Near Situ Conservation for Wild Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations

Minimum Viable Population (MVP) is the endangered species faced with extinction need prior conservation. A new method of “near situ conservation” has being particularly raised by the Forestry Department of Yunnan Province for conserving Plant Species with Extremely Small Population (PSESP) in China. In accordance with the practices and results of near situ conservation for PSESP and after our study on comparison for growth and adaptation of some state emphasized plant species between near situ and ex situ conservation in recent years, the authors hold that near situ conservation for the plant species faced with extremely high risk of extinction in the wild is more efficient than that of their ex situ conservation. We therefore suggest that the system of near situ conservation need to be constructed as soon as possible, and the high risk extinction mechanism for PSESP need to be urgently studied for selecting the effective conservation methods and adopting scientific measures. Meanwhile, for near situ conservation practices of PSESP, the principles of similarities of climates, habitats and communities must be followed for reducing the investment and raising the conservation effectiveness.     

A sophisticated species conservation strategy for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nyssa yunnanensis</Emphasis>, a species with extremely small populations in China

Conservation of plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP) is a focus of wild plant conservation in China at present. A relevant strategy for PSESP conservation requires improvement from previous programs for rare and endangered plants and national key protected plants. An integrated strategy for PSESP conservation of the Nyssa yunnanensis was initiated and applied over a 7-year period (2009–2015). Here, we reviewed the processes to implement the strategy: resource inventory, formulation of conservation action plan (CAP), in situ conservation, seedling propagation, near situ conservation, ex situ conservation and scientific research. Major concerns and technical requirements for each action are described and further analyzed within a broad scope to conserve PSESPs. A detailed resource inventory that highlights both the change in population status and the participation of local residents is recommended before the formulation of the CAP. Techniques for determination of the area of a mini-reserve is developed for in situ conservation of N. yunnanensis. Near situ conservation is a novel approach whereby establishing new viable population in contiguous areas with a similar climate, habitat and community, in which techniques for seedling preparation, soil preparation, and early management are introduced. A population-based species conservation strategy for N. yunnanensis may aid additional PSESP conservation, so as to contribute to overall wild plant conservation.     

Plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP) in China: A seed and spore biology perspective

Approximately one fifth of the world's plants are at risk of extinction. Of these, a significant number exist as populations of few individuals, with limited distribution ranges and under enormous pressure due to habitat destruction. In China, these most-at-risk species are described as ‘plant species with extremely small populations’ (PSESP). Implementing conservation action for such listed species is urgent. Storing seeds is one of the main means of ex situ conservation for flowering plants. Spore storage could provide a simple and economical method for fern ex situ conservation. Seed and spore germination in nature is a critical step in species regeneration and thus in situ conservation. But what is known about the seed and spore biology (storage and germination) of at-risk species? We have used China's PSESP (the first group listing) as a case study to understand the gaps in knowledge on propagule biology of threatened plant species. We found that whilst germination information is available for 28 species (23% of PSESP), storage characteristics are only known for 8% of PSESP (10 species). Moreover, we estimate that 60% of the listed species may require cryopreservation for long-term storage. We conclude that comparative biology studies are urgently needed on the world's most threatened taxa so that conservation action can progress beyond species listing.     

极小种群野生植物的近地保护

低于最小存活种群（Minimum Viable Population,简称：MVP）界线而濒临灭绝的极小种群野生植物是需要最优先保护的物种。“近地保护”是云南省林业厅在近年提出的对极小种群野生植物进行保护的一种新方法,它已成为国家林业局的野生植物六大拯救措施之一。根据近年来云南省对极小种群野生植物近地保护的实践和所取得的成果,以及经笔者对若干种国家重点保护植物在迁地保护与就地保护条件下的生长与适应性的比较研究,认为对包括极小种群在内的受严重威胁植物的近地保护的有效性远高于对它们的迁地保护。因而,笔者建议,应该尽快建立和完善野生植物近地保护体系,进一步加强极小种群野生植物高风险灭绝机制的研究,才能有的放矢地选择恰当的保护方法和科学的措施,以及在近地保护的实践中还必须遵循气候相似、生境相似和群落相似的生态学原则,以减少投入和提高其保护的有效性。     

Genetic diversity and conservation evaluation of a critically endangered endemic maple,Acer yangbiense,analyzed using microsatellite markers

