Janine E. Victor

Global legume diversity assessment : concepts, key indicators, and strategies

While many plant species are considered threatened under anthropogenic pressure, it remains uncertain how rapidly we are losing plant species diversity. To fill this gap, we propose a Global Legume Diversity Assessment (GLDA) as the first step of a global plant diversity assessment. Here we describe the concept of GLDA and its feasibility by reviewing relevant approaches and data availability. We conclude that Fabaceae is a good proxy for overall angiosperm diversity in many habitats and that much relevant data for GLDA are available. As indicators of states, we propose comparison of species richness with phylogenetic and functional diversity to obtain an integrated picture of diversity. As indicators of trends, species loss rate and extinction risks should be assessed. Specimen records and plot data provide key resources for assessing legume diversity at a global scale, and distribution modeling based on these records provide key methods for assessing states and trends of legume diversity. GLDA has started in Asia, and we call for a truly global legume diversity assessment by wider geographic collabora- tions among various scientists.

Pollen morphology of Adenandra (Rutaceae: Diosminae) and its taxonomic implications

The pollen morphology of Adenandra Willd. (Rutaceae: Diosminae) was investigated to determine its taxonomic significance. Pollen of 27 of the 30 infrageneric taxa (representing 16 of the 18 species) was investigated by LM, SEM and TEM. Adenandra differs from all other Diosminae in having 4-colporate rather than 3-colporate pollen grains. This supports the alleged monophyletic status of the genus. Exine morphology and structure, however, is extremely diverse considering the size of the genus, with eight distinct pollen types and four subtypes being discerned. In some members the grains have uniform macroreticulate, striate or striato-reticulate sculpturing, whereas in others the poles have striate, striato-reticulate or reticulate-perforate sculpturing with various types of reticulate or rugulate sculpturing at the mesocolpia. Taxonomic groupings revealed by the pollen characters suggest elationships between taxa that were not previously apparent. It is suggested that evolutionary diversification among spe...

Application of the IUCN Red Listing system to setting species targets for conservation planning purposes

Biodiversity targets, or estimates of the quantities of biodiversity features that should be conserved in a region, are fundamental to systematic conservation planning. We propose that targets for species should be based on the quantitative thresholds developed for the Vulnerable category of the IUCN Red List system, thereby avoiding future listings of species in an IUCN Red List threat category or an increase in the extinction risk, or ultimate extinction, of species already listed as threatened. Examples of this approach are presented for case studies from South Africa, including threatened taxa listed under the IUCN Red List criteria of A to D, a species listed as Near Threatened, a species of conservation concern due to its rarity, and one species in need of recovery. The method gives rise to multiple representation targets, an improvement on the often used single representation targets that are inadequate for long term maintenance of biodiversity or the arbitrary multiple representation and percentage targets that are sometimes adopted. Through the implementation of the resulting conservation plan, these targets will ensure that the conservation status of threatened species do not worsen over time by qualifying for higher categories of threat and may actually improve their conservation status by eliminating the threat of habitat loss and stabilizing population declines. The positive attributes ascribed to the IUCN Red List system, and therefore to the species targets arising from this approach, are important when justifying decisions that limit land uses known to be detrimental to biodiversity.

Threatened plants of Gauteng, South Africa

The Red Data List status of threatened plants of Gauteng, South Africa is presented. This includes evaluations using categories and criteria adopted by the IUCN in 1994 and updated in 2000 for assessing the risk of extinction. A total of 23 taxa were found to be threatened, nine are Data Deficient and 33 former Red Data taxa are not threatened with extinction. The major threat to the continuing persistence of threatened plants in Gauteng is urban development. Recommendations for the conservation of these species are made, and suggestions are given for research needs on certain taxa for which inadequate information is available.

Creating an Online World Flora by 2020: a perspective from South Africa

At the 10th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), which was held in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010, an updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) was adopted as part of the plan of work of the CBD. Target 1 of the GSPC aims to produce an online Flora for all the plants of the world by 2020. Governments that have ratified the CBD will have to report over the next several years on progress towards achieving this challenging target. Floras are still widely regarded as a means of providing descriptive information and identification tools for the plants that occur in a specified region. Historically, Floras have included identification keys; scientific names with authorship for all taxa known to occur in the area; synonymy; descriptions; distributions within the region in question; specimen citations; habitat; literature references; and illustrations. Of these, nomenclature, descriptions, identification tools, illustrations and distributions are critical components. The approach being taken by South Africa, a biodiversity-rich country, in working towards achieving Target 1 of the GSPC by 2020 is presented and discussed, outlining a methodology that may be of practical use to other countries. We hope this will urge other countries to consider how they might meet this challenging conservation target.

