New insights on the conservation status of the Endangered coastal endemic plant Astragalus berytheus (Fabaceae) in Lebanon

Coastal vegetation includes unique species with adaptations to the specific conditions of this environment, and in the Mediterranean region urban development of coastal areas has severely affected coastal ecosystems. Astragalus berytheus Boiss. & Blanche is a narrow endemic plant of the eastern...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oryx 2021-07, Vol.55 (4), p.519-521
Main Authors: Abdel Samad, Farah, Medail, Frederic, Baumel, Alex, Siljak Yakovlev, Sonja, Roukoz, Anthony, Tohme, Georges, Tohme, Henriette, Bou Dagher Kharrat, Magda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation
Astragalus berytheus
Biodiversity
Coastal ecosystems
Coastal zone
Coasts
Conservation
Conservation status
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered plants
Endangered species
Endemic plants
Environmental Sciences
Extinction
Flowers & plants
Habitats
Historic buildings & sites
Marine and coastal conservation
Nature reserves
Population
Seeds
Short Communication
Taxa
Urban development
Urban sprawl
Urbanization
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Summary:Coastal vegetation includes unique species with adaptations to the specific conditions of this environment, and in the Mediterranean region urban development of coastal areas has severely affected coastal ecosystems. Astragalus berytheus Boiss. & Blanche is a narrow endemic plant of the eastern Mediterranean coast, occurring in Lebanon and Palestine/Israel; its Red List status has not been previously assessed. As a result of the effects of urban sprawl in coastal areas A. berytheus is one of the most threatened plant taxa in Lebanon. We assess the conservation status of this taxon and propose conservation measures. Only one population of A. berytheus is extant in Lebanon, in the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve. We recommend that A. berytheus should be categorized as Endangered globally and as Critically Endangered at the national level in Lebanon. Unless adequate conservation measures are implemented A. berytheus is likely to go extinct in Lebanon in the near future.
ISSN:0030-6053
1365-3008
DOI:10.1017/S0030605320000149