Rare Species Research Articles

Predicting the responses of European grassland communities to climate and land cover change.

European grasslands are among the most species-rich ecosystems on small spatial scales. However, human-induced activities like land use and climate change pose significant threats to this diversity. To explore how climate and land cover change will affect biodiversity and community composition in grassland ecosystems, we conducted joint species distribution models (SDMs) on the extensive vegetation-plot database sPlotOpen to project distributions of 1178 grassland species across Europe under current conditions and three future scenarios. We further compared model accuracy and computational efficiency between joint SDMs (JSDMs) and stacked SDMs, especially for rare species. Our results show that: (i) grassland communities in the mountain ranges are expected to suffer high rates of species loss, while those in western, northern and eastern Europe will experience substantial turnover; (ii) scaling anomalies were observed in the predicted species richness, reflecting regional differences in the dominant drivers of assembly processes; (iii) JSDMs did not outperform stacked SDMs in predictive power but demonstrated superior efficiency in model fitting and predicting; and (iv) incorporating co-occurrence datasets improved the model performance in predicting the distribution of rare species. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.

Evolution of rarity and phylogeny determine above- and belowground biomass in plant-plant interactions.

Rare species are often considered inferior competitors due to occupancy of small ranges, specific habitats, and small local populations. However, the phylogenetic relatedness and rarity level (level 1-7 and common) of interacting species in plant-plant interactions are not often considered when predicting the response of rare plants in a biotic context. We used a common garden of 25 species of Tasmanian Eucalyptus, to differentiate non-additive patterns in the biomass of rare versus common species when grown in mixtures varying in phylogenetic relatedness and rarity. We demonstrate that rare species maintain progressively positive non-additive responses in biomass when interacting with phylogenetically intermediate, less rare and common species. This trend is not reflected in common species that out-performed in monocultures compared to mixtures. These results offer predictability as to how rare species' productivity will respond within various plant-plant interactions. However, species-specific interactions, such as those involving E. globulus, yielded a 97% increase in biomass compared to other species-specific interaction outcomes. These results are important because they suggest that plant rarity may also be shaped by biotic interactions, in addition to the known environmental and population factors normally used to describe rarity. Rare species may utilize potentially facilitative interactions with phylogenetically intermediate and common species to escape the effects of limiting similarity. Biotically mediated increases in rare plant biomass may have subsequent effects on the competitive ability and geographic occurrence of rare species, allowing rare species to persist at low abundance across plant communities. Through the consideration of species rarity and evolutionary history, we can more accurately predict plant-plant interaction dynamics to preserve unique ecosystem functions and fundamentally challenge what it means to be "rare".

Accuracy, accessibility, and institutional capacity shape the utility of habitat models for managing and conserving rare plants on western public lands

AbstractPublic lands are often managed for multiple uses ranging from energy development to rare plant conservation. Habitat models can help land managers assess and mitigate potential effects of projects on rare plants, but it is unclear how models are currently being used. Our goal was to better understand how staff in the Bureau of Land Management currently use habitat models to inform their decisions, and perceived challenges and benefits associated with that use. We first examined litigation documents to determine whether the agency has been challenged on its use of data for rare plants and found no relevant legal challenges. Second, we analyzed model use in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and found no clear citations of habitat models. Finally, we conducted interviews with agency staff who analyze potential effects of proposed actions on rare plants in NEPA documents. The primary challenges interviewees faced in using models related to data organization and access, model quality and accuracy, and institutional capacity. Interviewees believed models could be used more to inform decisions and actions to conserve rare plants and rare plant habitat on public lands and recommended improving staff access to models, creating models for additional species, and addressing staffing limitations.

New and Little Known Taxa from Anaimudi and Surrounding Regions, Devicolam, Kerala-IV: Notes on some Rare Species

Juncus effusus Linn, is reported for the first time from South India. Additional information on a few little known taxa from Kerala are given.

