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Diversity
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Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global...
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Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global Changes

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 11829

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marius Mirodon Fagaras

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Doctoral School of Applied Science, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900470 Constanța, Romania
Interests: plant ecology; conservation biology; management of protected areas; invasive plants; ecosystem restauration
Prof. Dr. Alexandru Sabin-Badarau

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: biogeography; ecology; biodiversity; protected areas

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The conservation of threatened plants inside and outside of protected areas is an old concern of scientists and a priority in the current context, in which the pressure on ecosystems, natural habitats, and species is increasing due to humanity's increased need for natural resources as well as due to climate change, which generates additional stress on the natural environment and has implicit effects on biodiversity. A better knowledge of biological diversity, including rare and endemic plants, the better protection of valuable areas by expanding ecological networks, the restoration and sustainable management of degraded ecosystems, and combatting the effects of global changes are objectives/commitments of the European Union in EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The conservation of rare and endemic plants is part of this strategy because they are the elements that are the most exposed to the danger of extinction against the background of altered and fragmented natural habitats in a natural environment that is constantly changing.

To achieve this Special Issue, we invite contributors in the field of phytodiversity conservation to contribute to the knowledge and evaluation of rare, endemic, endangered plant species, and plant communities from different ecosystems and biogeographical regions and of management measures that can maintain or improve their conservation.

Articles focused on the following topics (but also on other related topics) are welcome:

  • Rare and endemic plants and plant communities in different types of ecosystems and the factors that influence their distribution and evolution;
  • The "in situ" and "ex situ" conservation of rare and endemic plants;
  • The impact of global changes on rare and endemic plants and plant communities;
  • The impact of invasive species on rare and endemic plants;
  • Disturbances in ecosystems and natural habitats that can influence the evolution of rare and endemic plants and plant communities;
  • The reintroduction of rare and endemic plant species in ecologically restored habitats;
  • The relationships between rare and endemic plants with the other components of biocenoses and how these relationships influence their evolution;
  • The management of protected areas and ecological corridors to improve the conservation state of protected plant species and plant communities.

Prof. Dr. Marius Mirodon Fagaras
Prof. Dr. Alexandru Sabin-Badarau
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • rare and endemic plants
  • plant communities
  • conservation
  • protected areas
  • global changes
  • phytodiversity
  • ecosystems
  • natural habitats

