Conservation of threatened woody species (Mediterranean): Endangered Sicilian endemic Ptilostemon greuteri (DBA.AD002.438)

Area tematica

Scienze bio-agroalimentari

Area progettuale

Struttura responsabile del progetto di ricerca

Istituto di Bioscienze e Biorisorse (IBBR)

Responsabile di progetto

SALVATORE PASTA
Telefono: 0916574578
E-mail: salvatore.pasta@ibbr.cnr.it

Abstract

The main goal of the project is to ensure the long-term conservation of one of the most threatened and remarkable woody species of the Sicilian vascular flora, namely Ptilostemon greuteri Raimondo & Domina, currently consisting of two tiny populations at global scale.

The main activity of the project will be the elaboration of a detailed Action Plan and its implementation. The most effective way to conserve this narrow endemic is to gather and store an adequate number of seeds from both original subpopulations and to increase the number and the spatial heterogeneity of the subpopulations in order to avoid that any natural or anthropogenic disturbance destroys the very few extant reproductive individuals. To fulfill this second goal, several preliminary activities should be carried out in order to improve the knowledge on the ecological requirements and to address the conservation planning of the species. The analysis of the floristic composition and the structure of local plant communities, as well as the gathering of microclimatic data (e.g. soil and air moisture and temperature) will permit to draw a more precise model of the species' niche and will help to find the most

Obiettivi

suitable conditions to look for during the selection of 3-4 sites where translocation and re-enforcement activities should be done. Additionally, regular surveys on permanent plots will allow to obtain precious information on the reproductive biology and the dispersal strategy of Ptilostemon greuteri. Part of the seeds collected in the field will be used to produce plants to form new subpopulations, which will be fenced in order to protect them against damages (grazing, trampling) due to feral herbivores. These fenced areas will be regularly monitored in order to evaluate the demographic response of the species after introduction. The remaining seeds will be sent to other public research institutions (mostly botanic gardens and seed banks) for ex situ conservation purposes.
The project will be led locally by the IBBR-team in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) and internationally by the team of the Botanic Garden of the University of Fribourg (BGFR, Switzerland). IBBR will concentrate its efforts on the concrete activities and investigations at local scale (including implementation of numerous in situ measures). The organisation of accompanying workshops and meetings as well as scientific rese

Data inizio attività

01/09/2021

Parole chiave

Biodiversity conservation, niche modeling, reproduction biology

Ultimo aggiornamento: 05/05/2024