Invasive slugs as under-appreciated obstacles to rare plant restoration: evidence from the Hawaiian Islands

Introduced slugs have invaded many parts of the world where they were recognized as important pests of gardens and agriculture, but we know little about the effects of introduced slugs on rare plants in natural areas. The Hawaiian Islands have no native slugs, but over a dozen introduced slug species are now established. We reviewed Rare Plant Recovery Plans produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Hawaii and found that introduced slugs were specifically mentioned as threats or potential threats to 59 rare plant species (22% of all endangered and threatened plants), based mainly on anecdotal observations by field biologists. We then initiated an experimental field study to assess the impact of slug herbivory on the growth and survival of two endangered plant species (Cyanea superba, and Schidea obovata), one non-endangered native species (Nestegis sandwicensis) and two co-occurring invasive plant species (Psidium cattleianum and Clidemia hirta). In mesic forest on the Island of Oahu, we tracked the fate of outplanted seedlings in replicated 1 m² plots, with and without slug control. Slugs decreased seedling survival of the endangered species by 51%, on average. Slugs did not significantly affect survival of the non-endangered or invasive plant species. Introduced slugs seem to be under-appreciated as a direct cause of plant endangerment. Invasive slugs may also facilitate the success of some invasive plant species by reducing competition with more palatable, native plant competitors. Slug control measures are relatively inexpensive and could facilitate rare plant establishment and population recovery.     

江苏省珍稀濒危保护植物资源及其园林应用前景

珍稀濒危保护植物是人类重要的植物资源之一,江苏地处暖温带和亚热带的过渡地带,自然条件优越,植物种类多样,蕴含着丰富的珍稀濒危保护植物。文章调查整理出78种江苏省珍稀濒危保护植物,隶属40科65属,其中本省自然分布的有21种,从其他省份引种栽培的有57种。为了能促进江苏省珍稀濒危保护植物在园林绿化中的应用,分别从江苏省珍稀濒危保护植物的概况、观赏价值、园林应用现状以及在园林中的应用前景等方面进行论述,以期为绿化工作者提供参考。     

九宫山自然保护区珍稀濒危植物调查研究

据估计 ,在我国约 3 0 0 0 0种高等植物中至少有3 0 0 0种处于受威胁或濒临灭绝的境地[1] 。保护植物的多样性 ,特别是保护珍稀濒危植物等工作已被世界上许多国家的政府、学术组织和有关机构以及科学家们所普遍重视。湖北九宫山自然保护区分布有许多珍稀濒危植物 ,不仅是宝贵的种质资源 ,具有十分重要的经济意义 ,而且在植物分类学与地理学研究中具有重要价值。杨春锋等[2 ] 曾对九宫山自然保护区的植被进行了调查研究 ,目前对九宫山自然保护区的珍稀濒危植物尚未见报道。九宫山自然保护区的珍稀濒危植物由于多种原因日趋枯竭。因此 ,有必要…     

Use of biotechnologies for the conservation of plant biodiversity

In vitro techniques are very useful for conserving plant biodiversity, including (a) genetic resources of recalcitrant seed and vegetatively propagated species, (b) rare and endangered plant species and (c) biotechnology products such as elite genotypes and genetically engineered material. Explants from recalcitrant seed and vegetatively propagated species can be efficiently collected under field conditions using in vitro techniques. In vitro culture techniques ensure the production and rapid multiplication of disease-free material. Medium-term conservation is achieved by reducing growth of plant material, thus increasing intervals between subcultures. For long-term conservation, cryopreservation (liquid nitrogen, −196°C) allows storing plant material without modification or alteration for extended periods, protected from contaminations and with limited maintenance. Slow growth storage protocols are routinely employed for a large number of species, including numerous endangered plants, from temperate and tropical origin. Cryopreservation is well advanced for vegetatively propagated species, and techniques are ready for large-scale experimentation in an increasing number of cases. Research is much less advanced for recalcitrant species due to their seed characteristics, viz., very high sensitivity to desiccation, structural complexity and heterogeneity in terms of developmental stage and water content at maturity. However, various technical approaches should be explored to develop cryopreservation techniques for a larger number of recalcitrant seed species. A range of analytical techniques are available, which allow understanding physical and biological processes taking place in explants during cryopreservation. These techniques are extremely useful to assist in the development of cryopreservation protocols. In comparison with crop species, only limited research has been performed on cryopreservation of rare and endangered species. Even though routine use of cryopreservation is still limited, an increasing number of examples where cryopreservation is used on a large scale can be found both in genebanks for crops and in botanical gardens for endangered species.     

