S3E33: Dr. Naomi Fraga joins us to chat about two rare Nevada plants under threat
New episode
Key Takeaways
Unique Botanical Diversity in Nevada: The Silver Peak Range and Amargosa River watershed harbor many unique plant species, reflecting critical, yet overlooked, biodiversity that requires urgent attention and protection.
Conservation and Sustainable Development Dilemma: The conflict between lithium extraction for renewable energy purposes and the preservation of endemic plant species raises pivotal questions about sustainable development practices.
The Fight for Tiehm’s Buckwheat: A Symbol of Endangered Desert Plants
Nevada's unique desert flora faces unprecedented threats. In our conversation with Naomi Fraga, PhD., Director of Conservation Programs at the California Botanic Garden, we discuss Tiehm’s buckwheat, an exceedingly rare plant whose entire global range is threatened by the Ioneer lithium mione on Rhyolite Ridge, NV. Fraga notes that Tiehm’s buckwheat is uniquely endemic to this area, making its preservation critical. This species is characterized by its low growing profile and distinct flowering stalks. The threat emerges not only from the proposed 960-foot deep open pit mine adjacent to the plant’s habitat, but also from subsequent environmental changes, such as the increase in invasive species and dust pollution.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has ruled that with proposed mitigation methods, including dust suppression using massive water supplies, the Rhyolite Ridge mine would not jeopardize the species. But Fraga critiques these optimistic projections, highlighting unsupported faith in restoration feasibility amidst potential "extensive habitat degradation." The mining approval unveils a broader narrative about regulatory prioritization of industrial gains over ecological and biodiversity standards.
Tecopa Bird's Beak
An equally compelling story unfolds with the ecological status of Tecopa bird's beak, another rare Nevada plant species facing similar existential threats from industrial development. Unlike Tiehm’s buckwheat, this plant's geographical distribution is spread over the Amargosa River watershed and Fish Lake Valley, thus diversifying its conservation landscape.
The good news is the recent 90-day finding regarding Tecopa bird's beak, suggesting that it may merit protection under the Endangered Species Act. This finding marks an incremental but significant step towards its possible full protection. The finding is testament to the dedication of environmental advocates working tirelessly to shed light on these vulnerable species and the ecosystems they rely on. The 90-Day Finding will be followed by USFWS study on the issues facing the Tecopa bird’s beak, which will then be reported out in a 12-month finding, which will contain the decision whether to list the species.
At the heart of narratives about both species lies a broader discourse on how society balances its growing energy demands with the preservation of ecological sanctuaries. "Extinction should not be the answer to our renewable energy needs,” Fraga points out.
Crucial considerations include revisiting societal norms regarding energy consumption and reevaluating the broader implications of industrial endeavors on endemic species. This conversation invites wider dialogues around infrastructural shifts towards public transport and more efficient energy usage as viable paths to energy independence, better balancing ecological preservation alongside technological advancement.
Are you interested in desert environmental news? Our free weekly newsletter Desert News compiles articles from dozens of newspapers across the Southwest and gets them to you. From Los Angeles County to Big Bend, from the Snake River to Zacatecas, the desert faces similar threats and similar opportunities for conservation. And you can read about them for free. (Though sometimes we do need to link to paywalled articles.) Check it out!
