Limited effects of simulated acidic deposition on seedling survivorship and root morphology of endemic plant taxa of the Athabasca Sand Dunes in well-watered greenhouse trials

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Guy ◽  
Jenalee M. Mischkolz ◽  
Eric G. Lamb
Keyword(s):  
Acidic Deposition ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Root Diameter ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Seedling Survivorship ◽  
Species At Risk Act ◽  
Habitat Breadth

The Athabasca Sand Dunes of northern Saskatchewan support 10 endemic vascular plant taxa listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Athabasca Sand Dunes are subject to acidic deposition; the potential impacts of which are a significant knowledge gap to a comprehensive reassessment of the conservation status of these taxa. We used a greenhouse experiment to assess the potential effects of acidic deposition on the root system morphology of the following three endemic species: Armeria maritima (P. Mill) Willd. ssp. interior (Raup) Porsild, Deschampsia mackenzieana Raup, and Stellaria arenicola Raup. We found limited effects of three pH treatments on root diameter, root length, surface area, and branching. Although acidic deposition is likely not a short-term threat, current and future deposition still may be a significant long-term threat. The Athabasca Sand Dune soils are considered highly sensitive, and acidification and nutrient leaching can take several decades to manifest. This should be considered when assessing the conservation status of these endemic taxa, particularly A. maritima, as this species may be more sensitive than the other species to acidic deposition owing to a small population size and limited habitat breadth.

The vascular plant diversity of Dzungarian Gobi in western Mongolia, with an annotated checklist

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 501 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-55
Author(s):  
SHUKHERDORJ BAASANMUNKH ◽  
BATLAI OYUNTSETSEG ◽  
CHULUUNKHUYAG OYUNDARI ◽  
KHURELPUREV OYUNDELGER ◽  
MAGSAR URGAMAL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
Western Mongolia ◽  
Comprehensive Survey

The Dzungarian Gobi (DzG), one of 16 phytogeographical regions in the country, is located in the southwestern part of Khovd province in western Mongolia. It comprises some of Mongolia’s largest reserves, namely the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area and the National Park Bulgan gol-Ikh Ongog. We conducted a comprehensive survey of the area’s floristic diversity between 2009 and 2019 by collecting vascular plants from different vegetation types in various seasons. In addition, we critically checked relevant published literature and material from the herbaria ALTB, GLM, GWF, HAL, KHU, LE, MW, NS, OSBU, UBA, and UBU to determine the occurrence of vascular plant species in the DzG region. Based on our collection data, a comprehensive checklist of DzG’s flora was compiled, representing 913 vascular plant taxa (including 34 subspecies and one variety) belonging to 329 genera and 70 families. Twenty-one taxa were newly found in the DzG region. We also investigated the conservation status of all species noted, and 19 endemic plants and 96 threatened species, including six critically endangered, 26 endangered, 57 vulnerable, and seven near threatened plants were recognized in this region. Eight rare species were newly assessed according to regional conservation status based on GeoCat and IUCN. The richest plant families found were Asteraceae (153 species), Fabaceae (77 species), Amaranthaceae (69 species), and Poaceae (68 species). Several uncertain endemic and non-endemic plants remain still discussion, such as Papaver baitagense and Rosa baitagensis; thus, further studies are needed on their taxonomic and conservation status. For each taxon, we provide its distribution in the region, elevation range, voucher number, and additional references. Finally, we analyzed species hotspots of DzG, based on three different plant species richness criteria: i. all recorded species, ii. endemic species, and iii. threatened species using our georeferenced records. The most diverse hotspot area in DzG is the Baitag Bogd Mountain area, which comprises the highest species number of all three richness criteria.

Intensified grazing affects endemic plant and gastropod diversity in alpine grasslands of the Southern Carpathian mountains (Romania)

Biologia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Baur ◽  
Cristina Cremene ◽  
Gheorghe Groza ◽  
Anatoli Schileyko ◽  
Anette Baur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Calcareous Soils ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Alpine Grasslands ◽  
Gastropod Species ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
The Carpathians ◽  
Steep Slopes

