Source: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
GRASSES OF NORTH AMERICA
Sponsoring Institution
Agricultural Research Service/USDA
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
USDA CONTRACT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0408392
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
5428-21000-006-09G
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 12, 2004
Project End Date
Jun 1, 2007
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
JENSEN K B
Recipient Organization
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
LOGAN,UT 84322
Performing Department
EXPERIMENT STATION
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
0%
Developmental
100%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20107991080100%
Knowledge Area
201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
0799 - Rangelands and grasslands, general;

Field Of Science
1080 - Genetics;
Goals / Objectives
May 2003 saw publication of volume 25 (warm season grasses), the first of two volumes on the grasses of North America (Barkworth et al, 2003). This was the first step toward the long sought goal of publishing a comprehensive, illustrated taxonomic and floristic treatment of grasses found in North America. The objective of this effort is to develop and publish the companion volume #24 (cool season grasses) in The Flora of North America. Once volume #24 is published contents of volumes 24 and 25 will be modified, reduced, and published as a single volume identification manual, one that will be a worthy successor to Hitchcock's (1951) Manual of Grasses of the United States.
Project Methods
Published volume 25 of The Flora of North America includes grasses in the Arundinoideae, Danthonioideae, Chloridoideae, Aristioideae, Centothecoideae, and Panicoideae. Volume 24 will provide two sets of keys to the genera as well as treatments on the approximately 790 species of Pharoideae, Bambusoideae, Ehrhartoideae, and Pooideae that occur in North America. One set of generic keys will take users through the subfamilies and tribes to the genera; the other will work through the groups that share some easily recognized features, such as awned lemmas, and ignore taxonomic groups. Additionally, volume 24 will have hand drawn sketches for each species that illustrate the plant characteristics used in the keys to identify individual species. Volumes 24 and 25 will be combined into a single comprehensive treatment of all the grasses of North America.

Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) May 2003 saw publication of volume 25 (warm season grasses), the first of two volumes on the grasses of North America (Barkworth et al, 2003). This was the first step toward the long sought goal of publishing a comprehensive, illustrated taxonomic and floristic treatment of grasses found in North America. The objective of this effort is to develop and publish the companion volume #24 (cool season grasses) in The Flora of North America. Once volume #24 is published contents of volumes 24 and 25 will be modified, reduced, and published as a single volume identification manual, one that will be a worthy successor to Hitchcock's (1951) Manual of Grasses of the United States. Approach (from AD-416) Published volume 25 of The Flora of North America includes grasses in the Arundinoideae, Danthonioideae, Chloridoideae, Aristioideae, Centothecoideae, and Panicoideae. Volume 24 will provide two sets of keys to the genera as well as treatments on the approximately 790 species of Pharoideae, Bambusoideae, Ehrhartoideae, and Pooideae that occur in North America. One set of generic keys will take users through the subfamilies and tribes to the genera; the other will work through the groups that share some easily recognized features, such as awned lemmas, and ignore taxonomic groups. Additionally, volume 24 will have hand drawn sketches for each species that illustrate the plant characteristics used in the keys to identify individual species. Volumes 24 and 25 will be combined into a single comprehensive treatment of all the grasses of North America. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a Grant Agreement between ARS and Utah State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 5428-21000-006-00D, Improved plant genetic resources for pastures and rangelands in the temperate semiarid regions of the western U.S. Flora of North America Volume 24 Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Poacese part 1, Edited by Barkworth et al. was finished (908 pages) and published by Oxford University Press, New York. This volume is, both logically and numerically, the first of the two volumes in the Flora of North America devoted to the Poaceae (Grass Family). It contains the family description and a key to all the tribes reognized in the two volumes. ADODR monitoring activities to evaluate research progress included conference calls and meetings with the cooperator's personnel.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications


