habitat modeling for the protection of at-risk plant species harvested for the international medicinal herb trade

Starting Date : 05/01/2004

Completion Date : 01/31/2005

Principal Investigator(s) : Van manen, Frank

Primary PI : van manen, Frank

Telephone Number : (865) 974-0200

Email Address : frank_van_manen@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Completed

Abstract : BACKGROUND
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and, as such, global trade in the plants’ roots and rhizomes is strictly regulated in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival (CITES 1973). Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) currently are under consideration for inclusion in CITES Appendix II by the Division of Scientific Authority (DSA) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Under the CITES treaty, the DSA determines whether the export of American ginseng and goldenseal will be detrimental to the survival of these species. However, only limited quantitative data are available to assess the potential distribution and abundance of the 4 species. This lack of critical information makes it difficult for the DSA to regulate harvest levels or review the legal status of the species. Predictive habitat models can provide spatially explicit information on the distributions of these 4 species, which can be used by the DSA to assess the need for protection measures. Therefore, the objective of this study is to establish baseline information by developing and testing habitat models to delineate the potential distributions of American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, and goldenseal within the central range of the 4 species.
We are currently developing habitat models for the 4 species in the National Forests located in parts of Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee. These multivariate models are based on the Mahalanobis distance statistic (Clark et al. 1993), using known plant locations to define “ideal” habitat conditions. We have effectively used this technique on a variety of animal and plant species (e.g., van Manen et al. 2002, Boetsch et al. 2003, Young et al. 2003).
Initial funding for the habitat analysis precluded the collection of field data to test and assess the reliability of the habitat models. To address this important aspect of plant distribution modeling, we will conduct field surveys during the summer of 2004 within the central range of the species to test the distribution models and calibrate the models to derive estimates of potential plant abundance. Because only a small spatial subset of the study area is sampled, independent field data also are useful in determining whether the habitat models can be appropriately extrapolated to larger areas (van Manen et al. 2002). Field testing is a critical step in iterative model development that can help improve model accuracy by identifying biases in the original data, as we recently documented for plant models in the Blue Ridge Mountain region (Young et al. 2003). Testing model predictions can also be accomplished by reserving a portion of the plant locations for use as a validation data set, or by using procedures that resample the data set used to develop the model (Verbyla and Litvaitis 1989). However, because resampling techniques use the same plant locations used to develop the model, the data are subject to the same sources of bias and error that are found in the model. Therefore, the application of independent field data provides the most rigorous test of statistical habitat models (Verbyla and Litvaitis 1989).
INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED
Because there is only limited information on the distribution and abundance of American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, and goldenseal, the USFWS has funded a project to develop spatial models to predict the potential distribution of these 4 at-risk plant species within their core range. The study area covers a large portion of the central range (approximately 114,000 km2), which, combined with previous habitat studies (i.e., McGraw et al. 2003, Young et al. 2003), will provide an assessment of nearly the entire core range of these species.
The primary objective of this study is to test and calibrate habitat models of the 4 target species by collecting independent field data. That information will be used to map habitat quality and potential abundance of the species across the study area. The DSA can then use that information to make science-based decisions regarding the legal status of the four plant species and to develop effective plant protection measures.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of this project are to test predictive habitat distribution models for four at-risk plant species within their central range, use this information to improve our plant habitat models, and to analyze field data to further characterize the habitat conditions where the species are present or absent. Specific objectives are to:
1) develop a statistically rigorous field sampling design to test plant distribution models for American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, and goldenseal,
2) collect independent field data throughout the study area, and
3) test and calibrate plant models to improve model performance and estimate the potential distribution and abundance of each species.
HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED
Not applicable.
PUBLICATIONS
Thatcher, C.A., J.A. Young, and F.T. van Manen. 2005. Habitat modeling for protection of internationally traded plants. Progress report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Scientific Authority. 42pp.

Thatcher, C.A., J.A. Young, and F.T. van Manen. 2006. Habitat characterization and population abundance of internationally traded plants. Final report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Scientific Authority. 48 pp.