The newly discovered endemic maple Acer yangbiense of China has only five individuals left in the wild, and thus has been classified as a plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP). PSESP species call for emergency protection procedures, such as ex-situ conservation and reintroduction. Our objectives were to examine the genetic diversity of A. yangbiense and to evaluate former conservation strategies from a genetic point of view. Our results suggested that A. yangbiense was not genetically depauperate, but its genetic loss at a species level was obvious. A parentage analysis indicated a high selfing-rate in A. yangbiense and suggested the existence of a previously unknown wild individual. Former conservation strategies did not include all genetic variations of the wild population, and gene diversity of the ex-situ conserved seedlings is lower than that of the wild population. From our findings, we make suggestions to guide the subsequent protection of this species.     

Securing a future for China's plant biodiversity through an integrated conservation approach

The severely threatened Chinese flora urgently needs a new, well adapted to China and properly formulated conservation strategy. The present review provides a detailed conservation methodology that complements previously described guidelines for preservation of plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP) in China. This review adds to the above concept in several aspects, making it relevant to all threatened Chinese plant species. The proposed integral conservation strategy has the following crucial components: -ecoregional basis for conservation planning and implementation; -a unified scoring system that is used in regional systematic planning for reserve design, monitoring and assessment of efficiency of a reserve network, and creation of seed banks and living collections; -a focus on population demography and the presence of naturally occurring regeneration as the key criteria for defining the conservation status of a species and the appropriate major focus of the species recovery plan; -creation of multi-species living collections that preserve species genetic variation and provide material for in situ actions; -experimental translocation of threatened species into multiple locations within and outside their known range. Adopting and implementing these strategies successfully and more fully in China requires that the country changes PA legislation and improves PA management, the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) re-prioritizes the type of research that receives research funds, and local scientists improve their approach toward information sharing.     

濒危植物黄梅秤锤树野生与迁地保护种群的果实性状比较

黄梅秤锤树(Sinojackia huangmeiensis J.W.GeX.H.Yao)是我国120个极小种群野生植物之一。本研究运用独立样本t检验和贝叶斯方差分析比较黄梅秤锤树仅存的1个迁地保护种群和1个野生种群的环境条件、果实形态性状和果实元素含量。结果显示,迁地保护种群和野生种群同处于亚热带地区,年均温和年降水量基本一致。迁地保护种群的果实长度、宽度和长宽比均显著大于野生种群;2个种群在果实重量上呈现相同的趋势,但差异不显著。迁地保护种群在果实形态性状方面,种内变异程度不低于野生种群;土壤和果实中绝大多数元素(Ni元素除外)的含量在2个种群间的变化规律不一致。研究结果表明该物种的迁地保护基本成功,但存在迁地保护种群较小的问题。     

极小种群濒危植物盐桦迁地保护研究

盐桦（Betula halophila Ching ex P.C.Li）是我国120个极小种群野生植物之一,仅分布于我国新疆阿勒泰地区。为了解其在迁地保护过程中对环境的适应性和沿海强风环境等对幼苗生长的影响,以山东烟台迁地保护基地内两个盐桦居群为材料,对其3年的生长量、果实性状、叶性状以及叶片生态化学计量等进行研究,利用独立样本t检验和贝叶斯方差分析对山东迁地保护两个居群和新疆迁地保护居群进行比较分析。结果显示,经过3年的生长,盐桦在烟台地区适应性良好,能在一个生长周期结出果实,设置风障以后盐桦生长速度显著升高,表明在幼苗敏感期设置风障可以为幼苗越冬提供保障,同时风障营造的相对稳定的环境提高了盐桦对资源环境的利用能力。     

基于简化基因组技术的云南蓝果树群体遗传分析

极小种群野生植物云南蓝果树是国家和云南省实施极小种群野生植物保护工程的代表性物种。为有效保护其遗传资源,本研究通过二代测序技术,对其进行简化基因组测序,开发一批特异性高的单核苷酸多态性标记,分析现存群体的遗传结构和遗传多样性。经过遗传变异检测,本次研究中共获得SNP位点98 498个,通过样品最低测序深度>2,样品缺失率<0.5,次要基因型频率（MAF）>0.05筛选以后,得到有效SNP位点6 309个。基于过滤后的SNP,运用生物信息学分析方法,对云南蓝果树完成了群体的遗传分析,其中：系统进化树分析将云南蓝果树划分为3大类,研究分析了云南蓝果树各分类的私人等位基因数目（Private）、平均观测杂合度（H_o）、平均期望杂合度（H_e）、核苷酸多样性（π）和平均近交系数（F_IS）5个遗传多样性参数;群体结构和主成分分析进一步证明了,云南蓝果树现存植株之间亲缘关系较远,遗传多样性差异较大,具有很高的遗传资源保存价值。本研究结果将为基于遗传管理的云南蓝果树就地保护、遗传资源保存和种群重建等保护工程提供科学依据。     

