Stone-walled terraces restoration: conserving biodiversity and promoting economic functions of farmlands in Lebanon

Dry stone-walled terraces are peculiar features of Mediterranean farmland, representing typical examples of social-ecological systems combining ecological functionality and ecosystem services provision. In the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon) a program of restoration of abandoned terraces applying Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) principles is ongoing from 2016, combined with biodiversity monitoring activities. This study illustrates preliminary results of the plant monitoring, with the aim to (1) draft a checklist of the plants found in the terraces, (2) compare plant diversity and evaluate consistency of species assemblages observed among 3 different terrace managements (abandoned, restored and intensively-cultivated) and (3) compare ecological and ecosystem service value of the plant communities in the 3 types of terraces. Overall, 332 species were observed, with significantly higher diversity found in abandoned and restored terraces compared to intensively farmed terraces. Similarly, species assemblages of restored terraces were closely related to abandoned and distantly related to intensively-managed terraces. According to the study, restored terraces provide the same ecological value and ecosystem services functions as abandoned terraces, significantly higher than intensively-managed terraces. This study showcases the effectiveness of FLR programmes in restoring economic and social functions of terraced Mediterranean farmland while maintaining ecological functionality

Genetic and ecogeographical and characterization of Astragalus genus of Lebanon : biogeographic conservation approaches

Le genre Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) est l'un des genres ayant le plus grand nombre de représentants parmi les angiospermes. Son centre d'origine et de diversité est situé dans les zones arides des montagnes de l'Asie centrale et sud-ouest. Au Liban, ce genre est aussi l'un des plus genres représentés dans la flore, avec 62 espèces et sous-espèces et 22 espèces endémiques identifiés. Les différents taxons de ce genre sont difficiles à identifier en se basant uniquement sur les caractères morphologiques et leur statut actuel de la distribution doit être évaluée. Les relations phylogénétiques, les variations dans la taille du génome et le rôle de la polyploïdie dans l'évolution du genre Astragalus dans les chaînes de montagnes du Liban ont été étudiés. Nos données confirment qu'un polymorphisme chromosomique interspécifique significatif existe dans le genre Astragalus du Liban et la polyploïdie et l'évolution subséquente du génome peuvent être d'importants moteurs de l'évolution de ce genre. Le processus de diversification du genre Astragalus qui a eu lieu au Liban a été analysé en utilisant des méthodes de datation phylogénétiques et moléculaires et des analyses des aires ancestrales. Nos résultats confirment que le Liban est le troisième centre de diversité pour les Astragales et doit être considéré comme un «berceau» de la biodiversité. Par conséquent, cette étude est une contribution à une meilleure compréhension de l'évolution et des processus biogéographiques à l'origine de la mise en place de la biodiversité au Liban, avec une finalité appliquée de conservation biogéographique.The genus Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) is one of the genera with the largest number of representatives among the angiosperms. Its center of origin and diversity is located in the arid mountains of Central and Southwest Asia. In Lebanon, this genus is also one of the most represented genera in the flora, with 62 species and subspecies and 22 endemic species identified. The different taxa of this genus are difficult to identify based only on morphological characters and their current status of distribution must be evaluated. Phylogenetic relationships, changes in genome size and the role of polyploidy in the evolution of Astragalus genus in the Lebanese mountains range were studied. Our data confirm that a significant interspecific chromosomal polymorphism exists in the genus Astragalus of Lebanon and polyploidy and the subsequent evolution of the genome may be important drivers of the evolution of this genus. The diversification process of Astragalus genus that took place in Lebanon was analyzed using phylogenetic and molecular dating methods and analysis of ancestral areas. Our results confirm that Lebanon is the third center of diversity and should be considered as a "cradle" of biodiversity. Therefore, this study is a contribution to a better understanding of evolutionary and biogeographic processes behind the development of biodiversity in Lebanon, with an applied purpose of biogeographic conservation

Origine de l'Astragale de Marseille

International audienc

Origine de l'Astragale de Marseille

International audienc

New insights on the conservation status of the Endangered coastal endemic plant Astragalus berytheus (Fabaceae) in Lebanon

International audienceCoastal vegetation includes unique species with adaptations to the specific conditions of this environment, and in the Mediterranean region urban development of coastal areas has severely affected coastal ecosystems. Astragalus berytheus Boiss. & Blanche is a narrow endemic plant of the eastern Mediterranean coast, occurring in Lebanon and Palestine/Israel; its Red List status has not been previously assessed. As a result of the effects of urban sprawl in coastal areas A. berytheus is one of the most threatened plant taxa in Lebanon. We assess the conservation status of this taxon and propose conservation measures. Only one population of A. berytheus is extant in Lebanon, in the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve. We recommend that A. berytheus should be categorized as Endangered globally and as Critically Endangered at the national level in Lebanon. Unless adequate conservation measures are implemented A. berytheus is likely to go extinct in Lebanon in the near future

Geographical isolation caused the diversification of the Mediterranean thorny cushion-like Astragalus L. sect. Tragacantha DC. (Fabaceae)

International audienceUnderstanding the origin and evolution of Mediterranean vascular flora within the long-term context of climate change requires a continuous study of historical biogeography supported by molecular phylogenetic approaches. Here we provide new insights into the fascinating but often overlooked diversification of Mediterranean xerophytic plants. Growing in some of the most stressing Mediterranean environments, i.e. coastal and mountainous opened habitats, the circum-Mediterranean Astragalus L. sect. Tragacantha DC. (Fabaceae) gathers several thorny cushion-like taxa. These have been the subjects of recent taxonomical studies, but they have not yet been investigated within a comprehensive molecular framework. Bayesian phylogenetics applied to rDNA ITS sequences reveal that the diversification of A. sect. Tragacantha has roots dating back to the Pliocene, and the same data also indicate an eastern-western split giving rise to the five main lineages that exist today. In addition, AFLP fingerprinting supports an old east-west pattern of vicariance that completely rules out the possibility of a recent eastern origin for western taxa. The observed network of genetic relationships implies that contrary to what is widely claimed in the taxonomic literature, it is range fragmentation, as opposed to a coastal-to-mountain ecological shift, that is likely the main driver of diversification. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with paediatric cancer in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES: Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of death for children. Children in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were four times more likely to die than children in high-income countries (HICs). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the delivery of healthcare services worldwide, and exacerbated the disparity in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. DESIGN: A multicentre, international, collaborative cohort study. SETTING: 91 hospitals and cancer centres in 39 countries providing cancer treatment to paediatric patients between March and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years, and newly diagnosed with or undergoing active cancer treatment for Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Wilms' tumour, sarcoma, retinoblastoma, gliomas, medulloblastomas or neuroblastomas, in keeping with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All-cause mortality at 30 days and 90 days. RESULTS: 1660 patients were recruited. 219 children had changes to their treatment due to the pandemic. Patients in LMICs were primarily affected (n=182/219, 83.1%). Relative to patients with paediatric cancer in HICs, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 12.1 (95% CI 2.93 to 50.3) and 7.9 (95% CI 3.2 to 19.7) times the odds of death at 30 days and 90 days, respectively, after presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, patients with paediatric cancer in LMICs had 15.6 (95% CI 3.7 to 65.8) times the odds of death at 30 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected paediatric oncology service provision. It has disproportionately affected patients in LMICs, highlighting and compounding existing disparities in healthcare systems globally that need addressing urgently. However, many patients with paediatric cancer continued to receive their normal standard of care. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of healthcare systems and healthcare workers globally

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality