Conservation Action Plan Research Articles

Wish you were here: How defaunated is the Atlantic Forest biome of its medium- to large-bodied mammal fauna?

Mammals represent the largest-bodied elements of the world’s surviving megafauna and provide several key ecosystems services, yet their populations are often under steep decline throughout the tropics. Anthropogenic defaunation is one the most important contemporary threats to modern mammal faunas. Although the Atlantic Forest biome of South America shows several clear signs of defaunation, the extent to which this biome has lost its mammal fauna remains poorly understood. Here, we collate and analyze a comprehensive body of secondary data to quantitatively assess the spatial patterns of defaunation of all medium- to large-bodied Atlantic Forest mammals which were then classed by morpho-ecological traits. We used a Defaunation Index, which was scaled-up to the entire biome using kriging interpolation, to examine the integrity of site-specific mammal faunas. We further use environmental and socioeconomic predictors to explain the drivers of defaunation. Our results show high levels of defaunation (>0.5) for most of the Atlantic Forest. Apex predators, other carnivores, large-bodied mammals and large herbivores were among the most defaunated functional groups. Remaining native vegetation cover, forest fragment size, and the largest neighboring forest remnant were the main negative predictors of defaunation. We conclude that medium- to large-bodied Atlantic Forest mammals are under high levels of threat due to historical population losses that continue today. A conservation action plan thus becomes imperative to prevent this biome from becoming an even “emptier forest”, severely compromising patterns of diversity, ecological processes and ecosystem functioning.

Human activities and resultant pressures on key European marine habitats: An analysis of mapped resources

Human activities exert a wide range of pressures on marine ecosystems, often resulting in the loss of species and degradation of habitats. If effective policies and management practices to restore past damage and reduce future impacts to the marine environment are to be developed, knowledge of the extent, duration and severity of activities and pressures is essential, yet often lacking. As part of the EU H2020 project “Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Changing European Seas”, this study uses an exhaustive review of published records, web resources, and grey literature to comprehensively assess the degree to which human activities and pressures are mapped within European seas. The results highlight a number of limitations and gaps, including: (a) limited geographic coverage at both the regional and sub-regional level; (b) insufficient spatial resolution and accuracy in recorded data for the planning of conservation and restoration actions; (c) a lack of access to the background data and metadata upon which maps are based, thus limiting the potential for synthesis of multiple data sources. Based on the findings, several recommendations for future marine research initiatives arise, most importantly the need for coordinated, geographically extended baseline assessments of the distribution and intensity of human activities and pressures, complying with high-level standardization regarding methodological approaches and the treatment of produced data.

Population dynamics of an endemic cyprinid (Hypselobarbus kurali): Insights from an exploited reservoir fishery in the Western Ghats of India

AbstractThe Western Ghats of India harbours an exceptional diversity of endemic freshwater fishes, which are threatened because of various anthropogenic stressors, including biological resource use. Lack of organized studies on the population dynamics and exploitation levels of endemic species, however, has hindered the development and implementation of systematic conservation action plans in this region. This is especially true for large cyprinid fishes threatened because of overharvest. This study examined length–weight relationships and length‐structured population dynamics of an endemic large cyprinid (Hypselobarbus kurali), based on data obtained from an artisanal gill‐net fishery in Malampuzha Reservoir. Length–weight analysis suggested the fish exhibited significantly lower exponents than expected under isometry, indicating the growth of H. kurali in the reservoir was negative allometric. The von Bertalanffy growth formula fitted to the length‐frequency data indicated H. kurali grew relatively slower than other large cyprinids in this region. Statistical analysis of recruitment revealed two peaks, implying the fish have two spawning bouts each year. Analysis of mortality and exploitation of the species revealed large‐sized individuals were targeted by the fishers, resulting in an exponential decline in the survivors in the virtual population analysis. Relative yield‐per‐recruit and relative biomass‐per‐recruit analysis indicated the current exploitation rate for the population was greater than the exploitation rate under which the stock would be reduced to half its unexploited biomass. Further, the current exploitation level was more than 60% of the expected maximum exploitation above which the population could collapse. The results of this study identify a serious need to develop and implement management plans to guide the future sustainability of the reservoir fishery of H. kurali.

