# European_Red_List_2017_December

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)
EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)


This species is classed as Data Deficient because the information available is insufficient to assign it to a threat category.

range:
Urtica kiovensis is apparently endemic to central and eastern Europe.

population:
Urtica kiovensis is classed  as Extinct in the Czech Republic, Endangered in Belarus and Near Threatened in Hungary but there is no information available on population trend throughout most of its range. It is known that the populations are slowly declining and that the rate of decline is highest in Central Europe.

habitat:
Urtica kiovensis typically grows within active river floodplains, usually on organic, nutrient-rich soils with Phragmites australis , large Carex species and Salix spp. and Alnus spp. in sites which are at least sporadically flooded in winter and in oxbows.

threats:
There is no information on the causes of the species decline or potential threats.

conservationAction:
Urtica kiovensis has been classed as Extinct in the Czech Republic (Čeřovský et al. 1999, Holub and Procházka 2000). In June 2001, another population of the species was discovered in a temporary pool, in the National Nature Reserve Ranšpurk south of the town of Lanžhot (South Moravia, distr. Břeclav). The site is situated in the floodplain of the Dyje River about 10 km of the northernmost localities of the species near the village of Hohenau an der March along the March/Morava River in Lower Austria (Danihelka and Lepší 2004). The species is classed as Endangered in Belarus (Ermakova 2005) and Near Threatened in Hungary (Király 2007) is. There is no other information available on its conservation needs. The causes of the population declines should be studied.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

This species is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution and its tolerance of a wide range of artificial habitats. The populations are declining in some countries and it therefore requires monitoring at local level.

range:
Urtica urens is native to Europe, Africa and western Asia and is widely naturalised including Australia and the American tropics so it is now found in all temperate regions of the world (circumpolar southern-temperate distribution) occurring generally between sea level and lowland areas and up to 2,700 m elevation (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2012, Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003, Castroviejo et al. 1993, World Health Organization 2010).

population:
A locally common and widespread species but declining in some regions. It has become less widely distributed due to reduction of its habitat (World Health Organization 2010).

habitat:
A short to medium spring-germinating annual with weakly stinging hairs with male and female flowers on the same plant found on cultivated ground, arable land, waste or disturbed places, allotments, gardens, on slightly acid well drained soils (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003, Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora 2012). This plant is a food source for many species of butterfly larvae.

threats:
It has declined in many areas most likely due to increased urbanisation and over collection as a valued food source (Ibadullayeva et al. 2011).

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place, but monitoring is recommended for the declining and threatened local populations. It is listed as Critically Endangered in Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Vulnerable in Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Near Threatened in Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and Least Concern in Estonia (eBiodiversity 2012), Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005).

useAndTrade:
It is usually mixed with Urtica dioica as a herbal substance (dried cut or fragmented aerial parts collected or harvested during the flowering period) taken as herbal tea or an infusion for oral use and a comminuted herbal substance (expressed juice from the fresh herb, liquid extract or tincture). It is used for the treatment of urinary tract complaints as it increases the amount of urine flushed out. Its use is with regard to the application of Article 16d(1) of Directive 2001/83/EC (European Medicine Agency 2007). The young leaves are edible only when cooked to remove stinging hairs and are very nutritious and high in vitamins and minerals used in soups, stews and salads. The young shoots are used to brew nettle beer. Nettles have a long history of use in the home as a herbal remedy. Tea made from the leaves was traditionally used as a tonic and blood purifier and also used to treat anaemia, excessive bleeding, haemorrhoids, arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, hair problems such as dandruff. The juice is an antidote from the stinging leaves and also as a lotion for healing and soothing burns. A homoeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, gathered when in flower (Plants for a Future 2012).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This species is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution, stable populations and no significant threats.

range:
Viola arvensis is native to Macaronesia, North Africa, temperate Asia and Europe. It has become naturalised outside its native range and occurs between sea level and 1,800 m asl (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2012, Castroviejo et al. 1993).

habitat:
This short hairy annual is a common weed of arable/cultivated land and waste places, growing on acid, neutral or calcareous soils (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003).

threats:
This species is known to decline with reduced cultivation due to increased competition (Nielsen and Pinnerup 1982).

conservationAction:
It is listed as Least Concern in Estonia (eBiodiversity Estonia 2012), Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005).

useAndTrade:
The dried flowering aerial parts are used as comminuted herbal substance as herbal tea for oral use or for infusion preparation for cutaneous use. It is applied to treat mild skin conditions such as eczema, acne and rashes and also for mild urinary tract complaints. This herb is recommended internally as expectorant for catarrhs of the respiratory tract, coughs and acute bronchitis (European Medicines Agency 2010).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

This species is listed as Least Concern as although declining in parts of its range, it is still widespread and found in a wide range of habitats.

range:
Viola canina is native to North Africa (Morocco), temperate Asia, Greenland and Europe and occurs from sea level up to 2,500 m (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2012, Castroviejo et al . 1993, Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003).

population:
This is a very variable species found scattered throughout Europe and the British Isles (Forey 1991). V. canina is widespread but appears to be declining inland on heaths and now seems most common on sand dunes.

habitat:
Low to short hairless to slightly hairy perennial found in lowland acid grassland, open woods, grassy heathland, sandy commons, fens, lake shores, coastal dunes and pasture land often growing on acid soil (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003, Castroviejo et al. 1993, Preston et al. 2002). Fieldwork over the last ten years indicates that this species is scarce and should be looked for in close-cropped grassland, near the coast, river shingle, and seasonally wet loch margins and short cropped calcareous grassland (Amphlett 2010).

threats:
This species is threatened with changes in land use and loss of habitats such as heathland and acid grassland. It is also highly sensitive to nitrogen deposition and its distribution is inhibited by this. Increases in nitrogen deposition on heathland causes a shift in species composition with a reduction in occurrence of stress tolerant forbs and shrubs such as Viola canina . The presence of this species on acid grassland and upland heathland is significantly reduced with increased deposition (Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2011, Henrys et al. 2011).

conservationAction:
Conservation and management of heathland and grassland through protection will help protect this species. It is listed as Endangered in the national red list of Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Near Threatened in the Netherlands (van der Meijden et al. 2000), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005), but is considered Least Concern in Denmark (NERI 2007) and Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010).

useAndTrade:
The young leaves and flower buds are edible raw or cooked and a tea can be made from the leaves. The flowers and leaves have powerful cathartic and emetic properties and are used for curing skin diseases (Plants for a Future 2012). The medicinal uses for this plant are limited.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species has a very wide natural and introduced (archaeophyte) distribution in Europe. This species is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution, stable populations and no major threats.

range:
The species is native to western Asia, the Mediterranean region and central Europe (Castroviejo et al. 1986-2013, Euro+Med 2014, GBIF 2014), and is currently widely naturalized in areas of Asia, the Pacific, North America and South America as a consequence of its cultivation since ancient times. Present in most European countries (de Bolòs and Vigo 1984-2001, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2014), but only native from the south and east. Introductions date from centuries ago and in some areas is difficult to know the origin of the populations. Recent studies consider this species introduced and naturalized in countries such as Ireland, Luxemburg, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and Russia (Marcussen 2006).

population:
No information on population trends are available. The distribution appears to be stable in the United Kingdom and probably elsewhere (Botanical Society of the British Isles and Biological Records Centre 2014). Most introductions are from ancient times.

habitat:
Perennial herb usually found in open woodlands, riverine forests, hedge banks, field edges in humid places, gardens, etc. (Castroviejo et al. 1986-2013, Botanical Society of the British Isles and Biological Records Centre 2014). It grows in lowlands and up to 1,500 m a.s.l.

threats:
The main threats of the species are grazing, logging practices and human gathering. Human gathering pressure has probably decreased with the increase of cultivation.

useAndTrade:
Used in folk medicine in the treatment for cancer (breast, lungs or digestive tract), whooping cough, bronchitis, headaches, mouth and throat infections, etc. (Lange 1998, Hoffmann 2008, unpublished factsheet from MAPROW database: U. Schippmann, pers. comm. 25.11.2013, Association Tela Botanica 2014, PFAF 2014). The root is an expectorant and the seeds are diuretic and purgative. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole fresh plant. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and flowers are used to decorate salads and desserts. A soothing tea can be made from the leaves and flowers. In Poland it was traditionally sourced from the wild, but it is now cultivated in Holland. An essential oil from the flowers and leaves is used in perfumery. A pigment extracted from the flowers is used as a litmus to test for acids and alkalines. Also used in gardening and horticulture.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


Viola tricolor is listed as Least Concern as it is widespread, with stable populations in the majority of its range and no major threats.

range:
Viola tricolor is native to temperate Asia (Iran, Turkey, Russian Federation) and Europe but has become naturalised outside its native range (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2012). It occurs between sea level and 2,700 m (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003).

population:
A widespread decline has occurred in the United Kingdom, especially in the southeast (Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora 2012). It is assumed to be stable in the majority of its range.

habitat:
An annual or perennial herb and common arable weed with bright blue, violet or multicoloured flowers. It grows on sand dunes and grassy places surrounding the coast, acid grassland and heathland, cultivated ground, gardens and waste land (Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora 2012, Blamey and Grey-Wilson 2003).

threats:
The decline of Viola tricolor is largely attributable to the decline of the inland, weedy subspecies (Preston et al. 2006). For the majority of the populations, there are no major threats known.

conservationAction:
Viola tricolor ssp. subalpina is included in the Natura 2000 Habitat 6520 Mountain species-rich mesophile hay meadows of the montane and sub-alpine levels (Rodwell et al. 2007). It is listed as Least Concern in Estonia (eBiodiversity 2012), Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002), but Near Threatened in the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005) and Data Deficient in Hungary (Király 2007).

useAndTrade:
The young leaves and flower buds are edible raw or cooked and tea can be made from the leaves. Wild pansy has a long history of herbal use and was once reputed for being a treatment for epilepsy, asthma, skin diseases and a wide range of other complaints (Plants for a Future 2012). It is used in traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic treatment of mild seborrhoeic skin conditions and is administered as a comminuted herbal substance as herbal tea for oral use or for infusion preparation for cutaneous use (European Medicine Agency 2009, 2010).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This is the most wide-spread species of conifer in the world. While it is struggling to survive in some areas, e.g. England, it is increasing elsewhere; both phenomena in its population dynamics are related to shifts in agricultural practices and general land use.

range:
It is found in temperate Eurasia, North Africa, North America and north of Mexico. Juniperus communis is the most widely distributed conifer species in the world, with a circumpolar distribution extending from c . 70° N in Alaska, Scandinavia and Siberia to c . 28° N in the Himalaya.

population:
Overall common with presumed stable populations but locally declining in parts of its range.

habitat:
This is largely a pioneer woodland species, occupying natural rock outcrops and other places with skeletal soil and abundant sunlight in woodland and light forest, both broad-leaf and coniferous forest (especially Pinus sylvestris - Betula spp.- Quercus spp.), in which it can obtain local dominance after disturbances (non-fire). It is also prevalent in the ecotone between open woodland and grassland on poor sandy soils and on stabilised inland sand dunes. It occurs often with Calluna vulgaris , Erica spp., Vaccinium spp., Arbutus sp., Cytisus scoparius , Ulex sp., Salix spp., and the above mentioned tree genera, in Russia also in grass steppes. The altitude ranges from 5 m to 2,400 m asl. It seems very indifferent to soil type and occurs in dry sand, chalk downs, and loose (dolomitic) scree, as well as in acidic peat, with low or fluctuating ground water levels.

threats:
No range wide threats have been identified for this species.

conservationAction:
This species occurs in many protected areas across its range. It is included in the following national red lists: Endangered in Luxembourg (Colling 2005); Vulnerable in Belgium (Van Landuyt et al. 2006) and Czech Republic (Holub and Procházka 2000); Near Threatened in the Netherlands (van der Meijden et al. 2000); Least Concern in Denmark (NERI 2007), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005).

useAndTrade:
The Common Juniper is widely used as an ornamental in parks and gardens, especially the decumbent varieties, and numerous cultivars have been derived from it. The cones ('berries') are used in cooking and in the preparation of alcoholic distilled beverages. Juniperus communis var. communis has been used for a considerable time in European horticulture, where especially the fastigiate habit of some northwest European plants is popular, and a number of cultivars have been obtained by selection. Juniperus communi s var. saxatilis , being a prostrate shrub, is a useful plant in horticulture, where it is usually known as J. communis var. montana or var. nana , or under a number of cultivar names (= vegetatively propagated clones) selected for dwarfed growth, branching habit, foliage colour, etc. An essential oil is attained from the berries and used in traditional herbal medicine. It is orally used to treat urinary tract complaints and digestive orders such as flatulence or dyspepsia or applied externally in case of muscular or articular pain (European Medicines Agency 2010).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species as a whole is assessed as Least Concern as it is widespread and locally common in its range.

range:
Prickly Juniper occurs in the Mediterranean Region, around the Black Sea and Middle East: Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, FYR Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Syria, Transkaukasus, Tunisia, Turkey and Crimea in Ukraine.

population:
Very widespread and often common to abundant.

habitat:
A common shrub in Mediterranean sclerophyll scrubland (maquis, garrigue); also in dry woodland with Pinus spp., Carpinus betulus, Quercus ilex and other oaks, Quercus-Lentiscus scrub, as well as in montane and wetter forest with Cedrus libani, Pinus nigra, Juniperus foetidissima , and J. excelsa . The altitudinal range is 1-2,200 m asl. It occurs on dry, stony slopes in thin soils over all kinds of rock from calcareous to siliceous and serpentine, but uncommonly on sand dunes; in pastures at higher altitudes it is usually a sign of overgrazing. It is largely restricted to regions with a Mediterranean climate, but in the Balkans and the Iberian Peninsula it may occur in more continental conditions. The subspecies badia and oxycedrus are tolerant of frost, unlike the subspecies macrocarpa and transtagana . The latter two are largely restricted to coastal dunes or old, vegetated beaches on sand, where they occur in open pine woods ( Pinus halepensis, P. brutia, P. pinea ) as well as in scrub (garrigue, maquis) or associated with coastal grasses.

