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The tropical Andes region harbors areas that are highly significant for biodiversity at both global and local scales. However, despite the severe conservation threats that this region has to confront, conservation initiatives are limited, by funding and because of the need for more information to decide which areas are priorities for conservation. Identifying Important Plant Areas (IPAs) offers a valuable methodology for establishing conservation priorities, a particularly complex task in a mega-biodiverse region such as the northern Andean tropics. Due to its iconic recognition and conservation value, this study focused on the Espeletiinae subtribe (Asteraceae) as a model group; hence, the distribution data for 138 species was compiled from 5560 georeferenced records. Using the IPA methodology, we divided the study area, this is, the distribution area of the subtribe in the Andean tropics, into 220 Units of Analysis (UA) represented by 10 × 10 km plots. Refined species' distribution areas, incorporating richness, threatened species, and ecosystem-based richness distributions, were analyzed using newly generated maps to evaluate the conservation value of each UA. Our analysis identified 176 UAs with some level of relevance using sub-criterion cA1 (with 59 species) and 51 UAs using sub-criterion cB (with 76 species). Integrating both criteria, we classified 11 UAs as high-priority, 62 as medium-priority, and 147 as low-priority, highlighting the IPAs that require focused conservation efforts. Two identified high-priority IPAs are located in Venezuela and nine in Colombia, predominantly associated with the Eastern Cordillera. These areas concentrate between 7 and 12 species. They are mainly linked to the páramo complexes of Colombia and the Sierra Nevada in Venezuela, primarily within Cool Temperate Moist Grassland ecosystems on mountains. Our results provide a spatial planning procedure and analytical tool for decision-makers to guide conservation management and actions across northern Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ficus is a multi-purpose pan-tropical genus of woody plants proven to be keystone resources for populations and animals. In Africa, the genus is well-represented, but the lack of summed-up information prevents its valorization and implementation of conservation strategies. This study aims to summarize documented knowledge on the Ficus genus in Africa and propose perspectives for future research focusing on the aforementioned issues. 215 publications published between 1980 and 2023 were obtained from electronic databases and general web searches. They were critically assessed for information on its geographical distribution, diversity, threats and uses. The genus Ficus comprises 116 species in Africa. The highest diversities were found in the tropical zone countries, mainly in Cameroon, Congo, Central Africa Republic, Gabon, and Uganda. Ficus species are used mostly as medicine and food. The most used species in medicine were F. carica, F. exasperata, F. sur, F. sycomorus, and F. thonningii. For food, the most utilized species were F. carica, F. platyphylla, F. sur, F. sycomorus, and F. thonningii. Ficus sycomorus was the most useful species according to the relative importance, respectively followed by F. exasperata, F. sur, F. thonningii, and F. platyphylla. Habitat loss driven by agricultural practices is probably the biggest threat to the genus Ficus in Africa, to which is added unsustainable practices such as overexploitation and cutting of vital organs for medicine. Moreover, 14 African F. species are on the list of threatened species in the red list of IUCN. Despite these threats, no conservation strategy is taken towards the genus Ficus in Africa. It becomes urgent to take conservation measures to ensure the long-term viability of this keystone genus. That would require an integrated and collaborative approach involving both local communities and environmental management authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is causing major changes in terrestrial ecosystems and biomes around the world. This is particularly concerning in oceanic islands, considered reservoirs of biodiversity, even more in those with a significant altitudinal gradient and high complexity in the vegetation they potentially harbour. Here, in Tenerife (Canary Islands), we have evaluated the changes in potential vegetation belts during the last 20 years by comparing them with a previous study. Considering the intimate linkage between vegetation and climate, we used a methodology based on phytosociological knowledge, ordination techniques and geostatistics, using multivariate spatial interpolations of bioclimatic data. This has allowed us to spatially detect the variations experienced by eight vegetation units during the last 20 years and incorporating a set of vulnerability metrics. New bioclimatic and vegetation cartography are provided according to the current scenario studied (1990–2019). Our results indicate that summit vegetation, humid laurel forest and thermo-sclerophyllous woodland are the habitats that have experienced a very high area loss and mismatch index, strong changes, if we consider that we are only comparing a period of 20 years. Simultaneously, the more xeric vegetation belts, the dry laurel forest and the pine forest would have benefited from this new warmer and drier climate, by gaining area and experiencing strong upward movements. These changes have not been spatially uniform, indicating that the elevational gradient studied not explain completely our results, showing the influence of the complex island topography. Effective landscape management should consider current remnants, transition capacity and movement limitations to better understand current and future vegetation responses in a global change context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Himalaya is known for its unique and rich endemic plants. Diversity of endemic plants is considered for prioritizing areas including delineating the Biodiversity Hotspots and conservation implications. In view of limited authentic dataset on endemic plants, the study investigated the diversity and distribution patterns of endemic vascular plants of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and recorded a total of 1076 endemic plant taxa including 1061 angiosperms, 03 gymnosperms and 12 pteridophytes belonging to 432 genera and 100 families. Richness of endemic plants was found maximum in the Arunachal Pradesh (294), followed by Meghalaya (213) and Sikkim (212). Maximum number of endemic taxa was found in family Orchidaceae (115) followed by Asteraceae (79) and Poaceae (63). More than 81% endemic are recorded in mid elevation (1001–1500 m) altitude range. Among the recorded taxa, 28 species of IUCN viz. Critically endangered (9), Endangered (13), and Vuln-erable (3) categories. Endemic taxa having narrow distribution range, high use-value and low population density were prioritized for conservation implications. Amentotaxus assamica, Gymnocladus assamicus, Ilex venulosa, Pittosporum eriocarpum are recorded highest threat categories due to timber harvesting, unsustainable harvesting of fruits, habitat destruction, large-scale lime quarrying etc. Total 1258 grid cells (15′ × 15′) representing IHR were analysed to identify the endemic rich areas in the region. Based on the set criterion, 20 endemic rich areas were identified and maximum congruence of endemics recorded in Eastern Himalaya. Of the total, 69% endemic rich areas were covered under the Protected Areas and Biosphere Reserve Networks, however, remaining 31% were unprotected. Further, the conservation related studies are available only for 7% (88) and 2% (29) are having the propagation protocols (tissue culture and seed germination). In view of importance of conservation of endemic plants, the study recommends location-specific population assessment, in-situ and ex-situ conservation approaches, climate and anthropogenic impacts, reproductive biology for identifying the bottleneck and improving germination are required, before vanishing the endemic plant assets in Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the distribution and conservation status of plant species in lentic wetlands of Mediterranean islands. Field data on vascular macrophytes were collected from the online national databases of the "Conservation of the island wetlands of the Mediterranean Basin" (MedIsWet). A comprehensive inventory of wetlands was conducted, and information on the main anthropogenic impacts and conservation priorities was compiled. In addition to all vascular hygro- and hydrophytes, we retained information on those species typically adapted to environments with intermittent or temporary wetness. A significant knowledge gap regarding the distribution and conservation of plant species in Mediterranean wetlands was found. A lower endemism rate was observed particularly in coastal wetlands. However, approximately 25% of species, mainly with relatively wide distribution, were identified as endangered or with unknown conservation status. Including all macrophytes adapted to seasonal wetness is crucial when considering wetland conservation efforts. The research emphasised the importance of considering diverse wetland types, including seasonal and permanent, natural and artificial, for effective plant conservation. Artificial wetlands emerged as potential habitats with considerable biodiversity conservation value. This study provides a comprehensive inventory of wetlands and valuable insights into the distribution, ecology, and conservation relevance of aquatic macrophytes in Mediterranean islands. The research enhances our understanding of biogeographic patterns and processes, offers critical information for the management and conservation of Mediterranean island wetlands, and presents a replicable approach that can be applied to other wetland contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important research goal for plant species of conservation concern is to identify and spatially delimit genetically distinct populations and understand their degree of connectivity. Here, we evaluated structure, diversity, and genetic connectivity using neutral genetic markers in cirio (Fouquieria columnaris), a unique succulent tree restricted to the northwestern Sonoran Desert in Mexico. Using genome-wide sequencing, 1,137 biallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in 55 individuals from 7 sites (6 on the Baja California Peninsula, 1 in coastal Sonora), belonging to populations that were previously shown to constitute distinct lineages according to chloroplast DNA. There was relatively minor cytonuclear discordance, which was attributed to the northernmost peninsular site; when that site was removed, there