Plant translocations are increasingly crucial in conservation efforts, establishing new populations, augmenting declining ones, and reintroducing species to their native habitats. Despite their effectiveness in reducing the risk of extinction for seriously threatened plants, translocations are often the last option due to high costs and failure risk. However, such actions are urgent in the Mediterranean Basin, a global hotspot for plant diversity, which faces significant anthropogenic pressures and climate change. In this context, Dianthus morisianus Vals. (Caryophyllaceae) stands out as a narrow endemic species in a coastal dune system in south-west Sardinia. Its habitat is in continuous decline; consequently, it is assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Global Red List (CR), yet it is not protected by any international, national, or local regulations. To reduce the extinction risk of D. morisianus, three conservation translocation actions have been undertaken since 2010. The first, in November 2010, involved the construction of protective fences and the reintroduction of 113 juvenile plants. The second, in February 2012, introduced 25 juvenile plants to an open, unprotected site. The third, in March 2018, aimed to strengthen the population by introducing 38 adult plants. Long-term monitoring over 14, 12, and 6 years, respectively, indicated high survival, flowering, and fruiting rates for fenced plants. The newly fenced populations had a survival rate exceeding 96% in the first year, reaching 100% in subsequent years. Flowering and fruiting rates ranged from around 40% in the first year to over 70% in the following years. Many new seedlings appeared after two years, increasing annually (quintupling over time). In contrast, the unprotected site exhibited low seedling numbers and no reproductive plants. Fenced populations demonstrated enhanced long-term survival and reproductive success, becoming self-sustaining through successive generations. This translocation project showcases an effective strategy for reintroducing endangered species and offers a model for similar conservation efforts in Sardinia and the broader Mediterranean region.
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Conservation Translocation: a crucial strategy to protect endangered plants
Published:
11 October 2024
by MDPI
in The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Diversity
session Biodiversity Conservation
Abstract:
Keywords: Plant Tanslocation; Mediterranean Flora; Endangered Plants; Plant Extinction Risk