threats:
No overall threats have been identified for this species although coastal urban and tourist developments have had some impact on coastal subpopulations.

conservationAction:
This species is present in many protected areas throughout its range.

useAndTrade:
Prickly Juniper is suitable for cultivation as an ornamental in southern Europe where a number of cultivars, especially with more pendulous foliage, are commonly planted in gardens and parks. Essential oils are extracted from the branches and leaves, especially in France and Turkey. This 'oil of cade' is used for medicinal purposes.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This is one of the most wide-spread conifer species in the world, occurring in habitats such as alpine-subalpine meadows with rocky outcrops and steppes or semi-deserts, that are not under serious environmental pressures globally.

range:
Savin Juniper is native to southwest, Central and southeast Europe, North Africa (Atlas Mountains), Crimea in Ukraine, and extends into the Caucasus, Russia (Altai and Ural Mountains), Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Mongolia to north and northwest China.

population:
This plant is locally abundant with stable populations.

habitat:
In montane to subalpine coniferous forests of Larix , Picea and Pinus , gradually replacing these where under human-imposed grazing regimes; also invading into alpine meadows when old grazing patterns are changed, e.g. intensified. In Central Asian mountains it occurs on south-facing slopes in mountain pastures in a characteristic pattern of rounded patches, often mixed with J. pseudosabina . Its altitudinal range is 700-3,000 m a.s.l. This species is most abundant on sunny, dry slopes in mountains with a mesic climate like the Alps; its drought tolerance accounts for its wider distribution in Asia into the Artemisia steppe and desert zones (var. arenaria ). It is often found on limestone substrates but occurs on granitic rock as well, especially on drier slopes.

conservationAction:
This species is recorded from many protected areas across its range. It is listed as Endangered in the national red list of Bulgaria (Petrova and Vladimirov 2009), Vulnerable in Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996) and Least Concern in Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002).

useAndTrade:
The decumbent shrub form has long been in cultivation in Europe and is relatively common; several cultivars (some with fastigiate growth habit) have been named. Its cultivation is often more or less restricted to countries where it is also native and where growers have experimented with this stock to produce cultivars; in other countries forms of the similar species J. chinensis seem to prevail. Some of the cultivars of J. sabina retain juvenile type (needle) leaves, most have predominantly or exclusively scale leaves in mature plants. Forms with needle leaves also occur in nature, so selection of this trait for horticulture is very easy where this variety (var. davurica ) is available. The wood is of little value, but was traditionally used in the Alps to make walking sticks. Oil is distilled from branches and foliage and used for medicinal purposes; it has powerful diuretic properties.


taxonomicNotes:
African subpopulations of Juniperus thurifera have been described as a distinct species ( Juniperus africana (Maire) Villar or more recently as a subspecies ( J. thurifera subsp. africana (Maire) Romo and Boratynski (Romo and Boratynski 2007). Genetic analysis also indicates that the Moroccan subpopulations are genetically distinct and have been isolated from other subpopulations for several millennia (Terrab et al . 2008). Although J. thurifera is maintained here as a single taxon (following Farjon 2010), conservation and restoration programmes should use locally sourced material wherever possible.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species is not yet considered to be threatened with extinction, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) that surpass any threshold of a threatened category and it is considered Least Concern. However, in Europe gradual alterations of woodlands due to resumed forest succession after abandonment of traditional land use systems could eventually reduce the abundance of the juniper component. The rate of overall decline is not known, in part because of the large EOO of this species.

range:
The species is native to southwestern Europe and north Africa in the western Mediterranean basin (Farjon 2013). In Europe, the species distribution extends from Baetic Cordillera in southeastern Spain, to southern France (Alpes Maritimes and the Pyrenees) and northwestern Italy (Valdieri, Cuneo, Alpes Maritimes close to the border with France), and the Corsican highlands (Terrab et al. 2008). In Spain, the species was recently discovered in the eastern Pyrenees (Catalonia, Lleida Province: Valferrera and the Vall de Cardó; L. Sáez pers. comm. 2014). The species altitudinal range is from about 300 m (between between Lleida and Zaragoza in Spain; L. Saez pers. comm. 2014) up to 1,800 m asl (extending up to 3,400 m in north Africa).

population:
Population trends vary from one country to another, depending on grazing and browsing pressures (goats in particular), with stability in France but decline in Spain.

habitat:
In France (inc. Corsica) and Italy - except in rocky habitats where it is generally the only tree species, this species is associated with Corsican Pines ( Pinus nigra subsp. laricio ) or downy oaks ( Quercus pubescens ) in Corsica, with Scots Pines ( Pinus sylvestris ), Austrian pines ( Pinus nigra subsp. nigra ) or with other juniper trees ( J. communis, J. oxycedrus, J. phoenicea ) in the Alps and with downy oaks ( Quercus pubescens ) or evergreen oaks ( Quercus ilex ) in the Pyrenees (Gauquelin et al. 1999). Recently found growing in siliceous rocky habitats in the eastern Pyrenees in Spain (L. Sáez pers. comm. 2014). In Spain four differing communities can be distinguished: Cantabrian stands in the Leon and Palencia region; Paramo stands in the center of Spain; thermophilic stands in the Ebre basin and acidophilic stands, for example in the Segovia or Guadalajara region. Paramo stands are characterized by intensive livestock activity and a particular nitrophilous flora, and are situated in the more continental bioclimates; Cantabrian stands develop very close to oceanic conditions. Thermophilous thuriferous woodlands colonize arid areas of northern Spain, with rainfall below 300 mm (Gauquelin et al. 1999).

threats:
This species is not yet considered to be threatened with extinction. However, in Europe gradual alterations of woodlands due to resumed forest succession after abandonment of traditional land use systems could eventually reduce the abundance of the juniper component, and the species was subject to extensive historical removal for fuelwood (Gauquelin et al. 2002).

conservationAction:
This species is known from several protected areas. Recent genetic studies (e.g. Terrab et al. 2008) have indicated that several subpopulations are genetically distinct and in some cases show some morphological variation. Conservation and restoration programmes should use locally sourced material wherever possible.

useAndTrade:
This species has traditionally been utilised in France and Spain for construction wood, firewood, and specific uses (fences, various farming tools). The foliage served as fodder for donkeys and goats and was, and perhaps still is, used in Spain for incense. In horticulture, the species is virtually restricted to botanic gardens and arboreta, mainly in southern Europe, but some specimens are grown or have been grown as far north as Ireland and the south of England. In France, the species was traditionally used in the construction of beds as the aromatic smell was said to deter bedbugs (Gauquelin et al. 1999). In North Africa, tar and oil extracted from the tree was used in veterinary medicine (Gauquelin et al. 1999). More recently, oils extracted from the plant have been investigated (e.g., Barrero et al. 2000, Mansouri et al. 2010), and the species has medicinal uses (Farnsworth et al. 2009).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Endangered B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii)
EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii)

The species has a restricted extent of occurrence (120 km²) and area of occupancy (22 km²) and although the total number of locations is more than five, populations in both countries are considered to be severely fragmented due to urban and agricultural development and the likely lack of any effective genetic exchange. 

Although the number of mature individuals is currently increasing and is likely to continue to do so in response to conservation actions that are able to suppress fires, all subpopulations are very limited in their capacity to expand their extent of occurrence or area of occupancy beyond the threshold levels required for downlisting to vulnerable. In most locations and subpopulations there is evidence of a decline in the quality of habitat.

Considering a national assessment, Tetraclinis articulata could qualify as Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) in Spain and as Critically Endangered B2ab(iii) in Malta.

range:
In Europe, Tetraclinis articulata is restricted to Spain and Malta. The main part of its range is in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The total extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be about 120 km ² with a total area of occupancy (AOO) of 22 km². The total number of locations is seven: three in Spain and four in Malta.

Spain
In Spain it occurs on either side of the city of Cartagena. There are three distinct locations. One is west of the city of Cartagena at Monte Roldan and Algameca. The second and third locations are east of Cartagena and consist of the following named sites: Escombreras (1 and 2), Fausilla, Cola del Caballo, Cabezo de la Galera, Cenizas-Peña de Aguila, Atamaria, El Sabinar. The largest site is at Cenizas-Peña de Aguila (7.56 km²). The area of occupancy is 10.3 km² (16 km² using a 4 km² grid) with an extent of occurrence of 83.8 km².

Malta
In Malta it occurs in four locations: (1) the Mellieha area where trees are found at Wied il-Miżieb (also referred to as Ta’ Pennellu); but also at Ġnien Ingraw, and Ras il-Griebeġ (2) il-Maqluba (S-SW Malta) (3) the central-eastern part of Malta - in the Mosta area, where it is known from Wied il-Għasel and San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa and (4) at Iċ-Ċagħak (limits of Mġarr, NW Malta).

population:
In Spain, more than 1,000 mature individuals are estimated whereas in Malta there are less than 130.

Spain
Over the last 20 years the number of individuals is estimated to have increased three-fold as a result of regeneration following fires. The current number of mature, sexually mature individuals is estimated to be over 1,000 out of a total population of 7,500-8,000. Four years previously, it was estimated to be between 5,000-5,500. The majority of the population is east of Cartagena, especially in the Monte de las Cenizas and Peña de Aguila area within the Parque Natural de Calbanque. There is a significant urban settlement between these localities. While the number of mature trees may increase as young trees become mature, there is very limited potential expansion in the total extent of occurrence. 

Malta
Less than 130 mature trees are known in Malta. These are located: Mellieha area; Wied il-Miżieb - 100 trees; Ġnien Ingraw – (a few trees, probably less than 10); Ras il-Griebeġ - one old specimen (possibly another tree in an inaccessible part); il-Maqluba (S-SW Malta) – one small tree; Mosta area (central-eastern part of Malta) where it is known from Wied il-Għasel - 2-3 trees and San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa - one old tree; Iċ-Ċagħak (limits of Mġarr, NW Malta).

habitat:
Spain
Near Cartagena, it occurs in a sparsely vegetated, open woodland. Associated woody species include: Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus coccifera, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhamnus lycioides, R. oleoides ssp. angustifolia, Maytenus senegalensis ssp. europaea, Calicotome intermedia, Periploca angustifolia, Clematis cirrhosa and Chamaerops humilis. The altitudinal range is from 6-390 m above sea-level. It grows in a range of soils, but tends to be restricted to the Triassic limestone, avoiding the metamorphic, micaceous and graphitous schists. The climate typically has long hot summers (with 150 ‘biologically dry’ days per annum) with temperatures reaching as high as 40°C and mild winters where temperatures rarely fall below 0°C. The annual rainfall is ca 300 mm; most precipitation occurs during September, October and November.

Malta
Tetraclinis occurs in ‘garrigue’ communities on steep crevices and gorges with a substrate of coralline limestones and calcareous soils. The vegetation of these areas is usually typical of the thermo-Mediterranean region, with plants adapted to considerable dry periods, with chamaephytic shrubs, geophytes or therophytes. Associated native species include: Periploca angustifolia, Ceratonia siliqua, Rhamnus oleoides, Euphorbia melitensis, Chiliadenus bocconei, Opuntia ficus-barbarica, Asparagus aphyllus, Teucrium fruticans, Andropogon distachyus, Brachypodium retusum, Hyparrhenia hirta, Piptatherum caerulescens and Asphodelus aestivus.There is limited information on breeding ecology, with no scientific studies carried out. In general, male cones start appearing in November (sometimes before), shedding pollen sometimes up to March. The female cones produce viable seed in most locations but no detailed studies have been carried out on this.

threats:
Spain
The principle threat comes from urbanization, including the establishment of sport facilities such as golf courses. Historically, human-set fires have had the greatest impact on the populations. The most notable fire occurred in September 1992 when 55 ha were burnt affecting a significant proportion of the population (Nicolás et al. 2004). Regeneration after fire can be rapid although it is estimated to take 10-20 years for burnt areas to recover (López-Hernández et al. 1995). A serious fire in the main part of the population (e.g. Cenizas-Peña de Aguila) has the potential of eradicating up to 80% of the population. Post-fire regeneration of competing species such as Pinus halepensis is a problem until the plants of Tetraclinis reach maturity. Mining has been a cause for concern in the past. The extensive heaps of spoil have caused serious fragmentation of the population. In some parts of its range (El Sabinar), regeneration is hampered by grazing for sheep and goats. Competition from invasive species is also of concern; the most detrimental species being Pinus halepensis (Martinez 2008). Tetraclinis is frequently cultivated in southern Spain in gardens and as a plantation species. Some of these plantations are located close to the native population. It is thought that the origin of this germplasm is the North African (Morocco) population. Genetic contamination could be a problem although to date no studies have been carried out to investigate its potential impact.

