BotanyMike Butler

The Effects of Climate Change on the Endangered Chorro Creek Bog Thistle

Climate change is projected to cause the extinction of many plant species worldwide. Chorro Creek bog thistle (Cirsium fontinale var. obispoense) is a listed endangered species found only in San Luis Obispo County, considered by USFWS to be threatened by climate change and increasing drought. This biennial to short-lived perennial aster is both serpentine endemic and restricted to perennial seeps and springs. My research will comprise Species Distribution Modeling with projected climatic and hydrologic data, targeted demographic surveys, and a study of seed dispersal. Taken together, these studies will inform management decisions as our climate changes, and to what extent interventions may be necessary to prevent the extinction of Chorro Creek bog thistle and other serpentine seep endemics in the future.