Genetic diversity in major farm crops on the farm and in reserve

Genetic vulnerability does not at this time present a major threat to production of United States field crops, according to a 1981 survey of U.S. crop breeding directors. But plant breeders do regard genetic vulnerability as an important and potentially dangerous problem. The 1981 survey indicated that although the genetic base of U.S. field crop production is not as narrow as in 1970, it still is concentrated on a relatively small number of favored cultivars. Genetic diversity is provided, nevertheless, in other and less obvious ways. Survey responses indicated that the genetic base of the elite germplasm pool is wider and provides more useful diversity than is usually supposed. However, breeders also value the national germplasm repositories as indispensable sources of needed diversity.     

我国珍稀濒危植物保护红线的划定

本文依据《国家生态保护红线——生态功能基线划定技术指南(试行)》原则和植物保护的具体情况, 探讨了我国珍稀濒危植物保护红线划定的原则与方法。研究选取《国家重点保护野生植物名录》中收录的所有物种作为研究对象。将其定义为红线保护植物, 其中的I级保护植物定义为红线关键植物, 并基于文献资料及标本记录等数据建立了我国植物的属性数据库和地理分布数据库。在GIS支持下, 以建立的数据库为基础研究了我国红线保护植物的地理分布特征; 基于保护生物学理论, 结合我国自然保护区的就地保护现状进行了分析和评价; 以热点地区和GAP分析为理论基础, 在其分布地中识别具有代表性的热点区域以及不同属性植物分布的重点区域, 进而结合土地利用和人类干扰因素, 划定我国珍稀濒危植物生境整体保护的红线。通过在全国尺度上的分析, 得出我国珍稀濒危植物的整体保护红线面积为71.63万km², 占陆域国土面积的7.45%。植物生境保护红线划定的原则、方法和划定方案的研究对于更准确地划定生态安全预警红线具有重要意义, 同时可以为我国国土生态安全格局的构建提供依据。     

江西庐山国家级自然保护区珍稀濒危植物优先保护定量研究

为制定江西庐山国家级自然保护区珍稀濒危植物的保护策略,采用濒危系数、遗传系数及物种价值系数等评价指标对58种珍稀植物的濒危程度和优先保护顺序进行评估。结果表明,自然保护区珍稀植物的综合评价值(VS)为0.153～0.742,濒危等级为安全的11种,占该区珍稀保护植物总数的19%;稀有的28种(48%);渐危的18种(31%);濒危的1种(2%)。优先保护顺序为Ⅰ级的8种,占该区珍稀保护植物总数的14%,急需保护;Ⅱ级的22种(38%),需要保护;Ⅲ级的23种(40%),可以一般保护;IV级的5种(8%),较为安全。生境破坏和人为干扰是该区珍稀植物保护面临的主要威胁。     

Saving Europe’s threatened flora: progress towards GSPC Target 8 in Europe

The European flora is of global significance but many species are facing an ever increasing range of threats, especially the growing impacts of climate change. While various estimates have been made for the number of threatened plant species in Europe, an up-to-date European plant Red List does not presently exist. Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) calls for 60% of threatened plant species to be conserved in ex situ collections by 2010. In the absence of a European plant Red List, it is difficult to monitor progress at the regional level towards this target. To address this gap Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) has developed a consolidated list of European threatened species as a step towards a formal Red List. The database consists of national Red List data from 28 European countries and includes records for over 11,000 taxa. National Red List data were supplemented by information on the critically endangered plants of Europe provided by the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle/European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity and the Conservatoire Botanique National de Brest. A list of regionally threatened species was extracted from the database and screened against BGCI’s database of plants in cultivation in botanic gardens (PlantSearch) and ENSCONET’s (European Native Seed Conservation Network) database of plants conserved in European seed banks. This analysis revealed that 42% of European threatened species are currently included in ex situ conservation programmes in Europe.     

