Regional Red Lists Research Articles

Conservation priority of global Galliformes species based on phylogenetic diversity

In this study, based on phylogenetic diversity (PD), I develop a conservation strategy for Galliformes species around the world. A cladogram of 197 Galliformes species derived from a previous study was used for calculating PD metrics. Branch length is an important aspect of the phylogenetic information a tree can convey, but 2 traditionally-used metrics, the number of phylogenetic groups to which a taxon belongs (I) and the proportion that each taxon contributes to the total diversity of the group (W), are fully node-based and do not take branch length into account. Therefore, to measure PD more appropriately, I combined a branch-related metric, pendant edge (P), in addition to I and W. A final combined rank for Galliformes species was obtained by summing the ranks of the 3 metrics. My results showed that the 5% top priority species for conserving evolutionary potential were Galloperdix lunulata, Haematortyx sanguiniceps, Margaroperdix madagarensis, Syrmaticus soemmerringii, Coturnix pectoralis, Polyplectron napoleonis, Alectoris melanocephala, Xenoperdix udzungwensis, Afropavo congensis and Syrmaticus reevesii. The current species priority ranking based on pylogenetic diversity and the official International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ranking of Galliformes species was significantly correlated when considering the 5 categories of IUCN (critical endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened and least concern). This indicated the feasibility of introducing the PD index into the network of IUCN regional Red List assessment. The 5% top priority countries selected using the complementarity principle possessing diversified Galliformes genetic resources were China, Indonesia, Mexico, India, Colombia, Australia, Brazil, Angola, Congo and Japan (in descending order). China, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, India and Colombia are consistently selected among the 4 top priority sets of richness, rarity, endemicity and PD. This result indicated that the priority result from PD is highly congruent with conventional measures. Along with other conventional ecological attributes, the alternative conservation scenario based on PD is reasonable and can be adopted in systematic conservation planning.

Exploring composition and behaviour of fish fauna by in situ observations in the Bari Canyon (Southern Adriatic Sea, Central Mediterranean)

AbstractCanyons play a fundamental role in enhancing the abundance and diversity of marine organisms through the transport of organic matter and food resources, the presence of complex physical habitats and the absence of trawl fishing. During four baited lander deployments carried out in the Bari Canyon (Southern Adriatic Sea, Central Mediterranean), at depths of 443–788 m, about 43 h of video records were taken, for a total of 619,200 video frames. A total of 12 benthopelagic fish species (five chondrichthyes and seven osteichthyes) were identified. The blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) was the most often observed fish species. The depth of 787 m represents a new depth record for this fish in the Adriatic Sea. Groups of up to 40 individuals of P. bogaraveo were attracted to the bait and were shown in single frames. The individuals were observed both exploring the area and feeding actively on the bait. The European conger (Conger conger) was recorded at each deployment. Clear scavenger behaviour was also observed in this teleost fish and in the shark Etmopterus spinax. The shark species Centrophorus granulosus and Hexanchus griseus, which are considered ‘vulnerable’ on the published IUCN Mediterranean Regional Red List, were also recorded but, although attracted by the bait, they were never seen feeding on it. Other fish species, harvested on fishing grounds, such as Merluccius merluccius, Helicolenus dactylopterus and Polyprion americanus, were also recorded. This study represents the first in situ documentation, at very low impact, of the fish fauna in the Bari Canyon, providing new insights into its small scale distribution and behaviour, the first in situ direct observation of the variable feeding behaviour of P. bogaraveo and its gregarious habits, as well as indicating that this canyon could act as a refuge area for species that are vulnerable to fishing on the open slope.

Regionalne czerwone listy porostów zagrożonych [Red lists of threatened lichens at regional levels

The authors discuss 10 regional red lists of threatened lichens and certain other fungi of the Gdańsk Pomerania (286 species; 53.9% of the local biota), the Tucholskie Forest (151; 39,7%), North-Eastern Poland (310; 52.0%), the Białowieża Old-growth Forest (135; 33,7%), the Pilicka Old-growth Forest (140; 51.8%), the Kozienicka Old-growth Forest (144; 61.8%), the Świętokrzyskie Mts. (313; ca 66.0%), the Gorce Mts. (367; ca 67.0%), Opole Silesia and Upper Silesia (536; ca 72,9%) and the Sudety Mts. (504; ca 60.0%). Biotas of regions located in central and southern Poland are more transformed than those of the northern and north-eastern regions, The Białowieża Old-growth Forest has maintained the highest biodiversity.