was concordance between chloroplast and nuclear DNA matrices. We recognize four genetic groups as demographically independent units. Pairwise comparisons of nuclear genetic differentiation between localities (Jost's D) ranged from 0.035 to 0.008. We detected positive inbreeding values and diversity patterns associated with historical bottlenecks and habitat fragmentation. There was asymmetric gene flow from the small Sonoran mainland population to the much larger northern peninsular population, an unexpected result that may be influenced by pollinators. The most strongly differentiated populations based on SNPs were Sierra Bacha on the Sonoran coast with the southernmost peninsular site, Tres Vírgenes. Within the Peninsula there was a statistically significant pattern of isolation by distance. Our findings provide a detailed view of the genetic structure and connectivity of this emblematic tree that may help guide conservation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant blindness remains an understudied Anthropocentric concept. There is a societal naivety to the importance of plants, and lack of awareness of the human impact of plant life, which renders many 'plant blind'. This research develops a Plant Blindness (PB) scale to address plant blindness within a botanic and urban space, pursuing an investigation into the motivations and beliefs of people in terms of plant awareness, plant fascination and conservationist efforts. Interviews with specialists within botany and horticulture suggest how we might better understand and utilise the function of botanic gardens' within an urban context, using botanic spaces to further amplify societal interest in plant life, thus challenging plant blindness. Botanic gardens' document collections of living plants, researching and setting exemplar sustainable and ethical standards for the conservation and cultivation of rare and threatened plants, educating and bringing global plant conservation to the forefront of our natural world. Botanic gardens research innovation, scientific knowledge, heritage and expertise in sustaining a globally diverse range of plant species could be advantageous in the future design of urban spaces. It is through establishing active engagement between botanic spaces and urban spaces that plant blindness can be challenged, establishing a future vision for botanic gardens and botanic spaces, exploring the role botany could adopt within society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational conservation of endangered plants is often challenging. Ginkgo biloba L., a relict plant in the Mesozoic, is known as the world's famous "living fossil". To rationally protect G. biloba, we constructed an ensemble model (EM) to predict the past, present, and future suitable habitats of G. biloba based on global sampling sites and climate, soil and terrain data. The present results show that the suitable habitats for G. biloba are mainly concentrated in East Asia, Europe, and North America. Through the analysis of key environmental variables, climate has a high degree of influence on the growth and distribution of G. biloba, and the effect of temperature is four times that of precipitation. By simulating the past distribution of G. biloba, we found that glacial refuges were concentrated in East Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. This is due to Quaternary glaciation, G. biloba in the past has been extinct in Europe and North America, only surviving in East Asia. Under future climate change, the habitat area of G. biloba will gradually decrease and has a tendency to migrate to higher latitudes. By analyzing the expansion and contraction range of G. biloba, we found that the suitable area in Asia will be relatively stable, while those in North America and Europe tend to be fragmented. The habitat fragmentation will threaten the distribution range of G. biloba, thereby reducing species diversity. The results of this study will provide conservation recommendations for in-situ conservation and off-site preservation methods for G. biloba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical areas are vital for conserving endangered tree species. However, barriers to the propagation and storage of plant material still limit preservation outcomes. Seed traits are essential in conservation but have rarely been applied in the tropics. In this work, we compile information about the germination and seed desiccation tolerance behaviour of 953 arboreal species from the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. We analysed how those traits are related to the growing strata, seed size, and dispersal mode and how they can be used to improve conservation initiatives based on the species distribution, abundance, extinction risk, and ex situ cultivation. Over a third of the species are probably recalcitrant but this number increase to almost half among the endangered and endemic ones. Most species have seeds dispersed by animals, but wind dispersal is usually orthodox and dominant in secondary forests. All species with tiny seeds and most understorey ones with small seeds are orthodox. Approximately half of the species have dormant seeds, while nearly one-third of nondormant species have cohorts with extended germination. Almost half of the species are conserved ex situ; however, several endangered, endemics could be expected to be considered exceptional. Seed traits could target orthodox species for seed banking in tropical forests, including the potential of secondary forests and a subset of oligarch species. For the recalcitrant ones, approaches based on the risk of extinction, distribution, abundance, and ex situ status allow for prioritizing collection and conservation strategies. Under this approach, we develop a list with priority species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment methods have been developed to estimate a preliminary conservation status for species and subsequently to facilitate the building of Red Lists. Such pre-assessment methods could be particularly useful in the French Overseas Territories (FOTs) where Red Lists tend to be out-dated or absent and where a high number of endemic species face detrimental anthropogenic pressures. We first aimed to conduct a preliminary assessment (hereafter, pre-assessment) of the conservation status of endemic plants from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte, French sub-Antarctic islands, New Caledonia, and Scattered Islands. We then compared the various methods used in conducting the pre-assessment and discussed ways to adapt these methods to small territories. We compiled occurrence data of endemic species identified thanks to a previous taxonomic work and pre-assessed their conservation status under Red List criteria A and B and the use of a Random Forest algorithm. We then measured the accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity of each method based on existing Red Lists. The Random Forest algorithm and a method based on range-size performed best at correctly attributing conservation status. Using these pre-assessment methods, we estimated that up to 60% of the endemic flora of the FOTs is potentially threatened. Range restriction but also anthropogenic pressures were key factors that explained these risks. Pre-assessment methods are useful tools to get a first measure of species conservation status. These methods should be adapted to the territories considered and their conservation issues in order to reach a good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree species used in agroforestry systems can be selected based on which species support higher numbers of plant-animal interactions. Integrating network theory with conservation science is a relatively new aim and several approaches have appeared in the literature that use network theory to identify priority or key plant species in empirical networks. Here we use data from bird-plant networks in coffee agroforests to compare two popular approaches: modularity analysis and the centrality index approach. The dataset includes a total of 834 interactions between 28 plant and 64 bird species. We constructed four quantitative networks, a full and reduced network and a dry and rainy season network. All networks were significantly modular. Modularity analysis identified only two plant species as holding core topological roles in a network, i.e., connectors or network hubs. The centrality index approach identified 12 plant species as priority or key species. The contrasting outcomes from the two approaches demonstrates that more work is needed to merge network theory and conservation science. Before farmers and practitioners can implement science-based management practices to have the greatest impact on biodiversity conservation, scientists will have to decide which approach to follow, or if the two approaches can be merged. We propose one idea for merging the two approaches would be to recommend that farmers or practitioners select plant species with the highest centrality score from each module of the network as well as all plant species identified as holding core topological roles from modularity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 153 documents (4.7% of 3235 documents), the authors do not mention any search keywords in their title, abstract, or author keywords. However, 110 documents (4.7% of 2337 documents) do not contain search keywords: "endangered plant" or "rare plant" in their title, abstract, or author keywords. Using improve search strategies as the search keywords used were: "endangered plant", "rare plant", "endangered plants", and "rare plants". [Extracted from the article]

