I echo Cindy's thanks, Jim: a very good
job.
And
thank you, too, Cindy, for a clear, succinct, and gracefully phrased explanation
of the chief issues in the "local ecotype" debate.
Bill
Witt
Thank you,
Jim! You did much more than your share to provide enlightened
and thoughtful input to the DOT.
I especially appreciate your
inclusion of the local-ecotype prairie seed issue. For those not
familiar with this term, local-ecotype prairie seed refers to seed that is
genetically descended from nearby native prairie remnants.
Iowa-ecotype refers to seed genetically descended from native prairie
remnants within Iowa.
Much if not most of the prairie seed planted in
Iowa in the past forty years, by both individuals and agencies, was
genetically descended from seed originally collected in prairies in other
states, some hundreds of miles away. Some of this seed was modified by
plant breeders for grazing purposes. The resulting cultivars are often
aggressive, and don't look or behave like the plants found in Iowa prairie
remnants. (Some cultivars of switchgrass are especially known
for this.)
Some of this distant-origin prairie seed is grown and
sold in Iowa, and is often (and accurately) called "Iowa-grown prairie
seed." But Iowa-grown prairie seed is not the same as
Iowa-ecotype prairie seed. Iowa-grown prairie seed may come,
genetically, from Colorado or Texas.
The Iowa DOT has
been working to use more Iowa-ecotype seed, and needs thanks and
encouragement for doing so. Using Iowa-ecotype seed lessens the
potential for genetically polluting prairie remnants near highway plantings
(through wind-blown and insect-carried pollen).
It also
lessens the risk of accidently introducing new plant diseases and
inappropriate species. Using Iowa-ecotype seed also provides
income for Iowa-ecotype seed growers, and it helps protect and expand Iowa's
own unique prairie heritage. Thanks again, Jim!
Cindy
Hildebrand
[log in to unmask]
Ames, IA 50010
"Tell
the truth and run." (Yugoslav proverb)
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