PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Aeolian islands are an archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the northern coast of Sicily. The seven main islands are of volcanic origin, rich in endemic species of great scientific value. On five of them there are separate areas proposed as sites of Community importance (Habitats Directive) for the Natura 2000 network.
The pSCIs on the Aeolian islands have at least four priority plant species: Cytisus aeolicus, which is endemic to the archipelago, Bassia saxicola, Silene hicesiae and Ophrys lunulata. All of these species are biologically very valuable. But their distribution is extremely restricted and their numbers small. If Cytisus aeolicus disappears from the Aeolian islands, it will become extinct worldwide.
The main threats to survival of the species are human activities such as cutting, fires, overgrazing, indiscriminate collection and some misguided attempts at reafforestation.
OBJECTIVES
The project’s overall objective was to ensure the survival of the four priority species by various in-situ and ex-situ measures, based on specific management plans to be prepared, and then incorporated, into the plans for the nature reserves being set up.
Ex-situ (off-site) measures:
These would be conducted primarily in the laboratory using new, but already tested, methods of conserving plant genotypes.
- A germoplasm bank would be established to store seeds collected from the natural populations of the plant species concerned.
- In-vitro propagation techniques will be tried on B. saxicola and S. hicesiae to produce plants that are better able to flourish and survive. The plants produced in the laboratory would then be grown in a nursery.
In-situ measures:
These would entail not only compiling data but also pilot attempts at re-introducing, managing and controlling the Aeolian populations of these priority plant species. The municipality of Lipari would be responsible for organising a monitoring service.
Awareness raising:
The project would also include an intensive public information campaign to teach the value of the Aeolian natural environment, and to report on the results achieved.
RESULTS
Management plans were developed by the project, one for each of the four priority plant species (Cytisus aeolicus, Bassia saxicola, Silene hicesiae and Ophrys lunulata). The management plan included information on threats, conservation actions already carried out and proposed, protection status, descriptions of the Aeolian plant species’ populations and distribution (mapped).Towards the end of the project the plans were adopted by the relevant authorities (the Messina province and Regional Forestry service).
Various ex-situ measures were implemented towards ensuring the survival of the priority plant species:
- A laboratory was set up, in which micropropagation of two plant species (for Cytisus aeolicus and Silene hicesiae) was carried out and in which in vitro techniques were used to produce plants (for Silene hicesiae and Bassia saxicola). While the in vitro results were particularly good for Silene hicesiae – c. 334 plants were produced (although several of these consequently died in part due to poor nursery maintenance) – results for Bassia saxicola were not as promising, probably due to the fact that the seeds of this plant lost their ability to germinate;
- Monitoring of the priority four plant species was carried out; (note, contrary to information in the initial project application, Ophrys lunulata no longer exists on the Aeloline islands and currently is found in Sicily). For this reason project actions were in turn not included for this species;
- Entomology studies on the interactions between the priority species and insects were completed.
In-situ measures.
The various measures carried out by the project included:
- The re-introduction and management of the priority plant species. Sites for the reintroduction of priority species were identified and authorised. This included the placement of 22 plants and 1 cutting of Silene hicesiae in a site located near the area of natural distribution of this species (that already had a total of 300 wild plants growing). The newly placed plants of Silene were monitored;
– The status of the reintroduced plants was good and some of the plants even produced fruits, showing reproductive activity. While the reintroduction of Silene was considered to be good, the reintroduction of Cytisus aeolicus was less successful. Although 55 Cytisus plants had been cultivated and reintroduced there was high mortality and only 19 plants survived; such a low number of plants did not to represent a sufficient guarantee of a successful restocking of the latter species
- Although not part of the LIFE co-funding, the project also included the development of a plant nursery that was located on a plot of land (1 000 sq. metres) already owned by the beneficiary.
Awareness raising:
- A number of awareness raising activities were conducted on the value of the Aeolian natural environment. Dissemination outputs included the production of two leaflets (total of 9 000), the placement of information panels in the harbour (to inform tourists about the importance of conserving the species targeted by the project), production of video and articles, local media and participation in scientific conferences.
Management plans were developed by the project, one for each of the four priority plant species (Cytisus aeolicus, Bassia saxicola, Silene hicesiae and Ophrys lunulata). The management plan included information on threats, conservation actions already carried out and proposed, protection status, descriptions of the Aeolian plant species’ populations and distribution (mapped).Towards the end of the project the plans were adopted by the relevant authorities (the Messina province and Regional Forestry service).
Various ex-situ measures were implemented towards ensuring the survival of the priority plant species:
- A laboratory was set up, in which micropropagation of two plant species (for Cytisus aeolicus and Silene hicesiae) was carried out and in which in vitro techniques were used to produce plants (for Silene hicesiae and Bassia saxicola). While the in vitro results were particularly good for Silene hicesiae – c. 334 plants were produced (although several of these consequently died in part due to poor nursery maintenance) – results for Bassia saxicola were not as promising, probably due to the fact that the seeds of this plant lost their ability to germinate;
- Monitoring of the priority four plant species was carried out; (note, contrary to information in the initial project application, Ophrys lunulata no longer exists on the Aeloline islands and currently is found in Sicily). For this reason project actions were in turn not included for this species;
- Entomology studies on the interactions between the priority species and insects were completed.
In-situ measures.
The various measures carried out by the project included:
- The re-introduction and management of the priority plant species. Sites for the reintroduction of priority species were identified and authorised. This included the placement of 22 plants and 1 cutting of Silene hicesiae in a site located near the area of natural distribution of this species (that already had a total of 300 wild plants growing). The newly placed plants of Silene were monitored;
– The status of the reintroduced plants was good and some of the plants even produced fruits, showing reproductive activity. While the reintroduction of Silene was considered to be good, the reintroduction of Cytisus aeolicus was less successful. Although 55 Cytisus plants had been cultivated and reintroduced there was high mortality and only 19 plants survived; such a low number of plants did not to represent a sufficient guarantee of a successful restocking of the latter species
- Although not part of the LIFE co-funding, the project also included the development of a plant nursery that was located on a plot of land (1 000 sq. metres) already owned by the beneficiary.
Awareness raising:
- A number of awareness raising activities were conducted on the value of the Aeolian natural environment. Dissemination outputs included the production of two leaflets (total of 9 000), the placement of information panels in the harbour (to inform tourists about the importance of conserving the species targeted by the project), production of video and articles, local media and participation in scientific conferences.