AbstractAlpine grasslands in the Southern Carpathian Mts, Romania, harbour an extraordinarily high diversity of plants and invertebrates, including Carpathic endemics. In the past decades, intensive sheep grazing has caused a dramatic decrease in biodiversity and even led to eroded soils at many places in the Carpathians. Because of limited food resources, sheep are increasingly forced to graze on steep slopes, which were formerly not grazed by livestock and are considered as local biodiversity hotspots. We examined species richness, abundance and number of endemic vascular plants and terrestrial gastropods on steep slopes that were either grazed by sheep or ungrazed by livestock in two areas of the Southern Carpathians. On calcareous soils in the Bucegi Mts, a total of 177 vascular plant and 19 gastropod species were recorded. Twelve plant species (6.8%) and three gastropod species (15.8%) were endemic to the Carpathians. Grazed sites had lower plant and gastropod species richness than ungrazed sites. Furthermore, grazed sites harboured fewer gastropod species endemic to the Carpathians than ungrazed sites. On acid soils in the Fagaras Mts, a total of 96 vascular plant and nine gastropod species were found. In this mountain area, however, grazed and ungrazed sites did not differ in species richness, abundance and number of endemic plant and gastropod species. Our findings confirm the high biodiversity of grasslands on steep slopes in the Southern Carpathian Mts and caution against increasing grazing pressure in these refuges for relic plants and gastropods as well as for other invertebrates.

scholarly journals The endemic plant species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon with a new Critically Endangered cloud-forest tree species, Vepris zapfackii (Rutaceae)

Kew Bulletin ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Cheek ◽  
Jean Michel Onana
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Taxonomic Changes ◽  
Mt Kupe ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

SummaryWe revise and update the records of strict and near-endemic species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon respectively from 31 strict endemics in 2004, to 25 today, and with near-endemic species 30, unchanged in number but with turnover. The changes result from new collections, discoveries and taxonomic changes in the last 16 years. While 15 of the provisionally named putative endemic species have now been formally published, a further 18 have not. The majority of the 30 near-endemic species (18) are shared with the adjacent Bakossi Mts, far exceeding the numbers shared with the more distant Mt Etinde-Mt Cameroon, Rumpi Hills and Ebo forest areas (sharing three near-endemic species each with Mt Kupe). We test the hypothesis that a further one of the provisionally named putative Mt Kupe species, Vepris sp. 1 from submontane forest near the summit, is indeed new to science. We compare it morphologically with the two other bicarpellate high altitude Cameroon Highland tree species V. montisbambutensis Onana and V. bali Cheek, concluding that it is a new undescribed species here named as Vepris zapfackii. The new species is illustrated and its conservation status assessed as Critically Endangered using the 2012 IUCN standard, due to habitat clearance from agricultural pressures at its sole location which is unprotected. Vepris zapfackii and V. bali appear unique in African trifoliolate species of the genus in having opposite leaves. Vepris zapfackii differs in having hairy petiolules and midribs and petiolules with the blade decurrent distally, narrowing towards a winged-canaliculate base (vs glabrous and petiolule long, terete), and sparsely golden hairy pistillodes and a glabrous calyx (vs densely black hairy pistillodes, and sepals hairy).

scholarly journals A new species of Cochemiea (Cactaceae, Cacteae) from Sinaloa, Mexico

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leccinum Jesús García Morales ◽  
Rodrigo Homero González González ◽  
Jesús García Jiménez ◽  
Duilio Iamonico
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
The North ◽  
Hummingbird Pollination ◽  
Diagnostic Key ◽  
A New Species

Background and Aims: Cochemiea is a genus which currently comprises five species occurring in Mexico. It is morphologically characterized by cylindrical decumbent to prostrate stems and by a long red-scarlet zygomorphic perianth, presumably specialized for hummingbird pollination. As part ofthe ongoing taxonomic studies on the North Mexican flora, a population discovered by Thomas Linzen in 2012 in central Sinaloa (Mexico), previously identified as Mammillaria sp., actually refers to a Cochemiea species and cannot be ascribed to any of the known species of that genus. As a consequence,we here propose to describe this population as a a new species for science.Methods: The work is based on field surveys (autumn 2018 and spring 2019) in central Sinaloa, examination of herbarium specimens, and analysis of relevant literature. Its conservation status was assessed following the guidelines of the IUCN; AOO and EOO were calculated with the programGeoCAT.Key results: Cochemiea thomasii is described and illustrated from Sinaloa. The new species is morphologically similar to C. halei from which it differs by the hanging stems, the larger conical tubercles, less numerous and shorter central spines, and the ovoid fruits. A diagnostic key of the knownCochemiea species is included.Conclusions: Cochemiea thomasii is endemic to the state of Sinaloa where it occupies a small area. On the basis of the criteria B2a (geographic range) and C (small population) of IUCN, the new species can be assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) or Vulnerable (VU). Adopting the precautionary approach, Cochemiea thomasii is considered as Critically Endangered (CR).

