Important Plant Areas Research Articles

Bouché’s star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum boucheanum (Kunth) Asch. (Hyacinthaceae), a new species in flora of Croatia

Abstract Populations of Bouché’s star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum boucheanum (Kunth) Asch., fam. Hyacinthaceae) were recorded on Bansko Hill (Baranja, Croatia) in 2007. Since this species has not been previously confirmed in Croatia, it should be treated as a new taxon in the country and included in the Flora Croatica Database. In this paper we present a short morphological description of O. boucheanum and diagnostic morphological characters for differentiation from the related O. nutans L. We suggested O. boucheanum be evaluated as a critically endangered (CR) species of the Croatian flora, considering the small number of individuals and the small extension of its population. The recording of its populations on the edge of the loess cliff in Bansko Hill a part of which belongs to the Important Plant Area and Natura 2000, confirms the significance of this unique habitat in preserving rare and endangered plants.

At the intersection of cultural and natural heritage: Distribution and conservation of the type localities of Italian endemic vascular plants

We conducted a GIS spatial analysis with the aim of providing the first quantitative large-scale overview of the distribution patterns of 1536 type localities (loci classici) of 1216 Italian endemic vascular plants and their relationship with a set of descriptive variables. Whereas some variables were used to model the presence-absence distribution patterns of the type localities for the whole set of endemics as well as for the subset of narrow endemics, others (e.g., presence inside or outside protected areas and Italian Important Plant Areas) were considered with the purpose of assessing potential assets or risks for conservation.The largest number of type localities was found within the Mediterranean biogeographic region (1134), followed by the Alpine region (306) and Continental region (96). A total of 670 locations are located on islands, whereas 866 are located on the Italian mainland (139 and 124 in the case of narrow endemics, respectively). A large number of type localities are located in mountainous areas and along the coastline, which can be seen as a potential risk for conservation. On the contrary, we detected a positive correlation with the distance from roads, which might be considered to be an asset. Importantly, 1030 type localities fall inside protected areas, whereas 506 localities fall outside protected areas, with 259 of these unprotected localities on islands.We propose considering the results of the analysis of the distribution of type localities of Italian endemics to be a strategic tool for conservation planning and resource management. Application of plant micro-reserves and integration of diverse legislation tools are suggested to strengthen efforts and increase conservation success.

Protecting important plant areas for South Africa, an approach to conserve highly restricted threatened plants

Protecting important plant areas for South Africa, an approach to conserve highly restricted threatened plants

Planning for the Maintenance of Floristic Diversity in the Face of Land Cover and Climate Change.

Habitat loss and climate change are primary drivers of global biodiversity loss. Species will need to track changing environmental conditions through fragmented and transformed landscapes such as KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Landscape connectivity is an important tool for maintaining resilience to global change. We develop a coarse-grained connectivity map between protected areas to aid decision-making for implementing corridors to maintain floristic diversity in the face of global change. The spatial location of corridors was prioritised using a biological underpinning of floristic composition that incorporated high beta diversity regions, important plant areas, climate refugia, and aligned to major climatic gradients driving floristic pattern. We used Linkage Mapper to develop the connectivity network. The resistance layer was based on land-cover categories with natural areas discounted according to their contribution towards meeting the biological objectives. Three corridor maps were developed; a conservative option for meeting minimum corridor requirements, an optimal option for meeting a target amount of 50% of the landscape and an option including linkages in highly transformed areas. The importance of various protected areas and critical linkages in maintaining landscape connectivity are discussed, disconnected protected areas and pinch points identified where the loss of small areas could compromise landscape connectivity. This framework is suggested as a way to conserve floristic diversity into the future and is recommended as an approach for other global connectivity initiatives. A lack of implementation of corridors will lead to further habitat loss and fragmentation, resulting in further risk to plant diversity.

The role of criteria in selecting important areas for conservation in biodiversity‐rich territories

