The endemic and range restricted vascular plants of Croatia: diversity, distribution patterns and their conservation status

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 436 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-140
Author(s):  
TONI NIKOLIĆ ◽  
MAURO FOIS ◽  
BORIS MILAŠINOVIĆ
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
Native Flora

The Balkan Peninsula is recognized as an important centre of native and endemic plant species diversity as well as an important wildlife refuge area. However, although Croatia hosts more than half of plant species found on the Balkan Peninsula, the endemic taxa have never been evaluated or used to define conservation priorities. We analyzed the qualitative composition of the endemic and range restricted species, their spatial distribution, centres of endemism, and conservation status (non-IUCN).         We generated an updated and annotated checklist of 349 endemic or range-restricted plant taxa (6.9% of the entire native flora), subdivided in 231 species, 103 subspecies and 15 hybrids and belonging to 149 genera and 43 families. Among the 231 species, 69 are considered endemic to Croatia and confined to a small area (< 4,500 km2), while 162 are considered range restricted species, which have larger ranges and/or are shared with neighbouring countries. The genera Centaurea and Hieracium have the highest number of endemic and range restricted taxa.         Spatial analyses indicated two notable centres of species richness—the mountainous Dinaric Alps and the SE Adriatic coast, including the islands. Regions with a high richness of range-restricted taxa did not coincide with areas of high richness of endemic species.         Taxa exhibited modest bimodality with respect to altitudinal distribution. In addition, the greatest diversity of taxa is concentrated in northwest of Croatia and could be related to differences in mean annual air temperatures and the duration of insolation.                As regards their conservation status, 13 of the 349 taxa are endangered, and 62 are near threatened or vulnerable. Despite relatively strong legal protection of endemic and range restricted species, 37 taxa remain unprotected. Changes in conservation practice are therefore 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.

scholarly journals Conservation Priorities in a Biodiversity Hotspot: Analysis of Narrow Endemic Plant Species in New Caledonia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e73371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien S. Wulff ◽  
Peter M. Hollingsworth ◽  
Antje Ahrends ◽  
Tanguy Jaffré ◽  
Jean-Marie Veillon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Hotspot Analysis ◽  
Narrow Endemic ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Potential distributional changes and conservation priorities of endemic amphibians in western Mexico as a result of climate change

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDRÉS GARCÍA ◽  
MIGUEL A. ORTEGA-HUERTA ◽  
ENRIQUE MARTÍNEZ-MEYER
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Western Mexico ◽  
Composite Models

SUMMARYThere is a growing concern regarding the conservation status of amphibian species worldwide; they are more threatened and declining more rapidly than mammals or birds, and Mexico is considered one of the richest countries on Earth in terms of reptile and amphibian species. Composite models of the current distribution patterns of endemic amphibians in western Mexico were used to predict their potential distributional changes as a consequence of expected climatic changes. The models identified the most significant conservation areas within the region (hotspots), considering existing natural protected areas (NPAs) and previously recognized terrestrial priority regions for conservation (TPRCs). Three niche modelling algorithms (Bioclim, GARP and MaxEnt) used 2412 locality records for 29 species to model their climate envelopes under current and future conditions for the years 2020, 2050 and 2080. The models indicated that overall species persistence was 60% for the years 2020 and 2050, but dropped to < 20% by the year 2080. The current network of NPAs included only 8% of the areas that currently possess the greatest predicted potential richness (16–21 species), and, by 2050, the models indicate they will encompass only 3% of these areas. Six TPRCs included 44% of currently predicted areas with the highest potential species richness, but, by 2050, models predicted only 3% of such areas would persist within one TPRC. Higher uncertainty levels and variability among species surrounded the 2080 projections generated by the three algorithms. Recognition of the potential effects of climate change and consideration of the conservation value of the six TPRCs identified in this study may counteract the potential consequences of climate change on biodiversity in Mexico.

scholarly journals Predicting plant conservation priorities on a global scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (51) ◽  
pp. 13027-13032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara A. Pelletier ◽  
Bryan C. Carstens ◽  
David C. Tank ◽  
Jack Sullivan ◽  
Anahí Espíndola
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Land Plant ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Conservation Assessment ◽  
Biodiversity Science ◽  
Machine Learning Approach ◽  
The One

The conservation status of most plant species is currently unknown, despite the fundamental role of plants in ecosystem health. To facilitate the costly process of conservation assessment, we developed a predictive protocol using a machine-learning approach to predict conservation status of over 150,000 land plant species. Our study uses open-source geographic, environmental, and morphological trait data, making this the largest assessment of conservation risk to date and the only global assessment for plants. Our results indicate that a large number of unassessed species are likely at risk and identify several geographic regions with the highest need of conservation efforts, many of which are not currently recognized as regions of global concern. By providing conservation-relevant predictions at multiple spatial and taxonomic scales, predictive frameworks such as the one developed here fill a pressing need for biodiversity science.

scholarly journals Is legal protection sufficient to ensure plant conservation? The Italian Red List of policy species as a case study

