An early evaluation of translocation actions for endangered plant species on Mediterranean islands

In situ conservation is widely considered a primary conservation strategy. Plant translocation, specifically, represents an important tool for reducing the extinction risk of threatened species. However, thus far, few documented translocations have been carried out in the Mediterranean islands. The CareMediflora project, carried out on six Mediterranean islands, tackles both short-and long-term needs for the insular endangered plants through in situ and ex situ conservation actions. The project approach is based on using ex situ activities as a tool to improve in situ conservation of threatened plant species.Fifty island plants(representing 45 taxa) were selected for translocations using common criteria.During the translocations, several approaches were used, which differed in site selection method, origin of genetic material, type of propagative material, planting method, and more. Although only preliminary data are available, some general lessons can be learned from the experience of the CareMediflora project. Among the factors restricting the implementation of translocations, limited financial resources appear to be the most important. Specific preliminary management actions, sometimes to be reiterated after translocation, increase the overall cost, but often are necessary for translocation success. Translocation using juvenile/reproductive plants produces better results over the short term,although seeds may provide good results over the long run(to be assessed in the future). Regardless,plant translocation success can only be detected over long periods; therefore, proper evaluation of plant translocations requires a long-term monitoring protocol. Care-Mediflora project represents the first attempt to combine the existing approaches in a common plant conservation strategy specifically focusing on the Mediterranean islands.     

木兰科植物及其珍稀濒危种类的迁地保护

应用迁地保护的原理和方法,在华南植物园引种保存木兰植物１１属１２５种,其中中国１１３种,国外１２种,属哗啦诉珍稀濒危植物有２９种,从而建立了具有相当规模的木兰物种质基因库。     

我国近30年来植物迁地保护及其研究的综述

从20世纪80年代起,中国植物园与世界植物园同步挑起了植物迁地保护的历史重担,使植物园的数量迅速增加至近200个,收集保存了占中国植物区系2/3的20000个物种,并在稀有濒危植物迁地保护原理与方法的科学研究上获得了新的进展。然而,中国植物园的布局与世界的植物园一样,物种越丰富的地区,已建立的植物园越少;在保存的物种中,不仅忽视了遗传多样性的保护,而且有约1/3的国家重点保护种类主要因适应性问题而生长不良、出现生殖障碍,甚至死亡。为了提高我国植物迁地保护的有效性,本文就《中国稀有濒危植物保护名录》的修订与公布、《中国植物保护战略》的制定,以及我国植物园协调机制的建立、植物迁地保护网络系统的完善、稀有濒危植物迁地保护的规范等问题进行讨论。     

The role of botanical gardens in scientific research,conservation, and citizen science

Plant diversity is currently being lost at an unprecedented rate, resulting in an associated decrease in ecosystem services. About a third of the world's vascular plant species face the threat of extinction due to a variety of devastating activities, including, over-harvesting and over exploitation, destructive agricultural and forestry practices, urbanization, environmental pollution, land-use changes, exotic invasive species, global climate change, and more. We therefore need to increase our efforts to develop integrative conservation approaches for plant species conservation. Botanical gardens devote their resources to the study and conservation of plants, as well as making the world's plant species diversity known to the public. These gardens also play a central role in meeting human needs and providing well-being. In this minireview, a framework for the integrated missions of botanical gardens, including scientific research, in/ex situ conservation, plant resource utilization, and citizen science are cataloged. By reviewing the history of the development of Kunming Botanical Garden, we illustrate successful species conservation approaches (among others, projects involving Camellia, Rhododendron, Magnolia, Begonia, Allium, Nepenthes, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, and Plant Species with Extreme Small Populations), as well as citizen science, and scientific research at Kunming Botanical Garden over the past 80 years. We emphasize that Kunming Botanical Garden focuses largely on the ex situ conservation of plants from Southwest China, especially those endangered, endemic, and economically important plant species native to the Yunnan Plateau and the southern Hengduan Mountains. We also discuss the future challenges and responsibilities of botanical gardens in a changing world, including:the negative effects of outbreeding and/or inbreeding depression; promoting awareness, study, and conservation of plant species diversity; accelerating global access to information about plant diversity; increasing capacity building and training activities. We hope this minireview can promote understanding of the role of botanical gardens.     

