Sonoma Sunflower
By Hope Moseley
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| Illustrated by Hope Moseley |
The Blennosperma
bakeri, also commonly known as the Sonoma sunshine, is found only in the
Sonoma County commonly near vernal pools as well as grassy areas. Sonoma sunshine can grow up to be no bigger
than 11.8 inches tall and has the color of the gorgeous yellow sun. During the
Sonoma sunshine season, which occurs from March through May, achenes, dry
fruit, are produced.
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| http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/speciesRecovery.jsp?sort=2 |
As stated
earlier, the Sonoma sunshine can be found all through out the Sonoma County. It
is very hard to determine if the population is stable, increasing, or decreasing
because the seeds from the Sonoma sunshine can stay dormant for a long time.
The Sonoma sunshine seeds only starts to grow when habitat conditions are
perfect. The table shown on the right lists the specific places of where the
Sonoma sunshine can be found through out the Sonoma County. Although some
places are listed as extirpated or possibly extirpated it is still good to be
aware that the seeds could just be dormant and biologists should take extra
caution when declaring the location as extirpated.
In 1991,
the Sonoma sunshine became listed as an endangered species. As expressed by the
draft recovery plan from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the Sonoma sunshine
is “exposed to a high degree of threat and conflict, with a low potential for
recovery.” The main threat to the decline in the population can be a result in
the human population increasing dramatically. Increasing the human population
will change the habitat dramatically through “urban development, land
conversion to agriculture, associated agricultural activities, and wastewater
irrigation” (Recovery plan from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).
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| http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/speciesRecovery.jsp?sort=2 |
Although
the Sonoma sunshine has a “low potential for recovery” the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service is trying to do as much as possible to savor the population.
In order to try and help fix the declining population of the Sonoma sunshine, a
vernal pool reserve was created. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife
use this reserved vernal pool to perform research and ultimately help form ways
to “improve the quality of vernal pool habitat(s)” (Recovery plan from U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service). On top of this the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
are making sure that vernal pools, with potentially endangered species, are not
getting filled by humans on purpose. To insure urbanization does not become
out of control protected areas along with management will be enforced.
To help
raise awareness of the Sonoma Sunflower the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
plans to develop programs that will help educate the “publics understanding of
vernal pools” (Recovery plan from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service). The Sonoma
sunflower is a beautiful
flower that needs to be preserved and restored
for
enjoyment of current and future generations.
To look at the complete recovery plan click below! http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/speciesRecovery.jsp?sort=2
To look at an interactive map and to look at an observation
hotline click below!
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