Cistus heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis is considered one of the most endangered plants of Spain and has been object to many conservation programs and research projects. Until now, only two small spots were located in Europe: a population of one self-incompatible specimen was found in Valencia and another small population in Cartagena, disturbed by human impact and hybridization with close-relatives. Therefore, the conservation of this taxon has been one of the most defeating issues in the current plant conservation strategies of the Mediterranean workgroups. In this study, we report, describe and cense a new population of this taxon located at the furthest accessible area of the isle of Cabrera Gran in Cabrera Archipelago National Park. The population contains 59 individuals of C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis, the most abundant known population of this species, with a high representation of young individuals (83%). However, some threats are currently compromising the stability of this population: the presence of Cistus albidus in surrounding areas is producing hybrids (Cistus × clausonii) and the high abundance of rats and rabbits is affecting the population recruitment. For this reason, urgent conservation actions must be designed to protect and enhance this population. Overall, this new finding offers new insights on the distribution and conservation strategies of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work of Santana and Simon (2022) provides a unique database on angiosperm flora in the Cerrado?s agricultural frontier (known as MATOPIBA), revealing that its plant biodiversity remains largely unknown. However, ongoing deforestation combined with areas that can still be legally deforested, has the potential to jeopardize plant conservation in the region if measures to prevent land clearing are not adopted. Based on the databased provided by the authors, high resolution vegetation maps and land tenure data, it is demonstrated that almost 5 Mha of Cerrado vegetation has been converted from 1990 to 2020, and further 10.1 Mha can still be legally cleared, which 1.58 Mha in small, 2.25 Mha in medium and 6.27 Mha in large farms. This has practical implications for biodiversity conservation in the MATOPIBA and, thus, the clearing of "areas where populations of endemic and threatened", as well as rare, species occur should be avoided. In general, the whole region should be better sampled in order to fill the knowledge gap on its plant diversity, but certain areas could be prioritized to optimize sampling efforts and provide botanical information that inform conservation plans with the objective to avoid the extinction of endemic, threatened and unknown species. Proactive conservation measures are yet palliative because the current environmental legislation still allows the suppression of large extensions of Cerrado vegetation – likely to be converted to mechanized agriculture as soon as it becomes profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphophallus titanum is endemic to Sumatera and increasingly threatened in the wild by unsustainable harvesting, rapidly changing land cover, and global climate change. Management of this species requires better information on the habitat requirements, its population status and spatially explicit assessments of risk factors. Field surveys and historical records were used to characterize the distribution of A. titanum in Sumatera. Habitats were characterized using topography, soils, climate and land cover variables. An ensemble machine learning model using Random Forest and Artificial Neural Network techniques found that slope and distance to the nearest river are the two most important variables associated with the occurrence of A. titanum in Sumatera. The plant species associations of A. titanum are very diverse. Soil aeration and good drainage are key factors for the species, both in natural environments and in cultivation. Land cover change and climate change scenarios predicted significantly reduced suitable geographic distribution by 2070. Population hot spots were identified in Sumatera Utara (North Sumatera) and the Southern part of Aceh. Potential threats at occurrence points were evaluated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Human pressures, particularly harvesting and land conversion, are the main threats to the A. titanum populations. Most of the predicted suitable habitat areas of this species are located outside of conservation areas. Very few mature individuals were found in this study with local populations dominated by seedlings and juveniles. Based on the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of the endemic A. titanum in Sumatera is endangered with criteria EN A2cd+3 C, C2a(i). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of exotic herbivores to islands is one of the most harmful challenges to the conservation of insular biodiversity, causing the extinction or geographical reduction of many plant species worldwide and motivating conservation actions from environmental managers. Here, we evaluated the recovery of plant communities, specifically the endangered Medicago citrina, on a small islet close to Ibiza (Western Mediterranean Basin) after the complete eradication of introduced rabbits (fully eradicated in 2016). To evaluate the variation of plant richness and coverage, five permanent plots were installed in 2015 to record over five years. Additionally, an exhaustive census geolocating all M. citrina individuals was carried out in 2019. Total vegetation cover, plant richness and Shannon's diversity index significantly increased throughout the study period. We counted 2,322 M. citrina individuals over 15 cm tall and a large number of seedlings. Therefore, this population not only successfully recovered, but also established the largest population in the entire geographic distribution of this species. The demographic structure is dominated by young individuals and a few large individuals, and the distribution across the island is heterogeneous since the largest spots of individuals were located in ravines where air currents probably provided seeds from plants located in inaccessible cliffs. However, the appearance of the invasive insect Icerya purchasi now threats the population of M. citrina as it feeds on the tissues of adult plants and compromises its development and survival. This study proves the eradication of herbivores is the most efficient way to conserve vulnerable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of natural landscapes associated with agricultural activities is one of the major causes for the decline of biodiversity, especially in tropical regions. However, conservation planning within these regions is often hampered by insufficient biological data. In this work, we compiled plant diversity data for the agricultural frontier known as Matopiba. This is an area experiencing accelerated habitat loss. Although home to one of the largest remnants of natural vegetation in the Brazilian Cerrado biodiversity hotspot, only scant knowledge of its plant diversity exists. In total, we compiled 24,312 unique angiosperm records belonging to 139 families, 796 genera and 2,517 species. Occurrence data are very sparse. Approximately 39% of the region has < 0.1 record/km2, and only two areas have more than 1 record/km2. Rarefaction curves and a steady increase in new species discovery (27 new species from 2015–2020) indicate that knowledge of plant diversity in the study area is far from complete. Despite the significant proportion of collection gaps, our results suggest that the region's flora is considerably rich, including 54 endemics and 38 threatened species. However, only 15% of the flora has been evaluated for conservation status. Only 28% of endemic and 53% of threatened species are reported to occur in protected areas. It is expected that this study will encourage a greater sampling effort to fill gaps in floristic knowledge and contribute data to support biodiversity conservation in a key region that is under high pressure by agricultural expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kungur forest-steppe is the northernmost outpost of European forest-steppe, located in the western pre-Urals within the boreal climatic zone. The co-existence of boreal, nemoral and steppe species with relicts and endemics results in a high plant diversity, making it an important biodiversity hotspot. Under current climate change and strong agricultural impacts, the Kungur forest-steppe is rapidly degrading. In order to develop sustainable management strategies, we studied the vegetation history over the last 3500 years in the natural reserve area Spasskaya Gora. Palynological data indicate that the territory of Spasskaya Gora was largely covered by hemiboreal forests with high proportion of elm during the late Holocene. An opening of the vegetation strongly correlates with erosion, both indicating anthropogenic activities such as lumbering, agriculture, grazing and hay making. The modern Pinus and Betula dominated forests combined with large areas dominated by grasses and herbs appear in the last 300 years and caused by human activity. The data support the 'anthropogenic' hypothesis of the Kungur forest-steppe development, suggesting that Pleistocene steppe was replaced by hemiboreal forests during the Holocene. Steppe elements survived on exposed rocks. The recent forest-steppe landscapes dominated by pioneer birch and poplar were formed due to anthropogenic deforestation. With respect to nature conservation, our data demonstrate that prohibition of any anthropogenic activities at Spasskaya Gora will lead to loss of diversity of steppe assemblages over the mid-term. We emphasize that conservation of the high plant diversity of the Kungur forest-steppe must include disturbance factors in the form of selective lumbering, prescribed burning, moderate grazing or traditional mowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied spatial distribution and reserve selection modeling to identify critical habitat network for 50 critically endangered plant species of Uzbekistan. We created maps of relative habitat suitability, converted them into maps of species critical habitat, and the latter served as input to the spatial conservation prioritization program Zonation. Although all studied species were extremely rare, the extent of their predicted critical habitat ranged from 2.6 to 15,508 km2 and did not correlate with the number of occurrence records. It appears that the extent of the threatened species predicted suitable area is an indicator of whether the species rarity is inherent due to vary narrow ecological niche or caused solely by anthropogenic activity. This has important conservation implications. Imperiled species from the first category are less amenable (if at all) to such conservation actions as trans- or relocation (i.e. there is no alternative to protecting the last remaining populations). Species from the second group can potentially grow in many more locations than they currently occupy, and therefore, for these species, translocation can be the most appropriate strategy when their last remaining locations are degraded or can not be protected for whatever reason. Based on results of nature reserve design that utilized SDM-predicted maps for 50 imperiled species, we recommend adding new areas to the existing network of protected areas to cover critical habitats of highly threatened plant species. The highest priority for adding have the territories harboring critical habitat of disproportionally high number of imperiled species, and we found that they all are concentrated in the eastern part of Uzbekistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity and economic losses resulting from invasive plant pests and pathogens are increasing globally. For these impacts and threats to be managed effectively, appropriate methods of surveillance, detection and identification are