Malta
Tetraclinis articulata was once much more common in Malta and the various places called Ghar-ghar, Ghar-ghur etc. point out to the existence of a wider distribution, and possibly small forests (Borg 1927). It apparently disappeared centuries to decades ago, mostly due to habitat alteration and land reclamation (Stevens and Baldacchino 2000). The main threats today include habitat modification and/or destruction (including land reclamation and the clearance of the vegetation) and human-induced disturbance, including the introduction of alien species such as Acacia saligna and Eucalyptus spp. Afforestation and reforestation programmes in its distribution range with indigenous and alien trees, which do not form part of its biotope are also important threats. Competition from invasive species such as exotic Pinus spp. and particularly the native P. halepensis are also seen as threats.

conservationAction:
Tetraclinis articulata is included in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), and its habitat type is included in Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC).
Spain
The two sites that comprise 80% of the overall population are mostly protected inside Parque Natural Calblanque (Cenizas-Peña de Aguila and El Sabinar). It also has regional level protection under Spanish Law (Decree 50/2003) which means that it has to have a plan of Conservation. This is currently being developed. The majority of the population occurs within the designated ‘Site of Community Importance’ (SCI) under the EU Habitat Directive 92/43/CEE. The area has been chosen as a priority site under the GENMEDOC project (Herreros, 2004) and as part of this initiative seed collections have been made for seed banking and for germination studies.
Malta
In 1992 Tetraclinis was declared the Maltese National Tree and since then it has become part of the national identity of the country. It has been legally protected since 1993 (Stevens, 1999). Currently it is protected under the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2006 (Legal Notice 311 of 2006 as amended) and the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations, 2001 (Legal Notice 12 of 2001). Most locations where the tree is found are protected through either the Environment Protection Act or Development Planning Act. Important localities are also declared as Natura 2000 sites (e.g. Wied il-Miżieb and Il-Maqluba ).

useAndTrade:
In Spain, the wood was traditionally used for making yokes (for use in mines) and for the construction of houses. Today, due to its rarity it is no longer used. In Malta, there are many historical records for the wood being used for a range of purposes but as a result of its legal protection and rarity it is no longer used.


taxonomicNotes:
In the Balkans introgression with Abies cephalonica , during repeated advances of A. alba from the north during the Pleistocene, has caused the boundary to be unclear and there is a putative hybrid A. x borissii-regis (Farjon and Filer 2013).

redListCategoryRationale:
Global and European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This tree is the only widespread species of fir in Europe. Its extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and population are beyond any of the thresholds for a threatened category and there is no evidence of continuing decline. In some areas it is probably increasing. As a result it is assessed as Least Concern.

range:
This tree is a European endemic. It is widespread in central Europe and is found in the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Carpathians, Corsica, Italy, the Balkan Peninsula to Bulgaria and northern Greece (Farjon 2010, Farjon and Filer 2013).

population:
The population is large and the overall population trend is stable, with losses in some areas (e.g., in the Spanish Pyrenees; Oliva and Colinas 2007) but with some increases in areas where natural regeneration is promoted. In some parts of its range it is rare, for example, in the central Alps where a drier and colder climate prevails and in most of the Appenines in Italy (Farjon and Filer 2013).

habitat:
Under favourable conditions, this fir tree can reach an age of 500 to 600 years and tree heights up to 60 m (Wolf 2003). Primarily a montane species, usually occurring between 500 and 1,500 m, but as low as 300 m in the Bavarian Forest, up to 2,000 m in the Pyrenees and in the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria. Soils are usually well drained sandy loams from silicate rocks or limestone derivatives. The preferred climate is cool temperate, comparatively humid (precipitation often >1,000 mm/year), with abundant snowfall but moderately low temperatures in the winter. The species often forms large forests, either pure, mixed with other conifers (Picea abies, locally Pinus sylvestris) or mixed with broad leaved trees (Fagus sylvatica ), in a belt between deciduous forest in the valleys and coniferous forest composed of other species of Pinaceae towards the tree limit. Of the European native conifers, this fir is most capable of competing with Beech (F. sylvatica) at altitudes where the latter becomes less vigorous and is the first of the conifers to appear among them (Ellenberg 1988).

threats:
The species' area of occupancy has been reduced over the last two centuries as a result of deforestation, over-exploitation and afforestation with faster growing exotic species. Air pollution and acid rain have also effected stands in some parts of its range. Over the last several decades this decline has ceased as patterns of land use changed, forest management priorities shifted and air pollution levels dropped.

conservationAction:
This fir tree occurs in numerous protected areas throughout its range. Examples include Pirin National Park in Bulgaria and Apuseni National Park in Romania (where extensive stands of undisturbed forest are protected; Feurdean and Willis 2008). It is also listed in 135 Natura 2000 sites (EUNIS 2014). Guidelines have also been produced to aid forest managers to encourage fir regeneration in managed forests and to control the type of replanting material used in those areas (Wolf 2003). It is conserved ex situ in 125 botanic gardens worldwide (BCGI 2013). It is not known whether any seeds are stored in seed banks, although their suitability is cited (Wolf 2003).

useAndTrade:
This is an important timber tree in western and central Europe, where most forests are semi-natural and managed with a view to encourage fir regeneration and growth at the expense of competitors. It is not very successful as a plantation forestry tree outside its natural areas of occurrence; one cause of this may be damage done by insect pests, which may be more prolific in monocultures and in areas with mild winters such as in the British Isles. Its most famous use in the past was for the masts of seventeenth century ships. Most of its wood today is used for plywood and veneer as it is evenly grained, light, and easily worked. Minor uses are for soundboards in musical instruments, boxes, wood carving, and sometimes for joinery. The buds, bark and leaves are all believed to have medicinal properties, for example, antiseptic, antibiotic, diuretic and balsamic. Distillation of the leaf essential oils has in the past been used to produce remedies for sprains and bruises and the leaves and resin are ingredients for remedies for coughs and colds. The resin can be added to bathes to soothe rheumatic pains and neuralgia. In Britain it was used as a Christmas tree in the nineteenth century when Prince Albert popularized the tradition; its use has declined since in favour of the more quickly and cheaply produced Norway Spruce. In horticulture White Fir is uncommon and mostly restricted to arboreta; a number of cultivars are known but few are common in the trade. The bark can be ground and used to thicken soups and in bread making as a subsistence food (Wolf 2003, PFAF 2014).


taxonomicNotes:
Three varieties are recognized: the typical variety (var. decidua ) from the Alps, West Carpathians, Slovenian Mts, var. carpatica Domin from central and eastern Europe and var. polonica (Racib. ex Wóycicki) Ostenf. & Syrach from Poland. This last variety has been assessed separately as Endangered while the other two are both considered Least Concern but have not been assessed.

redListCategoryRationale:
Global and European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species is widespread and common to abundant in much of its range; the European Larch is in fact expanding (northwards) with the abandonment of alpine cattle grazing in many parts of high altitude Europe.

Larix decidua var. polonica has been assessed separately as it is Endangered. As this variety represents only a very small part of the European population and range, that assessment does not affect the overall assessment of the species.

range:
The species is endemic to Europe, occurring naturally across central Europe from the Alps in eastern France, through the Carpathians, Slovenian mountains, to southern Poland and western Ukraine and northern Romania (Farjon 2010). It has been naturalised widely, for example in Great Britain and Scandinavia.

population:
The overall population is thought to be stable.

habitat:
The species occurs in the high mountains of central Europe, at altitudes between (600-)1,000 to 2,200(2,500) m a.s.l.; in the Central Alps it usually forms the tree limit. The soils are neutral to acidic, mostly on granitic rock. The climate has cool, moist summers and cold, snowy winters, but annual precipitation rarely exceeds 1,000 mm. Pure stands are uncommon, more often it is mixed with Pinus cembra in the Alps, below 1,800 m also with Picea abies.

conservationAction:
The species is present in numerous protected areas throughout its range, such as the Ojców National Park, southern Poland (Skrzypczyńska 2004). It is conserved ex situ , for example in Kostrzyca Forest Gene Bank, Poland (ENSCO 2014) and reported to occur in more than 100 botanic gardens worldwide (BCGI 2013).

useAndTrade:
The wood of European Larch is valued for its durability and has been used for centuries in the Alps and Carpathians to build houses; traditional style houses still use well seasoned wood of this species. Other traditional uses are fences, gates, feeding racks, and water troughs for animals. Due to its durability, the wood of European Larch has been used extensively for railway sleepers, until these were replaced by concrete and iron structures in modern times. Trees with a curved base were split and hollowed and the two halves joined to make 'Alphorns', large wind instruments with a far carrying low tone; competitions to blow the horn are still held in some regions of the Alps. This species has been introduced in the lowlands of Europe for plantation forestry as well as an amenity tree. In horticulture for gardens it is not so common, although a modest number of cultivars are known, most with various branching habits. The tree also has numerous recorded medicinal uses. Bark has been used as an astringent, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and to treat wounds, and to treat eczema and psoriasis (PFAF 2014). Resin is extracted and used directly (dried and powdered), and also used to produce turpentine (PFAF 2014). The resin (and the turpentine extracted) has a wide range of non-medicinal uses in wood preservatives and varnishes, and tannin extracted from the bark is also used (PFAF 2014).


taxonomicNotes:
This species has received more names than any other conifer, some of these are still in use especially in eastern Europe. For a comprehensive list of synonyms see Farjon (2001). Here, only two subspecies are recognized in the species: the typical subspecies, subsp. mugo and subsp. rotundata . The closely related species P. uncinata is treated as distinct at that rank. The typical subspecies (subsp. mugo ) is relatively widespread and is not regarded as threatened. However, subsp. rotundata has a more restricted distribution and is confined to mid-elevation peat bogs. Draining and afforestation have reduced its area of occupancy to such an extent that it has been assessed separately.

redListCategoryRationale:
Global and European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


As this pine is widespread, with a large extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and population, and in most cases occurs in areas where it is not threatened by human activities, and has few significant declines, it is assessed as Least Concern. Pinus mugo subsp. rotundata has a much more limited distribution and is restricted to mid-elevation peat bogs. Habitat loss due to afforestation and draining has resulted in a reduction in its AOO and this subspecies has been assessed as Endangered. However, as this subspecies represents a relatively small part of the global population of Pinus mugo, the overall assessment for the species does not change.

range:
This pine is recorded from the French Alps, northern and central (an isolated population in the central Italian Apennines) Italy, Austria, Switzerland, southern Germany, Czech Republic, southern Poland and Slovakia. In southeastern Europe it is found in northern Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, western Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and east to the Ukraine. It is a montane species with concentrations in the Alps and Carpathians (Frankis and Earle 1999, Schmidt 2011, Farjon and Filer 2013, USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2014).

population:
This pine is very common at and above the treeline in montane areas and the population is inferred to be large and stable.

habitat:
The species has two principal growth forms, commonly recognized as distinct taxa: a shrub-like, sometimes nearly decumbent form (subsp. mugo ) and an upright shrub or erect tree (subsp. rotundata ), which occupy different habitats. The shrubby form grows on mountain slopes and ridges generally from about 1,000 m to 2,300 m a.s.l. in the mountain ranges of Europe most exposed to storms associated with depression systems in the North Atlantic. Especially in the Carpathians, it forms dense mat-like thickets above montane forests dominated by Fagus or Picea ; in the western Alps the upright form (subspecies) dominates on nutrient poor slopes. Pinus mugo in the eastern Alps may have replaced original Larch-Arolla pine woods which were disturbed by human activities and grazing of their animals. The species often occurs on dolomite limestone, but is in fact indifferent to soil type; this prevalence probably has historical reasons. While upright stands of P. mugo subsp. rotundata can have fairly rich plant communities, the species associated with the decumbent subsp. mugo are much fewer due to harsh environmental conditions, such as exposure and long-lasting snow cover. P. mugo subsp . rotundata occurs mostly in and around peat bogs and its habit, from shrub to upright tree, seems to depend on soil drainage with the low shrub form in wet moor habitat.

threats:
No significant, range wide threats have been identified for this species or for P. mugo subsp. mugo . Tourist and recreation-related developments (e.g. ski resorts and ski runs) could have some effect at a very localized level and acid rain in the eastern parts of its range may also be a problem (Boratynsky et al . 2009). Pinus mugo subsp. rotundata has a more limited distribution than the typical subspecies and is also restricted to peat bogs. Many of these have been drained and afforested with Picea abies . As a result this subspecies has been assessed as Endangered (see the assessment for further details).

conservationAction:
This species is recorded from more than 50 Natura 2000 protected areas throughout its range (EUNIS 2014), such as Tatry National Park in Poland. It has been planted ornamentally and it is conserved ex situ in 154 botanic gardens worldwide (BCGI 2013). Seed is conserved in seedbanks, such as in Paver, Italy (ENSCO 2014). The subspecies rotundata is in need of conservation action (Farjon 2013).

useAndTrade:
The shrubby subspecies of Dwarf Mountain Pine has been used in some parts of northern Europe to stabilize drifting sand dunes and as initial shelter belts for plantations with Scots Pine in similar sandy areas. In horticulture it is mainly planted in spaces created by roundabouts and other types of road intersection, both in Europe and in the USA. For gardens many cultivars that remain more dwarfish than the subspecies mugo have been and are being selected, and some of these are suitable in larger rock gardens as they grow very slowly. For this reason this species has also been used in bonsai culture. The tree form (subsp. rotundata ) is too uncommon and also grows too slowly to be of importance as a timber tree. Its horticultural interest is limited to arboreta, where it is often labelled as a distinct species ( P. uncinata ) and can grow into an erect small tree. Hybrids have been described between subsp. mugo and subsp. rotundata , and such plants may also occasionally be in cultivation. As with other pines, this species produces a resin that has some medicinal uses. The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pines is considered antiseptic and diuretic. It is used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic disorders. In the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers it is also used for respiratory complaints such as coughs and colds and a variety of skin problems, such as sores and boils. An essential oil obtained from the young twigs is used medicinally and also in woody perfumeries.A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood. Pitch could also be obtained from the resin and a tan or green dye obtained from the needles and the wood has reportedly been used to make shoes (Plants for a Future 2014). A herbal tea is also made from the needles in Bulgaria (Frankis and Earle 1999).


taxonomicNotes:
Three subspecies of Pinus pinaster Aiton are recognized (Farjon 2010). The typical subspecies ( P. pinaster subsp. pinaster ) occurs in France, Spain and Portugal. Its natural distribution within these areas is uncertain due to its long history of cultivation. Pinus pinaster subsp. escarena (Risso) K. Richt has a fragmented distribution, partly on the West Mediterranean coast, and partly further inland especially in Spain, where it merges with subsp. pinaster further northwest. The third subspecies, P. pinaster subsp. renoui (Villar) Maire, is very rare and known from only two widely separated populations on the African Mediterranean coast, the largest being in Morocco. This sub-species has been assessed separately.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species has a relatively wide distribution in southwestern Europe and it has been widely introduced and naturalised. Its estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) and inferred area of occupancy (AOO) for this species exceeds the values needed for a threatened category under criterion B. The population is inferred to be large and not to have suffered any significant declines in Europe. It is assessed as Least Concern.

