Endemic plants of Uttarakhand (India): Their distribution, phytoetymological assessment and conservation

The endemic medicinal plants of Northern Balochistan, Pakistan and their uses in traditional medicine

Plant-diversity hotspots on a global scale are well established, but smaller local hotspots within these must be identified for effective conservation of plants at the global and local scales. We used the distributions of endemic and endemic-threatened species of Myrtaceae to indicate areas of plant diversity and conservation importance within the Atlantic coastal forests (Mata Atlântica) of Brazil. We applied 3 simple, inexpensive geographic information system (GIS) techniques to a herbarium specimen database: predictive species-distribution modeling (Maxent); complementarity analysis (DIVA-GIS); and mapping of herbarium specimen collection locations. We also considered collecting intensity, which is an inherent limitation of use of natural history records for biodiversity studies. Two separate areas of endemism were evident: the Serra do Mar mountain range from Paraná to Rio de Janeiro and the coastal forests of northern Espírito Santo and southern Bahia. We identified 12 areas of approximately 35 km(2) each as priority areas for conservation. These areas had the highest species richness and were highly threatened by urban and agricultural expansion. Observed species occurrences, species occurrences predicted from the model, and results of our complementarity analysis were congruent in identifying those areas with the most endemic species. These areas were then prioritized for conservation importance by comparing ecological data for each.

Serpentine soils are edaphically stressful environments that host many endemic plant species. In particular, serpentine soils are high in several heavy metals (e.g. nickel, cobalt and chromium) and these high heavy metal concentrations are thought, in part, to lead to varying levels of plant adaptation and soil affinities (i.e. endemic vs. non-endemic plant species). It is unclear, however, whether serpentine endemics vs. non-endemics differ with respect to heavy metal uptake into either vegetative or reproductive organs. Here, we use nickel as a model to determine whether plant heavy metal uptake varies with the level of endemism in several non-hyperaccumulating species. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, we grew seven plant species from the Brassicaceae family that vary in their degrees of affinity to serpentine soil from low (indifferent) to medium (indicator) and high (endemic) in soil that was nickel supplemented or not. We quantified nickel concentrations in leaves, pistils, anthers, pollen and nectar. While nickel concentrations did not vary across organs or affinities when grown in control soils, under conditions of nickel supplementation endemic species had the lowest tissue concentrations of nickel, particularly when considering leaves and pistils, compared with indifferent/indicator species. Species indifferent to serpentines incorporated higher concentrations of nickel into reproductive organs relative to leaves, but this was not the case for indicator species and endemics where nickel concentration was similar in these organs. Our findings suggest that endemic species possess the ability to limit nickel uptake into above-ground tissues, particularly in reproductive organs where it may interfere with survival and reproduction. Indifferent species accumulated significantly more nickel into reproductive organs compared with leaves, which may limit their reproductive potential relative to endemic species when growing on serpentine soils. Additional work determining the fitness consequences of these differences will further our understanding of edaphic endemism.

Population genetic theory and methodology were applied to the study of endemic plant species. Levels of genetic variability were compared between endemic species and their more widespread relatives. Six of seven narrowly distributed taxa of Saxifragaceae had significantly reduced genetic diversity relative to species of Saxifragaceae with broader distributions. Two endemic species of the fern Polystichum maintained significantly lower levels of genetic variation than did their more widespread congeners. The implications of these data and those reported for other endemic plant species for designing management strategies are also discussed.

Effects of grassland management on plants and invertebrates in Transylvania, Romania : a threat to local biodiversity hotspots

Aim To test whether ingestion by endemic frugivores differentially affects the seed germination time, germination percentage and seedling survival of endemic, native and exotic fleshy fruited plant species, and to identify the principal processes and attributes driving such effects.Location Round Island, Mauritius.Methods We conducted a germination and seedling survival experiment for 3 months to test whether ingestion (gut passage and deposition in faeces) by the endemic Telfair’s skink (Leiolopisma telfairii) had a differential effect on the germination time, germination percentage and seedling survival of two endemic, four native and two exotic fleshy fruited plant species. To assess the importance of factors involved in the ingestion process, we used a factorial design with gut passage (gut‐passed vs. not gut‐passed), depulping (whole fruit vs. manually depulped seed) and the presence of faecal material (faeces vs. without faeces). In addition, the roles of species‐specific traits, seed size and deposition density (average number of seeds per faeces) were examined.Results Exotic species had a higher germination percentage than indigenous (native and endemic) species when not ingested. Following skink ingestion, there was no longer a difference, as ingestion enhanced germination percentage most in endemic species. The exotic species still germinated faster overall than the indigenous species, despite ingestion accelerating the germination time of endemics. However, ingestion strongly reduced seedling survival of the exotic species, while having no negative effect on the survival of indigenous seedlings. Overall, ingested indigenous seeds were more likely to germinate and the seedlings more likely to survive than ingested exotic seeds and seedlings. Seed size, deposition density and the removal of fruit pulp by either manual depulping or gut passage were important predictors of germination time, germination percentage and seedling survival.Main conclusions These endemic frugivores can enhance the competitiveness of endemic compared with exotic fleshy fruited plants at the critical germination and seedling establishment stage. Consequently, conservation and restoration of mutualistic endemic plant–animal interactions may be vital to mitigating the degradation of habitats invaded by exotic plants, which is of particular relevance for island ecosystems in which large numbers of endemics are threatened by exotic invaders.

