Mediterranean Region Research Articles

VARIATIONS IN VOLATILE OIL CONSTITUENTS OF ECHINOPS SPECIES GROWING IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE MEDITERRANEAN REGIONS: MINI REVIEW

The genus Echinops of the family Asteraceae has commonly been a subject of interest because its members have various chemical constituents and crucial pharmacological activities of great medicinal importance over the last decade (2010-2023). Therefore, this genus has attracted serious research in pharmacognosy and herbal medicine. Detailed studies revealed that Echinops species contain numerous bioactive compounds, such as sesquiterpene lactones, essential oils, flavonoids, and polyacetylenic aliphatic acids, largely in plant parts that are important for therapeutic use. These bioactive constituents have been associated with a wide diversity of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic underlined while proceeding to show some antioxidant activity and even hepatoprotective action of the genus, hence encouraging the further development of novel therapeutic agents. Most of these activities have been studied both in vitro and in vivo to establish their underlying effects. This will help us evaluate pharmacological properties attributed to the genus Echinops and pave the way for future studies to validate traditional uses and optimize extraction methods and their clinical applications. This work highlighted the position of Echinops species in Mediterranean areas, especially essential oils as a source of bioactive compounds useful in the well-being of humans and its variation concerning several factors. It has reaffirmed the place of natural products in drug discovery and development.

Dielectric characteristics of Mediterranean lignocellulosic fibers for functional biocomposite materials

Abstract The primary aim of this study is to investigate the dielectric properties of lignocellulosic fibers, a unique kind of natural fiber prevalent in the Mediterranean area. Comprehensive investigations were undertaken to determine the suitability of these fibers for functional biomaterials and to reveal their potential capabilities comparable to those commonly used in other parts of the world. More exploration of the electrical characteristics of agricultural waste fibers may lead to the development and improvement of a more comprehensive knowledge on their use in the production of practical eco-products. This will provide novel opportunities for ecologically conscious design. Based on the introduction of natural fibers and their advantages in biomaterials, this study will examine the parallel plate capacitor approach to assess the dielectric properties of biological fibers. Subsequently, the impact of maleic anhydride on the dielectric properties of natural fiber composites was demonstrated as a focused case study. Therefore, it is possible to develop a suitable database for the selection of visually appealing materials in order to enhance comprehensive knowledge of the intrinsic electrical properties and attributes of these materials. Consequently, this would result in the development of more practical strategies for designing environmentally friendly products in bio-electronics and the identification of novel biomaterials with potential applications in electronics.

Temporal and spatial dynamics of the non-indigenous bryozoan, Amathia verticillata, and its associated invertebrate community

The widespread non-indigenous bryozoan, Amathia verticillata primarily colonizes in coastal bays and harbors on anthropogenic structures. Although this habitat-forming bryozoan is widely recognized to house a variety of marine invertebrates within its structure, little is known about their spatiotemporal dynamics and their associated invertebrate community in Southern California, USA. Thus, we undertook a comprehensive yearlong study (July 2021-2022) in an urbanized estuary (Mission Bay, San Diego) to quantify A. verticillata percent cover and abiotic conditions at 6 stations with varying environmental conditions. The seasonal and spatial gradients in temperature and salinity within Mission Bay were as expected with seasonal hypersalinity typical of Mediterranean climate regions. The percent cover of A. verticillata was positively correlated with temperature with the highest percent cover found during the warmest periods, and higher average percent cover found in the warmer, eastern parts of Mission Bay. We also collected three replicate A. verticillata colonies to characterize the marine invertebrate community associated with this non-indigenous bryozoan. We identified 25 families, 24 genera, and 19 organisms to species belonging to the taxonomic groups: amphipods, isopods, tanaids, and polychaetes. Furthermore, we identified juvenile stages and ovigerous females living within A. verticillata. None of the identified invertebrate families contributed more than 21 % to the community. The seasonal growth and annual temporal patterns of A. verticillata may prevent competitively dominant species from becoming established within the invertebrate community and allow A. verticillata to harbor a diverse invertebrate community. Sphaeromatidae isopods were the most common family found in the bryozoan colonies, likely reflecting their broad environmental tolerances. Additionally, while some of the invertebrates found within A. verticillata were also non-indigenous species, more work needs to be done to determine if A. verticillata disproportionately supports these species over native species. Collectively, our results imply that A. verticillata functions as a nursery habitat on anthropogenic structures for peracarid crustaceans and polychaetes. Furthermore, A. verticillata assemble analogous communities across their distribution, which may indicate that invasions are homogenizing biota globally.