    Progress 05/12/04 to 06/01/07

    Outputs
    Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) May 2003 saw publication of volume 25 (warm season grasses), the first of two volumes on the grasses of North America (Barkworth et al, 2003). This was the first step toward the long sought goal of publishing a comprehensive, illustrated taxonomic and floristic treatment of grasses found in North America. The objective of this effort is to develop and publish the companion volume #24 (cool season grasses) in The Flora of North America. Once volume #24 is published contents of volumes 24 and 25 will be modified, reduced, and published as a single volume identification manual, one that will be a worthy successor to Hitchcock's (1951) Manual of Grasses of the United States. Approach (from AD-416) Published volume 25 of The Flora of North America includes grasses in the Arundinoideae, Danthonioideae, Chloridoideae, Aristioideae, Centothecoideae, and Panicoideae. Volume 24 will provide two sets of keys to the genera as well as treatments on the approximately 790 species of Pharoideae, Bambusoideae, Ehrhartoideae, and Pooideae that occur in North America. One set of generic keys will take users through the subfamilies and tribes to the genera; the other will work through the groups that share some easily recognized features, such as awned lemmas, and ignore taxonomic groups. Additionally, volume 24 will have hand drawn sketches for each species that illustrate the plant characteristics used in the keys to identify individual species. Volumes 24 and 25 will be combined into a single comprehensive treatment of all the grasses of North America. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Flora of North America Volume 24 Magnoliophtya: Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae part 1, Edited by Barkworth et al. was finished (908 pages) and published by Oxford University Press, New York. This volume is, both logically and numerically, the first of the two volumes in the Flora North America devoted to the Poaceae (Grass Family). It contains the family descriptions and a key to all the tribes reorganized in the two volumes. ADODR monitoring activities to evaluate reasearch progress included conference calls and meetings with the cooperator.

    Impacts
    (N/A)

