A Study on Photosynthetic Physiological Characteristics of Six Rare and Endangered Species

The parameters of gas exchange and chlorophyl fluorescence in leaves of six rare and endangered species Neolitsea sericea, Cinnamomum japonicum var. cheni , Sinojackia microcarpa, Discocleidion glabrum var. trichocarpum, Parrotia sub-aequalis, Cercidiphyl um japonicum were measured in fields. The results showed that there were significant differences in photosynthetic capacity, intrinsic water use effi-ciency （WUEi ）, the efficiency of primary conversion of light energy of PSⅡ and its potential activity, the quantum yield of PSⅡ electron transport, and the potential ca-pacity of heat dissipation among the six species. However, there was no significant difference in WUE. The highest values of net photosynthetic rate （Pn）, transpiration rate （Tr） and stomatal conductance （gs） occurred in D. glabrum var. trichocarpum and the lowest in S. microcarpa. On the contrary, D. glabrum var. trichocarpum had the lowest WUE, intrinsic water use efficiency （WUEi ） and S. microcarpa had the highest. The results indicated that D. glabrum var. trichocarpum had higher photo-synthetic capacity and poorer WUE, while S. microcarpa had lower photosynthetic capacity and greater WUE. Furthermore, the mean values of maximal fluorescence （Fm）, potential efficiency of primary conversion of light energy of PSⅡ （Fv/Fm）,ΦPSⅡ, actual efficiency of primary conversion of light energy of PSⅡ （F′v/F′m） and non-photochemical quenching coefficient （NPQ） were the highest in S. micro-carpa, indicating that its PSⅡ had higher capacity of heat dissipation and could prevent photosynthetic apparatus from damage by excessive light energy. Correlation analysis showed that there were significant correlations among photosynthetic physi-ological parameters. However, the initial fluorescence （Fo） was not significantly cor-related with any other parameters. This study also revealed the extremely significant positive correlations between Pn and Tr, gs, apparent quantum yield （AQY）, be-tween Tr and gs, between light saturation point （LSP） and AQY, between Fv/Fm and Fm, between ΦPSⅡ and photochemical quenching coefficient （qp）, between Tr, gs and LSP, AQY. However, WUEi was significantly negatively correlated with Tr, gs, Pn, LSP and AQY.

Efficient in vitro Propagation of an Endangered Species Kolkwitzia amabilis Graebn

This study developed an efficient in vitro cultivation and propagation sys- tem for an endangered species Kolkwitzia amabilis using nodal segments as ex- plants. Multiple shoots were induced through axillary bud formation. The highest fre- quency of multiple shoot induction was achieved when the nodal segment explants were incubated in Murashige and Skoog （MS） medium supplemented with 4.44 pM 6-benzyladenine （6-BA） in combination with 0.54 μM a-naphthaleneacetic acid （NAA）, followed by treatment with 4.44 μM 6-BA in combination with 0.27 μM NAA. Shoot multiplication could be induced in MS medium supplemented with stand-alone 6-BA or 6-BA in combination with indole-3-acetic acid （1.71 μM） or NAA （0.27 or 0.54 μM）, with 6-BA and either compound, exhibiting a stronger effect on shoot multiplication. The optimum combination of plant growth regulators for shoot multiplication was 4.44 μM 6-BA with 0.27 μM NAA. The maximum rooting percentage was obtained in a half-strength MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid alone and in com- bination with NAA and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, but the best combination of plant growth regulators for rooting was 1.48 μM indole-3-butyric acid with 1.08 μM NAA and 0.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The rooted shoots were trans- ferred to a greenhouse with a success rate of 100%.

Using MiddRAD-seq data to develop polymorphic microsatellite markers for an endangered yew species

Microsatellites are highly polymorphic markers which have been used in a wide range of genetic studies.In recent years, various sources of next-generation sequencing data have been used to develop new microsatellite loci, but compared with the more common shotgun genomic sequencing or transcriptome data, the potential utility of RAD-seq data for microsatellite ascertainment is comparatively under-used.In this study, we employed MiddRAD-seq data to develop polymorphic microsatellite loci for the endangered yew species Taxus florinii. Of 8,823,053 clean reads generated for ten individuals of a population, 94,851(~1%) contained microsatellite motifs. These corresponded to 2993 unique loci, of which 526(~18%) exhibited polymorphism. Of which, 237 were suitable for designing microsatellite primer pairs, and 128 loci were randomly selected for PCR validation and microsatellite screening. Out of the 128 primer pairs, 16 loci gave clear, reproducible patterns, and were then screened and characterized in 24 individuals from two populations. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from two to ten(mean=4.875), and within-population expected heterozygosity from zero to 0.789(mean = 0.530),indicating that these microsatellite loci will be useful for population genetics and speciation studies of T. florinii. This study represents one of few examples to mine polymorphic microsatellite loci from ddRAD data.

