Wednesday, 27 September 2023 Not just a pretty petal: a real cliffhanger in plant conservation
When we admire the breathtaking flora on cliffs and rocky slopes, little do we realize the silent struggle they undergo to ensure their survival. Recent international research has highlighted a glaring gap in our understanding of the plants we seek to conserve.
Plant survival, quite like a relay race, relies on the successful handover of the baton – in this case, the completion of the reproductive cycle for a new generation to emerge. A collaborative endeavour involving plant conservationists from across Europe, within the framework of COST Action CA18201 “Conserve Plants" aimed to determine the adequacy of our existing knowledge about plant reproductive biology, especially when it comes to those plants teetering on the edge of extinction.
Moehringia tommasinii, author: Živa Fišer
Pooling their collective expertise, the team, led by Professor Giovanna Aronne from the University of Naples, focused on 80 plant species residing precariously on cliffs and rocky landscapes. Drawing from scientific journals, technical reports, and first-hand expert observations, the team embarked on a mission to identify potential 'bottlenecks' – phases in the plant's life cycle that could be restricting its survival and regeneration.
Primula carniolica, author: Peter Glasnović
The results were eye-opening. Our existing knowledge predominantly orbits around the flowering phase of these species. Yet, intriguingly, flowering emerged as the least critical phase in these plants' life cycles. The real concerns lay elsewhere, with glaring informational voids around seed production, seedling establishment, and the ancient art of plant cloning.
Cerastium dinaricum, author: Peter Glasnović
This research isn’t just a clarion call to botanists but an appeal to the wider scientific community and policymakers. The essence of the discussion boils down to an urgent need to rethink our conservation strategies. The spotlight needs to shift – from mere blooming flowers to the intricate and lesser-understood phases of plant reproduction.
Campanula zoysii, author: Peter Glasnović
By fostering this dialogue, the research aims to develop innovative strategies ensuring these plants don't just bloom but thrive for generations to come. It's a race against time to furnish and implement knowledge that addresses the actual constraints limiting the survival of these breathtaking species. Because, in the world of conservation, every seedling counts.
The research article has been published in the October issue the peer-reviewed journal“Biological Conservation”
COST Action ConservePlants CA18201 “An integrated approach to conservation of threatened plants for the 21st Century” is led by Dr Živa Fišer from University of Primorska as Action Chair and Prof. Giovanna Aronne from University Federico III of Naples as Action Vice-Chair. Two other researchers from the University of Primorska have contributed to the present research: dr. Peter Glasnović and dr. Boštjan Surina, who are also (co)leaders of two working groups within the Action.