Mountain ranges cover around one-half of the territory of Iran. Although it is well-known that these mountains are characterized by high levels of endemism, no assessment of vascular plant endemism of Iranian mountains has been made. Here, we undertake a first analysis of the diversity and biogeography of high-altitude (=taxa, whose elevational distribution ranges are entirely or largely above 2500 m a.s.l.) endemic vascular plant species restricted to Iran. In total, our data set includes 569 endemic vascular plant taxa (incl. 43 subendemic taxa which slightly extend into adjacent countries), which correspond to 62 % of the entire alpine flora. The highest number of alpine endemics occurs in the Zagros, followed by Alborz, and the NW Iranian mountains. Screes, rocks and thorn-cushion grasslands are the most important habitats for the alpine endemics. The altitudinal distribution of Iranian endemic alpine plant taxa peaks at high altitudes at c. 3000 m a.s.l. Below and above this altitude, there is a steep decrease in endemic alpine species numbers. The analysis of description histories in time-to-event analysis framework suggests that the rate by which new Iranian endemic alpine plant species are described does not seem to level off. Therefore, the proportion of species that still remain to be described is difficult to estimate. However, time-to-event analysis shows that at least 7 % of the extant Iranian alpine endemic species are not yet known to science. In addition, on average, the time lag between the year of collection and species description was 18 years. We conclude that there is a need for a continued botanical exploration in particular of under-sampled mountain ranges and for taxonomic revisions of genera rich in endemics which have been insufficiently studied yet.

Identification of endemic vascular plant species hotspots and the effectiveness of the protected areas for their conservation in Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico

The objective of this study is to examine whether habitat, herbivory and traits related to resource acquisition, resource conservation, reproduction and dispersal differ between narrow endemic plant species and their widespread congeners. We undertook pairwise contrasts of 25 ecological characteristics and biological traits in 20 congeneric pairs of narrow endemic and widespread plant species in the French Mediterranean region. Within each pair, the two species had the same life‐form, pollination mode and dispersal mode. Endemic species differed significantly from widespread congeners for a number of attributes. Endemic species occur in habitats on steeper slopes, with higher rock cover and in lower and more open vegetation than their widespread congeners. Endemic species are significantly smaller than widespread species, but show no differences in traits related to resource acquisition (specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, maximum photosynthetic rate) or resource conservation (leaf dry matter content). After accounting for their smaller stature, endemic species produce fewer and smaller flowers with less stigma‐anther separation and lower pollen/ovule ratios and produce fewer seeds per plant than their widespread congeners. No consistent variation in seed mass and propagule structure was found between congeneric species. Herbivory levels did not differ between congeneric species. Ecological characteristics, notably the occupation of rocky habitats with low aboveground competition, may thus have played an important role in the differentiation of narrow endemic species in the Western Mediterranean. Morphological and ecophysiological traits of narrow endemic species indicate that they are not more stress‐tolerant than their widespread congeners. Lower investment in pollen transfer and seed production suggest that local persistence is a key feature of the population ecology of narrow endemic species.

This study was carried out in the carbonate (marble) part of North Pirin Mts. Its upper parts are declared protected area of National Park category according to the Bulgarian Protected Areas Act. It is also a NATURA 2000 protected zone under the Habitats Directive, and a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main reason for the conservation of this territory is the exceptional concentration of rare, relict and endemic plant species, its specific flora, vegetation and fauna. Subject of the study are the plant communities and habitats, with participation of 8 local endemic plant taxa, such as Cyanus achtarovii, Oxytropis kozhuharovii, O. urumovii, Odontarrhena orbelica, Alyssum pirinicum, Veronica kellereri, Brassica nivalis subsp. jordanoffii and Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii. The plant communities were studied according to the classical Braun-Blanquet’s approach by sampling the phytocoenoses, where the local endemics participate. The major syntaxa to which these communities belong, were determined. The plant communities with the participation of local endemics were also referred to lower units according to EUNIS habitats classification. The study found that most of the studied endemic species occur in various vegetation types and exhibit relatively wide ecological flexibility, despite inhabiting restricted area. The main reason for this is the comparative uniformity of the high mountain marble relief. This study also highlights the high conservation value of the vegetation cover and habitat diversity of the carbonate alpine and subalpine vegetation belts of Northern Pirin Mts., as a habitat for numerous endemic and relict plant species.