range:
This pine is found in southwest and southern Europe (France (Atlantic coast, Mediterranean coast, Corsica), Gibraltar, Italy (Sardinia, Sicily, and primarily the west coast of the mainland), Malta, Monaco, Portugal and Spain. The typical subspecies ( P. pinaster subsp. pinaster ) occurs in France, Spain and Portugal. Its natural distribution within these areas is uncertain due to its long history of cultivation. Pinus pinaster subsp. escarena has a fragmented distribution, partly on the west Mediterranean coast from Malaga in southern Spain to Messina in Sicily, and partly further inland in France and especially in Spain, where it merges with subsp. pinaster further northwest (Frankis 1999, Farjon and Filer 2013). It has been widely planted in other parts of the world with a Mediterranean climate, and is now naturalized in South Africa and elsewhere (Frankis 1999). Outside Europe, the species is known from north Africa; Morocco, and along the border between Algeria and Tunisia.

population:
This pine is a widespread and common species which is increasing in abundance as it often naturalizes from planted populations (Farjon and Filer 2013).

habitat:
This pine grows to about 20 m in height and is mainly found in low-lying, coastal plains, usually on sandy soils of sea shore dunes and flats but can occur in inland in rocky hills. Centuries of extensive planting, for example in sand dunes, has established this species in areas where it may not have occurred naturally but where it has subsequently often been naturalized. It can form tall pine forests and, with open crowns, can have an understorey of evergreen maquis shrubs or it can occur in evergreen oak woodlands. This species is frost sensitive, which is probably a reason why only in the far south of its range it ascends into the mountains (Farjon and Filer 2013).

threats:
Residential, urban, industrial and tourism related developments in coastal areas has reduced the available habitat for this species. However, this decline is offset by its naturalization in other areas. Pests such as Matsococcus feytaudy may be problematic locally and increases in the frequency of wildfires may affect isolated populations, and the introduction of Pinus pinaster material from different parts of its range could lead to the loss of local adaptations through hybridisation (Alía and Martín 2003).

conservationAction:
This species is present in several protected areas, for example Isola di Pantelleria reserve in Italy and six other Natura 2000 sites (EUNIS 2014). Seed is conserved in seedbanks, such as in Soller, Spain (ENSCO 2014).

useAndTrade:
Maritime Pine is an important timber tree as well as Europe's major source of turpentine since the 16th Century. It has been planted to stabilize dunes in coastal areas within as well as far outside its natural range where frost is a minimal risk due to the maritime influence on the microclimate. The region Les Landes in SW France is one of the principal areas where this pine has been planted for forestry purposes, including resin tapping. Another centre for resin production is Corsica. The species has also been planted on a forestry scale in many parts of the Mediterranean region. The wood is of coarse grain and very resinous. It has been used for mining pit props, construction, telephone poles and posts for fencing, boat-building, and furniture. Smaller sized logs with many knots or blemishes are usually chipped or pulped for particleboard and paper. The large volume of bark per unit of wood makes this a pine suitable for production of mulch. Resin is extracted by tapping as well as distillation of bark and wood pulp, and used to produce turpentine, pitch, oils, varnishes, waxes and soap (Farjon 2010). A tan or green dye can be obtained from the needles. The cones are sold as Christmas decorations. The seeds may be eaten raw or cooked and a vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood. The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pines is considered antiseptic and diuretic. It is used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic disorders. In the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers it is also used for respiratory complaints such as coughs and colds and a variety of skin problems, such as sores and boils (Plants for a Future 2014).


taxonomicNotes:
More than 50 botanical varieties have been described for this species. Farjon (2010), only recognizes three of these. The typical variety is very widespread, from Scotland to Russian Far East. Pinus sylvestris var. hamata Steven is restricted to the Ukraine, Caucasus and Turkey. Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. is found in northern China, Mongolia and around Lake Baikal in Siberia. None of the varieties are considered to be threatened and are hence not assessed separately.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species has a broad distribution within Europe and the extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for this pine are extremely large. It has a large population size and few significant threats or ongoing declines. It is assessed as Least Concern.

range:
This pine is widespread across Eurasia from western Europe to the Russian Far East and from Lapland in the north to Turkey (Anatolia) in the south. In Europe it is native to Scotland (but introduced throughout the British Isles; Preston et al. 2002), Norway, Sweden and Finland, central European countries, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal (possibly extirpated). In southeast Europe it is found in the Balkan region and Greece and eastward to Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, the Russian federation (throughout European Russia), Belarus and Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia (Farjon 2010, Farjon and Filer 2013, GRIN 2014). It is a mountain species in western Europe and occurrences in lowlands (outside Sweden and the Baltic coast) are naturalized, for example in the Netherlands. Natural lowland occurrences begin to appear from eastern Germany and continue further east as the climate becomes more continental (Farjon and Filer 2013).

population:
The population of this pine is very large and inferred to be stable as it is locally abundant and dominant in many areas.

habitat:
This large and long lived pine grows naturally in a variety of habitats, the common denominator of which is deficiency of nutrients in the soil. Thus on the Atlantic seaboard of Scotland and Norway up to 70o N, it occurs in areas with very heavy precipitation and on thin soils overlying ancient igneous or metamorphic rocks. South of the Baltic Sea it grows on podsoloized glacial sands left after the last Ice Age. In the central Alps it is restricted to the drier slopes and valleys below other conifers like Larix and Picea . In Scandinavia and north east Europe it often borders acidic peat bogs. It most commonly forms open pine forests and woodlands but in many areas it is associated with conifers like Picea , Larix , Juniperus and with broad-leaved trees, especially Betula spp. and Populus tremula . In old growth stands there is often a well developed ground cover of Vaccinium spp. or Empetrum nigrum in Atlantic regions, and such pine forests are rich in mycorrhizal fungi.

threats:
Populations along the southern parts of its range, especially in areas such as the Iberian peninsular may be susceptible to impacts such as changes in precipitation patterns, recurrent droughts and an increased frequency of wildfires associated with climate change (Garzón et al. 2008, Mátyás et al. 2004). Across the whole of its range, there are currently insufficient threats for this species to be considered threatened at any level.

conservationAction:
As this species has such a wide range and is relatively common, it is present in numerous protected areas such as the Cozia National Park in Romania and 29 other Natura 2000 sites (EUNIS 2014). However, few of these include the more isolated subpopulations that often occur at the margins of its range or in more extreme habitats and probably represent reservoirs of genetic adaptability. Most ex situ conservation activities such as seed banks and seed orchards are orientated towards tree breeding for timber production rather than broad genetic representation. A more comprehensive strategy is required to conserve the full range of genetic variability and the range of habitat types that this species characterises (Mátyás et al. 2004).

useAndTrade:
Scots Pine is an important timber tree, but most of the production goes to the paper industry. In the past it was more often put to use as mining props and for interior construction; such uses are still common in eastern Europe. Most of the 'pine' used for furniture in western Europe is actually spruce ( Picea abies ), which has a smoother grain and is less resinous, but often has more and darker 'knots', which are the discarded lower branches on the trunks of densely planted trees. Other uses of Scots Pine wood are (or were) street paving blocks, railway sleepers, fencing, crates, pallets, boxes, laminated wood, particleboard, fibreboard, and various wood-based materials also resin, turpentine and pitch and their various by-products. In Russia and Scandinavia resin is extracted by 'destructive distillation' from the stumps and roots of felled trees to produce 'Stockholm tar' which is used as a wood preservative. In much of western Europe it is a widely planted forestry tree for timber; it was introduced in the USA for similar purposes and for growing as Christmas trees. Scots Pine is, or was, also used to stabilize dunes, but not those close to the sea as it is not very resistant to salt-laden winds. In Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark such plantations have led to massive spontaneous spread of pines onto heathland and the last remaining inland dune areas, and while the old plantations have in many places matured to mixed woodland now managed as 'multiple use' or even nature reserves, its invasiveness into Calluna heathland is sometimes seen as a menace to biodiversity of an ancient semi-natural landscape. In horticulture a large number of cultivars are known, including dwarf forms; the species is being planted as an amenity tree in many countries. The bark of the tree can be ground to make a flour which is used as an emergency food and a vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood. A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles and a orange dye from the cones. It is used medicinally in the treatment of chest and urinary complaints, rheumatism and arthritis. It is used in various forms, such as the turpentine from the resin and oil from the seed and leaves.The leaves and young shoots are considered antiseptic, diuretic and expectorant and are harvested in spring and dried for later use. Leaves can also be added to bath water for treating fatigue, sleeplessness and skin irritations. It is used in aromatherapy for its invigorating properties. The oil from the leaves is also used in perfumery. A fibre from the bark has been used to produce ropes and the leaves as a packing material. The roots are resinous and can be used as a candle substitute and the wood use as a fuel (Plants for a Future 2014).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The species is uncommon throughout much of its range but is widespread in Europe. It is classed as Least Concern as it has stable populations in parts of its range and therefore the risk of the species going completely extinct in Europe is quite low. However, it is of concern that it is classed as threatened on various national red lists.

range:
Osmunda regalis is a sub-cosmopolitan species, sub-Atlantic in Europe and occurring around the Mediterranean basin. This species also occurs in southern Africa, America, Asia and New Zealand.

population:
It is widespread in Portugal, but more common in the northern part; in Spain it is found at the Atlantic coast, in the north, west and there are some isolated populations in the southeast (Anthos 2009). The species is widespread in France, more rare in the south and common in Corsica. It occurs in the north and west of Italy; and it is rare in Croatia. In the United Kingdom, there has been no notable decline since 1962 (Preston et al. 2002). In Norway, the species was first discovered in 1938 and more populations have subsequently been found. There is no evidence of decline and it is even suspected that the species sites will increase due to global warming, however, this might be hindered by the low genetic variety within the current populations (Artsdatabanken 2010). Overall, populations are declining at least locally as indicated by the species being listed as threatened on several national red lists.

habitat:
Osmunda regalis is a meso-hygrophilous to hygrophilous perennial fern, which grows in peaty marshes, on stream banks and drains, on wet rocks, and in humid caves; as well as in riparian forests belonging to Alnion glutinosae , Alno-Padion and Populion albae . It can occasionally be found on limestone sea cliffs in Ireland; often confined to inaccessible sites in areas that are grazed (Preston et al. 2002).

threats:
Osmunda regalis is declining in many parts of Europe as a result of habitat destruction due to agriculture. In Croatia, urbanisation and the drainage of wetlands have been reported as a cause of habitat loss (Nikolić and Topić 2005).

conservationAction:
Osmunda regalis is included in the following national red lists: Critically Endangered in Belarus (Ermakova 2005), Bulgaria (Petrova and Vladimirov 2009), Croatia (Nikolić and Topić 2005), Hungary (Király 2007) and Luxembourg (Colling 2005); Vulnerable in Germany (category 3 - Ludwig and Schnittler 1996) and Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002); Near Threatened in Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010); Least Concern in Belgium (Van Landuyt et al. 2006), Denmark (NERI 2007) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005). In France, the species is protected at regional level (Alsace, Bourgogne, Centre, Champagne-Ardennes, Franche-Comté, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Lorraine, Picardie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) and at departmental level (Ain, Isère) (Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 2003-2012).

useAndTrade:
Roots and fronds are used in medicine to treat jaundice, rheumatic pains, wounds and intestinal worms (Plants For A Future 2012). It is used in horticulture and was heavily collected for that purpose in Victorian times in the United Kingdom (Preston et al. 2002). The roots of the species were collected as Osmunda fibre and used for potting epiphytes and orchids. It was also used in cloth making (Plants For A Future 2012).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This species is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution, stable populations and no major threats. Its uses are limited and it is one of the most common ferns found throughout Europe.

range:
Asplenium trichomanes is native to temperate Asia, Australia, North America, Africa and Europe (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2012).

population:
A very widespread and common species over many continents. The tetraploid subspecies Asplenium trichomanes ssp. quadrivalens is one of the most common and widespread ferns in Europe and is very abundant whereas the diploid subspecies Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes is much rarer (National Museums of Northern Ireland 2010, Suter et al. 2000).

habitat:
A perennial evergreen fern found in montane areas growing in rocky habitats such as cliffs, screes, mines and is commonly found growing on walls, grikes and limestone pavements (Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora 2012, Castroviejo et al . 1986, Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2012).

threats:
There are no known significant threats to this species. However, in the United Kingdom the rarity of this species is associated with the loss of limestone pavements and grazing pressure although light grazing favours this species spread beyond grikes (Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2012).

conservationAction:
It is listed as Vulnerable in Estonia (eBiodiversity Estonia 2012) and Least Concern in Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005) . In the United Kingdom, the species is protected in certain areas (Joint Nature Conservation Committee 2012).

useAndTrade:
The medicinal uses of this plant are limited. The fronds are taken to make a sweet tea used to relieve pain and discomfort of mucous membranes and a laxative and has been used in the treatment of chest complaints and to promote menstruation (Plants for a Future 2012).


taxonomicNotes:
Onoclea struthiopteris (L.) Roth is considered valid as Pteretis struthiopteris (L.) Nieuwl. by The Plant List (2014), but is accepted by Euro+Med (2014).

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


The extent of occurrence (EOO) for this fern greatly exceeds the values required for a threatened category. Although it needs moist situations, generally in woodlands and shrublands, it is suspected that over this wide range the area of occupancy (AOO) would also exceed these values. It is noted to be relatively common in parts of Norway and much of Finland although it is uncommon in Belgium and Germany and rare in Denmark, Italy and Croatia. It is considered to be Vulnerable in Switzerland, Slovakia, Hungary and Denmark and Endangered in Germany. However, Bundesamt für Naturschutz (2014) considers this to be a moderately frequent species which covers a large area and not to be threatened in Europe.


