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Conservation of a critically endangered endemic halophyte of West Portugal: a microcosm assay to assess the potential of soil technology for species reintroduction
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Autores
Cortinhas, Ana
Ferreira, Teresa
Abreu, Maria Manuela
Caperta, Ana
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
The soil system has been frequently overlooked during plant reintroduction planning
and practice since working with soils and plant roots can be difficult, particularly in
saline environments. Coastal saline environments are major contributors to regional
and global biodiversity and an important source of endemic species. However, various
species are in decline or considered threatened, particularly halophytes (salt tolerant)
due to negative anthropic impacts. The Lusitanian endemic halophyte Limonium daveaui
formerly had a large distribution range along the west coast of Portugal but currently
it shows a restricted distribution in the Tagus estuary. Field surveys revealed that this
critically endangered species forms few local populations with small size invaded by
exotic species. In this study, we investigated the potential utilization of Technosols, an
innovative sustainable, ecological engineering method combined with brackish water
irrigation for potential L. daveaui reintroduction in native habitats. Seed germination
percentages were evaluated in different environmental conditions. Through a microcosm
assay, a Technosol was constructed using a saline Fluvisol with a mixture of low
value inorganic and organic wastes, which were chemically characterized. Plants were
cultivated in the Fluvisol and Technosol and irrigated with brackish water collected in
the nearby area. To assess plant growth, morphometric parameters and the plants’
physiological status were assessed and the fresh and dry biomass determined. Results
showed that seed germination was higher on moist filter paper with distilled water
than in Fluvisol or Technosol. Plants grown in Technosol had a greater development,
with higher values of photosynthetic indexes and biomass production than in Fluvisol.
Our findings provide a basis for future in situ conservation studies and support the
idea that eco-friendly soil technology approaches are beneficial to conserve rare
halophyte species
Descrição
Original Research
Palavras-chave
estuarine water Limonium daveaui fluvisol tailored soils plant restoration soil technology wastes
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Cortinhas A, Ferreira TC, Abreu MM and Caperta AD (2021) Conservation of a Critically Endangered Endemic Halophyte of West Portugal: A Microcosm Assay to Assess the Potential of Soil Technology for Species Reintroduction. Front. Ecol. Evol. 9:604509
Editora
Frontiers