Genome assembly of the rare and endangered Grantham’s camellia, Camellia granthamiana

Grantham’s camellia (Camellia granthamiana Sealy) is a rare and endangered tea species discovered in Hong Kong in 1955 and endemic to southern China. Despite its high conservation value, the genomic resources of C. granthamiana are limited. Here, we present a chromosome-scale draft genome of the tetraploid C. granthamiana (2n = 4x = 60), combining PacBio long-read sequencing and Omni-C data. The assembled genome size is ∼2.4 Gb, with most sequences anchored to 15 pseudochromosomes resembling a monoploid genome. The genome has high contiguity, with a scaffold N50 of 139.7 Mb, and high completeness (97.8% BUSCO score). Our gene model prediction resulted in 68,032 protein-coding genes (BUSCO score of 90.9%). We annotated 1.65 Gb of repeat content (68.48% of the genome). Our Grantham’s camellia genome assembly is a valuable resource for investigating Grantham’s camellia’s biology, ecology, and phylogenomic relationships with other Camellia species, and provides a foundation for further conservation measures.

Plant diversity on the edge: floristics, phytogeography, fire responses, and plant conservation of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in the context of OCBIL theory

Context There have been few long-term studies of the flora, phenology, and ecology of specific reserves in the species-rich flora of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region. Aims This project, extending over five decades, aimed to develop an authoritative flora list and acquire data on phenology, threatened species, endemism, old and young landscapes, phytogeography, old lineages, and fire responses at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods The study used botanical collection on repeat surveys, herbarium studies, granite outcrop surveys and comparative phytogeographic analyses from maps on the Western Australian Herbarium’s Florabase. Key results Floristic survey recovered 853 taxa, 26% of those known in the Albany local government area. Possibly as many as 950–1000 taxa will be found in the future. The herbarium collections are the second largest of any conservation reserve in the Albany area. Flowering was most evident in spring and least in autumn. Three declared rare species and 20 conservation priority species were identified, as were short-range endemics, old clades, and natural hybrids. Conclusions The flora is dominated by species predominantly from wetter forest regions. Consequently, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is correctly placed within the Bibbulmun Botanical Province. Several hypotheses of OCBIL theory (which addresses old, climatically-buffered, infertile landscapes) were supported, with increased local endemism, ancient clades, and reduced rates of natural hybridisation identified for the granite inselberg OCBIL Maardjitup Gurlin/Mt Gardner. Implications Long term studies are invaluable for plant inventory. Continuing the minimal use of prescribed burning is advocated from plant data, in support of approaches to help conserve threatened animals.

Notes on some Rare Plants Collected from NEFA

No Abstract.

Notes on some Rare Plants Collected from Nilgiri District, South India

No Abstract.

The Genus <I>Bruguiera</I> in the Sundribans

Occurrence of 3 species of Bruguiera in the Sundribans is reported in this paper, viz. B. gymnorhiza, B. cylindrica and B. parviflora. B. gymnorhiza is frequent all over the Sundribans while the other 2 are rare species in that area and B. cylindrica being reported for the first time from Western Sundribans. The distinguishing character, exhuastive synonymy, range of distribution and uses are also given.

Advancing the science and practice of rare plant conservation with the Center for Plant Conservation Reintroduction Database

AbstractPremiseReintroductions or translocations are an increasingly important activity to recover and conserve at‐risk plant species. Yet because many are not published in the scientific literature, learning from previous attempts may often require considerable time and effort. The Center for Plant Conservation Reintroduction Database (CPCRD; https://saveplants.org/reintroduction-database/), a new centralized and standardized repository of U.S.‐based plant reintroductions, aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accessing data on rare plant reintroductions.MethodsThe CPCRD is the product of multiple efforts to assemble information on rare plant reintroductions in the United States. The database comprises a wealth of standardized data on the key stages of a reintroduction, from the planning and implementation phases, to monitoring and management techniques.ResultsThe CPCRD is a dynamic resource, allowing data contributors to continually update their entries as projects progress. While contributions are ongoing, the CPCRD currently includes 460 projects involving 201 plant taxa, spanning diverse growth forms, ecosystems, and regions.DiscussionThe CPCRD and its well‐documented and monitored projects provide a valuable practical resource for conservation practitioners, and have supported multiple scientific studies and contributed to the internationally recognized Center for Plant Conservation Best Practices Guidelines.

