Population Survey of the Suisun Thistle at Rush Ranch - Solano Land Trust Project
© Roxanne Bittman and CNPS
L.C. Lee and associates proposed to locate, map, estimate population size(s) and establish permanent plots for the study of a rare and declining plant species of the Suisun Marsh ecosystem at Rush Ranch, a 2,070 acre property managed by the Solano land Trust. The plant species that is the focus of this proposal is Suisun thistle 
(Cirsium hydrophilum var. Hydrophilum), a rare and declining member of the high marsh zone.
The primary objective of the work described in the proposal is to provide preliminary and essential baseline information regarding the geographic distribution and life history characteristics of the Suisun thistle in the Suisun Marsh ecosystem at Rush Ranch. Because so little is known about even the current geographical distribution of this plant taxa, baseline information should be obtained so that detailed studies of the life history can be initiated in the following years in an efficient (and cost effective) manner. Further, information gathered as a consequence of this work will allow the managers of Rush Ranch to (1) understand the nature of rarity for this rare species, (2) to assess current threats to the viability of the populations existing within the Rush Ranch property boundaries, and (3) decide whether additional studies to provide essential management information on rare species are warranted.
This project was completed in October 2003.
