Document type
Journal articles
Document subtype
Full paper
Title
Ecology as a Tool to Assist Conservation of a Rare and Endemic Mediterranean Plantago Species
Participants in the publication
Helena Cristina Serrano (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
cE3c
Manuel João Pinto (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
Cristina Branquinho (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
cE3c
Maria Amélia Martins-Loução (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
cE3c
Summary
Reviewing the ecological studies on the endangered endemic Plantago almogravensis Franco, an Al-hyperaccumulator plant, and combining these with morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular data, significant knowledge on the limiting factors that cause its narrow geographical distribution and rarity status is achieved, which can contribute to suited conservation guidelines. Emphasis was given on (i) the major factors limiting P. almogravensis’ ecological niche (biotic and abiotic); (ii) phases of the life cycle and population dynamics; and (iii) and the phylogenetically close taxa (Plantago subulata aggregate) in order to fill the knowledge gaps in the uniqueness of P. almogravensis ecology, its phylogeny, and conservation status. The identification of relevant ecological data and using plant functional (morphological and physiological) traits, as well as genetic attributes, substantiate into a powerful tool to guide protection and conservation measures, usable toward this and other endangered hyperaccumulator plant species. Knowledge of the limitations of this strongly narrowly distributed plant allows for better design of conservation measures and to guide value and investment strategies in order to secure the species’ current area (habitat conservation and reclamation), direct the expansion of the existing population (assisting in populational densification and colonization), and/or grant ex situ conservation (genetic resources conservation).
Date of Submisson/Request
2020-10-06
Date of Acceptance
2021-05-10
Date of Publication
2021-06-16
Institution
cE3c/FCUL
Where published
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Publication Identifiers
ISSN - 2296-701X
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Document Identifiers
DOI -
https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.614700
URL -
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.614700
Rankings
Web Of Science Q1 (2020) - 4.171 - ECOLOGY
SCIMAGO Q1 (2020) - 1.317 - Ecology
Web Of Science Q1 (2020) - 4.171 - ECOLOGY - SCIE