scholarly journals Graminoid Invasion in an Insular Endemism Hotspot and Its Protected Areas

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna J. Walentowitz ◽  
Severin D. H. Irl ◽  
Aurelio Jesús Acevedo Rodríguez ◽  
Ángel Palomares-Martínez ◽  
Vanessa Vetter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
La Palma ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Invasive plant species are increasingly altering species composition and the functioning of ecosystems from a local to a global scale. The grass species Pennisetum setaceum has recently raised concerns as an invader on different archipelagos worldwide. Among these affected archipelagos are the Canary Islands, which are a hotspot of endemism. Consequently, conservation managers and stakeholders are interested in the potential spreading of this species in the archipelago. We identify the current extent of the suitable habitat for P. setaceum on the island of La Palma to assess how it affects island ecosystems, protected areas (PAs), and endemic plant species richness. We recorded in situ occurrences of P. setaceum from 2010 to 2018 and compiled additional ones from databases at a 500 m × 500 m resolution. To assess the current suitable habitat and possible distribution patterns of P. setaceum on the island, we built an ensemble model. We projected habitat suitability for island ecosystems and PAs and identified risks for total as well as endemic plant species richness. The suitable habitat for P. setaceum is calculated to cover 34.7% of the surface of La Palma. In open ecosystems at low to mid elevations, where native ecosystems are already under pressure by land use and human activities, the spread of the invader will likely lead to additional threats to endemic plant species. Forest ecosystems (e.g., broadleaved evergreen and coniferous forests) are not likely to be affected by the spread of P. setaceum because of its heliophilous nature. Our projection of suitable habitat of P. setaceum within ecosystems and PAs on La Palma supports conservationists and policymakers in prioritizing management and control measures and acts as an example for the potential threat of this graminoid invader on other islands.

How does contemporary climate versus climate change velocity affect endemic plant species richness in China?

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (34) ◽  
pp. 4660-4667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunjing Qiu ◽  
Zehao Shen ◽  
Peihao Peng ◽  
Lingfeng Mao ◽  
Xinshi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species ◽  
Contemporary Climate

Scale dependence of plant species richness in a network of protected areas

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 503-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chiarucci ◽  
G. Bacaro ◽  
G. Filibeck ◽  
S. Landi ◽  
S. Maccherini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Scale Dependence

scholarly journals Short-Term Effects on Diversity and Biomass on Grasslands from Artificial Dykes under Grazing and Mowing Treatments

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cannelle Moinardeau ◽  
François Mesléard ◽  
Hervé Ramone ◽  
Thierry Dutoit
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Plant Biodiversity ◽  
Extensive Grazing

SummaryFew studies document the impacts of conservation management practices such as extensive grazing or mowing on the new ecosystems created by industrial conversions. In southern France, the Rhône channelling led to the construction of dykes to protect the Tricastin industrialized area from floods. Aiming to control plant dynamics for safety reasons and to favour plant biodiversity, mowing or extensive grazing by cattle were recently tested. Monitoring from both permanent plots and aerial photographs shows that three years of extensive grazing and annual mechanical mowing have modified plant composition, significantly increasing plant species richness, evenness and heterogeneity. The increase in evenness and beta-diversity from grazing was significantly higher than from mowing. Only grazing was able to reduce the height and cover of the dominant tussock perennial grass species (Brachypodium phoenicoides), while increasing bare soil cover and thus the contribution of annual species. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) obtained through aerial photographic analyses confirmed the correlation between NDVI, aboveground biomass and plant species richness for the grazed site alone, allowing the results obtained from quadrats to be generalized to the scale of the grazed site. On the Rhône’s artificial dykes, extensive grazing appears to be a better management tool than mowing to enhance plant biodiversity and meet safety objectives.

scholarly journals Predicting the potential threat of Casuarina equisetifolia to three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe J. Hardman ◽  
Sophie Williams ◽  
Bryan Naqqi Manco ◽  
Martin A. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Casuarina Equisetifolia ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Turks And Caicos Islands ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

AbstractInvasive species are one of the main threats to the loss of global biodiversity. Controlling such species requires a high input of effort and resources and therefore it is important to focus control on areas that will maximize gains for conservation. We present a spatial modelling approach that will help target control efforts. We used presence-only data to develop habitat suitability models for the invasive tree Casuarina equisetifolia and three endemic plant species on the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Substantial overlap was found between suitable areas for the endemics and C. equisetifolia. Evidence for the potential harm that C. equisetifolia could cause to native vegetation was assessed using paired areas with and without invasion. Areas with C. equisetifolia present had lower native plant species richness than areas where it was absent, which suggests a negative effect of invasion on the growth of native plants. No endemic plants were found in areas where C. equisetifolia was present. Based on the data collected we recommend that the three endemic species be categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. By highlighting areas where the endemic plants are found and demonstrating a potential threat to these habitats, we provide a plan for the designation of six Important Plant Areas to promote conservation of these endemic species.

scholarly journals Conserving Endemic Plant Species in Oceanic Island’s Protected Areas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Mouga
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Rapid Speciation ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Limited Dispersal ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Oceanic islands are known for their high levels of plant diversity, due to disjunct geographical distribution that leads to speciation. The main factors contributing to genetic speciation includes the creation of a barrier within a previously widely distributed taxon and the limited dispersal of seeds, which favours genetic differentiation and, thus, fosters rapid speciation. Plant survival and population fitness vary according to environmental factors and to human interference. This chapter depicts the importance of oceanic islands as biodiversity hotspots, discusses the threats to which endemic plants on islands are exposed, namely climate change, invasive alien species, urbanisation, touristic activities, fire, changes in agriculture practices and collecting pressure. The best practices worldwide to protect endemic plant species in protected areas are also addressed, namely the implementation of prevention and mitigation actions, the programs executed to protect endemic species, and management plans to avoid future threats.

scholarly journals Peri-urban conservation in the Mondah forest of Libreville, Gabon: Red List assessments of endemic plant species, and avoiding protected area downsizing

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Walters ◽  
E. Ngagnia Ndjabounda ◽  
D. Ikabanga ◽  
J. P. Biteau ◽  
O. Hymas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Red List ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

AbstractUrban development is an increasing threat to the integrity of formerly remote protected areas, in some cases resulting in their downgrading, downsizing or degazetting. One-quarter of previously remote protected areas are now within 17 km of a city and thus face the threat of urbanization. Here we describe a case of avoided downgrading, downsizing and degazetting of a protected area in the Mondah forest of Gabon, north of Libreville. Since its creation in 1934 the Forêt Classée de la Mondah has been downsized regularly, losing 40% of its area over 80 years. During this time the forest surrounding the Forêt Classée was subject to usage for urban and peri-urban needs, including agriculture, sand extraction, collection of medicinal plants, ceremonies, and housing construction. In 2010 the area was threatened with further downsizing. The presence of narrowly endemic plant species in the area was suspected, and mapping and evaluation of these species was proposed in an effort to maintain the protected area boundaries. Botanical field work, including ex situ conservation measures and participant observation in nearby forest communities, was conducted; 24 endemic species, all threatened by urbanization, were evaluated using the criteria for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The borders of the protected area were maintained because of its role in maintaining irreplaceable habitat for threatened species. The area was renamed Raponda Walker Arboretum in 2012.

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