本底资源不清严重制约我国杜鹃花属植物的生物多样性保护

中国杜鹃花属植物已超过600种,是世界杜鹃花属的现代分布中心和分化中心之一。本文以杜鹃花红色名录、中国高等植物红色名录以及中国高等植物受威胁物种名录为基础,对我国杜鹃花的濒危现状进行分析,并根据极度濒危杜鹃花的最新调查结果,结合IUCN红色名录和极小种群野生植物标准对它们进行重新评估。评估结果认为,杜鹃花属12个极度濒危物种中,有4个物种降低了极度濒危的等级,1个物种数据缺乏,1个物种灭绝。我国杜鹃花属植物濒危种类近20%,数据缺乏的种类近1/3,资源本底不清,严重威胁我国杜鹃花的生物多样性保护。未来应加强对杜鹃花本底资源的普查,开展极度濒危物种和极小种群物种的“抢救性保护”、加强园林应用与基础研究。     

极小种群野生植物黄梅秤锤树群落结构与动态

本文以极小种群野生植物黄梅秤锤树(Sinojackia huangmeiensis)当前唯一的野生种群为依托建立了1 ha的固定样地, 研究了黄梅秤锤树野生植物群落的物种组成、优势种的径级结构、黄梅秤锤树的空间分布格局、种内与种间空间关联性和种群更新特征。样地内共记录到胸径 ≥ 1.0 cm的木本植物31种, 隶属于21科28属。群落更新良好, 样地中所有1,225株个体中小径木占比为67.18%。群落优势种为麻栎(Quercus acutissima)、枸骨(Ilex cornuta)、朴树(Celtis sinensis)和黄梅秤锤树。麻栎的径级结构呈单峰型, 为衰退型种群; 枸骨、朴树和黄梅秤锤树的径级结构呈倒“J”型或偏倒“J”型, 表明更新良好。黄梅秤锤树的空间分布格局在小尺度上呈聚集分布, 在大尺度上呈随机或均匀分布, 并且与其他3个优势种(麻栎、枸骨、朴树)在空间上主要呈负关联性。黄梅秤锤树的成树和幼苗、幼树和幼苗都是在小尺度上呈负关联性, 在大尺度上关联性不显著, 而成树和幼树在整体上关联性不显著。黄梅秤锤树的萌蘖现象非常明显, 萌蘖数与母株胸径具有极显著的正相关性(R² = 0.330, P < 0.001), 萌蘖率与相对幼苗密度具有极显著的负相关性(R² = 0.438, P < 0.001)。总体来说, 高比例的小径木和普遍的种间负关联均表明该群落处于演替的早中期, 物种组成和群落结构还未达到稳定阶段。作为长江中下游冲积平原区具有代表性的残存风水林, 该野生植物群落在生物多样性维持和珍稀植物保护方面具有重要的作用, 应加强保护和管理。     

广西木论国家级自然保护区植物物种多样性初步研究

广西木论国家级自然保护区位于我国滇黔桂植物区和华南植物区的交错地带，是古北极与古热带两大植物区系交接过渡的中心地带，在我国生物多样性保护区域中占据不可替代的地位。为摸清广西木论国家级自然保护区植物物种多样性，该文基于历史文献整理、野外调查、标本采集和鉴定以及数据统计分析，对该保护区维管束植物物种多样性组成及其特点进行了研究。结果表明：(1)该区共有维管束植物1 735种，包括石松类和蕨类植物218种、种子植物1 517种，具有较丰富的维管束植物多样性组成以及较复杂的植物区系成分。(2)该区共有中国特有植物486种、广西特有植物56种、岩溶特有植物262种，具有显著的植物特有性。(3)该区共有国家重点保护野生植物68种、广西重点保护野生植物153种、我国极小种群野生植物4种、受威胁植物108种、列入《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》(CITES)附录植物144种，具有较高程度的植物珍稀濒危性。综上表明，该区是我国重要的岩溶植物基因库，具有极其重要的保护价值。该研究结果为自然保护区的建设和管理、植物保护和利用以及其他科研工作的开展提供了重要依据。     

