Genetic assessment of population restorations of the critically endangered Silene hifacensis in the Iberian Peninsula

In order to preserve endangered plant populations and recover their evolutionary potential and ecological behavior, some restoration measures generally involve the reinforcement of the population size in existing natural populations or the reintroduction of new populations. Genetic monitoring of both natural and restored populations can provide an assessment of restoration protocol success in establishing populations that maintain levels of genetic diversity similar to those in natural populations. The highly threatened Spanish species Silene hifacensis (Caryophyllaceae) has only three natural reduced mainland populations in the Iberian Peninsula, following decline and extinction that occurred during the late 20th century. Preterit restoration strategies were essentially based on the implantation of new populations and reinforcement of certain existing populations using transplants mostly cultivated in greenhouses. In the present contribution, levels and patterns of genetic variability within natural and restored populations of Silene hifacensis were assessed using the molecular technique AFLP. Our results pointed out significant genetic diversity differences across the three existing natural populations though their population fragmentation and progressive loss of individuals have not had an impact on the global genetic diversity of this species. For restored populations, their levels of genetic diversity were similar and even higher than in natural populations. As a result, the past restoration protocols were successful in capturing similar and even higher levels of genetic diversity than those observed within natural pools. However, inbreeding processes have been detected for two restored populations. Finally, the main source of plant material for the long-time restored transplants appears to be the natural population of Cova de les Cendres. This study demonstrates, once again, how genetic markers are useful tools to be taken in consideration for endangered plant species conservation plans.Work was supported by the project CONSELLERIATERRITORIO4-06i (Conselleria de Territori i Habitage, Generalitat Valenciana)

Fieldtrip manual for Plant Biodiversity

Plant Biodiversity is a subject taught during the second year of the Undergraduate Degree in Biology at the University of Alicante. The main principles about the diversity and morphology of the plants are mostly given during the theoretical classes. This fieldtrip practical manual, together with the laboratory sessions, gives the students an opportunity to see our most common wild plant species. Their direct observations allow them to identify properly the main botanical families, genera and species of our wild flora. This Fieldtrip manual for Plant Biodiversity has been written to enhance the understanding of plant diversity and to identify the different ecological conditions for plant species. Students have to understand that “plants do not grow everywhere”. Most of our natural flora, and specially the endemic one, requires specific environmental conditions to grow. So, the objectives of these fieldtrips are to identify wild flora and to recognise the ecological habitats where many of the identified plant species live

Calicotome villosa (Poir.) Link (Fabaceae), new for the Valencian Community flora

Se cita por primera vez la presencia de Calicotome villosa en los territorios iberolevantinos. Es ésta una especie ampliamente repartida por la Cuenca Mediterránea, que en la Península Ibérica presenta una distribución Bética y Luso-Extremadurense, con preferencia por suelos ácidos, en el piso de vegetación termomediterráneo subhúmedo-húmedo. En esta ocasión se ha recolectado en la partida de las Albarizas, en el término municipal de Villena (Alicante), dentro del piso mesomediterráneo seco, y sobre suelos arcillosos básicos. Esta nueva localidad, que es la primera referencia de C. villosa en la flora de la Comunidad Valenciana, permite ampliar considerablemente tanto el área corológica como el comportamiento ecológico de esta especie en la Península Ibérica.The presence of Calicotome villosa is cited for the first time in the Ibero-Levantine territories of the Iberian Peninsula. This is a species widely distributed through the Mediterranean Basin, which is found in the Betic and Luso-Extremadurensian territories of southern Iberian Peninsula, where it mostly occurs in acid soils within the thermomediterranean subhumid-humid bioclimatic stage. The species was recently gathered in Las Albarizas area, in the municipality of Villena (Alicante Province), growing on basic clayish soils within the mesomediterranean dry stage. The new location, which is the first record of C. villosa for the Valencian flora, allows to considerably expand both the chorological area and the ecological behaviour of this species in the Iberian Peninsula

Conservation status of Narcissus perezlarae Font Quer (Amaryllidaceae) in the Valencian Community

