The Impacts and Dangers of Drying

Wetlands on theDrying Wetlands' Accidental

Erasure of Helianthusthe Helianthus Paradoxus
Sunflower

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

 The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

Contents
Abstract................................................................................................................................................................3
Factors Endangering the Survival of Pecos Sunflowers in Desert Wetlands..........................................................4
The Threat of Degradation Occurring in Wetlands..............................................................................................4
Poor Control and Management of Livestock Grazing Patterns............................................................................6
 Strict Habitat Constraints and Narrow Areas for Growth....................................................................................6
The Importance of Conserving Wetlands for Pecos Sunflowers Existence............................................................7
Previous Response to the Threatened Species.....................................................................................................7
Actions needed to reinstate the population of Pecos Sunflowers.........................................................................8
How The Implementation of Actions Coupled with Increased Awareness Will Save The Helianthus Paradoxus.9
The Significant Impact That the Contributions Can Have on the Species...........................................................9
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................................10
References..............................................................................................................................................................11

Figures
Figure 1 4
Figure 2 6
Figure 3 9

Abstract
The Helianthus paradoxus sunflower, commonly known as the Pecos sunflower, is an annual member of the
sunflower family. In 1999, the Fish and Wildlife service determined that the Pecos sunflower is a threatened
species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This flower is dependent on desert wetlands for its survival
given that they grow in permanently saturated soils there is no other habit conducive to the Pecos sunflower.
Helianthus paradoxus is found widely separated locations in central and south New Mexico, as well as nearby
Texas. There this flower is constantly being threatened by groundwater withdrawal, competition, grazing,
habitat degradation, and gas exploration. Since the Pecos sunflower is dependent on the wetland habitats’
survival regardless of the quantity of the population, it will disappear.

Only through active engagement from local communities and federal response will the Pecos sunflower be able
to fully grow into its potential and regain its natural habitat. It is imperative that wetlands are protected, because
without them there is no feasible way that this beautiful species of flower could exist.exist. Engagement efforts
such as actively volunteering to help de-pollute wetland environments. As well as involvement in the
continuous removal of invasive nonnative species known as (INNS). Another way to monitor the growth of the
flower's population is to enact stricter protective measures that will fine any local citizens from allowing their
domestic livestock or animals to graze near wetlands where the Helianthus Paradoxus is known to be.

Factors Endangering the Survival of Pecos Sunflowers in Desert Wetlands

The Threat of Degradation Occurring in Wetlands

Figure 1: Point of Rocks Spring at Ash Meadows, southern Nevada.

The degradation of wetlands occurs for numerous reasons, the most notable being unsustainable urban
development, pollution, and nonnative species. Over the past generations there has been substantial growth over
urban areas regarding the land needed to provide housing, agriculture, and industry. Given that wetlands are
commonly associated with low or flat areas they are easily targeted for clearance and drainage. In pursuing
furthering agriculture, intensive farming practices in wetlands have become rampant. These modern farming
practices have removed natural aspects of this habitat such as hedgerows to create huge fields conducive to
planting. This leaves behind a uniform landscape that is much more vulnerable to flooding, it is essential that
natural floodplains are in place to protect from extreme weather that will damage surrounding animals and
wildlife. The Pecos sunflower suffers the greatest amount when wetland degradation occurs, since the wetlands'
natural habit is being intensively cultivated its rich saliented soil begins to deplete. Without these specific soil
conditions, the sunflower will not be able to grow or receive any necessary nourishment from the soil.

Regarding pollution, nearby factories, oil and gas fields, run-off, and major spills are just a few of the numerous
ways wetlands are being poisoned. It is important to note here how an alarming amount of wastewater is being
released into wetlands untreated. Pollutants in ground and surface water that are flowing into wetlands
accumulate in sediments within the habitat then continues the cycle of the entrance of toxic chemicals into the
stream of water. While wetlands have an extraordinary natural ability to act as a filter for pollutants, the input of
multiple and varying pollutants can exceed the ecosystem's innate ability to absorb such pollutants and causes
degradation. Since wetlands can absorb so much the water quality is severely affected and it becomes difficult
to fully remove the threat of contamination. This affects the Pecos sunflower in a comparable way, when the
wetlands lose their natural ability to absorb and filter out polluntants the quality of the soil and the ability to
foster life reduces. With poor soil quality and contaminated water streams the sunflower has no ability to aquire
the necessary nutrients.