注意植物迁地保护中的遗传风险

稀有濒危植物迁地保护的长期目标之一就是要保护物种的遗传多样性和进化潜力。介绍了稀有濒危植物在植物园迁地保护过程中存在的一系列遗传风险。由于引种或取样的不足,容易导致被保存的物种缺乏足够的遗传代表性;盲目的引种、不合理的定植以及材料的来源不清则会导致稀有濒危植物的遗传混杂、近交衰退或杂交衰退;人为选择和生长环境的改变也容易造成濒危物种对迁地保护的遗传适应。在实际的迁地保护工作中,这些遗传风险往往被忽视。植物迁地保护中遗传风险将严重影响稀有濒危物种的回归和恢复。植物园应当重视濒危植物的遗传管理,以降低或避免迁地保护中的遗传风险。Abstract: Conserving genetic diversity of rare and endangered species and their evolutionary potential is one of the long-term goals of ex-situ conservation. Some potential genetic risks in ex-situ conservation in botanical gardens are presented. The preserved species may lack genetic representativity because of poor sampling. Inappropriate plantations, inadequate records and unclear kinships jeopardize endangered species to genetic confusion, inbreeding depression or outbreeding depression. Artificial selection and habitat conversion also potentially result endangered plants in adapting to ex-situ conservation, which had been usually overlooked. All the genetic risks can decrease the success of reintroduction and recovery. Therefore, appropriate genetic management should be carried out in botanical gardens to decrease or avoid genetic risks in ex-situ conservation.     

关于IUCN和WWF联合植物保护研究计划工作的成就和今后的任务

植物是人类和动物生活所必需,由于缺乏长远规划的目标,无计划的滥用已导致许多植物灭绝或陷入濒临灭绝的境地。为此,IUCN—WWF联合建立了“植物保护研究计划”,并把其列入他们各自工作的重点。主要工作内容有下列各项:1)传播信息宣传群众;2)建立必要的植物保护的工作条件:3)植物遗传资源的保护:4)野生经济植物的保护:5)加强植物园开展植物保护的工作条件:6)促进植物丰富的国家开展植物保护工作。     

Capturing,protecting and restoring plant diversity in the UK: RBG Kew and the Millennium Seed Bank

Ex situ seed banking is a practical and cost-effective means of preserving wild plant diversity and a crucial complement to the in situ conservation and restoration of species and habitats. As pressures on the natural environment have grown, so has the call for seed banks to provide scientifically-robust,practical solutions to seed-related problems in nature conservation, from single-species recovery and reintroduction to the restoration of complex, dynamic communities at the largest scales. In this paper, we discuss how the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and its Millennium Seed Bank have responded to this call in the United Kingdom. We demonstrate that banked seed collections can provide a range of otherwiseunavailable, high quality, known-origin, genetically-diverse biological materials. The data, expertise and specialist facilities that accompany these collections are also valuable, helping overcome constraints to the collection, production and effective use of native seed. Challenges remain-to ensure ex situ collections protect the species and genetic diversity that will enable plants to adapt to a changing environment, and to find new ways for seed banks to mobilise their resources at a landscape scale.     

海南中部山区什运乡人工生态系统的植物多样性

什运乡地处海南中部山区,其人口大多为黎族。为揭示人工生态系统中的植物多样性与人类活动的关系,并为海南中部山区的土地可持续利用研究提供依据,以位于海南中部山区的什运乡为调查点,采用参与性生物多样性评估方法,调查了5个村庄和2个橡胶林的植物多样性。结果表明,什运乡的人工生态系统由农田生态系统、庭院生态系统、园地生态系统和林地生态系统组成。共记录到维管束植物318种,隶属95科243属。重点保护植物10种;栽培植物87种,其中有17种栽培植物有较多品种。药用类植物所占的比例最大。研究表明,人工生态系统中的植物多样性与其面积无明显关联,而与人类对其需求的多样化程度有关。需求多样化的庭院生态系统的植物多样性最丰富。采用生物多样性参与性管理下的原位保存法,重视对庭院生态系统植物多样性的保护、并提高现有园地生态系统的土地利用效率将会是保护什运乡植物多样性的有效方法。     

