C. Wheeler (University of Akron, Akron, Ohio) performed experiments on seedling development and hemiparasitism in 1980 toward a Master's thesis.

The New England Wild Flower Society (Framingham, Massachusetts) has conducted germination trials on Pedicularis furbishiae. Seeds treated with moist cold germinate well, and seeds stored for three years were able to germinate. However, survivorship following germination, even when experimenting with host plants, has been poor.

A 225-km stretch of the Saint John River near the Maine-New Brunswick border supports the entire world population. These river banks are subject to unusually frequent and severe ice scouring and other disturbances and, according to Menges (1988), P. furbishiae is narrowly adapted to this unique disturbance regime. Maintaining the hydrological characteristics of the river is fundamental to protecting the species; proposed (but never built) hydroelectric projects have posed severe threats in the past. The species' dynamic population biology - with populations continually being destroyed and established by colonization of new sites - suggests that an extensive, hydrologically uncompromised riverine corridor, providing ample potential habitat, is essential for the species long-term survival. There is little genetic variation in the species suggesting a genetic bottleneck occurred likely at the time this unique Saint John River population was founded.

Replicated studies of factors limiting seedling survival, including the need for a host-plant and possible techniques for propagation and reintroduction, are needed.

As articulated by Stirrett (1980), Day (1983), USFWS (1991), and references therein, this species is threatened by: Garbage dumping and excavation along gravel shores that reduces habitat availability Forestry practices (upland clearing) that inc

Populations of Pedicularis furbishiae fluctuate in numbers and location dramatically from year to year, and are notoriously difficult to delineate (Gregory and Gawler 1990). However, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1991) estimated the total population to be 13,800 non-reproductive individuals and 4,300 flowering individuals (an increase from the approximately 5,000 stems estimated in 1980).

Eric Menges (Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida) has conducted numerous studies on the demography and biology of Pedicularis furbishiae. Susan C. Gawler (Maine Natural Areas Program, Augusta, Maine) completed her dissertation on the ecology of the taxon. Jonathan Silvertown (Open University, United Kingdom) uses Pedicularis furbishiae as a model system for studying the demography of rare plants (for a description of his work in collaboration with Miguel Franco (Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City). The New England Wild Flower Society (Framingham, Massachusetts) has conducted germination trials on Pedicularis furbishiae. Seeds treated with moist cold germinate well, and seeds stored for three years were able to germinate. However, survivorship following germination, even when experimenting with host plants, has been poor. C. Wheeler (University of Akron, Akron, Ohio) performed experiments on seedling development and hemiparasitism in 1980 toward a Master's thesis.

Volunteer task forces of the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEWFS), along with other conservation organizations (e.g., U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Natural Areas Program), periodically monitor populations of Pedicularis furbishiae in New England The Nature Trust of New Brunswick established a protected zone called the George Stirrett Nature Preserve around one of the three Canadian populations in 1990 (COSEWIC 2001). A plan existed in 1998 to transplant certain vulnerable plants from an eroding site to this preserve (Hinds 1998); but updates are needed. The Maine Natural Areas Program has been involved with landowner education regarding Pedicularis furbishiae for over a decade (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1991) Cooperative agreements are being forged between the United States and Canada regarding joint protection of several endangered species, including Pedicularis furbishiae.

On-going long-term tracking of the locations and demography of old and new populations is needed throughout the St. John River Ecological studies to determine factors that limit recruitment of seeds and seedlings to available habitat Studies of the importance of hemi-parasitism in the persistence of this species Quantitative hydrological studies that monitor changes in flooding and ice-scouring along the river and their impacts on the plant