PGR Forum – Workshop 4 Mahon, Minorca (Spain), 20-24 april 2004

1. PGR Forum – Workshop 4Mahon, Minorca (Spain), 20-24 april 2004 From ex situ to in situ conservation: an assessment of the micro-reserve initiative. Dr. Emilio Laguna Servicio de Conservación de la Biodiversidad Conselleria de Territorio y Vivienda , Generalitat Valenciana

2. Key words Wild relatives of cultivated plants Ex situ conservation / Botanic Gardens In situ conservation: -Plant microreserves -Habitats restoration

3. Territory:The Valencian Community (Spain) 23.260 sq. Km 3,8 million inhabitants 51%: Natural areas; 49% Agriculture and cities Altitude: 0-1836 m Coastline: 430 km Mean annual rainfall: 180-980 mm/year Mean annual temperatures (cities): 9,0-19,5ºC Legal status: Authonomous Community* *The regional Parliament (Corts Valencianes) and Government (Generalitat Valenciana) are fully empowered to draft and pass all types of laws and decrees concerned with the conservation of natural heritage (i.e. List of protected species, proposal and declaration of protected sites, etc..), both on emerged lands and marine sites. The role of the Spanish Parliament is restricted to the declaration of National Parks and the approval of frame laws. The in situ and ex situ conservation of wild relatives of cultivated plants in the Valencian Community is fully regulated and managed by the Generalitat Valenciana.

4. Wild relatives of cultivated plants (WRCP) The Valencian Community shelters an outstanding richness of wild plants (3.200 species of vascular plants, 350 of them being Spanish endemic plants), including a large representation of WRCPs. Over 15% of the wild vascular plant species can be considered as WRCPs. WRCPS include: -A large list of native wild species, relatives of present or past crops, ancestors of cultivated species around the Mediterranean bassin (i.e., Brassica, Raphanus, Vicia, Lathyrus, Prunus, Hordeum, Avena, Allium, etc.) -Wild species used in the past to generate the genetic pool of present crops (i.e., Prunus insititia, Malus sylvestris, Beta maritima, ...) -Naturalized representatives of cultivated species, integrated in the natural vegetation (i.e., Olea europaeaoleaster, Pinus pinea, Ceratonia siliqua, Prunus avium, P. dulcis, Juglans regia, ...) -A large group of neglected crops, naturalized or integrated in natural areas (i.e., Crataegus azarollus, Mespilus germanica, Sorbus domestica, Rubia tinctorum, Crathamus tinctorius, ...) -Wild species used as food or industrial plants, and cultivated/domesticated in the past (i.e., Silene vulgaris, Portulaca oleracea, Sonchus sp. pl, Cichorium intybus, Scolymus hispanicus, Stipa tenacissima, Silybum marianum ...) -Wild or naturalized plants used as rootstocks for productive crops (i.e., Olea europaea sylvestris, Prunus mahaleb, Crataegus monogyna brevispina, Pistacia terebinthus, ...)

5. Scolymus hispanicus Stipa tenaccissima Ziziphus jujuba Sonchus tenerrimus Salix viminalis, S. purpurea Lathyrus pulcher

6. Valencian policy on plant conservation The regional government (Generalitat Valenciana) is developing a policy based on ‘multispecific’ measures (those which simultaneously benefit a large amount of species). The most remarkable activities are: -In situ conservation through the plant micro-reserve network -Ex situ conservation through the regional germplasm bank (Botanical Garden of the Universitry of Valencia) and the establishment of micropropagation protocols for the most endangered species (Valencian Institute for Agronomic Research) -Establishment of a catalogue of ex situ and in situ protocols for germination, culture and plantation of target species (endemic, rare and dominant taxa for all types of natural habitats) -Network of experimental plots for the monitoring of restoration practices – partially overlapping with the micro-reserve network) -New crops for sustainable development: Domestication of endemic species useful as scented plants, medicinal crops, etc. It deals with inter-dependent activities, not being considered as isolated initiatives.

