Creating new populations of Apium bermejoi (Apiaceae), a critically endangered endemic plant on Menorca (Balearic Islands)

Authors

  • Juan Rita Dep. de Biología, Universitat de les Illes Balears
  • Joana Cursach Dep. de Biología, Universitat de les Illes Balears

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/ajbm.2303

Keywords:

conservation biology, reintroduction, threatened species, population dynamics, seedling survival, Mediterranean flora

Abstract


Apium bermejoi is a stoloniferous plant endemic to the island of Menorca (Balearic Islands). It is found only at one locality, and it is listed as Critically Endangered (according to the IUCN criteria). We describe the main results of population restoration actions undertaken under the Recovery Plan for this species, including the following: 1) introduction at two new localities (2008), 2) reinforcement of the original wild and the introduced populations, and 3) a programme for monitoring population dynamics (including both wild and introduced populations) spanning four years (2006-2010). The plant material for the introduction and reinforcement projects was generated from seeds gathered in the wild. We carried out a monthly census of all of the individuals/patches and emerged seedlings, from which we assessed their survival at 3-4months. The survival rates of the planted individuals in the two new localities after three months were found to be 59.0% and 56.3%, and more than 80% of the surviving plants produced fruits. A seasonal pattern was observed based on the minimum cover values recorded in the censuses taken at the end of summer, with an increase detected during autumn, and maximal cover values recorded during May/June. The A. bermejoi populations showed large inter-annual fluctuations in both the number of patches and area of occupancy. The number of seedlings varied across the study years, and their survival was linked to specific meteorological events, such as severe storms and dry and hot spells during autumn. The initial phase of introduction for this species has been overall successful, but a final evaluation can only be made on a longterm basis.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aboucaya, A., Guyot, I., Piazza, C. & Virevaire, M. 1999. Plans dé gestion conservatoire mis en place en Corse pour cinq especes végétales endémiques et prioritaires de la Directive "Habitats". Bulletin de la Société Botanique du Centre-Ouest, numéro espécial 19: 251-269.

Caswell, H. 2001. Matrix populations models. Construction, analysis and interpretation. Ed. Sinauer Associates. Sunderland, MA.

Colas, B. & al. 2008. Restoration demography: a 10-year demographic comparison between introduced and natural populations of endemic Centaurea corymbosa (Asteraceae). Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 1468-1476. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01536.x

Cursach, J. & Rita, J. 2012a. Reproductive biology and reproductive output assessment in natural and introduced subpopulations of Apium bermejoi, a 'Critically Endangered' endemic plant from Menorca (western Mediterranean). Nordic Journal of Botany 30: 754-768. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-1051.2012.01437.x

Cursach, J. & Rita, J. 2012b. Reproductive biology of Ranunculus weyleri (Ranunculaceae), a narrowly endemic plant from the Balearic Islands with disjunct populations. Flora, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2012. 07.004

Cursach, J., Rita, J., Mateu, A. & Castro, J.M. 2009. Conservation study of an endemic plant of the Balearic islands endangered to become extinct: Apium bermejoi L. Llorens (Apiaceae). In: Bacchetta, G. (ed.), Biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean Area: species, communities and landscape level. Book of Abstracts: 275. Ed. Centro Conservazione Biodiversità. Cagliari.

Easterling, M.R., Ellner, S.P. & Dixon, P.M. 2000. Size-specific sensitivity: applying a new structured population model. Ecology 81: 694-708. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2000)081[0694:SSSAAN]2.0.CO;2

Escudero, A. & Iriondo, J.M. 2003. Restauración de poblaciones de plantas amenazadas. In: Rey, J.M., Espigares, T. & Nicolau, J.M (eds.), Restauración de ecosistemas mediterráneos: 113-139. Colección Aula Abierta, n.o 20, Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Alcalá. Madrid.

Fahselt, D. 2007. Is transplanting an effective means of preserving vegetation? Canadian Journal of Botany 85: 1007-1017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/B07-087

Falk, D.A., Millar, C.I. & Olwell, M. 1996. Guidelines for developing a rare plant reintroduction plan. In: Falk, D.A., Millar, C.I. & Olwell, M. (eds.), Restoring diversity: Strategies for reintroduction of endangered plants: 454-490. Island Press, Washington.

Fiedler, P.L. & Laven, R.D. 1996. Selecting reintroduction sites. In: Falk. D.A., Millar, C.I. & Olwell, M. (eds.), Restoring diversity: Strategies for reintroduction of endangered plants: 157-169. Island Press, Washington.

Fraga, P. 2000. Intentos de reintroducción de Lysimachia minoricensis J.J. Rodr. en Menorca. Conservación Vegetal 5: 12.