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

      Outputs
      Progress Report 4d Progress report. The primary goal of this project continues to be publication of the second volume on grasses in the Flora of North America series; a secondary goal is to make the information developed for the printed volumes available via the Internet. Most of the funding for the project comes from the U.S.D.A.s Agricultural Research Service. That funding also required that support be provided for an undergraduate to work in the Forage and Range Research Laboratorys genetics laboratories on problems that might be resolved with relatively little effort. Summary of status of the volume, August 5, 2006 Text material Numbers Total Received Next to Final In pages Family +Subfamilies 6 6 6 6 Tribes 14 14 12 11 Genera 122 122 95 32 Species 688 688 367 150 Percentages Family +Subfamilies 100 % 100 % 100 % Tribes 100 % 86 % 79 % Genera 100 % 78 % 26 % Species 100 % 53 % 22 % Illustrations Total Pencil Received Ink Received Labeled & On Web Numbers 688 624 463 374 Percentages 88 % 69 % 54 % DT We have received, edited, revised, and re-edited treatments for several genera. Of these, 32 of 122 (representing 150 of the 685 species to be included) have been placed into pages; many other genera are ready for final editing but, because they are processed in the order in which they will appear in the volume, work on them has been delayed while treatment of the preceding genera is completed. DT The description and discussion of the family, together with a key to the tribes represented in both volumes, has been completed and placed into pages. DT The number of woody bamboo species to be treated has been reduced to seven that are thought to be established in the Flora region (North America north of Mexico). The individual who had agreed to prepare and illustrate the larger number of species previously planned on found himself unable to do so. DT It was decided not to include an artificial key to the genera after it became evident that the one submitted would need almost complete rewriting in order to make it consistent with the generic treatments. The volumes are reference works; those using them can be expected to be individuals with some background in taxonomic botany. DT In part to compensate for the decision to drop the artificial key, two individuals who had been developing interactive keys on a volunteer basis, Timothy M. Jones and Pedro Onativia Lake, were offered a monthly stipend to develop interactive keys to the grass genera using LUCID 3 (Center for Biological Information Technology 2006) and generic fact sheets using Fact Sheet Fusion (Center for Biological Information Technology 2004). In doing so, they will draw on the treatments and other resources developed for the two Flora of North America grass volumes. An interactive key and associated fact sheets have already been posted for Glyceria. (http://utc. usu.edu/keys/) . DT The complete bibliography for volume 24 has been posted to the Web. It is still undergoing minor revision, but already contains over 540 references, including some from 2006. For each reference, the treatment(s) within the volume in which it is cited are listed. (http://herbarium.usu.edu/treatments/general_bibliography_24.htm). DT A number of papers have been, or will shortly be, published that bear on the volume; another is in review (see publications and other products). The major outstanding tasks are revising the treatment of Deschampsia and preparing a treatment for XElyleymus. There are also some large genera that still require significant editorial work. We had hoped that the volume would have been submitted for publication by July 1, 2006. Sadly, that is not the case. It will be submitted this fall; the exact date is not clear. Some treatments have required considerable editorial work. As the table shows, draft drawings have been prepared for over 90% of the species to be included in volume 24. The illustrations that are not yet been begun are those for Deschampsia and the hybrid genera in the Triticeae. The illustrations for Festuca and Poa are in the process of being inked. Illustrations for about half the species of Elymus have been sent for inking, illustrations for the remaining species are in the course of preparation.. During the summer and early fall of 2005, we experienced considerable difficulty in corresponding with the primary illustrators. The problems, which arose from the security settings on the departmental server used by Barkworth, were eventually resolved but it cost us valuable time. Knowing that we were facing a time crunch, we attempted to train some additional illustrators. This was not successful; none of those we contacted were able to illustrate to the standard required. Outreach Many of the illustrations and treatments from this and the previously published volume (Barkworth et al. 2003) have been made available for use in other publications, both inside and outside the Flora region. In most instances, no charge has been made. Dr. R.J. Shaw, Colorado State University, has paid for use of all those that he needs for illustrating the book he is preparing on the grasses of Colorado. The distribution maps, which are frequently updated, are made available on the Web, as are the illustrations. We have responded to several inquiries about records on the distribution maps and benefited from additional records that have been sent in. We now insist on knowing the location of specimens documenting the reports that we receive. Unfortunately, in some instances the specimen is still in someones personal collection. Although we are told where it will be deposited, we do not know when this will happen. We ceased placing treatments on the Web because, using our previous procedures, the task required considerable time and our focus is on completing the print volumes. As noted above, Jones and Lake are in the process of making the material available in a more attractive and, we hope, a more useful manner, one that takes greater advantage of the Webs potential, particularly with respect to identification keys. The best examples of their work are the treatments of Glyceria, Echinochloa, Platanthera (Orchidaceae), and Carex (Cyperaceae) located at http://utc. usu.edu/keys/index.htm) The notes feature on our Web page has proven a useful repository for miscellaneous information, including explanations of nomenclatural decisions and corrections to the published volume. Sandy Long has used some of the illustrations prepared for the two grass volumes to make note cards. These are sold at meetings of the Society for Range Management and the Botanical Society of America. The sales usually generally generate slightly more than the cost of the booth and registration for one person. In addition, they provide advertising for the volumes. In addition, Dr. E.A. Kellogg recently requested permission to use one of Longs designs to illustrate an article. Publications The following publications are those that involve members of the editorial staff; we know of at least three others that were submitted this year because of an authors need to publish new names before publication of volume 24. Arriaga, M.O. and M.E. Barkworth. 2006. Amelichloa: a new genus in the Stipeae (Poaceae). Sida 22:145149. Barkworth, M.E. 2006. A new hybrid genus and 12 new combinations in North American grasses. Sida 22:495-501. Barkworth, M.E., L.K. Anderton, J. McGrew, and D.E. Giblin. 2006. Geography and morphology of the Bromus carinatus (Poaceae: Bromeae) complex. Madrono 53:235245. Whipple, I., M.E. Barkworth, and S. Bushman. [In review]. Molecular insights into the taxonomy of Glyceria (Poaceae: Meliceae) in North America. American Journal of Botany. Literature and programs cited in report: Barkworth, M.E. , K.M. Capels, S. Long, and M.B. Piep (editors). 2003. Flora of North America, volume 25: Poaceae, part 2. Oxford University Press. 793 pp. Center for Biological Information Technology. 2004. Fact Sheet Fusion: A program for creating and linking fact sheets. Center for Biological Information Technology. 2006. LUCID 3: A multi entry, interactive identification program.

