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Protection measures for the Rhamnus persicifolia patriarch in Sardinia

22 February 2017

Thumb 1 rhamnus persicifolia  g. bacchetta  image resized

The in situ conservation action was performed by the Sardinian CARE-MEDIFLORA team (HBK) for the dioecious tree Rhamnus persicifolia Moris; this measure has been planned for the biggest individual of this species in Sardinia located in Rio Is Eras (Talana, Central-Eastern Sardinia).
In September 2016, this plant was severely damaged by a disastrous flood, causing the complete exposure of its roots and a high risk of crash.
In December 2016, through the great support of the Agenzia Fo.Re.S.T.A.S (Agenzia Forestale Regionale per lo Sviluppo del Territorio e l'Ambiente della Sardegna, Autonomous Region of Sardinia), the HBK staff tried to remedy the dangerous situation building an artificial river bank in order to protect this plant from further flooding events and to prevent the risk of crash. 
The maintenance of good status of the artificial bank is constantly monitored by the Fo.Re.S.T.A.S personnel.

 

 

Detail of Rhamnus persicifolia patriarch before the disastrous flood. Photograph by G. Bacchetta. 

Rhamnus persicifolia patriarch in Rio Is Eras (Talana, CE Sardinia). Photograph by G. Bacchetta.

Effect of the disastrous flood. Photograph by N. Sanna.

Exposed roots of Rhamnus persicifolia after the flood. Photograph by N. Sanna.

Protective in situ action completed. Photograph by N. Sanna.

Rhamnus persicifolia Moris (Rhamnaceae) is a small tree or shrub, exclusive to Central-Eastern Sardinia (Italy) occurring on both limestone and siliceous substrata at 500 - 1500 m a.s.l. The species grows in scattered groups or as single trees, in woods or hygrophilous scrub along mountainous streams and deep gorges (Bacchetta et al., 2011) and their seeds show a spring germination due to the requirement for cold stratification over winter (Porceddu et al., 2013). R. persicifolia is included in the Italian Red Book as Vulnerable (VU), considering its estimated narrow distribution area and population decline induced by human activities and by the effect of climate change; moreover, the species is threatened owing to low plant numbers or unbalanced sex bias (Bacchetta et al., 2011).


Bacchetta, G., Fenu, G., Mattana, E., Zecca, G., Grassi, F., Casazza, G., & Minuto, L. (2011). Genetic variability of the narrow endemic Rhamnus persicifolia Moris (Rhamnaceae) and its implications for conservation. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 39: 477–484.
Porceddu M, Mattana E, Pritchard HW, Bacchetta G., 2013. Thermal niche for in situ seed germination by Mediterranean mountain streams: model prediction and validation for Rhamnus persicifolia seeds. Annals of Botany, 112: 1887-1897.

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MAVA Foundation

Mediterranean Plant Specialist Group (IUCN/SSC) Sóller Botanical Garden Foundation, Balearic Islands Office of the Environment of Corsica - National Botanical Academy of Corsica Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus, Sardinia University of Catania, Sicily Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Crete Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus Department of Forests, Cyprus