PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 31: Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
Thursday, August 11, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal

SEM'AIL: a public sowing program for wild leek, a vulnerable species in Quebec.

Vasseur, Claire ¹, Nault, Andrée^{1, 2}, ¹ Montréal Biodôme, Montréal, Québec, Canada² Université du Québec à Montreal, Groupe de recherche en Ecologie Forestière Interuniversitaire, Montréal, Québec, Canada

ABSTRACT- In 1995, wild leek (Allium tricoccum) was the first species to be legally designated as a vulnerable species in Quebec (i.e. bill 108). Commercial sale of its edible bulbs is forbidden and harvest is severely controlled. Despite a major reduction of harvests in natural populations, every spring, several thousands of bulbs are seized by wildlife agents. Consequently, further protection measures should be developed. In 2000, SEM'AIL, a public sowing program was launched by the Montreal Biodome to increase public awareness and facilitate species restoration in the wild. This program includes two aspects: 1) educational activities (animation, conferences, papers and brochures) and 2) a public sowing program. Wild leek seeds were collected in autumn from 3-4 large populations in each target region. Invitations to apply were sent in a few journals for farmers and nature lovers. From 2000 to 2004, seeds were distributed to 1117 landowners of maple forests, in the five regions of Southern Quebec mostly affected by overharvesting. They were asked to sow 100 seeds from their seed lot in two 1m transects and monitor germination and survival for five years. About 60% of landowners actively participated in the monitoring. Mean germination rates varied among years, from 21 to 33%. Wild leek grew slowly : mean leaf width increased from 0.47 cm the first year of emergence to 1.07 cm after four years. This shows clearly to the landowners, how slowly this long-lived perennial is growing, and helped discouraged harvesting. Such a visible and pro-active conservation/restoration campaign is providing a unique opportunity to raise public awareness. This project has been funded by the Ministry of Environment of Quebec, Montreal Biodome and Canada Trust.

Key words: vulnerable specie, Allium tricoccum, public restoration program