      Impacts
      (N/A)

      Publications


        Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

        Outputs
        4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Grant Agreement between the USDA-ARS and Utah State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for parent project 5428-21000-006-00D titled "IMPROVED PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR PASTURES AND RANGELANDS IN THE TEMPERATE SEMIARID REGIONS OF THE WESTERN U.S." The goal of this project is preparation of publication-ready copy for the second of two volumes on the grasses of North America which will be published as volume 24 in the Flora of North America series (FNA24). Although published last, FNA24 is conceptually the first of the two grass volumes in the FNA series. The other volume, FNA25 was published in 2005. FNA24 will contain the keys to the genera and tribes in addition to treatments for 150 genera with a combined total of 766 species. As in FNA25, each of the species described will be illustrated and all established species, whether native or introduced, will be mapped to county level or below. It will contain, in addition to the established species, several species that are known only in cultivation and some that, although not yet known from North America north of Mexico, would pose a significant threat should they become established in the region. Progress Progress on the text material is tracked by recording the stage reached by the generic treatments. On May 15, 2005, we had received 122 generic treatments covering 601 of the 766 species (78%). Of these 106 treatments, covering 479 species (65%) have been sent out for region review. Seventy eight treatments, covering 237 species (31%) have been placed on the Web, indicating that we do not anticipate making significant changes in them prior to publication. Of the 14 tribal treatments, 13 have been received and 9 have been sent out for regional review. Keys to the genera are developed after the generic treatments are completed. Treatments not received: The genera that have not been received yet are Poa and several genera in the Bambusoideae. A contributor for Poa is currently working on this treatment in the Intermountain Herbarium. In addition to preparing the text material, he is selecting the specimens for the illustrations. An Assistant Scientific Editor, is helping the Poa contributor by testing keys and providing preliminary editorial comments, and the General Editor is revising our geographic information for the genus. In addition, students working in the herbarium (some funded through this project) are georeferencing and databasing information from specimens the Poa contributor has annotated into the herbariums database. These data, like the records for other grass genera in the herbariums database, are used in developing the maps used in the published volume. They are also, like all the herbariums specimen records, made available to anyone with Internet access via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (http://www.gbif.org/). The contributor of most bambusoid genera has begun developing his treatments. He sent a preliminary version of some treatments in April but has requested that we wait until he has completed all treatments before editing them as that makes it easier for him to ensure that the descriptions are parallel and completely consistent with the identification key. He is also going to prepare the illustrations of the bamboos. This enables him to draw on his own library of photographs and the extensive holdings of the Royal Botanical Garden and Herbarium, Kew, England. His treatment represents the first attempt to develop a scientific account of the many bamboos that are cultivated in the United States. The other generic accounts that have not yet been received are those for the generic hybrids in the Triticeae, XAegilotriticum (1 species), and XElyleymus (7 species), and XPseudelymus (1 species). They will receive more cursory treatment than non-hybrid genera as the species involved are not widespread, being developed at only some of the locations where the parental species are in contact. There are draft treatments for XAegilotriticum, XElyhordeum, and Pseudelymus. These, and the treatment of XElyleymus, will be completed after the necessary specimens have been received on loan. Many are known only from a few specimens, sometimes only from one. Treatments received, not yet sent out for regional review: The treatments of three relatively large genera and two medium-sized genera have to be revised before being sent out for formal regional review. Elymus (37 species) is scheduled for revision in June, 2005. A revised version of Agrostis (27 species) has been sent to the contributor, with a request he approve the changes made during scientific editing before it is sent out for review. The changes were matters of consistency and parallelism. The third large genus waiting for revision is Glyceria. It was sent out to two individuals with a special interest in the genus some time ago and has been substantially revised to reflect their comments. More recently, it has been delayed by the discovery that plants being named G. septentrionalis comprise