中国鸡形目鸟类的现状与保护对策

鸡形目是一个与人类关系非常密切的鸟类类群 ,其保护工作受到国际自然保护组织的广泛关注。作为世界上鸡形目鸟类资源最为丰富的国家之一 ,我国加强该类群鸟类的保护工作不仅是野生动物资源保护的一个重要组成部分 ,而且对全球生物多样性的保护具有特别重要的意义。本文结合国家林业局“十五”期间将要实施的《全国野生动植物及自然保护区建设工程总体规划》 ,对我国鸡形目鸟类的多样性、特有性和分布特点进行了阐述 ,对该类群的濒危状况和致危因素进行了分析 ,从就地保护、易地保护以及科学研究三个方面介绍了我国在该类群研究与保护方面所取得的成就 ,探讨了目前保护管理工作中所存在的问题并提出了相应的保护对策     

森林遗传资源保护研究进展

森林遗传资源的保护事关现代及后代的利益,已引起全球的极大关注,自70年代以来,就地保护与迁地保护作为主要的战略在森林遗传资源保护实践中使用。一般来说森林遗传资源的就地保护可以通过建立自然保护区来实现。迁地保护主要包括种子库、田间基因库、种子园及细胞或组织培养等技术。就地保护和迁地保护应当相互补充,两者结合使用是保存森林遗传多样性的有效方法。对森林遗传资源保护战略的选择以及因贸易而濒危的热带材用树及其保护问题也作了简要评述。     

Gap analyses to support ex situ conservation of genetic diversity in Magnolia, a flagship group

Worldwide about one third of all plant species is estimated to be threatened with extinction. Plants are generally under-represented in conservation. However, the global strategy for plant conservation (GSPC) sets forth 16 targets to halt the current and continuing loss of plant diversity within a framework for actions at global, regional, national and local levels. Target 8 of the GSPC directs that at least 75 % of threatened plant species be present in ex situ collections by 2020, but this target is far from being met. By analyzing where gaps in ex situ collections and research exist relative to diversity hotspots of threatened species, it is possible to identify and prioritize action. We undertake a gap analysis of ex situ collection needs in the genus Magnolia, a relatively well-known and valuable genus. Results indicate three main areas of biodiversity (China, Vietnam and Colombia) for the endangered Magnolia taxa. The present paper provides a critical overview of recent conservation activities carried out in the genus Magnolia throughout the world, focusing on genetic diversity analyses of the species.     

Associations Between Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidea) and Plants, and Conservation Values in Two Tussock Grasslands, Otago, New Zealand

Ecosystem level processes and species interactions have become important concepts in conservation and land management. Despite being New Zealand’s greatest contributors to global diversity, native invertebrates have been largely overlooked in the assessment of land values, and their diversity has often been assumed to reflect native plant diversity without justification. Invertebrates can in fact affect plant species composition, and in ecosystems such as New Zealand’s remaining indigenous and semi-modified tussock grasslands can do so in excess of more conspicuous vertebrate grazers. An understanding of the interactions between invertebrates and their plant hosts may be informative in assessing land conservation values, increase the efficiency of rapid inventory analyses and would be applicable across the production-conservation spectrum. This study considers the Curculionoidea, vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen communities of two semi-modified tussock grasslands in the Otago region of southern New Zealand. Quantitative plant and invertebrate sampling were carried out in January 2001. Data were analysed using ANalysis Of SIMilarity (ANOSIM) and Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) ordination techniques. Vascular plant, bryophyte and lichen species richness was highest in the same site and plots as native weevil species richness, however the proportion of native vegetation in these locations was lower. Associations identified between Curculionoidea and vascular plants were dismissed due to the confounding effect of species frequency across samples. This appeared to have little influence on associations with bryophytes and/or lichens and these were given more weighting. The ecological implications of associations are considered and variability in weevil composition is discussed in reference to the tussock grassland environment. The importance of plant–invertebrate relationships to conservation and the uses and limitations of the PRIMER MDS ordination technique for determining associations are discussed.     

Guiding the prioritization of the most endangered and evolutionary distinct birds for new zoo conservation programs

Zoos have played a pivotal role in the successful reinforcement and reintroduction of species threatened with extinction, but prioritization is required in the face of increasing need and limited capacity. One means of prioritizing between species of equal threat status when establishing new breeding programs is the consideration of evolutionary distinctness (ED). More distinct species have fewer close relatives such that their extinction would result in a greater overall loss to the Tree of Life. Considering global ex situ holdings of birds (a group with a complete and well‐detailed evolutionary tree), we investigate the representation of at‐risk and highly evolutionarily distinct species in global zoo holdings. We identified a total of 2,236 bird species indicated by the Zoological Information Management System as being held in zoological institutions worldwide. As previously reported, imperiled species (defined as those possessing endangered or critically endangered threat status) in this database are less likely to be held in zoos than non‐imperiled species. However, we find that species possessing ED scores within the top 10% of all bird species are more likely to be held in zoos than other species, possibly because they possess unique characteristics that have historically made them popular exhibits. To assist with the selection of high priority ED species for future zoo conservation programs, we provide a list of imperiled species currently not held in zoos, ranked by ED. This list highlights species representing particular priorities for ex situ conservation planners, and represents a practical tool for improving the conservation value of zoological collections.     