Toscana virus - an emerging Mediterranean arbovirus transmitted by sand flies.

Toscana virus (TOSV) is an emerging arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) of medical importance that is increasing its range across much of the Mediterranean Basin, Europe and the Middle East. Transmitted by Phlebotomus spp. sand flies, it is the most clinically relevant sand fly-borne phlebovirus. Initially isolated in the Tuscany region of Central Italy, it has now been detected in multiple countries that surround this geographical area. Infection of the vertebrate host can cause fever and neurological disease, following the dissemination of the virus to the brain. The prevalence is high in some regions, with a notable percentage of individuals showing seroconversion. TOSV can be a leading cause of acute meningitis and encephalitis (AME) during the summer months. In this comprehensive review, we will focus on several key topics. We discuss how TOSV has spread to establish outbreaks of infection in both humans and animals around the Mediterranean and the wider region. Clinical aspects of TOSV infection in humans are described, along with the best standards in diagnosis. Finally, we focus our discussion on the role of the sand fly vector, describing their biology, vector competency, implications for putative vertebrate reservoirs, the effect of the climate emergency on sand fly distribution and the putative role that sand fly-derived salivary factors may have on modulating host susceptibility to TOSV infection.

A first vocal repertoire characterization of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Mediterranean Sea: a machine learning approach.

The acoustic repertoires of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Mediterranean Sea are poorly understood. This study aims to create a catalogue of calls, analyse acoustic parameters, and propose a classification tree for future research. An acoustic database was compiled using recordings from the Alboran Sea, Gulf of Lion and Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean Basin) between 2008 and 2022, totalling 640 calls. Using a deep neural network, the calls were clustered based on frequency contour similarities, leading to the identification of 40 distinct call types defining the local population's vocal repertoire. These categories encompass pulsed calls with varied complexities, from simplistic to highly intricate structures comprising multiple elements and segments. This study marks the initial documentation of the vocal catalogue of long-finned pilot whales in the Mediterranean Sea. Subsequent research should delve deeper into this multifaceted communication system and explore its potential linkages with social structures.

Pathogen and host determinants of extrapulmonary tuberculosis among 1035 patients in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 2008-2023

ObjectivesExtrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) presents with nonspecific symptoms which can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. Various factors, including age, sex, and HIV status, have been associated with an increased risk of developing EPTB. However, the influence of the lineage of the infecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc) strain remains controversial. MethodsBetween 2008 and 2023, comprehensive clinical data from 1035 cases, along with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data of the respective Mtbc strains have been collected. To examine the association between Mtbc lineage and EPTB, we calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) using logistic regression and performed propensity score matching with a subset of the cohort. ResultsOf the 1035 patients, 272 had exclusively extrapulmonary disease and 138 had both pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease. Patients infected with a lineage 1 strain had the highest odds of developing EPTB in the univariate analysis (OR: 3.30, 95% CI: 1.97-5.49). However, Mtbc lineage was not a significant predictor in the multivariable model, while the odds of developing extrapulmonary disease were higher among patients born in the South-East Asian region (adjusted OR: 6.00, 95% CI: 3.41-10.69) and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (adjusted OR: 5.95, 95% CI: 3.61-9.96) compared to those born in the European region. Further, female sex and age were significant positive predictors for EPTB. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that host factors, such as geographic origin, age and sex are stronger predictors for EPTB than infection with a Mtbc strain of a particular lineage. Further investigation of this host-pathogen interaction is needed.

Prevalence of human Schistosoma mansoni infection in endemic regions (2010–2024): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Schistosoma mansoni infection poses a substantial public health challenge globally, and the World Health Organization (WHO) aims for the elimination of schistosomiasis by 2030. This study aimed to assess the current prevalence of human S.mansoni infection in endemic regions worldwide between 2010 and2024. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed/Medline and Scopus databases as well as other public sources from 1 January 2010 to 15 July 2024. Population-based studies reporting the prevalence of S.mansoni infection were eligible. We undertook a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate pooled prevalences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in WHO-defined regions and assessed potential risk factors associated with S.mansoni infection. The protocol for this study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023438455). We identified a total of 542 eligible studies involving 1,163,866 individuals who had been tested for S.mansoni infection in 38 countries. The overall, pooled global prevalence of S.mansoni infection in endemic region was 14.8% (95% CI, 13.5%-16.1%). The pooled prevalences (95% CI) in specific regions were: 15.3% (13.9-16.8%) in sub-Saharan Africa, 12.4% (8.9-16.4%) in South America and 9.5% (5.4-14.6%) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. There was a 52.6% decrease in prevalence of S.mansoni infection and a 37% decrease in high-intensity infection for studies conducted between 2010 and 2014 compared to those conducted between 2020 and 2023. The present analysis revealed that factors including male gender, bathing or swimming in natural water bodies, crossing rivers or lakes, and engaging in water irrigation activities such as fishing, working in rice paddies or maintaining irrigation canals were significantly associated with S.mansoni infection. The findings of this investigation revealed that, despite a decline in prevalence and high-intensity infection, 7-12% of people in endemic regions, notably in sub-Saharan Africa, remained affected by schistosomiasis mansoni between 2020 and 2024. This study provides data of relevance to policymakers to support efforts to eliminate this disease. This study received no funding.

A Roman bath with broken windows in Asine, Argolis. The result of repeated earthquakes?

A substantial assemblage of Roman window glass—consisting primarily of “cast”, matt/glossy examples, but also including cylinderblown, double-glossy window glass—was discovered during the 1926 excavations of a Late Roman bath in Asine, Argolis, the Peloponnese, Greece. It is clear that this material emanates from damage done to the building, and the question of whether this had human or natural causes is discussed in this paper: was it the “barbarian” invasion of the Visigoth king Alaric in the late 4th century AD that led to the windows being broken? Or, was the damage caused by the earthquakes known to have hit the Eastern Mediterranean area in Late Antiquity? Traces of destruction typical of earthquakes were found in the bath building, and the destruction occurred in a period known for its high seismic activity: the so-called Early Byzantine Tectonic Paroxysm, which led to the conclusion that the bath was hit by at least one, possibly several, earthquakes, causing the windows to shatter and fall out of their frames. Some of the glass sherds were in all probability hidden under dust and debris and were never recovered despite the fact that glass was extensively recycled at the time.

The impact of long-term organic horticultural systems on energy outputs and carbon storages in relation to extreme rainfall events

Enhancing resilience of agroecosystems of Mediterranean area is a challenge that involves both researchers and different stakeholders and, in this context, increasing crop diversity by redesigning agricultural systems can be considered among the most important tools. Therefore, the response of agroecological practices to climate change effects was tested in a long-term experiment on organic horticultural crops (MITIORG), which is characterized by a soil hydraulic arrangement in ridges, strips and the use (with different management options) of cover crops within cash crops rotations. The main objective of this study was to show how powerful is the sustainability assessment of agroecological practices by converting crops yield and biomass into energy outputs and carbon storages, in diversified horticultural systems. The obtained outputs (expressed in energy and carbon equivalents) were evaluated and analyzed considering the site-specific meteorological data in more than 10 horticultural cropping cycles, from autumn-winter 2014-15 to autumn-winter 2020-21. The Ridge and Strips (RS) system 1 (RS1 - cover crops as living mulch on ridges and break crops in strips, both with no-till termination) showed an enhancement of about 18% of energy output and carbon (C) storages compared to RS2 (ridges and strips with green manured cover) when extreme precipitation events occurred. Moreover, RS3 (ridges and strips without cover crops) recorded a reduction of about 5 and 9% of energy output and C storage, respectively, compared to the mean of RS1 and RS2 in periods with extreme events. Our results highlighted that using more diversified agroecological systems improved their overall average outputs, ensuring greater resilience during extreme weather events, since at least part of crop productions was safeguarded. Therefore, it is important to combine techniques that allow long-term resilience, such as choosing and well managing cover crops (agroecological service crops), according to site and systems specific conditions.

