Seed Collection Stories 2023:

NPS Valles Caldera and Bandelier Crew

by Hollis Moore

From August-November 2023 the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) hired a seed collection crew including a crew lead, Hollis Moore, and a crew technician, Dre Tews, tasked with collecting seed from National Park Service (NPS) lands in northern New Mexico. We scouted and collected seeds from Valles Caldera National Preserve (VALL) and Bandelier National Monument (BAND), both of which are located in the Jemez Mountains and within the Southern Rockies ecoregion (Omernik Level III). 

Throughout the season, we completed 12 collections from five species on the target species list and scouted 42 populations that may be collected in the future. We focused on collecting higher-priority target species if the populations proved to be large enough and the seeds healthy. We made six collections at VALL, two at BAND, and four on surrounding Santa Fe National Forest land, as well as 28 scouting points at VALL, seven in BAND and seven on surrounding Santa Fe National Forest land.

Dre and I found large populations of most species on the target species list. Of the first priority species, Festuca arizonica, Koeleria macrantha, Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus, and Sporobolus cryptandrus were widespread. Of the second priority species, Elymus elymoides, Blepharoneuron tricholepis, Erigeron formosissimus, and Schizachyrium scoparium were also predominant, while Bromus ciliatus, Erigeron subtrinervis, and Monarda fistulosa were less common and found in smaller populations. Much to our surprise, we very rarely encountered Sphaeralcea fendleri ssp. fendleri throughout the season.

Low seed fill and the presence of ergot and a mold prevented us from collecting many of the target species in the Poaceae family. Ergot is a grass inflorescence pathogen caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Ergot infects unpollinated ovaries, then replaces the seed or grain with a sclerotium, a mycelial mass. Susceptible grasses are infected when the ascospores of C. purpuera mimic pollination in the Spring by landing on the stamen and colonizing the ovary. The infected ovary produces a “honeydew” or sticky fluid of spores that spreads to other plants by insect pollination or rain splash. Claviceps purpurea propagules also contaminate soils, germinate in the spring, and produce ascospores that inoculate susceptible plants, especially under moist conditions. Though ergot-infected seed may be collected and used for restoration (once the sclerotium are cleaned out of the seed lot), it is risky to grow ergot-infected seed in agricultural settings where infected soils could harm subsequent production. Because the goal is for the VALL and BAND seed to be put into production, the IAE crew and NPS partners decided to avoid collecting all populations experiencing an ergot infection.

We were very grateful for Sarah Milligan, BAND Natural Resource Program Manager, who reserved a group research site at Bandelier National Monument for the crew throughout the season. This made for beautiful post-work walks and runs on the mesa trails and a very short commute into the field. Being one of the first visitors to enter Bandelier in the morning and quietly walk amidst the archaeology and volcanic tuff canyon walls is an experience we will forever remember. Dispersed camping in the region was also a highlight, especially once the aspens and oak began turning colors in fall. 

The BAND, VALL, and USFS staff, including those that the crew met in the field and at the visitor center, were widely supportive and open to sharing their knowledge which ultimately led to a successful season. We were proud of our work and our ability to handle the unpredictability of the field season. Observing and studying the behaviors, phenology, and morphology of species in the Jemez was an experience that we both immensely enjoyed. It only deepened our appreciation for the living world and our curiosity in botany, conservation, and restoration. At the end of the day, both of us would often exclaim in disbelief to one another “Wow, I can’t believe this is our job”! We are eager for the seeds that we collected to move into the production chapter of their journey and hopeful that they will someday restore a damaged landscape.