珍稀植物华木莲的现代濒危机制:探析与展望

华木莲(Sinomanglietia glauca)在探讨木兰科系统演化与被子植物起源等方面具有重要科学价值,但其分布区域狭窄、种群规模较小,被列为我国濒危植物和极小种群植物。该文在系统综述华木莲生物生态学特性和更新维持机制的基础上,对华木莲的现代濒危原因进行了总结:(1)华木莲属古老残遗濒危植物,环境变迁、瓶颈效应、高频自交和遗传漂变,导致其遗传多样性下降、适应性差;(2)喜光喜肥的生物生态学特性和群落种间竞争驱赶作用,"林—窗"游击式更新是华木莲种群延续的重要方式,然而当前人类干扰导致有效林窗供给不足、种子传播效率下降、"游击"机会减少,更新难以完成;(3)毛竹扩张与林下箬竹过度增长严重影响华木莲开花结实,并妨碍其幼苗更新。今后应加强华木莲谱系地理与群落系统发育、群落环境对华木莲生长发育的影响及其应答、林窗更新机制与种子长距传播、群落结构调整与保护技术、遗传复壮与迁地保护等方面研究,为华木莲以及相似生物生态学特征的濒危植物保护提供理论指导。     

The host plant and the nematodes

Parasite selection by the host would be expected and is frequently found amongst the specialized plant parasitic nematodes and on perennial plants. Hijink & Oostenbrink (1968) showed that annual cropping could establish distinct nematode communities and such communities can become quickly established (Green, 1975). In carrot crops Aphelenchoides and Rotylenchus species became a larger proportion of the community very early in the growth of the crop (Green, 1976). Stabilization of communities in this way indicates a very close relationship between the nematodes and the host plants even when specialized feeding is not apparent. Cropping alters the plant community so that even these nematodes with a wide host range become dependant on the one host, provided weed control is efficient. Spacing of the crop further restricts the nematodes so they become more dependant on individual plants. Nematode attacks on crops are notable for two features. The hosts appear under-exploited, that is there are few individual hosts with many parasites but many with few and, the hosts are rarely killed.     

Pollen Transport in the Dark: Hawkmoths Prefer Non Crop Plants to Crop Plants in an Agricultural Landscape

In many previous studies hawkmoths have been found to be involved in nocturnal pollination of many plants. But their role in crop pollination is still unexplored. This study tried to evaluate their potential to carry pollens of crop. Hawkmoths were collected by light traps and slides were made from the pollen attached to their body. The hawkmoths and the pollens were identified. A pollen transport network was created using the data. The species level indices of each plant species in the network were estimated. Only a small fraction of pollens were made by the crops among the total types of pollens carried by the hawkmoths. Rest of the pollens belonged to that of the non crops. The species level indices suggest the crop pollens to be relatively less important in the network as reflected in the lower values of species degree and species strength. The higher species level specialisation values of crop pollens suggested they are restricted to be carried by few hawkmoth species only. It is clearly revealed that hawkmoths carry mostly non crop pollens, not crop pollens.     

