Research Study To Help Plants
Find New Homes
BY DAVE REID
April 8, 2004 :: No. 207
After World War II, many Europeans without
homes were known as DPs or Displaced Persons.
Present-day developers in south Orange County and
elsewhere are creating a new category of DPs — displaced plants.
By law, sensitive or endangered species of plants
that are removed to make way for new housing developments must be
relocated to another location with a similar native terrain on a
one-to-one basis. Thus, if 100 plants are displaced by housing,
100 plants must be planted elsewhere.
C. Eugene Jones, chair and professor of biological
science, and Darren Sandquist, assistant professor of biological
science, recently received a $77,512.50 contract from LSA Consulting
for a five-year study of Calochortus weedii var. weedii, a rare
lily (often called the California lily) that is found in coastal
and other parts of Orange County.
Jones and Sandquist are being aided in their study
by a number of graduate and undergraduate students. Jones is focusing
on plant development in the bulb stage, while Sandquist is studying
the plant from the standpoint of seeds and seed germination.
“Developers are responsible under the law for
replacing sensitive species of plants being displaced by housing,”
said Jones. “With our research, we will try to identify the
factors that will make mitigation efforts a success.
“Years ago, developers did not recognize the
need to work with scientists in dealing with plant mitigation,”
Jones added. “They do now.”
As part of the study, more than 300 bulbs have been
planted in soil that approximates native habitat in an area outside
the university’s Biological Science Greenhouse Complex.
“The project benefits the client and the county,
and enhances the university’s academic mission of research
and educating students,” Sandquist said.
“Students {assisting the effort} get a lot of
real-world experience, which can lead to jobs in environmental consulting
and related areas,” noted Jones.
Environmental consulting is a significant component in Orange County’s
growth and development, according to the researchers, who noted
that a number of alumni are working for such firms.
Jones’ earlier long-term study on the Santa
Ana River Wooly Star plant was one of the university’s first
research projects in plant mitigation. That study has helped attract
other grants, according to Jones.
Media Contacts: |
C. Eugene Jones, chair and professor
of biological science, at 657-278-3614 or cejones@fullerton.edu
Dave Reid, Public Affairs, at 657-278-4855
or dreid@fullerton.edu |
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