AbstractAimTo improve our knowledge of the process of selection of important plant areas (IPAs), a recent requirement of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. The study was conducted at a hotspot of plant conservation in the European continent, using a comprehensive database of plant species distribution in the area.LocationSpain.MethodsWe used range distribution data for 3218 vascular plants found in Spain, in the form of 10 km UTM squares, totalling 169,124 species occurrences across 5508 UTM cells. We identified IPAs by scoring threat status, endemism, rarity, phylogeny and species richness. We then performed two different analyses, with and without incorporating the species richness score of every square. Finally, a null model was used to obtain a general pattern of species occurrences, we computed an index of occurrence richness (SI), and then we selected a number of specific territories of different sizes to reveal differences in sampling effort within the study area.ResultsWe identified IPAs in Spain according to the proposed scoring method. We detected a positive relationship among richness and total score calculated with the rest of the criteria. However, endemism and threat status produced certain specific effects for species‐poor squares. Regarding sample bias, we detected over‐ and under‐recorded areas. This bias seems to be due to the accumulation of field prospecting in species‐rich areas in detriment to poor areas.Main conclusionsWe envisage two different approaches to address IPA selection in hotspots. First, we advocate a complementary scoring‐mapping method for areas where a relatively large amount of range distribution data and plant knowledge is available. Secondly, as richness per se encompasses a great amount of biogeographical information, we suggest using species richness or any other environmental surrogate to delineate preliminary IPAs in poorly known but species‐rich territories.

Floristic diversity and vegetation structure of Al-Dissah area northwestern Saudi Arabia

This study was conducted on wadi Al-Dissah; a part of Jabal Qaraqir and its surrounding area in the Northwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Jabal Qaraqir in Saudi Arabia is the first site to be assessed for the Important Plant Area (IPA) programme in the Arabian Peninsula. This paper has the objective of determining the floristic composition, species diversity and the vegetation structure of the plant communities, including a breakdown of its different life forms and chorology of the recorded species. A total of 63 species belonging to 61 genera and 31 families were recorded. One family; Adiantaceae belongs to Pteridophyta, while the other 30 families are angiospermae. About 35% of the recorded species in the study area are belonging to four families: Asteraceae and Poaceae had the highest contribution (each had 9.5% of the total species followed by Boraginaceae and Fabaceae (7.9% each). The data also reflect the high taxonomic diversity in the study area. The life form spectrum of the recorded species showed the prevalence of theorphytes (49.2%) followed by chamaephytes (17.5%), phanerphytes (14.3%), geophytes (9.5%), while the least frequent life form class was hemicryptophytes (7.9%). The chorological analysis of the recorded species in the study area showed the predominance of biregional taxa (50.8%) over the other phytogeographical elements followed by the monoregional (25.4%). The present study findings showed that most species belonged to Saharo-Arabian – Sudanian (15.9%) followed by Sudanian elements (11.1%). Only one endemic species is recorded in the study area; Dolichorhynchus arabicus I.C.Hedge & KitTan (syn Douepea arabica). It is a rare threatened endemic plant species in Saudi Arabia. It was locally in Wadi Qaraqir. Other rare species were Ficus palmata which is a small tree with edible fruits, belonging to family Moraceae, and Parietaria umbricola which is an annual species belonging to family Urticaceae. Plant species of Al-Dissah area were checked with international IUCN list. Eight of the recorded species in the study area are globally threatened and incorporated into the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 3.1: Cyperus laevigatus, Mentha longifolia, Nerium oleander, Phragmites australis, Tamarix nilotica, Typha domingensis, Chrozophora tinctoria, Adiantum capillus-veneris. All of them are included in the least concern category. Five plant communities were recognized in the study area. The highest plant diversity was reported in plant communities which occupy the wet wadi bed where the perennial stream flows together with the nearby areas between palm trees; Phragmites australis and Mentha longifolia communities. As floristic analyses are the prerequisites for conservation of plant species, therefore, it is critical to examine the current status of floristic and species diversity to provide appropriate guidelines for developing effective system of conservation and management. Information from this study may provide a valuable reference for appropriate conservation and management of the study area.

Biodiversity Hotspot of Bhutan and its Sustainability

Biodiversity is measured at different levels of biological set up together with genes, species and ecosystems along with their interactions. There are a total of 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world, among which the Eastern Himalayan (EH) range is one of the richest with nearly 750,000 sq. km area covering Nepal, Bhutan, and the Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, southeast Tibet (China) and northern Myanmar. Among these countries the Bhutan is the only one sharing all its land area as the EH region occupying a major share of 7.60% of the total EH area. Bhutan is part of 23 important bird areas, 8 ecoregions, important plant areas and wetlands with 2 Ramsar areas - Tashiyangtse and Wangdue. It is also among the exclusive biodiversity hotspots in the world where forest coverage has increased above 72% of the country's total area. The country is gifted with enormous forest cover of 70.46% of the total land part. It also has 10 protected areas (PAs) with biological corridors that are home to mass populations of vulnerable Takin, endangered one-horn rhino, pigmy hog, leopard, red panda, etc. and also varying bird species. Bhutan also has many hot-water springs which are believed to have medicinal properties to cure diseases. The EH is now experiencing widespread warming higher than 0.01°C per year. Due to global warming, slow melting of the EH glaciers may cause huge floods in Bhutan in future resulting into loss of keystone species. India may also be affected by these future floods. In order to achieve sustainable development using this unique biodiversity hotspot, management of PAs, use of non-timber products and less urbanization are required.