国家Ⅰ级重点保护极危植物藤枣研究进展

国家Ⅰ级重点保护植物藤枣[Eleutharrhena macrocarpa(Diels)Forman]属防己科单种属植物,主要分布于云南南部地区。藤枣因其形态特征和分布式样在防己科植物中较为独特,具有重要的植物系统学和区系地理学研究价值。据相关文献记载,目前发现和记录的藤枣自然种群数量小于60株,种群处于极危状态,面临灭绝风险。国内外与藤枣相关的研究资料也相对匮乏。为及时拯救和关注这一濒危物种,该文在前贤研究的基础上,总结报道了藤枣的分类学简史、科学研究价值、自然种群数量、濒危状况、生物多样性保护地位、区系分布、模式标本认定等方面的最新研究进展,提出了近期的研究目标。期望能对藤枣的准确鉴定、精准调查和进一步深入研究提供基础信息和理论参考。     

Asymbiotic Seed Germination and in vitro Seedling Rapid Development of Paphiopedilum spicerianum

In this paper, we studied the asymbiotic seed germination and seedling development of Paphiopedilum spicerianum, a wild plant with extremely small populations (PSESP) in China. By analogizing the influences of different media, seed maturity, pretreatments and lights on the seed germination, the results showed that the best germination condition is using the seeds at 270 days after pollination, pretreating with 1% NaOCl for 40 min, on the 1/4MS+10% coconut water medium under 24 hours darkness for 4 weeks. For seedling formation, 30g·L-1 Hyponex No 1 medium with 10mg·L-1 α naphthlene acetic acid, 05g·L-1 activated charcoal and 10% banana homogenate was the most effective. For seedling development, the same medium used for seedling formation with supplemented 10g·L-1 6 benzyladenine was most suitable.     

中国极小种群野生植物保护理论与实践研究进展

极小种群野生植物大都分布范围狭窄、个体数量稀少且自然更新困难, 面临随时灭绝的风险, 迫切需要拯救性保护。极小种群野生植物这一概念自提出以来受到了保护生物学领域的广泛关注, 已成为当前中国生物多样性保护的一个热点方向。我国于2010年正式启动实施极小种群野生植物拯救保护工程, 并开展了大量的保护研究和实践。以“extremely small population*”和“plant”为检索词在Web of Science进行了主题检索, 以“极小种群”和“植物”为检索词在中国知网进行了主题检索, 对获取的的学术期刊论文、学位论文和会议论文进行了梳理。本文从极小种群野生植物种群、群落及生境调查与监测、适应性、遗传多样性、繁殖生物学、濒危机制、动态模型6个方面对近年来极小种群野生植物的理论研究工作进行了较为系统的综述。在此基础上, 从就地保护、迁地保护与种质资源保存、野外回归、人工繁育、标准化体系5个方面回顾了极小种群野生植物保护实践及取得的进展。基于极小种群野生植物保护理论与实践研究现状, 我们建议在极小种群野生植物未来保护工作中不断调整和完善保护名录, 加强种群结构的观测和预测、小种群形成和恢复机制的针对性研究以及特定物种的长期系统性研究, 同时促进这一概念在国际上的推广。希望本文能为国家生物多样性保护和生态文明建设提供参考。     

Conservation and fruit biology of Sichou oak (Quercus sichourensis,Fagaceae) – A critically endangered species in China

Several conservation programs have been started for the critically endangered Sichou oak (Quercus sichourensis) since 2007. These programs include detailed field investigations, seedling cultivation and research on the fruit biology of the species. In this study, we first report on the five mature individual trees found in our 9-year field investigation. Thus far, a total of 10 mature individuals have been recorded. All Q. sichourensis trees are healthy and most produce healthy acorns. Acorns of Q. sichourensis are large with dry masses of 8.0–14.0 g. These acorns had high moisture contents at collection and died shortly after (7–28 d) when dried with silica gel. Characteristics of Q. sichourensis acorns varied between populations. Compared with the acorns from Funing, the acorns collected from Ceheng were bigger, more viable (germination percentage was up to 96%), less sensitive to desiccation, and germinated faster. Q. sichourensis occurs in regions with a distinct 5–6 month dry season. Habitat degradation is largely responsible for the rareness of Quercus sichorensis, but desiccation sensitivity of the acorns may also limit the regeneration of the species and potentially lead to its continued rareness. As a species with extremely small populations (PSESP), Q. sichourensis is facing high risk of extinction and should be defined as a Critically Endangered species in the global IUCN Red List.     

