Conservation Status and Conservation Strategies of threatened aquatic fern Marsilea quadrifolia L. in Europe

Abstract

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Monitoring of conservation status of species and habitats in Romania under article 17 of Habitat Directive View project POS Mediu_SMIS 17655_Monitorizarea stării de conservare a speciilor şi habitatelor din România în baza articolului 17 din Directiva Habitate View project The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Forum geografic. Studii și cercetări de geografie și protecția mediului Abstract The aquatic fern Marsilea quadrifolia L is a rare and threatened species in entire Europe due to wetland habitats destruction and changing agricultural practices. To protect it, in situ and ex situ conservation methods are approached in European Union an in other countries. The in vivo and in vitro collections that were developed in botanical gardens in the last two decades are used for reintroduction and for restoration of M. quadrifolia populations in natural sites as well as in agro ecosystems that are analogous to natural habitats. Natural establishment of several M. quadrifolia populations in its natural range is an evidence that it can colonize new suitable habitats, including anthropogenic habitats. Despite conservation strategies approached within the European Union, its area of occupancy has decreased, thereby this species has become vulnerable at European Union level. The main threats are the small size populations, low genetic diversity and genetic erosion of populations, habitat degradation and chemical pollutions of waters by herbicides and fertilizers used in modern agricultural practice.