The economic and environmental impact of fire preventive strategies in the Mediterranean region

Fire behaviour in the Mediterranean region has been altered by climate change. In the last decade, not only has the occurrence of fires increased but also their virulence. This is primarily due to higher temperatures and the decrease in the rainfall, which have made forest ecosystems less able to withstand fires. It has also been observed that most wildfires are related directly or indirectly with human actions, and they usually occur in wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. The current research focuses on the economic quantification of the benefits that fire preventive strategies could generate, demonstrating that it is worth it to invest in this kind of measures for both the environment and the society. This study shows the results of a pioneering project, called GUARDIAN, which is applied in a WUI area located at the east of Spain, with the aim of preventing and combating wildfires that could put at risk the life of 15,000 inhabitants while preserving the Natural Park of Túria and La Vallesa (Valencia-Spain). GUARDIAN is a multifaceted project that integrates recycled water, advanced technology, and ecological enhancements to create a more fire-resilient environment while educating and preparing the local community for fire-related challenges. The results of the current research intend to give a value to those benefits of the project that usually have not a market value and are difficult to measure, and due to that fact, they are not usually considered in the cost-benefit analysis. The methodology applied allows to compare in economic terms the environmental benefits of fire preventive measures implemented in the GUARDIAN project with the costs incurred by the measures developed. The environmental area protected by the project results in a value that ranges between €338,035,481 to €485,384,281. Accordingly, the methodology and results of this study are of great interest to public administrations, encouraging the implementation of fire preventive strategies.

An Innovative GIS-Based Policy Approach to Stream Water Quality and Ecological Risk Assessment in Mediterranean Regions: The Case of Crete, Greece

Due to the multiple pressures from human activities, many freshwater ecosystems are facing degradation. To address this issue, a new approach for assessing stream water quality and ecological (WQE) risk using a multi-criteria analysis through a GIS-based policy tool has been developed. The suggested methodology integrates eight different factors along the contaminant pathway from source to streams, including: (a) rainfall variability, (b) soil texture, (c) soil erodibility, (d) slope, (e) river buffer zone, (f) point source contamination buffer zone, (g) non-point source contamination of NO3, and (h) non-point source contamination of PO4. Utilizing fuzzy GIS tools, the above factors and their related maps were spatially overlaid (raster-based suitability for raster reclassification) to obtain the final stream WQE risk map. The final map depicts the spatial distribution of streams concerning their water quality risk and is represented by two classes of WQE risk. The first class is characterized as “appropriate”, in which there is no need for any further actions, while the other one is characterized as “non-appropriate”, indicating that actions should be taken to ensure the sustainability of streams’ water quality. The proposed approach was implemented for the island of Crete, which is located in the Southeast Mediterranean region. The developed methodology was validated using the Hellenic evaluation system (HESY2), an especially established and adapted to the Mediterranean river systems ecological quality metric method, obtained by in situ measurements that were conducted during different monitoring programs (1989–2015). Moreover, this study summarizes appropriate measures and practices that ensure the sustainable management of Mediterranean river basins. These practices can be adopted by local authorities, owners of polluting units, and farmers/breeders to improve the resiliency of streams’ water quality issues in the Mediterranean region.

Transient Post-Fire Growth Recovery of Two Mediterranean Broadleaf Tree Species

Fires affect forest dynamics in seasonally dry regions such as the Mediterranean Basin. There, fire impacts on tree growth have been widely characterized in conifers, particularly pine species, but we lack information on broadleaf tree species that sprout after fires. We investigated post-fire radial growth responses in two coexisting Mediterranean hardwood species (the evergreen Quercus ilex, the deciduous Celtis australis) using tree-ring width data. We compared growth data from burnt and unburnt stands of each species subjected to similar climatic, soil and management conditions. We also calculated climate–growth relationships to assess if burnt stands were also negatively impacted by water shortage, which could hinder growth recovery. Tree-ring data of both species allowed us to quantify post-fire growth enhancements of +39.5% and +48.9% in Q. ilex and C. australis, respectively, one year after the fire. Dry spring climate conditions reduced growth, regardless of the fire impact, but high precipitation in the previous winter enhanced growth. High June radiation was negatively related to the growth of unburnt Q. ilex and burnt C. australis stands, respectively. Post-fire growth enhancement lasted for five years after the fire and it was a transitory effect because the growth rates of burnt and unburnt stands were similar afterwards.