Cetraria steppae Savicz is conspecific with Cetraria aculeata (Schreb.) Fr. according to morphology, secondary chemistry and ecology

AbstractEurasian Cetraria steppae and the more widely distributed C. aculeata are two lichen species traditionally distinguished by Eastern European and Spanish lichenologists on the basis of their morphological and ecological characteristics. Other specialists, however, consider them puzzling. This paper aims to evaluate the taxonomic status of these members of the C. aculeata group and thereby to clarify their conservation status in Ukraine. Morphological, chemical and ecological features of specimens originating from populations in different regions of Ukraine were tested and compared with the main characteristics commonly used for the species delimitation. Neither morphological nor chemical traits were found to correlate with ecological characteristics on a small geographical scale. Variation in the norstictic acid content detected in 256 individuals from 13 populations in Ukraine showed no correlation with the morphological characteristics that are currently used for species delimitation. These morphological features appear to vary continuously and did not support subdivision among the specimens studied. We hypothesize that C. steppae and C. aculeata are conspecific, and provide a formal synonymy. Specimens with norstictic acid are regarded as a different chemotype. Possible evolutionary and adaptive roles of norstictic acid in C. aculeata s. lat. are discussed. Based on current and historical data, we consider C. aculeata s. lat. as vulnerable in Ukraine, according to the IUCN criteria for regional Red List assessment.

Conservation Actions Based on Red Lists Do Not Capture the Functional and Phylogenetic Diversity of Birds in Brazil

Red Lists of threatened species play a critical role in conservation science and practice. However, policy-making based on Red Lists ignores ecological and evolutionary consequences of losing biodiversity because these lists focus on species alone. To decide if relying on Red Lists alone can help to conserve communities’ functional (FD) and phylogenetic (PD) diversity, it is useful to evaluate whether Red List categories represent species with diverse ecological traits and evolutionary histories. Additionally, local scale analyses using regional Red Lists should represent more realistic pools of co-occurring species and thereby better capture eventual losses of FD and PD. Here, we used 21 life-history traits and a phylogeny for all Brazilian birds to determine whether species assigned under the IUCN global Red List, the Brazilian national, and regional Red Lists capture more FD and PD than expected by chance. We also built local Red Lists and analysed if they capture more FD and PD at the local scale. Further, we investigated whether individual threat categories have species with greater FD and PD than expected by chance. At any given scale, threat categories did not capture greater FD or PD than expected by chance. Indeed, mostly categories captured equal or less FD or PD than expected by chance. These findings would not have great consequences if Red Lists were not often considered as a major decision support tool for policy-making. Our results challenge the practice of investing conservation resources based only on species Red Lists because, from an ecological and evolutionary point of view, this would be the same as protecting similar or random sets of species. Thus, new prioritization methods, such as the EDGE of Existence initiative, should be developed and applied to conserve species’ ecological traits and evolutionary histories at different spatial scales.

<p class="HeadingRunIn"><strong>Red List of liverworts and hornworts for Réunion (Mascarene archipelago)</strong></p>

A preliminary regional IUCN Red List for liverworts and hornworts is provided for Réunion (Mascarene archipelago), in accordance with the IUCN Red List criteria 3.1. A total of 327 species were assessed of which one species (Bryopteris gaudichaudii Gottsche) is considered to be regionally extinct (RE), fourteen species categorised as critically endangered (CR), eight species are endangered (EN), nine species are vulnerable (VU), eight species are considered Near Threatened (NT), and 177 species are at Least Concern (LC). Thirty-one species of liverworts reported on the island are threatened (CR, EN, VU), no hornwort are considered threatened. We divided the category “Data Deficient” into two categories: DDt (data deficient for taxonomy) and DDd (data deficient for distribution) to facilitate future assessment when data would be available. The current species threat analysis, which has generated the first regional Red List of bryophytes for Africa is hoped to promote future studies on the conservation of African bryophytes.

Mismatches between global, national and local red lists and their consequences for Brazilian reef fish conservation

Red lists are important tools applied worldwide to species conservation, but dis- agreements between lists can affect their implementation and credibility. We searched global, national and local threatened species lists for Brazilian reef fish species and compared the differ- ences between them with respect to categories and criteria applied. Of 559 Brazilian reef fish spe- cies, 125 have been evaluated against threat criteria at different scales; a total of 43 are listed as threatened with extinction. Of 43 threatened species, 32 are mentioned in the global IUCN Red List, 11 are referred to in the national inventory, and state lists also cite 11. Six endemic species are threatened; of these, 3 are listed by the IUCN, 5 at the national level and 2 are threatened in Espirito Santo state. This highlights a mismatch between species lists: 84.8% of the species listed as globally threatened do not appear in the national list, whereas 54.5% of the species mentioned on the Brazilian list are not in the IUCN Red List. Moreover, we found disagreements in the set of categories and criteria applied in the different red listing processes. The same categories and quantitative criteria must be applied in all regional red lists, so that conservation actions are more effective and lists are trustworthy. This is imperative to attract financial support for threatened species management and recovery. Management plans must be developed for those species already listed as threatened in Brazil. In addition, a review of the national list and the inclusion of threatened Brazilian endemic fishes in the IUCN Red List are needed.

