Seed from at least 4 populations is stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

Seed from at least 4 populations is stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

A narrow eastern Oregon endemic with only 15 known populations, restricted to a specific kind of ash deposit. Observed to be locally abundant on some of the beds, but the total number of plants fluctuates wildly (by orders of magnitude) between years. The species' habitat is somewhat threatened by off-road vehicles and other ground disturbance, e.g. hiking.

Parts of two populations are on private land. No protection is afforded to these areas. Any initiation of large-scale mining operations in Leslie Gulch or immediate vicinity in areas not designated as an ACEC (Kaye 2000) would threaten populations of

As of 2000: The most recent counts were conducted in 1989. In 1989, there were 11 known populations, with numbers ranging from 350 individuals to nearly 200,000 with a total of around 332,000 individuals. Because this is an annual species, it is highly dependent on rainfall totals. Numbers may be very high in a wet year and very low in a dry year (Kaye 2000).

Population monitoring since 1988 on BLM land. Current monitoring is via annual photographic plots. This reduces the potential for damage to plants due to trampling by researchers. Monitoring will continue long-term. Population numbers appear relatively stable although they fluctuate with annual precipitation levels. Clumps of plants tend to move around from year to year (Findley 2001). Studies of photosynthesis indicate that Senecio errterae is a C3 plant because of the high CO2 compensation point (Mansfield 2001). Germination studies at the Berry Botanic Garden were inconclusive. Five separate trials were conducted. In each one, seeds were either cold stratified for 8 weeks or not cold stratified. This was followed by placement in either constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50/68F (10/20C). No treatment was consistently better than any other, and each of the four treatments yielded 100% germination in at least one of the trials (BBG File).

In 1995, the BLM prepared and signed a management plan for this species in addition to Mentzelia packardiae and Ivesia rhypara var. rhypara. This created the ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern), which is the ""most important regulatory mechanism"" protecting Senecio ertterae (Kaye 2000). Six of the eleven known populations, including all of the largest populations are within BLM land designated as an ACEC (Kaye 2000). Within the ACEC, road location and width changes as well as gates, pullouts and parking areas are utilized to direct visitors away from Senecio errterae habitat (Kaye 2000). Within the ACEC, mineral collection requires a permit, and the area is closed to mining (Kaye 2000). Livestock grazing is prohibited on ACEC land (Kaye 2000). Recreation is restricted to day use only in the ACEC (Kaye 2000). Seed from at least 4 populations is stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

Continue to manage areas in designated ACEC to ensure there are no unauthorized grazing, mining or recreational activities. Such events that threaten the stability of these populations will result in an emergency re-listing of the species with the state of Oregon. Conduct physiological studies to determine the photosynthetic pathways of this species. Research suggests that it is a C3 plant because of the high carbon dioxide (CO2) compensation point (Mansfield 2001). However, observations suggest that it may be a C4 plant, as it is unusual to have a fall blooming plant in an arid environment (Findley 2001). Determine when seeds germinate in the field.

Collect and store seeds from across the range. Determine germination protocols. Determine propagation and reintroduction protocols.