Regeneration ecology and population status of a critically endangered and endemic tree species （Ilex khasiana Purk.） in north-eastern India

Detailed studies on population structure and regeneration ecology ofllex khasiana were carried out at five representative natural populations i.e. Mylliem （Population - I）, Upper Shillong （Population - II）, Shillong Peak （Population -III）, Laitkor （Population - IV） and Nongpiyur （Population - V） to probe into the responsible affecting factors for its population structure and regeneration ability in these populations. Experimental observation under three controlled light conditions （full sunlight （100%）, intermediate sunlight （50%） and low sunlight （30%）） showed that the growth status and survival rates of seedlings under intermediate and low light were better than those under the high light condition. The density-diameter distribution in population of adult trees （〉Scm dbh） exhibited a typical character of a regenerating population. A higher seedling mortality rate in natural populations of I. khasiana was most probably due to increase in light intensity following vegetation destruction and other anthropogenic disturbances that cause opening of forest canopy. The findings of the present study would be of immense value in formulating appropriate conservation measures for the species.

Regeneration ecology and population status of a critically endangered and endemic tree species (Ilex khasiana Purk.) in north-eastern India

Detailed studies on population structure and regeneration ecology of Ilex khasiana were carried out at five representative natural populations i.e. Mylliem (Population–I), Upper Shillong (Population–II), Shillong Peak (Population–III), Laitkor (Population–IV) and Nongpiyur (Population–V) to probe into the responsible affecting factors for its population structure and regeneration ability in these populations. Experimental observation under three controlled light conditions (full sunlight (100%), intermediate sunlight (50%) and low sunlight (30%)) showed that the growth status and survival rates of seedlings under intermediate and low light were better than those under the high light condition. The density-diameter distribution in population of adult trees (≥5cm dbh) exhibited a typical character of a regenerating population. A higher seedling mortality rate in natural populations of I. khasiana was most probably due to increase in light intensity following vegetation destruction and other anthropogenic disturbances that cause opening of forest canopy. The findings of the present study would be of immense value in formulating appropriate conservation measures for the species.

Embryo culture is an efficient way to conserve a medicinally important endangered forest tree species Strychnos potatorum

The present study reports a protocol for germination of Strychnos potatorum （ver. Tel. Chilla） using zygotic embryo culture as an embryo rescue method. A 100% germination rate was obtained by culturing the embryos on full-strength Murashige and Skoog＇s medium （MS） containing 20 g/L sucrose in comparison to McCown and Lloyd＇s Woody Plant Medium （WPM）. Germination rates decreased when the sucrose concentration was lower or higher than 20 g·L-1 . WPM/MS medium containing glucose at levels 30, 20, 15 g·L-1 showed a smaller percentage of germination and at quarter strength, WPM/MS medium with glucose did not respond. Multiple shoot formation was found at 1.0 2.0 mg/L BAP; 3.0 mg/L Kn; 2.0 mg/L TDZ on MS medium with 20 g·L-1 sucrose. Germination rates improved when the embryos were placed upright （vertically） in the medium. The in vitro germinated seedlings were acclimatized in a walk-in-chamber and maintained in the green house with the survival rate of 65% 75%. These plants were transferred to the field and were found to be phenotypically normal, healthy and similar to donor plants. This protocol will be useful to overcome seed dormancy and for rapid multiplication and conservation of S. potatorum using zygotic embryo culture.

Employing Green Roofs to Support Endangered Plant Species: The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub in Australia

The purpose and context for the study relates to urban growth. Australian cities are experiencing particularly rapid urbanization, taking the form of land clearing to accommodate outward expansion as well as developing to higher densities in existing urban areas. Both forms of development degrade native biodiversity, resulting in loss of vegetation with the possibility that the remnant indigenous plants will become locally extinct. One endangered ecological community in Sydney, the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS), still survives along some sections of Sydney’s heavily urbanized coastline. At the time of European settlement, the ESBS covered approximately 5300 ha, but it is now a highly fragmented 146 ha across 24 sites with some sites under imminent threat of development. Conservation legislation enacted by the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia has declared the ESBS as critically endangered. Despite recovery plans, in 2016 the NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee indicated that the community faces an extremely high risk of extinction in Australia in the immediate future. A practical option in the face of declining open space in our cities is to examine the potential of urban rooftops for conserving and propagating threatened or endangered flora. While there is a limited amount of international research on using green roofs for endangered plant protection, there is no information from Australia about how green roofs perform in this geographic region. The approach taken in this research has been firstly, to review the current academic and “grey” literature from a global perspective to identify options for conserving endangered flora on green roofs. We derive an evidence-based research protocol to be used to test the green roof environment in Sydney for propagating the endangered ESBS. We establish the general applicability of green roofs for protecting vanishing flora through the literature review and conclude that our research design will be a suitable framework for the task for monitoring growth and germination performance over the ESBS community’s development cycle, with the longer-term objective of establishing a viable rooftop seed orchard.

Stressor analysis approaches for endangered species assessments

The US Endangered Species Act is legislation with the power to limit human activities that may have deleterious effects on the viability of threatened and endangered species of fauna and flora. However, because most endangered species face multiple threats, it is often unclear whether limiting specific activities will improve the likelihood of long-term survival, particularly when the relative importance of different stressors is uncertain. Wildlife managers responsible for protecting these species face the challenge of determining the optimal allocation of limited funds and personnel among risk management and conservation priorities, in the absence of a good understanding of the relative importance of these stressors. We present an analytical framework that can serve as a technical basis for evaluating multiple risks to endangered species. Predictive and retrospective causal analysis applications are considered. The former address proposed projects where the potential exists for adverse interaction between the project and an endangered species. The latter involve existing projects or products for which a determination is being or has been made concerning the threats posed to an endangered species. The causal analysis method described herein is a well-established procedure that is widely used in other scientific fields and offers a practical and logical process through which threats to endangered species can be assessed and recovery actions prioritized.

Circling the Blood in the Water: The Difficulties in Endangered Species Protections for the Great White Shark

The purpose of legislation like the Endangered Species Act is to provide a means to conserve the ecosystems of endangered and threatened species, but not all species that may appear to need conservation are granted protection. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed each year largely due to exploitation, yet few shark species are ever granted protection under state or federal endangered species acts. The Northeastern Pacific population of the Great White Shark is no exception. Despite the numerous threats facing the white shark, NOAA denied a petition to list it as an endangered or threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act. In light of the pending California decision to list the white shark under its state endangered species act, this paper considers whether or not such extreme protections are necessary. This paper first discusses the threats facing the white shark, the listing processes of both the federal and the California endangered species acts, and NOAA’s 12-month negative finding. Finally, this paper concludes that endangered species protections are not warranted in the case of the Northeastern Pacific white shark because of prior government intervention and conservation efforts already in place.

Soil Factors That Influence the Abundance and Distribution of Threatened and Endangered Species in the Okavango Delta;with Particular Emphasis on <i>Eulophia angolensis</i>

Eulophia angolensis is an endangered plant species found in the Okavango Delta. Generally, there is lack of botanical information on this species in Botswana, which is necessary for its in-situ and ex-situ conservation. The objectives of this research are to map areas where E. angolensis occurs, determine the species that co-exist with it, and establish soil factors that influence its abundance and distribution in the Okavango Delta. A survey of the area where the plant was sighted in 2004 was carried out using recorded GPS points. Soil samples were collected at 0 - 20 cm depth from the floodplain where the species occurred to determine the macronutrients: total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (N, P, and K) and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents. The researchers could not find the plant at all GPS locations where the plant was sighted in 2004, but discovered a new unrecorded site for the species. The species was very close to the water channel;approximately 40 cm away, with only one plant about 60 cm away. The mean macronutrients concentrations in the site that contained E. angolensis were total N = 2.61 ± 0.61 mg/L, P = 7.02 ± 0.8 mg/L and K = 14.41 ± 4.28 mg/L. SOC concentration was 40.1 ± 10.28 mg/L. Furthermore, there was K biogeochemical gradient within the E. angolensis habitat, with more concentrations directly around the plant. Therefore, E. angolensis needs critical amounts of N, P, K and SOC, with K, SOC and water requirement being the crucial factors. Frequent monitoring of the endangered species found in the Okavango Delta is required, and ex-situ conservation of the species in the country in the form of a botanical garden should be established for future generations.