Using floristic data to shed light on the origin of flora in the poorly studied common cypress habitats of Northern Iran

Despite the ecological importance, there is a large knowledge gap on different habitat types of the Hyrcanian World Heritage. The Hyrcanian Common Cypress Habitats (HCCHs), the easternmost part of the Common Cypress habitats in the world, are one of these habitat types. HCCHs are understudied and threatened by a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. In the current study, synthesizing the floristic data of all HCCHs, we compared the species composition of HCCHs to 20 habitats from the Hyrcanian, Irano-Turanian, and Mediterranean regions. Also, we candidate the HCCH with the highest conservation priority by calculating the phylogenetic richness of HCCHs. The ordination analysis results showed that the HCCHs form a distinct group from the three regions. Thus, we found that the HCCHs have a unique floristic composition. The geographical distance had a weak effect on the grouping (Procrustes Sum of Squares = 0.886 and p-value < 0.001). We also detected that the phylogenetic richness of the HCCHs is highest in the Golestan National Park which is the easternmost habitat of HCCHs. Therefore, this park had the most conservation value. Our results provide new insights into the floristic composition and conservation status of the Hyrcanian World Heritage. We conclude that the bioclimatic classifications might be a better predictor of floristic compositions than biogeographical classifications. Based on the observation of Hyrcanian habitats with intermediate floristic composition, it is necessary to reconsider the biogeographical classifications of the region. Our findings are useful for developing management strategies for HCCHs.

Attitudes of puerperal women toward health literacy and family planning: A cross-sectional studyAttitudes of puerperal women toward health literacy and family planning: A cross-sectional study

The research was conducted to evaluate the correlation between health literacy and family planning attitude of puerperal women. In this cross-sectional study, was carried out with 258 puerperal women in a public hospital in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The data were collected using the Mother Introductory Information Form, Postpartum Family Planning Attitude Scale, and Health Literacy Scale. The data were evaluated using Independent Groups t-test, ANOVA and Sperman’s correlation analysis. In the study, the puerperal women who had high level of educational status, worked in an income-generating job, had used contraceptives before pregnancy were found to obtained high average scores from the Family Planning Scale. The health literacy levels of those who were employed, had social security and had cesarean delivery were also high. The research shows that there is a positive correlation between health literacy and family planning attitudes of puerperal women.

Late Medieval Administration and Bookkeeping in The Crown of Aragon: Torralba’s Company

The attempt to rebuild the socioeconomic reality of the fifteenth-century Crown of Aragon has brought us to all the companies once founded and managed by Joan de Torralba. Linking two main commercial cities of that time — Zaragoza and Barcelona with the forefront financial centres of those days - Italian cities, in particular, Venice, Pisa-Florence, and Genoa — set the company in a unique position. This paper studies two primary components of our business: corporate and financial management. This analysis intends to demonstrate the complexity of management in late medieval companies of the Crown of Aragon, alongside knowledge diffusion and the extent and significance of weaving networks. We have in mind to present how the administration was developing, giving the local colour and regional details, making much of the proper management and contacts through the Mediterranean, employing management and historical analysis. The results reveal that the companies in the Crown of Aragon benefited from their management approach. The position of merchant elites, with the example observed by Joan de Torralba as the executive, was prominent. Hence, the weight of the last centuries of the Middle Ages, considering the West Mediterranean area, was essential in the transition to build a modern-like economic space.

The most common diseases in intensive dairy cattle farms in the Mediterranean region

This study was conducted in an intensive dairy cattle farm with a capacity of 200 lactating cow in the Mediterranean region. In this study, 2-year health records in the farm were systematically analysed. The common diseases seen in the records were determined and the recurrence status and the periods of occurrence were determined. Based on the information obtained from the records of the farm , the most common diseases and the diseases that affect the efficiency of the farm the most were determined and evaluated here. In the results, it was understood that the most common diseases treated in the dairy farming operating in the Mediterranean region in a period of 2 years were mastitis, lameness, reproductive problems and metritis.

Przedświt: fascynacja architekturą mykeńskiej i archaicznej Grecji w Niemczech schyłku XIX i początków XX wieku

At the beginning of the 20th century, German architecture saw a turn towards the art of antiquity, which was partly a reaction to the profusion of decoration in late historicism and Art Nouveau. However, the so-called Reformarchitektur was interested not only in classical antiquity (and the art of classicism and neoclassicism), but also in earlier periods, especially Mycenaean art. This was, of course, related to the discoveries in Troy, Mycenae and Tiryns, but the social and political context of the time was equally important. One of the foundations on which the national identity of the Germans in the 19th century was based was the myth of the ancient Germans, who were supposed to be characterized by courage, sincerity and natural morality. According to the creators of this idea (F. Avenarius, J. Langnehn, A. Haupt, G. Kossinna et al.), the Germans, next to the Greeks, were one of the original peoples of Europe (Urvolk), sharing ideas and artistic forms. In the north of the continent, they were allegedly preserved longer than in the Mediterranean area because the Nordic nations did not take part in the development of mimetic art. Consequently, it was believed that in the architecture of the Mycenaean period, as well as in buildings from the Homeric and archaic periods (as well as in Etruscan and ancient Roman buildings), we could find forms typical of the unpreserved Nordic architecture, destroyed in the process of Christianization. Therefore, Mycenaean and archaic architecture became the subject of interpretation in the spirit of nationalism, perceived, however, in a broader sense than just the framework of one nation. This was related to the category of “Nordic nations” as well as an even broader vision of the “primordial peoples of Europe”. These views and research became one of the inspirations for the architecture created at that time with reformatory, modernizing ambitions.