Population Status of the Endangered Semi-Mangrove Dolichandrone spathacea on Hainan Island, China

In China, Dolichandrone spathacea is a rare and endangered semi-mangrove plant species with an extremely small population, naturally distributed only in Zhanjiang City and the east coast of Hainan Island. Despite conservation concerns, the population status of D. spathacea has received little scientific attention. In this study, we evaluated the current status of D. spathacea on Hainan Island, China, in order to propose sustainable conservation strategies for future ecological restoration of its natural population. D. spathacea on Hainan Island can be divided into four populations. All the D. spathacea populations present a state of overall dispersion, local concentration, and occasionally sporadic existence, and they exist in geographical isolation. The young, middle, and old D. spathacea plants account for 20.42%, 66.20%, and 13.38%, respectively, indicating that the D. spathacea population on Hainan Island is declining. Furthermore, instead of temporal structure, we used diameter at breast height (DBH) to establish a static life table, draw a population survival curve, and quantify the future development trend through population dynamic analysis and time-series prediction. These results suggest that the D. spathacea population in the Bamen Gulf (Wenchang) and Qingmei Harbor (Sanya) on Hainan Island is sensitive to external disturbances and possesses two main increases in mortality rate—namely, in its juvenile and mature stages—due to competition and anthropogenic interferences, which might be the most important reasons for its endangered status. Depending on the current conditions of the D. spathacea population, we should conserve and expand mature trees in situ, preserve their germplasm resources, rehabilitate their habitats to promote provenance restoration, and conduct artificial cultivation and spreading planting in order to realize the sustainable conservation and management of D. spathacea.

Plant Cover of Besitchai State Nature Reserve (Azerbaijan)

The article highlights the ecological significance of the Besitchay State Nature Reserve, located in the Zangilan region of Azerbaijan. The author examines in detail the geographical location of the reserve and its plant cover, describing various types of plant formations and associations. Considerable attention is paid to the study of meadow, swamp, aquatic, and forest vegetation as well as the importance of preserving rare plant species, such as the Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), which is listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan. The results are important for evaluating the current state of biodiversity and for developing measures to conserve it.

A Mechanistic Spectrum of O-H Bond Cleavage Observed for Reactions of Phenols with a Manganese Superoxo Complex.

Reaction of a rare and well-characterized MnIII-superoxo species, Mn(BDPBrP)(O2•) (1, H2BDPBrP = 2,6-bis((2-(S)-di(4-bromo)phenylhydroxylmethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)methyl)pyridine), with 4-dimethylaminophenol at -80 °C proceeds via concerted proton electron transfer (CPET) to produce a MnIII-hydroperoxo complex, Mn(BDPBrP)(OOH) (2), alongside 4-dimethylaminophenoxy radical; whereas, upon treatment with 4-nitrophenol, complex 1 undergoes a proton transfer process to afford a MnIV-hydroperoxo complex, [Mn(BDPBrP)(OOH)]+ (3). Intriguingly, the reactions of 1 with 4-chlorophenol and 4-methoxyphenol follow two routes of CPET and sequential proton and electron transfer to furnish complex 2 in the end. UV-vis and EPR spectroscopic studies coupled with DFT calculations provided support for this wide mechanistic spectrum of activating various phenol O-H bonds by a single MnIII-superoxo complex, 1.

Classification and Status by Geological Periods Relicts, Rare Species of Zakatala and Belokan Districts