Fraga, P., Mascaró, C., Carreras, D., García, O., Pellicer, X., Pons, M., Seoane, M. & Truyol, M. 2004. Catàleg de la flora vascular de Menorca. Ed. Institut Menorquí d'Estudis, Maó.

García, M.B. 2002. Interés de los estudios demográficos en la conservación. Catalogación de especies amenazades. In: Bañares, A. (ed.), Biología de conservación de plantas amenazadas: 15-25. Ed. Organismo Autónomo de Paques Nacionales, Madrid.

Godefroid, S. & Vanderborght, T. 2011. Plant reintroductions: the need for a global database. Biodiversity and Conservation, doi: 10.1007/s10531-011-0120-2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0120-2

Godefroid, S., Piazza, C., Rossi, G., Buord, S., Stevens, A.D., Aguraiuja, R., Cowell, C., Weekley, C.W., Vogg, G., Iriondo, J.M., Jonson, I., Dixon, B., Gordon, D., Magnanon, S., Valentin, B., Bjureke, K., Koopman, R., Vicens, M., Virevaire, M. & Vanderborght, T. 2011. How successful are plant species reintroductions? Biological Conservation 144: 672-682. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.10.003

Guerrant, E.O. & Kaye, T.N. 2007. Reintroduction of rare and endangered plants: common factors, questions and approaches. Australian Journal of Botany 55: 362-370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/BT06033

Guerrant, E.O. & Pavlik, B.M. 1998. Reintroduction of rare plant: genetics, demography and the role of ex situ conservation methods. In: Fiedler, P.L. & Kareiva, P.M. (eds.), Conservation biology for the coming decade: 80-108. Chapman & Hall, New York.

Heywood, V.H. & Iriondo, J.M. 2003. Plant conservation: old problems, new perspectives. Biological Conservation 113: 321-335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(03)00121-6

Hodder, K.H. & Bullock, J.M. 1997. Translocations of native species in the UK: implications for biodiversity. Journal of Applied Ecology 34: 547-565. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2404906

Homar, V., Ramis, C., Romero, R. & Alonso, C. 2010. Recent trends in temperature and precipitation over the Balearic Islands (Spain). Climatic Change 98: 199-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10584-009-9664-5

Ibá-ez, O., Calero, C., Mayol, M. & Rossello, J.A. 1999. Isoenzime uniformity in a wild extinct insular plant, Lysimachia minoricensis J.J. Rodr. (Primulaceae). Molecular Ecology 8: 813-817. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294X.1999.00633.x

IUCN. 1998. IUCN Guidelines for Re-introductions. Prepared by the IUCN/SSC Reintroduction Specialist Group, IUCN, Gland and Cambridge.

Knees, S.G. 2003. Apium L. In: Castroviejo, S. (coord.), Flora iberica 10: 269-275. Ed. Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid.

Llorens, L. 1982. Un nuevo endemismo de la isla de Menorca: Apium bermejoi. Folia Botanica Miscelanea 3: 27-33.

Martinell, M.C., López-Pujol, J., Blanché, C., Molero, J. & Sáez, Ll. 2011. Conservation assessment to Aquilegia paui (Ranunculaceae): a case study of an extremely narrow endemic. Oryx 45(2): 187-190. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605310001754

Maunder, M. 1992. Plant reintroduction: an overview. Biodiversity and Conservation 1: 51-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00700250

Mayol, J., Moragues, E, Ramos, I. & Tena, D. 2011. Flora rara versus amenazada. El caso de Euphorbia margalidiana. In: Rita, J. & al. (eds.), Programa y libro de resúmenes del V Congreso de Biología de la Conservación de Plantas: 49. Ed. Universitat de les Illes Balears-SEBICOP, Palma.

Menges, E.S. 2008, Restoration demography and genetics of plants: when is a translocation successful? Australian Journal of Botany 56: 187-196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/BT07173

Milton, S.J., Bond, W.J., Du Plessis, M.A., Gibbs, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Linder, H.P., Raitt, L., Wood, J. & Donaldson, J.S. 1999. A protocol for plant conservation by translocation in threatened lowland fynbos. Conservation Biology 13: 735-743. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1999.98306.x

Montmollin, B., Strahm, W. & UICN/CSE. 2007. La lista "Top 50" de especies vegetales amenazadas de las islas del Mediterráneo. Unión Mundial para la Naturaleza (UICN). Gland.

Moragues, E. & Mayol, J. 2011. Managing threatened Plants in Islands; Task & Priorities. In: II Jornades de Botànica a Menorca. Illes i Plantes: conservació i coneixement de la flora a les illes de la Mediterrània: 8-9. Ed. CIME-IME-UIB, Maó.

