Exploring vulnerability of listed Mediterranean plants in relation to risks of population loss
Résumé
In this paper, we propose a method to assess population numbers and quantify their vulnerability for listed plant species. For six study species, the spatial aggregation of point data allowed us to identify the numbers of populations for each species and thus how they differ in regional abundance. We assessed vulnerability by according a score to each population in relation to three criteria: (i) land-use (urbanisation, agriculture and natural areas), (ii) fragmentation of populations by infrastructures and (iii) protected status of populations. As a result of the combination and scoring of populations across the three criteria, only 9% have a low extinction risk and 73% are in one of the three classes of high vulnerability with 16% in the highest category. Finally, 29 of 32 populations monitored in a separate study are in one of the three highest categories of vulnerability. This study illustrates how information on population numbers of listed species at the regional scale brings to the fore their generalised vulnerability to threats in the Mediterranean landscape. This information is vital for conservation management staff to develop a strategy and appropriate actions for listed species' protection.
Domaines
Biodiversité et Ecologie
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
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