Status of Listed Species and Recovery Plan Development
Virginia Round-leaf Birch
Betula uber -- Endangered
Virginia
Current Status:
This species consists of 1 natural population and 20 introduced populations in the wild. Each introduced population had an original planting of 96 trees; the average survival rate after 5 to 8 years is 77 percent. Until successful reproduction takes place in both the natural and introduced populations, this species will remain threatened by disease and insect damage, drought, and herbivory. Threats of habitat loss and vandalism in portions of the natural population, which occurs on private lands, have been diminished through efforts to achieve landowner cooperation and public awareness.
Achievements:
Although the natural population does not show signs of reproduction, many trees in the introduced populations flowered and produced fruit in 1992. The outlook for long-term maintenance of these populations is good. Many seedlings have been successfully propagated in a plant breeding facility, and these seedlings have been distributed to interested individuals. This practice appears to have alleviated the threat of collection, which had been a major concern. It has also helped to buffer the loss of genetic stock. The Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering reclassification of this species from endangered to threatened status.
Current Recovery Needs:
Populations on private lands will need continued protection, and all populations will need continued monitoring. Fencing of young trees in several of the introduced populations is needed to prevent loss from deer browsing. Public awareness programs should continue, and pathogens and insects affecting the birch should be investigated.
Section 6 Funding and Activities:
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received $8,000 in both FY 1991 and FY 1992 for monitoring transplanted populations.
Partnerships
Forest Service: All introduced populations are under the purview of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area within the Jefferson National Forest. The Forest Service has played a major role in monitoring and protecting these populations, and it maintains landowner contacts to protect the natural population. It also leads a recovery coordination committee, comprised of members from Federal and State agencies, as well as conservation organizations, universities, and the private sector.Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Working with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station developed the program for distributing propagated seedlings. By making plants available to the public, the Department has improved awareness of endangered species and reduced vandalism to the natural populations. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also monitors populations of this species.
Reynolds Homestead Research Center: This private organization cultivates seedlings of the Virginia roundleaf birch for transplanting and distributing to interested individuals. The Center planted over 100 genotypes of round-leaf birch, sweet birch, and bog birch in a 1-acre breeding orchard at the Center for research purposes.
Recovery Plan Status:
Original plan approved 3/3/82; revised 9/24/90.
