Studi di biologia della conservazione di specie vegetali endemiche della Sardegna nell'ambito del progetto "GENMEDOC"

Conservation biology studies on the endemic species from Sardinia within the "GENMEDOC" Project - The achieved results of the Interreg IIIB "Genmedoc" project (2004-2006) are here reported. Data focused on the conservation biology studies of Sardinian endemic species are showed in this work. During the project 26 populations of 16 species were investigated and the ex situ conservation for these species was guaranteed by storage of 65 seed lots in the seedbank. Furthermore 8 species were analysed by in situ characterization of 17 populations: for each population ecological studies were carried out. Real and possible threats that affect these populations were detected. For 6 species effective germination protocols were identified and also valied by other two project partners. These protocols allow evaluating seed quality for the stored lots and their longevity during next years; moreover the knowledge of the best germination conditions will be able to schedule a possible cultivation or an in situ re-introduction for these species. These results were obtained by sistematic conservation biology studies of threatened endemic species of Sardinia by a tested and internationally acknowledged methodology

Conservazione ex situ e in situ della biodiversità vegetale dell'Area Marina Protetta di Capo Carbonara (Sardegna sud-orientale)

The first results of the project "Plant Biodiversity Conservation in the Protected Marine Area of Capo Carbonara (PMA)" are illustrated. This initiative, promoted by the CCB and the Municipality of Villasimius (CA), was funded for three-year period (2005/07) by the Ministry of the Environment and Territory protection. The project provides the study, monitoring and conservation of the coastal habitat, principally on all the Sites of Communitary Importance (pSIC) of the Villasimius Municipality territory, in order to plan a harmonic development between coastal and sea areas unifying the environmental protection secured by the PMA with that relatives to the Natura 2000 network. During the first year there were started ecological, floristic-sociological and chorological studies, in order to value the actual state of conservation and have a possibility to propose adequate measures for a sustainable management. In order to guarantee the effective plant biodiversity conservation, the following ex situ actions have been made: collection, study and conservation for a long time of the seed of selected species in the structures of the Sardinian Seed Bank (BG-SAR), according to international procedures and protocols. At the end of the first year the seed harvest was completed relatively to all the species with a greater risk of extinction. The project provides also actions directed to sensitize the population, local and non, on the thematics of the conservation and the sustainable development of the territory

Functional seed traits and germination patterns predict species coexistence in NE Mediterranean foredune communities

Background and Aims The structure of plant communities, which is based on species abundance ratios, is closely linked to ecosystem functionality. Seed germination niche plays a major role in shaping plant communities, although it has often been neglected when explaining species coexistence. The aim of this work is to link the seed germination niche to community ecology, investigating how functional seed traits contribute to species coexistence. Methods Species selection was based on a database of 504 vegetation surveys from the Veneto coast (Italy). Through cluster analysis we identified the foredune community and selected all of its 19 plant species. By using the “Phi coefficient” and frequency values, species were pooled in different categories (foundation species, accidental species of the semi-fixed dune, and aliens), then the 19 species were grouped according to their germination responses to temperature and photoperiod through cluster analyses. For each germination cluster we investigated germination trends against temperature and photoperiod by using GLMMs. Key Results We identified four germination strategies: (1) high germination at all tested conditions (“high-germinating”); (2) high germination at warm temperatures in the dark (“dark warm-cued”); (3) high germination at warm temperatures in the light (“light warm-cued”); and (4) low germination, regardless of conditions (“low-germinating”). Foredune foundation species showed a narrow germination niche, being “low-germinating” or “dark warm-cued”. Annual species of semi-fixed dunes were “high-germinating”, while alien species were the only members of the “light warm-cued” cluster. Conclusions Our research suggests that different categories of species have dissimilar seed germination niches, which contributes to explaining their coexistence. Climatic events, such as rising temperature, could alter germination patterns, favoring seed regeneration of certain categories (i.e. alien and semi-fixed dune species) at the expense of others (i.e. foundation species, pivotal to ecosystem functioning), hence potentially altering the plant community structure

Lista preliminar de la flora exclusiva de Cerdeña y orden de prioridades para su conservación