two distinct forms, some of which are strikingly similar to the European species G. notata and G. declinata. We had hoped to have molecular data to address some the resulting questions, but problems with having nothing but herbarium specimens for sampling have led to the decision that the treatment must be completed and sent out for review without waiting on the molecular data. The two medium-sized genera being prepared for formal review are XElyhordeum (10 species) and Deschampsia (7 species). Completion of XElyhordeum requires borrowing specimens in order to complete the descriptions. The number will not be large, probably less than 30. Deschampsia is a more difficult problem for it involves several arctic taxa that are known from relatively few specimens. A copy has been sent to a Norwegian taxonomist specializing in Arctic taxa. His comments will be used to develop a revised version in September. Treatments reviewed, not ready for Web: This is the largest category for generic treatments. Most are under active revision as their authors seek to reflect the comments of regional reviewers. Once the revised copies are returned, they will be submitted to the FNA editor and then readied for final editing. Needing development: A major task, one that will be started in September, 2005 is development of the two sets of keys to genera. It is being delayed until we have receipt of definitive generic treatments. Illustrations Two excellent illustrators have been identified, one has a doctorate in range science, familiarity with grasses, and experience in illustrating the published volume. The second is an assistant scientific editor on the project and a graduate student in the College of Natural Resources. Both of these individuals have an understanding of grass structures that, combined with their artistic capabilities, makes them outstanding illustrators for this project. Various other artists have contributed illustrations. Although there is no slack in the time left for illustrating the volume, I do not anticipate running into the kind of problem we encountered with volume 25. Nevertheless, it behooves us to pressure contributors to finalize their treatments so that we can start on the illustrations as soon as is feasible. One unhappy discovery is that some of the illustrations prepared earlier do not always show the features used in the key. To the maximum extent possible, an attempt is being made to correct such problems electronically so that we do not have to have the specimens rescanned, let alone redrawn. On May 15, 2005, we had at least pencil drawings for 30% of the species and completely labeled illustrations for 5% of the species. Maps A mapping database is being maintained. Our major problem now is species that have undergone major taxonomic change. We send regional reviewers a copy of the existing map with comments and arrows indicating records that we would particularly appreciate having checked. This has proved to be a very effective approach. Two other problems arise from the number of specimens, housed in or on loan to the Intermountain Herbarium, that have been reviewed and annotated. All, or almost all, of the herbariums specimens of Poa (probably around 5500), are being annotated. Our practice is to georeference and database all annotated specimens in the Intermountain Herbarium. These records are then automatically used by the map generator used by the project. Two students assisted in this task this summer and will continue through the fall. There is also a huge stack of distributional notes for use in modifying the maps for the genus. Over 3,000 specimens have been borrowed in order to clarify the treatment and distribution of Hierochloe and Glyceria in North America. Because of the time involved, only county level data is entered for these specimens. Page composition We recently purchased a copy of a page composition program for use in the herbarium. Having it in the herbarium will make it easier to refamiliarize with the program and learn what useful new abilities it has before we start on page composition. We expect to do this in September, starting with the two small subfamilies Pharoideae and Ehrhartoideae. We shall start page composition on other two subfamilies as soon as we have a final copy of the subfamily treatment, including the key to tribes. Our goal is to be ready to do this in November. Student involvement Several students have been involved in different aspects of this project. The greatest need is for georeferencing and databasing in order to develop reliable, verifiable maps. Students are working in the following areas: (1) a morphological study of Glyceria septentrionalis, the results of which are important to the study; (2) AFLP studies of Glyceria, Achnatherum, and Jarava sensu lato, all of which bear directly on treatments of these genera in the volume; and (3) Hierochloe, helping to test the efficacy of different morphological characters for distinguishing between two species and preparing digital images illustrating the differences found. Prognosis The file for volume 24 will be sent to Oxford University Press on, and preferably before, June 30, 2006.

        Impacts
        (N/A)

        Publications