Moss is a key nurse plant for reintroduction of the endangered herb, Primulina tabacum Hance

Ren

et al. 2015

Conservation Biology

Self Cite

We assessed the current status of plant conservation translocation efforts in China, a topic poorly reported in recent scientific literature. We identified 222 conservation translocation cases involving 154 species, of these 87 were Chinese endemic species and 101 (78%) were listed as threatened on the Chinese Species Red List. We categorized the life form of each species and, when possible, determined for each case the translocation type, propagule source, propagule type, and survival and reproductive parameters. A surprisingly large proportion (26%) of the conservation translocations in China were conservation introductions, largely implemented in response to large-scale habitat destruction caused by the Three-Gorge Dam and another hydropower project. Documentation and management of the translocations varied greatly. Less than half the cases had plant survival records. Statistical analyses showed that survival percentages were significantly correlated with plant life form and the type of planting materials. Thirty percent of the cases had records on whether or not individuals flowered or fruited. Results of information theoretic model selection indicated that plant life form, translocation type, propagule type, propagule source, and time since planting significantly influenced the likelihood of flowering and fruiting on the project level. We suggest that the scientific-based application of species conservation translocations should be promoted as part of a commitment to species recovery management. In addition, we recommend that the common practice of within and out of range introductions in nature reserves to be regulated more carefully due to its potential ecological risks. We recommend the establishment of a national office and database to coordinate conservation translocations in China. Our review effort is timely considering the need for a comprehensive national guideline for the newly announced nation-wide conservation program on species with extremely small populations, which is expected to stimulate conservation translocations for many species in the near future.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Translocation of threatened plants as a conservation measure in China

Ren

et al. 2015

Conservation Biology

Self Cite

“…Its seeds are ellipsoidal, approximately 0.4 mm in length, and are dispersed easily by wind, because plants often grow on cave walls and in external rock clefts near cave entrances. Primulina tabacum prefers low light, relatively wet soil and humid habitats (Ren et al ., 2010a, b). In the field, moss plays a key nurse role for the establishment of P. tabacum plants (Ren et al ., 2010a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Primulina tabacum prefers low light, relatively wet soil and humid habitats (Ren et al ., 2010a, b). In the field, moss plays a key nurse role for the establishment of P. tabacum plants (Ren et al ., 2010a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Local genetic structure in the critically endangered, cave-associated perennial herbPrimulina tabacum(Gesneriaceae)

Wang

Ren

et al. 2013

Biol J Linn Soc Lond

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The local spatial genetic structures of cave‐associated plants are seldom studied. Given that these plants are mainly confined to small areas in and around the entrances of caves, we hypothesized that they might lack genetic structures at local scales. To test this hypothesis, we sampled two large populations (named D and T) of a critically endangered perennial herb, Primulina tabacum, which is endemic to karst caves in southern China. We analysed nine microsatellite loci and sequenced four chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) intergenic spacer regions to study the genetic diversity and structure within and between both populations. Both populations have distinct genetic characteristics. Samples from two subpopulations in population D showed considerable genetic divergence. This is not consistent with the hypothesis that P. tabacum has a weak genetic structure at a local scale. However, 94% of the individuals in population T shared the same multilocus genotype, which indicates little genetic structure within this population. The contributions of seed flow, pollen flow and (sub)population history to the genetic diversity and structure in each and both populations are discussed. Our study is the first to investigate local genetic diversity and structure in a cave‐associated plant, and provides valuable information for the sustainable conservation of such species. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109, 747–756.

“…; Ren et al . ). Understanding the seed germination requirements of the species to be reintroduced is paramount to the success of reintroductions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Effect of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of the threatened coniferous species Fokienia hodginsii

Nguyen¹,

Phan

Dao

2014

Plant Species Biology

We report the effects of storage time and pretreatment on seed germination of Fokienia hodginsii. Lower mean germination was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (6.41 ± 1.23 seeds/replicate) compared with those stored for 1 year (8.52 ± 1.06 seeds/replicate). Seeds collected from a southern location had statistically higher mean germination (9.67 ± 1.28 seeds/replicate) than those collected from a northern location (7.99 ± 1.36 seeds/replicate). Higher mean T50 was observed in seeds stored for 2 years (37.02 ± 4.43 days) compared with those stored for 1 year (30.69 ± 5.06 days). Mean germination of untreated fresh seeds was 9.97 ± 1.34 seeds/replicate and that of treated fresh seeds in 60°C water was 12.95 ± 1.24 seeds/replicate. Fresh seeds treated with 50°C and 70°C water had a significantly lower mean germination compared with untreated seeds and seeds treated in 60°C water. Mean T50 was lowest in seeds treated with 60°C water.