| In 1988, the San Bernardino National Forest initiated a monitoring program for T. stenopetalum (slender-petaled mustard) in Belleville Meadow due to an observed decrease in population numbers, thought to be associated with a prolonged drought. The goal of my study was to determine if the total number of adult plants in Belleville Meadow was directly correlated with precipitation. A secondary goal of the study was to determine if the belt transect data would provide an estimation of the Belleville population without having to perform total counts.; Statistically significant relationships were found between: (1) two year precipitation; (2) two year winter precipitation; (3) three year precipitation; and (4) three year winter precipitation. The belt transects do not adequately represent the Belleville Meadow population and cannot be used to estimate the total number of plants.; In contrast to published descriptions, my study indicates that T. stenopetalum is not an obligate biennial. |