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and its isolation and high geological diversity have created a wide range of habitats with high levels of endemism, especially on its mountain massifs, where there are conditions of ecological insularity. In this study the exclusive endemic flora of Sardinia has been updated to 168 taxa, 139 of which are species, 23 subspecies, 4 varieties and 2 hybrids, belonging to 37 families and 72 genera. Despite this rich biodiversity and the threats to these species, few biological conservation studies have been carried out up to now. A conservation project for the most threatened exclusive endemic species of Sardinia was therefore funded in 2007 by the “Regione Autonoma della Sardegna”. To categorize these species of conservation interest, a priority list was created by applying 11 parameters based on rarity, threats and protection status. This work allowed the identification of the most threatened species of the Sardinian endemic flora.Cerdeña es la segunda isla más grande del Mediterráneo y su aislamiento y la gran diversidad geológica han originado una amplia gama de hábitats que albergan un elevado número de endemismos, especialmente en los macizos, donde se dan condiciones de insularidad ecológica. En este estudio se ha actualizado el catálogo de la flora endémica exclusiva de Cerdeña, que está integrada por 168 táxones, de los cuales 139 son especies, 23 subespecies, 4 variedades y 2 híbridos, pertenecientes a 37 familias y 72 géneros. A pesar de esta rica biodiversidad y de las amenazas para estas especies, son pocos los estudios de biología de la conservación que se han llevado a cabo hasta ahora. Por lo tanto, la "Regione Autonoma della Sardegna" financió en 2007 un proyecto de conservación de las especies endémicas exclusivas de Cerdeña más amenazadas. Para clasificar el estado de conservación de estas especies, se ha creado una lista de prioridades mediante la aplicación de 11 pará - metros basados en los criterios de rareza, amenaza y estado de protección. Este trabajo ha permitido identificar la mayoría de las especies amenazadas de la flora endémica de Cerdeña

Manuale per la raccolta, studio, conservazione e gestione ex situ del germoplasma

L’oggetto del manuale è costituito dal germoplasma delle unità tassonomiche relative alla flora autoctona dei territori mediterranei e, più in generale, europei. Tale testo è stato predisposto per operare sul terreno e in laboratorio seguendo semplici e chiare indicazioni nell’ottica di una conservazione in situ ed ex situ rigorosa, rispettosa della biodiversità, del territorio e della cultura che ne deriva. Si ritiene che le metodologie di seguito espresse possano agevolare il lavoro dei raccoglitori e quello dei curatori delle banche, garantendo la raccolta, il trattamento e la migliore gestione possibile del germoplasma, nel rispetto delle procedure e degli standard nazionali e internazionali. Questo lavoro è rivolto sia a quanti operano in settori specifici (tecnici delle banche del germoplasma, vivaisti, addetti ai lavori in ambito istituzionale, ricercatori e docenti universitari) sia a tutte le persone interessate alle tematiche della conservazione ex situ. Particolare attenzione è stata rivolta agli studenti, ai quali si è cercato di trasferire con linguaggio semplice le esperienze di ricerca e sperimentazione svolte dagli Autori e tutte le informazioni ricavate dalla letteratura scientifica disponibile, con l’obiettivo di fornire loro indispensabili elementi conoscitivi di base. E’ bene ricordare che la difesa della biodiversità attraverso la conservazione delle risorse genetiche non è sempre rivolta a endemismi o a specie d’interesse fitogeografico, ma contempla anche piante di larga diffusione in Europa, talvolta potenzialmente minacciate dal progressivo restringersi del loro areale di distribuzione. Si pensi a quanto è successo alle formazioni boschive della Pianura Padana che oggi, fortemente frammentate dall’espansione agricola, occupano una superficie equivalente a meno dell’1% rispetto a quella originale (Gorian, in verbis).Il manuale è strutturato in 14 capitoli che descrivono le metodologie attualmente più utilizzate dal momento della raccolta in campo del germoplasma fino alla sua conservazione. Le azioni che riguardano il germoplasma da conservare sono spesso dimensionate a quantitativi modesti di materiale; ciò non esclude che in molti casi raccolta, lavorazione e conservazione siano rivolte a volumi consistenti ed operate meccanicamente

Análisis de imagen de germoplasma de Astragalus maritimus y A. verrucosus de Sardinia (subgen. Trimeniaeus, Fabaceae)

