The New England Wild Flower Society has developed successful techniques for nursery cultivation and reintroduction of Potentilla robbinsiana. Summer transplants using plants that have been potted in the nursery have shown nearly 100% survival rates.

Seeds remain viable in seed bank for at least 5-10 years.

Ex situ seed germination and cultivation have been undertaken by the New England Wild Flower Society, Framingham, Massachusetts. Seeds need a period of moist cold in order to germinate well. Germination after treatment with gibberellic acid (a plant hormone) is erratic.

Demographic studies (Izard-Crowley 1993, Environmental Defense Fund 1999) show an increase in population numbers and juvenile recruitment since 1983, reversing a decline noted throughout the past century and during 1973-1983 (Graber 1980). Using demographic modeling, Izard-Crowley projected low extinction probabilities and a minimum viable population size of at least 50 plants (Izard-Crowley and Kimball 1998, cited in U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2001)

Also, each year, a portion of the seed collected for use in transplants is placed in cold storage at the New England Wild Flower Society (Framingham, Massachusetts) to establish a seed bank for the species (USFWS 2001).

Two-year-old plants germinated from seed were transplanted with the soil media intact in mid-June to early July.

Endemic to alpine areas of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This species' habitat is extremely limited and there are only two naturally occurring populations, one of which will probably not support, over the long-term, the few plants that are there. Two transplanted populations appear to be viable. Impacts from trampling have affected this species substantially in the past; trail rerouting has reduced this threat, but construction of a stone wall in the habitat area may be limiting further spread of the population.

As articulated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1980, 2001): Over-collecting: Historically, collection by enthusiastic botanists may have reduced the population size by up to half, with over 800 separate specimens placed in herbaria since its

Potentilla robbinsiana exists at two sites in three populations. The largest population contains over 14,000 plants (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2001) with 1,500-2,000 flowering individuals (NatureServe 2001), up from a census total of approximately 9,000 plants in 1992 (Izard-Crowley 1993). This population has been successfully augmented through the efforts of the New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS). A second population, discovered clinging to a cliff face in Franconia Notch contained less than thirty plants (Bill Brumback [NEWFS] personal communication) and is not considered viable in the long term (NatureServe 2001). (Another similarly precarious population once found in Franconia Notch has disappeared (Cogbill 1993)). A new population of plants was reintroduced to Franconia Notch by NEWFS and currently has over 300 plants; it appears to be naturally expanding.

Demographic studies (Izard-Crowley 1993, Environmental Defense Fund 1999) show an increase in population numbers and juvenile recruitment since 1983, reversing a decline noted throughout the past century and during 1973-1983 (Graber 1980). Using demographic modeling, Izard-Crowley projected low extinction probabilities and a minimum viable population size of at least 50 plants (Izard-Crowley and Kimball 1998, cited in U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2001). More consistent and reliable methods for monitoring populations have also been developed (USFWS 2001). Studies documenting the ecology of the species have led to a fuller understanding of threats to the species and factors, including trampling and plant competition, contributing to its rarity needs (e.g., Graber 1980, Kimball and Paul 1986, Lee 1986). Because the habitat itself is remote, fragile, and challenging, experimental field studies are lacking. Transplant efforts have met with mixed success. Early attempts (Graber 1980, Fitzgerald et al. 1988, USFWS 2001) showed high mortality in some areas, with adult plants persisting (but little seedling establishment) at others (Kimball 1985). A new, introduced Franconia population of approximately 300 plants appears viable (USFWS 2001). Because seedlings are highly sensitive to frost-heaving, recruitment rates in all populations are low, and it is difficult to predict the long-term persistence of transplanted populations. Ex situ seed germination and cultivation have been undertaken by the New England Wild Flower Society, Framingham, Massachusetts. Seeds need a period of moist cold in order to germinate well. Germination after treatment with gibberellic acid (a plant hormone) is erratic. Seeds remain viable in seed bank for at least 5-10 years. The New England Wild Flower Society has developed successful techniques for nursery cultivation and reintroduction of Potentilla robbinsiana. Summer transplants using plants that have been potted in the nursery have shown nearly 100% survival rates. Likewise, Tom Lee at the University of New Hampshire has devised methods for seed germination and seedling propagation (Lee 1987). More research is needed on the causes of mortality once ex situ plants have been moved to field sites.

To discourage damage to the plants from trampling, a scree wall surrounding the main Mount Washington population was constructed and posted with ``closed to entry'' signs. Two hiking trails were simultaneously relocated away from the population. Hikers were surveyed for multiple years, and educational programs developed (Taylor 1982, Weathers 1983). Plants have since been successfully transplanted back into the habitat where trails had destroyed plants, especially at the highest elevations (USFWS 2001). Staff from the White Mountain National Forest and Appalachian Mountain Club continue to provide stewardship, enforcement, and educational resources on site, and signs steering the public away from the main population of plants are updated and replaced when needed. To establish four additional self-maintaining transplant populations as called for in the 1980 U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan, population monitoring protocols were developed and instituted at both populations. Features of microhabitats where the plants preferentially occurred were identified and used to locate unoccupied, potentially suitable habitat. Finally, effective propagation and transplant techniques were developed. Two-year-old plants germinated from seed were transplanted with the soil media intact in mid-June to early July. Also, each year, a portion of the seed collected for use in transplants is placed in cold storage at the New England Wild Flower Society (Framingham, Massachusetts) to establish a seed bank for the species (USFWS 2001). If the species is de-listed, as is currently proposed (USFWS 2001), populations must still be monitored for the next five years to determine any impacts of reduced protection. Volunteer task forces of the New England Plant Conservation Program of The New England Wild Flower Society (Framingham, Massachusetts) and other partners (i.e.., Appalachian Mountain Club staff) monitor populations of Potentilla robbinsiana in New Hampshire.

Genetic studies to determine levels of homozygosity and if genetic heterogeneity is eroding are probably warranted if plant numbers can support genetic sampling. Impacts of global warming on alpine plant populations. Studies of herbivore impacts on seedling and adult mortality. Izard-Crowley (1993) reported insect herbivory on 30% of plants surveyed in 1992, with leaf damage caused by aphids and moth larvae.

Ex situ techniques are relatively well-known for this taxon.