News and Stories

At the end of July, CREW Plant Scientists completed another successful collection trip to Tennessee for the Cumberland Sandwort (Arenaria cumberlandensis). This journey wrapped up a collaborative project with the Cincinnati Museum Center, aimed at studying the genetic diversity of this unique plant population to ensure its ongoing health and vitality.

Since the early 2000s, our team has been dedicated to propagating Cumberland Sandwort from existing populations to support restoration efforts. Notably, in 2005, we utilized our ex situ test tube collection for a supplemental outplanting in Daniel Boone National Forest, contributing to the plant’s delisting from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants in 2021. Our work has demonstrated the effectiveness of using tissue culture plants in restoration, providing a proof-of-concept for their role in conservation.

The Cumberland Sandwort, once endangered due to its limited habitat in the shaded overhangs of southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee, can now benefit from targeted restoration efforts. This species is also an exceptional plant due to producing few seeds and having a low germination rate, which is why we propagate it using tissue culture. By planting these tissue culture clones in a habitat within its range that had never before hosted the species, we’ve not only enhanced their chances of survival but also gathered valuable data on habitat suitability. This approach allowed us to experiment with micro-habitats, knowing that our lab-maintained clones ensured no plants would be lost entirely even if one micro-habitat is unsuitable for the plants.

Our efforts highlight the potential of using clonally propagated plants in conservation, demonstrating that even exceptional species can thrive with the right strategies. Conservation projects like these are crucial for restoring degraded habitats and protecting biodiversity for future generations.

As we strive to make the world a better place, let’s celebrate the successes in conservation and continue to support initiatives that safeguard our planet’s rich diversity!