The habitat of this fern undoubtedly has threats and it is not common or without threats throughout its range. However, it is inferred to have a sufficient EOO, AOO and population size, and insufficient percentage declines in the total population, to trigger a threatened category. It also occurs within protected areas where threats are inferred to be minimized. It is assessed as Least Concern. However, surveys and monitoring of populations in some parts of its range are recommended due to noted threats and ongoing declines.

range:
This fern is native to the USA, Canada, Europe, the Russian Federation and eastwards to China and Japan. In Europe it is native to Scandinavia and the Baltic states, central and eastern Europe from northeastern France, parts of the Balkan Peninsula and northern Italy (Christenhusz and Raab-Straube 2013). It is often cultivated and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish native populations.

population:
This is an extremely widespread species but there few population data available. It is known to grow in dense stands and it is reported to be common in parts of western Norway and southern Sweden (Odland 1992, Øllgaard and Tind 1993). It is also reported to be quite common in Finland (Pinkka 2014). It is suspected to be less common in the southern countries of its range in Europe and is noted to be uncommon in Belgium and Germany and rare in Denmark and Italy (Rose 1989, Øllgaard and Tind 1993, Marchatti 2003). It is also rare in Croatia known only from a few localities (Hrsak 2000). Ongoing threats are noted in some parts of its range which are suspected to be leading to a decrease in population.

habitat:
This deciduous fern, with a distinctive shuttlecock shape, grows to about one metre in height. The sterile and fertile fronds differ in appearance. It is found in damp woodland habitats often beside streams and lakes. It spreads vegetatively via long stolons and can form dense stands. It is found in a variety of habitats such as birch and spruce taiga woodland, swamp and ash/alder woodland (EUNIS 2014). In Poland it is noted to be a character species of Alno-Ulmion , Stellario-Alnetum and Alnetum incanae habitat types and to be a sub-montane species (Stachurskka-Swakon and Towpasz 2008).

threats:
In Germany it is noted to have been threatened by the management of small rivers and streams, such as straightening and damming and by conversion of forests (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2014). Finnish Environment Institute (2008) consider 70% of the forests to be threatened, with threats noted from forestry activities and clearing for agriculture which is likely to have some impact on this species. In Poland the population is noted to be declining due to river engineering, creation of lakes, desiccation resulting from the lower water tables, road construction and building. Six local populations are noted to be threatened by invasive species such as Fallopia japonica and Soldago gigantea (Stachurskka-Swakon and Towpasz 2008) in the Carpathian region. In Denmark it is rare and declining because of forestry activities and conversion of areas for cultivation (Øllgaard and Tind 1993).

conservationAction:
This fern is listed from 121 Natura 2000 sites in many countries, for example France, Italy, Finland and Poland. It is found within protected areas, such as, the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Finland (IUCN 2010). In Machowa, near Pilzano, in Poland, a floristic reserve was created for this species (Stachurskka-Swakon and Towpasz 2008). It is conserved ex situ in 150 botanic gardens worldwide but it is not known whether any spores are stored (BGCI 2013). It is assessed as Vulnerable in the Red Lists for Switzerland and Hungary (Zoological Society of London 2014) and in Slovakia and Denmark (Øllgaard and Tind 1993, Feráková, et al. 2001). It is considered endangered in Germany and protected by the Federal nature Conservation Act (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2014).

Further research may be needed to enumerate population size and trends, particularly in areas where this species is less common and considered threatened. Management of some protected areas may be needed, for example, in the reserve in Machowa in Poland it is noted to be threatened by invasive species and lowering of the water table (Stachurskka-Swakon and Towpasz 2008).

useAndTrade:
This fern is considered edible, the rootstock can be peeled an roasted. The young fronds, known as fiddle-heads, before they unroll can be cooked and eaten as a delicacy and substitute for asparagus or eaten raw in salads. They are canned and are particularly popular in Canada (Øllgaard and Tind 1993). It is possible that it may contain some undesirable chemical compounds and is considered by some only as a famine food. The leaves are cut for fodder in Scandinavia as the stems have starch rich bases but it is only used when other fodder is scarce (Øllgaard and Tind 1993). A decoction of the leaf stalk base from sterile fronds has been used in folk medicine to treatment back pain and to help speed the expulsion of the afterbirth (Plants for a Future 2014). It is a popular garden plant for moist shady areas as it has and attractive shape and decorative fronds.


range:
Polypodium vulgare is native to northern Africa, temperate Asia, North America (Greenland) and Europe. It is also cultivated widely (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2012).

population:
This species is described as being common and widespread throughout its distribution.

habitat:
Polypody is an evergreen, perennial, rhizomatous fern that prefers well-drained and predominantly acidic substrates. It grows on walls, rock outcrops and crevices, roadside banks and in conifer plantations. This fern also grows on tree trunks as an epiphyte, for example, on Quercus and other deciduous trees. It is very tolerant of exposure, growing, for example, on montane scree (Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora 2012, Castroviejo et al. 1986).

threats:
There are no known threats to this species. A decline in deciduous oak woodland may reduce the occurrence of this species.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place or needed. It is listed as Near Threatened in Belarus (Ermakova 2005) but is considered Least Concern in Belgium (Van Landuyt et al. 2006), Denmark (NERI 2007), Estonia (eBiodiversity Estonia 2012), Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), Luxembourg (Colling 2005), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002) and the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005). In Bulgaria, it is collected in national parks and is listed as a species scarcely spread, with single populations with small areas and limited resources but of no economic importance (Evstatieva and Hardalova 2004, Kathe 2003).

useAndTrade:
Polypody rhizome is used in traditional medicine as an expectorant in cough and cold and short term constipation. It is usually prepared as comminuted herbal substance for tea or herbal preparations in solid dosage forms for oral use (European Medicine Agency 2008). Polypody stimulates bile secretion and is a gentle laxative. In European herbal medicine it is traditionally used as a treatment for hepatitis and jaundice and as a remedy for indigestion and loss of appetite. It should not be used externally since it can cause skin rashes. The poulticed root is applied to inflammations (Plants for a Future 2012). In the early eighteenth century in Ireland a distinction was made between the epiphytic polypody found on oak and the supposedly different kind found commonly on walls and it was rated so much more effective that, given the scarcity of Irish woodland by then, it had to be imported (Allen and Hatfield 2004).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This species is widespread and common in the western Mediterranean part of Europe with no major threats and stable populations. Towards the edges of its range, it has been listed as threatened on various national red lists. Those populations might require monitoring.

range:
Adiantum capillus-veneris is a sub-cosmopolitan species. Its distribution encompasses tropical, subtropical, temperate regions and the Mediterranean. In Europe, it occurs in the Mediterranean part and in Ukraine.

population:
The species is very common in the western half of the Mediterranean with numerous localities and populations appearing to be stable. It occurs frequently in the whole Iberian Peninsula (Castroviejo et al. 1986), seems common in southern France and occurs in all the provinces of Italy.

habitat:
Adiantum capillus-veneris is a perennial herbaceous plant (Geophyte to rhizome) that inhabits caves and humid rocks, banks of watercourses, banks of springs and also artificial lands such as wells and walls. It is very tolerant to the chemical nature of the substratum. Its development occurs in spring and it produces sporophylls in summer.

threats:
There are not major threats for the species.

conservationAction:
This species is listed as Critically Endangered in Bulgaria (Petrova and Vladimirov 2009) and Serbia (Stevanović 1999), as Vulnerable in Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002), as Near Threatened in Croatia (Nikolić and Topić 2005) and as Rare in Bosnia-Herzegovina (Šilić 1996). It is considered of Least Concern in the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005). There are no conservation measures in place but for the future it is recommended to manage the harvest of this species.

useAndTrade:
The leaves of A. capillus-veneris are used as herbal medicine for respiratory problems. It is prepared as a tea or in form of a syrup. Other uses reported are as a poultice to treat snake bites or bee stings; as a remedy to expel worms from the body and as a treatment against dandruff (Plants for a Future 2012).


redListCategoryRationale:
European Regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU27 Assessment: Least Concern (LC)


This is an extremely widespread species in Europe occurring in a variety of habitats and it is common in parts of its range. The estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) greatly exceeds the values needed for a threatened category. The area of occupancy (AOO) and population are also inferred to exceed these values.

Although there are noted declines in parts of its range, for example, in Germany (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2014), these are suspected to be insufficient to give the percentage declines in the whole population which are required to trigger a threatened category. It is assessed as Least Concern.

range:
The species is one of the most abundant and widely distributed of the Moonworts, with a range that is essentially circumpolar. In North America, the species is found from Pennsylvania northwards across all Canadian Provinces and Alaska (ISC 2014) and it is found in Greenland, central and eastern Russia. It is also found in Turkey and Morocco and in the temperate zones of Asia and Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand and also Argentina (Cantlon et al. 1959, Christenhusz and Raab-Straube 2013). In Europe it is found from Iceland and the Scandinavian countries, the British Isles and Ireland through all of west, central and eastern Europe to Greece, Spain and some Mediterranean islands, the Azores and Madeira in the south (Christenhusz and Raab-Straube 2013). Its distribution within countries varies, for example, it is found more frequently in the north and west of Britain (Stace 1997) and in France it is mostly found in the east and the Pyrenees (Association Tela Botanica 2014).

population:
This fern has an extremely wide range but sometimes a patchy distribution within countries. There are few available numerical data. It is noted to be common in Scandinavia, and frequent in northern Britain and Ireland and the Carpathians. However, it is local and sometimes rare in other countries of north western Europe such as Italy and central Poland (Rose 1989, Marchetti 2003, Piekos-Mirkowa 2006, Woziwoda 2006). Some population declines are noted, for example in Germany (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2014). It is suspected that the population may be declining due to abandonment of grassland management in some areas, allowing this species to be over-shadowed and out-competed by larger plant species.

habitat:
This small (8-20 cm in height) perennial fern grows in dry and semi-dry grassland, meadows, heaths and moors often in uplands and rarely in deciduous or pine forests. It is also found on dune slacks in the lowlands (Rose1989, Plants for a Future 2014, Association Tela Botanica 2014, Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2014). It is a characteristic species of four habitat types in Europe: acid alpine and sub-alpine grassland, Oro-Hellenic closed grassland, Pannonic closed sand steppes and Fenno-Scandian ( Avenula pratensis-Festuca rubra ) grasslands. The sterile frond bears pairs of leaflets and the fertile frond has clusters of round sporangia (Rose 1989).

threats:
The primary threat to this small fern is the loss of its open habitats to successional overgrowth (EOL 2014, Woziwoda 2006). It may also be subject to trampling and grazing in meadows with high animal stocking densities.

conservationAction:
This fern is grown ex situ in 17 botanic gardens worldwide (BCGI 2014) but it is not known whether spores are stored. It is found in 181 Natura 2000 sites, in countries such as Belgium, Spain, Hungary and Finland, which includes formally protected areas such as Mount Brando National nature reserve Ireland (EUNIS 2014). It is threatened in some parts of its range, for example it is cited as Endangered and subject to declines in Germany (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2014), it is considered near threatened in Norway, Finland and Hungary. However, it is considered as Least Concern in Switzerland and Great Britain (Cheffings and Farrell 2005, Zoological Society of London 2014).

useAndTrade:
This fern is historically used as a wound healing herb. The leaflets are used externally as an ointment or taken internally in the treatment of ruptures and dysentery (Plants for a Future 2014). In eastern Norway the young leaves are eaten in spring and have a lettuce-like taste (Øllgaard and Tind 1993). It is also grown in gardens.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations throughout its European range and does not face any major threats.


taxonomicNotes:
E. fluviatile is known to hybridise with a number of other species of the genus, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
E. fluviatile occurs throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe east through Turkey, Siberia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, to the Russian Far East, China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula, as well as Queensland in northern Australia and throughout much of northern North America. In Europe it occurs more or less throughout.

population:
E. fluviatile appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
E. fluviatile is typically a plant of ditches, ponds, lakes, backwaters of large rivers and wet grassland.


taxonomicNotes:
E. palustre is known to hybridise with a number of other species of the genus, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
E. palustre occurs throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe east through the Middle East, the Caucasus, Siberia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to Kamchatka, Primorskye and Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, China and Japan. It occurs more or less throughout Europe.

population:
E. palustre appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
E. palustre typically occurs in permanently wet, usually fairly base-rich pasture, marshland, dune slacks and fens, as well as the margins of ditches, streams and rivers.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) C2a(i); D2EU 27 regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) C2a(i); D2 #This species is classed as Vulnerable because it has an estimated range (here interpreted as area of occupancy) of 13 km². The maximum estimated population is under 10,000 individuals with less than 1,000 in each of the 11 subpopulations. Several threats, especially invasive species, pollution and eutrophication have led to population declines and are continuing to do so if no appropriate conservation measures are taken.

range:
This is an endemic species to the Azores   (Euro+Med Plantbase 2006-2010) where it is found on the islands Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, Terceira and São Jorge. The total geographic range estimated for Isoetes azorica is only 13 km2 (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

population:
The total population of this species is estimated as 2,000 to 3,000 individuals by Schäfer (2005). This estimate might be a bit low but the total number of mature individuals as surely below the threshold of 10,000 mature individuals with less than 1,000 individuals in a subpopulation. In total there are around 11 subpopulations (F. Rumsey pers. comm. 2010).

habitat:
This species grows exclusively in permanent or temporary lakes and ponds at around 400 to 1,000 m altitude. It is adapted to oligotrophic waters with low floral diversity and associated to Littorella uniflora. It can also be found in ponds and lakes with higher nutrient availability and diversity. Regarding to Habitat Directive listed habitats, it can be found in 3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea     (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

threats:
The main and increasing threats to the plant come from the spread of invasive macrophytes, pollution and eutrophication. The population at Lagoa do Negro, Terceira has been dramatically reduced (<70%) in under ten years by the arrival and spread of Sagittaria subulata (F. Rumsey pers. obs. 2010). One of the three populations on Flores has suffered considerable mortality very recently (2010) as a consequence of pollution leaching from a nearby tip (F. Rumsey pers. comm. 2010).Further threats to the species are grazing; leisure fishing; the construction of paths and cycling tracks; canalisation, modifying structures of inland water courses and other human induced changes in hydraulic conditions; and introduction of disease   (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). There is no other information on conservation actions or needs available. As a minimum, the following tasks should be undertaken:Assess the size of populations and establish a basis for monitoring to measure trends.Compile information on the life history of I. azorica, with emphasis on dispersal and population or metapopulation dynamics.Assess the risk from the various threats listed and potential for these threats to be controlled or eliminated.Given the small size of the known populations, at least the main sites should come under legal protection.


taxonomicNotes:
I. boryana falls within the I. velata group, a taxonomically difficult suite of species which merits further research. Prelli (2001) questions the validity of I. boryana as a species, while Romero and Real (2005) propose its treatment as a variety of I. velata. In France, this species is considered valid and near from I. velata ssp. tenuissima.

redListCategoryRationale:
Isoetes boryana is listed as Endangered. Its restricted extent of occurrence, 854 km², presence confirmed in only three locations and the loss of several localities, as well as the decrease in water quality qualify this French endemic for an Endangered category.

range:
Isoetes boryana iS endemic to southwestern France (Gironde and Landes, ponds of the Gascogne Gulf). It is known from three localities (three ponds). Its area of occupancy is declining, as several localities have been lost in the Landes. The total geographic range for France (EOO) has been estimated in 854 km² (N. Juillet pers. comm. 2010).Reports of this taxon from Spain appear to involve confusion with I. asturicense (Lainz) Lainz.

habitat:
This species occurs on the sandy edges of ponds, on siliceous substrate. It can be found in the Habitats Directive habitat 3110 "Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains (Littorelletalia uniflorae)".

threats:
The main threats are related to unfavourable water management, eutrophication due to agriculture (pollution), and water sports.