基于灰色关联分析方法评价13种野生兜兰的迁地保护适应性

由于过度收集和对原生境地的破坏,我国野生兜兰已濒临灭绝,对其进行迁地保护十分必要。通过对引种的13种40份野生兜兰资源进行迁地栽培,并观测兜兰种质在迁移地的各种生长性状指标等,本研究利用灰色关联分析方法评价13种兜兰的迁地适应性,分析影响其迁地保护的关键因素。结果表明:(1)带叶兜兰、同色兜兰、长瓣兜兰、文山兜兰适应性较强,与理想种的关联度均在0.8以上;巨瓣兜兰、白花兜兰、小叶兜兰、紫纹兜兰、紫毛兜兰、硬叶兜兰适应性一般,与理想种的关联度在0.7~0.8之间;麻栗坡兜兰、杏黄兜兰、红旗兜兰适应性较差,与理想种的关联度均在0.6以下;(2)不同兜兰种类、同一种类不同产地兜兰种质的迁地生长适应性不同,来源地和栽培温度可能是影响其迁地保护的关键因子。     

Systematics,conservation and sustainable development

The contribution of systematics to conservation and sustainable use of species is discussed. An adequate inventory of species is required for both areas and recent field work shows that the inventory is far from complete. This supports the first mission of Agenda 2000 which is to discover described and inventory global species diversity. The importance of making these data available in data base format is stressed. Sound systematics is a necessity for conservation legislation where control depends on the ability to identify organisms correctly. The establishment of reserves is also dependent upon data from systematics about centres of diversity and endemism and examples of this are given. Molecular systematics has made new tools available to conservation such as genetic fingerprinting which is useful both to breeding programmes of rare species and for identification for legal proceedings.Systematics is also one of the foundations for programmes of sustainable development especially in the search for new crops, non-timber forest plants from extraction forests and the identification of wild relatives of crop species. Examples of the role of systematics in a fuelwood programme in Zimbabwe, a sustainable development programme in northeast Brazil and in the search for a chemical component with medicinal properties for curing AIDS are given. The more predictive a classification we can develop using modern cladistic and molecular techniques the more useful systematics will be for both conservation and sustainable development. The goal of Agenda 2000 to organize the information derived from the programme in an efficiently retrievable form that best meets the needs of science and society is a laudable target that is crucial for conservation and the sustainable use of the plant resources of the world.     

初论中国兜兰属植物的保护策略及其潜在资源优势

兜兰属植物是最受人们喜爱的兰科植物之一 ,中国是兜兰属植物的主要产地。与世界其他地区一样 ,我国兜兰属植物也面临持续的商业采集压力。本文回顾了世界兜兰属植物的贸易、栽培和育种的历史 ,认为有菌播种方法可以更有效地保护兜兰属植物的多样性 ,同时也能够为兜兰属植物的人工栽培和育种提供新的手段。目前我国兜兰属植物一方面仍遭受各种人为因素的干扰 ,急需采取措施加以保护 ;另一方面对我国兜兰属植物的认识还不够全面和深入 ,还不能对人为因素影响的程度和范围作出客观的评价 ,特别是有关兜兰属植物的繁育技术还很薄弱。针对这种现状 ,作者提出在较长时期内我国兜兰属植物的保护策略宜以原地保护 (insituconservation)为主 ,同时积极开展有关兜兰属植物保护生物学的基础研究 ,大力发展和完善迁地保护 (exsituconservation)技术体系。最后 ,讨论了我国兜兰属植物的潜在资源和生态等方面的优势。     

