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Limonium perplexum Saez and Rossello is an herbaceous—perennial to annual—, triploid apomictic halophyte which only lives on a small outcrop (40 sq. m.) of a low coastal cliff in Serra d’Irta (Peniscola, Castellon, Valencian Community, Spain). The population has been observed to fluctuate between 19 and 383 individuals, and the site is affected by collapse risk caused by marine storms. To save this species, 9 new populations—neopopulations—have been planted close by—0.12 to 7.35 km—, with 4,198 individuals planted throughout 2005–2014. The fluctuation of the native population shows a correlation between the number of individuals and the maximum daily rainfall of the second quarter—April to June. Survival of the founder individuals on available microhabitats fluctuates between 36 and 77 %. New populations show a strong initial decline during the first 2 years, but in that time an initial pool of seeds is generated, which can yield the first recruitment of seedlings. The establishment of new generations is not apparently restricted by seeds, but by the need to grow in safe conditions—mainly on rock crevices holding soil and being protected against the effects of excessive wind and sun radiation. Similarity between the inter-annual changes in censuses of the native population and neopopulations is taken as a measurement of the establishment success. Apparently no former similar works have been published with endangered species of Limonium, although this genus holds more than 400 species.

In order to achieve certain targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), countries should aim to have at least 75% of their threatened species preserved in ex situ genetically representative collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20% of the threatened species must be available for recovery plans and restoration programs (Target 8). Assessing the conservation value of ex situ collections is needed in order to identify the gaps in gene banks and to determine the baseline situation. Selection of the target species for conservation followed the Regional Responsibility criterion, as the first-order of priority at the local level with highest ranking given to species whose distribution is endemic to the study area. Data analysis was performed on 85 species listed in the Valencian Catalog of Threatened Plant Species (VCTPS) stored in the Germplasm Bank Collections of Valencian Flora, Spain. Our results show that conservation value of an ex situ collection will depend on whether the analysis is based on the representation of species (i.e. the presence or absence of species in an ex situ collection) or based on their representativeness (i.e. how well the collected and stored natural populations represent the “theoretical” species genetic diversity and what is the potential to produce plants for recovery actions, summarized in the proposed index R4). For 85 species listed in VCTPS the existing ex situ seed bank collections keep samples of 91.8% (78 species), indicating good representation. However, the criteria accounting for number of populations collected and quality of the stored germplasm revealed that less than 50% of the listed species are properly preserved in the ex situ collections.

Boerhavia repens está incluida en el Catálogo Valenciano de Especies de Flora Amenazadas de la Comunidad Valenciana (Orden 6/2013) en la categoría “En peligro de Extinción”. La única población española conocida está localizada en Teulada (Alicante, España), siendo la segunda población conocida en toda Europa. La población alicantina desapareció en 2012, y hasta el momento se han realizado 10 plantaciones en la provincia de Alicante. De un total de 615 plantas introducidas se ha registrado una tasa de supervivencia del 8,7% (54 plantas) en el último censo. Diferentes trabajos con la germinación de las semillas y cultivo de esta planta han sido realizados en el CIEF. Boerhavia repens is included in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Species of the Valencian Community (Order 6/2013) in the category “In danger of extinction”. The only known Spanish population is located in Teulada (Alicante, Spain), being the second known population in Europe. This population disappeared in 2012, and so far 10 plantations have been made in the province of Alicante. A total amount of 615 plants were translocated and a survival rate of 8,7% (54 plants) was observed in the latest census. Different works with the germination of seeds and cultivation of plants have been carried out at CIEF.

