Metapopulation Augmentation of Sidalcea hendersonii (Henderson’s Checkermallow)

The objective of this project was to augment the statewide metapopulation of
Sidalcea hendersonii by planting up to 300 individuals at Bandon Marsh National
Wildlife Refuge along the Oregon coast. S. hendersonii seeds were collected from existing populations and grown within greenhouses for approximately nine months before being planted in October of 2009. Individuals were planted along 7 transects at three locations within Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

The creation of new populations not only buffers the metapopulation against stochastic disturbances and increases the connectivity between existing populations in Oregon, it also allows us to collect pertinent data regarding the optimal habitat for outplanting and helps us refine our techniques for establishing new populations.We are currently investigating how different plant communities influence the success of S. hendersonii.