Narcissus perezlarae está incluido en el Catálogo Valenciano de Especies de Flora Amenazadas de la Comunidad Valenciana (Orden 6/2013) en la categoría "En peligro de extinción". Estudios recientes han demostrado su origen híbrido (= N. cavanillesii × N. miniatus [= N. serotinus auct.]). Por otro lado, el mayor especialista y monografía del género reclamó recientemente su autonomía como especie independiente, como N. piifontianus. Esta especie es endémica de la península Ibérica, presente en Alto Alentejo (Portugal), Sevilla y Cádiz (España), y en la parte oriental de la Cordillera Bética, entre Alicante y Valencia. Sin embargo, si se tratara como una especie independiente, sería un endemismo exclusivamente restringido a la Comunidad Valenciana. Siete poblaciones naturales han sido monitoreadas, cuyos datos censales oscilan anualmente. El último censo contiene 1.634 plantas. Desde 2010, se han llevado a cabo cinco experiencias de translocación en la provincia de Alicante. De un total de 8.970 ejemplares introducidos se ha registrado una tasa de supervivencia del 28,4% (2.545 plantas) en el último censo. Las poblaciones recién creadas aumentan el número de localidades conocidas de la especie en la Comunidad Valenciana y amplían considerablemente su distribución a lo largo del territorio.Narcissus perezlarae is included in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Species of the Valencian Community (Order 6/2013) in the category "In danger of extinction". Recent studies have demonstrated its hybridogenic origin (= N. cavanillesii × N. miniatus [= N. serotinus auct.]). On the other hand, the greatest specialist and monograph of the genus has most recently claimed its autonomy as an independent species, as N. piifontianus. This species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, present in Alto Alentejo (Portugal), Sevilla and Cadiz (Spain), and in the eastern part of the Baetic Mountains, between Alicante and Valencia. However, if treated as an independent species, it would be an endemism exclusively restricted to the Valencian Community. Seven natural populations have been monitored, whose census data oscillate annually. The latest census contains 1634 plants. Since 2010, five translocation experiences have been carried out in Alicante province. A total amount of 8,970 plants were translocated and a survival rate of 28,4% (2,545 plants) was observed in the latest census. The newly created populations increase the number of known locations of the species in the Valencian Community and considerably expand their distribution range along the territory

Conservation and recovery program for Boerhavia repens L. (Nyctaginaceae), an endangered species in the Valencian Community (Spain)

Boerhavia repens está incluida en el Catálogo Valenciano de Especies de Flora Amenazadas de la Comunidad Valenciana (Orden 6/2013) en la categoría “En peligro de Extinción”. La única población española conocida está localizada en Teulada (Alicante, España), siendo la segunda población conocida en toda Europa. La población alicantina desapareció en 2012, y hasta el momento se han realizado 10 plantaciones en la provincia de Alicante. De un total de 615 plantas introducidas se ha registrado una tasa de supervivencia del 8,7% (54 plantas) en el último censo. Diferentes trabajos con la germinación de las semillas y cultivo de esta planta han sido realizados en el CIEF.Boerhavia repens is included in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Species of the Valencian Community (Order 6/2013) in the category “In danger of extinction”. The only known Spanish population is located in Teulada (Alicante, Spain), being the second known population in Europe. This population disappeared in 2012, and so far 10 plantations have been made in the province of Alicante. A total amount of 615 plants were translocated and a survival rate of 8,7% (54 plants) was observed in the latest census. Different works with the germination of seeds and cultivation of plants have been carried out at CIEF

