Plant conservation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

Abstract

The present paper is an overview of state of the art in plant conservation in Mediterranean-type Ecosystems (MTEs), highlighting current studies and neglected topics. A review of the literature dealing with this issue and a general analysis of the results was performed, delving into relevant plant conservation biology topics. The main topics considered were: 1) reproductive biology and genetic conservation, 2) threat factors and effects of global change, and 3) evaluation of conservation status and protected areas selection. This study illustrates differences in the number of documents published in northern countries of the Mediterranean Basin concerning southern and eastern countries and compared with other MTEs. It also highlights the paramount importance of public organizations as funding entities.
 Additionally, it points to a decrease in traditional subject categories related to plant conservation and increased multidisciplinary conservation research and novel methodologies (e.g., phylogenomics, SDM). To overcome existing biases among the different MTE regions, integrating actions at a transnational level would be necessary, with standard conservation policies and strategies. Moreover, research should be supported with more important participation and funding from private entities, with a clear focus on specific conservation proposals. In contrast, certain weaknesses were detected, some related to the limited information available about threatened plant species and the scarce use of the available data from genetic conservation research in management plans. Consequently, the authors consider that future conservation efforts should be addressed to improve the knowledge of threatened MTEs’ flora and implement a manual of good practices, which would make use of the available research information to put forward more direct proposals for management and conservation.

Conservation and Phylogeography of Plants: From the Mediterranean to the Rest of the World

“…Given the large number of works related to conservation in general [23] and taking into account that some authors consider it necessary to include a phylogeographic approach for their conservation studies (e.g., [22]), a systematic literature review of how phylogeography has been applied to plant preservation, focusing especially on Mediterranean-type ecosystems (MTEs), has been performed. To preserve the evolutionary potential of the endemic, rare or threatened plant species, we should prioritize the conservation of emblematic populations.…”

“…These share an unusual climatic regime of mild wet winters and warm dry summers [32,33] that can exhibit differing patterns of intraannual and interannual variability in precipitation among regions [34]. The MTEs also share biodiversity features, e.g., richness and biodiversity levels similar to some tropical regions, being higher than expected due to their latitude and low primary productivity [35,36], which include interesting patterns and processes in plant diversity [23,37].…”

Elementome of Endemic Dolomitic Flora: Pterocephalus spathulatus (Lag.) Coult

“…Dolomitic rocks present in the Betic Ranges deserve special attention due to their high phytodiversity [40]. They are rich in small sclerophyllous scrubs, frequently threatened [41], unique in the Mediterranean Basin [42] and catalogued as a priority for conservation by the European Union through the Habitats Directive [43]. Indicator or diagnostic plants species, often with a very narrow geographical distribution (regional and local endemism), are present in these communities.…”

Floristic Composition: Dynamic Biodiversity Indicator of Tree Canopy Effect on Dryland and Improved Mediterranean Pastures

“…The Montado ecosystem also assumes a fundamental role as a reservoir of biodiversity [2,8], especially important in the face of the challenges resulting from climate changes and fluctuations [12,13]. Species richness declines with increasing site productivity, at least in anthropogenic grasslands [7,14], and thus monitoring the balance between these two dimensions, productivity (agricultural goal) and biodiversity (conservation/ecological goal) [7], represents a holistic approach and can be a tool to support farm manager's decision-making process from an economic and environmental perspective.…”