Moreno, J.C. (coord) 2008. Lista Roja 2008 de la flora vascular . Dirección General de Medio Natural y Política Forestal (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, y Medio Rural y Marino, y Sociedad española de Biología de la Conservación de las Plantas), Madrid.

Morris, W.F. & Doak, D.F. 2002. Quantitative conservation biology. Theroy and practice of population viability analysis. Ed. Sinauer Associates. Sunderland, Mass.

Mus, M., Rita, J., Moragues, E., Cardona, X. & Conesa, M.A. 2003. Pla de gestió i conservació de l'espècie Apium bermejoi (Projecte LIFE2000 NAT/E/7355). Laboratorio de Botánica del Dpto. de Biología de la Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma. (Ined.).

Pavlik, B.M. 1996. Defining and measuring success. In: Falk, D.A., Millar, C.I. & Olwell, M. (eds.), Restoring diversity: Strategies for reintroduction of endangered plants: 127-155. Island Press, Washington, DC.

Quinn, G.P. & Keough, M. 2002. Experimental design and data analysis for biologists. Cambridge, New York. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511806384

Ramula, S., Rees, M. & Buckley, Y.M. 2009. Integral projection models perform better for small demographic data sets than matrix population models: a case study of two perennial herbs. Journal of Applied Ecology 46: 1048-1053. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01706.x

Rita, J. & Cardona, X. 2004a. Pla d'introducció d'Apium bermejoi. Estudi elaborat pel projecte "Conservació d'àrees amb flora amenazada a l'illa de Menorca" (Projecte LIFE2000NAT/E/7355). Laboratorio de Botánica del Dpto. de Biología de la Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma. (Ined.).

Rita, J. & Cardona, X. 2004b. Informe final del conveni entre el Consell Insular de Menorca i la UIB per al desenvolupament del projecte "Conservació d'àrees amb flora amenazada a l'illa de Menorca" (Projecte LIFE2000 NAT/E/7355). Laboratorio de Botánica del Dpto. de Biología de la Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma. (Ined.).

Rita, J., Cardona, J., Moragues, E. & Rosselló, J.A. 2005. Plan de conservación de Apium bermejoi Ll. Llorens (Apiaceae). Principales criterios y actuaciones. Programa y libro de resúmenes del II Congreso de Biología de la Conservación de Plantas: 99. Ed. Jardín Botánico Atlántico-SEBICOP, Gijón.

Ronse, A.C., Popper, Z.A., Preston, J.C. & Watson, M.F. 2010. Taxonomic revision of European Apium L. s.l.: Helosciadium W.D.J. Koch restored. Plant Systematics and Evolution 287: 1-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00606-010-0284-3

Rosselló, J.A. 2004. Estudi de la variabilitat genètica d'Apium bermejoi. Estudi elaborat pel projecte "Conservació d'àrees amb flora amenazada a l'illa de Menorca" (Projecte LIFE2000NAT/E/7355). Laboratorio de Botánica del Dpto. de Biología de la Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma. (Ined.). PMCid:PMC395967

Sainz-Ollero, H. & Hernández-Bermejo, J.E. 1979. Experimental reintroductions of endangered plant species in their natural habitats in Spain. Biological Conservation 16: 195-206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(79)90021-1

Schemske, D.W., Husband, B.C., Ruckelshaus, M.H., Goodwillie, C., Parker, I.M. & Bishop, J.G. 1994. Evaluating approaches to the conservation of rare and endangered plants. Ecology 75: 584-606. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1941718

Seddon, P.J. 1999. Persistence without intervention: assessing success in wildlife reintroductions. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 14: 503. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(99)01720-6

Sutter, R.D. 1996. Monitoring. In: Falk, D.A., Millar, C.I. & Olwell, M. (eds.), Restoring diversity: Strategies for reintroduction of endangered plants: 235-264. Island Press, Washington, DC.

Valdés, B. 2011. Plant species protection in Spain, with especial reference to the Spanish Mediterranean Islands. Naturalista Sicil. S. IV, XXXV (1): 79-86.

Volis, S. & Blecher, M. 2010. Quasi in situ: a bridge between ex situ and in situ conservation of plants. Biodiversity and Conservation 19: 2441-2454. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-010-9849-2

Downloads

Published

2013-06-30

How to Cite

Rita, J., & Cursach, J. (2013). Creating new populations of Apium bermejoi (Apiaceae), a critically endangered endemic plant on Menorca (Balearic Islands). Anales Del Jardín Botánico De Madrid, 70(1), 27–38. https://doi.org/10.3989/ajbm.2303

Issue

Section

Articles