scholarly journals Conservation assessment and action on Lotus sanguineus (Fabaceae), a critically endangered endemic species to Turkey

Hacquetia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-315
Author(s):  
Ümit Subaşı ◽  
Fatoş Şekerciler ◽  
Mecit Vural

AbstractLotus sanguineus is one of the endemic taxa from Mediterranean Region of Turkey. It has hitherto been known from type locality and was assessed under VU and EN categories despite the lack of information on the population size, number of location and habitat quality. This study aims to determine the global conservation status and conservation strategies of the narrow endemic species. We collected all available data and evaluated them with the field studies. We reported the sizes of populations, altitude, coordinates, habitat types and the threats it faces for each locality. GeoCAT analyses at global levels indicate the extent of occurrence 19.965 km2 and area of occupancy 9 km2 and there could be an inferred decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation of the original population, suggesting this species might be classified as Critically Endangered, based on criterium B1ab (i, ii, iii) + 2ab (i, ii, iii) in the Red List categorization. Conservation priorities include life history and ecology studies, in-situ conservation, population monitoring and ex-situ conservation to prevent the destruction of the existing gene pool.

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Calonje ◽  
Alan W. Meerow ◽  
Lindy Knowles ◽  
David Knowles ◽  
M. Patrick Griffith ◽  
...  

AbstractA conservation assessment for the three cycad species native to the Bahamas Islands is presented. Results are based on field surveys on all islands where these species occur. Zamia angustifolia is native to Eleuthera, Zamia integrifolia is native to Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and New Providence, and Zamia lucayana is endemic to Long Island. Z. angustifolia is of the highest conservation concern because of the small number of adult plants, its restricted distribution and the extensive development occurring within its habitat. Z. integrifolia also has a restricted distribution on Eleuthera and Grand Bahama and, although threatened by urban development in New Providence, it is relatively common on Abaco and Andros. Z. lucayana comprises three populations within a narrow strip of land of c. 1 km2; we propose a reassignment of its current conservation status from Endangered to Critically Endangered. We assessed the genetic structure of Z. lucayana based on 15 polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci; this indicated that the three known populations should be considered a single management unit. However, the high number of private alleles suggests that genetic drift, indicative of recent fragmentation, is progressing. We propose in situ conservation strategies, and we also collected germplasm from a total of 24 populations of these three cycad species, for ex situ conservation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Patricia Alvarado-Solano ◽  
Sergio Martínez López ◽  
Bořivoj Šarapatka ◽  
Joel Tupac Otero Ospina

Family Orchidaceae is widely recognized for its mutualistic relationship with their pollinators, however, the knowledge about the most diverse monocotyledonous group on the planet it is still limited. Here, we recognized the ecological requirements and modeled the habitat preferences for Catasetum bicolor and C. ochraceum (Subfamily: Epidendroideae). We used climatic and bioclimatic data along with species’ occurrences records in a) Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to screen for the most influential variables; and, b) a maximum entropy algorithm (Maxent) for habitat suitability modeling. Also, preliminary conservation status and probable priority areas for monitoring and conservation were identified. Both species differed in their habitat preferences as shown by the altitudinal range. Factors screened by PCA were associated to temperature (average, minimum, seasonality), solar radiation, and precipitation of the driest and warmest months. The variables that influenced the most in the modeling process for C. bicolor were solar radiation, temperature seasonality, and its annual range; while for C. ochraceum were the precipitation of the driest month and solar radiation. Areas with habitat suitable conditions were identified in countries (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Venezuela) and biomes (humid and dry tropical, and subtropical forests) with highly dynamic land cover changes. The studied species were found to be in an endangered status based on their area of occupancy (< 76 km2). However, considering their extent of occurrence (> 20000 km2), they are in a status of less concern. These findings may be relevant for future monitoring plans and planning for ex-situ and in-situ conservation strategies.


Oryx ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Zona ◽  
Raúl Verdecia ◽  
Angela Leiva Sánchez ◽  
Carl E. Lewis ◽  
Mike Maunder

AbstractThe conservation status of 134 species, subspecies and varieties of West Indian palms (Arecaceae) is assessed and reviewed, based on field studies and current literature. We find that 90% of the palm taxa of the West Indies are endemic. Using the IUCN Red List categories one species is categorized as Extinct, 11 taxa as Critically Endangered, 19 as Endangered, and 21 as Vulnerable. Fifty-seven taxa are classified as Least Concern. Twenty-five taxa are Data Deficient, an indication that additional field studies are urgently needed. The 11 Critically Endangered taxa warrant immediate conservation action; some are currently the subject of ex situ and in situ conservation projects in the region’s botanical gardens. We recommend that preliminary conservation assessments be made of the 25 Data Deficient taxa so that conservation measures can be implemented for those facing imminent threats.


Oryx ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Lötters ◽  
Rainer Schulte ◽  
Jesús H. Córdova ◽  
Michael Veith

Populations of harlequin frogs Atelopus are declining throughout their geographical range. In Peru six of the 11 nominally described species are Critically Endangered, and there are at least 17 undescribed additional forms (all representing apparently distinct species), the conservation status of which is unknown. Most Atelopus taxa in Peru have relatively small geographical ranges, some known only from single populations, and have only a limited chance of survival. Conservation will require: (1) improvement of the faunistic and taxonomic knowledge of the genus, (2) field surveys, including in remote areas, (3) assessment of all species and populations for chytridiomycosis and research on the agent's biology, (4) ex situ conservation measures to facilitate later reintroduction, and (5) involvement of national and international conservationists and local people.


Oryx ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Hall ◽  
A.G. Miller ◽  
Othman Llewellyn ◽  
Tarik M. Abbasi ◽  
Rabah J. Al-Harbi ◽  
...  