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and on Annex I of the French National List of Protected Species. Proper management and protection of the sites or acquisition of the land by the National Littoral Conservatoire would be important for this species.


taxonomicNotes:
Prelli (2001) presents detailed and informative argument for the inclusion of&#Isoetes brochonii within I. lacustris, although Prada and Rolleri (2005) claim to have demonstrated that it is a good species.The main taxonomic issue is whether Motelay’s type is dodecaploid – that is can the cytologically distinct allopolyploid Pyrenean plant recorded by Taylor and Hickey (1992) and subsequently morphologically studied by Prada and Rolleri (2003) be identified with Motelay’s plant.Flora Iberica and the International Plant Names Index do not mention this name (not even as a synonym). It is therefore not considered as a valid species and is not evaluated.

redListCategoryRationale:
This species cannot be assigned a threat class as there is no recent information on its population size, distribution or ecology and it is highly likely that it is simply a form of #Isoetes lacustris.

range:
Isoetes brochonii is endemic to the Pyrenees - although it is not clear whether this refers to both French and Spanish Pyrenees.

population:
There is no information on population size of I. brochonii.

habitat:
There is no information on the ecology of I. brochonii.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place and no information on the need for conservation action. There is clearly an urgent need to establish the size of populations and assess the need for conservation action.


taxonomicNotes:
I. echinospora has been shown to hybridise with I. lacustris (I. ×hickeyi W.C. Taylor & Luebke) (Prelli 2001), however the hybrid is not frequent and is not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations throughout most of its European range and does not face any major threats.

range:
I. echinospora has a sub-circumboreal distribution, occurring from Scandinavia east to north European Russia and the Baltic States south through west and central Europe to the Pyrenees. It also occurs in northern North America.

population:
I. echinospora is classed as Endangered in Estonia and has undergone a decline in the United Kingdom, but otherwise is widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
I. echinospora typically occurs in nutrient-poor lakes over a wide range of substrates, from rocks and stones to silt and peat, however it is more tolerant of mesotrophic or even eutrophic water, such as coastal lakes enriched by wind-borne base salts, lowland reservoirs, slow-flowing rivers and flooded gravel- and clay-pits.

conservationAction:
Isoetes echinospora is categorized Critically Endangered (CR) in the Czech Republic (Čeřovský et al. 1999). There are no other conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
Isoetes fluitans is listed as Endangered as it has a very small area of occupancy (AOO) of 12 km², the distribution is severely fragmented, and there are continuing declines as a result of pollution and eutrophication which are affecting all subpopulations.

range:
Isoetes fluitans is an endemic to Galicia, in northwestern Spain, where it is only known in the high basin of the Miño River (particularly in the tributaries Ladra-Parga-Támoga) and in some localities of the Galician coast (rivers el Xallas and el Castro, A Coruña province). This population is probably extinct, because of the destruction of the flooded forest where it developed. The AOO is 12 km² and the actual occupied area is 30.5 ha (Romero et al. 2003).

population:
Isoetes fluitans occurs in sparse subpopulations in two main areas: There are seven subpopulations in the high basin of the Miño River (estimated around 57,300 individuals) and five unconnected subpopulations on the Galician coast (estimated around 31,000 individuals) (Romero et al. 2003). The species counts as severely fragmented.

habitat:
Isoetes fluitans is an amphibious/aquatic Geophyte, growing on siliceous and sandy substrates in river beds where it remains always submerged. It is frequently associated with species of Littorelletea and Potametea, such as Apium inundatum, Juncus heterophyllus, Nymphoides peltata, Potamogeton crispus, P. berchtoldii or Oenanthe crocata (Romero et al. 2003).Its fronds, which exceed 65-85 cm length, float at the water surface and are relatively persistent after drying.

threats:
Isoetes fluitans is threatened in the totality of its distribution area by uncontrolled pollution and eutrophication (chemicals drained from fields). Moreover, the tourism development on rivers, which leads to create fluvial beaches or to clean the river beds, has eliminated or affected several subpopulations.The subpopulations of the high basin of Miño River are partly included in the planned Spanish Natura 2000 network.

conservationAction:
In Spain, the species is included in the national Red List of Spain as Endangered (EN) B2ab(iii,iv) under the synonym Isoetes longissimum (Moreno 2008). It is found in Natura 2000 sites in the high basin of Miño River.The following conservation measures are being proposed:Monitoring and protection of the subpopulationsManagement of water quality and tourism developmentStudy of the biology and ecology of the species


taxonomicNotes:
There are no significant taxonomic issues associated with this name.The population from which this species was described is apparently extinct, however it is possible that a population of Isoetes found on Lesvos could be this species (I. Bazos pers. comm. 2010).

redListCategoryRationale:
Isoetes heldreichii has not been seen since 1885, in spite of searches in the type locality, however it is possible that a population of Isoetes found on Lesvos could be this species. As there is a reasonable doubt that the species is Extinct but there are no individuals known to exist for certain, the species is precautionary classed as Critically Endangered and Possibly Extinct.

range:
Isoetes heldreichii is endemic to the Pindos Mountains of Greece, however it is possible that a population of Isoetes found on Lesvos could be this species (I. Bazos pers. comm. 2010).

population:
Isoetes heldreichii is considered to be extinct unless the population of Isoetes found on Lesvos turns out to be this species.

habitat:
There is no readily available information available on habitats of I. heldreichii. Data from specimen labels suggests that it was found in marshes or a lake.

threats:
The causes that led to extinction of the species are not known.

conservationAction:
There are no current conservation actions for this species, it is important to investigate the taxonomic status of the population(s) found on Lesvos and if they can be assigned to I. heldreichii, to undertake a thorough conservation assessment.


taxonomicNotes:
I. lacustris has been shown to hybridise with I. echinospora (I. ×hickeyi W.C. Taylor & Luebke) (Prelli 2001), however the hybrid is not frequent and is are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations in parts of its range and therefore the risk of the species going completely extinct in Europe is quite low. However, it is concerning that the species is classed as threatened on various national red lists and research into the causes of those declines as well as adequate measures to prevent this are needed.

range:
Isotes lacustris has a sub-circumboreal distribution, occurring from Scandinavia east to north European Russia and the Baltic States south through west and central Europe. It also occurs in Greenland and northern North America.

population:
I. lacustris is listed as threatened in Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania and Switzerland, otherwise it appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
I. lacustris typically occurs in nutrient-poor lakes over a range of substrates, from rocks and stones to gravel, rarely occurring in more # mesotrophic water.

conservationAction:
Isoetes lacustris is classed as Critically Endangered in the Czech Republic   (Prochazka 2001), as Vulnerable in Estonia (Kuusk 1998), as Endangered in Germany (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), as Endangered in Lithuania (Rašomavičius 2007), and as Vulnerable in Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002).


redListCategoryRationale:
This Italian endemic plant has suffered from a decline of 88% in its extent of occurrence in the last ten years. Therefore, it is suspected that the population declined over 80% in the last ten years. The species is found in rice fields and management of the channels as well as water pollution leads to the population declines. The causes for the decline are continuing and appropriate conservation measures are urgently needed. It is therefore classed as Critically Endangered at the moment and would also qualify for Endangered under Criterion B.

range:
This plant is endemic to the Piedmont and western Lombardy in northern Italy, its extent of occurrence is 305 km² and the area of occupancy is 36 km². A comparison of the historic with the current range revealed a decline of 88% in the last ten years. Therefore, it is suspected that the population declined over 80% in the last ten years. There was a particularly strong reduction in the last year when four localities near Pavia were destroyed and a similar number of localities has disappeared in Piedmont in the last decade (Barni et al. 2010).

population:
New surveys of the research team of the University of Pavia and Tourin counted 12 growing sites in 2009, most of them (10) occur in a restricted area around the town of Arborio (Piedmont). Two small growing sites have been found close to Vigevano (Lombardy) and Novara (Piedmont) (Barni et al. 2010).Genetic analysis revealed that I. malinverniana has a low between-population genetic diversity, and a moderate level of within-population genetic variability (Gentili et al. 2010).The generation length of this species is unknown.

habitat:
Isoetes malinverniana is a Hydrophyte that is found in clear, fresh and running spring water. It is adapted to survive dry periods and can withstand very low temperatures. The plant prefers loamy-sandy soils with a high sand content. This species grows in the Habitats Directive habitat 3170 "Mediterranean temporary ponds" (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

threats:
The main threats for I. malinverniana come from the rice cultivation, as a consequence of inappropriate channel management practices and nutrient load into the water. The first threat that directly affects the species through the winter dry period in some populations, is mechanical bank adjustment and mechanical brush that remove the channel sediments affecting the adult plant survival, sporelings establishment and the formation of a spore bank in the soil. Manual brush seems to have a positive effect as it removes other faster-growing species that can compete with I. malinverninana for light and nutrients (Amosso 2010).Increased nutrient concentration into the water indirectly affect I. malinverniana through the competition with other aquatic macrophytes that better compete for light and nutrients (Amosso 2010).On the other hand, the artificial channels dug for rice field water supply increased, in the past, the surface of suitable habitat available for the species. Thus, the rice cultivation is of primary importance for the species survival.

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is listed in Annex C1 (Species of native flora protected in a stringent way) of the regional law in Lombardy, L.R. 10/2008. There are no conservation measures in place. However, the ecology, reproductive biology and genetics of the species have been studied by the University of Pavia, Milano-Bicocca and Turin. Few plants of I. malinverniana are currently cultivated at the Botanical Garden of the University of Pavia and at the University of Turin but ex situ conservation of the species could be increased. Appropriate management of its sites such as replacing mechanical with manual brushing and managing nutrient levels are needed. Furthermore, species recovery and reintroduction programmes should be considered. Monitoring of the population and habitat trend are recommended.

redListAssessors:
Abeli, T., Barni, E., Gentili, R., Rossi, G. & Siniscalco, C.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)The species has only a small area of occupancy and is declining, but is not severely fragmented and occurs at more than 10 locations. It is classified as Near Threatened (approaching Criterion B2ab) owing to its fragile habitat, temporary pools, that is under much pressure from agricultural and infrastructure development as well as land abandonment.

range:
Isoetes setacea is a west Mediterranean endemic species. It is found in France (Hérault, Orientals Pyrenees), Spain (centre and west of the country and in Catalonia), Balearic Islands (Minorca), and Portugal (centre and south). It has recently been discovered in one locality in Morocco (Benslimane).

population:
The populations are known to be declining due to the deterioration of the habitat. In France, the species is present in about one hundred ponds in the Natural Reserve of Roque-Haute, one pond in the plain of Béziers, one in Torremila, several ponds and ditches at Rodés plateau (Fenouillèdes). A more or less slow regression of populations of I. setacea has been reported as a result of the disappearance of the species in the ponds of Saint Estève (Oriental Pyrenees), Grammont (Hérault) and Redessan (Gard). In the Iberian Peninsula, Isoetes setacea is present in the centre and the west, as well as in Catalonia and on the island of Minorca (13 provinces in Spain and six in Portugal).

habitat:
Isoetes setacea is a perennial Hydrophyte (Geophyte), characteristic for temporary humid zones tolerating water depths of up to 50 cm. The species is restricted to temporary pools on quaternary basalt. It is found in Mediterranean aquatic quillwort swards, communities with Isoëtes spp. in fluctuating waterbodies (Corine biotope 22.3412). The vegetative growth generally takes place in winter while the maturation of the spores takes place in spring.

threats:
Big constructions (roadwork, etc.), the drainage of pools or their infilling, the extraction of sediment, permanent retaining of water, constitute serious threats for populations of I. setacea. However, in France, besides these threats, the restriction of its environment followed by the abandonment of land uses favours the colonisation by competitive perennial plants of large size (woody, big Helophytes) and the accumulation of their litter that affects the populations negatively (heliophile species, sensitive to competition). The quality of the habitats of the species is deteriorating resulting from land and therefore grazing abandonment which increases the sediments and the shade.

conservationAction:
In France, the habitats are monitored in several locations (ligneous species and clonal plants dynamic, water level), the species is under national protection and included in the red list. The site of Roque-Haute is designated under a Natural Reserve statute since 1975 but without any management plan. At the Balearic Islands, I. setacea is classified as Vulnerable.


taxonomicNotes:
Isoetes subinermis is recognised by very few authors.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) #This species is classed as Data Deficient because available data are insufficient to derive an informed threat classification.

range:
Isoetes subinermis occurs in France and Italy.

population:
There is no information available on the population size or trends for this species.

habitat:
Isoetes subinermis occurs in very shallow temporary ponds (a few centimetres deep), which exist only in winter or late spring, with a flora mainly composed of Mediterranean therophytic and geophytic species belonging to the alliances Isoëtion, Nanocyperion flavescentis, Preslion cervinae, Agrostion salmanticae, Heleochloion and Lythrion tribracteati.

conservationAction:
There is no information available on current conservation action or the need for conservation action. However, the size and trend of the populations, ecological requirements and potential threats should be studied.


taxonomicNotes:
I. velata is part of a taxonomic complex which requires further study and includes taxa such as: I. tenuissima, I. boryana, I. asturicense, all of which have been considered subspecific entities within I. velata (Prelli 2001).