Rare and endangered plant species and associations in the Moravica river (Serbia)

The Moravica is a river in the southeast of Banat (Vojvodina Province, Serbia). This relatively small river is characterised by great floristic richness. A total of 87 taxa were found in the Moravica River. It is a sanctuary for some plant species that are rare and endangered both in Serbia and in Europe. Fifty-five species are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and forty-five species are on the European Red List of Vascular Plants. Species Acorus calamus L., Alisma gramineum Gmel., Iris pseudacorus L., Marsilea quadrifolia L., Potamogeton fluitans Roth. and Utricularia vulgaris L. are protected or strictly protected by law in Serbia. Some of these rare species form stands of aquatic and semiaquatic vegetation rare both in Banat and in Serbia in general, such as: Lemnetum (minori) - trisulcae Den Hartog 1963, Potametum nodosi So? (1928) 1960, Segal 1964, Acoreto - Glycerietum aquaticae Slavnic 1956, Rorippo - Oenanthetum (So? 1927) Lohm. 1950, Pop 1968, and Bolboschoenetum maritimi continentale So? (1927) 1957 subass. marsiletosum quadrifoliae Ljevnaic-Masic (2010). Because of its great diversity of flora and vegetation, the Moravica River could be a potential Important Plant Area (IPA) in the future. Unfortunately, strong anthropogenic influence is a threat to this unique flora and vegetation, so appropriate and timely measures for protecting the aquatic ecosystem need to be implemented.

Selecting important areas for bryophyte conservation: Is the higher taxa approach an effective method?

Surrogates have been used as a support for conservation practices, since they are easier to assess and less time consuming than collecting species-level data. One of these surrogates is the “higher taxa approach”, i.e., the use of data with coarser taxonomic resolution than the species level, such as genus and family levels, as a surrogate for total species richness.The aim of this work was to test if higher taxa (Genera) could be used in the selection of important areas for bryophyte conservation, using three different methodological approaches: Scoring, Important Plant Areas and Complementarity-based approach. We tested these approaches in a protected area, the Peneda-Gerês National Park, one of the best studied areas in Portugal for bryophytes and one of the first areas in the country with bryophyte collections. The knowledge of bryophyte distribution in this National Park has been increasing and distribution maps and detailed species lists were recently published, so we thought it would be a good area to test if the higher taxa approach is an effective method for selecting important areas for bryophyte conservation.Our results showed that localities were ranked in a similar way using species or genera data, regardless of the methodology used. The Complementarity-based approach in comparison with other methodologies protected a higher percentage of bryophyte species.In general, the three approaches identified the same areas as important areas for bryophyte conservation. Therefore, for the studied area and independently of the approach used, genera could be used in the selection of important areas for bryophyte conservation.

Evaluation of Akdag and Cebireis Mountains (Alanya-Antalya) as an Important Plant Area

Abstract In this study, Akdag and Cebireis mountains were evaluated according to IPA criteria. 11 globally threatened, 108 regionally (European) threatened, 15 nationally rare species and 4 threatened habitats were determined. Also these results were compared with the nearest IPAs. As a result, the research area, located between “Gevne valley and Gokbel plateau” IPA and “Kargi river” IPA, meets IPAs criteria. Consequently, it is suggested that Akdag and Cebireis mountains should be a new IPA or combined with the other two IPAs. Keywords: IPA, Alanya, Turkey

Biological diversity of ecosystems: Approaches to research and conservation

Scientific-methodological and practical approaches to the organization of conservation of the biological diversity of ecosystems in Russia and in the European Union countries are discussed. The principles of the organization of ecological networks, the concept of the biotope as the basic unit of conservation, and the experience in selecting important plant areas are considered. Particular attention is given to the specific nature of forest conservation. It is noted that the modern concept of conservation of biological diversity offers not only the creation of protected areas but also the regulated use of agricultural lands.