Mammals of Serra do Cipó National Park, southeastern Brazil

The mammals of the Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna Biome) are still poorly known; only a few localities have been properly surveyed and studied. Hereby, we present a survey of the mammals of Serra do Cipó National Park, a protected area of Cerrado in Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. A total of 55 species from eight orders were listed, which have been captured, observed or recorded in the literature. Some mammals are endemic or listed as threatened either by IUCN’s red list or by the national and regional red lists. Serra do Cipó National Park is an important site for scientific research and conservation of Minas Gerais’ biodiversity, though there is little information on mammal diversity and distribution in the park. We hope our study can help us fill this gap and improve the effectiveness of this national park in protecting Cerrado mammals and other vertebrates.

État des connaissances sur les plantes menacées de Guyane

Current knowledge on threatened plant species of French Guiana.— The elaboration of a first list of the most threatened species of the overseas territory of French Guyana was undertaken in 2009 by the Association for Botanical Conservation in French Guiana in collaboration with the National Botanical Conservatory of Brest. Carried out in synergy with the updating of the species list for Natural Areas of Ecological, Faunistic and Floritic Interests supervised by the Region Science Council for Natural Heritage, this work includes 97 vascular plants, 18 of which can be considered as threatened in the state of current knowledge, according to the IUCN criteria which are recommended by the Federation of National Botanical Conservatories. Among these 18 taxa, threatened because of their rarity and the fragility of their natural habitats, 17 are already protected by a 2001 ministry decree and one is from a new genus, Hekkingia bordenavei ; nine of these appear to be of high concern for conservation : Cleistes grandiflora (Orchidaceae), Cornutia pubescens (Verbenaceae), Antirhea triflora (Rubiaceae), Himathantus drasticus (Apocynaceae), Axonopus oiapocensis (Poaceae), Psychotria granvillei (Rubiaceae), Eriocaulon guyanense (Eriocaulaceae) along with two palm species subject to National Action Plans for their conservation since 2009, Astrocaryum minus and Bactris nancibaensis. This study also contributes to the on-going “regional Red List” of the French Guiana flora.

Boundary Work, Hybrid Practices, and Portable Representations: An Analysis of Global and National Coproductions of Red Lists

For many countries, the IUCN Red List of threatened species is a central instrument in their work to counteract loss of biodiversity. This article analyzes the development of the Red List categories and criteria, how these categories and criteria are used in the construction of global, national, and regional red lists, and how the red lists are employed in policy work. A central finding of the article is that this mix of actors implies many different forms of boundary work. This article also finds that the Red List functions as a portable representation, that is, a context-independent instrument to represent nature. A third finding is that the Red List functions as a link between experts and policy makers. Thus, the Red List is best understood as a boundary object and hybrid practice where the credibility of scientific assessment and a specific policy is mutually strengthened.

Long-term population dynamics of Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó after abandonment and re-introduction of mowing

The orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó is a highly polymorphic species listed as endangered in many regional red lists of Central Europe and Scandinavia. The dramatic decline of its populations during recent decades has been caused by the loss and degradation of their natural and semi-natural habitats (fens and wet meadows, respectively) as a result of secondary succession following intensification or abandonment of traditional land use. In this study, we analysed the effects of abandonment and re-introduction of mowing on the long-term (28 years) population dynamics of Dactylorhiza incarnata at Lake Barsbek in northern Germany. In this area, to preserve a remaining population of D. incarnata, an annual mowing regime was re-established in 1981 on site M-1 of the investigated plots after a period of abandonment. Annual mowing was introduced on a second site, M-2, in 1987. Two- to three-year mowing was introduced on a third site, M-3. Site A, abandoned since 1970, was used as a reference. On each of these sites, flowering individuals were counted once a year. Population structure and accompanying vegetation were recorded simultaneously. In 2006, light measurements were carried out in the mowed areas. The D. incarnata population at M-1 increased exponentially during the first 10 years after re-introduction of mowing. Pronounced decreases in the number of flowering individuals were recorded in 1997 and 2003. Population dynamics at M-2 generally resembled the temporal development at M-1. D. incarnata disappeared on site A during the investigation period, while vegetation height and litter layer increased by 60 and 100%, respectively. D. incarnata was able to withstand reduced light availability to a certain extent by increasing its vertical growth (shade avoidance). It is concluded that the maintenance of D. incarnata populations in Central Europe requires continuation or re-establishment of wet meadow management. On previously abandoned sites, an initially higher mowing frequency is recommended. Management intensity can be reduced after phytomass production of the vegetation has declined.