The last prominent cause of degradation wetlands is the encroachment of nonnative species Invasive non-native
species familiarly known as INNS are species of plants that significantly impact native biodiversity through the
spreading of disease and competition of space. This has a particularly devastating effect on wetlands due to the
vulnerability of the species and wildlife that live in this ecosystem. The existence of Invasive nonnative species
( INNS) can alter the overall composition of wetland communities, by removing the natural vegetation that is
already in place. The biotic community is impacted by the colonization of INNS which creates an unstable
ecological system with the habitat. Diminished vegetation can leave the wetland incredibly vulnerable to natural
threats such as erosion. Meaning that this will eventually cause some to dry out on their own since they are not
properly retaining moisture and are receiving adequate protection from surrounding vegetation. The two most
documented threats against the Helianthus Paradoxus are the nonnative salt cedar (Tamarisk) and Russian
Olive. Salt cedar is a nonnative species with original European origins that forms dense thickets that shade and
keep smaller species under them from gaining proper nourishment from the sun. This INNS also modifies the
habitats that are surrounded by making them more dry. Helianthus Paradoxus is confined to brackish waters and
saline which makes the invasive nature of the Salt Cedar who naturally grows and flourishes in dry and saline
areas even more damaging. Russian Olive is a species that invades wetland edges and is known to limit the
growth of natural Pecos sunflowers in the surrounding area of Texas. This vegetation INNS outcompetes native
vegetation, disrupts plant succession, hampers nutrient cycling, and interferes with tax water reserves. Pecos
sunflowers are especially vulnerable to Russian Olive due to their fast-growing nature crowds and makes it
incredibly difficult for the flower to germinate.
Poor Control and Management of Livestock Grazing Patterns
Like most Wetland vegetation,, namely the Pecos sunflower is not only vulnerable to INNS, the flower is also
threatened with over grazing of livestock on areas where the flower is present is a large issue. If livestock is not
managed properly the domestic animals can unintentionally modify the Pecos habitat. Grazing overall impacts
crucial parts of the flower and makes it difficult for the population to repopulate. The number of flower heads,
seeds, leaves, and dry mass of the stems have been shown to plummet drastically (Van Auken and Bush 1993,
1995; Bush and Van Auken 1997).

If not controlled properly domestic animals such as livestock or other wildlife may resort to eating the Pecos
sunflower if other green forage is scarce. While the detriments of livestock grazing are a large contributing
factor to its threatened status, the combination of threats against the wetland habitat and competition with
neighboring nonnative species are creating the lack of foliage that livestock needs for consumption. In other
words, this impact of grazing is not an inherently large problem as of right now, but the increasing vegetation
loss is creating a space that will eventually lead to a larger problem.

Strict Habitat Constraints and Narrow Areas for Growth

Figure 2: Distribution of Helianthus paradoxus subsp. paradoxus and subsp. cuatrocienegensis

The Helianthus paradoxus sunflower is a species that is only known to appear naturally in select areas of the
world and united states. The primary locations of the flower are now limited to New Mexico and Western
Texas, there is not much ability for the flower to be introduced in other areas because of its specific
requirements of the land. There are not any climates that can provide the desert wetland environment that the
Pecos flower thrives off, therefore attempts at introducing it into other areas of the country would prove
fruitless.

Given the threats that are endangering the amount of wetland environments available it is becoming
increasingly difficult to sustain large populations of the flower in a widespread sense. The Pecos sunflower are
seasonal flowers that adhere to strict conditions of arid environments such as seeps or springs that from wet
meadows called Ciénagas. Ciénagas are known for their high salt content, but the Pecos sunflower is saline
tolerant. They grow in deeply saturated soils, meaning they must be permanently wet for the flowers that are
often close to the bodies of water their environment is characterized by. In addition, they must be in open areas
or spaces that are not overshadowed by other vegetation, or the species will not survive. The predominate
habitat of Pecos sunflower is limited to less than two hectares of wetland with some being as small as fraction
of a hectare.

The Pecos sunflower is fully dependent on the continuation of the wetland habitats. The way that the flower
grows gives no other option for the community that it resides in and no possibility of adaptation to another
climate. This is why the wetlands survival is crucial to the existence of this species, without it there is no other
way that this type of flower could grow naturally.

The Importance of Conserving Wetlands for Pecos Sunflowers

Existence
Previous Response to the Threatened Species
The first response from the Wildlife and Fish services was to formally announce the threatened status of the
flower and published a notice that educated the public about Pecos sunflower. There first was a document
drafted that acted as a presentation of the endangered flowers and plants of the time that was included in the
Federal Register in 1975. In the following five years the Pecos sunflower was not officially instated as a
threatened species but in 1980 there was an updated public notice. In the next five years, the Helianthus
paradoxus became a category 1 endangered species and was reduced again in 1997. Finally in 1999 the flower
was officially considered a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (U.S Fish and Wildlife
Service;1999). Following the federal response, the Pecos flower became protected, outlining the practices not in
violation with the instated protection.

The conversation tactics employed by the Wildlife and Fish services are as follows: monitoring populations,
identifying, and recording of new plants, avoiding/prevention of disturbances, collecting seeds, restore habitats,
and engage in educational outreach.