Genetic Diversity of Cephalotaxus mannii, a Rare and Endangered Plant

Using RAPD technique, the DNA diversity of Cephalotaxus mannii Hook. f., its genetic diversity pattern, the reasons for its endangered position and conservative approaches were studied. The results show that: 1. The genetic diversity of C. mannii collected from five localities in Hainan is low, and its adaptability to environmental change is weak. 2. The differences of genetic diversity between intra- and inter-populations are great, and the major variation distributes within the population (DNA diversity is 85.1%). 3. The excessive lumbering, man-made destruction, violent typhoon, edible value of the seeds and genetic drift were the main reasons for the low-level genetic diversity of C. mannii and its endangered position. 4. The difference of the micro-environment and other random factors affecting the population should also be taken into full consideration in the study and in protection of such occasionally scattered plants. 5. Enforced measures should be taken to protect the present population, enlarge the population and lower the loss rate of its gene. Mt. Limulin should be chosen as a conservative spot because of its high genetic diversity and less destruction of the forest. Meanwhile, the protection of other populations should be enforced. 6. The differences within and between the populations are great based on different primers used. The change of proportions in polymorphic loci between the populations is more than that between the primers.

Lacoste Launches Its First Operation to Safeguard Endangered Crocodile Species

In 1927, when René Lacoste chose the crocodile as his emblem, he had not imagined that 80 years later, millions of people would bear this logo. He could also not imagine that the crocodile would be

Investigation on the Rare and Endangered Plants in the Fenhe Source

Fouty-eight species of rare and endanged plants in the Fenhe Source,belong to 21 families 37 genera.There were 1specie of national second-class protected plant and 3 species of national third-class plants;4 species of first-class protected plants,6 species of second-class protected plants and 14 species of third-class protected plants in Shanxi Province.On the basis of analyzing the endanged reasons,related protection countemeasures were put forward in this article.

Advance of New Researches on Tissue Culture of Rare and Endangered Plant Elaeagnus mollis

This review summarized the recent research achievements on the process of tissue culture of the rare and endangered plant Elaeagnus mollis,including sterilizing protocols of different explants derived from adult plants and seeds for tube germination,two types of plants regeneration（organ type and organ genesis type）,methods of rooting and transplanting,factors affecting culture,as well as browning and vitrification phenomena and avoiding measures.And the further biotechnology research fields of E.mollis were prospected.

The influence of selective cutting of mixed Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis Sieb.et Zucc.) and broad-leaf forest on rare species distribution patterns and spatial correlation in Northeast China

This study aimed to demonstrate change in spatial correlation between Korean pine （Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.） and three rare species, and change in spatial distribution of four species in response to a range of selective cutting intensities. We sampled three plots of mixed Korean pine and broad-leaf forest in Lushuihe Forestry Bureau of Jilin province, China. Plot 1, a control, was unlogged Korean pine broad-leaf forest. In plots 2 and 3, Korean pine was selectively cut at 15 and 30 % intensity, respectively, in the 1970s. Other species were rarely cut. We used point-pattern analysis to research the spatial distributions of four tree species and quantify spatial correlations between Korean pine and the other three species, Amur linden （Tilia amurensis Rupr.）, Manchurian ash （Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.）, and Mongolian oak （Quercus mongolica Fisch.） in all three plots. The results of the study show that selective cutting at 15 % intensity did not significantly change either the species spatial patterns or the spatial correlation between Korean pine and broadleaf species. Selective cutting at 30 % intensity slightly affected the growth of Korean pine and valuable species in forest communities, and the effect was considered nondestructive and recoverable.

Floristic Characteristics of the Rare and Endangered Plants and the Conservation Countermeasures in Tibet, China

The floristic elements and the geographical distribution are analyzed in thispaper based on statistics of elements of rare and endangered plants in Tibet. The results have beengained as following: (1) According to 'the National Important Wild Conservative Plants List (List1)' and 'the National Important Wild Conservative Plants List (List 1)', there are a total of 54plant species (48 genera and 33 families); (2) The geographical elements are very complicated inTibet with 12 of 15 distribution patterns of genera classified by academician Wu; (3) There areobvious temperate genera with 28 genera accounting for 60. 4% of the total genera; (4) There areabundant endemic species accounting for 18. 52% of total species but poor endemic genera; (5) Thegeographical distribution is uneven and a great of species distribute in the areas between 1 000 mand 3 500 m above sea level; (6) To protect the rare and endangered plants efficiently, sixconservation measures are proposed, and 35 species are suggested for the conservative plants of theautonomous conservation level.

