Monitoring an endangered and rare plant: population growth and viability of Lotus kunkelii (Esteve) Bramwell and Davis (Gran Canaria – Canary Islands)

Abstract

Species monitoring is a valuable tool that can be used to answer a wide range of questions directly related to species conservation, management, and population improvement. We monitored the only remaining population of Lotus kunkelii on a monthly basis over 3 years to reveal important characteristics of the population that could help protect it. In this study, the main hypothesis to be tested is whether the population of L. kunkelii is stable or not. The study site is located in Gran Canaria. Monthly censuses of the population recording size (height and diameter), mortality, regeneration, and presence of reproductive structures in each individual were carried out, and this monthly information of variables was correlated with climatic variables. The population is growing (from 105 to more than 200 individuals during the studied time) at a slow pace and is restricted by the environmental conditions of its surroundings (the proximity of the population to the sea that cushions the weather conditions), but we also determined high vulnerability of the species with respect to flooding and heavy rain. However, the population can be considered endangered due to its low number of individuals, and also because it is restricted to a very small area of land. We suggest that to conserve the population new individuals should be protected from grazing where the natural population is found. Finally, the climatic changes predicted by the IPCC in this area should also be considered in future conservation plans.