Actions needed to reinstate the population of Pecos Sunflowers

Proper education on unsustainable development in wetlands is a crucial action to protect the Pecos sunflower.
While there have been some successes in the restoration of the habitat which have resulted in spikes of the
population of the flower, however, these solutions have been temporary since the threats facing the flower have
not been managed as diligently as needed. Meaning, the Pecos sunflower has not become more endangered in
recent years its status has remained constant in its categorization. The active reconstruction and depollution of
the urban developments are measures that need to be enacted on a federal level to properly subsidize the issue.

In addition, the threat of INNS needs to be managed more effectively to secure the establishment Pecos
sunflowers. There needs to be consistent management and sweeping of the desert wetlands that the flowers
inhabit, if they have been recorded there then executive measures need to be taken to ensure that the areas
surrounding the Pecos sunflower have been cleaned and rid of nonnative species.

Lastly proper management of domestic animals that neighbor or frequent the habitat needs to be handled more
effectively. Since there is a decrease in foliage that is pushing livestock to consume the nearby Pecos
sunflowers, cattle-owners should be instructed and held to harsher standards when it comes to their animals'
grazing patterns. Punishments such as fines should be induced if the owner is caught allowing their domestic
animals to roam past the constraints of the pasture, if there is a known or recorded entry of the Pecos sunflower
in the area then farmers should be notified and told how to manage their livestock's feeding properly.

How The Implementation of Actions Coupled with Increased

Awareness Will Save The Helianthus Paradoxus
The Significant Impact That the Contributions Can Have on the Species

Figure 3: Large population of Helianthus paradoxus Sunflower

By following or enacting similar procedures outlined in the previous header there will be a significant increase
in the Pecos sunflower. Reconstructing wetlands and effectively removing the pollutants from the ecosystem
and sediments will show a remarkable difference in the quality of water and biodiversity in the wetland. If there
is an explosion or a regaining of diversity in these areas the wetland will no longer be in danger of drying out
and will have regained its natural power of absorbing pollutants. The wetland will effectively regulate itself
again and will no longer be stressed or forced into overregulation . This will solidify that the wetland will
perform at its highest functionality, therefore able to fully support the growth of the species.

If there was an initiative to rid the Pecos sunflower of its completion such as the Salt Cedar and Russian Olive,
the species will be able to germinate and grow without interference. Given that any sort of looming or
overgrowth impedes the species growth, the absence will allow the flowers to replenish, regain their numbers,
and amass large populations once again. This will also help contribute to the longevity of the wetland, since
there will no longer be considerable signs of vulnerable wetland vegetation the ecosystem will have less of a
chance to erode or experience extreme rain/flooding both of which, directly impact the livelihood of the Pecos
sunflower.

Finally, the harsher guidelines on domestic animals' access to Pecos sunflowers allow the surviving populations
of the flowers to go unharmed whilst the other solutions are being enacted. Over grazing is a small issue that
does not significantly affect the overall existence of the Pecos, if that is the only threat pertaining to it.
However, the combination of INNS and decreased vegetation pose a deadly threat. Even if it is a smaller
solution, this is not pointless, it does impact the overall emergence of the population. If all the solutions are kept
up with the possibility of returning the Helianthus Paradoxus to its original population size is highly likely.

To make a substantive and lasting effect on the sunflower's population public awareness is key. Even with
completing every proposed solution, if people do not continue to learn and make an active effort in the
conservation of this species the Pecos sunflower will be forgotten all over again. The Pecos sunflower is much
more than a beautiful flower, it is a symbol of pride for many communities, therefore, we should be treating it
like one by consistently talking and spreading as much information as possible. Which can be done through
educational outreach platforms such as TED Talks, featuring an audience of wildlife activists, farmers, local
people from the community, and researchers. The TED Talk would mostly follow the same guidelines as this
report, introduce the audience to the flower and then begin on detailing the events that have led to its
endangeremnt, making sure to highlight that if we continue to ignore these signs then it will eventually lead to
overall extinction of the species. The speaker that I would choose to deliver this important message would be a
part of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Services conservation organization, this way the auidence will be more likely
to be receptive of the information and understand the severity of the topic.

Conclusion
The main threat to the survival of the Helianthus paradoxus sunflower is created by the degradation of wetlands,
namely desert wetlands. This unique annual sunflower is a beautiful feature of the landscape in New Mexico,
and Texas. However, it is increasingly disappearing from the landscape and is being confined to less and less
land. The value that the Pecos sunflower adds to the wetland diversity and community cannot be replaced or
forged. It is critical we save this endangered species and secure long-term survival therefore; we need to do
everything in our power to educate others and stop the drying of wetlands.
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