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graziano Rossi ◽  
Simone Orsenigo ◽  
Chiara Montagnani ◽  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
Domenico Gargano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
National Level ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
Bern Convention

AbstractThe conservation of species listed in the Bern Convention and European Directive 1992/43/EEC (so-called policy species) is mandatory for European Union (EU) countries. We assessed the conservation status of Italian policy species, based on the IUCN categories and criteria, to evaluate the effectiveness of existing protection measures at the national level. Among the 203 vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens evaluated, 41.9% are categorized as threatened, and one is already extinct, indicating that the protection measures for policy species are inadequate. Our results for the Italian policy species are consistent with those of an assessment at the EU level. Conservation priorities should be established at both the national and regional scales. An effective conservation strategy is needed, and in situ and ex situ actions focused on threatened species should be promoted.

scholarly journals Conservation priorities and distribution patterns of vascular plant species along environmental gradients in Aberdare ranges forest

PhytoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 131 ◽  
pp. 91-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Kipkoech ◽  
David Kimutai Melly ◽  
Benjamin Watuma Mwema ◽  
Geoffrey Mwachala ◽  
Paul Mutuku Musili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Partial Least Square Regression ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Conservation And Management

Distribution patterns of biodiversity and the factors influencing them are important in conservation and management strategies of natural resources. With impending threats from increased human population and global climatic changes, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of these patterns, more so in species-rich tropical montane ecosystems where little is known about plant diversity and distribution. Vascular species richness along elevation and climatic gradients of Aberdare ranges forest were explored. A total of 1337 species in 137 families, 606 genera, 82 subspecies and 80 varieties were recorded. Correlations, simple linear regression and Partial least square regression analysis were used to assess richness and diversity patterns of total plants, herbs, shrubs, climbers, arboreal and endemic species from 2000–4000 m above sea level. Total plant species richness showed a monotonic declining relationship with elevation with richness maxima at 2000–2100 m a.s.l., while endemic species richness had a positive unimodal increase along elevation with peaks at 3600–3700 m a.s.l. Herbs, shrubs, climbers and arboreal had significant negative relationships with altitude, excluding endemism which showed positive relations. In contrast, both air and soil temperatures had positive relationships with taxa richness groups and negative relations with endemic species. Elevation was found to have higher relative influence on plant richness and distribution in Aberdare ranges forest. For effective conservation and management of biodiversity in Aberdare, localized dynamic conservation interventions are recommended in contrast to broad and static strategies. Establishment of conservation zones and migration corridors are necessary to safeguard biodiversity in line with envisaged global climatic vicissitudes.

Diversity, Distribution, Habitat preference and conservation of the Fern Flora of Tungnath and adjoining areas, Rudraprayag District, Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-194
Author(s):  
Pragya Joshi ◽  
S.P. Joshi ◽  
R. Jain
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Western Himalayas ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Garhwal Himalayas ◽  
Ecological Sites ◽  
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

The present study is based on exhaustive collection and enlisting of 139 species of ferns occurring at Tungnath and 20 other adjoining localities ranging from 1000-4000m altitude. It is an important part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as the largest Protected Area in Western Himalayas) situated in Rudraprayag district of Garhwal Himalayas. The entire area from Rudraprayag to Tungnath is provided with unique ecological sites that favours the occurrence of great many ferns over here and quite many species are of rare status. Chandra (1979) mentioned 71 species, Joshi et al. since 2002 revealed the occurrence of 64 species from the area. The recent collections of pteridophytes carried out during 2011-12, based on which the diversity and distribution patterns, habitat preference, altitudinal distribution, rarity, ecological sites and conservation status are worked out.

scholarly journals Minor Treatments Can Play a Significant Role in Preserving Natural Habitats and Protected Species on the Shore of a Central European Lake

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1540
Author(s):  
Bence Fülöp ◽  
Bálint Pacsai ◽  
Judit Bódis
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Lake Balaton ◽  
Protected Species ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Natural Grasslands ◽  
Tourism Potential

Semi-natural grasslands were previously established through traditional land use and maintained by active management, but their extension nowadays is declining rapidly, particularly in areas that also have tourism potential. In parallel, the conservation value of the remaining areas is increasing. The shore of Lake Balaton is a particularly good example, as Lake Balaton is an area highly affected by tourism, yet there have been valuable habitats able to survive and provide refuge for many vulnerable, protected species. Fortunately, we have reliable information about the vegetation of the area from two decades ago. Comparing these data with our recent surveys we investigated the changes in habitats and the distribution of protected plant species in connection with the active conservation treatments such as grazing or cutting. Our results show that in areas where treatments are still ongoing, protected plant species are more likely to survive, or even other species can appear, which is in clear contrast with conditions experienced in abandoned areas, where at least seven protected species have disappeared. According to our results, minor, but appropriately chosen and well-executed management interventions, can help in the long-term maintenance of species-rich habitats and improving the conservation status of threatened species.

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