Detecting and Forecasting Change in High Elevation Species

This article was originally published in The Midden – Great Basin National Park: Vol. 21, No. 2, Winter 2021.

Target high elevation plant species, clockwise from upper left: Pennel beardtongue, Nevada
primrose, Nachlinger catchfly, and Holmgren’s buckwheat

NPS Photo by Kelsey Ekholm

By Kelsey Ekholm, Biological Science Technician and Meg Horner, Biologist

In collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and botanist Jan Nachlinger, the Park initiated a project to assess current and future distributions of endemic alpine plants. Alpine surveys focused on finding four high elevation, endemic forbs found in eastern Nevada: Holmgren’s buckwheat (Eriogonum holmgrenii), Pennell beardtongue (Penstemon leiophyllus var. francisci-pennellii), Nevada primrose (Primula cusickiana var. nevadensis), and Nachlinger catchfly (Silene nachlingerae).

Fifteen years have passed since initial surveys were completed (2004-2006), providing an opportunity to document changes in distribution and model possible changes in the future. All four target species are considered At-Risk by the Nevada Natural Heritage Program. Like other high elevation species, these plants are particularly vulnerable to climate change because they have evolved to a specific set of growing conditions and have a limited area for vertical migration. Using past and current distribution data and modeling future distributions will help the Park manage these unique species and understand how climate change could affect alpine ecosystems.

Alpine plant survey crew near Lincoln Peak.

NPS Photo by Kelsey Ekholm

Crews worked through wildfire smoke this season to survey alpine habitat near Mt. Washington, Highland Ridge, Decathon Canyon, and Bald Mountain. When an individual plant was found, an area-constrained presence/absence survey for all four species was conducted. If a tiny Silene was observed, there was usually some cheering involved, as this species was particularly difficult to locate.

A member of the team walks along an alpine ridge during this summer’s alpine plant survey.

NPS Photo by Kelsey Ekholm

We surveyed over 1,300 acres and documented plants at locations from initial surveys as well as in new areas. More surveys are planned for next field season to document new localities and test model predictions.