What makes a plant rare?
Plants are generally considered rare when they occur in such small numbers throughout their range that they may become endangered if their present environment worsens. This could mean that they are found in large numbers at very few locations, in small numbers at many locations, or the worst of both worlds: in small numbers at few locations. Some plants are rare naturally for a variety of reasons. Unique combinations of soils and climate often result in plants specially adapted over time to these habitats. The diverse and unusual soils, climate, and geography of California has led to a large number of endemic species in our state. Many of these endemic species have limited distributions and are rare as well.Plants can also become rare as a result of the actions of humans. Activities such as road building, housing developments, recreation, dams, agriculture, and timber harvest can lead to alterations in and loss of habitat for species. In extreme cases, this can even result in the extin
Related Questions
- Have the rare or endangered plant species on the corridor been wiped out by the vegetation clearing that took place prior to construction?
- Is my property located in a Critical Area (wetlands, shorelines, endangered species habitat, flood hazard area, noise zone, and others)?
- What if the endangered or threatened species is a plant?