required. Botanical gardens provide a unique opportunity for biosecurity as they accommodate diverse collections of exotic and native plant species. These gardens are also often located close to high-risk sites of accidental invasions such as ports and urban areas. This, coupled with routine activities such as the movement of plants and plant material, and visits by millions of people each year, place botanical gardens at risk to the arrival and establishment of pests and pathogens. Consequently, botanical gardens can pose substantial biosecurity risks to the environment, by acting as bridgeheads for pest and pathogen invasions. Here we review the role of botanical gardens in biosecurity on a global scale. The role of botanical gardens has changed over time. Initially, they were established as physic gardens (gardens with medicinal plants), and their links with academic institutions led to their crucial role in the accumulation and dissemination of botanical knowledge. During the second half of the 20th century, botanical gardens developed a strong focus on plant conservation, and in recent years there has been a growing acknowledgement of their value in biosecurity research as sentinel sites to identify pest and pathogen risks (novel pest-host associations); for early detection and eradication of pests and pathogens; and for host range studies. We identify eight specific biosecurity hazards associated with botanical gardens and note potential management interventions and the opportunities these provide for improving biosecurity. We highlight the value of botanical gardens for biosecurity and plant health research in general, and the need for strategic thinking, resources, and capacity development to make them models for best practices in plant health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulips (Tulipa spp.) are one of the most widely appreciated plants worldwide, nevertheless species taxonomy and biogeography are often poorly understood. Most wild tulips inhabit the mountains of Central Asia, a recognised biodiversity hotspot, and a centre of tulip diversity. Despite the presence of several country-level endemic Tulipa species, most taxa span the borders of several nations. With no globally Red Listed tulip taxa from this region national level conservation assessments are an important resource. Nonetheless, threats posed to tulips are still inadequately understood, especially climate change, and given the trans-national nature of most species, distributional information is restricted and often misleading. Here we collate 330 species records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility with 85 newly collected records, to undertake species distribution modelling (MaxEnt) for ten native Central Asian species. This work showed that regional level models provide a much more comprehensive understanding of species' extinction risks, proportions of habitat in different countries, and limitations in protected area coverage. Furthermore, our climate modelling, the first of its kind for tulips, suggests that climate change will have a significant negative impact on the range size of all species; including those that are currently widespread. We therefore add climate change to the list of threats affecting tulip populations in Central Asia, which already includes livestock overgrazing, urbanisation, wild collection, and mining. Overall, our work shows that although national information is important, a regional approach is crucial not just for tulip conservation efforts, but likely for Central Asian plant conservation in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species distribution models (SDMs) represent a widely acknowledged tool to identify priority areas on the basis of occurrence data and environmental factors. However, high levels of topographical and climatic micro-variation are a hindrance to reliably modelling the distribution of narrow-endemic species when based on classic occurrence and climate datasets. Here, we used high-resolution environmental variables and occurrence data obtained from dedicated field studies to produce accurate SDMs at a local scale. We modelled the potential current distribution of 23 of the 25 rarest species from Mount Kaala, a hotspot of narrow-endemism in New Caledonia, using occurrence data from two recent sampling campaigns, and eight high-resolution (10 m and 30 m) environmental predictors in a Species Distribution Modelling framework. After a first sampling operation, we surveyed six additional areas containing, overall, 13 of the 20 species modelled at this stage, to validate our projections where the highest species richness levels were predicted. The ability of our method to define conservation areas was largely validated with an average 84% of predicted species found in the validation areas, and additional data collected enabling us to model three more species. We therefore identified the areas of highest conservation value for the whole of Mount Kaala. Our results support the ability of SDMs based on presence-only data such as MaxEnt to predict areas of high conservation value using fine-resolution environmental layers and field-collected occurrence data in the context of small and heterogeneous systems such as tropical islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants provide biodiversity-based ecosystem services including health to many communities around the world and therefore, medicinal plant conservation is vital for sustainability. Here, we identify medicinal plants to be prioritized for conservation among the Loita Maasai who are pastoralists in the extensive East African savannah. A botanical survey and interviews were conducted with 91 villagers; 49 women and 42 men drawn randomly from 45 households. A conservation priority list was developed based on (1) the plant part harvested, (2) the species use value, and (3) its availability. These criteria were evaluated independently for each species on a scale from 1 to 4 and their sum was taken as the species' score. The score for the species varied from 5 to 9. The higher the total score value of a species, the higher its priority for conservation. Among the medicinal plants used by the community, 20 species were shortlisted as regularly used and found around the village. Out of these, 12 species that had scores above seven were considered top priority for conservation. A total of 1179 use reports were obtained from the villagers and they were placed in 12 use categories as defined in the International Classification of Primary Care system. Plants used to treat digestive system disorder had most use reports (21%), followed by the muscular skeletal disorders (20%). This study identified 12 medicinal plant species that should be given conservation priority to make them available for the wellbeing of the people and sustainability of ecosystem products and services. An assessment of medicinal plants species using standard ecological methods is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas and ecotourism are both conservation measures for plant resources, but for one specific plant species, the priority of them needs a reasonable planning. The suitable habitat distribution of species is the basis for planning, and the impact of climate change on habitat distribution should also be considered. Based on maximum entropy model (MaxEnt), we assessed the current and future suitable habitat distributions of seven species of genus Rhododendron in Northeast China. Combined with the distributions of existing protected areas and tourist attractions, the conservation planning is recommended. Our results showed that: (1) the suitable habitat areas of R. redowskianum and R. aureum were mainly distributed in the Changbai Mountains covering only 2.05% and 3.84% of the total area of Northeast China, and showed decreasing trends in the future. (2) The suitable habitat areas for R. schlippenbachii were mainly distributed in the southeast and southwest of Liaoning Province, with a cover of 4.29% in Northeast China. For R. mucronulatum and R. micranthum, suitable habitat areas were mainly distributed in the east and west of Liaoning Province, covering 14.27% and 7.95% respectively. For R. dauricum and R. lapponicum, suitable habitat areas were mainly distributed in the Greater Khingan Range, Lesser Khingan Range, and Changbai Mountains, covering 43.76% and 22.24% respectively. Moreover, they all showed increasing trends in the future. (3) Therefore, protected area was recommended for R. redowskianum and R. aureum, while ecotourism or both protected area and ecotourism was recommended for R. schlippenbachii, R. mucronulatum, R. micranthum, R. dauricum, and R. lapponicum. This study provides planning suggestions for the conservation of Rhododendron and is a reference for the conservation of other plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An agro-environmental payment for the management of the so-called 'Biodiversity Promotion Areas' (BPA) has been used to accomplish biodiversity conservation goals in Switzerland. These areas have been managed according to specific limitations on mowing dates and fertilizers. We assessed the regional-scale effectiveness of BPA implementation within Ticino Canton by answering the following questions: (i) is plant species diversity higher in BPA than in conventionally managed grasslands (CMG)? (ii) which are the differences between BPA and CMG in terms of climatic, topographical, ecological, and vegetation variables? (iii) which vegetation types, functional groups, and plant species are specifically related to BPA? A total of 242 vegetation surveys (64 in BPA and 178 in CMG, respectively) was carried out in 55 farms and the main climatic and topographic features were assessed. Differences in terms of plant diversity, ecological indicator and pastoral values, species functional groups, vegetation types, and indicator species between BPA and CMG were assessed. The BPA harboured a higher plant diversity. They were located in steeper areas, at higher elevations, and characterised by lower soil nutrient content, mowing tolerance, and pastoral value than CMG. Dry meadow species number and cover were higher in BPA, while nutrient-rich meadow species number was higher in CMG. The species associated to BPA belonged to a wider range of functional groups and 38% of them belonged to the national list for biodiversity promotion in agriculture, whereas no species associated to CMG belonged to that list. Thus, our results confirmed the effectiveness of BPA for biodiversity conservation for the Southern Swiss Alps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reviewed the status of orthodox seed collections of globally threatened plants conserved in − 20 °C long-term storage at the Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK in terms of their geographic and