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5250 KiB  
Article
Endangered Taxus wallichiana var. wallichiana—Its Forest Characteristics, Population Structure, and Regeneration Status in Yunnan, Southwestern China
by Cindy Q. Tang, Qing Chen, You-Cai Shi, Qiao Li, Kang-Di Pei, Shuaifeng Li, Peng-Bin Han, Shu-Li Xiao, Min-Rui Du, Ming-Chun Peng and Chong-Yun Wang
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100642 - 16 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1568
Abstract
The survival of relict Taxus wallichiana var. wallichiana (Yunnan yew) is threatened by overexploitation for its quality wood and medicinal properties, particularly for taxol extraction. Understanding the current status of its communities and populations is crucial for protecting existing natural forest resources. We [...] Read more.
The survival of relict Taxus wallichiana var. wallichiana (Yunnan yew) is threatened by overexploitation for its quality wood and medicinal properties, particularly for taxol extraction. Understanding the current status of its communities and populations is crucial for protecting existing natural forest resources. We established 53 vegetation plots in Yunnan, southwestern China, where T. wallichiana var. wallichiana is the primary dominant species. These plots were classified into four forest types. The forests were multi-stratified, with T. wallichiana var. wallichiana frequently dominating the subcanopy and shrub layer. Species diversity indices did not significantly differ among the four forest types. The age structure of T. wallichiana var. wallichiana exhibited a multi-modal pattern, with a maximum age of 1165 years. Growth was slow, with an average radial growth rate of 0.78 mm/year. Despite its strong sprouting ability, the species had a poor seedling/sapling bank and suffered from inadequate regeneration. Its seedlings/saplings are shade-intolerant. This study provides a scientific basis for effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for in situ regeneration to ensure the survival of T. wallichiana var. wallichiana and its contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global Changes)
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18 pages, 3267 KiB  
Article
Pollination Strategies and Reproductive Biology of Fritillaria imperialis L. (Liliaceae): Insights from Erzincan, Türkiye
by Faruk Yildiz, Meral Aslay and Ozkan Kaya
Diversity 2024, 16(8), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080455 - 1 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1346
Abstract
Fritillaria spp., comprising perennial bulbous plants of significant medicinal and ornamental value, face high endangerment in their natural habitats. Despite their importance, the reproductive characteristics and adaptive evolution mechanisms of these species remain incompletely understood. This study focused on the pollination strategies and [...] Read more.
Fritillaria spp., comprising perennial bulbous plants of significant medicinal and ornamental value, face high endangerment in their natural habitats. Despite their importance, the reproductive characteristics and adaptive evolution mechanisms of these species remain incompletely understood. This study focused on the pollination strategies and reproductive biology of Fritillaria imperialis L. The research was conducted at the Erzincan Horticultural Research Institute in Türkiye. Our investigation categorized the flowering process of F. imperialis into nine distinct phases. Through comprehensive assessments of the pollen/ovule ratio, self-incompatibility index (SII), and ex situ pollination experiments, we observed high levels of self-incompatibility and allogamy in F. imperialis. Our findings revealed that pollination of F. imperialis primarily relied on pollen vectors, with Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris identified as the most effective pollinators. Furthermore, average seed set rate, seed production, and seed viability were quantified at 80.5%, 228 seeds, and 86.3%, respectively. The average numbers of pollen viability and pollen grains were measured at 93% and 702,000, respectively. This comprehensive analysis of the reproductive biology of F. imperialis provides crucial insights for the conservation and genetic management of this highly valuable species. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the reproductive strategies employed by Fritillaria spp., which may inform future conservation efforts and breeding programs for these endangered plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global Changes)
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13 pages, 5898 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Spiranthes spiralis Population’s Phenotypic Density in the Plant Community of Medicagini minimae–Festucetum valesiacae Meadows in the Natura 2000 Jiului Corridor Site, Romania (ROSCI0045)
by Mariana Niculescu, Ovidiu Florin Păniță, Paula Iancu and Marius Mirodon Făgăraș
Diversity 2024, 16(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16010001 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1472
Abstract
There are few reports related to the presence of Spiranthes spiralis in the Oltenia region in southern Romania. This study develops the information concerning the presence of this type of orchid in Gorj County. The studies on the populations of this orchid species [...] Read more.
There are few reports related to the presence of Spiranthes spiralis in the Oltenia region in southern Romania. This study develops the information concerning the presence of this type of orchid in Gorj County. The studies on the populations of this orchid species have been conducted in the Natura 2000 site of the Community ROSCI0045 Jiului Corridor. In the researched territory, during the investigations, twelve populations of Spiranthes spiralis were sampled for the first time. In 2022–2023, we studied the distribution of this species and assessed its population densities. Our observations indicate that it is a relatively widespread species in the studied area and its populations are more abundant in meadows, in the Medicagini minimae–Festucetum valesiacae plant community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global Changes)
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17 pages, 9599 KiB  
Article
Ecoregional and Phytogeographical Insights into the Distribution of Tulipa in the ‘Nature Imperiled’ Area of Central Asia for Effective Conservation
by Temur Asatulloev, Davron Dekhkonov, Ziyoviddin Yusupov, Umida Tojiboeva, Lei Cai, Komiljon Tojibaev and Weibang Sun
Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121195 - 5 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2264
Abstract
Tulipa L. (Liliaceae) comprises approximately 150 species. Although Central Asia, the main center of its diversity, includes around 66 species, detailed mapping of their distribution is limited and research on their ecoregional and phytogeographical dispersion is insufficient. This study aimed to map and [...] Read more.
Tulipa L. (Liliaceae) comprises approximately 150 species. Although Central Asia, the main center of its diversity, includes around 66 species, detailed mapping of their distribution is limited and research on their ecoregional and phytogeographical dispersion is insufficient. This study aimed to map and analyze the distribution patterns of Tulipa across the Central Asian ecoregions and phytogeographical regions to identify potential hotspots for effective conservation efforts. The results identified the Gissaro-Alai open woodlands ecoregion, which hosts 41 species of Tulipa, as the leading hotspot ecoregion. The Ferghana Valley phytogeographical district (Afghano-Turkestan province) was found to be the most suitable habitat for 25 species of Tulipa. We also determined that altitude has a strong influence on the diversity of Tulipa and indicating increase of species richness as elevation rises. However, as elevation rises up from ca. 2000 m a.s.l. species richness also decreases slightly. An analysis of the distribution of sections of Tulipa in Central Asia revealed that around 61% of all species dwell in this area and that the sections Kolpakowskianae and Biflores, which have their greatest diversity of species, are specific to this area. The findings provide valuable insights into the distribution of Tulipa and allow for feasible recommendations and suggestions for their conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global Changes)
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15 pages, 1710 KiB  
Article
Reproductive Biology and Pollination Ecology of Fritillaria michailovskyi Fomin (Liliaceae), Endemic to East Anatolia (Turkey)
by Meral Aslay, Faruk Yıldız, Ozkan Kaya and Claudia Bita-Nicolae
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030414 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3501
Abstract
Fritillaria is highly endangered in their natural habitats, and these species are perennial bulbous plants with an important medicinal and ornamental value whose reproductive strategies and adaptive evolution mechanisms are still not fully clear. Therefore, the reproductive strategies of endemic species, like Fritillaria [...] Read more.
Fritillaria is highly endangered in their natural habitats, and these species are perennial bulbous plants with an important medicinal and ornamental value whose reproductive strategies and adaptive evolution mechanisms are still not fully clear. Therefore, the reproductive strategies of endemic species, like Fritillaria michailovskyi Fomin are important to detect the community structure and the diversity patterns of ornamental plants. The current paper on the reproductive strategy of F. michailovskyi, a rare endemic species, was carried out at the Erzincan Horticultural Research Institute, Turkey. Our results indicate that the flowering stages of F. michailovskyi may be divided into eight phases. According to pollination experiments and the pollen/ovule ratio, and the self-incompatibility index (SII) in an ex-situ population, F. michailovskyi indicated high levels of xenogamy and self-incompatibility. It was determined that the pollination of F. michailovskyi mostly depended on pollen vectors, and the effective pollinators of F. michailovskyi were Apis mellifera and Bombus terrestris. In addition, average seed number, seed germination, and average seed viability were found as 144, 46%, and 67%, respectively. The stigma receptivity, pollen grains, and pollen viability were detected as 83%, 252,000, and 95%, respectively. Our study is the first report providing a detailed explanation of the reproductive strategy of this rare endemic species, which could aid in the genetic evolution and conservation of this valuable taxa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rare and Endemic Plant Conservation in the Context of Global Changes)
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