Habitat requirements and population structure of the rare endangered Limonium girardianum in Mediterranean salt marshes

Baumberger, Teddy; Affre, Laurence; Croze, Thomas; Mesléard, François

doi:10.1016/j.flora.2011.11.008

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…is endemic to the Mediterranean coastal salt marshes of southern France and eastern Spain, with highly fragmented distribution areas. This species is also threatened by habitat transformation and it is protected in France (Baumberger et al, 2012 ). L. virgatum (Willd.)…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling Salt Tolerance Mechanisms in Halophytes: A Comparative Study on Four Mediterranean Limonium Species with Different Geographic Distribution Patterns

et al. 2017

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We have performed an extensive study on the responses to salt stress in four related Limonium halophytes with different geographic distribution patterns, during seed germination and early vegetative growth. The aims of the work were twofold: to establish the basis for the different chorology of these species, and to identify relevant mechanisms of salt tolerance dependent on the control of ion transport and osmolyte accumulation. Seeds were germinated in vitro, in the presence of increasing NaCl concentrations, and subjected to “recovery of germination” tests; germination percentages and velocity were determined to establish the relative tolerance and competitiveness of the four Limonium taxa. Salt treatments were also applied to young plants, by 1-month irrigation with NaCl up to 800 mM; then, growth parameters, levels of monovalent and divalent ions (in roots and leaves), and leaf contents of photosynthetic pigments and common osmolytes were determined in control and stressed plants of the four species. Seed germination is the most salt-sensitive developmental phase in Limonium. The different germination behavior of the investigated species appears to be responsible for their geographical range size: L. narbonense and L. virgatum, widespread throughout the Mediterranean, are the most tolerant and the most competitive at higher soil salinities; the endemic L. santapolense and L. girardianum are the most sensitive and more competitive only at lower salinities. During early vegetative growth, all taxa showed a strong tolerance to salt stress, although slightly higher in L. virgatum and L. santapolense. Salt tolerance is based on the efficient transport of Na+ and Cl− to the leaves and on the accumulation of fructose and proline for osmotic adjustment. Despite some species-specific quantitative differences, the accumulation patterns of the different ions were similar in all species, not explaining differences in tolerance, except for the apparent activation of K+ transport to the leaves at high external salinity, observed only in the most tolerant L. narbonense and L. virgatum. This specific response may be therefore relevant for salt tolerance in Limonium. The ecological implications of these results, which can contribute to a more efficient management of salt marshes conservation/regeneration programs, are also discussed.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling Salt Tolerance Mechanisms in Halophytes: A Comparative Study on Four Mediterranean Limonium Species with Different Geographic Distribution Patterns

et al. 2017

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“…Reintroduction of native species is an important issue in conservation and has been increasingly acknowledged in international treaties and legislation, particularly endemic species (Maunder, 1992;Godefroid et al, 2011;Maschinski and Albrecht, 2017). Conservation of coastal endemics from rocky cliffs, sand dunes and salt marshes is challenging due to the high degree of habitat specialization of these species and their vulnerability to disturbance by several natural factors, invasive species and human activities (Baumberger et al, 2012;Martins et al, 2013;Caperta et al, 2014;Lechuga-Lago et al, 2017;Olsson et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation of a Critically Endangered Endemic Halophyte of West Portugal: A Microcosm Assay to Assess the Potential of Soil Technology for Species Reintroduction

et al. 2021

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The soil system has been frequently overlooked during plant reintroduction planning and practice since working with soils and plant roots can be difficult, particularly in saline environments. Coastal saline environments are major contributors to regional and global biodiversity and an important source of endemic species. However, various species are in decline or considered threatened, particularly halophytes (salt tolerant) due to negative anthropic impacts. The Lusitanian endemic halophyte Limonium daveaui formerly had a large distribution range along the west coast of Portugal but currently it shows a restricted distribution in the Tagus estuary. Field surveys revealed that this critically endangered species forms few local populations with small size invaded by exotic species. In this study, we investigated the potential utilization of Technosols, an innovative sustainable, ecological engineering method combined with brackish water irrigation for potential L. daveaui reintroduction in native habitats. Seed germination percentages were evaluated in different environmental conditions. Through a microcosm assay, a Technosol was constructed using a saline Fluvisol with a mixture of low value inorganic and organic wastes, which were chemically characterized. Plants were cultivated in the Fluvisol and Technosol and irrigated with brackish water collected in the nearby area. To assess plant growth, morphometric parameters and the plants’ physiological status were assessed and the fresh and dry biomass determined. Results showed that seed germination was higher on moist filter paper with distilled water than in Fluvisol or Technosol. Plants grown in Technosol had a greater development, with higher values of photosynthetic indexes and biomass production than in Fluvisol. Our findings provide a basis for future in situ conservation studies and support the idea that eco-friendly soil technology approaches are beneficial to conserve rare halophyte species.

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“…In the Venice lagoon, A. macrostachyum usually develops at higher topographic levels than S. fructicosa (Silvestri et al, 2003). In the French Mediterranean area, A. macrostachyum is found on coarse sediment habitats characterized by higher salinity (Baumberger et al, 2012). A.…”

Section: Studied Species: Ecological and Edaphic Conditions Of Develo...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Sensor Approach to Monitor the Ongoing Restoration of Edaphic Conditions for Salt Marsh Species Facing Sea Level Rise: An Adaptive Management Case Study in Camargue, France

Davranche

Arzel

pouzet³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Habitat requirements and population structure of the rare endangered Limonium girardianum in Mediterranean salt marshes

Cited by 11 publications

References 56 publications

Unraveling Salt Tolerance Mechanisms in Halophytes: A Comparative Study on Four Mediterranean Limonium Species with Different Geographic Distribution Patterns

Unraveling Salt Tolerance Mechanisms in Halophytes: A Comparative Study on Four Mediterranean Limonium Species with Different Geographic Distribution Patterns

Conservation of a Critically Endangered Endemic Halophyte of West Portugal: A Microcosm Assay to Assess the Potential of Soil Technology for Species Reintroduction

A Multi-Sensor Approach to Monitor the Ongoing Restoration of Edaphic Conditions for Salt Marsh Species Facing Sea Level Rise: An Adaptive Management Case Study in Camargue, France

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