Invasive species are one of the main threats to the loss of global biodiversity. Controlling such species requires a high input of effort and resources and therefore it is important to focus control on areas that will maximize gains for conservation. We present a spatial modelling approach that will help target control efforts. We used presence-only data to develop habitat suitability models for the invasive tree Casuarina equisetifolia and three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Substantial overlap was found between suitable areas for the endemics and C. equisetifolia. Evidence for the potential harm that C. equisetifolia could cause to native vegetation was assessed using paired areas with and without invasion. Areas with C. equisetifolia present had lower native plant species richness than areas where it was absent, which suggests a negative effect of invasion on the growth of native plants. No endemic plants were found in areas where C. equisetifolia was present. Based on the data collected we recommend that the three endemic species be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. By highlighting areas where the endemic plants are found and demonstrating a potential threat to these habitats, we provide a plan for the designation of six Important Plant Areas to promote conservation of these endemic species.

Specialized plant species have long served as geobotanical tools for locating mines and ores. Despite their importance, not much research has been dedicated to studying the ecology of endemic specialized plant species, such as those of gypsum or calcareous habitats. Here we describe and analyze the occurence of endemic plant species in gypsum habitats of the south–central Alborz Ranges (Semnan), Iran, in relation to altitude and soil properties. Ecological data and soil samples were collected from 120 plots along along an altitudinal gradient correlated with differences in soil properties. Forty seven plant species, including 6 species endemic to the Semnan area and 20 species endemic to Iran, were identified. The occurrence of the species were analyzed using canonical correspondence (CCA) and detrended correspondence Analysis (DCA), and based on the results the species were categorized as gypsophytes G1 (1600–2245 m a.s.l.), calciphytes (1500–1700 m a.s.l.), gypsophytes G2 (1300–1600 m a.s.l.) and halophytes (1100–1300 m a.s.l.). Gypsum content, elevation and salinity (Na content) were identified as the environmental factors having the largest effects on vegetation compositon. Endemic Semnan plant species included Astragalus fridae, Euphorbia gypsicola and Gypsophila mucronifolia at higher altitudes, and Astragalus semnanensis, Centaurea lachnopus and Nepeta eremokosmos at lower altitude gypsic soils. More frequent Iranian endemic plant species included Moltkia gypsaceae at higher altitudes, Echinops nizvanus and Acantholimon cymosum at lower altitude gypsic soils, Astragalus glaucacanthos, A. podolobus and A. microcephalus occurring mainly in calcic carbonate soil, and halophyte species such as Artemisia sieberi dominating at lower altitudes with more saline–alkaline soil.

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) has a fairly high biodiversity, including plant species which are categorized as threatened, protected and endemic plants in Sumatra. Information regarding the existence of these plant species is not yet widely available. The purpose of this study was to reveal the existence of threatened, protected and endemic plant species in BBSNP. The research was conducted by exploration methods in three BBSNP areas, namely Kubu Prahu (West Lampung Regency), Sukaraja Atas (Tanggamus Regency) and Rata Agung (Pesisir Barat Regency). A number of target species have been obtained, including 13 threatened plant species, 6 protected plant species, and 7 endemic Sumatran plant species. In addition, three plant species have been included in CITES Appendix 2. The results of the study can be used as a reference for future flora conservation efforts. Keywords: BBSNP, endemic plant, protected, threatened

Flora in the Republic of Macedonia comprises about 3200 species in 147 families. According to some sources there are 115 endemic higher plants, of which, 114 belong to gymnosperm. According to other sources, there are 135 species of endemic plants and about 111 of which are local endemic species and 24 are stretched in the border mountains. The exact number has not been determined yet. Eastern part of Macedonia, east of the river Vardar almost poses no endemics, while the rest of the territory, west of the Vardar is very rich in such species. The richest areas with endemic plants are Galicica Mountain, Treska River Gorge and the lowlands surrounding the city of Prilep. Despite the wealth of endemic and relict species, any pharmacognostical data for these plants have not been published yet. Of all these endemic species, 30 could be pharmaconosticly interesting for future investigation of the chemical composition, isolation of potentially active substances and testing biological-pharmacological activity. Modern analytical techniques utilized in the examination of the chemistry of medicinal plants and natural products require a very small amount of material does not pose a risk of endangering endemic species. An additional challenge is the development of an appropriate program for the protection of all endemic, pharmaconosticly interesting species.

Endemic plant species and threats to their sustainability in Ethiopia: A systematic review