Aportaciones corológicas al catálogo valenciano de especies de flora amenazada

Se aportan nuevas citas o precisiones sobre otras prece- dentes, para 24 especies vegetales incluidas en el Catálogo Valenciano de Especies de Flora Amenazada (Decreto 70/2009, DOCV de 22.05.2009), tanto para la categoría legal autonómica ¿En Peligro de Extinción¿ (EP) co- mo ¿Vulnerable¿ (VU). Los datos aportados se refieren a Achillea santoli- noides (EP), Antirrhinum valentinum (VU), Biarum dispar (VU), Campa- nula mollis (VU), Carex elata (VU), Cheirolophus lagunae (VU), Coelo- glossum viride (VU), Euphorbia nevadensis subsp. nevadensis (VU), Kos- teletzkya pentacarpa (VU), Limonium mansanetianum (VU), Lupinus ma- riae-josephae (VU), Odontites valentinus (EP), Ophioglossum lusitanicum (VU), Orchis conica (VU), O. papilionacea (EP), O. purpurea (VU), Pa- rentucellia viscosa (EP), Pinguicula vallisnerifolia (VU), Serapias lingua (VU), Silene diclinis (VU), Sternbergia colchiciflora (VU), Teucrium le- picephalum (VU), Thymus lacaitae (VU) y Utricularia australis (EP). La mayoría de nuevas citas derivan del rastreo técnico intensivo y de la cola- boración de agentes medioambientales de la Generalitat Valenciana e in- formadores voluntarios.New records of 24 plant species included in the Va- lencian Catalogue of Threatened Plant Species (Decree 70/2009, DOCV 22.05.2009), both for regional categories 'Threatened to Extinction (EP)' and 'Vulnerable (VU)' are presented. Data refer to Achillea santolinoides (EP), Antirrhinum valentinum (VU), Biarum dispar (VU), Campanula mo- llis (VU), Carex elata (VU), Cheirolophus lagunae (VU), Coeloglossum viride (VU), Euphorbia nevadensis subsp. nevadensis (VU), Kosteletzkya pentacarpa (VU), Limonium mansanetianum (VU), Lupinus mariae-jose- phae (VU), Odontites valentinus (EP), Ophioglossum lusitanicum (VU), Orchis conica (VU), O. papilionacea (EP), O. purpurea (VU), Parentu- cellia viscosa (EP), Pinguicula vallisnerifolia (VU), Serapias lingua (VU), Silene diclinis (VU), Sternbergia colchiciflora (VU), Teucrium lepice- phalum (VU), Thymus lacaitae (VU) and Utricularia australis (EP). Most of the new records come from the intensive field survey carried out by technicians and forest rangers from Generalitat Valenciana as well as vo- lunteers

Estrategias de conservación para Cotoneaster granatensis (Rosaceae), especie catalogada En Peligro de Extinción en la Comunitat Valenciana (España)

Cotoneaster granatensis (Rosaceae) is an endangered species in the Valencian Community with two natural populations known and 37 wild plants located in Alicante province. The strategy applied for conservation of this species comprises three steps in a cyclical method: in situ (first step) - ex situ - in situ (second step). Current conservation status for this species has been evaluated as a part of the first step in situ actions. Ex situ conservation activities consisted of germplasm conservation on seed banks, creation and maintenance of collections of livings plants and production of new plants in order to develop reintroductions (in situ actions: second step) in natural populations. The seed germination is a complex issue, but an effective protocol has been established reaching values over 60% of germination. The plant propagation by cuttings has not been successful. In situ actions such as reducing the threat of herbivory has been also essential to enhance natural populations. The initial results on plantations in the natural habitat show high survival rates of specimens

Colecciones ex situ de planta viva para la conservación de la planta amenazada Silene hifacensis, Rouy ex Willk (Caryophyllaceae)

The establishment of seed orchards has allowed obtaining a great deal of germoplasm of Silene hifacensis, an endangered endemic Ibero-Balearic species. In four years, 3.958.531 seeds have been collected in our four seed orchards from a total of 570 plants/year per average, including all genetic variability from natural populations of this species in Alicante province (Illot of Mona, the Pessebret, Cova de les Cendres, Morro de Toix)

Planes de recuperación de flora amenazada de la comunidad valenciana. Resultados tras tres años de la aprobación de la normativa legal

The Valencian Community (Spain) holds three plant species (Cistus heterophyllus Desf., Limonium perplexum L. Sáez & Rosselló and Silene hifacensis Rouy ex Willk.) listed into the category In danger of extinction, for which there is a joint Recovery Plan passed by the Valencian Government through the Order 1/2015, January 8, of the Department of Infrastructures, Land and Environment. Among the aims of this Recovery Plan, to improve the conservation status of these species in the Valencian territory, provisions of its Article 3 are highlighted. This article specifies that they population values that justify their passage of the category In danger of extinction to Vulnerable must be reached. Three years since the publication of this Order, the Generalitat Valenciana?s Wildlife Service shows here, the results achieved the conservation of these three specie