bioclimatic representativeness, taxonomic and genetic diversity, quality and physiological status. The comprehensive dataset used spans over 45 years of worldwide conservation effort across various organisations. The data provides evidence-based results and future directions for the represented globally threatened flora that are of relevance to all plant conservation and seed banking organisations across the globe. The reviewed sample includes 523 collections and represents a wide geographic range, originating from 67 countries, from all nine bio-geographic continents. The majority of collections originated from temperate climates and from habitats with no dry seasons but experiencing warm summer periods. The taxonomic composition of the collections highlighted a substantial diversity, with 303 taxa (four extinct in the wild; 56 critically endangered; 105 endangered; and 138 vulnerable) represented by 297 species, 199 genera and 74 families. Almost four fifths of the collections were harvested from wild habitats. Whilst wild-origin collections can harbour useful genes not available in the cultivated gene pool, for threatened plants both collections and taxa are likely to suffer from low genetic diversity as a low number of individual plants, populations and/or potentially viable or usable seeds were sampled at the original harvest. Large numbers of empty and infested seeds in the original harvest have significantly affected the quality of collections in terms of availability of potentially viable or usable seeds in collections. As a result, just over one third of taxa and one fifth of collections consisted of ≥ 5000 potentially viable or usable seeds. Viable seeds exhibited a sound physiological status in terms of germinability and viability at the initial round of germination tests after storage, but on average, relative germination and viability achieved were below 85%. A decline in germinability during their variable time of storage was evident for 16% of the 78 collections analysed for longevity. According to a set of criteria, suitable germination protocols for propagation of plants from seeds were identified for 165 taxa. Given the apparent differences between wild species, especially those that are rare and threatened, and domesticated crops, the quality and physiological status of reviewed collections are reasonably sound. The characteristics we observed for collections, the challenges we identified for conserving them and the germination protocols we suggested for propagation of plants from seeds have the scope to be noted, integrated and used globally across various conservation activities and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the species richness, endemism, and similarity of the bryoflora (mosses and liverworts) on five Brazilian Amazon mountains (four Tepuis and one rocky outcrop), to determine the floristic relationships between them using presence/absence matrix. Cluster analysis based on the Jaccard index was used to determine similarities between the plant assemblages in five areas. We also performed a principal component analysis to determine which abiotic variables best explained the variations between those mountains. We surveyed the bryophyte species on each of the five mountains to identify the diversity of mosses and liverworts and to answer to the following questions: (1) How many bryophyte species are there in total area (gama diversity) and on each mountain (alpha diversity)? (2) Do mosses and liverworts share patterns of diversity? (3) Can patterns of alpha diversity be used to predict patterns of beta diversity? (4) What are the species distribution patterns? (5) How many endemic species are there in the mountains? and, (6) Is there high similarity among those bryophyte floras? We encountered 425 species, 144 genera, and 51 families of bryophytes, with Lejeuneaceae and Lepidoziaceae being the richest families. A considerable number of floristic novelties were encountered: 18 species new to Brazil; 39 species new to northern Brazil; 21 species new to Amazonas State; and 2 species new to science and only recently described. Over 43% of the bryophytes have a tropical America distribution, approximately 7% are Pantropical, 6.5% are Afro-American, and 3% are endemic to Brazil (6 liverworts and 6 mosses), and 6% are widespread globally. We present a checklist of 425 bryophyte species (144 genera and 51 families) of which 12 are endemic. Patterns of endemism of the bryophyte flora on the Tepuis differ from those exhibited by angiosperms (in the latter three times higher). Thirty-nine of these species were new for the Amazonia domain in Brazil, increasing by 7% the previous total of Amazonian recorded species. The similarity between sites was low, ranging from 3 to 25%. PCA analysis showed temperature variables explaining the greater part of the variance (76.6%) between the mountains. Our results demonstrate that patterns of alpha diversity cannot be used to predict patterns of beta diversity. This paper represents the first evaluation of bryophytes on five Brazilian Amazon mountains, giving insight into their species richness, endemism, and similarity, and providing baseline information for analyzing species' turnover rates, migration, invasion events, etc. These results also represent an increase in our general knowledge of the Brazilian bryoflora and are relevant to the conservation of bryophyte diversity in the Amazon forest, and represent a contribution toward the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the impact of threats, identification, prioritization and predicting conservation pockets are vital for the conservation and management of threatened species. This study investigated the diversity and distribution through inventorization and analysis of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorized threatened plants and their prioritization for conservation. A total of 456 threatened taxa belonging to 233 genera coming under 87 families were recorded as threatened under various threat categories of IUCN. Among lited taxa, 64 species were falls under higher risk of extinction categories of IUCN viz. Critically endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable with 13, 28 and 23 species respectively. Maximum number of threatened plants was found (84 species) in family Fabaceae followed by Cyperaceae (65 species) and Poaceae (36 species). Richness of threatened plants was found maximum in the Sikkim (203) followed by Himachal Pradesh (190) and Jammu & Kashmir (189). Major causes of depletion of threatened taxa were anthropogenic activities such as habitat loss, overgrazing, deforestation, over-exploitation and unsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. Therefore, conservation of all the inventorized 64 threatened plants is needful at its earliest. Thus the strategies for the conservation of threatened species must be directed towards those species facing highest risk of extinction, biologically distinct and ecologically valuable for the ecosystem as well having socio-economic significance. Considering this, prioritization of the threatened species was done following existing methodologies. Among the threatened taxa, Angelica glauca, Coptis teeta, Lilium polyphyllum, Nardostachys jatamansi, Aconitum heterophyllum and Gentiana kurroo etc. are ranked at apex, thus needs higher priority for conservation. The study further indicate that six species such as Angelica glauca, Coptis teeta, Gymnocladus assamicus, Illicium griffithii, Piper pedicellatum and Saussurea costus are endemic, having restricted distribution, however highly traded in the IHR. Thus, it is proposed that these species must be taken under special apprehension for conservation planning. Besides this for the conservation of higher risk of extinction species, grid mapping of targeted species was done for identifying specific distribution areas for effective conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa, due to its level of endemism and species diversity. However, the pressure of human activities threatens the last patches of natural vegetation in the country and conservation decisions are undertaken with limited data availability. In this study, we use free online datasets to generate distribution models of 1539 endemic trees and prioritise for conservation and restoration considering threat, alongside conservation value and cost. Threats considered include illegal logging, forest degradation and agriculture or slash and burns activities. We found that the areas with the highest potential concentration of species are along the north and south-east of the country where more than 400 tree species can be found. Most scenarios identify a common conservation and restoration priority area along the north east of the country. Our findings guide managers, conservation organizations or governments in decisions about where to invest their limited conservation resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the huge biodiversity of the Cerrado biome, a synthesis on the distribution of genetic diversity across the biome is still wanting. We describe patterns of plant genetic variation across the Cerrado biome, highlighting areas of high diversity and priority areas for conservation. We also analyze the relative importance of environmental characteristics and human footprints on patterns of genetic variation. Raw genetic data comes primarily from central and southeastern Brazil, outside conservation units (CUs). Standardized estimated genetic richness (Gest) decreases in a north–south gradient. Populations with high genetic diversity (He) and allelic richness (AR) are widespread across the biome, but both increase with distance from the center of Cerrado. Environmental variables related to energy, temperature and precipitation are associated with Gest and AR, but not He. Gest is higher in northern Cerrado, in regions with low human development index (HDI). Conversely, southern Cerrado shows higher HDI and lower genetic richness, most likely due to both high habitat fragmentation and loss. CUs in northern Cerrado tend to have higher Gest, whereas those in southeast and central Cerrado have higher He and AR. The high genetic diversity and richness in the few populations studied in northern Cerrado, coupled with the low data availability, reveal the importance of encouraging genetic studies in this region. Moreover, very limited information about population genetic diversity is available from CUs, which may constrain the access of species conservation status and decision-make on management of populations inside CUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although analyses of species spatial distributions and genetic variation, creation of Red Lists and reserve design studies predominate in the plant conservation biology literature, in any conservation