AbstractDouepea arabica (Hedge & Kit Tan) O. Appel & Al-Shehbaz is a rare and threatened endemic plant species of Saudi Arabia. We present the first field studies of D. arabica in over 2 decades and update the sparse historical data on this important plant species. Surveys of the type locality Wadi Qaraqir and surrounding areas indicate that numbers of D. arabica are low. Although regeneration is occurring in the type locality and a newly recorded locality in the neighbouring Wadi Ghamrah, the extent of occurrence and area of occupancy of D. arabica are restricted. This species appears to be strongly associated with available water sources and the dominant Nerium shrubland in the wadi channels. These are both threatened by increasing agricultural activities and road building in the area. We propose that D. arabica should be categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. We recommend conservation measures for this species, as well as the further research required to implement a conservation action plan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 154 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-404
Author(s):  
Siri A. Abihudi ◽  
Hugo J. De Boer ◽  
Anna C. Treydte

Background and aims – Many Aloe species are globally threatened due to overharvesting for trade and habitat destruction. CITES regulates their international trade. In Tanzania, 50% of all existing Aloe species had previously been assessed, though some of these assessments were Data Deficient. For those with sufficient data, an update is required as the rate of decline has rapidly increased over the last years. Material and methods – We estimated Area of Occupancy (AOO), Extent of Occurrence (EOO), and number of locations for 22 Tanzanian Aloe species using the Geospatial Conservation Assessment software (GeoCAT). We assessed the reasons leading to their decline based on direct field observations and community perceptions. Key results – We revised the conservation status of 22 Aloe species; two were assessed as Critically Endangered, ten as Endangered, five as Vulnerable, and five as Least Concern. We re-discovered the Critically Endangered Aloe boscawenii, which had not been seen in Tanzania for more than six decades. We propose to downgrade the endemic Aloe dorotheae, Aloe leptosiphon, and Aloe flexilifolia from Critically Endangered to a lower threat level. The community perception on Aloe species availability did not accurately reflect their categorisation based on the IUCN criteria B. We identified agricultural activities and climate change effects as the two main threats to Tanzanian Aloe species.Conclusion – We conclude that overall numbers are declining for 22 Aloe species in Tanzania, mainly due to human activities. We recommend the implementation of laws and policies to protect their natural habitats.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. Dakhil ◽  
Marwa Waseem A. Halmy ◽  
Walaa A. Hassan ◽  
Ali El-Keblawy ◽  
Kaiwen Pan ◽  
...  

Climate change is an important driver of biodiversity loss and extinction of endemic montane species. In China, three endemic Juniperus spp. (Juniperuspingii var. pingii, J.tibetica, and J.komarovii) are threatened and subjected to the risk of extinction. This study aimed to predict the potential distribution of these three Juniperus species under climate change and dispersal scenarios, to identify critical drivers explaining their potential distributions, to assess the extinction risk by estimating the loss percentage in their area of occupancy (AOO), and to identify priority areas for their conservation in China. We used ensemble modeling to evaluate the impact of climate change and project AOO. Our results revealed that the projected AOOs followed a similar trend in the three Juniperus species, which predicted an entire loss of their suitable habitats under both climate and dispersal scenarios. Temperature annual range and isothermality were the most critical key variables explaining the potential distribution of these three Juniperus species; they contribute by 16–56.1% and 20.4–38.3%, respectively. Accounting for the use of different thresholds provides a balanced approach for species distribution models’ applications in conservation assessment when the goal is to assess potential climatic suitability in new geographical areas. Therefore, south Sichuan and north Yunnan could be considered important priority conservation areas for in situ conservation and search for unknown populations of these three Juniperus species.


1970 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fergan Karaer ◽  
Ferhat Celep

Scorzonera amasiana Hausskn. and Bornm. was described from type specimens collected by J.F.N. Bornmueller in 1889 but it was not collected again until 1993, when it was found near Amasya, Turkey. Populations of S. amasiana were quite small at that limited locations and were vulnerable to human impacts. Therefore, suitable conservation strategies should be developed immediately in order to protect the species from probable extinction. Here, an additional three small populations are reported. Brief history, morphology, habitat and ecology of this endemic species have been discussed. Its current conservation status was reevaluated with respect to the latest IUCN criteria. A key to distinguish it from the other closely related Turkish species is also provided and its distribution map is appended.   Key words: Endangered, Rediscovery, Scorzonera, Turkey DOI = 10.3329/bjb.v36i2.1502 Bangladesh J. Bot. 36(2): 139-144, 2007 (December)


Kew Bulletin ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Cheek ◽  
Jean Michel Onana

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).


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (20) ◽  
pp. 7459
Author(s):  
María Elena González-Benito ◽  
Miguel Ángel Ibáñez ◽  
Michela Pirredda ◽  
Sara Mira ◽  
Carmen Martín

Epigenetic variation, and particularly DNA methylation, is involved in plasticity and responses to changes in the environment. Conservation biology studies have focused on the measurement of this variation to establish demographic parameters, diversity levels and population structure to design the appropriate conservation strategies. However, in ex situ conservation approaches, the main objective is to guarantee the characteristics of the conserved material (phenotype and epi-genetic). We review the use of the Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) technique to detect changes in the DNA methylation patterns of plant material conserved by the main ex situ plant conservation methods: seed banks, in vitro slow growth and cryopreservation. Comparison of DNA methylation patterns before and after conservation is a useful tool to check the fidelity of the regenerated plants, and, at the same time, may be related with other genetic variations that might appear during the conservation process (i.e., somaclonal variation). Analyses of MSAP profiles can be useful in the management of ex situ plant conservation but differs in the approach used in the in situ conservation. Likewise, an easy-to-use methodology is necessary for a rapid interpretation of data, in order to be readily implemented by conservation managers.


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