Population Genetics of Algodones Dunes Sunflower (Helianthus niveus ssp. tephrodes)
Summary
SCH Number
2025051270
Public Agency
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning
(CDFW)
Document Title
Population Genetics of Algodones Dunes Sunflower (Helianthus niveus ssp. tephrodes)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/28/2025
Document Description
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is issuing a California Endangered Species Act and Native Plant Protect Act permit pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 2081(a) to Theodore Reitman (Permit No. 2081(a)-25-005-RP) for a project to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, inbreeding coefficient, and phenotypic variation of Algodones Dunes sunflower to identify genomic regions underlying dune adaptation and determine which populations are of critical conservation importance. Field surveys and collection activities are expected to take place between June and November in 2025. The Permittee will collaborate with ABDSP staff to identify populations of Algodones Dunes sunflower within the park that are appropriate for tissue, seed, and soil collection. The Permittee will also survey previously collected accession locations from the Imperial Valley identified in the NPGS/GRIN database and may survey for additional populations within a 10 mile radius of known accessions. One whole leaf will be collected from up to thirty individuals at each population. Leaf tissue will be transferred to UCR for DNA extraction and whole-genome sequencing analysis. The amount of seed collected will vary depending on the number of flowering individuals, and seed set will be approximated by counting the number of open flower heads per population. Seeds will be separated from the radial discs, placed in coin envelopes, and stored in plastic storage boxes at room temperature in a dry lab at UCR. All unused wild collected seed will be returned to the location they were collected from once the project is complete. Three soil samples will also be collected at each population using a 2.5 cm x 30.5 cm soil core. Vegetation cover will be quantified at each population using a 1 m x 1 m square quadrat. Six seeds from each individual collected will be propagated in a UCR lath house beginning in the spring of 2026 to collect data on phenology, branch architecture, and seed size.
Contact Information
Name
Joanne Heraty
Agency Name
California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
Job Title
Senior Environmental Scientist- Specialist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Theodore Reitman
Agency Name
University of California Riverside
Job Title
Graduate Student
Contact Types
Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Riverside
Counties
Imperial, Riverside, San Diego
Regions
Countywide, Southern California
Other Location Info
The Project will take place in portions of San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) and at several locations within the Imperial Valley. The Project will revisit past collection sites listed in the USDA National Germplasm System (NPGS)/Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database. DNA extraction and sequencing will be conducted at the University of California Riverside (UCR).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15306, Class 6
Reasons for Exemption
The Project consists of basic data collection, research, and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. The permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for the Project includes measures to ensure that existing populations of Algodones Dunes sunflower are not impacted.
County Clerks
Imperial, Riverside, San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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