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern because it is widespread and locally abundant, however it has suffered a decline in most regions and is vulnerable to all of the activities which threaten temporary wetlands. Monitoring of the subpopulations is therefore needed.

range:
Isoetes velata is an Atlantico-Mediterranean species that is found in continental France (plain of Maures and Estérel in Var, platau of Rodès in the Oriental Pyrenees) and in Corsica, Spain, Portugal, continental Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Greece and North Africa.

population:
The populations of I. velata are regionally in decline according to the speed of deterioration of their habitat. In continental France, there is one single and unique site in Roussillon, whereas the other populations are exclusively in Var (Maures plain, Estérel, about 60 sites), and Pyrénées-Orientales (Rodés plateau). They regressed in the Roussillon and in Gard but are steady in the Maures and the Estérel. In Corsica (Capicorsu, Agriates, Uspidali-Cagna) there are about twenty sites.In Spain and Portugal, there is no precise data on the population size but the species is dispersed in the Iberian Peninsula with the exception of the northern and eastern provinces; it is present on the island of Minorca; In Italy, the species is rare with few sites limited to big islands (Sicily and Sardinia) and to the Thyrreniène coast (regions of Tuscany and the Lazio).

habitat:
Isoetes velata is a perennial Hydrophyte (bulbous Geophyte) that can behave like an annual (Therophyte). It is found in temporary streams, as well as ponds and swamps that are flooded during the winter. The germination of the spores begins in fall (November) in saturated or flooded soil whereas their maturation is aerial (after exondation). This species develops in general on a non-chalky oligotrophic and not very thick substratum. The species is found in Mediterranean aquatic quillwort swards, communities with Isoetes spp. in fluctuating waterbodies.

conservationAction:
In France, the species is protected and included in the national red book and list (priority species), monitoring of habitats in several locations (ligneous species dynamic, water level) is underway. It occurs in the natural reserve Tre Padule of Suartone in Corsica, at one important site under the 'serie ecologique' (ONF) protection status, and another location in a NATURA 2000 site.In Italy, the species is classified as Vulnerable in the national red data book and in the red list. At the Balearic Islands, the species is classified a Vulnerable in the red list.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)The species is widespread and common throughout mountainous areas in Europe. There are parts where the species is abundant and does not face major threats such as in Ukraine and Russia. But in other parts of its range, the species is listed on national red lists as a loss of habitat is causing populations to decline. The species is a weak competitor and the abandonment of traditional land management, forest plantations and eutrophication lead to changes in vegetation and therefore affect Lycopodium clavatum. The species had a wide range of medicinal and cultural uses and should be monitored in order to prevent overharvesting becoming a threat.

range:
Lycopodium clavatum has a circumboreal distribution and isolated populations in tropical and subtropical mountains (Natural History Museum 2010). In the UK the species is mostly confined to upland sites in the west and north, or scattered on heaths in the south (Natural History Museum 2010).It can be found in several parts of European Russia: Central, Eastern, Northern, Northwestern and Southern European Russia and in Kaliningrad   (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010). In Ukraine, Lycopodium clavatum is widespread in the zone of deciduous and  mixed forests in the Polesian lowland, in the lesosteppe (forest steppe)  zone and in the Carpathian Mountains. There are isolated localities in  extrazonal pine forests in the steppe zone in Ukraine.The plant is relatively common in the Czech Republic, mainly on mountains, but also in river slopes. It is not very common at low altitudes. In Hungary, it is not common because of the low altitudes but only occurs sporadically in the western and northeastern part of the country. In the Baltic States, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, it is a  rather common species in suitable habitats. It is rare in the  central part of Lithuania because of the absence of suitable habitats  (dry forests). In Switzerland, it is widespread but scattered and it occurs between 800  and 2,300 m asl. In Italy, it has been reported from more than 500 localities.Information for ICELAND available (hand-written paper).There are populations of L. amonostagium in the North of Europe and when these species grow  together some confusion may appear.

population:
Lycopodium clavatum is common in the mountains but the populations are decreasing because this is a very slow growing species and it is affected by habitat loss. The parental generation needs about 20 years to produce offspring. Within a long-term and general scale, the population is rather stable but locally affected by some threats (V. Rašomavičius pers. comm. 2010). #In Hungary, for example, there are still more than 100 localities but  the  number of localities and the populations have declining trend  especially in the last 20 years. In Switzerland, each population covers a few square metre and could sometimes be formed  by only one individual or by several. One single individual is able to  cover a wide area and that makes it difficult to count the number of  individuals. There is also a slight long-term decline. Forty   locations were found after 1994 but there is no clear information about the real   distribution nowadays.The Italian populations are also declining.In the Ukraine, the populations are big and stable. In 1960, up to 9.2 tons of Lycopodium clavatum spores were stored in Ukraine (Chikov 1980) and this shows the magnitude of this species in this country.

habitat:
Lycopodium clavatum is a long   living but slowly growing species. It is not a good competitor but a slow   colonizer just able to compete successfully with short vegetation. It prefers relatively open and dry forests, montane grassland, open woodland, conifer plantations. It is also found in heathland of the class Nardo-Callunetea or at the ecotone of heath and forest. In the UK, it is confined to sandy heaths in lowland sites (Natural History Museum, 2010).It has been reported from the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (list not complete): 9050 Fennoscandian herb-rich forests with Picea abies91T0 Central European lichen Scots pine forests

threats:
Lycopodium clavatum is mainly threatened by the loss of suitable habitat. Abandonment of  traditional land uses such as grazing leads to natural succession  processes and as the species is a weak competitor this leads to population declines. The species  tends to establish on eroded areas such  as  the ones that have suffered  clear cuttings. Even a decrease in the use of former military paths leads to  succession and the disappearance of this species.Intensive agricultural activities on forests edges are another threat as they lead to eutrophication and this leads to a change in vegetation. Here again, Lycopodium clavatum can't compete if faced with the emergence of taller vegetation. Pollution  and eutrophication can damage the mycorrhiza in symbiosis  with this  plant. For other species in this genus it has been reported  and it could  be a threat for this species as well.Due to reforestation projects, forest areas become larger and forest  edges decrease. Dense forest plantations have dark undercanopies and this species needs light. In Lithuania, the main threat is its use as decoration, overall near the  big cities, although this gathering is forbidden by national  regulations. It is likely this regulations would stop the threat because  of their transposition into administrative punishments.The species does not face threats in parts of its range such as Ukraine.

conservationAction:
This species is listed under Annex D of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation 318-2008. Live specimens of this species as well as dried and fresh plants, including, leaves, roots/rootstock, stems, seeds/spores, bark and fruits are subject to this regulation. The genus Lycopodium spp. is listed in the Annex V of the Habitat Directive.The species is listed on several national red lists:Critically Endangered in LuxembourgEndangered in Serbia (V. Stevanovic pers. comm. 2010)Vulnerable in Germany (level 3)Near Threatened in Estonia, Hungary and Switzerland    The species is categorized as Least Concern in Russia (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010) and is not listed in the Ukraine and several other countries.However, the species is under national protection in various status such as Hungary, in some regions of France, in one region in Switzerland. Regulations for its commercial use are in place in Latvia and Lithuania. Its collection is regulated in Italy.It occurs in several protected areas throughout its range for example in Switzerland and the Czech Republic were collection of the species is forbidden.In terms of conservation measures needed, it is necessary to manage sites in a way that Lycopodium clavatum can compete with other vegetation, i.e. keep areas open, reintroduce grazing activities. Monitoring of the population trends is recommended.

useAndTrade:
The spores of Lycopodium clavatum are harvested from the cones and sold as Lycopodium Powder. This is used as an explosive in film and entertainment industries, as lubrication on condoms and surgical gloves, as cosmetic powder, as pill coating in the pharmaceutical industry and in homoeopathic medicine (Natural History Museum, 2010). In traditional medicine, the plant is used internally in the treatment of urinary and kidney disorders, rheumatic arthritis, gastritis, etc. and externally it is applied to treat skin diseases and irritations (Plants For A Future 2010).In the Baltic States, the plant is locally still used for medicinal purposes and collected near cities. It is also  gathered for religious purposes as it is used to decorate churches  during Easter because of its evergreen character (V.  Rasomavicius pers. comm. 2010). In the Czech Republic, it can be collected for personal use if it is not within a protected area as the species is not protected. There is no indication about collections for high scale trade. In Switzerland, the collection is regulated in one canton.

redListAssessors:
Dostalova, A., Gygax, A. & Rasomavicius, V.


taxonomicNotes:
Zvelov (2004) regarded Botrychium matricaria as hybrid of Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw. and Botrychium multifidum (G. S. Gmel.) Rupr.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) Botrychium matricariifolium is a rare species with a scattered distribution throughout Europe. It is listed as threatened on all available national red lists and populations are declining almost everywhere. The main threats are changes to its habitat such as  reforestation, abandonment of grazing activities which lead to  overgrowth and competition, or intensification of agriculture which  leads to eutrophication. The number of mature individuals seems to be less than 1,000 in every country and often only very few individuals are found. Furthermore, fluctuations in the population size have been reported but it is not clear whether they are extreme and pose a risk in itself or are natural. Therefore, this plant is assessed as Near Threatened approaching Criterion C2(a i), potentially also qualifying for C2(b).

range:
The distribution range of Botrychium matricariifolium  is broad and includes Canada and the United States, Central Europe, Scandinavia and the European  part of the Russian Federation, extending to southeast France and  the Balkan peninsula  (Zlatković et al. 2009). In Italy, it was reported from the regions of Lombardia, Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo, and Campania and is found at more than four localities there. In France, it was recorded in Moselle, Bas-Rhin, Vosges, Haute-Savoie, Loire,  Haute-Loire, Ardeche, Vienne, and Corsica (Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle 2003-2010). #In Czech Republic, it is found in mountainous areas especially the Sumava Mts. (including  Predsumavi and Novohradske hory Mts.). It was extinct for more than 20  years but has been rediscovered since the 90s until today. In total, 20 small sites are known, but the total area is difficult to estimate. In Hungary, it was known from four old localities which had not been confirmed during the last 40 years. It  was  thought extinct in the Red List 2007, but a new locality with a few   individuals has been found in southern Hungary since then.In the eastern part of Serbia, this species occurs mainly in the region of Stara Planina Mts, peak Tupanar. It has also been reported in Croatia and Bulgaria.In Lithuania, the species is rare and found in the southeast and east. In Switzerland, it is found at three localities in the Alps, between 800 and 1,800 m asl. Ten to twelve locations have disappeared during the past 50 years. The populations are very small, occupying only a few m². It occurs throughout the Carpathians in Austria, Czech Republic, Poland,  Romania, Slovakia and the Ukraine  (Witkowski et al. 2003). In Ukraine, it grows in the lowland part, mainly in the lesosteppe (forest-steppe) zone and in the Carpathian Mountains (in Chornogora, Svidivez mountain massifs, in Chivczinski Mountains and Transcarpathian lowland). In total, the species has only been recorded from 14 localities in Ukraine.

population:
The following population information is available for individual countries:Albania: Zlatković et al. 2009 based on  (Hayek 1924) reported that this species is present in one 50 × 50 km  territory that belongs to Quafë e Guricus in north Albania.Belarus: It is found at around ten localitiesBelgium: Disappeared from Flanders and BrusselsBulgaria: Probably less than 50 individuals as plant is listed as Critically Endangered D on the national Red ListCroatia: Known from one site onlyCzech Republic: The total number of individuals is less than 1,000. One site has more than 100 individuals, the others  have only dozens of individuals. Strong fluctuations have been noticed. Denmark: 1,000 individuals (NERI 2007)France: About 30 populations (Alpes, Cevennes, Massif Central, Pyrénées, Alsace, Corse), populations are often small from a few individuals to 35, but less than 1,000 estimated overall. Counting of individuals is difficult, as they are not appearing every year. The populations are generally stable except for Lorraine where populations are declining. Germany: the populations are declining and the species is Extinct in several regionsItaly: The total population is less than 250 individuals and the populations are declining and severely fragmented.Lithuania: A site can hold a single individual or up to dozens of them but all undergo strong fluctuations. Norway: It was formerly known from 47 sites, but now it is only known from nine sites with very few individuals, often only single plants and rarely more than five. The overall population size is decreasing (Artsdatabanken 2010).Serbia: Less than 50 individuals in total (Zlatković et al. 2009).Sweden: The population size is around 1,000 individuals and the populations are declining, extreme fluctuations in the number of adults is suspected and the populations are severely fragmented.Switzerland: Only 16 individuals in total are known and the population is rapidly decreasing. But the detectability of the species is very low and therefore, it is difficult to obtain sound values.Ukraine: Half of the 14 localities were recorded before 1950. The number of individuals in the Ukrainian populations are very low with only four to five individuals per site (Melnyk 2009).

