[vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column animation=”yes” effect=”bounceIn”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]The “2nd Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week” included a combination of presentations, workshops and discussion panels. This event also represents a fantastic networking and learning opportunity for all the participants.
You can see the results and presentations from the 1st Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week here.[/vc_column_text][vc_message]
[/vc_message][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][cth_schedules][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=”Session 1″ tab_id=”1544176306220-92dc147a-4048″][vc_column_text]
This session deals with the state of ex situ plant conservation in the Mediterranean. Ex situ plant conservation is a complementary rather than alternative strategy to in situ plant conservation, as highlighted through the actions of the CARE-MEDIFLORA project and GENMEDA network. Various issues will be examined related to the methods used and the work of existing networks in the Mediterranean region. In addition, separate technical issues will be discussed concerning collections, curation, germination and storage methods that contribute to the more effective conservation of collections.
Other issues to be addressed include the state of conservation of target plants in the Mediterranean region, their use in recovery and restoration projects in view of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, as well as the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.
Fournaraki Christini (Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Crete, Greece).
Vicens Fornes Magdalena (Jardí Botànic de Sóller, Balearic Islands, Spain).[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Keynote presentation:
Recent advances in seed germination research of Mediterranean plants. Author: Konstantinos Thanos
CARE-MEDIFLORA presentation:
Ex situ conservation actions of the project “CARE-MEDIFLORA”. Author: Kyratzis Angelos (on behalf of all CARE-MEDIFLORA project)
Short presentations:
HOW TO SAVE A SELF-INCOMPATIBLE SPECIES FROM A UNIQUE PURE SPECIMEN FOUND WORLDWIDE: THE CASE OF THE CARTAGENA’S ROCKROSE. Authors: Emilio LAGUNA, P. Pablo FERRER-GALLEGO, Inmaculada FERRANDO, Francisco J. ALBERT & Víctor MARTÍNEZ GRANELL.
Ex-situ studies on biology of endangered oromediterranean plant as a first step towards successful in-situ conservation actions. In pdf. Authors: Boštjan Surina, Živa Fišer Pečnikar, Manica Balant, Peter Glasnović Boštjan Surina
RIBES, the Italian network of seedbanks: first data on the ex situ conservation of the endemic taxa. Authors: Magrini S., Bacchetta G., Bedini G., Borzatti A., Carasso V., Casavecchia S., Ceriani R., Cristaudo A., Di Cecco V., Di Martino L., Fabrini G., Gasparri R., Gratani L., Guglielmo F., Mariotti M., Negri V., Porceddu M., Salmeri C., Scialabba A., Villani M., Zappa E., Bonomi C.
The Native Tree Flora of Greece: a database essential for conservation actions. Authors: Evangelia N. Daskalakou, Katerina Koutsovoulou and Costas A. Thanos Evangelia.
To promote germination and remove dormancy in seeds of Mediterranean vascular plants: a learned lessons by studying the Sardinian flora. Authors: Porceddu Marco, Picciau Rosangela, Cuena Lombraña Alba, and Bacchetta Gianluigi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Session 2″ tab_id=”1544176306237-da9ace4f-01c7″][vc_column_text]
In situ conservation actions in existing plant populations of the Mediterranean region are essential to conserve plant diversity in general, and to enhance the conservation status of threatened and endemic plants in particular.
One of the most relevant approaches is plant translocations (including reintroduction and/or reinforcement), also in conjunction with complementary active management measures such as passive defense measures (e.g. fencing the area where the threatened species/populations occur), eradicating or controlling pest plants, or restoring the natural vegetation within or around the area, thus reconnecting isolated remnants.
It is essential to share experiences across the region to co-develop technical aspects, to refine methodologies and to implement successful in situ conservation actions. Mid- and/or long-term monitoring is also fundamental as it ensures the sustainability of in situ conservation actions and helps to safeguard threatened Mediterranean flora.
This session will explore existing experiences and knowledge developed in the Mediterranean territories, with a peculiar focus on the insular context. Participants will be invited to share their experiences.
Kyratzis Angelos (Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus).
Donatella Cogoni (Centro Conservazione Biodiversità, University of Cagliari Sardinia, Italy)[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Keynote
The challenges of in situ plant conservation in the Mediterranean. Author: Vernon Heywood
He presented the publication: BGCI and IABG’s Species Recovery Manual
Keynote 2
The role of translocations in conservation of wetland-dependent plant species. Authors: Orsenigo Simone, Graziano Rossi, Thomas Abeli
Short presentations
Contribution of translocations to enhance the conservation status of the threatened Mediterranean island flora: the CARE-MEDIFLORA project. Author: Fenu Giuseppe (on behalf of all CARE-MEDIFLORA project)
Invasive alien species in the Mediterranean islands: the CARE-MEDIFLORA project. Author: Gian Pietro Giusso del Galdo (on behalf of all CARE-MEDIFLORA project).
Continuous monitoring of the threatened flora of Menorca as a source for the creation of long-term management tools. Authors: Pere Fraga I Arguimbau.
In situ conservation of a rare plant (Dictamnus albus L.) and its pollinator community. Authors: Alessandro Fisogni , Gherardo Bogo, Laura Bortolotti, François Massol, Mathilde Dufay, Marta Galloni.
The importance of monitoring translocations in a long-time period. The case of a hybridization of a narrow endemic species from Balearic Islands, Helosciadium bermejoi. Authors: Juan Rita, Miquel Capó, Joana Cursach
An update on translocation activities of the climate relict tree Zelkova sicula (Sicily, Southern Italy). Authors: Giuseppe Garfì, Loredana Abbate, Stéphane Buord, Francesco Carimi, Angela Carra, Caterina Catalano, Laurence Fazan, Catherine Gautier, Alessando Silvestre Gristina, Gregor Kozlowski, Salvatore Livreri Console, Antonio Motisi, Salvatore Pasta, Giancarlo Perrotta
Assisted reproduction’ as a tool in restoration of threatened plant populations. Author: Gargano Domenico
Overgrazing by ungulates affects Euphorbia dendroides L. population stability in Mallorca landscape (Balearic Islands, Spain). Authors: Miquel Capó, Chiara Engelbrecht, Marta Ramoneda, Carles Cardona, Juan Rita, Elena Baraza.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Session 3″ tab_id=”1544176535723-4d99ba8c-86f0″][vc_column_text]
The lack of institutional and political frameworks under which adequate land management choices can be developed and efficiently implemented may hamper the achievement of ex situ and in situ conservation targets. Successful plant conservation depends on effective strategies and collaborations among countries, regions, local administrations, the scientific community, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
In particular, robust national-level programmes that focus on the relationship between ex situ and in situ plant conservation activities are urgently needed. In addition, plant conservation in the Mediterranean would be significantly enhanced through effective dissemination of plant conservation research outcomes, development of local conservation networks to foster long-term co-operation, strengthening of regional networks among Mediterranean countries, and sharing of experiences and lessons learned in different projects.
Giusso Del Galdo Gianpietro (Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy).
Hugot Laetitia (Conservatoire Botanique National de Corse – Office de l’Environnement de la Corse, France).
Keynote:
Conservation biogeography, a relevant challenge for plant conservation in the Mediterranean Basin hotspot. Frédéric Médail
Short presentations:
CARE-MEDIFLORA project, experiences with stakeholders and collaborations with administrations and private proprietaries. Authors: Magdalena Vicens and Carole Piazza (CARE-MEDIFLORA project)
New tools for plant diversity conservation planning. Authors: Joana Magos Brehm, Shelagh Kell, Imke Thormann, Hannes Gaisberger, Ehsan Dulloo and Nigel Maxted
Hierarchisation of species and prioritisation of conservation actions: towards a conservation strategy for flora, from biogeographical to regional level. Authors: M. LE BERRE, K. DIADEMA, V. NOBLE, M. PIRES, G. CASAZZA, L. MINUTO, M. MARIOTTI, S. ABDULHAK, N. FORT & F. MÉDAIL
Plant genetic resources in the Euro-Mediterranean region: building a new collaborative conservation network. Authors: Shelagh Kell, Nigel Maxted and Joana Magos Brehm
Collaboration between public administrations and research centers: a key element for guarantee the success of translocation actions. Authors: Pinna M.S., Cogoni D., Fenu G., Bacchetta G.
Integrated Conservation Approach in the Moroccan High Atlas. Authors: Hassan Rankou, Rachid Ait Babahmad, Soufiane M’Sou, Ugo D’Ambrosio, Emily Caruso & Gary Martin.