Conservation of plant diversity in Korea

Korea is a land of contrasts. The mountainous Korean peninsula arches north and northwest towards the Russian and Chinese borders, where the last areas of old growth coniferous forest and the land formed five forest types. Plant and habitat diversity in Korea has been largely damaged by various kinds of human activities. The plant diversity of Korea is severely threatened due to the high population density and rapid industrialization since the 1960s, as well as the illegal collection of wild plants for ornamental, medicinal, and food purposes. Natural areas have been greatly fragmented and survive only as ecological islands surrounded by modified cultivated and industrial lands. For instance, more than 60 industrial parks are located along the coast, and these have contributed to the rapid destruction of plant diversity in the coastal areas of the peninsula. The modern concept of plant conservation in Korea is still in an infant stage. The cooperation of plant conservation bodies with disciplinary approaches based on conservation biology are essential strategies to pursue plant conservation. The capacity building for plant conservation in Korea has different management regimes by the relevant ministries. Since the late 1990s, the plant conservation body Korean Plant Specialist Group of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) has been closely linked with international conservation bodies for in situ and ex situ conservation management. Under the umbrella of the national plant conservation strategies, the different strategies and working agencies can be fully integrated. Furthermore, the systematic approaches for the recovery of threatened species, as well as habitat monitoring over the long-term basis, will need to be supported by a stable budget policy. Also, protocol for the conservation of rare and endangered plant species, including recovery works in Korea, is strongly needed.     

Evaluating germinability of eight desert halophytes under long-term seed storage: Implications for conservation

Ex situ conservation in seed banks is a potential complementary conservation strategy for native plant species.It is well established that ex situ seed banking of native wild plants prolongs seed viability and thereby preserves genetic and species diversity for future use.We evaluated ex situ storage potential of eight halophytic species from deserts in the United Arab Emirates(UAE)by studying seed germination.Specifically,we examined the germinability of freshly collected seeds and seeds stored for three years in a seed bank.We also examined the effect of light conditions on fresh and stored seed germination.Fresh seeds of seven of the eight species tested had a higher germination rates under 12/12 h light/dark fluctuations than did those exposed to total darkness.Storage reduced light sensitivity in Halocnemum strobilaceum,Suaeda aegyptiaca,Salsola drummondii and Salsola imbricata,but increased the requirement for light in Arthrocnemum macrostachyum.In Anabasis setifera,storage decreased germination percentage when there was a 12-hour light/dark fluctuation,but increased germination rate when exposed to the dark treatment.Storage significantly reduced germination in both the light/dark and dark treatments in Suaeda vermiculata and S.aegyptiaca.Germination speed also responded differently to storage;whereas Timson's index significantly increased in A.macrostachyum and H.strobilaceum,it significantly decreased for S.drummondii,S.aegyptiaca and S.vermiculata.Germination of these species at a range of temperatures requires further testing;additionally,we strongly suggest that these laboratory findings be complemented by field studies.     

The use of biotechnology in the conservation of tropical germplasm

The rapid erosion of the genetic diversity of both wild and cultivated plants has recently attracted more and more international concern. As a consequence, germplasm conservation techniques have become accessible to protect the third world's germplasm diversity. Several approaches are used for germplasm conservation and utilization. The evaluation and use of these techniques has to be focussed with one important objective; to preserve with as much integrity as possible, the genetic variability of the selected species.Questions have risen about the best way to preserve genetic diversity of the humid tropics, since it is being recognized that these conditions hold much of the world's gene pool of plants. Seed banks are considered the best system for orthodox seed storage. For many tropical species that cannot support dehydration, tissue culture and cryoconservation are the best alternative. Important considerations regarding the adaptation of modern techniques to tropical species have to be carefully analyzed. Quantitative studies of genetic indices of somaclonal variation, or types or mutant plants can be observed.Consideration of plant germplasm as a base for genetic improvement has come a long way, but much remains to be done, particularly, with the plant diversity that exists in the tropics. All efforts to conserve and use genetic resources will contribute to the benefit of future human generations.     

三峡库区稀有濒危植物异地保护群落设计的初步研究

提出了建造群落舁地保护三峡库区稀有濒危植物的方法。从地点选择、面积确定、物种组成和群落结构等方面探讨了异地保护群落设计的原理和方法。根据对三峡库区及其附近的残存稀有濒危植物群落的调查,选择九宫山自然保护区的一个独特生境,设计了一个面积约３０００ｍ＾２,优势种为珙桐（Ｄａｖｉｄｉａ ｉｎｖｏｌｕｃｒａｔａ）、金线槭（Ｄｉｐｔｅｒｏｎｉａ ｓｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ）、水青树（Ｔｅｔｒａｃｅｎｔｒｏｎ ｓｉｎｒ