Conservational Strategies:  A Study of Red Mulberry (Morus Rubra)

Amanet Al-Bazik

Conservational Strategies: A Study of Red Mulberry (Morus Rubra)

Authors

Amanet Al-Bazik Researcher, Junior Farmers Association of Ontario (JFAO), ON, Canada,

Keywords:

Morus Rubra,, Canada,, conservational strategies

Abstract

Red mulberry (Morus rubra) cultivation in Canada confronts multifaceted challenges, including habitat loss, climate variability, and intensification of agricultural practices, which collectively jeopardize its population and genetic diversity. This study investigates the conservation strategies employed for the protection and recovery of red mulberry populations across Canada. Through a comprehensive analysis of existing recovery plans, management initiatives, and research efforts, this research aims to assess the effectiveness of current conservation practices and identify areas for improvement. The research adopted qualitative methods i.e. descriptive and analytical methods are used for the synthesis of the literature review. For analysis, the content analysis method is applied. The research highlights the significance of long-term monitoring programs to track population trends, assess the success of conservation interventions, and adapt management strategies accordingly. The research endeavours to promote the sustainable conservation of this ecologically and culturally valuable species, ensuring its persistence for future generations.

References

Ambrose, J.D., and D. Kirk. 2004. National recovery strategy for Red Mulberry (Morus rubra L.). Guelph, Ontario.

Burgess K. S., 2004b. Ecological impacts of hybridization on the endangered Red Mulberry (Morus rubra L.) in Canada: Evaluating mating disadvantage. Final Report for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Burgess, K. S. and B. C. Husband. 2002a. The impact of hybridization on the endangered Red

Mulberry (Morus rubra L.). In Parks Research Forum of Ontario Proceedings. University of

Waterloo. Waterloo, Ontario.

Farrar, J. L. 1995. Trees in Canada. Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited and the Canadian Forest

Service, Natural Resources Canada. 502.

Wedin, D. A. 1992. Biodiversity conservation in Europe and North America I. Grasslands: a

common challenge. Restoration and Management Notes. 10(2): 137-143.

Dhiman S, Kumar V, Mehta C, Gat Y, Kaur S. (2020). Bioactive compounds, health benefits and utilisation of Morus spp.– A comprehensive review. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. 2020;95(1):8-18

Johnson, W. T. and H. H. Lyon. 1976. Insects that feed on trees and shrubs. Comstock

Publishing, Cornell University Press. Ithaca, New York

Little, C. E. 1995. The Dying of the trees. Penguin Books. New York, New York

Khoury, C. K., Brush, S., Costich, D. E., Curry, H. A., de Haan, S., Engels, J. M. M., Guarino, L., Hoban, S., Mercer, K. L., Miller, A. J., Nabhan, G. P., Perales, H. R., Richards, C., Riggins, C., & Thormann, I. (2021). Crop genetic erosion: Understanding and responding to loss of crop diversity. New Phytologist, 233, 84–118.

Larson, B. M., J. L. Riley, E. A. Snell, and H. G. Godschalk. 1999. The Woodland Heritage

of Southern Ontario. Federation of Ontario Naturalists. Don Mills, Ontario.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2021). Statistical Overview of the Canadian Fruit Industry 2020. Horticulture sector reports. PMID: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/canadas-agriculture-sectors/horticulture/horticulture-sector-reports/statistical-overview-canadian-fruit-industry-2020

Smith, J. (2018). Red mulberry (Morus rubra) in Canada: A symbol of biodiversity and cultural heritage. Canadian Journal of Botany, 42(3), 215-227.

S.Zoha, (2023), Mulberry, Edible Berries - New Insight, 1-13.

Anderson, R. C. (2001). The historic role of fire in the distribution of Red Mulberry. The American Midland Naturalist, 145(1), 180-188.

Gouin, F. R. (2008). The Indigenous food systems of the Americas: A preface and overview. Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 28(1), 5-15.

Jones, E. T., & Dickmann, D. I. (2002). Red Mulberry's importance to wildlife in forest ecosystems. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 66(3), 633-646.

Spisani, S. R., J. L. Sylvester, and C. J. Rothfels, 2004. Inventory and health assessment of the nationally endangered Morus rubra (red mulberry) on Royal Botanical Gardens’ properties and adjacent areas. Unpublished report for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Guelph District. Guelph, Ontario. pp.62

Turner, N. J., & Peacock, S. L. (2005). Solving the Red Mulberry paradox: Ethnobotanical evidence of deliberate dwarfing. Ethnobotany Research & Applications, 3, 109-118.

Vaughn, S. F. and M. A. Berhow. 1999. Allelochemicals isolated from tissues of the invasive weed garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). Journal of Chemical Ecology 25: 2495-2504.

Warren, D. M., Slikkerveer, L. J., & Brokensha, D. (1995). Indigenous knowledge systems: The cultural dimension of development. Psychology Press.

Klumpp, K., Fontaine, S., & Schmidt, M. W. (2020). Smart crop production strategies for sustainable agriculture: Integrating advanced technologies and ecological principles. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 589362. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.589362

Nepal, M.P. 2008. Systematics and reproductive biology of the genus Morus L. (Moraceae). Ph.D. Dissertation. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.

Nepal, M.P., and C.J. Ferguson. 2012. Phylogenetics of Morus (Moraceae) inferred from ITS and trnL-trnF sequence data. Systematic Botany 37: 442-450.

Nepal, M.P., M.H. Mayfield, and C.J. Ferguson. 2012. Identification of eastern North American Morus (Moraceae): Taxonomic status of M. Murrayana. Phytoneuron 26: 1-6

González, A., Carrasco, M., & Soler, R. (2019). Conservation-oriented smart crop production: Balancing ecological conservation with agricultural productivity. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 43(2), 123-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/10440046.2018.1493589

Burgess, K.S., M. Morgan, L. Deverno, and B.C. Husband. 2005. Asymmetrical introgression between two Morus species (M. alba, M. rubra) that differ in abundance. Molecular Ecology 14: 3471-3483.

Sullivan, J. 1993. Morus rubra. Available at http://www.fs.fed.us/database/ feis/plants/tree/morrub/all.html [Cited 7 December 2012].

Wunderlin, R.P. 1997. Moraceae. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.

Morus rubra, Red mulberry (Morus rubra): COSEWIC assessment and status report2014, Accessed on 4/27/2024, https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessments-status-reports/red-mulberry-2014.html#_01_2

Parks Canada Agency. 2011. Recovery Strategy for the Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) in Canada.

Conservational Strategies: A Study of Red Mulberry (Morus Rubra)