The relationships between A. verrucosus Moris and A. maritimus Moris, exclusively endemics of Sardinia, are studied with a germplasm image analysis system. Morphometric and colorimetric features of the seeds and fruits of the two taxa have been studied and statistically elaborated to verify and confirm the validity of these species and to improve the performance of the correct classification of the image analysis system, previously elaborated to be a tool for taxonomic studies.Se presentan las relaciones entre A. verrucosus Moris y A. maritimus Moris, endemismos exclusivos de Cerdeña, que se han estudiado a través de un sistema de análisis de imagen del germoplasma. Para las dos especies se han tomado las medidas morfométricas y colorimétricas de las semillas y de los frutos, que luego se han analizado desde el punto de vista estadístico. Todo esto con la finalidad de averiguar y confirmar la distinción a nivel sistemático y mejorar el porcentaje de correcta clasificación del sistema de análisis de imagen elaborado con finalidades de carácter taxonómico

Rapid adaptation of seed germination requirements of the threatened Mediterranean species Malcolmia littorea (Brassicaceae) and implications for its reintroduction

AbstractMalcolmia littorea (Brassicaceae) is a threatened species growing in the coastal sandy dunes of the west-Mediterranean basin. In this study, the seed germination and seedling emergence requirements of this species were investigated in the only remaining native population in Italy. The highest germination percentage was achieved in darkness with scoring under safe green light at 5–10°C. Seedling emergence was highest when seeds were buried between 1 and 10mm in depth. The results suggest that germination and seedling emergence are adapted to Mediterranean coastal habitats by employing a common mechanism of light-inhibited germination and by germinating at cooler temperatures before the onset of the summer drought. Seeds were also collected from plants cultivated at a botanical garden and from plants reintroduced by sowing or by transplanting. For those populations, germination was maximal between 10–25°C, suggesting that the thermal germination behaviour may be affected by the maternal environment of seed production within one generation. It is suggested to use seeds produced in the same environment to which they will be used for the reintroduction of this species

Conservación ex situ de plantas silvestres

La conservación “ex situ” de plantas silvestres es reconocida como un complemento importantísimo de las acciones sobre el terreno, ya que su uso contribuye a proteger y custodiar las especies para evitar su desaparición. En este campo, en los últimos tiempos, se está impulsando el desarrollo de bancos de germoplasma dedicados a la conservación de semillas de plantas silvestres (imprescindibles para la conservación ex situ). Creemos que esta publicación, sin duda necesaria, llena un importante hueco en la literatura en español relacionada con los bancos de germoplasma y será de gran interés para quienes trabajan dentro del panorama de la conservación de plantas, “ex situ”, en España, pero también para un amplio espectro de técnicos que lo hacen en el mundo hispano-americano. La publicación, corolario del apoyo del Gobierno del Principado de Asturias al banco de germoplasma del Jardín Botánico Atlántico de Gijón ha sido promovida por el equipo científico del mismo, dependiente de la Universidad de Oviedo, y posible gracias a la colaboración con los centros italianos ISPRA (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale) y CCB (Centro Conservazione Biodiversitá e Banca del Germoplasma della Sardegna -Universitá degli Studi di Cagliari). Para el desarrollo de la misma ha sido imprescindible además el trabajo entusiasta de 33 investigadores de cuatro países (Italia, España, Francia y Portugal), lo que convierte a la obra en todo un reto arriesgado, de larga gestación y de nada fácil coordinación. Llevada a buen puerto, finalmente se ha convertido en un ejemplo singular, de cómo coordinando esfuerzos y con buena voluntad, se puede avanzar y trabajar más rápido en aras de la conservación. La edición de esta publicación se enmarca en el Convenio de Colaboración entre el Gobierno del Principado de Asturias y la Obra Social ”la Caixa” firmado el doce de mayo de dos mil seis, dentro de la serie sobre vida silvestre; es un paso más en el compromiso de Asturias con la biodiversidad, y una pequeña, pero interesante, aportación a los objetivos que estableció la Conferencia de las Partes de la Convención sobre Diversidad Biológica, celebrada en La Haya en 2002, y que sentó las bases para la Estrategia Global de la Conservación Vegetal (a la que está adherida España). Pretende ser también un granito de arena para la consecución harto difícil de ese objetivo que hoy une a todos los conservacionistas del mundo: detener la pérdida de biodiversidad antes de 2010