The conservation imperative and setting plant taxonomic research priorities in South Africa

For more than a decade it has been internationally recognised that efforts should be made to remedy the concern that taxonomy is an endangered discipline in the grips of rapid decline. In acknowledgement of the perceived continuing marginalisation of taxonomy, the Darwin Declaration recognised the need to enhance the taxonomic capacity of members who are party to the CBD, and beyond. South Africa is one of the most biodiversity rich countries globally, and the unique and rich flora of the country brings with it a significant conservation imperative. Although the country, and southern African subregion for that matter, has a strong history of taxonomic endeavour, stretching back for over a century, it also suffers from a lack of human and other resources to adequately address its taxonomic needs. This inevitably calls for a process of priority-setting to ensure the wise use of available funding. As one example, it is shown that 1,009 indigenous South African plant taxa are regarded as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons, following the completion of a recent comprehensive Red Listing exercise. Although not the only criterion to be considered when prioritising taxonomic research, efforts focused on these groups represent a significant opportunity for taxonomists to align their work with national priorities.

Pollen morphology of Euchaetis and Macrostylis (Diosminae-Rutaceae) and its taxonomic implications

Pollen morphology of Euchaetis and Macrostylis , both members of the taxonomically problematic subtribe Diosminae (Rutaceae), was investigated by LM, SEM and TEM. Here we report on the taxonomic significance of pollen morphology based on a comparative study of 28 infrageneric taxa. Three pollen types were found, namely reticulate (common to both genera), perforate (in Euchaetis ) and striato-reticulate (in Macrostylis ). Pollen data provide evidence of relationships between the two genera as well as with other genera, and further support for the macromorphological evidence suggesting the generic re-classification of the Diosminae.

Pollen morphology of Diosma and Coleonema (Rutaceae: Diosminae) and its taxonomic implications

The pollen morphology of Diosma and Coleonema of the taxonomically problematic subtribe Diosminae (Rutaceae) was investigated to determine its taxonomic relevance. Pollen of 26 of the 28 species of Diosma and of each of the eight species of Coleonema was investigated by LM, SEM and TEM. In pollen of Diosma the exine sculpturing is uniform, and only one pollen type, reticulate, could be distinguished. In contrast, exine sculpturing shows interspecific variation in Coleonema and three distinct types, striate, reticulate and perforate, could be discerned. Species groupings indicated by the pollen types suggest possible relationships between species within Coleonema and with other genera that were not previously apparent. Pollen data support macromorphological evidence that suggests the generic re-classification of the Diosminae.

Pollen morphology of Phyllosma and Sheilanthera (Diosminae: Rutaceae) and its taxonomic implications

Phyllosma (two species) and Sheilanthera (one species) are members of the taxonomically problematic subtribe Diosminae, Rutaceae. Pollen morphology of all three species was investigated by LM, SEM and TEM to shed light on their relationships to other genera of the subtribe. Sheilanthera shares pollen morphological features with many other species in the subtribe, but the pollen of Phyllosma is distinctive. Possible relationships between Sheilanthera and Acmadenia, and between Phyllosma and Agathosma are suggested. The macromorphological characters of the species correspond to the pollen morphology.

Palynology of Acmadenia (Diosminae: Rutaceae) and its taxonomic implications

The palynology of Acmadenia (Diosminae: Rutaceae), a taxonomically problematic genus, was investigated to determine its taxonomic significance. Pollen of 32 of the 33 species, and one undescribed species, was investigated by LM, SEM and TEM techniques. Exine structure is extremely variable in proportion to the size of the genus, with seven distinct types and four subtypes being discerned. Species groupings elucidated by the pollen types suggest relationships between species which were not previously apparent. Pollen data supports morphological evidence for the re‐classification of Acmadenia. A redefined Acmadenia is proposed to consist of 23 species, whereas the remainder of the taxa should be referred to new or closely related existing genera.