The article provides data on period III relicts and rare tree and shrub species common in the forest ecosystems of the Zakatala and Belokan districts of Azerbaijan, and their classification and status by geological periods is given. As a result of research and analysis, the species Taxus baccata L., Hedera pastuchovii Woronow ex Woronow and Smilax excelsa L. were included in the relicts of the Poltava flora. In the forest ecosystems of the study areas, 6 tree and shrub relict species belonging to 6 families and 6 genera of the subtropical evergreen Poltava flora (mesothermal relicts of the Arctic flora of the III period) were identified: Taxus baccata L., Platanus orientalis L., Punica granatum L., Hedera pastuchovii Woronow ex Woronow, Smilax excelsa L. and Diospyros lotus L. With the exception of Smilax excelsa L., other 5 species are listed in the Red Book of the Azerbaijan Republic. In the Zakatala and Belokan districts, relict tree and shrub plants belonging to 15 families, 23 genera and 30 species of Arctic and deciduous Turgai flora (mesothermal relicts of the Arctic flora of the III period) are widespread. Of these, 10 species (Pinus kochiana Klotzsch ex K. Koch = Pinus sylvestris var. hamata Steven, Fraxinus coriariifolia Scheele, Castanea sativa Mill., Quercus iberica Steven ex M. Bieb., Pterocarya pterocarpa (Michx.) Kunth ex Iljinsk., Juglans regia L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Acer hyrcanum Fisch. ex C. A. Mey., Corylus colurna L., Vitis vinifera L., are considered rare plants of Azerbaijan. It was established that 38 rare tree and shrub species belonging to 35 there are 23 families.

Applying a Random Encounter Model to Estimate the Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) Density from Camera Traps in the Hindu Raj Mountains, Pakistan

Applying a Random Encounter Model to Estimate the Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) Density from Camera Traps in the Hindu Raj Mountains, Pakistan

Can local ecological knowledge establish conservation baselines for the Critically Endangered Blue‐crowned Laughingthrush?

Abstract Designing conservation interventions for rare species can be hindered by a lack of relevant data. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) has potential to provide rapidly collected, cost‐effective data across large spatio‐temporal scales, but has rarely been used as a source of conservation‐relevant information for the Asian Songbird Crisis. The Blue‐crowned Laughingthrush (Pterorhinus courtoisi; BCLT) is a Critically Endangered passerine found only in southeastern China. It is unclear why the species' breeding range and global population are extremely small, as it occurs in human‐occupied forest‐agricultural landscapes similar to surrounding environments across southern China. We conducted systematic range‐wide interviews on BCLT (n = 519) to collect novel information on the species' temporal and spatial distribution, and on potential human activities and landscape changes associated with its presence or absence. Recognition of BCLT was moderate (45.0% of respondents reported sightings), with sightings within the previous 18 months across the study area, within and beyond their known distribution. Over half of known breeding villages were confirmed by LEK data, and nesting was reported from two villages with no previous breeding records. BCLT trapping was reported across the study landscape, mostly from the last decade and associated with trappers from urban centres. BCLT trapping and lack of fengshui forest were associated with sites where BCLTs did not breed. Breeding sites were associated with increases in vegetable gardens over respondents' lifetimes, and other sites within the species' range were associated with decreases in bush/scrub. We demonstrate that LEK can identify potential threats, new breeding sites and landscape changes correlated with species presence or absence for threatened birds affected by the Asian songbird crisis. This study provides the first evidence of ongoing trapping as a threat to BCLT, and remedial measures are urgently required across the region. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

A new species of the genus Ovalona Van Damme & Dumont, 2008 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from South-East Asia, related to Australian Ovalona archeri (Sars, 1888)

A new species of Ovalona Van Damme & Dumont, 2008 (Cladocera: Anomopoda) related to the rare Australian species Ovalona archeri (Sars, 1888), is described from the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam. Ovalona garibiani sp. nov. differs from O. archeri in morphology of antenna, postabdomen, and proportions of setae on thoracic limbs II–III. Both species differ from other species of the genus Ovalona in the postabdomen with a narrow and sparsely spaced group of lateral setulae, the distance between the postanal groups being slightly greater than the width of the group. O. garibiani sp. nov. is a rare phytophilous species, known from a few localities in continental Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Vietnam.

