Shrubby reed-mustard (Glaucocarpum suffrutescens) is an endangered perennial shrub endemic to the southern Uinta Basin in northeast Utah. Only seven populations of shrubby reed-mustard have been identified. The arid area where the plant grows is rich in natural gas and oil deposits, as well as oil shale. Oil wells already dot the landscape, and there is significant concern that further development of these resources will threaten the continued existence of shrubby reed-mustard. Determination of the parent material, soil and landscape characteristics associated with shrubby reed-mustard habitat is imperative to facilitate conservation management.

Our objective is to identify the physical and chemical characteristics of shrubby reed-mustard’s environment, including site characteristics and soil properties such as water-soluble and total leachable elements, particle-size distribution, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus and potassium.

Shrubby reed-mustard occurs exclusively in shallow soils (≤39 cm) on bedrock-controlled uplands. Adjacent areas that do not support shrubby reed-mustard have soils derived from sandstone. Sodium levels in soils where shrubby reed-mustard occurs are elevated over sodium levels in adjacent areas. We are also looking for potentially toxic elements that are indicative of shrubby reed-mustard tolerance. Descriptive and statistical analyses of data are underway to fully characterize the habitat of shrubby reed-mustard. Based on these determinations, a decision-making tool for identifying potential habitat for this endangered species will be developed.