Cistus heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis (Cistaceae) es una especie catalogada como “En peligro de extinción” en la Comunidad Valenciana (España), representada por un único individuo silvestre, localizado en La Pobla de Vallbona (Valencia). Es una especie endémica de la Península Ibérica (Murcia y Valencia), considerando a menudo al ejemplar valenciano como el único individuo puro que existe en todo el mundo para este taxon, ya que el resto de poblaciones, halladas en Cartagena (Murcia), provienen de la hibridación con Cistus albidus. Recientemente, se ha publicado el Plan de recuperación para esta especie en la Comunidad Valenciana, que incluye la propagación y producción de nuevas plantas para la conservación a través de translocaciones, entre otras muchas acciones. Desde el punto de vista biológico, se trata de una especie auto-incompatible (aunque en ocasiones se ha registrado una pequeña producción de semillas viables), por lo que su propagación se convierte en un proceso complejo. Además, el uso alternativo de la multiplicación clonal in vitro es desaconsejable, debido a los cambios genéticos encontrados en las plantas producidas mediante esta técnica. En el Centro para la Investigación y Experimentación Forestal (CIEF-Servicio de Vida Silvestre) de la Generalitat Valenciana se han llevado a cabo trabajos experimentales de polinización manual para el cultivo y producción de semillas, así como para la multiplicación vegetativa por esquejes, lo que ha dado como resultado nuevos materiales de reproducción (semillas y plantas) de gran importancia para la conservación de esta especie. Cistus heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis (Cistaceae) is an endangered species in the Valencian Community (Spain), represented by only one wild individual located in La Pobla de Vallbona (province of Valencia). It is an endemic species to the Iberian Peninsula (Murcia and Valencia), and the Valencian plant is often considered as the unique pure individual found worldwide. The remainder populations, found in Cartagena (Murcia) are thought to come from hybridization. Recently a recovery plan for this species has been approved, which includes the propagation and the production of new plants for conservation translocations, among other recovery actions. It deals with a self-incompatible species (although a small production of viable seeds has been recorded sometimes), so its propagation becomes a complex process. In addition, alternative use of in vitro propagation is inadvisable, due to apparent genetic changes found in the clones. The Centre for Forestry Research and Experimentation (CIEF, Valencian Wildlife Service) of the Generalitat Valenciana, has carried out experimental hand-pollination works for breeding and seed production, as well as vegetative propagation multiplication by cuttings that have successfully resulted in new reproductive material (seeds and plants) able to save this endangered species.

espanolNarcissus perezlarae esta incluido en el Catalogo Valenciano de Especies de Flora Amenazadas de la Comunidad Valenciana (Orden 6/2013) en la categoria "En peligro de extincion". Estudios recientes han demostrado su origen hibrido (= N. cavanillesii × N. miniatus [= N. serotinus auct.]). Por otro lado, el mayor especialista y monografia del genero reclamo recientemente su autonomia como especie independiente, como N. piifontianus. Esta especie es endemica de la peninsula Iberica, presente en Alto Alentejo (Portugal), Sevilla y Cadiz (Espana), y en la parte oriental de la Cordillera Betica, entre Alicante y Valencia. Sin embargo, si se tratara como una especie independiente, seria un endemismo exclusivamente restringido a la Comunidad Valenciana. Siete poblaciones naturales han sido monitoreadas, cuyos datos censales oscilan anualmente. El ultimo censo contiene 1.634 plantas. Desde 2010, se han llevado a cabo cinco experiencias de translocacion en la provincia de Alicante. De un total de 8.970 ejemplares introducidos se ha registrado una tasa de supervivencia del 28,4% (2.545 plantas) en el ultimo censo. Las poblaciones recien creadas aumentan el numero de localidades conocidas de la especie en la Comunidad Valenciana y amplian considerablemente su distribucion a lo largo del territorio. EnglishNarcissus perezlarae is included in the Valencian Catalogue of Threatened Species of the Valencian Community (Order 6/2013) in the category "In danger of extinction". Recent studies have demonstrated its hybridogenic origin (= N. cavanillesii × N. miniatus [= N. serotinus auct.]). On the other hand, the greatest specialist and monograph of the genus has most recently claimed its autonomy as an independent species, as N. piifontianus. This species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, present in Alto Alentejo (Portugal), Sevilla and Cadiz (Spain), and in the eastern part of the Baetic Mountains, between Alicante and Valencia. However, if treated as an independent species, it would be an endemism exclusively restricted to the Valencian Community. Seven natural populations have been monitored, whose census data oscillate annually. The latest census contains 1634 plants. Since 2010, five translocation experiences have been carried out in Alicante province. A total amount of 8,970 plants were translocated and a survival rate of 28,4% (2,545 plants) was observed in the latest census. The newly created populations increase the number of known locations of the species in the Valencian Community and considerably expand their distribution range along the territory.