7. Plant micro-reserves networkProjects LIFE93 NAT/E/000766 (1994-99) and LIFE99 NAT/E/006417

8. Plant micro-reserves facts The Regional Wildlife Service of the Valencian Community created in 1994 a new statutory protection figure for plant conservation named ‘plant micro-reserve’. The objectives were twofold: • 1) Scientific monitoring of target species — ca. 600 taxa, 350 of which Spanish endemics — and vegetation types to establish long-term trends. • 2) Development of experiences of active conservation: ecological restoration, population reinforcements, etc.

9. The micro-reserves are mainly focused on the protection of microhabitats, sites which concentrate a significant amount of target species in a small surface, i. e. Mediterranean temporary ponds, small islands, petrifying springs, coastal cliffs, relict forests, etc.

10. This statutory protection figure was first established in public land. Subsequently, it included private grounds where landowners showed a patent interest in plant conservation. Traditional activities (i.e. livestock grazing) compatible with plant conservation are maintained, so as to conserve rare or endemic species dependent on open vegetation (i.e. heliophytes that rely on vegetation clearing)

11. Currently, 230 plant micro-reserves have been officially declared. They comprise a surface of 1.440 ha and include examples of natural and semi-natural habitats. Over 85% of the endemic species are represented with at least one population within micro-reserves The official declaration includes a management plan, which is published in the official gazette (together with the declaration of the protected site itself) The management plan of all micro-reserves includes at least 1 or more active conservation measures. For instance, the Regional Wildlife Service transfers seeds of the target species, from the micro-reserves to the germplasm bank of the Botanical Garden of Valencia. Experiences of habitat restoration and/or management of endangered species have been carried out in more than 30% of the micro-reserves during the 1999-2003 period, in the framework of the LIFE project NAT/E/006417 ‘Conservation of priority habitats of the Valencian Community’

12. Micro-reserves and crop relatives Most microreserves shelter relatives of crop species, including neglected or abandoned crops such as: Remnants of old plantations or naturalized populations of tree crops, i.e. Ceratonia siliqua, Prunus avium,Juglans regia, etc. Wild relatives of formerly cultivated plants, i.e. Crataegus gr. monogyna (relative of C. azarollus) Wild relatives of currently cultivated trees, i.e. the only regional population of Malus sylvestris (micro-reserve ‘Barranco de la Pegunta, SCI Penyagolosa) Wild relatives –often considered as ‘weeds’- of herbaceous crops, i.e., Rapistrum rugosum, Beta maritima, B. patellaris, Atriplex patula, Malva sp. pl., Apium nodiflorum, Daucus sp. pl., Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum, Pimpinella sp. pl., etc. Wild populations of species formerly cultivated as medicinal plants – mainly Eurosiberian relict plants-, such as Anethum graveolens, Conium maculatum, Ferula communis subsp. catalaunica, Laserpitium sp. pl., Smyrnium olusatrum, etc.

13. Micro-reserves: the meeting point for in situ and ex situ actions Microreserves bring together in situ and ex situ conservation actions. For instance, micro-reserves serve as: • Preferred source of germplasm for seedbanks • Areas for structural management of vegetation: clearing, removal of ancient reafforestations using unsuitable species, conservation of reference trees for forestry purposes, control of alien invasive species • Sites where reinforcement or re-introduction of endangered species are carried out. Most often plant material for reinforcements is obtained from propagules collected within micro-reserves, stored in the germplasm bank of BGs and reared in research centres or official nurseries. • Places where practical applications of restoration ecology principles can be carried out

14. Restoring priority habitatsProject LIFE99 NAT/E/006417

15. Quantifiable results of the LIFE99 NAT/E/006417 project (1999-2003) 226 plots (over 966 ha) of 17 priority habitats (Directive 92/43/CEE annex I) managed 90.400 plantlets (168 species, 174 plots, 16 habitats) and 39.092 pre-treated seeds (20 spp, 17 plots, 5 habitats) planted; 7.611 plants (47 spp., 49 plots, 8 habitats) translocated from endangered to neighbouring safe sites for conservation. Eradication experiences of 6 alien invasive species in 85 ha (17 plots); vegetation clearcutting of 119 ha (34 plots); tree removal or lowering of tree density in 19 plots. 152 plots signalized, fencing experiences in 90 plots (5.540 posts, 15,1 km of rope), 17 explanatory boards.