Phytogeographic survey on the endemic vascular flora of the Hyblaean territory (SE Sicily, Italy)

A survey of the endemic flora of the Hyblaean territory, important centre of biodiversity and speciation in Sicily, is presented. The endemic flora of this area consists of 105 taxa. Among them, 39 are included in the IUCN Regional Red List and 32 in the National Red List, 17 Orchidaceae are protected by the CITES and 3 in the EU 92/43 Habitat Directive. The most represented families are Asteraceae and Orchidaceae (17%), Lamiaceae (10%). A large number of species are endemic to Sicily or central—southern Italy and Sicily. The endemic taxa exclusive to the Hyblaean territory are 20. Life form spectrum of the endemic flora indicates the predominance of geophytes (28.6%), chamaephytes (26.7%), hemicryptophytes (24.8%). The analysis of the habitat put in evidence that the endemics are widespread in garrigues, rocky walls and rocky coasts, dry grassland, woods and synantropic places. In this work, it's also provided an assessment of the conservation status of Hyblaean endemics and proposition for their protection.

Setting conservation priorities for the Moroccan herpetofauna: the utility of regional red lists

AbstractWe assess the national conservation status of the amphibians and reptiles of Morocco by applying the IUCN Red List Criteria at the national level and assess its utility as a planning tool to establish regional priorities for conservation. We rely on the accessory data accompanying regional red lists, mainly distribution range and habitats used by, and threats affecting, species of conservation concern. We also correlated some natural history traits to examine the nature and causes of the risk of extinction. With 13 species of amphibians (31% regionally threatened) and 99 species of reptiles (14% regionally threatened), Morocco is one of the Mediterranean countries with the highest diversity of herpetofauna, mainly because of the high percentage of endemism (amphibians 31%, reptiles 24%). The relative frequencies of threatened species were found to be contingent on both taxonomic group and habitat. The overwhelming importance of the threats of small range and number of habitats used by species is different from the threats to the same species at the global level; this demonstrates the usefulness of national or regional analyses of conservation status for setting conservation priorities. The importance of regional assessment derives from the fact that the boundaries set for conservation management are mainly political rather than biogeographical.

Mycorrhizal macrofungi diversity (Agaricomycetes) from Mediterranean Quercus forests; a compilation for the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal)

A compilation study has been made of the mycorrhizal Agaricomycetes from several sclerophyllous and deciduous Mediterranean Quercus woodlands from Iberian Peninsula. Firstly, we selected eight Mediterranean taxa of the genus Quercus, which were well sampled in terms of macrofungi. Afterwards, we performed a database containing a large amount of data about mycorrhizal biota of Quercus. We have defined and/or used a series of indexes (occurrence, affinity, proportionality, heterogeneity, similarity, and taxonomic diversity) in order to establish the differences between the mycorrhizal biota of the selected woodlands. The 605 taxa compiled here represent an important amount of the total mycorrhizal diversity from all the vegetation types of the studied area, estimated at 1,500–1,600 taxa, with Q. ilex subsp. ballota (416 taxa) and Q. suber (411) being the richest. We also analysed their quantitative and qualitative mycorrhizal flora and their relative richness in different ways: woodland types, substrates and species composition. The results highlight the large amount of mycorrhizal macrofungi species occurring in these mediterranean Quercus woodlands, the data are comparable with other woodland types, thought to be the richest forest types in the world. We point out that the presence of genera that are very well adapted to sclerophyllous Mediterranean woodlands with a potential use in afforestation or recovery programs, or being rare species, are listed in the Regional Red List of Endangered Macromycetes. Since, these woodlands suffer heavy environmental pressure, human and climate mediated, we conclude many species are approaching a high extinction risk, and it is urgent to apply legal and management measures, both,of national (Spain and Portugal) and European governments.