project they should be only a second step succeeding population demographic assessments. Demographic studies and analysis of the species regeneration niche are vital because only such studies can identify the factors that determine the population fate, the stages of the life-cycle that are most important for the population viability, and the regeneration niche parameters. Using published demographic data, we modelled a situation when either seed production or survival of emerging seedlings occur intermittently. We found that when recruitment occurs intermittently, the population size frequency distribution deviates from inverse J-curve, but no gaps in size classes are observed unless seed germination and/or survival of emerging seedlings are extremely rare events. Then we use these results to interprete population demography of ten threatened tree species from Wuling Mountains, China, and come to a conclusion that their demographic structure can not be a result of natural processes. Taken together, our results show how important even a single population census can be if it includes counting seedlings and saplings, for determining population viability and appropriate population management. Two types of populations must be recognized as requiring different managements strategies: with regeneration naturally occurring (even if limited) and with no seedlings/saplings present. Populations from the first category can be subjected to such management actions as reinforcement using plant material of appropriate origin. Planting conspecifics can boost regeneration through increased seed production. However, reinforcement will make no sense in populations in which lack of regeneration is due to reasons other than seed limitation. In such populations long-term monitoring and study program must be established to understand the reasons for lack of regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loss of plant agro-biodiversity is a global problem with repercussions on both humans and (agro-)ecosystems. This article presents the data of a census of the herbaceous landraces currently cultivated in Lombardy (Northern Italy), one of the most industrialized regions of Europe, and for which information was previously extremely limited. The census showed that 72 herbaceous landraces are cultivated (conserved on farms) in Lombardy yet most of them are threatened since they are cultivated by a small number of farmers, mostly hobbyists. Only 11% have been the subject of scientific studies while 12.5% are protected since they are registered in the European Register of Conservation Varieties. Lombardy has lost about 78% of its landraces cultivated over the last 70–80 years. The nutritional characteristics of four little-known maize landraces of the Lombardy region recently used for the creation of niche food chains were also analyzed. They have a higher content of protein (about 12.34%) and phytic acid (about 1.35%), compared to a hybrid maize (B73/Mo17), while they are slightly poorer in starch (about 77.85%), Mg and Zn. Some of these landraces, those with coloured kernels due to the high concentration of polyphenols, have high antioxidant activity which makes them interesting for the production of nutraceutical foods. 2D-electrophoretic protein profiles highlighted that the four maize landraces are different one from another. Finally, some actions and tools are suggested to favour the in situ conservation of plant agro-biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation maps have been key tools for synthesizing large amounts of information and supporting geographical location of biodiversity. Traditional vegetation map development demands acquisition and processing of expensive supplies, expertise of qualified interpreters and extensive fieldwork; nevertheless vegetation maps are crucial in areas where conservation policies ought to be rapidly produced, as it is the case of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley which was recently declared a hotspot of biocultural heritage of highly important conservation. Currently, mapping approaches that integrate plant diversity outcomes, expert knowledge and land cover information are still scarce. In this study we combined free access cartographic data and expert knowledge to develop a vegetation map, in order to provide basic criteria for decisions on conservation of regional biocultural diversity. Bioclimatic regionalization, georeferenced fieldwork, over 30 years of vegetation outcomes and expert knowledge enabled us to develop a novel method for vegetation mapping. Climatic, lithologic and topographic affinities were used as main criteria for map class reassignment. Field verification allowed quantifying an acceptable certainty of class assignation. Our comprehensive approach proved fundamental for developing a detailed vegetation map elucidating complex vegetation diversity patterns. The classification scheme here proposed increased almost twofold that of the original land cover map. Regarding the outstanding plant diversity harbored, the extent of the study area (~ 12 000 km2) and the scale of the vegetation map obtained, we regarded the map certainty as meaningful. To conclude, the present vegetation map proved to be a powerful communication tool to facilitate sound conservation policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the European Union's most recent biodiversity assessment, many of its species are still threatened by human activities. To address biodiversity loss, the EU has adopted a series of legislation, which aim at protecting important habitats and species. In addition, as part of its most recent biodiversity strategy, the EU has set an ambitious conservation target, to halt biodiversity loss within the EU by the year 2020. While this is a laudable goal, paradoxically it may not be relevant to many of EU's species. This is because EU's conservation efforts are taxonomically biased, focusing mostly on the species listed in its legislation—mainly the annexes of the Birds and Habitats Directives. The annexes, though, over-represent vertebrates, especially birds. The taxonomic bias is also evident in the allocation of EU's conservation budget through the LIFE Programme—its main conservation funding instrument. Since the inception of the programme in 1992, the EU has funded more than 800 projects that targeted species. Half of those projects focused on birds while, for instance, only 7% of them targeted invertebrates or plants. This, despite the fact that according to the European Red Lists there are more endangered invertebrates and plants within the EU than birds or mammals. The apparent taxonomic biases raise concerns regarding the conservation fate of the species belonging to taxonomically neglected groups, many of which are threatened. It is unlikely that the EU will succeed in truly halting the loss of its biodiversity if these taxonomic biases are not addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding species abundances and distributions, especially at local to landscape scales, is critical for land managers and conservationists to prioritize management decisions and informs the effort and expense that may be required. The metrics of range size and local abundance reflect aspects of the biology and ecology of a given species, and together with its per capita (or per unit area) effects on other members of the community comprise a well-accepted theoretical paradigm describing invasive species. Although these metrics are readily calculated from vegetation monitoring data, they have not generally (and effect in particular) been applied to native species. We describe how metrics defining invasions may be more broadly applied to both native and invasive species in vegetation management, supporting their relevance to local scales of species conservation and management. We then use a sample monitoring dataset to compare range size, local abundance and effect as well as summary calculations of landscape penetration (range size × local abundance) and impact (landscape penetration × effect) for native and invasive species in the mixed-grass plant community of western North Dakota, USA. This paper uses these summary statistics to quantify the impact for 13 of 56 commonly encountered species, with statistical support for effects of 6 of the 13 species. Our results agree with knowledge of invasion severity and natural history of native species in the region. We contend that when managers are using invasion metrics in monitoring, extending them to common native species is biologically and ecologically informative, with little additional investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IUCN Red List criteria are a globally accepted method of assessing species extinction risk, and countries around the world are adapting these criteria for domestic use. First, we compared trends in IUCN Red List criteria used in threatened plant species listings in Australia and globally. Second, using the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, as a study region, we conducted two complementary analyses: (1) An assessment of ~ 5000 currently unlisted NSW plant species against the thresholds for the geographic range criterion (Criterion B) to identify species which may require full assessment; and (2) A rapid assessment of currently listed threatened plant species, applying the IUCN Red List Critically Endangered thresholds for all criteria, to identify species likely to be at the highest risk of extinction from further decline. Impacts on these species could be considered to be "serious and irreversible impacts" (SAII). Geographic range size was the most common criterion used in Australia and globally for plant listings. Our assessment of unlisted NSW plant species revealed 92 species (75 endemic to NSW) met the geographic range thresholds for Critically Endangered. Our rapid assessments of currently listed NSW threatened plant species identified 53.5% as having an extremely high risk of extinction should further decline occur. Of these, most were flagged under Criterion B (88.8%). Geographic range and the other IUCN Red List criteria thresholds for Critically Endangered provide a useful framework to identify species at an extremely high risk of extinction from ongoing decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The same threats to plant taxa decline continue and new ones emerge making the conservation and preservation of these taxa difficult, but we do not give up. Lastly, in addition to being concerned with plant taxa that are very rare and/or at the brink of extinction, we must broaden our focus to include taxa that are vulnerable, but not yet imperiled - taxa that are in jeopardy but still have a good chance of being saved. We acknowledge that many plant taxa will continue to become rarer or will go extinct, that plant conservation is underfunded, and that we have a lot of gaps in our knowledge regarding rare plants (Negron-Ortiz [3], Molano-Flores et al [2]). [Extracted from the article]