Diversidad, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de los mamíferos medianos y grandes, asociados a los bosques riparios del río Bita, Vichada, Colombia

The diversity of mammals in the Orinoco River basin is derived from the mixture of species from different biogeographic regions and remains poorly known. Therefore, we used camera trapping techniques for the registration of the large and medium mammals associated to the riparian forest in the upper and middle basins of the Bita River, Vichada, Colombia. Diversity, relative abundance index and activity patterns were estimated. Seventy-seven camera traps were installed along 200 km of the river in two hydroclimatic periods (low and high precipitation). A total of 16439 images were obtained with a sampling effort of 7700 traps-days. Twenty-four species of mammals were recorded, corresponding to 17 families and 9 orders. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index obtained through this method was H =1.995, the best-represented species through the relative abundance index were Tayassu pecari (IAR= 0.176, n = 1360), Cuniculus paca (IAR = 0.174, n = 1346), Tapirus terrestris (IAR = 0.144, n = 1114) and Dasyprocta fuliginosa (IAR = 0.116, n = 900). In terms of activity patterns, Dasyprocta fuliginosa showed a pattern of diurnal activity, Leopardus pardalis catemeral, Tayassu pecari morning twilight, Cuniculus paca and Didelphis marsupialis nocturnal and Tapirus terrestris twilight evening. This information may be useful to plan conservation and management actions for the mast ofauna of the Bita River basin.

Anexo: Diversidad, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de los mamíferos medianos y grandes, asociados a los bosques riparios del río Bita, Vichada, Colombia

The diversity of mammals in the Orinoco River basin is derived from the mixture of species from different biogeographic regions and remains poorly known. Therefore, we used camera trapping techniques for the registration of the large and medium mammals associated to the riparian forest in the upper and middle basins of the Bita River, Vichada, Colombia. Diversity, relative abundance index and activity patterns were estimated. Seventy-seven camera traps were installed along 200 km of the river in two hydroclimatic periods (low and high precipitation). A total of 16439 images were obtained with a sampling effort of 7700 traps-days. Twenty-four species of mammals were recorded, corresponding to 17 families and 9 orders. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index obtained through this method was H =1.995, the best-represented species through the relative abundance index were Tayassu pecari (IAR= 0.176, n = 1360), Cuniculus paca (IAR = 0.174, n = 1346), Tapirus terrestris (IAR = 0.144, n = 1114) and Dasyprocta fuliginosa (IAR = 0.116, n = 900). In terms of activity patterns, Dasyprocta fuliginosa showed a pattern of diurnal activity, Leopardus pardalis catemeral, Tayassu pecari morning twilight, Cuniculus paca and Didelphis marsupialis nocturnal and Tapirus terrestris twilight evening. This information may be useful to plan conservation and management actions for the mast ofauna of the Bita River basin.

A process for assessing and prioritizing species conservation needs: going beyond the Red List

AbstractConservation resources are limited, yet an increasing number of species are under threat. Assessing species for their conservation needs is, therefore, a vital first step in identifying and prioritizing species for both ex situ and in situ conservation actions. Using a transparent, logical and objective method, the Conservation Needs Assessment process developed by Amphibian Ark uses current knowledge of species in the wild to determine those with the most pressing conservation needs, and provides a foundation for the development of holistic conservation action plans that combine in situ and ex situ actions as appropriate. These assessments allow us to maximize the impact of limited conservation resources by identifying which measures could best serve those species requiring help. The Conservation Needs Assessment complements the IUCN Red List assessment, and together they provide a more holistic guide to conservation priorities and actions. Conservation Needs Assessments generate national prioritized lists of species recommended for conservation action. These can subsequently be used to assist in the development of species recovery plans and national action plans, or to inform national conservation priorities better. Additional tools that will evaluate the recommendations for ex situ rescues, to determine the best candidates for conservation breeding programmes, are currently under development.

