Water howellia: rare throughout the Northwest

Publication Type:

Magazine Article

Authors:

Lesica, Peter

Source:

Sage Notes, Idaho Native Plant Society, Volume 20, Issue 4, p.17-19 (1998)

Call Number:

U98LES03IDUS

Keywords:

Howellia aquatilis

Abstract:

Habitat loss or degradation is widely acknowledged as the most important factor causing the extinction of species today; however, some species are naturally more likely to become extinct than others. Species become prone to extinction when their habitat is subject to rapid change. Plants that occur in many different habitats will likely persist in at least a few sites, but those with restricted ecological niches may be lost. Species may also be able to adapt to habitat changes by evolving ways to cope with the changes; however, the ability to adapt depends on having ample genetic variation among the members of the population. Species are also more likely to go extinct by chance alone if the number of individuals periodically declines precipitously, even if the average population size is high. Water howellia (Howellia aquatilis) is one such plant.