LIFEorchids (LIFE17NAT/IT/000596): a 5- years project for the conservation of orchids and their habitats. Authors: Samuele Voyron, Alessandro Portigliatti, Jacopo Calevo, Fernando Monroy, Annalisa Giovannini, Laura Cornara, Paolo Giordani, Alberto Girani, Dario Zocco, Luca Cristaldi, Paola Palazzolo, Simona Colombo, Marzio Marzorati, Jan Moravec, Silvia Perotto, Mariangela Girlanda
An update on the in situ conservation of Zelkova abelicea in Crete. Authors: L. Fazan, D. Ghosn, I. Remoundou, P. Gotsiou, P. Sklavaki, H. Kargiolaki, E. Flouris, E. Siligardos, P. Petrakis, C. Thanos, G. Garfì, G. Kozlowski, S. Pasta.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Session 4″ tab_id=”1544176617873-5113d9a4-9eea”][vc_column_text]
This session will explore how to translate plant information (species, populations, habitats, threats…) into concrete plant conservation actions, or plant conservation planning.
Plant information at site level is often dispersed, unavailable, or out-of-date. In addition, translating existing wild plant information into decision-making is not a straightforward process. This session will gather examples from around the Mediterranean where the results of field survey studies or other plant data may successfully translate into site-based conservation actions.
The session will explore in more detail how mapping tools can provide managers with the means to transform plant data into useful formats
It will explore possible avenues for collaboration between scientists and decision-makers at site level, with a view to developing conservation policies and site-based actions involving local populations.
Stories and case studies of coordination between managers, scientists, and communities or local users will be presented, and different types of tools developed around the region will be explored.
Marcos Valderrabano (IUCN Centre of Mediterranean Cooperation)
Keynote
Towards a process-based conservation strategy for Mediterranean plant diversity. John Thompson.
Short presentations
Introduction to terra lemnia Project. George Dimitropoulos
Humans, landscapes and plant diversity – first results from the Terra Lemnia project on Lemnos island (North Aegean, Greece). Maria Panitsa, Erwin Bergmeier, Stefan Meyer, Penelope Bebeli, Danae Sfakianou, Nicos Georgiadis, George Dimitropoulos.
Vegetal plant diversity on Lemnos Island (Greece) – status quo and implications for conservation efforts within the TerraLemnia-project. Stefan Meyer, Erwin Bergmeier, Maria Panitsa, Danae Sfakianou, Nicos Georgiadis, George Dimitropoulos.
Conservation of Lebanese Coastal Plants: Mission Impossible? Mohammad S. Al-Zein, Hicham Elzein, Jean Stephan, Magda Bou Dagher-Kharrat, Carla Khater
Diachronic cartography within an Important Plant Area : case study of Mount Chenoua (Tipasa, Algeria). Methodological approach and preliminary results. Nassima Souyad, Roger Manière et Nassima Yahi.
Assessing the conservation status of Monocots in the Mediterranean region: reflections from a recent IUCN Red List evaluation. Errol Véla, David Allen, Violeta Barrios, Richard Lansdown, and Catherine.
Geospatial analysis to assess distribution patterns of the critically endangered species Euphorbia fontqueriana Greuter. Joana Cursach, Antoni Josep Far, Maurici Ruiz.
Implementing GIS tools to analyse geospatial distribution factors to the reproductive success of sexual deceptive orchids: Ophrys balearica P. Delforge as an example. Joshua Borràs, Joana Cursach.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Session 5″ tab_id=”1544176687123-fdb2d933-91a1″][vc_column_text]
This session will facilitate transdisciplinary reflection and dialogue on the relationships between people and plants in the context of Mediterranean Cultural Landscapes. Lying at the intersection of vastly different cultures and biomes, the Mediterranean has long been a space characterised by movement and change. Here, people-plant relationships – and the landscapes in which they are embedded – are continuously being transformed by migrations, natural and cultural cross-pollinations, human and natural disasters and the innovations that blossom in this fertile ground. As these transformations accelerate in a context of rapid socioecological change, we are pressed to find new ways of coping with our precarious and indeterminate environmental futures.
The session brings the conservation sciences into dialogue with emerging social scientific concepts that ‘disrupt’ our binary perspective of nature as separate from culture. In doing so, it hopes to find new spaces for creative and joint reflection on how to conserve Mediterranean plants in rapidly changing landscapes. In particular, it will explore how we can harness the dynamic, active and reciprocal relationships that exist between people and plants in the Mediterranean to sustain existing community conservation initiatives and to build innovative plant conservation actions across the region.
The session will be composed of 10 Pecha Kucha talks followed by an interactive dialogue session.
Emily Caruso (Global Diversity Foundation).
Ugo D’Ambrosio (GDF Mediterranean Ethnobiology Programme Director).
Keynote.