STUDI KONSERVASI BANGUNAN CAGAR BUDAYA DI DALAM KAWASAN RENCANA PENGEMBANGAN PELABUHAN BEBAS SABANG

Sabang city has many cultural heritage buildings that were built in 1880’s. These cultural heritage buildings are located around Sabang Bay. These cultural heritage buildings are not properly recorded and there is no detailed planning to preserve and to develope this cultural heritage. The development plan of Sabang free port, which has been set since 2000, requires adequate land and facilities. This development will certainly demerit the existence and drawback the rescue effort of heritage buildings within the free port development site. This research aims to obtain the potential value of the heritage buildings as well as to propose conservation action plan to link the existing heritage buildings to the regional development plan. The collected data was carried out by observation in the form of inventory activities. This study was carried out using a descriptive method. The building exposure both physically and non-physically was observed. Then, descriptive quantification was given in weighting of building values to determine the potential value of the investigated heritage building. This study reveals the buildings with a high value such as Mandiri Bank Building (NV Zeehaven de Kolen Station), Office of Drug Police Unit, Port Office (Harbormaster)/PT Telkom, Tikeng Hwi house (ex-shipping agent office) and Suka Ria Shops. Buildings with medium value are Milan Sports Shops, Riang Shop, and Asia Barber and friend. Finally, buildings in low value are Sabang Mini Market Shops, BNI warehouse and Murah Raya Shops.

Using Vetiver grass technology for mitigating sediment loads in the Talakhaya Watershed areas in Rota, CNMI

Talakhaya watershed in Rota is identified as a Coral Reef Management Priority site for CNMI (Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands). In 2010 federal and jurisdictional partners developed a Conservation Action Plan (CAP) for the Talakhaya Watershed. The goal of this initial Watershed Soil Loss Assessment therefore, was to assist in evaluating the re-vegetation objectives of ‘Mitigating Sediment Load’ in the Talakhaya watershed by making a thorough characterization of its main river systems. The objectives of this project were to reach those goals by measuring the hydrological parameters following the installation and the use of water meters, barometric level loggers, turbidity meters and rain gauges. The water flow as well as the turbidity level of each stream leading to the ocean from the Talakhaya Watershed was measured and sedimentation level was assessed accordingly. The results from the monitoring of the watershed conducted during the project timeline reported here show that all four rivers under study have statistically different stage-discharge curves. The river's relationship between time and turbidity also vary especially in the summer months of the first-year observations. Linear and convex polynomial relationships were sometimes observed in the different rainfall groupings for the four river systems, however relationships were often not significant. This-being-said, Quantile Regressions suggest that when data from all four river systems are combined for cases where there is some detectable rainfall, a maximum possible turbidity level can be defined.

An action plan for marine turtle conservation in the Kingdom of Cambodia

An action plan for marine turtle conservation in the Kingdom of Cambodia

Visitors’ willingness to pay for snow leopard Panthera uncia conservation in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

AbstractThe Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia experiences persecution across its habitat in Central Asia, particularly from herders because of livestock losses. Given the popularity of snow leopards worldwide, transferring some of the value attributed by the international community to these predators may secure funds and support for their conservation. We administered contingent valuation surveys to 406 international visitors to the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, between May and June 2014, to determine their willingness to pay a fee to support the implementation of a Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan. Of the 49% of visitors who stated they would pay a snow leopard conservation fee in addition to the existing entry fee, the mean amount that they were willing to pay was USD 59 per trip. The logit regression model showed that the bid amount, the level of support for implementing the Action Plan, and the number of days spent in the Conservation Area were significant predictors of visitors’ willingness to pay. The main reasons stated by visitors for their willingness to pay were a desire to protect the environment and an affordable fee. A major reason for visitors’ unwillingness to pay was that the proposed conservation fee was too expensive for them. This study represents the first application of economic valuation to snow leopards, and is relevant to the conservation of threatened species in the Annapurna Conservation Area and elsewhere.

Development of national crop wild relative conservation strategies in European countries

