Reducing Mate Limitation in the Forked Aster (Eurybia furcata): A Case Study of Genetic Augmentation

Storyboard Contributed by: Rafael Urbina Casanova and Nora Gavin-Smyth, Chicago Botanic Garden

Researchers at Chicago Botanic Garden been monitoring and managing populations of the Forker Aster (Eurybia furcata or Aster furcata) for decades. They observed that this species produced very few viable seed and sought to understand why. In this video, you will learn how researchers used field mating experiments and genetic augmentation to ultimately improve seed set in wild populations of this rare species. For more information on this topic, see our related video about the causes of mate limitation and the framework remedying mate limitation in situ.