scholarly journals Epimeletic behaviour in a Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

2021 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-320
Author(s):  
Taylor Shedd ◽  
Allison Northey ◽  
Shawn Larson
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Salish Sea ◽  
The People ◽  
Species At Risk Act ◽  
Prey Scarcity ◽  
Vessel Noise

Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW, Orcinus orca) may be found year round in the Salish Sea. These orcas comprise three matrilineal pods (J, K, and L) and were listed as Endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act in 2003 and under the United States Endangered Species Act in 2005 because of prey scarcity, vessel noise and disturbance, small population size, and exposure to toxins. Since 1993, the Whale Museum has been operating Soundwatch, a boater education program for vessels. Soundwatch personnel are on the water in the central Salish Sea throughout the summer educating boaters on how to maneuver near marine mammals legally and documenting vessel regulation violations and marine mammal presence and behaviour. Starting on 24 July 2018, Soundwatch documented an adult female SRKW of J pod (J35) carrying a dead neonate calf. J35 continued to carry her dead calf for 17 consecutive days covering ~1600 km. Her story riveted the attention of the people of the Salish Sea as well as people around the world, evoking empathy for J35 and her loss as well as the plight of the Endangered SRKW population. Here, we tell her story and evaluate whether the behaviour J35 displayed toward her dead calf was an example of epimeletic behaviour, animal grief.

Rediscovery of Oocephalus foliosus (Hyptidinae—Lamiaceae): notes on taxonomy and conservation of a species endemic to the campo rupestre of Central Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 525 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-162
Author(s):  
ARTHUR DE SOUZA SOARES ◽  
RAQUEL NEGRÃO ◽  
RAYMOND MERVYN HARLEY ◽  
JOSÉ FLORIANO BARÊA PASTORE ◽  
JOMAR GOMES JARDIM
Keyword(s):  
19Th Century ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Species Description ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Campo Rupestre ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Narrow Area

Oocephalus foliosus was described in the first half of 19th century, based on a collection from central Goiás state, Brazil, being collected again only three times in surrounding areas. Although this species seems to be rare and endemic to a narrow area, it has never been listed on any threatened list or had its conservation status assessed. Recently, we recorded a small population of O. foliosus in the Pireneus peak, an area of campo rupestre located in the municipality of Pirenópolis, Goiás, allowing us to improve the species description, assess its extinction risk and comment on its taxonomy. Also, a second step lectotypification was needed to the species and is here proposed.

A new species of Sericanthe (Coffeeae, Rubiaceae) from Chimanimani Mountains, Mozambique-Zimbabwe border

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 430 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
BART WURSTEN ◽  
DIANE BRIDSON ◽  
STEVEN B. JANSSENS ◽  
PETRA DE BLOCK
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species ◽  
A New Species

The Chimanimani Mountains, located at the Mozambique-Zimbabwe border, are geologically unique in that they consist of quartzites giving rise to peaks and outcrops between zones of schist supporting grasslands. The nutrient-poor quartzitic soils house a high number of endemic plant species. One of these is Sericanthe chimanimaniensis, which is here described as new for science. We give a detailed description and distribution map, illustrations, information on ecology and phenology, and an assessment on the conservation status. An identification key to closely allied species is presented.

Rediscovery of Senecio reitzianus (Asteraceae), a species believed to be possibly extinct, on Santa Catarina Island, southern Brazil

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 291 (3) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
LUÍS ADRIANO FUNEZ ◽  
GUSTAVO HASSEMER ◽  
JOÃO PAULO RAMOS FERREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Detailed Account ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Species Extinction ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Data Deficient

Senecio reitzianus was described from sand dunes in Lagoa da Conceição (Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil). The species remained to be known only from the type. Almost seventy years later, we discovered a population of this species in Costão do Santinho, about 20 km from the type locality. A detailed account of this population is provided and its conservation status is assessed. We also present photographs of this species from the wild and also of the holotype, as well as a new description and comparisons with similar species in the genus. Our results reinforce the urgent need of further field work, especially on data-deficient species, in order to have a chance to prevent the species extinction.

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