To generate European-wide information to contribute to the improvement of national and regional crop wild relative (CWR) conservation planning and the development of effective CWR conservation strategies, a questionnaire was sent to the members of the Wild Species Conservation in Genetic Reserves Working Group of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) to collate information on progress in developing and implementing national CWR conservation strategies and action plans. Responses from 30 countries were analysed and literature sources were consulted to fill some information gaps. Results showed that 13 countries were in the preparation stage of their national strategies, i.e. having no drafts prepared yet, 14 in higher stages (from the first draft prepared to the published and approved ones), and three have not yet started the planning process. Twelve countries included all categories of species autochthony (i.e., native, archaeophyte and neophyte) in their priority CWR lists. Wild relatives of human and animal food crops were selected as the highest priorities by 23 and 22 countries, respectively. Relative level of threat was identified as the most important prioritization criterion by 23 countries. Italy reported the highest number of CWR in its national checklist (10,779 taxa) and priority list (1118 taxa), whereas Ireland reported the lowest number of CWR in its checklist (171 taxa) and Portugal reported the lowest number in its priority list (20 taxa). Regarding the percentages of prioritized CWR, the strictest approach was applied in Portugal—only 20 out of 2262 CWR taxa, or < 1%, were selected as priorities for conservation action, whereas in Spain 578 out of 929 CWR taxa, or about 62% were prioritized. Eleven countries have proposed the establishment of genetic reserves, from one per country (Israel) to an extended network (Germany and the Netherlands). Only the UK had a formally established genetic reserve. The highest number of priority CWR taxa that occur in existing protected areas was reported by Spain—472 species, or 82% of the national priority list, whereas the lowest number—14 species, or 70% of the national priority list—in Portugal. Israel reported the highest number of priority CWR taxa (319 or 98%) conserved in gene banks. Among the limitations in the development of national CWR strategies highlighted by countries, was the lack of an EU agency responsible for genetic resources. The development of CWR conservation strategies is mostly within the domains of agriculture (13 countries) and environment (12 countries), although both domains are involved in eight countries. The most successful results in the development and implementation of CWR conservations strategies are achieved in the countries where multiple stakeholders, including ministries, research institutions, NGOs, local communities, protected area authorities and national PGR committees are involved. Some discussion and conclusions regarding further developments are provided.

Mapping Mangroves Extents on the Red Sea Coastline in Egypt using Polarimetric SAR and High Resolution Optical Remote Sensing Data

Mangroves ecosystems dominate the coastal wetlands of tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. They are among the most productive forest ecosystems. They provide various ecological and economic ecosystem services. Despite of their economic and ecological importance, mangroves experience high yearly loss rates. There is a growing demand for mapping and assessing changes in mangroves extents especially in the context of climate change, land use change, and related threats to coastal ecosystems. The main objective of this study is to develop an approach for mapping of mangroves extents on the Red Sea coastline in Egypt, through the integration of both L-band SAR data of ALOS/PALSAR, and high resolution optical data of RapidEye. This was achieved via using object-based image analysis method, through applying different machine learning algorithms, and evaluating various features such as spectral properties, texture features, and SAR derived parameters for discrimination of mangroves ecosystem classes. Three non-parametric machine learning algorithms were tested for mangroves mapping; random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and classification and regression trees (CART). As an input for the classifiers, we tested various features including vegetation indices (VIs) and texture analysis using the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). The object-based analysis method allowed clearly discriminating the different land cover classes within mangroves ecosystem. The highest overall accuracy (92.15%) was achieved by the integrated SAR and optical data. Among all classifiers tested, RF performed better than other classifiers. Using L-band SAR data integrated with high resolution optical data was beneficial for mapping and characterization of mangroves growing in small patches. The maps produced represents an important updated reference suitable for developing a regional action plan for conservation and management of mangroves resources along the Red Sea coastline.

Practitioner and scientist perceptions of successful amphibian conservation.

Conservation requires successful outcomes. However, success is perceived in many different ways depending on the desired outcome. Through a questionnaire survey, we examined perceptions of success among 355 scientists and practitioners working on amphibian conservation from over 150 organizations in more than 50 countries. We also sought to identify how different types of conservation actions and respondent experience and background influenced perceptions. Respondents identified 4 types of success: species and habitat improvements (84% of respondents); effective program management (36%); outreach initiatives such as education and public engagement (25%); and the application of science‐based conservation (15%). The most significant factor influencing overall perceived success was reducing threats. Capacity building was rated least important. Perceptions were influenced by experience, professional affiliation, involvement in conservation practice, and country of residence. More experienced practitioners associated success with improvements to species and habitats and less so with education and engagement initiatives. Although science‐based conservation was rated as important, this factor declined in importance as the number of programs a respondent participated in increased, particularly among those from less economically developed countries. The ultimate measure of conservation success—population recovery—may be difficult to measure in many amphibians; difficult to relate to the conservation actions intended to drive it; and difficult to achieve within conventional funding time frames. The relaunched Amphibian Conservation Action Plan provides a framework for capturing lower level processes and outcomes, identifying gaps, and measuring progress.

Savanna chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) nesting ecology at Bagnomba (Kedougou, Senegal).