Response of the two rare arable weed species Lithospermum arvense and Scandix pecten-veneris to climate change conditions

Rare weeds are currently under pressure due to intensifying arable management practices, and as a consequence of climate change, these practices will likely become even more intensive, together with a greater uniformity of land use. As a result, ecological stresses will increase for most species of rare weeds, in some cases leading to their further decline or even extinction. Moreover, climate change will alter the suitability of the environment for many plants, since average temperatures are predicted to increase and precipitation extremes to become more common. For most arable weed species it is unclear, whether the anticipated changes in environmental conditions are disadvantageous or beneficial. Little is known about specific biological responses of rare weeds to climate changes, and this study attempts to close some of these knowledge gaps. Here, the rare arable weed Lithospermum arvense and the endangered arable species Scandix pecten-veneris were investigated with regard to the effects of higher temperature and different crop densities on flowering time, shoot development, plant height, dry mass and seed production. Semi-field experiments were conducted with winter wheat crop for 3 years, involving 48 climate cages, in which every second was a variant of warmer temperature and contrasting crop density. We observed that S. pecten-veneris flowered earlier under warmer conditions and had fewer seeds and less biomass in the dense wheat crop compared to control conditions, while L. arvense grew taller, it produced fewer seeds in the high density crop. We suggest that such data concerning the biological responses of weeds can improve the precision of bioclimatic distribution models. Finally, we discuss strategies, such as relocation or non-intrusive management practices, for preventing further disappearances of rare arable weeds. Our results should be of considerable interest for the fields of plant ecology, biodiversity research and conservation.     

Using taxonomically unbiased criteria to prioritize resource allocation for oceanic island species conservation

Oceanic islands have been the grand stage of documented extinctions. In view of limited resources, efficient prioritization is crucial to avoid the extinction of taxa. This work lists the top 100 management priority species for the European archipelagos of the Macaronesian region (Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands), taking into account both their protection priority and their management feasibility. Bryophytes, vascular plants, molluscs, arthropods and vertebrates were scored by species experts following two sets of criteria: (i) protection priority, including ecological value, singularity, public institutions’ management responsibilities and social value; (ii) management feasibility, including threats knowledge and control feasibility, external socio-economical support for management and biological recovery potential. Environmental managers weighted the same criteria according to their management importance. Final species scores were determined by the combination of both species valuation and criteria weighting. Vascular plants dominate the Top 100 list, followed by arthropods and vertebrates. The majority of listed taxa are endemic to one archipelago or even to a single island. The management feasibility criteria did not dictate that all taxa must be eminently endangered, as for most of the species it should be relatively easy to control threats. The main advantages of this process are the independent participation of scientists and conservation managers, the inclusion of criteria on both protection priority and management feasibility and the taxonomically unbiased nature of the process. This study provides a potentially useful biodiversity conservation tool for the Macaronesian archipelagos that could be readily implemented by the respective regional governments in future legislation.     

A Characterization of the Non-indigenous Flora of the Azores Archipelago

The 9 Azores islands are located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1500 km from Europe. The vascular plant flora, consisting of 1002 taxa, was characterized using a database. Biogeographic and historic criteria were used to categorize the taxa as indigenous (31%) and non-indigenous (69%). The proportion of non-indigenous vascular plant taxa is higher than in other island ecosystems. This might have resulted from the removal of native vegetation and the introduction of many cultivated and ornamental plants, and from the relatively large extension of the agricultural landscape. The introduced plants were largely subcosmopolitan therophytes and hemicryptophytes, mainly Dicotyledoneae and Monocotyledoneae. The families with highest absolute contributions were similar to those in other areas of the world (Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Scrophulariaceae), but not all contributed as expected by their species richness worldwide. Many were introduced as ornamental or crop plants, but there were also many accidental introductions of weeds (about 55% of non-indigenous taxa). Considering the 9 islands, the percentage of introductions was positively correlated with human population density and island surface below 300 m, and negatively correlated with island surface allocated to natural areas.     