Designated critical habitats for U.S.imperiled species are not protected from climate and land-use change

Designation of critical habitat is an important conservation tool for species listed as threatened or endangered under the United States(U.S.)Endangered Species Act(ESA).While this is an important protective mechanism,lands designated as critical habitat could still be subject to degradation and fragmentation if they are not also in a protected status that prioritizes biodiversity conservation.Additionally,most designations of critical habitat do not explicitly take climate change into account.The objective of our study was to determine whether and to what extent critical habitats for species listed under the ESA are located within protected areas and areas previously identified as climate refugia or climate corridors,to inform management strategies to better conserve and recover these species.We mapped the designated critical habitats of 153 ESA-listed species and measured their overlap with previously-identified areas of climate refugia and corridors(CRC),and also with lands designated as nature-protected by U.S.Geological Survey’s Gap Analysis Project(GAP Status 1 or 2)and working lands with wildlife habitat potential(GAP Status 3).Only 18%of all designated critical habitat is located on lands that are both in CRC and nature-protected,and only 9%of species had over half of their designated critical habitats in such lands.84%of species had<25%overlap of their critical habitats with these areas.Critical habitats may therefore not fulfill their essential role of helping imperiled species persist and recover.

Biology of Flowering of Some Species of the Genus Phlomoides Moench

The article presents the biology of flowering and the daily dynamics of flowering of two species from the Lamiaceae family: ph. anisochila va ph. sogdiana of the distribution out in the Nuratau Mountains range.

Plants Diversity of the Burigi-Chato National Park: Rare and Invasive Species

This study was conducted within a distance of three to five kilometres around Lake Burigi as a study area in the Burigi-Chato National Park for the purpose of documenting the diversity of plants, identifying invasive and rare species for enhancing conservation in the park. Lake Burigi was purposively sampled as a study area for plant identification due to its potential as a tourist destination. No study has been conducted in the study area to reveal plants diversity, with a focus on documenting invasive and rare species, thus necessitating undertaking of this study to inform the park authority to take urgent control measures in avoiding widespread of invasive species and proper planning for conservation of rare species. The methods involved included field observation;plant identification using field guide books, indigenous and professional knowledge;field mapping using GPS receiver and literature review. Analysis of meteorological data and soil sample were also used among other methods. Meteorological data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS v.20 to determine the relationship between variables. A total of 102 plant species of different growth forms of trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, forbs, and herbs were identified and recorded. Tegetes minuta and Argemone mexicana were recorded as invasive plant species, while six rare plant species potential for pharmaceutical industry;Zanthoxylum usambarense, Gardenia ternifolia, Faidherbia albida, Harrisonia abyssinica, Anona senegalensis, and, Pappea capensis were also recorded. Scars of wildfires were observed in the study area. The study area received an average rainfall of 964.36 mm per year, the highest peak recorded in 1951. The trend of rainfall showed that many years had rainfall below the average while the temperature was found to increase from year to year, the situation which suggests the existence of climate change in the study area. There was a weak negative relationship between temperature and wind speed. Soil nutrients and disturbances in the area were found to favour the growth of Tegetes minuta. Findings of this study would help ecological unit in the park to conduct regular ecological assessment for the purpose of controlling invasive plant species, which if left to flourish are likely to reduce habitat suitability for ungulates to utilize the area. Moreover, knowing which plant species are rare, adds value to the area as a destination to visitors interested in plants. The findings also allow the park authority to keep record of species rarity and thus easily take control of them to avoid unintended exploitation. Based on the findings, it was concluded that a number of disturbances, meteorological and edaphic factors favour the growth of invasive species. Urgent measures are to be taken to control the observed invasive plant species before they are left to spread in the park to avoid destruction of the habitat suitability and incurring unnecessary expenses and time in combating them. Furthermore, rare plant species especially those with pharmaceutical and industrial values are to be conserved with special attention to ensure their continued survival. It was recommended that human-induced activities should be prevented through regular ecological assessment, field patrols and public awareness programs. A similar study needs to be conducted during dry season to make comparison of the capacity of plants in adapting to different changes of the weather.