CEMML Floristics Lab

Effective management of natural resources requires basic knowledge of the components of an ecosystem. A baseline floristic survey is an essential element for management of military lands. This information is also necessary for compliance with state and federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy and Endangered Species Acts.

A common misconception is that military testing and training exercises devastate the land. However, military lands are protected from development and other destructive uses. These lands commonly harbor a broad diversity of undisturbed, natural habitats and hundreds of plant taxa, many that are rare. Good land stewardship benefits plant and animal life, fosters positive public relations, and supports adequate training sites.

The Center conducts comprehensive planning level surveys to document all vascular plant species on an installation, and surveys for threatened and endangered species. Surveys also assess threats to native plant communities, rare species, and areas requiring conservation measures. Our botanists have surveyed more than 50 military installations across the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Germany.

All collected specimens are documented in our herbarium, which houses over 35,000 vouchers from military lands, the largest such collection in the world. In addition, we laminate in plastic all plant specimens collected from an installation, for use in plant identification in the field. Scientists from the Center propagate rare plants for population augmentation, and conduct research on reproductive biology and germination requirements.

For more information visit the CEMML Floristics Laboratory.

Point of Contact: Bob Brozka, (970) 491-2673, Robert.Brozka@ColoState.EDU

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