Yadon orchid field data

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Office, has administered 2 contracts to do research on and monitoring of Yadon orchid (Piperia yadonii, Orchidaceae), a federally endangered plant species endemic to the maritime chaparral and Monterey pine forest communities of Monterey County, California. Only the southernmost populations of this species occur in the Santa Lucias. The first contract (1998-2000) was held by Dan Doak (Associate Professor, Biology Board, University of California, Santa Cruz) and Alison Graff (Biological consultant) and focused on the reproductive biology of the species. Through a series of manipulative field experiments and field observations, the breeding system was defined and floral visitors identified. Additional data on life history and disease and herbivory rates were also collected. The second contract (2001-2004) is held by Alison Graff and involves the development of a long-term monitoring program for the orchid using an adaptive management approach.