Important Plant Areas of the Peri-North Tien Shan Subprovince as Perspective Protection Areas of Phytobiodiversity

This article describes the identification results of Important Plant Areas within the Peri-Tien Shan botanic-geographic sub-province. It was shown that identification of Important Plant Areas for Kazakhstan territory is the crucial tool for conservation of botanic diversity as well as rare, endemic and relic species. The results of the survey and their compliance with the criteria were shown by the example of three among 32 detected important areas. The botanic value of areas and their phytocoenotic diversity were demonstrated. The rare, endemic and relic species of each area were recorded.

Biodiversity of figs (Ficus carica l.) in Coruh valley of Turkey

The Coruh valley lies within the Caucasus ecological zone, which is considered by the World Wild Fund for Nature and by Conservation International as a one of the biodiversity hotspot in the world. The valley is also recognized by Turkish conservation organizations as an important plant area, an important bird area, a key biodiversity area and has been nominated as a high priority area for protection. This valley is rich in plants and contains 104 nationally threatened plant species of which 67 are endemic to Turkey. Fig (Ficus carica L.) is one of the most important wild edible fruit tree along with pomegranate and olive in the valley. Figs have been used for fresh consumption for centuries and also an important element of natural landscape of the valley. The valley abundantly has black, purple and yellow-green fruited fig trees. In this study we determined some important tree, leaf and fruit morphological characteristics of 50 selected wild grown fig accessions naturally found in the valley. The results showed that the investigated morphological traits of fig accessions displayed significant differences each other. Principal coordinate analysis showed that diversity among the accessions was high and the accessions had black and yellow-green colored fruits were the most diverse groups.

Community Involvement and Conservation ofTaxus baccatain Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Taxus baccata L. is a rare and endangered species in India. It is a medium-sized (10–20 m tall) evergreen tree. It produces the anti-cancer drug Taxol (paclitaxel). Taxol is also used for treating bronchitis, asthma, epilepsy, snake bites, scorpion stings, internal injuries, lung diseases, and diabetes. The main reasons for the decline of Himalayan yew are deforestation, browsing by herbivores, and commercialization of plants for extracting the drug. We concentrated our study in Pangi Valley (Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh). We worked with the local community to develop a strategy for conservation and sustainable use of Taxus baccata. We collected twigs of Taxus from the forest of Tandah (alt. 3900 m) of Pangi Valley, Chamba district. We rooted the twigs without any chemical treatments with the assistance of the local inhabitants near Purthi Village. We proved Taxus baccata could be propagated and grown in a nursery in Pangi Valley. Taxus cultivation can create income for local communities. We suggested Pangi Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India, as an Important Plant Area (IPA). We also felt participation of the government is a prime need for constant income through medicinal plants cultivation using ethnobotanical knowledge.

Is time on our side? Strengthening the link between field efforts and conservation needs

The collection and organization of distributional data is the first crucial stage of any conservation planning action: therefore the decline in field research has implications in both the systematic, floristic and conservation fields. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effects of data updating on conservation planning and priorities. Focusing on the short time frame ranging from 2006 to 2011, we present a case study showing the rate of increase of collected data (taxa and records) and the consequential effects on the definition of areas of priority interest for plant conservation (Important Plant Areas—IPAs). We gathered data on a total of 193 taxa and 849 records with a mean rate of increase of +97 % for taxa and +166 % for records (2006/2011). This increase caused a positive rate of change in high ranking cells (+78 %) defining IPAs, while the number of low ranking cells and no data cells slightly decreased (−12 and −8 %, respectively). Our results suggest that specific investment to complete the knowledge on the distribution of selected taxa (e.g. 193 taxa represent the 7.5 % of the total vascular flora of Sardinia) would dramatically reduce both the Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls and would allow robust conservation programs to preserve the diversity of the island. Updating the IPAs on a regular basis is a good example of a process that has a low impact as well as a big potential gain especially when field research can only be performed with low intensity and small monetary investments.

Micropropagation of Erodium sibthorpianum subsp. sibthorpianum, an endemic threatened species of Uludağ Mountain (Bursa-Turkey)

Uludağ Mountain is one of the Important Plant Areas of Turkey. Its native plant species are threatened by various human and environmental factors. In this study, 2 different micropropagation techniques, with Murashige Skoog (MS) and modified MS (ModMS) media, were used for Erodium sibthorpianum Boiss. subsp. sibthorpianum. Mineral composition was developed according to the plant requirements. Shoot tips were cultured on these media. Seedlings, obtained from in vitro germinated seeds, were used as explant sources in micropropagation studies. The highest percentage of shoot induction (11.33 shoots/explant) was determined in 1 ppm 6-benzyl amino purine and plant growth regulator-free MS medium (35.97 mm shoot length). Elongated shoots were successfully rooted in the ModMS medium with different naphthalene acetic acid concentrations. Shoots with regenerated roots were transferred to the greenhouse. This protocol could be used for conservation studies of endemic and endangered plant species.