Prioritising Important Plant Areas (IPAs) among the limestone karsts of Perak, Malaysia

SummaryThe flora of limestone karsts is exceptionally rich, due in particular to the wide array of microhabitats that limestone outcrops support. However, in Peninsular Malaysia limestone outcrops are heavily exploited for the quarry industry, cave temples, leisure venues and the development of geoparks, hence the limestone flora is amongst the most threatened biodiversity in the Peninsula. The 95 limestone karsts in Perak are currently known to support 538 species, representing c. 44.2% of the total limestone flora of Peninsular Malaysia. Of these, 13.2% (71 species) are endemic to the Peninsula of which 10 species are hyper-endemic (i.e. restricted to a single karst), 108 (20%) are threatened with extinction and 6 are considered likely to be Extinct. Typical of limestone in Peninsular Malaysia, a single karst harbours only a fraction of the total limestone flora such that a network of karsts is required to capture maximum plant diversity. Through evaluation of data from field surveys, herbarium specimens and the literature, 27 of the Perak karsts were found to trigger Important Plant Area (IPA) status, i.e. they harbour important populations of threatened species, outstanding botanical richness and/or are important examples of threatened habitats that in Perak include the foothills and limestone forest. Fifteen karsts were identified for priority conservation measures based on Conservation Priority Scores (CPS), a quantitative methodology based on endemic and threatened status. With the addition of two species-rich karst sites, 17 karsts are recommended as the first iteration of the network of priority IPA sites for Perak that together conserve 90% (483 species) of the Perak limestone plant diversity, 93% (66) of the endemic species and 94.4% (102) of the threatened species. CPS is found to be more reliable than using total species richness for assessing conservation importance and we also demonstrate that karst size and isolation are not primary indicators of range-restricted plant diversity. Significant knowledge gaps still exist, with 59 karsts in Perak without botanical surveys, and with many rare species having not been recollected for over 30 years, emphasising the need for further botanical research in these important and threatened landscapes.

Extension of the geographical range of the primary burrowing crayfish Cambarus strigosus Hobbs, 1981 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae) in South Carolina

Abstract Knowledge of the geographical distribution for many primary burrowing crayfishes is often limited to information presented in species descriptions or field notes associated with epigean crayfish surveys. Cambarus strigosusHobbs, 1981, a rare primary burrowing crayfish, was collected as part of a survey of the Sumter National Forest, South Carolina (SC), USA. Prior to this discovery, C. strigosus appeared to be endemic to mid-reaches of the Broad River Drainage in Georgia (GA). We conducted additional field sampling in SC and GA and used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to compare the relative genetic distance between individuals across all populations in an effort to determine the identity of the specimens collected. Genetic data indicated that the crayfish collected in SC was C. strigosus, with one shared haplotype between SC and GA populations. Our genetic results exhibited geographic structuring and indicated that SC populations have a specific haplotype unique to them, providing strong evidence that SC populations are not introduced. Two additional SC records of C. strigosus from 1983 housed in the US National Museum were examined and determined to be C. strigosus. With these records, we hypothesized that like in GA, the distribution of C. strigosus in SC is limited to riparian habitats associated with the Savannah River Drainage. While the range of this species has been extended, it is still limited to small portions of this drainage. Thus, further sampling to determine the true extent of C. strigosus distribution within SC along with conservation efforts are needed to protect this globally rare species.

Bryofloristic diversity and conservation value of a protected area in the Brazilian semi-arid region

We collected 137 samples (71—rainy season; 66—dry) for the Brazilian state of Paraíba. With a total of 23 species (one hornwort, 14 mosses and nine liverworts), we updated the bryoflora of Paraíba, a hotspot of bryophytes, by one rare species (Weissia controversa), increasing the total number of species to 188. The floristic composition in the Poeta e Repentista Juvenal de Oliveira State Park is affected by chronic anthropogenic disturbances, and is typical of arid environments, regardless of the season. This indicates homogenization of the habitat from the loss of ecological niche due to the disordered use of local natural resources. However, the record of Philonotis hastata, categorized as Near Threatened by the IUCN; the geographic expansion of a species; and the presence of rare species for Brazil reinforce the importance of the Conservation Unit for bryophyte biodiversity. Despite the floristic composition, we identified that interpretations about biology, environmental functionality and species distribution are more consistent for environmental assessment and decision-making on conservation actions.