LTREB Renewal: Population Growth and Viability of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.)

西洋参是北美东部阔叶林中分布广泛但不常见的稀有林下植物，在更广泛的情况下是稀有物种的优秀模式。1998年开始对不同环境中的一组人参种群进行植物普查，以解决有关过度采伐、入侵物种、景观变化、气候变化和商业收获对种群可持续性的影响的重要生态学问题。目前的奖项延长了对西洋参的长期数据收集。将根据人口普查数据建立数学模型，以预测人口的长期增长和生存能力，以应对不常见的事件(无论是有害的还是有益的)；方向性变化和随机变化之间的权衡；人口模式在空间上的同步性；以及小人口灭绝的可能性。这些现象代表了令人烦恼的问题，这些问题不是典型的短期研究或有限样本人群的研究所能解决的。该项目具有多种广泛的影响。这种具有重要文化和经济价值的植物的根是阿巴拉契亚农村居民从野外收获的，用于供应亚洲传统药材市场，并为当地经济做出贡献。每年将提供学生培训机会，以支持青年科学家的职业发展。人口普查数据将与科学界共享，与美国鱼类和野生动物服务机构的联系每年提供直接的政策投入。最后，将定期更新一个公共网站，解释研究工作及其主要结果。

American ginseng is a widespread, but uncommon to rare, understory plant of the eastern broadleaf forests of North America, and serves as an excellent model for rare species more generally. Plant censuses were begun in 1998 on a set of ginseng populations in a diverse array of environments to address important ecological questions regarding the effects of overbrowsing, invasive species, landscape change, climate change, and commercial harvest on population sustainability. The current award extends long-term data collection for American ginseng. Mathematical models based on census data will be developed to project long-term population growth and viability in response to infrequent events (either detrimental or beneficial); the tradeoff between directional change and stochastic variation; synchronicity of demographic patterns over space; and the likelihood of extinction of small populations. These phenomena typify vexing problems that cannot be addressed from typical short-term studies or studies of a limited sample of populations.The project has diverse broader impacts. Roots of this culturally and economically important plant are harvested from the wild by rural Appalachian residents to supply the Asian traditional medicine market, and contribute to the local economy. Student training opportunities will be offered annually to support career development of young scientists. Census data will be shared with the scientific community, and linkages with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service provide direct policy input annually. Finally, a public web site will be updated regularly to explain the research effort and its principal findings.