The botany program develops (in consultation with other arctic and Alaska flora experts), maintains, and updates a list of vascular plant species and lichens that are rare in Alaska. We assign these species conservation status ranks that adhere to protocols developed by our parent organization, NatureServe.
More information on Alaska’s rare vascular plants and lichens can be accessed here.
In addition, the botany program has compiled biographies for over half of the 350 non-native plant species that are known or likely to occur in Alaska. Furthermore, AKNHP, in collaboration with biologists, land managers and weed scientists across the state, has developed an invasive plant ranking system that helps evaluate the potential invasiveness and impacts of non-native plants to natural areas in Alaska (Carlson et al. 2008). With funding support from the US Forest Service, the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts and the University of Alaska we have ranked approximately 170 non-native plant species to date.
More information on Alaska’s non-native plants can be accessed here.