Protected areas are the cornerstone on which conservation strategies are often built. Adapting systems of protected areas to rapid global changes is critical to meet the challenge of conservation in biodiversity hotspots. Twenty years ago, Jaffré et al. (Biodivers Conserv 7:109-135, 1998) warned that the system of protected areas in the global biodiversity hotspot of New Caledonia was not adequate to conserve the threatened plant species. Here, we examine changes in major threats to the New Caledonian flora and whether the system of protected areas has been improved to address these threats. While some improvements have been made, many key shortcomings identified by Jaffré et al. (Biodivers Conserv 7:109-135, 1998) have not been addressed and the majority of threatened species remain outside protected area. During the same time, thousands of hectares of vegetation have burned outside and inside protected areas, a hundred new mining concessions were issued and the rate of nickel mining has doubled. Better protection of remaining natural vegetation on ultramafic substrates, which are severely impacted by both mining activities and fires, is urgently needed. Further convergence between research and conservation actions is needed to tackle increasing threats to the unique New Caledonian flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of quantitative measures to select priority areas for conservation has been in practice since the early 1980s. However, the relative efficiency of different methods for identifying priority areas is still the subject of debate. Here, using the distribution data of 556 Rhododendron species in China with high spatial resolution, we evaluated the performance of the two commonly used methods, i.e. hotspot and complementarity and selected the efficient method to select priority areas for the conservation of Rhododendron in China. By overlaying the priority areas map with the locations of protected areas, we also identified the regions not covered by current protected areas (i.e. conservation gaps). We found that the complementarity method selected less number of grid cells to capture an equivalent number of species and hence had higher efficiency and representativeness than the commonly used hotspot method. Moreover, the complementarity method was better at capturing the range-restricted species than the hotspot method. Based on the complementarity method, we identified 61 grid cells of 50 × 50 km as priority areas for Rhododendron conservation in China. Among these priority areas, only about 50% grid cells were located in the hotspot areas (e.g. Hengduan Mountains), and 14% grid cells were outside the current protected area network. Our findings suggest that, despite its popularity and ease of implementation, the sites selected by hotspot algorithm may not necessarily be the best sites to allocate conservation efforts. Since the identification of priority areas in China has largely been based on the hotspot method, the current study has revived the need to reassess the priority areas for other taxonomic groups too. More importantly, our findings have emphasized the need to expand the conservation priorities from Hengduan Mountains to south and southeast China as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates how a modelling approach to determine areas of suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered Albany cycad Encephalartos latifrons can assist in systematic conservation planning for this and other rare and threatened cycads. A map distinguishing suitable from unsuitable habitat for E. latifrons was produced and important environmental predictors (climate, geology, topography and vegetation) influencing the suitable habitat were estimated. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modelling technique was chosen for this study as it has consistently performed well compared with alternative modelling methods and is also an appropriate model choice when the sample size is small and locality records are relatively few. Predicted habitat suitability showed that some locations chosen for translocation and restoration of E. latifrons specimens are not suitable. This revealed that modelling suitable habitat can guide relocation and regeneration of E. latifrons and perhaps other threatened cycads with restricted distributions and few locality records. The species distribution model constructed for E. latifrons is the first reported habitat model for a Critically Endangered cycad in South Africa. The results may be incorporated into conservation planning and structured decision-making about translocations and restoration programmes involving vulnerable cycads, which are among the most threatened organisms globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are three species of Phoenix (Arecaceae) in the territory of the European Union, P. canariensis, P. dactylifera and P. theophrasti, found in wild-native populations, feral, planted and intermediate states, accounting each for thousands of individuals. The EU Habitats Directive has addressed the conservation of P. theophrasti and P. canariensis under the habitat type 9370, ‘Palm groves of Phoenix,’ but neglected to include the wild-growing populations of P. dactylifera palms in southern Spain. In this paper, we survey the habitats and status of both representative native and naturalized populations of Phoenix, in total 103, through fieldwork, image analysis and review of literature. We underline the significance of feral populations and palms originating from ancient abandoned plantations, existing in protected areas as a reservoir of genetic variation. We conclude that, in order to improve their conservation status by adequate protection and conservation management, the concept of Phoenix palm groves in the Habitats Directive should be redefined to include the western group of P. dactylifera and the various habitats of P. canariensis and P. theophrasti that do not appear in the current definition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of the European Native Seed Conservation Network (ENSCONET, 2004-2009) and the ENSCONET Consortium (since 2010) towards meeting the 2020 Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) target 8 was assessed in 2017. While the outcome was positive (62.7% of European threatened species already conserved ex situ in seed banks), the analysis showed that it was essential to provide guidance on which European native threatened species should be collected as a priority if the target was to be reached by 2020. In this paper we present a priority-setting method and its result, designed to guide collecting strategies across Europe to meet the 2020 GSPC target 8. The result of our study is a country-based checklist of European threatened taxa to be collected and stored ex situ across the seed banks of the ENSCONET Consortium by 2020. After discussing the results of the applied method, the ENSCONET Consortium Steering Committee has identified some key action points to support the implementation of such a collecting strategy across Europe in order to meet the 2020 GSPC target 8 for Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The threshold below which population declines impact the effectiveness of plant reproduction is essential for the identification of populations that can no longer spontaneously recover following habitat management or restoration, below the minimum viable population (MVP) size. We hypothesized that risk of reproductive limitation can be evaluated from combined analysis of pollen activity, ovule fertilization and germination in the context of population demographics and fragmentation. The marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe), a rare emblematic species of European heathland and fen, was investigated at the southern limit of its range in eighteen populations encompassing one to several hundred thousand individuals, spanning small fragments to extensive well-preserved areas. An index of habitat fragmentation was determined from GIS; field surveys determined the ratio of juvenile to reproductive age states; fluorescence microscopy of pistils determined, for each population, the proportion of flowers exhibiting active pollen tube growth. Analysis of seed lots determined the ovule fertilization rate and seed germination capacity. Some of the small populations occupying restricted habitat fragments showed high rates of pollination (100%) and ‘normal’ age state demographics. However, reproductive characters all exhibited exponential rise to maximum relationships with population size, indicating clear tipping points (for pollination, at a threshold of 7 reproductive adults, and for ovule fertilization rate and germination at 42 reproductive adults). Thus although small populations may set seed, exhibit a ‘normal’ age state structure, and may appear viable, reproductive effectiveness declines when population size falls below 42 generative individuals and < 7 is an indicator of strong limitation. Although many remnant populations of G. pneumonanthe are in the order of 50–150 individuals these should be not be considered as MVPs; they are on the brink of calamity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endemicity is important for the delimitation of conservation areas. Endemic areas are those that contain two or more taxa with their distribution restricted to the area. The aim of this study was to detect endemic areas for palms in the Amazon region and to determine whether the species that define these endemic areas are protected within conservation units. Records of occurrence were extracted from the global biodiversity information facility (GBIF). The final dataset consisted of 17,310 records, for 177 species of Amazonian palms. For analysis we used parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and NDM-VNDM program, and grid square size of 1° and 3° as operational geographic units (OGUs). The distribution of endemic species was superimposed on occurrence of the conservation units (CUs). PAE did not show endemic areas in grid squares of 1°, but found 10 palm endemic areas in grid squares of 3° in the western Amazon and Andean sub-region. However, the NDM-VNDM program identified an endemic area in grid squares of 1° located at the eastern Guiana with endemicity score = 2.9, and in grid squares of 3° it identified seven consensus areas with endemicity score > 6.0, all in the western Amazon. The combination of PAE and NDM-VNDM analyses resulted in eight endemic palm areas in the combined western Amazon and Andean sub-region. Of the species that define the endemic areas, five are threatened with extinction in one of three IUCN categories (EN, VU, NT), and they are not protected in any conservation units. The western Amazon, besides having high palm richness, also has palm endemic areas, especially, near the Andean sub-region and the Peruvian Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring is an indispensable tool for assessment of the state of species both locally and globally. The monitoring of bryophyte species has started quite recently and there is need for uniform methods that can be applied in different countries to get comparable results to give a basis for more effective species conservation. Here we present three general monitoring methods that are suitable for all European bryophytes. The method of permanent squares is used for long-lived species inhabiting stable communities on the ground or large rocks. The method of counting separated substrate units is used for species inhabiting tree trunks, boulders or large pieces of decaying wood. The method of sampling is used for short-lived species in unstable communities and for species that are difficult to identify with a hand-lens. The selection of species and sites to be monitored is discussed. Assessment of the current conservational state of the species depends on the state of habitats at monitoring plots that are defined through character and rate of threats, and change of population size compared with previous and first monitoring events. The three monitoring methods are illustrated with examples based on Estonian monitoring experiences. Suggestions of monitoring methods for bryophyte species belonging to the EU Habitat Directive are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castrilanthemum debeauxii is a critically endangered annual plant narrowly distributed in mountains of SE Iberia. It occurs in spiny scrublands on limestone soils dominated by Erinacea anthyllis at medium altitudes. Phylogenetic results indicate that the monotypic Castrilanthemum constitutes a paleoendemic lineage that diverged from its closest extant relatives in the Miocene. To achieve a better understanding of its recent evolution and conservation status, we performed an analysis of genetic variation and structure of four subpopulations using plastid haplotypes and AFLPs. We also investigated additional characteristics (ecological requirements, reproductive biology, pre-dispersal seed predation) that are relevant to evaluate the conservation status of the species. Castrilanthemum was found to be a facultative selfer with no major germination limitations. We detected moderate levels of genetic diversity based on AFLPs and plastid DNA sequences. The low genetic structure found for both nuclear and plastid markers, together with species distribution modeling results, pointed to high gene flow, which might counteract processes of genetic erosion caused by the low number of individuals. We found significant levels of pre-dispersal seed predation by the burrowing larvae of a tephritid fly, which may have contributed to the decline of the populations. Based on our results, we suggest directions for the management of Castrilanthemum. In particular, we recommend seeding and collection of seeds for banks, and discuss the possibilities of population reinforcement and reintroduction in localities where the species is currently extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To counter species loss living ex situ collections in botanic gardens became important elements of robust conservation programs. Several limitations, problems, and risks associated with living ex situ collections have been reported such as appropriate cultivation management to maintain genetic diversity and stochastic effects in small isolated populations in artificial habitats. However, not all small and isolated populations exhibit these predicted genetic changes. In a multi-species in situ/ex situ comparison of sand dune steppe- and grassland vegetation >30 years after the ex situ population establishment, we compared four different species' population genetic diversities ( Alyssum montanum ssp. gmelinii, Gypsophila fastigiata, Helianthemum nummularium ssp. obscurum, Onosma arenaria) by means of ISSR. We observed different species-specific genetic responses to quite similar abiotic selective forces concerning different neutral genetic diversities of wild versus botanic garden populations. The genetic divergence was kept relatively low in two of the four investigated species between the model steppe plant community within the botanic garden where human interference was kept at a minimum and the wild population. However, the moderate genetic divergence of the two other species kept under the same conditions highlights the importance of species-specific intrinsic responses and stochastic effects to ecosystem changes and provides data on population genetic dynamics in small and isolated populations. This contributes to further improve recommendations on how to best conserve endangered plant species in ex situ environments (cultivation in near nature-like replicas of the original site with as little human inference as possible over only certain periods of time, >30 years). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the severe threats to plant habitats and high levels of extinction risk for plant species in many parts of the world, plant conservation priorities are often poorly represented in national and global frameworks because of a lack of data in an accessible and consistent format to inform conservation decision making. The Important Plant Areas (IPAs) criteria system offers a pragmatic yet scientifically rigorous means of delivering these datasets, enabling informed national- or regional-scale conservation prioritisation, and contributing significantly towards global prioritisation systems including the International Union for Conservation of Nature Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Standard. In this paper, we review the IPA rationale and progress on IPA identification to date, including the perceived limitations of the process and how these may be overcome. We then present a revised set of criteria for use globally, developed through the combined experiences of IPA identification over the past decade and a half and through a recent global consultation process. An overview of how the revised IPA criteria can work alongside the newly published KBA Standard is also provided. IPA criteria are based around a sound, scientific, global framework which acknowledges the practical problems of gathering plant and habitat data in many regions of the world, and recognises the role of peer reviewed expert opinion in the selection process. National and sub-national engagement in IPA identification is essential, providing a primary route towards long term conservation of key sites for plant diversity. The IPA criteria can be applied to the conservation of all organism groups within the plant and fungal kingdoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical rain forests harbor a high diversity of tree species, a large portion of which are considered rare and threatened by anthropogenic factors such as land-use change. Addressing the global need for ex situ rescue populations of such species, we investigated whether certain methods of wild-source seed collection harvest greater amounts of genetic variation from the source population while minimizing the costs expended. We used an individual-based computer program (NEWGARDEN) to conduct simulation trials examining which aspects of seed procurement provided the most cost-effective methods for maximal rare allele capture for single isolated populations of rare tropical tree species. Aspects examined included the geometric pattern of harvesting, location of seed collections within the spatial distribution of the population (central vs. peripheral), geometric partitioning of sampling regions (contiguous vs. subdivided), gene dispersal distance, linear travelling costs, and ratio of seeds collected to plants sampled. Results demonstrated that ratio of seeds collected to plants sampled had the highest effect on genetic diversity harvested relative to sampling location or geometric pattern of collection, explaining 82 and 79% of the variance in alleles harvested, respectively. Collecting from subdivided peripheral sampling regions and populations having long distance gene dispersal led to increases of up to 39 and 51% in the amount of genetic variation conserved respectively. These results suggest that ex situ conservation efforts for rare tropical trees can benefit by collecting fewer seeds from each of a larger number of trees, sampling from peripheral subdivided regions of the population rather than in a contiguous centrally located one under the transect or nearest neighbor strategies, and adjusting harvesting based on the dispersal biology of the source population. This study underscores the need for more information regarding the dispersal characteristics of the target species and demonstrates the value of predictive modeling for planning seed collection projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zagros forest in Iran has been heavily altered by anthropogenic disturbances such as farming, grazing and other activities. In this study, we first estimated the herbaceous plants coefficient of conservatism within this region. Forest integrity of different land uses was then assessed by common measures of plant diversity and the indices were specifically developed to estimate vegetation integrity (conservatism coefficient, floristic quality index and modified floristic quality index). As complementary approaches, some soil physiochemical properties were applied to judge forest integrity. A total of 81, 82, 88, native species were recorded in understory grazing (UG), abandoned fields (AF), and protected area (PA) land uses, respectively. Common species had higher abundance in AF land use, whereas specialized species were found in PA land use. Diversity indices and modified floristic quality index values were higher in AF land use compared to UG and PA land uses, and fisher alpha diversity index highlighted the significant differences in the plant diversity among land uses, while PA land use had high species richness with greater number of sensitive species and floristic quality index. Soils under PA land use showed the highest organic carbon, nitrogen and pH. Based on results, floristic quality index and mean coefficient of conservatism can be more informative than species-diversity measures in assessing floristic integrity and in contradiction to diversity indices, are accurate tools to determine differences in the integrity of land uses. Results indicate that PA land use have indeed progressed ecologically toward a vigorous ecosystem as observed by the development of its vegetation community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]