Restoration Potential: The restoration potential for Erigeron basalticus is probably somewhat limited. Its restriction to cracks and crevices in exposed basalt complicates any cultivation or population enhancement efforts. Until more is known about conditions conducive to seedling establishment, and whether or not those conditions can be managed for, restoration and recovery efforts should focus on reducing the further degradation and loss of habitat.
Preserve Selection and Design Considerations: There are other significant natural features within the same ecosystem as Erigeron basalticus. These features should be considered in any preserve design development for E. basalticus. The Washington Natural Heritage Program (Department of Natural Resources) and the Wildlife Diversity Division of the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife should periodically be contacted for information on significant features within the range of E. basalticus.
Each population targeted for protection needs to be large enough from the start to be considered viable; enhancing existing populations is expected to be difficult, given the lack of knowledge regarding requirements for successful seedling establishment.
The position of the target occurrence relative to current and potential management activities on adjacent lands should be considered.
Although not currently a serious threat, additional non-native species are likely to continue to invade the general area. Some may have the ability to colonize the habitat of Erigeron basalticus. The ability to address such invasions in a timely and effective fashion should be developed ahead of time.
Management Requirements: Maintenance of the physical integrity of the basalt cliffs on which Erigeron basalticus grows is of primary importance. Removal of the basalt from these sites should be prohibited. Highway and railroad maintenance and construction projects should avoid known sites if at all possible. Mining, construction or maintenance projects adjacent to known sites should include dust control measures.
Those responsible for control of noxious weeds should be made aware of the presence of E. basalticus so that they do not inadvertently spray it with herbicides.
Management Programs: No known management programs exist for E. basalticus. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has a management plan for the state-owned land which harbors this species, but the plan focuses on maintaining current habitat conditions and on reducing risks associated with incompatible uses of the area, rather than on direct management of the habitat.
Monitoring Programs: At present there is monitoring of only one occurrence of Erigeron basalticus. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Natural Areas Program monitors the occurrence within the state-owned site in accordance with an approved management plan for the area. The management plan requires that an annual census of Erigeron basalticus be conducted using binoculars and photo points at peak flowering time. The plan also requires monthly (during the field season) inspections for signs of insects or disease and for non-native species invasions. The key contact for the monitoring at this site is David Wilderman, Natural Areas Scientist, Southeast Region, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Ellensburg, Washington.
Management Research Programs: There are no known management research programs underway for this species.
Management Research Needs: Management-related research priorities for Erigeron basalticus include (1) how management of adjacent lands may impact the species, (2) the identification of what, if anything, can be done to favor seed germination and seedling establishment and growth, and, (3) development of an appropriate methodology to assess population trends.
Biological Research Needs: Research priorities for Erigeron basalticus include: (1) development of an adequate and appropriate methodology to assess population trends, (2) identification of pollinators, (3) documenting the effects, if any, of adjacent land uses, including fruit orchard management, vegetation control, and quarry activities, on pollinator activity, (4) identification of germination and seedling establishment and growth requirements, (5) continued inventory to more precisely map the species' distribution along the west side of Yakima Canyon and that portion of Selah Creek that occurs east of Interstate 82, and (6) elucidation of the age structure of occurrences, including the longevity of individual plants.
Comments: Two research projects have been mentioned in the literature. Everett et al. (1991) began a study using Erigeron basalticus as one of two rare cliff-dwelling plants to assess climatic change. Results of their work to-date have apparently not been published. Robson et al. (1994) compared variation in reproductive structures between rare and common species of Erigeron occurring within the arid region of eastern Washington.
Knowledgeable individuals include Pam Camp (U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, Wenatchee, Washington), Dr. William Barker (Central Washington University), Dr. Richard Everett (U.S.F.S. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Wenatchee, Washington), Dr. Kali Robson (Washington State University, Vancouver, WA extension campus) and Debra Salstrom (consultant, Tenino, Washington).