Future shifts in climatic conditions promoting northward expansion of the Mediterranean climate in the circum-Mediterranean region.

In the upcoming decades, precipitation and temperature patterns are expected to shift in the Mediterranean basin due to global warming, potentially having an influence on the environment and the economy in the area. Using monthly precipitation and temperature data from 15 global climate models (GCMs) developed as part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), the Mediterranean Climate Envelop (MCE), as defined by Daget's (1977) criteria, is projected under two climate change scenarios: SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, and for two future periods: 2050s and 2070s. According to the findings, the MCE is expected to expand by 3.51 and 4.93% in the 2050s under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively, in comparison to the current state. This expansion is expected to reach 5.28 and 9.87% for SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively, in 2070s. For both situations and durations, MCE contraction would be minor, however, at less than 1%. More than 99% of the present MCE would stay stable proportionately. The northern Mediterranean region is mostly concerned by the MCE's expansion. The SSP2-4.5 scenario predicts that by the 2070s, expansion zones will occupy 674,183 km2, with 64% of the area located in Southern Europe and 36% in Western Asia. In SSP5-8.5 scenario, this area is expected to be significantly larger, estimated to be approximately 1,256,881 km2; 67% in Southern Europe and 33% in Western Asia.

Classified Plant Al-Dhahiriya in the South of Palestine

We studied plant species of Dhahiriya in the period between January to October 2021, and January to Jun 2024, due to the importance of plants in that vital part of Palestine, which is located in southern Palestine, including that region’s climate, and unique plants that represent of the Mediterranean region plants, North Africa, Sinai desert, Negev, Dead Sea, and Red Sea. It used the Braun-Blanquet (1979) method for the identification of plants. Moreover, Plants have been studied in Dhahiriya, located in southern Palestine. A total of 770 species from 70 families were identified, of which 86 (11.16%) are endemic. The plant families with the highest representation were Asteraceae (14.54%), Fabaceae (14%), Poaceae (7.41%), and Lamiaceae (5.19%). Regarding plant life forms, Therophytes account for 47%, Hemicryptophytes for 20.35%, Shrubs or Chamaephytes for 14.05%, and Trees or Phanerophytes for 9.05%, with a notable increase in spring.

Conservation biology of three threatened Limonium species endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece)

Abstract Knowledge of the life history traits, reproductive biology and demography of rare species is fundamental for their conservation, yet plant population monitoring is uncommon. The restricted ranges of the Limonium species endemic to the Mediterranean area, combined with the vulnerability of their specialized littoral habitats, indicate the need for appropriate conservation measures. We evaluate the conservation status and estimate the future extinction risk of three Limonium species endemic to Zakynthos Island in the Ionian Islands, Greece (Limonium korakonisicum, Limonium phitosianum and Limonium zacynthium) using 5 years of monitoring data. We compile information on their geographical distribution, population dynamics, reproductive biology and genetic diversity. Population sizes and survival rates of seedlings exhibited marked annual fluctuations, although fecundity and relative reproductive success remained high throughout the monitoring period. We observed a dominance of mature individuals in all three species, indicating their increased tolerance to salinity. Three subpopulations each of L. phitosianum and L. zacynthium were genotyped using five microsatellite loci. The observed number of alleles and the low gene flow value potentially indicate reduced genetic diversity, inbreeding, and limited gene flow within and among subpopulations of both species. Based on the IUCN categories and criteria, we assess L. korakonisicum as Critically Endangered, L. phitosianum as Near Threatened and L. zacynthium as Endangered. Population viability analyses predict that, among the three species, L. zacynthium will face the highest risk of extinction within the next 50 years. Knowledge of the biology of these species provides data essential for identifying critical factors for their survival and for proposing targeted conservation measures.