3. Vascular and Non-vascular Plants

3.1 Voucher Requirements

An essential part of any vegetation study is the collection and identification of plants. Even though the objectives of some studies may not be dependent on the identification of all species present, the collection of voucher specimens will indirectly benefit many other ecological or botanical studies.

The voucher specimen requirement could make such studies much more cost effective. For example, in the past, during investigations of wildlife habitat, the identification of various species of sedges (Carex) and willows (Salix) were taken only to the generic level. This lack of data at the species or subspecific level often requires a future researcher, interested in similar research or the same geographic area, to repeat a major part of the study. Excessive costs to return to an area may even prohibit further study.

Although it takes additional time to collect plants in a study area, the data from such collections could prove extremely valuable for many workers. Researchers, using this data, will be able to document our knowledge of the ecology of plants in British Columbia much better than can be done at the present time.

Summary

The procedures necessary for conducting ecological or floristical inventories are presented in detail in the following sections. The summary below is provided as an overview of this process:

1. Every vegetation study should collect voucher material of all but the common plant species in their study area.
2. Every voucher specimen must be collected and processed according to the standards set forth in this inventory manual.
3. Every voucher specimen must, after competent identification, be deposited in either the Royal British Columbia Museum or the University of British Columbia Herbaria.
4. The success of a botanical study will be entirely dependent on the expertise of the botanist. A large number of previous studies have been less than adequate due, not only to poorly qualified botanists, but also to the naiveté of the project leader with respect to minimum project requirements.

Diversity Inventory - General Plant and Cryptogamic Collections

Collections should be made of all plant species except the most common occurring species in a vegetation study plot. In addition, a survey and collection of other species occurring in the immediate vicinity, especially those on different habitats, should be made. This will allow researchers to prepare a floristic list of all species in their study area.

Directed Taxa Inventory - Rare Plant Collections

If the number of individual plants at a site are limited, care should be taken in obtaining voucher collections. Common sense should prevail. In the case of plants on the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks Red or Blue lists, it is essential to obtain material and data for the Conservation Data Centre (CDC). It is usually possible to remove the necessary leaf or flower from a single plant without harming the plant. In most small populations, a knowledgeable botanist will be able to make collections of the upper parts without harming the future life of the plant. This is especially true with most monocotyledons and pteridophytes and many dicotyledons. In the case of annuals, flowers or fruits should be taken only when a sufficient seed supply for the next season is ensured.

In the cases where a single individual plant is found that is very rare, a photograph is acceptable. It is important to refer to the CDC's rare and endangered species tracking lists.

Inventory of Rare Plants

If a project requires the inventory of rare plants, the general inventory approach described above will usually be inadequate. A rare plant study will often require a habitat-specific approach. In areas of good access the use of air photos and ground transport will suffice. In some cases, the most cost-efficient logistics may include the use of a helicopter. A skilled botanist can often assess and locate habitats from the air over lengthy corridors or large areas then revisit them after the air reconnaissance. Most of the rare plants in BC occur in relatively small, recognizable habitat units thus the use of either random sampling plots or transects is not appropriate. The habitat-specific approach requires adequate preparation and should include the following:

1. Obtaining the services of a highly qualified botanist familiar with the rare plants of the subject area. This is a not an easy task - there are probably less than 20 qualified individuals in BC that have the expertise to conduct an efficient and productive rare vascular plant survey. Qualified bryologists and lichenologists are even fewer in numbers. Most rare plant surveys fail without a competent botanist.
2. The acquisition of the most current BC CDC tracking list for the area. The CDC will also provide specific site locations, habitat data and other pertinent information for rare plants of the area. The botanist will also be familiar with the major reference material (e.g., Moss Flora of the Pacific Northwest, The Lichens of BC, The Vascular Plants of BC, The Illustrated Flora of BC, Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest, etc.) available.
3. The acquisition of topographic maps and air photographs of the area are also essential. The botanist will have sufficient air photo interpretation skills to identify potential rare plant habitat. Most rare plants are easily found when the botanist is familiar with a rare plants' habitat.
4. Knowledge of the plant's phenology, for both the species and the area in question, in order to plan survey date(s). In BC peak flowering times may vary from January to August. For many habitats, both an early season/late season survey should be planned. Phenological information is available from both the literature and herbaria collections. Local naturalists may also be helpful in this respect.

3.1.2 Vascular Plants - Specifications

For a regular collection, enough material should be collected to cover two 39.5 x 29.5 cm herbaria sheets. (The extra material is sometimes necessary when the specimen is sent to an expert for identification or if extra material is needed for a regional herbarium.) Roots should be included, where convenient, and various tools, such as knives or trowels, are helpful when digging specimens. When digging up a specimen, however, care should be taken to leave the remaining plants as undisturbed as possible. Specimens larger than a herbarium sheet must be cut or, preferably, folded. Flowers or seeds (or other plant parts) are often necessary for identification but this knowledge, which is often specific to particular families or genera, usually comes with experience.

When plant specimens are collected they must be protected from wilting, and drying until such time as they are put into a plant press. Plant material should be placed in a plastic bag with the air expressed and then kept in a refrigerator, or the coolest place possible, until the material can be dried. The samples will keep for three to five days if kept cool.

If a plant is too bulky or too heavy to collect in its entirety e.g., large herbs, shrubs, trees, then parts critical for identification must be collected instead e.g., for trees a branchlet with leaves and flowers or fruits may do; but for large herbs, in addition to leaves and flowers, the root or a piece of it should be collected. Dirt should be removed from the plants, especially from the roots, e.g., wash in a stream if available.

3.1.3 Non-vascular Plants - Specifications

If the plants are growing on a soil substrate they should be lifted, cleaned and placed in a small paper bag. Plastic bags should not be used as the specimens will mold quickly.

Enough material should be collected to fill two herbaria envelopes (packets (10 x 15 cm) that are made from acid-free paper). The extra material is sometimes necessary when the specimen is sent to an expert for identification or if extra material is needed for a regional herbarium.