We studied the nesting behavior of the critically endangered West African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus). We assumed that the nesting data stemmed from a single, unhabituated community at the Bagnomba hill site in the savanna-woodlands of southeastern Senegal. The aim of this study was to examine chimpanzees' nesting habits in terms of the tree species utilized and sleeping nest heights. We recorded a total of 550 chimpanzee nests at Bagnomba between January 2015 and December 2015. The chimpanzees here made nests in particular tree species more often than others. The majority of nests (63%) were in two tree species: Diospyros mespiliformis and Pterocarpus erinaceus. The average height of nesting trees was 10.54m (SD 3.91, range, 0.0-29.0m) and average nest height was 7.90m (SD 3.62, range, 0.0-25.0m). The result of a linear regression analysis (r=0.7874; n=550; p<0.05) is consistent with a preference for nesting at a particular height. Bagnomba chimpanzees rarely made ground nests (0.36% of nests), but the presence of any ground nesting was unexpected, given that at least one leopard (Panthera pardus) also occupied the hill. This knowledge will enable stakeholders involved in the protection of chimpanzees specifically and of biodiversity in general to better understand chimpanzee ecology and inform a conservation action plan in Senegal where the survival of this species is threatened.

Composition, diversity and structure of vascular epiphytes in two contrasting Central Amazonian floodplain ecosystems

ABSTRACT Research focusing on assemblages of vascular epiphytes in the Amazon are scarce. This is especially true for Amazonian floodplain forests, for which only two previous studies have been published. We compared composition, richness and structure of epiphyte assemblages in white-water and black-water floodplains (varzea and igapo) in Central Amazonia in order to close knowledge gaps concerning the distribution and richness of epiphytes. We established sixteen 25x25 m plots in each forest type, and counted and identified all species of vascular epiphytes occurring on trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥10 cm. We observed a clear distinction in epiphytic species composition (r2=0.83, p=0.001) and diversity (t=3.24, P=0.003) between the two environments, with 61.5 % of species being restricted to varzea, 22.9 % restricted to igapo and only 15.6 % common to both ecosystems. The floodplains were also structurally different for the most abundant species and those with the highest Epiphytic Importance Value (IVe). The diversity of trees did not influence the epiphyte diversity in either ecosystem. The forests were found to differ in the composition, diversity and structure of their epiphytic assemblages, which must be taken into account when designing conservation action plans for these ecosystems and for their vascular epiphytes.

Illegal trade of the Psittacidae in Venezuela

AbstractIllegal wildlife trade is one of the major threats to Neotropical psittacids, with nearly 28% of species targeted for the illegal pet trade. We analysed the most comprehensive data set on illegal wildlife trade currently available for Venezuela, from various sources, to provide a quantitative assessment of the magnitude, scope and detectability of the trade in psittacids at the national level. We calculated a specific offer index (SO) based on the frequency of which each species was offered for sale. Forty-seven species of psittacids were traded in Venezuela during 1981–2015, of which 17 were non-native. At least 641,675 individuals were traded, with an overall extraction rate of 18,334 individuals per year (35 years of accumulated reports). Amazona ochrocephala was the most frequently detected species (SO = 3.603), with the highest extraction rate (10,544 individuals per year), followed by Eupsittula pertinax (SO = 1.357) and Amazona amazonica (SO = 1.073). Amazona barbadensis, Ara ararauna and Ara chloropterus were the fourth most frequently detected species (SO = 0.564–0.615). Eleven species were involved principally in domestic trade (&gt; 60% of records). Our approach could be the first step in developing a national monitoring programme to inform national policy on the trade in psittacids. Patterns and numbers provided may be used to update the official list of threatened species, and could also be used in planning conservation actions.

Hunting of mammal species in protected areas of the southern Bahian Atlantic Forest, Brazil

AbstractTo investigate the practice of hunting by local people in the southern Bahia region of Brazil and provide information to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for Conservation of the Central Atlantic Forest Mammals, we conducted 351 interviews with residents of three protected areas and a buffer zone. Thirty-seven percent of respondents stated that they had captured an animal opportunistically, 16% hunted actively and 47% did not hunt. The major motivation for hunting was consumption but people also hunted for medicinal purposes, recreation and retaliation. The most hunted and consumed species were the paca Cuniculus paca, the nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus and the collared peccary Pecari tajacu; threatened species were rarely hunted. Opinions varied on whether wildlife was declining or increasing; declines were generally attributed to hunting. Our findings suggest there is illegal hunting for consumption in and around protected areas of the region. Management efforts should prioritize fairness in the expropriation process for people who must be relocated, and adopt an approach to wildlife management that involves residents living around the protected areas, and considers their needs.