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Branch :	Southern Appalachian Field Branch
Study Plan Number :	03044
Study Title :	Habitat modeling for the protection of at-risk plant species harvested for the international medicinal herb trade
Starting Date :	05/01/2004
Completion Date :	01/31/2005
Principal Investigator(s) :	Van manen, Frank
Primary PI :	van manen, Frank
Telephone Number :	(865) 974-0200
Email Address :	frank_van_manen@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	BACKGROUND American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and, as such, global trade in the plants’ roots and rhizomes is strictly regulated in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival (CITES 1973). Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) currently are under consideration for inclusion in CITES Appendix II by the Division of Scientific Authority (DSA) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Under the CITES treaty, the DSA determines whether the export of American ginseng and goldenseal will be detrimental to the survival of these species. However, only limited quantitative data are available to assess the potential distribution and abundance of the 4 species. This lack of critical information makes it difficult for the DSA to regulate harvest levels or review the legal status of the species. Predictive habitat models can provide spatially explicit information on the distributions of these 4 species, which can be used by the DSA to assess the need for protection measures. Therefore, the objective of this study is to establish baseline information by developing and testing habitat models to delineate the potential distributions of American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, and goldenseal within the central range of the 4 species. We are currently developing habitat models for the 4 species in the National Forests located in parts of Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee. These multivariate models are based on the Mahalanobis distance statistic (Clark et al. 1993), using known plant locations to define “ideal” habitat conditions. We have effectively used this technique on a variety of animal and plant species (e.g., van Manen et al. 2002, Boetsch et al. 2003, Young et al. 2003). Initial funding for the habitat analysis precluded the collection of field data to test and assess the reliability of the habitat models. To address this important aspect of plant distribution modeling, we will conduct field surveys during the summer of 2004 within the central range of the species to test the distribution models and calibrate the models to derive estimates of potential plant abundance. Because only a small spatial subset of the study area is sampled, independent field data also are useful in determining whether the habitat models can be appropriately extrapolated to larger areas (van Manen et al. 2002). Field testing is a critical step in iterative model development that can help improve model accuracy by identifying biases in the original data, as we recently documented for plant models in the Blue Ridge Mountain region (Young et al. 2003). Testing model predictions can also be accomplished by reserving a portion of the plant locations for use as a validation data set, or by using procedures that resample the data set used to develop the model (Verbyla and Litvaitis 1989). However, because resampling techniques use the same plant locations used to develop the model, the data are subject to the same sources of bias and error that are found in the model. Therefore, the application of independent field data provides the most rigorous test of statistical habitat models (Verbyla and Litvaitis 1989). INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED Because there is only limited information on the distribution and abundance of American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, and goldenseal, the USFWS has funded a project to develop spatial models to predict the potential distribution of these 4 at-risk plant species within their core range. The study area covers a large portion of the central range (approximately 114,000 km2), which, combined with previous habitat studies (i.e., McGraw et al. 2003, Young et al. 2003), will provide an assessment of nearly the entire core range of these species. The primary objective of this study is to test and calibrate habitat models of the 4 target species by collecting independent field data. That information will be used to map habitat quality and potential abundance of the species across the study area. The DSA can then use that information to make science-based decisions regarding the legal status of the four plant species and to develop effective plant protection measures. OBJECTIVES The primary objectives of this project are to test predictive habitat distribution models for four at-risk plant species within their central range, use this information to improve our plant habitat models, and to analyze field data to further characterize the habitat conditions where the species are present or absent. Specific objectives are to: 1) develop a statistically rigorous field sampling design to test plant distribution models for American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, and goldenseal, 2) collect independent field data throughout the study area, and 3) test and calibrate plant models to improve model performance and estimate the potential distribution and abundance of each species. HYPOTHESIS TO BE TESTED Not applicable. PUBLICATIONS Thatcher, C.A., J.A. Young, and F.T. van Manen. 2005. Habitat modeling for protection of internationally traded plants. Progress report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Scientific Authority. 42pp. Thatcher, C.A., J.A. Young, and F.T. van Manen. 2006. Habitat characterization and population abundance of internationally traded plants. Final report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Scientific Authority. 48 pp.
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