Threat to arable weeds in poland in the light of national and regional red lists

The objective for the study is to present the current threats of arable weeds in Poland. The analysis was conducted on the Polish red lists of arable species (3 national and 22 regional and local) prepared in the period 1994-2008. A total of 105 weeds have been considered as weeds threatened in Poland. All regional and local red lists included a joint total of 184 taxa. The particular regions have between 13 and 95 threatened taxa. The species most frequently appearing in the listings are: Agrostemma githago, Bromus secalinus and Camelina microcarpa. Five taxa (Bromus arvensis, Camelina alyssum, C. sativa, Cuscuta epilinum, Spergula arvensis subsp. maxima) are considered extinct on the national scale, while in the individual regions this number ranges from 1 to 15. A relatively high share is allocated on many regional and local red lists to taxa with an indeterminate level of threat. The conducted comparison shows that there is an urgent need to compile similar listings for the remaining areas of Poland, making it possible to create an updated and real listing of threatened weeds. At the same time, it is necessary to update the existing red lists and to adopt more precise quantitative criteria for the threat estimation, in accordance with the estimation parameters introduced by the IUCN and currently in force...

Functioning of rare plant populations of Central Siberia

Rare plant species of Central Siberia, included in the regional Red Lists, are considered in the context of their population strategies. The potential possibilities and positions of species populations have been analyzed. The functional approach to the evaluation of rare plants behavior is proposed. The functional typology of rare plants and specific features of their behavior is recommended to be used for the development of measures for their protection.

Assessing priority areas by imperilled species: insights from the European butterflies

AbstractBiodiversity hotspots have been variously defined in terms of species richness, endemic species or imperilled species. The use of imperilled species to locate priority areas is particularly problematic, because an area that hosts a large number of imperilled species is likely to be under severe threats, making less effective conservation efforts. A possibly way to answer this problem is to assess species threats at two spatial scales. Then, areas which host concentrations of species that are imperilled at the larger scale, but not at the smaller scale, can be considered as priority areas where conservation efforts are expected to be more effective. An application of this procedure to the European butterfly fauna with the Biodiversity Conservation Concern index calculated with two IUCN red listings (European and national) allowed the construction of a four‐celled model that reflects different types of conservation priority. This combined use of international and regional red lists may be a tool to make practical decisions (e.g. allocation of funds or legislative actions) to preserve imperilled species.

Bee conservation policy at the global, regional and national levels

Bees are important both ecologically and economically for the ecosystem service role they play as pollinators. Documented global decline in bees has sparked the formation of a global policy framework for pollinators, primarily through the International Pollinator Initiative within the Convention of Biological Diversity. There are now regional Pollinator Initiatives, along with regional and national conservation legislation, that can impact on the conservation of bees. The creation of bee Regional Red Lists, under guidance from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, along with conservation priority lists offer another mechanism for streamlining bees into regional, national or subnational conservation policy and practice. These structures, if utilised properly, can form a coordinated and effective policy framework on which conservation actions can be based.

Germination requirements of the alpine endemic Silene elisabethae Jan: effects of cold stratification, light and GA3

Summary Silene elisabethae Jan (Caryophyllaceae) is a narrow endemic plant species that occurs in calcareous grasslands of the Southern Italian Alps, and is protected by National and Regional Red Lists (IUCN). Seed germination requirements of this species were studied for the fi rst time with the aim of producing appropriate germination protocols for use in ex situ conservation. Seeds were collected from three populations and sown on agar in the laboratory. Increasing durations of cold stratifi cation resulted in an increase in germination from 20 to 90%. In addition, GA3 could substitute for a cold stratifi cation requirement resulting in 90 to 100% germination in the absence of chilling. All populations germinated to higher levels in the light than dark, and populations from the coldest collection site germinated better at low temperatures, suggesting adaptation of seed germination behaviour to the local microclimate. Our results indicate that seeds of S. elisabethae exhibit non-deep physiological dormancy and that light plays an important role as a germination cue.

The Vascular Flora of the “Bosco di Mavigliano”, a Site of Community Importance (SIC) in Northern Calabria (South-Italy)

Summary The results of a floristic research carried out in the “Bosco di Mavigliano” are reported, a Site of Community importance (SCI) which was proposed to preserve several temporary ponds with Isoetes as well as Quercus pubescens or Q. frainetto woods, a very rare vegetation in the Crati River Valley. Moreover, a mosaic of riparian woods, arid pastures, uncultivated lands, fields and damp meadows characterizes this area. The vascular flora consists of 602 taxa belonging to 367 genera and 91 families. 8 species and 4 subspecies have been reported for the first time for the Calabrian flora; 9 entities were no longer recorded or considered doubtful for the regional flora. Finally, 13 species pertaining to the regional Red Lists were found and 20 species have been proposed for next update of the list. The biological spectrum shows the prevalence of therophytes; nevertheless, the hemicryptophytes represent a great percentage. The Mediterranean-type is the prevailing chorological type, followed by Eurasiatic...