Ex situ conservation protocols for the rare plants Braya longii (endangered), Braya fernaldii (threatened) (Brassicaceae) and Salix jejuna (endangered) (Salicaceae) endemic to the limestone barrens of Newfoundland

The Limestone Barrens of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada contains many rare plant species. The Great Northern Peninsula (GNP) contains 114 rare plant species; in fact this is the only place in Newfoundland and Labrador where 29 of these 114 rare plant species can be found (Bouchard et al., 1991). Part of this area is considered critical habitat (meaning it is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed species) for three world endemics: Braya longii (endangered), Braya fernaldii (threatened) (Brassicaceae), and Salix jejuna (endangered) (Salicaceae) (COSEWIC, 2005). These species are listed by The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (1997 and confirmed in 2000 for both Braya species; 2001 for Salix jejuna) as well as the Provincial Endangered Species Act (2002) and federal Species at Risk Act 2003. The goal of this study was to develop reliable ex situ protocols for the growth and maintenance of these three listed species. Both Braya species did not grow sustainably in captivity; therefore, through analysis of natural soil nutrient content and particle size, a reliable soil mix (1:1 mix of braya mix to crushed limestone) was produced that mimicked natural growth. Based on studies of other willow species Salix jejuna seed was assumed to have low longevity and viability which is why a main focus of developing an ex situ population of S. jejuna was on establishing a protocol for the survival of cuttings (Arya et al., 1988; Maroder et al., 2000). Not only was a successful protocol established for survival of S. jejuna cuttings, but the germination study provided evidence that the seed is viable for up to 9 months if stored in a freezer at -20°C. In light of this a seed gene bank may be possible with S. jejuna seed