湖北万朝山自然保护区珍稀濒危植物优先保护定量研究

该研究采用样线法和样地法,对湖北万朝山自然保护区的珍稀濒危保护植物资源进行了调查,并运用濒危系数、遗传价值系数和物种价值系数,计算出综合评价值,对其优先保护顺序进行了定量分析。结果表明:保护区内共有珍稀濒危保护植物47种,隶属于34科44属;根据综合评价值对珍稀濒危保护植物物种进行优先保护评价排序,其中Ⅰ级优先保护物种有9种,Ⅱ级优先保护物种有23种,Ⅲ级优先保护物种有12种,Ⅳ级优先保护有物种3种。通过分析珍稀濒危保护植物分布特征,发现该保护区珍稀濒危植物分布相对集中,并且在900~1 600 m海拔段,珍稀濒危保护植物物种和数量分布最多。该研究结果更加真实有效地为该保护区管理部门制定该地区珍稀濒危植物保护计划提供了科学依据,使其更加高效有力地指导本保护区的保护工作。     

Molecular approaches to origin,ancestry and domestication history of crop plants: Barley and clover as examples

Knowledge of the origin and domestication history of crop plants is important for studies aiming at avoiding the erosion of genetic resources due to the loss of ecotypes and landraces and habitats and increased urbanization. Such knowledge also strengthens the capacity of modern farming system to develop and scale-up the domestication of high value potential crops that can be achieved by improving the knowledge that help to identify and select high value plant species within their locality, identify and apply the most appropriate propagation techniques for improving crops and integrate improved crop species into the farming systems. The study of domestication history and ancestry provide means for germplasm preservation through establishment of gene banks, largely as seed collections, and preservation of natural habitats. Information about crop evolution and specifically on patterns of genetic change generated by evolution prior, during, and after domestication, is important to develop sound genetic conservation programs of genetic resources of crop plants and also increases the efficiency of breeding programs. In recent years, molecular approaches have contributed to our understanding of the aspects of plant evolution and crops domestication. In this article, aspects of crops domestication are outlined and the role of molecular data in elucidating the ancestry and domestication of crop plants are outlined. Particular emphasis is given to the contribution of molecular approaches to the origin and domestication history of barley and the origin and ancestry of the Egyptian clover.     

Uses and Conservation of Plant Species in a National Park—A Case Study of Ben En, Vietnam

Uses and Conservation of Plant Species in a National Park—A Case Study of Ben En, Vietnam. This paper surveys the use of wild and cultivated plants by local people in Ben En National Park, Vietnam, and analyzes its impact on the conservation status of some of the utilized species. A total of 208 species used for a range of nonmedicinal purposes are listed. See Hoang et al. (2008a) for 230 medicinal plants used in the park. Most species are used for food. The use of plants contributes very significantly to the livelihood of local people in the park, but the current use patterns are not sustainable and would lead to local extinction of rare and endangered species if no additional conservation measures are introduced. Men collect nonmedicinal plants more often than women. A total of 38 useful plant species are commercialized, and contribute 12% of the average income of individual households. Bamboo shoots of Schizostachyum funghomii (Poaceae) are the most important for income generation. The monetary equivalent of noncommercialized useful plants probably far exceeds the value of the traded plant products. Plant use is independent of the ethnicity of the different populations living in the park. Larger households make use of a greater variety of useful plant species than small families. Abundant species in the forest have a higher use index (UI) than less common species. Out of the 208 useful species, as many as 27 were found to be endangered locally, many more than the 11 or 8 endangered species included in national or global red lists. Currently, useful plants, especially important timber trees, are more abundant in the less disturbed parts of the park, far away from the villages, indicating the pressures of illegal logging and harvesting near villages on the ecosystems.     

Outcrossing potential between 11 important genetically modified crops and the Chilean vascular flora

