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Vol.1 , No. 5, Publication Date: Jan. 20, 2015, Page: 190-200
 occurring at altitudes above 500 m, mainly in craters and deep narrow ravines, or scattered in hyper-humid native forest. In this paper we evaluate the conservation status of this taxon based on its present abundance and distribution. We also estimate its potential distribution using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis and discuss conservation measures. The present area of occurrence encompasses 20.5 km2 with around 91 to 200 mature individuals. The islands of Faial, São Jorge and Terceira show the most depauperate populations and in Flores only one individual was found. According to the IUCN criteria P. lusitanica subsp. azorica should be considered as critically endangered [B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); C2a(i)], considering that the extant areas of occupancy are small, there is a severe fragmentation of the populations and a continuing decline of the available area and quality of the habitat, unless active conservation measures are taken. Modelling results showed that P. lusitanica subsp. azorica is more likely to occur at relatively high elevations with relatively low temperature, high relative humidity and small annual variation, when compared to the average conditions in the Azores; it is associated with narrow conditions of superficial water flow accumulation and altitude as compared to the range of conditions available in the Azores. Potentially, the current distribution of Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica could increase considerably in several islands. In addition to habitat restoration measures, a conservation plan could include programs of vegetative and seed propagation to reinforce the most depauperate populations and eventually actions to expand P. lusitanica subsp. azorica to potentially suitable locations, while preserving its genetic variability and identity.&picture=http://www.aascit.org/aascit/decorators/img/journal/903.jpg)
| [1] | Orlanda Moreira, CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. |
| [2] | Hugo Costa, School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. |
| [3] | José Martins, CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. |
| [4] | Eduardo Brito de Azevedo, CMMG, Centro de Estudos do Clima, Meteorologia e Mudanças Globais, CITA-A, Centro de Investigação em Tecnologias Agrárias, Universidade dos Açores, Rua Capitão João D’Ávila, São Pedro, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal. |
| [5] | Mónica Moura, CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. |
| [6] | Luís Silva, CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Pólo dos Açores, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade dos Açores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal. |
Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica is an endangered tree endemic to the Azores Archipelago, considered as top priority for conservation. It is currently found in São Miguel, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, and Flores islands (i.e. in 6 out of the nine islands) occurring at altitudes above 500 m, mainly in craters and deep narrow ravines, or scattered in hyper-humid native forest. In this paper we evaluate the conservation status of this taxon based on its present abundance and distribution. We also estimate its potential distribution using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis and discuss conservation measures. The present area of occurrence encompasses 20.5 km2 with around 91 to 200 mature individuals. The islands of Faial, São Jorge and Terceira show the most depauperate populations and in Flores only one individual was found. According to the IUCN criteria P. lusitanica subsp. azorica should be considered as critically endangered [B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); C2a(i)], considering that the extant areas of occupancy are small, there is a severe fragmentation of the populations and a continuing decline of the available area and quality of the habitat, unless active conservation measures are taken. Modelling results showed that P. lusitanica subsp. azorica is more likely to occur at relatively high elevations with relatively low temperature, high relative humidity and small annual variation, when compared to the average conditions in the Azores; it is associated with narrow conditions of superficial water flow accumulation and altitude as compared to the range of conditions available in the Azores. Potentially, the current distribution of Prunus lusitanica subsp. azorica could increase considerably in several islands. In addition to habitat restoration measures, a conservation plan could include programs of vegetative and seed propagation to reinforce the most depauperate populations and eventually actions to expand P. lusitanica subsp. azorica to potentially suitable locations, while preserving its genetic variability and identity.
Keywords
Azores, Endemic, Conservation Status, ENFA, IUCN, Modelling, Prunus lusitanica subsp. Azorica
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