中国极小种群野生植物的保护现状评估

广阔的地域和多样的地形造就了中国丰富的生物多样性, 同时长时间的人类活动也导致我国有不少物种的生存受到威胁, 特别是一些极度濒危、随时有灭绝危险、生境要求独特、生态幅狭窄或基因易流失的物种需要重点保护。近期国家出台了《全国野生动植物及自然保护区建设工程总体规划》, 其中包含了首批重点保护的极小种群植物名单。本研究中, 我们整理了120种极小种群野生植物的高精度分布图, 探讨其分布格局并通过国家级和省级保护区网络评估其保护现状。研究发现, 中国极小种群野生植物丰富度最高的地方是云南东南部、广西西南部和海南岛西南部。国家级自然保护区对中国极小种群野生植物分布区的平均覆盖率为21.5%, 省级自然保护区的平均覆盖率为10.9%。有35种极小种群野生植物(占总数的29%)未受国家级自然保护区覆盖, 有17种(14%)未受任何国家级或省级自然保护区覆盖。我们建议在云南和海南省针对极小种群建立自然保护区。     

Diversity and conservation of Chinese wild begonias

Begonia, one of the most diverse plant taxa and the fifth or sixth largest angiosperm genus, consists of over 1800 accepted species. The number of species recognized within this genus has greatly increased over the past 20 years, rising from 80 to 200 species in China alone. Based on recent field surveys, the number of begonia species in China is predicted to be between 250 and 300. Given the large number of begonia species that still remain to be described, further taxonomical work is urgently required. This is especially true for Chinese Begonia, in which there is a huge diversity of habitat, habit, plant size, leaf type, flower and fruit morphology, and most species are narrowly distributed in isolated habitats that are subject to negative disturbances from climate change, as well as agricultural and industrial activities. Although the conservation status for the majority of species has been evaluated using the standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the results don't represent the truth in many species, and also about 11.5% of which are data-absent. In addition, illegal collection and over-harvesting of wild begonias for ornamental or medicinal use has increased due to the rapid development of internet commerce. Far more often than predicted, these species should be categorized as rare and endangered and require immediate protection. Ex situ conservation of Chinese begonias started in 1995 and over 60% of the total species have been so far introduced into cultivation by several major botanical gardens in China. However, only few research institutions, limited funds and human resources have been involved in Begonia conservation; moreover, no project has conducted reintroduction. Therefore, more conservation-based work remains to be done. Improved conservation of Chinese begonias in the future depends on further field survey, an improved understanding of population diversity, and integrative approaches, including in situ and ex situ conservation, seed banking, and plant reintroduction. Speciestargeted conservation zones should be established for endangered species excluded from the existing nature reserves. Additionally, laws pertaining to plant protection should be extended to prevent the illegal collection and transaction of wild plants, particularly for those species with unique habitats and small populations.     

Possible effects of habitat fragmentation and climate change on the range of forest plant species

Global circulation models predict an increase in mean annual temperature between 2.1 and 4.6 °C by 2080 in the northern temperate zone. The associated changes in the ratio of extinctions and colonizations at the boundaries of species ranges are expected to result in northward range shifts for a lot of species. However, net species colonization at northern boundary ranges, necessary for a northward shift and for range conservation, may be hampered because of habitat fragmentation. We report the results of two forest plant colonization studies in two fragmented landscapes in central Belgium. Almost all forest plant species (85%) had an extremely low success of colonizing spatially segregated new suitable forest habitats after c . 40 years. In a landscape with higher forest connectivity, colonization success was higher but still insufficient to ensure large-scale colonization. Under the hypothesis of net extinction at southern range boundaries, forest plant species dispersal limitation will prevent net colonization at northern range boundaries required for range conservation.