The potential impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on biodiversity is one of the main concerns in an environmental risk assessment (ERA). The likelihood of outcrossing and pollen‐mediated gene flow from GM crops and non‐GM crops are explained by the same principles and depend primarily on the biology of the species. We conducted a national‐scale study of the likelihood of outcrossing between 11 GM crops and vascular plants in Chile by use of a systematized database that included cultivated, introduced and native plant species in Chile. The database included geographical distributions and key biological and agronomical characteristics for 3505 introduced, 4993 native and 257 cultivated (of which 11 were native and 246 were introduced) plant species. Out of the considered GM crops (cotton, soya bean, maize, grape, wheat, rice, sugar beet, alfalfa, canola, tomato and potato), only potato and tomato presented native relatives (66 species total). Introduced relative species showed that three GM groups were formed having: a) up to one introduced relative (cotton and soya bean), b) up to two (rice, grape, maize and wheat) and c) from two to seven (sugar beet, alfalfa, canola, tomato and potato). In particular, GM crops presenting introduced noncultivated relative species were canola (1 relative species), alfalfa (up to 4), rice (1), tomato (up to 2) and potato (up to 2). The outcrossing potential between species [OP; scaled from ‘very low’ (1) to ‘very high’ (5)] was developed, showing medium OPs (3) for GM–native relative interactions when they occurred, low (2) for GMs and introduced noncultivated and high (4) for the grape‐Vitis vinifera GM–introduced cultivated interaction. This analytical tool might be useful for future ERA for unconfined GM crop release in Chile.     

The impact of invasive fungi on agricultural ecosystems in the United States

Invasive fungi and other non-indigenous plant pathogens have had a significant effect on American agriculture for hundreds of years. At present crop loss due to invasive plant pathogens, especially fungi, is estimated at $21 billion per year in the United States, greater than the loss caused by non-indigenous insects. Plant pathogenic fungi are difficult to detect and identify. Thus knowledge of which fungi pose a threat is essential to prevent their entry by means others than inspection. In this paper, examples are presented of invasive fungi on agricultural commodities introduced into the United States. In all cases two factors have been crucial: first, the pathway through which these fungi have entered, and second, systematic knowledge to prevent and respond to the new invasive species. Historically important plant pathogens such as black stem rust of wheat still cause considerable damage while others such as late blight of potato appear to be having a resurgence. Known previously in Australia, then moving to Africa and South America, the virulent species of soybean rust appeared in the U.S. in 2004 but has not been as devastating as anticipated. Plant pathogenic fungi on specialty crops such as daylily, gladiola and chrysanthemum are threatened by rust fungi recently found in the U.S. apparently brought in on infected germplasm. A crisis in the export of U.S. wheat occurred in the late 1990’s when the molecular diagnostic test for Karnal bunt gave a false positive response to a closely related but previously unknown species. Many potentially dangerous plant pathogens of crop plants have not yet been introduced into the U.S. It is critical that meticulous surveillance be conducted as plant material enters the country as well as where crops are grown prior to shipment. In addition, the scientific infrastructure is needed to be able to respond quickly to new invasive fungi. This requires sound systematic knowledge of plant pathogenic fungi both in the U.S. and around the world and a cadre of systematic experts who can characterize invasive fungi.     

Projections of suitable habitat for rare species under global warming scenarios

? Premise of the study: Modeling the contemporary and future climate niche for rare plants is a major hurdle in conservation, yet such projections are necessary to prevent extinctions that may result from climate change. ? Methods: We used recently developed spline climatic models and modified Random Forests statistical procedures to predict suitable habitats of three rare, endangered spruces of Mexico and a spruce of the southwestern USA. We used three general circulation models and two sets of carbon emission scenarios (optimistic and pessimistic) for future climates. ? Key results: Our procedures predicted present occurrence perfectly. For the decades 2030, 2060, and 2090, the ranges of all taxa progressively decreased, to the point of transient disappearance for one species in the decade 2060 but reappearance in 2090. Contrary to intuition, habitat did not develop to the north for any of the Mexican taxa; rather, climate niches for two taxa re-materialized several hundred kilometers southward in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The climate niche for a third Mexican taxon shrank drastically, and its two mitotypes responded differently, one of the first demonstrations of the importance of intraspecific genetic variation in climate niches. The climate niche of the U.S. species shrank northward and upward in elevation. ? Conclusion: The results are important for conservation of these species and are of general significance for conservation by assisted colonization. We conclude that our procedures for producing models and projecting the climate niches of Mexican spruces provide a way for handling other rare plants, which constitute the great bulk of the world's endangered and most vulnerable flora.