Rocky outcrops conserve genetic diversity and promote regeneration of a threatened relict tree in a critically endangered ecosystem

Carvallo, Gastón O.; Vergara-Meriño, Beatriz; Diaz, A Mendoza; Villagra, Cristian A.; Guerrero, Pablo

doi:10.1007/s10531-019-01797-6

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 90 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…mutabilis that inhabit coastal terraces showed marked differences in their pollinator assemblage and a mixed mating system, supporting both allogamous and autogamous strategies. Coastal terraces are sites with harsh pollination conditions since the open spaces are subject to wind gusts, pollinator predators may be present, and there may be more frequent anthropogenic disturbances (Carvallo et al, 2019). Under this scenario, it is likely that E. curvispina var.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bees may drive the reproduction of four sympatric cacti in a vanishing coastal mediterranean-type ecosystem

Guerrero

Antinao

Vergara-Meriño

et al. 2019

PeerJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Sympatric congeneric plants might share pollinators, or each species might avoid competition by evolving specialized traits that generate partitions in pollinator assemblages. In both cases, pollen limitation (a decrease in the quality and quantity of compatible reproductive pollen) can occur, driving the plant mating system to autogamy as a mechanism of reproductive assurance. We assessed the relationships between pollinator assemblages and mating systems in a group of sympatric congeneric plants. We attempted to answer the following questions: (i) How similar are pollinator assemblages among sympatric cactus species? (ii) Which mating systems do sympatric cactus species use? Methods We studied sympatric Eriosyce taxa that inhabit a threatened coastal strip in a mediterranean-type ecosystem in central Chile. We performed field observations on four taxa and characterized pollinators during the years 2016 and 2017. We estimated differences in the pollinator assemblages using the Bray–Curtis index. To elucidate the mating systems, we conducted hand-pollination experiments using three treatments: manual cross-pollination, automatic self-pollination, and control (unmanipulated individuals). We tested differences in seed production for statistical significance using Kruskal–Wallis analysis. Results Eriosyce subgibbosa showed a distinctive pollinator assemblage among the sympatric species that we studied (similarity ranged from 0% to 8%); it was visited by small bees and was the only species that was visited by the giant hummingbird Patagona gigas. Pollinator assemblages were similar between E. chilensis (year 2016 = 4 species; 2017 = 8) and E. chilensis var. albidiflora (2016 = 7; 2017 = 4); however, those of E. curvispina var. mutabilis (2016 = 7; 2017 = 6) were less similar to those of the aforementioned species. E. curvispina var. mutabilis showed the highest interannual variation in its pollinator assemblage (18% similarity). Reproduction in E. subgibbosa largely depends on pollinators, although it showed some degree of autogamy. Autonomous pollination was unfeasible in E. chilensis, which depended on flower visitors for its reproductive success. Both E. chilensis var. albidiflora and E. curvispina var. mutabilis showed some degree of autogamy. Discussion We observed differences in pollinator assemblages between E. subgibbosa and the remaining Eriosyce taxa, which depend on hymenopterans for pollen transfer. Pollinator assemblages showed considerable interannual variation, especially those of E. subgibbosa (ornithophilous syndrome) and E. curvispina var. mutabilis (melitophilous syndrome). Autogamous reproduction in these taxa may act as a reproductive assurance mechanism when pollinator availability is unpredictable. Our study contributes to improving our understanding of the reproductive systems of ecological interactions between threatened species in a Chilean mediterranean-type ecosystem.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bees may drive the reproduction of four sympatric cacti in a vanishing coastal mediterranean-type ecosystem

Guerrero

Antinao

Vergara-Meriño

et al. 2019

PeerJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The shade of the trees and shrubs that vary in cover also provide microhabitats as well as protecting the grasses from being grazed excessively by animals. Rocky ridges are regarded as important areas that act as plant refuges (Carvallo et al 2019;Buschke et al 2020). In contrast the Combretum molle-Englerophytum magalismontanum-Boophone disticha woodland (5.3) had a much lower diversity.…”

Section: Species Richness and Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A vegetation classification and description of Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Brown¹,

Magagula²,

Barrett³

2022

VCS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aims: This study identified, classified and mapped the different plant communities found on the Telperion Nature Reserve. Study area: Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumulanga, South Africa. Methods: Using a 1:10,000 aerial photograph, Telperion was delineated into homogenous physiognomic-physiographic units. 294 sample plots (100 m2) were placed in a randomly stratified manner within identified homogenous units. Plant species present in sample plots were recorded and allocated a modified Braun-Blanquet cover abundance scale value. Sample plot data were captured into TURBOVEG and exported for editing, classification and processing in JUICE. A modified TWINSPAN classification was applied to derive a first approximation of the plant communities in a synoptic table that was refined using Braun-Blanquet procedures. Species were manually arranged into groups. Diagnostic, constant and dominant species were statistically determined from the synoptic table. Threshold values for fidelity, frequency and canopy cover were set and a final phytosociological table was produced for describing the plant species composition for the different plant communities. Results: 22 plant communities were identified for Telperion. Five were major communities, 14 were sub-communities and 13 were variants. The five major plant communities were Cyathea dregei–Ilex mitis ravine woodland, Paspalum urvillei–Phragmites australis valley bottom wetland, Diospyros lycioides–Combretum erythrophyllum riparian woodland, Eragrostis curvula–Seriphium plumosum midslope plateau grassland, and Combretum molle–Englerophytum magalismontanum rocky ridge woodland. The plant communities were also described and mapped. Conclusions: The classification, description and mapping of Telperion’s vegetation provides a basis for management decision making about wildlife stocking rates, fire planning, and vegetation management. Findings indicate that Bankenveld vegetation is heterogeneous with a variety of habitats including woodland and grassland components. Telperion has a variety of plant communities and a high plant species diversity, making it a reservoir for plant species and an important conservation area. Taxonomic reference: SA-Plant Checklist-2019–2020, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 2020, Botanical Database of Southern Africa (BODATSA) (http://posa.sanbi.org/) [accessed January 2022]. Abbreviations: BB = Braun-Blanquet; m a.s.l. = metres above sea level; TWINSPAN = Two-way indicator species analysis.

show abstract

“…Many of them are focused on how habitat fragmentation affects genetic diversity, as in the case of Stachys maritima Gouan (Massó et al, 2016; in Mediterranean Basin), or Pouteria splendens Macl. (Carvallo et al, 2019;in Central Chile).…”

Section: Reproductive Biology and Conservation Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant conservation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Rocky outcrops conserve genetic diversity and promote regeneration of a threatened relict tree in a critically endangered ecosystem

Cited by 12 publications

References 90 publications

Bees may drive the reproduction of four sympatric cacti in a vanishing coastal mediterranean-type ecosystem

Bees may drive the reproduction of four sympatric cacti in a vanishing coastal mediterranean-type ecosystem

A vegetation classification and description of Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Plant conservation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Rocky outcrops conserve genetic diversity and promote regeneration of a threatened relict tree in a critically endangered ecosystem

Cited by 12 publications

References 90 publications

Bees may drive the reproduction of four sympatric cacti in a vanishing coastal mediterranean-type ecosystem

Bees may drive the reproduction of four sympatric cacti in a vanishing coastal mediterranean-type ecosystem

﻿A vegetation classification and description of Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Plant conservation in Mediterranean-type ecosystems

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

A vegetation classification and description of Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa