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Developing a monitoring system and a conservation strategy against the negative impact of global change on threatened plant species, is nowadays the challenge for conservation experts. The Plant Micro-Reserve (PMR) approach became a highly effective approach in protecting plant species, since mild active management of vegetation plots and protection of plant populations takes place. The PMR has greatly evolved since its initial concept of managing a large network of PMRs, to having fewer protected areas subject to intensive scientific monitoring (e.g. Intensive Monitoring PMR; IM-PMR). This study further improved the IM-PMR approach by focusing on the threatened plant species of Ophrys kotschyi in Cyprus. The proposed IM-PMR enhances the available knowledge on the biology, physiology and ecology of the targeted plant species, through implementing an intensive monitoring system and assessing its genetic diversity. Within the framework of IM-PMR, the population size of O. kotschyi recorded statistically significant differentiation during the monitoring period, most likely due to the vegetative dormancy of the species. The subpopulation size and dormancy in O. kotschyi was correlated with precipitation and air temperature for specific months. In addition, the different local climatic conditions and the species dormancy between years seem to influence the flowers production among individuals, in the four monitoring years. Nevertheless, the low natural fecundity compared to the artificially pollinated plants and the absent correlation with any of the climatic parameters, might be closely related to the lack of pollinators at this site. The genetic diversity (H T = 0.456) is higher compared to other endemic and short-lived perennial species, while the genetic differentiation among the subpopulations of O. kotschyi showed significant substructure (F ST FIS=0.5 = 0.097*). The subpopulation within IM-PMR showed relatively lower genetic diversity among the largest subpopulations of O. kotschyi , and the highest percentage of linked loci. Such observations support the non-random association of different loci in this subpopulation, and the ineffective pollen flow within this single subpopulation. The improvement of the original PMR approach in the current IM-PMR proposal denotes that different ecological aspects are taken into account towards gaining a holistic knowledge on a target species. The IM-PMR approach as implemented for O. kotschyi , could lead to the development of an integrated conservation approach for rare, threatened, or endangered species. • From Plant Micro-Reserve (PMR) to intensive monitoring Plant Micro-Reserve (IM-PMR). • IM-PMR feasible within/outside nature protected areas in public/private land. • IM-PMR enhances knowledge on biology/physiology/ecology of target species. • IM-PMR as an intensive monitoring system and an assessor of genetic diversity. • This paper promotes the IM-PMR approach utilizing the case of Ophrys kotschyi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen has a significant contribution to global warming and its reduction in agriculture is expected to reduce N 2 O emissions having however adverse effects on the productivity of agricultural ecosystems. Maintaining systems productivity with alternative N sources i.e manure and composts could be a strategy also to mitigate N 2 O emissions. In this paper, we present the effect of different N sources (organic and chemical) on field N 2 O emissions and how these emissions are associated with soil available N forms (NH 4 + and NO 3 −) in three different rain-fed crops namely barley, pea and vetch grown in Cyprus for two growing seasons. The daily emissions ranged from −3.11 to 12.3 g N–N 2 O/ha/day, while cumulative emissions ranged from 119 g N–N 2 O/ha to 660 g N–N 2 O/ha depending on crop and nitrogen source type. The emissions showed a seasonal pattern and WFPS has been identified as a critical soil parameter controlling daily N 2 O emissions. The daily N 2 O fluxes in the current study derives mainly from nitrification irrespectively crop type or nitrogen source type. Specific emission factors for each crop cultivated under different N source type were calculated and ranged from 0.03% ± 0.02–0.34% ± 0.09. The application of manure and chemical fertilizers cause similar intensity of N 2 O emissions while compost exhibited the lower emission factors. These findings suggest that composts could be integrated in a nutrient management strategy of rain-fed crops with less N 2 O emissions. The high background emissions found suggest also that other factors than external inputs are associated with N 2 O emissions and further studies including the response of microbial community structure and their contribution and association with N 2 O emissions. • Nitrous oxide emissions are very low in rain-fed Mediterranean like climates. • Emission factors from organic N sources ranged from 0.25 to 0.03%. • Organic manure had similar emission factor compared to ammonium nitrate. • Compost exhibited the lowest N 2 O emissions. • N 2 O fluxes had a seasonal variation and were crop depended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, regions in the Mediterranean area share common characteristics in terms of high sensitivity to climate change impacts. Does this translate into specificities regarding climate action that could arise from these Mediterranean characteristics? This paper sheds light on regional and local climate mitigation actions of the Mediterranean Europe, focusing on the plans to reduce greenhouse gases emissions in a representative sample of 51 regions and 73 cities across 9 Mediterranean countries (Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain). The study investigates: (i) the availability of local and regional mitigation plans, (ii) their goals in term of greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets on the short and medium-long term, and (iii) the impact of transnational climate networks on such local and regional climate mitigation planning. Results of this study indicate an uneven and fragmented planning, that shows a Mediterranean West-East divide, and a link with population size. However, overall, both regional and city action seem insufficiently ambitious with regards to meeting the Paris Agreement, at least at city level. While national frameworks are currently weak in influencing regional and local actions, transnational networks seem to be engaging factors for commitment (at city level) and ambitiousness (at regional level). The uneven and fragmented progress revealed by this study, does not align with the characteristics shared by investigated regions and cities in terms of environmental, socio-political, climatic and economic conditions. The results support the call of a common green deal at the Mediterranean level to further address specific Mediterranean challenges and related needs. This will allow to capitalise on available resources, generate local-specific knowledge, build capacities, and support Mediterranean regions and cities in preparing the next generation of more ambitious mitigation plans., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)