İstanbul’s flowering plant richness and two rare Apiaceae species

The aim of this paper to summarize vascular plant diversity of the Istanbul province (Turkey). The province covers just 5110 km2, yet support remarkably high diversity of plant richness with approximately 2500 flowering plant taxa more than total flora of the Netherlands or United Kingdom. The wide diversity of unusual habitats has allowed the development of an astonishingly rich flora. Grassland, forests, heathlands, sand dunes and other coastal habitats and wetlands within the province are high international importance to native conservation. Much of the province of Istanbul is of importance to nature conservation, but 7 areas stand out as being exceptional called Important Plant Areas: 1. Agildere & Agacli dunes; 2. Terkos - Kasatura forests and coastline; 3.Gumusdere-Kilyos dunes; 4. Hadimkoy-Kemerburgaz Grassland and Heatlands; 5. Upper Bosphorus: 6. Sahilkoy to Sile dunes & forests; 7. Istanbul’s Asian Hills, Omerli Basin. The most of herbarium specimens of the vascular flora of Istanbul have been deposited in ISTE Herbarium. Because of the this paper presented in the Apiales Meeting, the first Apiaceae specimens kept in ISTE, Artedia squamata L. and two rare Apiaceae species (Peucedenum obtusifolium and Heptaptera triquetra) have been discussed

Diversity, knowledge and spatial distribution of the vascular flora of Croatia

The Balkan Peninsula is recognized as an important centre of plant diversity. Despite the fact that Croatia contains more than 50% of all Balkan species of vascular flora, the knowledge of the spatial distribution, α-diversity and relation to the conservation efforts have never been summarized and presented. A spatial analysis was performed on several data-sets containing a number of records and a number of species per grid cell. Results show that the Croatian flora consists of 4507 species and 1159 subspecies. The residuals around the linear regression used as a measure of the species richness indicate that Croatia had the highest residual value among the 40 European countries sampled and highest stress on the biodiversity value of the Apennine, the Iberian and the Balkan peninsulas. On the basis of half a million findings and their spatial distributions, we observed that within one grid cell (35 km2) 542 species could be expected. A number of records based on the herbarium specimens, literature and field observation and related spatial distribution were discussed. The spatial distribution of α-diversity indicates that the national hot spots were more consistent with the important plant areas network than with the network of officially protected areas.

Diversidad de briófitos en el Parque Nacional Peneda- Gerês (Portugal): seleccionando áreas importantes de plantas “Important Plant Areas (IPA)” basado en nuevos datos y anteriores referencias

The Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG) in North-western Portugal has been the subject of many bryological studies although there remain unstudied areas. We here present a summary of current knowledge using data from recent fieldwork and past data which comprises ca. 11000 records. Using this data twelve Important Plant Areas (IPAs) were selected. The PNPG is an area exceptionally rich in bryophytes as shown from current species richness distribution maps. There has been a significant increase in the level of bryophyte of the PNPG since 1980. From recent fieldwork, two new species to Portugal were found and fourteen species are reported as new to this National Park. Future studies in relatively unknown areas will most likely lead to the discovery of further bryophytes of conservation importance. The IPAs mapped can be useful in guiding conservation planning.

Using important plant areas and important bird areas to identify Key Biodiversity Areas in the Republic of Macedonia

An attempt is made to identify Key Biodiversity Areas in the Republic of Macedonia through the identification of internationally recognized important areas for biodiversity: Important Plant Areas (IPAs) and Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Forty two IPAs covering 6,495km2 and 24 IBAs covering 6,907km2 have been identified in Macedonia. Thirty seven IPAs (6,152km2 or 24% of the country’s territory) and 15 IBAs (4,821km2 or 18.75% of the national territory), meet KBA criteria, between them yielding 42 KBAs. The remaining five IPAs and nine IBAs do not meet KBA criteria although have international significance. Together IPAs and IBAs total 10,698km2; those meeting the KBA criteria total 9,670km2. In total, 73% and 65% of the entire national protected areas (PAs) surface overlaps with IPAs and IBAs respectively. This proportion is 81% for the 42 KBAs. However, only 25% of the total size of protected areas overlaps with IPAs, only 21% overlap with IBAs, and only 19% with the combined 42 KBAs. This means that Macedonia’s protected areas system is not yet representative and comprehensive for safeguarding its botanical and avian diversity.