Cotoneaster granatensis (Rosaceae) is an endangered species in the Valencian Community with two natural populations known and 37 wild plants located in Alicante province. The strategy applied for conservation of this species comprises three steps in a cyclical method: in situ (first step) - ex situ - in situ (second step). Current conservation status for this species has been evaluated as a part of the first step in situ actions. Ex situ conservation activities consisted of germplasm conservation on seed banks, creation and maintenance of collections of livings plants and production of new plants in order to develop reintroductions (in situ actions: second step) in natural populations. The seed germination is a complex issue, but an effective protocol has been established reaching values over 60% of germination. The plant propagation by cuttings has not been successful. In situ actions such as reducing the threat of herbivory has been also essential to enhance natural populations. The initial results on plantations in the natural habitat show high survival rates of specimens.

The Germplasm Bank of Valencia Wild Flora is a network of collections for conservation of taxa listed in Valencia Catalog Endangered Species of Flora (VCESF). CIEF germplasm collection belongs to Generalitat Valenciana´s Forest Research and Experimentation Centre, and in addition to forest species, seeds of singular plants of VCESF are also preserved by the Wildlife Service team. From 1990 until now, in bank´s installations is preserved 2447 lots from 1445 species. It is conserved germplasm from 92% of the Endangered species and 94% as Vulnerable species according to VCESF. These data indicate that 67,6% of monitoring populations currently known for species listed as Endangered are preserved in the collection and 50% in the case of Vulnerable species. High-density areas of harvesting are the north and northwest of Alicante (dianic area and “Sierra de Aitana”), the southeast quadrant of Valencia (setabense zone), the Valencian coast (“El Saler”, “Sagunto”, etc.), and Castellón (“Islas Columbretes”, “Macizo del Penyagolosa”, “Cabanes”, “Peñiscola”). The aim to short-medium term is to keep up at least one accession of each monitoring population from VCESF species capable to be conserved in a genebank.

The establishment of seed orchards has allowed obtaining a great deal of germoplasm of Silene hifacensis, an endangered endemic Ibero-Balearic species. In four years, 3.958.531 seeds have been collected in our four seed orchards from a total of 570 plants/year per average, including all genetic variability from natural populations of this species in Alicante province (Illot of Mona, the Pessebret, Cova de les Cendres, Morro de Toix).

The positive effect of new legal rules improving the ex situ conservation actions on protected plants is analysed in the Valencian Community (Spain), comparing the data of seed germination tests made by the Valencian Wildlife Service (Servicio de Espacios Naturales y Biodiversidad) on the species strictly protected by a new regional Decree, entering in force in 2009. The amount of tested species after the enforcement of this Decree (years 2009-2011, x=35,000 ± 9,644 species/year) is significantly different (F13,2=0,132 ; p=0,013) than the pre-Decree period (1995-2008, x=6,500 ± 3,503 species/year). If only new species tested are compared -so not considering the data on formerly tested species- the difference between the pre-Decree time (2,286 ± 1,978 new species/year) and the post-Decree period (14,333 ±7,767 new species/year) is also significant (F13,2=0,065 ; p=0,001). Comisión Europea a través de diversos proyectos LIFE y del programa operativo de los fondos FEOGA-Orientación y FEADER en la Comunidad Valenciana.