Long Term Research in Environmental Biology: Demographic census data for thirty natural populations of American Ginseng: 1998-2016

In 1998, formal demographic censusing of wild ginseng (Panax
quinquefolius L.) populations was initiated in West Virginia. By 2004,
thirty populations had been added to the census effort, spanning seven
states (IN-2, KY-6, MD-1, NY-2, PA-2, VA-5, WV-12) and a wide variety
of land use histories and eastern deciduous forest communities. The
censusing effort continued without interruption at all populations
until June, 2016. Annually, each population was visited twice. The
first visit generally occurred between late May and the end of June.
The second visit generally occurred in the first three weeks of
August. The purpose of the spring census was to assess the population
status at the time of year when the largest number of individuals were
visible aboveground (post-germination, prior to substantial losses due
to browsing and other causes). Detailed measures of plant size were
made, with an emphasis on total leaf area calculation. In addition, a
variety of plant condition notations were made, with the ultimate goal
of determining mortality and recruitment in the population, as well as
individual size transitions. The primary purpose of the second census
each year was to assess seed production on each plant. In addition,
further notations of plant condition were made to assess changes over
the growing season. To maintain methodological consistency with field
personnel turnover, the lead author participated in fieldwork
throughout the study, visiting each population at least once every two
years. In addition, after being trained themselves, graduate students
trained undergraduate conservation interns to assure consistent
methods were used each year. The data are suitable for demographic
modeling, and the unique spatial and temporal extent allow the
exploration of important questions about variability in population
growth and viability of ginseng, America’s premiere wild harvested
medicinal plant.