Tissue culture and cryopreservation research is ongoing at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife by Dr. Valerie Pence. Dr. Pence is developing protocols for tissue culture and cryopreservation of this species under ""Tissue Culture Propagation of Selected Species in the National Collection of Endangered Plants"" (Institute of Museum and Library Services grant) from plants in propagation at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Protocols for the long-term storage of spores, etc. have not been established.

Tissue culture and cryopreservation research is ongoing at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife by Dr. Valerie Pence. Dr. Pence is developing protocols for tissue culture and cryopreservation of this species under ""Tissue Culture Propagation of Selected Species in the National Collection of Endangered Plants"" (Institute of Museum and Library Services grant) from plants in propagation at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Protocols for the long-term storage of spores, etc. have not been established.

Currently known from ~10 sites in St. Tammany and Washington parishes in southeastern Louisiana as reported by the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program in January 2002 (Patricia Faulkner, 2002): Site 1 last observation 2001; 3 populations first still in tact, plants not counted, but original count listed 2600 plants, second group 20 plants, and third group 270 plants down from 335. Site 2 last observation 1997, 4 plants reported; not searched in 2001 survey ownership questionable, no access Site 3 last observation 2001; 83 plants found near bridge in one population, another population reported in 1997 in same area 335 plants probably still intact. Site 4 last observation 2001; 2000-2500 plants in sweetgum wetland. Site 5 last observation 1997; 50 plants; habitat now considered marginal Site 6 last observation 1997; 25 plants in brushy streamside where timber had been harvested. Site 7 last observation 2001; no plants found and habitat deteriorated; original population of 18 plants in 1997 Site 8 last observation 1997; 20 plants. Site 9 originally identified as I. louisianensis, but later (1997) tentatively identified as I. melanopoda. Site 10 last observation 2001; near Abita Creek Preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy; total 800 plants.

Isoetes louisianensis is known from shallow blackwater streams in the riparian woodlands and bayhead forests of southern Mississippi, two Parishes in adjacent eastern Louisiana, and two counties in southern Alabama. Approximately 46 occurrences are believed extant, mostly in Mississippi. The total population appears to be between 10,000 and 70,000 plants. Threats include any activity that affects the hydrology, water quality, or substrate stability of the habitat, such as sand and gravel dredging, stream channelization, livestock grazing in the streams, feral pig activity, and/or erosion from clear-cut logging of adjacent forests.

Timber harvest leading to erosion and runoff. Gravel mining significantly transforms riparian forest communities and alters stream quality and dynamics and poses serious threat to populations. Dredging, ditching, channelization, road construction.

Currently known from ~10 sites in St. Tammany and Washington parishes in southeastern Louisiana as reported by the Louisiana Natural Heritage Program in January 2002 (Patricia Faulkner, 2002): Site 1 last observation 2001; 3 populations first still in tact, plants not counted, but original count listed 2600 plants, second group 20 plants, and third group 270 plants down from 335. Site 2 last observation 1997, 4 plants reported; not searched in 2001 survey ownership questionable, no access Site 3 last observation 2001; 83 plants found near bridge in one population, another population reported in 1997 in same area 335 plants probably still intact. Site 4 last observation 2001; 2000-2500 plants in sweetgum wetland. Site 5 last observation 1997; 50 plants; habitat now considered marginal Site 6 last observation 1997; 25 plants in brushy streamside where timber had been harvested. Site 7 last observation 2001; no plants found and habitat deteriorated; original population of 18 plants in 1997 Site 8 last observation 1997; 20 plants. Site 9 originally identified as I. louisianensis, but later (1997) tentatively identified as I. melanopoda. Site 10 last observation 2001; near Abita Creek Preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy; total 800 plants. USFWS (1996) report occurrences in two counties in southern Mississippi: Jackson and Perry counties: Jackson County, DeSoto National Forest, Red Creek Wildlife Management Area, Tchoutacabouffa River watershed: Site 1 - ~50 plants in overflow channels of a streamhead Perry County, DeSoto National Forest, Camp Shelby National Guard Training Site, Pascagoula River Watershed: Site 2 - ~2,500 plants in five colonies along a 1.0 mile stretch near the headwaters of a creek Site 3 - ~1,500 plants in scour channels mainly along a 0.2 mile stretch of a small tributary Site 4 - ~20 plants near an intermittent stream draining into a creek

Tissue culture and cryopreservation research is ongoing at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife by Dr. Valerie Pence. Dr. Pence is developing protocols for tissue culture and cryopreservation of this species under ""Tissue Culture Propagation of Selected Species in the National Collection of Endangered Plants"" (Institute of Museum and Library Services grant) from plants in propagation at Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. Protocols for the long-term storage of spores, etc. have not been established. Propagation techniques for Isoetes are referenced to researchers including Garrie Landry and Dr. Neil Luebke. Plants received from one site from Washington Parish in Louisiana in 1991 by Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens prefer cool, semi-aquatic conditions in our shade nursery. Plants are grown in shallow tubs on saucers in cool (at ground level), shade conditions and prefer an acidic sand-peat substrate. In addition, sixty-nine plants were received from the Louisiana Natural Heritage Office, Baton Rouge, in April 2002 as a rescue from a bridge construction site in St. Tammany Parish. These plants are thriving in Mercer's conservation nursery. These plants will be reintroduced near the collection site following restoration of the area in 2003 or 2004. Mercers off-site Conservation Area provides secure, raised beds for mass propagation of plants. Each bed within the Conservation Area is provided with independently controlled irrigation and contains propagation substrates that meet the unique requirements for each species. Beds for wetlands species are lined to provide aquatic conditions. Isoetes louisianensis plants can be maintained/produced in mass within Mercers Conservation Area, in addition to those currently maintained in our Nursery, for reintroductions and restorations. The Endangered Species Garden, established in 1994 with support from Star Enterprises, displays rare native plants for the public to view year-round. In Spring 2002, the River Oaks Garden Club of Houston, TX provided a generous gift to initiate the expansion and renovation of Mercers Endangered Species Garden. This expansion and renovation will include a stream habitat and will provide a permanent educational display habitat for the Louisiana Quillwort. Mercer maintains a permanent bank of rare seeds and plants collected from field surveys and from propagation work. Mercer also banks subsets of rare seeds or plants with our collaborating CPC institutions and with the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP) in Ft. Collins, CO (formerly called the National Seed Storage Laboratories).

Conservation measures have been taken to preserve the health of a number of locations where this species occurs (USFWS 1996).

Research the basic biology of this species. Continued analysis of the genetics of this species. Rescue of threatened populations. Identify secure reintroduction sites.

Expand gene bank. Propagation protocols for spores. Maintain rescued populations for reintroductions.