Zaatar and zaitra: a parable of disruption and rewilding in Moroccan cultural landscapes Gary Martin
What’s the point of talking about flowers?. Hub Members: Attard Everaldo, Gerada Mario, Pisani Maria, Radmilli Rachel. Hub Researchers: Cutajar Simone, Lippi Simiona. Hub Collaborations: Caruana Censu, Caruana Joseph, Farrugia Pyt.
Short presentations.
Local knowledge on uses and the ecological sustainability of wild medicinal plant harvesting: a case study on Lemnos island, Greece. Papageorgiou Dimitrios, Schunko Christoph.
Ethnobotanical knowledge in the High Atlas: potential for plant biodiversity conservation. Ugo D’Ambrosio, Irene Teixidor-Toneu, Hajar Salamat , Soufiane M’Sou, Hamid Ait Baskad, Fadma Ait Illigh, Touda Atyah, Giada Bellia, Abdeddaim El Hajjam, Hafida Mouhdach, Hassan Rankou, Emily Caruso & Gary J.Martin.
Conserving and managing local seed crops biodiversity in Sicily: towards functional community seed banks. Cristina Salmeri
Functional seed traits of wild edible East Mediterranean plants. Pablo Gómez-Barreiro, Efisio Mattana, Khaled Abulaila, Joelle Breidy, Nizar Hani , Michiel van Slageren, Elinor Breman, Udayangani Liu, Tiziana Cossu, Santiago Vilanova Navarro, Tiziana Ulian.
Conservation of traditional knowledge on wild plants, despite the vanishing of their natural habitats: the case of central spanish wetlands. Segundo RÍOS, Alonso VERDE, José FAJARDO, Vicente CONSUEGRA, Diego RIVERA, Concepción OBÓN4, Francisco ALCARAZ, Vanessa MARTÍNEZ-FRANCÉS, Arturo VALDÉS, José REYES, Estela BARROSO, Luis SAN JOAQUÍN2, José GARCÍA, P. Pablo FERRER- GALLEGO & Emilio LAGUNA.
Plant species translocation in Mediterranean: lessons from the Antiquity on the meaning and value of the alien species. Pietro Minissale.
A quantitative tool to assess local preference for the conservation of Important Plant Areas (IPA): a case study of Sannine-Kneysseh IPA in Lebanon. Salman, M.M., S.N. Talhouk, S. Kharroubi, and M. Itani.
Reconnecting people with plants: implementation of guidelines for ancillary botanical gardens (ABG). Melhem, G. M., Y. Abunnasr, and S.N. Talhouk.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Session 6″ tab_id=”1544176763720-9340d884-70a8″][vc_column_text]
This session will explore tools for conservation at site level. In the context of this session, a “site” is defined according to its management scale: it includes not only Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) for plants, but also Protected Areas, community managed areas, or other management units.
The emphasis of the session will be given to management figures specifically designed for plant conservation like plant micro-reserves, or certain community managed areas, as well as the identification of sites important to plant diversity like the KBAs identified for plants.
This session will finally explore the type of actions that site management allows, including habitat restoration. Species actions conducted at site level will be explored separately in Session 2. This session will focus on showcasing examples from around the Mediterranean and show concrete site- level examples that have permitted site conservation of species.
Emilio Laguna (Generalitat valenciana).
Marcos Valderrabano (IUCN Centre of Mediterranean Cooperation).
Keynote 1
Overview of Micro-reserves and site based approaches. E. Laguna
Short presentations 1
Endemic, rare and threatened coastal species of Ionian Islands: threats and protection. S. Samaropoulou
Coastal cliffs: Protecting through plant micro-reserves an outstanding habitat, threatened by urbanistic development in the Mediterranean Basin. S. Fos (E. Laguna)
Keynote 2
Overview of habitat restoration and habitat approaches. M. Bou Dagher-Kharrat
Short presentations 2
Structural basis of a habitat: A model to choose species to be used in habitat restorations. E. Laguna.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Field trip” tab_id=”1544176859167-486ab4f2-4805″][vc_column_text]The field trip is intended to give an idea of the geology and vegetation of the Maltese Islands. We intend to start from Sliema leaving at 9:15, visit a couple of locations on the North East coast and proceed to the Northwest side of the Island to see a range of geological features, topography and associated vegetation. The field trip will include a visit to the high cliffs of Dingli and the archaeological site of Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Publications” tab_id=”1544176912217-a5454d77-0ea5″][vc_column_text]
During the side event the publication “Conserving wild plants in the south and east Mediterranean region” will be released. The aim of this publication is to provide a snapshot of existing knowledge of plant diversity in the South and East Mediterranean, and to propose which strategies and actions can be taken to enhance plant conservation in the region.
