Coefficients of conservatism for the vascular flora of Arkansas

Abstract

Coefficients of Conservatism (C-values) are values given to plant taxa to describe and rank their fidelity to habitat quality and/or stability within a given region. In this paper, we present newly developed C-values for the vascular flora of Arkansas. Native taxa that show strong fidelity to intact, stable natural communities of high ecological integrity (and which are generally absent from highly altered, degraded, or destabilized communities) are assigned high values (8-10), whereas those tolerant of moderately altered, degraded, or destabilized communities are assigned mid-range values (4-7), and those that are tolerant of highly altered, degraded, or destabilized natural communities are given low values (1-3). Non-native taxa are given a value of 0. C-values have been developed for many states and ecoregions and can be used in various analyses, including Floristic Quality Assessments (FQAs), to assess the quality or health of a natural community, or to track the progress of ecosystem restoration efforts.

Citation

Witsell, Theo; McDaniel, Virginia L.; Baker, Brent T.; Zollner, Doug M.; De Jong, Gabriel L.; Hooks, Susan L. 2024. Coefficients of conservatism for the vascular flora of Arkansas. Phytoneuron. 2024-46. 99 p.