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Northern Bentgrass Agrostis mertensii Trin. |
Monocots |  Printer Friendly Version (PDF) |
Family: Grass Family (Poaceae)
State Protection: Threatened 
listed species are those with: 1) 6 to fewer than 20 extant sites, or 2) 1,000 to fewer than 3,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to not less than 4 or more than 7 U.S.G.S. 7 ? minute topographical maps, or 4) listed as threatened by U.S. Department of the Interior. Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S2
A State Rarity Rank of S2 means: This plant is threatened/imperiled in New York because of rarity (typically 6-20 populations or few remaining individuals) or is vulnerable to extirpation from New York due to biological factors. Global Rarity Rank: G5
A Global Rarity Rank of G5 means: This species is demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Did you know? The specific name mertensii was given to this species in honor of the botanist Franz Carl Mertens (1764-1831), five years after his death. |
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| State Ranking Justification | [-] |
There are 10 known extant populations. There are also three historical populations which have not been seen since at least 1961. One of these historical populations was searched for without success but further survey work is needed at this and the other historical populations before their status can be accurately determined. All of the populations occur in very limited alpine habitat on the higher mountains of the high peaks region of the Adirondacks.
| Short-term Trends | [-] |
Four of the ten known extant populations were first seen in the last 20 years. It is likely these populations were overlooked and do not represent new populations. Trampling, which threatens many of the populations, may have led to at least a small decline in some populations' sizes but clear data are not available. Overall, short-term trends are unclear.
| Long-term Trends | [-] |
Three populations have not been seen since at least 1961. One of these populations was searched for without success but further survey work is needed to determine if this and the other two historical populations have become extirpated. At least five populations are quite large, with thousands of individuals. Long-term trends are unclear.
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Home | Advanced Search | About Us Animal Guides | Plant Guides | Community Guides © 2004-2012 New York Natural Heritage Program, a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Agrostis mertensii. Available from: http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9714. Accessed May 23rd, 2013. 
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