Thanks to a joint effort of more than 40 authors and dozens of contributors, it brings together in a single document an overview of existing knowledge on plant diversity, and provides concrete strategies, with local examples, for plant conservation that are applicable in the south and east Mediterranean region. It is aimed at helping conservation policy makers and a wide range of practitioners (land managers, Non-Governmental Organizations, local communities, conservation agencies) to implement plant conservation programmes and initiatives in the south and east Mediterranean region. The publication may also help botanist, academia, and amateurs in getting a rapid overview of plant knowledge in the area, existing key resources and where to find them.
During the side event, the platform “Trees and shrubs of North Africa” will also be launched and presented.
Collaboration between IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, and extensive network of botanist and foresters has allowed to update information contained in publication “Guía de los Árboles y Arbustos del Norte de África” (Charco, 2001), and let basis for the creation of this web page.
This site compiles all the native species of trees, shrubs and climbing woody plants of northern Africa. Altogether 872 species (sometimes includes very small but woody plants), from 290 genera and 76 families.
The side event will explain functioning of the site, and how to collaborate to improve data and provide updates.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”MedisWet project” tab_id=”1544176956944-9e322599-5517″][vc_column_text]
This session deals with the conservation of Mediterranean Basin islands wetlands and highlight the MedIsWet project. MedIsWet contributes to the implementation of a network of nine countries involved in the completion of the inventories of all the Mediterranean islands wetlands, dissemination of knowledge and promotion of certain conservation measures at local, national and Mediterranean scale.
One of the aim of the project is to find further financing resources to develop urgent and effective restoration activities. Accordingly, this session will present several restoration activities of small wetlands taking place in small islands. In addition, governance system, funding and type of restoration will be discussed between participants. These outputs will be the occasion to identify and prioritize the issues related to islands wetlands specificities and will provide the basis to set up a roadmap for islands wetlands of the Mediterranean.
Mathieu Thévenet (PIM Initiative)
Krista Falzon (Nature Trust Malta)
Eylül Dizdaroglu (WWF Turkey)
Mauro Fois (CCB/University of Cagliari)
Pietro Minissale (University of Catania)
Thanos Giannakakis (WWF Greece)
Boris Lauš (Hyla)
Pantelina Emmanouilidou (Limoges University) [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The MedIsWet Project: Conservation of Mediterranean Island Wetlands
Total Duration side-event: 1h30
General Introduction.
Chairman: Mathieu Thévenet. (10min)
Part 1 – Presentation of the first results of national inventories and possible restoration activities. (60 min)
Part 2 – Discussions with the participants to highlight priorities for restoration activities on Mediterranean islands wetlands (small wetlands) – 30 min.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”CEPF Side Event” tab_id=”1544177040562-2756d9f5-a2ee”][vc_column_text]
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, active in the Mediterranean Basin since 2012, has started a new phase of investment for the Mediterranean Basin last year. The new strategy (outlined in the Ecosystem Profile), to which more than 500 experts and organizations of the region contributed, includes for the first time a specific strategic direction on plants.
During this session, representatives from CEPF will introduce to the audience the strategic direction on plants and investment priorities, followed by a series of short presentations from CEPF’s newest grantees to understand the work they will be undertaking throughout the Mediterranean. The session will finish with a plenary discussion about the role of civil society in plant conservation; the benefits of having civil society organisations working in this field, the obstacles to their engagement, and how to get more involved.
The session will be followed by a cocktail event.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]General Presentation of CEPF Funding structure and functioning, and strategic direction for Plant Conservation. Pierre Carret and Liz Smith.
Presentations – Montenegro
Conservation of endemic, rare and threatened plant species on Mt. Orjen. Mihailo Jovicevic
Presentation – Albania
Conservation and propagation of the Albanian tulip. Endri Haxhiraj
Presentation – Cape Verde
Melhorar o Conhecimento e Distribuição das Espécies da Flora Ameaçadas de Extinção na Ilha do Fogo e Brava. Herculano Andrade Dinis
Presentation – Jordan
Mainstreaming Important Plant Areas into the national Conservation Planning Framework. Khaled Abulaila
Presentation – Tunisia
Conserver les plantes patrimoniales de Garâa Sejenane et Dar Fatma-Tunisie. Imtinen ben haj jilani
Presentation – Macedonia
Working together for conservation of national endemic plants in Macedonia. Natalija Melovska.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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