Recruitment pattern in an isolated small population of the Mediterranean dwarf shrub Satureja thymbra L. and implication for conservation

Tourist Trampling on a Peripheral Plant Population Restricted to an Urban Natural Area in the Capo Sant’Elia Promontory (Sardinia, W-Mediterranean Basin)

“…However, there is a species-specific variability in susceptibility to human trampling among plants, which varies, sometimes markedly. Indeed, the distribution of visitors and their recreational activities have different effects on plant populations [ 35 , 36 , 37 ] based on the threat level of the populations [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Generally, fast-growing plants show high resistance to human trampling [ 33 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 44 ] or seem to be tolerant of, or even benefit from, visitor pressure, such as human trampling [ 45 , 46 ]; on the other hand, plants growing in peripheral populations, isolated from the main home range populations, and threatened endemic plants can more markedly suffer the threat of disturbance [ 36 , 38 , 40 , 47 , 48 ].…”

“…Indeed, the distribution of visitors and their recreational activities have different effects on plant populations [ 35 , 36 , 37 ] based on the threat level of the populations [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Generally, fast-growing plants show high resistance to human trampling [ 33 , 35 , 42 , 43 , 44 ] or seem to be tolerant of, or even benefit from, visitor pressure, such as human trampling [ 45 , 46 ]; on the other hand, plants growing in peripheral populations, isolated from the main home range populations, and threatened endemic plants can more markedly suffer the threat of disturbance [ 36 , 38 , 40 , 47 , 48 ]. Among the other consequences, human trampling represents an important threat to single plants or plant populations because it could determine a reduction in plant density, an alteration in morphological parameters, and a consistent reduction in reproductive traits [ 38 , 40 , 49 ], resulting in its posing a serious threat to the persistence of the populations.…”

“…These negative impacts might be propagated to higher levels, such as weakening ecosystem stability and functioning due to loss of vegetation cover, changes in species composition and diversity, and an increased risk of invasive species [ 23 , 26 , 31 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Understanding the relationship between the effects of human trampling and the sensitivity of a plant in peripheral populations is an important but complex issue because those populations, already vulnerable due to genetic factors and edge effects, could be more sensitive to human trampling disturbances [ 36 , 37 ]. In the Mediterranean Basin, one noteworthy characteristic of many plant species is the occurrence of small, peripherally isolated populations within natural areas, often near urban areas [ 36 , 54 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…Understanding the relationship between the effects of human trampling and the sensitivity of a plant in peripheral populations is an important but complex issue because those populations, already vulnerable due to genetic factors and edge effects, could be more sensitive to human trampling disturbances [ 36 , 37 ]. In the Mediterranean Basin, one noteworthy characteristic of many plant species is the occurrence of small, peripherally isolated populations within natural areas, often near urban areas [ 36 , 54 , 55 , 56 ].…”

The effect of salinity stress on germination parameters in Satureja thymbra L. (Lamiaceae)

“…The genus Satureja L. belongs to the Lamiaceae family and consists of more than 200 species (Khalil et al, 2020). One of these species, Satureja thymbra L., is a xerophilous and heliophilous plant mostly distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin (Pinna et al, 2021). S. thymbra is widely consumed as a tea by applying the infusion method, it is used in the form of decoction in gingivitis and in the kitchen due to its antiviral effect (Gürdal & Kültür, 2013;Roviello & Roviello, 2021).…”