Genetic diversification and population structure of Barbus cyri De Filippi, 1865 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in northern Iran inferred from the mitochondrial D-loop gene sequence

A genetic survey of Barbus cyri populations from two biogeographical endorheic basins (Caspian Sea and Urmia Lake) was carried out using a mitochondrial marker (partial D-loop) in order to ascertain intra- and inter-population genetic diversity, population demography and to address their genetic structure which is the key to conservation action planning. Analyses were conducted on sequences obtained from 68 individuals collected from 10 sampling sites, from two basins. By means of morphological characteristics all specimens collected from the Caspian Sea basin were ascribed to Barbus cyri. Genetic diversity values (h and π) of sampling groups were all different from 0 (in Babolrud River population) to 0.857 (in Kalibar River population). Population connectivity and colonization patterns of the studied area were inferred from an analysis of molecular variance distribution and evolutionary relationships among haplotypes. The results point to different levels of isolation among sampling groups due to ecological and anthropogenic factors and the effect of an artificial barrier on genetic variability and conservation status of the population. Finally, this study confirms the uncertainty associated with systematic classification of Barbus spp. based on morphological characters due to the phenotypic plasticity of the species.

A stag beetle’s life: sex-related differences in daily activity and behaviour of Lucanus cervus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

The study of behavioural ecology of rare and elusive species can be challenging, but it is an important issue for monitoring populations in planning conservation actions. This is especially true for arboreal insects inhabiting old-growth forests, whose habits are scarcely known and rely on many anecdotal data, such as the stag beetle Lucanus cervus (Linnaeus, 1758). In order to gather information on daily activity and behaviour of this species, a radio-telemetry study was conducted in a relict broadleaf forest surrounded by intensively cultivated land in northern Italy. During 2014 and 2015, from May to July, 55 stag beetles (34 males, 21 females) were radio-tagged. Most of them were caught with the aid of an entomological hand net, but nine of them were captured by emergence traps set up on deadwood. Visual contact analysis confirmed that stag beetle males were less elusive than females. Males were more frequently radio-tracked in flight, females mostly underground and in proximity of deadwood. Males were mostly observed flying at sunset, and resting or walking on standing trees during the day. The combination of air temperature and humidity determined the optimal weather conditions for male flights (temperature range: 20.7–26 °C, humidity range: 65.5–78.3%). Flying at sunset, mostly performed by males, significantly increased the detectability of the species and supported the selection of the ‘transect walk at dusk’ as the best monitoring method for the stag beetle.

Integration of genetic and seed fitness data to the conservation of isolated subpopulations of the Mediterranean plant Malcolmia littorea.

Plant autoecology and population genetics provide a perspective on the likelihood of natural regeneration, which is critical when designing conservation strategies for endangered species. The threatened coastal plant Malcolmia littorea (Brassicaceae) was sampled across its European distribution and studied for genetic diversity and seed fitness, with the aim of providing information for the conservation of isolated and declining populations. Nine microsatellite markers (five chloroplast and four nuclear) were analysed to assess population genetic diversity and structure and to conduct a spatial analysis using the software DIVA-GIS. Germination percentages and rates were assessed by incubating the seeds under eight constant temperatures (0-27°C). The genetic diversity was found to be similar among subpopulations (chloroplast H=0.04-0.17; nuclear Ho =0.20-0.37), with no correlation between subpopulation diversity and the area of occupancy (AOO). The subpopulations were found to be clustered in three genetic groups, and three of them were identified as conservation priorities due to their unique genetic composition. The germination study revealed a significant influence of the maternal environment and AOO on seed germination, with the smaller subpopulations showing lower germination percentages (P<0.05). These results highlight the importance of obtaining information on isolated subpopulations through different experimental approaches (e.g. seed germination plus population genetics) to enable planning of effective conservation actions. For M.littorea, seed collection for both insitu and ex situ conservation should take into account the local adaptation of the subpopulation and the genetic structure of the species.