17. Some examples of experimental works Germplasm bank (Botanical Garden of Valencia): 528 new accessions of 329 species In vitro propagation experiences of 36 species of native orchids Population reinforcement of rock dwelling plant species, using different techniques for seed fixation Plantation of Pinguicola dertosensis using leaf cuttings and basal bulbs Comparative experiences brackish peatbog recovery (with very low recovery rates), using underwater plantations, floating platforms, etc. Establishment of protocols for the removal of Agave americana; control experiences with Austrocylindropuntia bigelowii / tunicata

19. Case studies - the turning of abandonned paddy fields into high-biodiversity lagoons - plant conservation in Columbretes islands: the case of Medicago citrina

20. Case studies: the turning of abandonned paddy fields into high-biodiversity lagoons Newly created lagoons on abandoned rice fields in the SCIs Albufera de Valencia* and Marjal dels Moros**, earmarked for the reintroduction of endangered species of endemic fishes (Valencia hispanica, Lebias ibera) have been planted with up to 30.000 plants/ha of over 60 species, among which some of the rarest helophytes and hydrophytes of the region (i,e, Kosteletzkya pentacarpa, protected by the Habitats Directive and also a crop plant around the Black Sea plante for natural fiber production); some extinct species reintroduced (i.e., Marsilea quadrifolia). Landscape restoration is attained within 3-4 years of the intervention, including the tree canopy (recovery of the endangered, endemic plant-association Lonicero biflorae-Populetum albae). *Plant micro-reserve Laguna del Samaruc d’Algemesi **Plant micro-reserve Laguna del Fartet de Sagunt

21. The Laguna del Samaruc: a success story1997 and 2001 aerial views of the Laguna del Samaruc, SIC Albufera de Valencia.

24. Examples of WRCPs and/or useful plants involved in the restoration processes -Kosteletzkya pentacarpa -Typha dominguensis -Iris pseudacorus -Nymphaea alba -Apium repens

25. Plant conservation in Columbretes islands* (terrestrial and marine Nature Reserve ; 2 plant micro-reserves) Eradication of rabbits (1988) Monitoring of invaders species (Cuscuta, Yceria) Removal of Opuntia maxima Vegetative propagation of the most endangered shrubs (only 1-4 remaining) to increase seed production: Lycium intricatum, Withania frutescens Reintroduction of Medicago citrina in ‘Columbrete Gran’ island (extinct in 1960; but still living in 2 of the remainder islands) Plant restoration, following the successional stages of local vegetation *The archipelago is formed by 4 small islands, only covering 14 ha and placed 55 km far form the continent. Remained uncolonized until 1850. Only the bigger island (Columbrete Gran, 12 ha), was colonized, and its vegetation severely destroyed. August 1988 November 1988

26. Conservation of Medicago citrina 1997: widespread dieback of Medicago citrina (endemic plant of Columbretes Islands and Cabrera archipelago) 2/3 of Columbretes population dead or severely damaged (ca. 30% world population) Causal agent: Attack of Icerya purchasi (Cottony cushion scale)

27. 1996: Citrus trees in the Valencian Community suffered the attack of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella 1996-97: Valencian farmers fight Ph. citrella with chemicals that eliminate the ladybird beetle Rhodolia cardinalis (traditionally used in biological control of I. purchasi)* *Rh. cardinalis was introduced by 1920s to combat I. purchasi; both species came from Eastern Asia 1997: Valencian citrus tress undergo a severe attack of I. purchasi 1997: I. purchasi dispersed from the Iberian peninsula to the Columbretes islands by April, presumably by migrant birds; the population of M. citrina was severely damaged 1997-2003: The Wildlife Service culls the population of I. purchasi liberating small amounts of Rh. cardinalis ; new plantets of M. citrina are produced to restore the damaged areas showing lower rates of natural regeneration

28. In addition, the habitat restoration has been reinforced with public awareness raising campaigns and educational activities, with the intervention of NGOs and the Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia.

29. For further information Please contact floraval@gva.es www.microhabitats.org