Ecological remarks onAstragalus maritimusandA. verrucosus, two threatened exclusive endemic species of Sardinia

Abstract

Abstract.-Astragalus maritimus Moris and A. verrucosus Moris are two endemic threatened species exclusive of South West Sardinia. In this study the populations of both species were characterized and their seed germination investigated. The in situ results allowed reviewing their conservation status in compliance with the IUCN criteria, confirming the CR category by new subcriteria for both species. The germination study allowed identifying as well their dormancy breaking requirements.

A checklist of the exclusive vascular flora of Sardinia with priority rankings for conservation

“…The ten most threatened species are reported in Table 2, with scores ranging from 33 for Astragalus maritimus and A. verrucosus to a maxi mum of 41 for Ribes sardoum, which is therefore the most threatened Sardinian endemic according to our results. All these species are catalogued in the official IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2010) with the exception of Anchusa litto rea, Dianthus morisianus, Astragalus maritimus and A. verrucosus, for which IUCN categories have been proposed by different authors (see Fenu & Bacchetta, 2008;Bacchetta & al., 2011c). All these species are conside red, or have been proposed for consideration, under the Critically Endangered (CR) category.…”

“…In particular, their populations have been characterized, and long-term conservation measures were carried out by seed collections that are maintained at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR). Furthermore, ecological (Bacchetta & al., 2011c;, ecophysiology of seed germination (Cogoni & al., 2012;Mattana & al., 2009Mattana & al., , 2010aMattana & al., , b, 2012, as well as population genetic studies (Garrido & al., 2012;Bacchetta & al., data unpublished) have been undertaken with these taxa.…”

“…Astragalus maritimus Moris Fabaceae CR P 33 (Bacchetta & al., 2011c) 10 Astragalus verrucosus Moris Fabaceae CR B1ab(i,ii,iii) P 33 (Bacchetta & al., 2011c) The exclusive flora of Sardinia project funded in 2007 and renewed in 2009 by the "Regione Autonoma della Sardegna". In particular, their populations have been characterized, and long-term conservation measures were carried out by seed collections that are maintained at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR).…”

Regional responsibility for plant conservation: The 2010 GSPC Target 8 in Sardinia

“…Several seed dormancy and germination ecology studies have been carried out for these species (e.g. Mattana et al 2009;Bacchetta et al 2011;). This information, together with the availability of stored seedlots, genetically representative and of adequate size, will make it possible to activate effective recovery measures for these threatened species, in compliance with the second part of the 2010 GSPC Target 8 ''.…”

Threatened Sardinian vascular flora: A synthesis of 10 years of monitoring activities

“…Several studies focused on specific biological traits (e.g. Bacchetta et al 2011;Cogoni et al 2012;Cogoni et al 2013a), threats (e.g. Fenu et al 2013 or concrete conservation status .…”