habitat:
The species occurs in grasslands on poor soil, that are grazed or used for haymaking, also in coastal grasslands. It can be found in woodland and open scrub   (Morgan and Leon 1992). It is typical for acidic oligotrophic substrates. It can occur in forests in Ukraine such as pine, oak, hornbeam, and beech, but it does not occur in forests in Switzerland for example.It normally grows in the vegetation of high mountain and sub alpine pasture community. It has been found growing along with many vascular plants and lichens including Nardus stricta, Thymus vandasii, Crepis viscidula, Achillea lingulata, Crocus veluchensis, Thamnolia vermicularis, Cetraria islandica, etc.The species undergoes strong natural fluctuations in its population size due to   weather conditions as it requires moisture to reproduce.

threats:
The main threats to this species are changes to its habitat such as reforestation, abandonment of grazing activities which lead to overgrowth and competition, or intensification of agriculture which leads to eutrophication. Locally, infrastructure development for tourism, pig rearing, or trampling have been described as threats.

conservationAction:
Botrychium matricariifolium is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is listed in most national red lists under the following categories:Regionally Extinct in Spain (Moreno 2008)Critically Endangered in Bulgaria (Petrova and Vladimirov 2009), Croatia (Nikolić and Topić 2005), Czech Republic (Holub and Procházka 2000), Estonia (listed as Endangered which is highest national category - Lilleleht 2008), Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010), Serbia (Tomović et al.  2009), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002)Endangered in Belarus (Ermakova 2005), Finland (Rassi et al. 2010), France (Olivier et al. 1995), Germany (level 2 - Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), Lithuania (Rašomavičius 2007), Sweden (Gärdenfors 2010), Ukraine (Diduch 2009)Vulnerable in Denmark (NERI 2007), Russia (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010).The Carpathian Red List classes this species as Endangered; for Romania it is listed as present but not threatened (Witkowski et al. 2003).In several countries it is protected by national legislation such as Hungary, France or Lithuania. It occurs in protected areas, for example Carpathian biosphere reserve and in several Natura 2000 sitesManagement of the habitat with traditional, extensive grazing activities is recommended for this species. More research about population dynamics and ecology is needed. The populations should be monitored.

useAndTrade:
The genus is known for its medicinal properties but this species is not used.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)Botrychium multifidum is very common in the Scandinavian countries, but a decline is noted in many countries and it is included in more than half of the national red lists where it occurs. The decline is alarming and the species might qualify for a threatened category under Criterion A but the rate of decline throughout Europe has not been determined. It is therefore classed as Data Deficient.

range:
Botrychium multifidum is found in boreal and temperate zones of Europe, North America and North Asia. It is mostly absent from Atlantic Europe but is found in the west from Germany, Denmark to the northern Alps in France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy  and Slovenia, in the Appenines, extends north into Fennoscandia (up to 70° N) and scatters eastwards into Russia and Ukraine to Romania and the Black Sea. It occurs in eastern Europe north of the Danube river   (Käsermann and Moser 1999).In Lithuania there are 15-20 locations mainly in the east and south east, but two outlying on the northwest coast. There are more than five Italian localities in the regions Lombardia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo, and Campania.In Russia, it is found in the centre north and northwest, but is Extinct in Kaliningrad. It grows in the lowland part of Ukraine, in deciduous and mixed  coniferous-broad leaved forests zone and lesosteppe (forest steppe zone)  and in Carpathian Mountains. It is found in several parts of Belarus.In Sweden, it has an area of occupancy of 788 km². It is more common in the northern part of the country and the populations appear more scattered in the south. There are more than a hundred records in total. In Finland, it is widespread throughout the country and it is also found in southwest Norway where it occurs up to 2,940 m asl.The species is Extinct in Switzerland, where the last location is thought to have disappeared in 1998.

population:
In Germany, the species was known from eight federal estates but is now  only found in two. There are around ten populations of which two are in  Berlin and eight in Bavaria (Bayerischer Wald). Those Bavarian  populations are made up of around 40 individuals (data from 1999 and  2001 -   Ahlmer 2010). In France, the last population had one individual in 2000, and in 2006, a hole in the soil at the site of the last individual was seen. It might be regionally extinct following the harvesting of the last individual. The species is extinct in the wild in Switzerland.In Lithuania, the populations are small in each area. It could be overlooked and there might be more individuals than assumed, but the habitat is declining and this may affect the numbers. In Italy, there are less than 250 mature individuals with a declining population trend.In Sweden, the population is rapidly decreasing. The situation is similar in Norway, where the populations are assumed to decrease by 30-50% in the next 30 years. In Denmark, there are 200 individuals with a declining trend.In the Ukraine, the species was known from 67 localities, of which 35 where found before 1950. The local populations occupy very small places: from 1 m² to 150 m². The number of individuals in the populations is very low ranging from two to 400 individuals (Melnyk 2009).

habitat:
Botrychium multifidum is a perennial rhizomatous geophyte that is flowering from July to September. It mainly occurs as single plants but produces many spores. The reproduction of this plant is dependent on symbiotic fungi and it is therefore difficult to propagate it via spores or vegetatively which makes reintroduction nearly impossible. The species prefers soils that are rather acidic and deficient in lime or clayey. It occurs in grasslands, montane meadows and pastureland, in land with dwarf-shrubs and in forests. Found in the societies of Nardetum strictae and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea   (Klotz et al. 2002,   Käsermann and Moser 1999).In Lithuania, the habitat is not very common: short and dry sandy soil grasslands, open pine  areas and fringes of pine areas. In Russia, it has also been reported from moist grasslands and in Ukraine, it grows in spruce, pine, beech, birch, oak, hornbeam, ash, alder forest, shrub communities and in meadows. In Sweden, this plant is typical for compacted terraces along rivers and next to houses. Farms  have been abandoned and so the compression of the soil by cattle which leads to succession and changes in vegetation. The main habitat where this species grows is disappearing, though it can still be found in other secondary habitats.

threats:
Change in land management and grazing as well as trampling by hikers or by livestock. The abandonment of rural areas and traditional ways of living (cattle ranching) led to formerly open  areas with compacted soils being changed through succession into unsuitable habitats for this species. Furthermore, fertilization increases competition with other grasses. Reforestation, cutting of the forest and unfavourable forest management are further threats. Collection is a threat especially for those areas where only a few individuals remain, e.g. Germany.

conservationAction:
This species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).At national level, it is redlisted in some countries and there are several measures in place:Belarus: Classed as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book (Ermakova 2005).Denmark: Classed as Vulnerable (NERI 2007).France: Nationally protected.Germany: Critically Endangered (level 1) in the national red list (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996) and under national protection.Hungary: Classed as Critically Endangered (Király 2007)Italy: the collection is banned in some regions.Lithuania: Found in some protected areas in the east and west, classed as Rare in the Red List (Rašomavičius 2007).Norway: Classed as Vulnerable in the national red list (Artsdatabanken 2010).Russia: It is widely protected.Serbia: Classed as Critically Endangered in the Red Data Book   (Stevanović 1999).Sweden: Legally protected and categorized as Near Threatened in the red list (Gärdenfors 2010). Meadows in the north should be managed in a way to improve the conditions for this species.  In south Sweden some initiatives seem to take place, but some species in the north are not reported in flora books and conservation measures are not enough.Switzerland: Regionally Extinct   (Käsermann and Moser 1999).Ukraine: Legally protected. Listed in the Red Book (2009) as rare, protected in Desnjansko-Starogutskij national park.An estimation of the rate of decline throughout its range is recommended to assess the threat status of this species.

useAndTrade:
In Sweden and Ukraine, it was thought to have magical properties in the past and was used for witchcraft.

redListAssessors:
Gygax, A., Ericsson, S., Juillet, N., Illarionova, I., Melnyk, V. & Rasomavicius, V.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) Botrychium simplex is  a very rare species with a scattered distribution throughout Europe. It is  listed as threatened on all available national red lists and populations  are declining almost everywhere. In a few countries, the species is only known from one single locality. The main threats are changes to its  habitat such as  reforestation, abandonment of grazing activities which  lead to  overgrowth and competition, or intensification of agriculture  which  leads to eutrophication. The number of mature individuals seems  to be potentially less than 10,000 in total as often only very few  individuals are found. Furthermore, extreme fluctuations in the population size  have been reported in Fennoscandia but it is not clear whether those also occur in other areas of its range. Therefore, this plant is assessed as  Near Threatened approaching Criterion C2(a i), potentially also  qualifying for C2(b).

range:
This species has a circumpolar northern temperate and boreal distribution, being found in Europe and North America. In Europe, it occurs mainly near the coasts up to 65° N in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Baltic States, Poland and Russia. It is present in Iceland and southern Norway and is found as glacial relict species in central European mountains (France, Switzerland, Italy). In the south it extends to the eastern Pyrenees to France, to Corsica and to Slovenia   and former Yugoslavian countries (Käsermann and Moser 1999). It is not clear whether this species is present in the Spanish Pyrenees (Castroviejo et al. 1986).The species is extinct in Czech Republic and Estonia.In France, it occurs at 10 locations in Corse (massif du San Petrone, Niolu), Midi-Pyrénées (Aveyron, plateau de l’Aubrac); Pyrénées-Orientales (massif du Carlit); Rhônes-Alpes (Isère, Haute-Savoie, vallée de Chamonix), and Savoie (Beaufortin) between 1,300 and 2,000 m. In Germany, it is known from only one site in the northern part (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2008). In Greece, there is only one location in Smolikas, in the northwest close to the Albanian border at 2,000 m. There is also one locality only in Italy (Trentino Alto Adige), in Lithuania and in Latvia. It disappeared from Flanders and Brussels (Van Landuyt et al. 2006).There were approximately 25 known localities of the species in the past of which only two were found till the 1980s: Wierzchowo Lake near Szczecinek and at Kiedrowickie Lake near Lipnica in Bory Tucholskie (Tucholskie Forests). Both localities have extensively been searched during the last 20 years but the species has not been found again and therefore this plant is considered as possibly extinct in Poland (Kalinka and Nowak 2004). In Slovenia, one locality was found mid 20th century in the Julian Alps, but this is now extinct. In Switzerland, one location has been confirmed but in 1970-1980, three to four other locations have been observed at 1,500-2,300 m asl. The species has not been recorded since 1971 and is therefore  believed to have disappeared. But there is potential that there might be undetected  populations (Käsermann and Moser 1999).

population:
The following population information is available for different countries (Commission of European Communities 2009):Austria: 400-500 individualsDenmark: 118-237 indiv.Finland: 116 individualsItaly: population is stable in the only confirmed siteSweden: 2,000 individualsIn France, there are less than 200 individuals in 14 localities in 14 communes. In Lithuania, only one single individual is known. Individuals are difficult to count due to their small size and irregular appearance. In Norway, there are less than 2,500 individuals in total that undergo extreme fluctuations (Artsdatabanken 2010). Extreme fluctuations have also been reported from Sweden and Finland. The populations are declining in most of its range.

habitat:
Botrychium simplex is a perennial fern that prefers fresh, moderately dry to wet soils, alkali-poor, sandy clay soils. Its habitats are acidic mat-grass communities, heather and gorse heathlands, meadows, pastureland, shrubland, the banks of rivers and lakes and the edges of bogs. It mainly occurs as single plants. It produces many spores. The reproduction of this plant is dependent on symbiotic fungi and it is therefore difficult to propagate it via spores or vegetatively which makes reintroduction nearly impossible    (Klotz et al. 2002,   Käsermann and Moser 1999).This plant grows in the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009):6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia)6230 Priority Habitat: Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)7230 Alkaline fens

threats:
The modification of cultivation practices such as the abandonment of pastoral systems or increased use of fertilisers is threatening this species. Eutrophication can damage the symbiotic fungi on witch Botrychium species depend. Trampling and overgrazing by livestock has negative affects. The conversion of its natural habitat into forest plantations leads to habitat loss, as does development of touristic infrastructure such as skiing complexes. Changes to its natural habitat and a loss of quality are also caused by landfill, drying out, drainage, or management of water levels. Collection of the plant and peat extraction are local threats. (Commission of the European Communities 2009, Käsermann and Moser 1999).

conservationAction:
Botrychium simplex is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).Extinct in Czech Republic (Holub and Procházka 2000) and Estonia (Lilleleht 2008)Critically Endangered in Finland (Rassi et al. 2010), Russia (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010), Switzerland (Moser et al. 2002)Endangered in Denmark (NERI 2007), France (Olivier et al. 1995), Germany (level 2 - Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), Lithuania (Rašomavičius 2007), Norway (Artsdatabanken), Sweden (Gärdenfors 2010)Vulnerable in Italy (Conti et al. 1997)This species is protected by national law in several countries including Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden. It is found in national parks, protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. Monitoring of the populations is recommended and management of the sites in a way that is favourable to the species.


taxonomicNotes:
This species is of hybrid origin and has two subspecies: presolanense and adulterinum.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations in parts of its range and therefore the risk of the species going completely extinct in Europe is quite low. However, it is concerning that the species is classed as threatened on most national red lists and there are several threats to the species: mining and quarrying, forest clearing and plantations, non-native  species, urbanisation and infrastructure  development, land   abandonment. The populations should continue to be monitored and adequate measures to prevent further declines should be put in place.

range:
Asplenium adulterinum is found in Europe and also in Canada. It is an element of montane-subalpine forests in south, central and  eastern European high mountains and has a disjunct distribution.This fern species is present in Italy, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Norway and Romania.Austria: Common within its habitatCzech Republic: Approximately 20 localities. 10 sites of European importanceFinland: Three to four localitiesGermany: Found in two federal estates with four to five small localitiesItaly: Present at more than six localities in the regions Valle d'Aosta, Piemonte, Lombardia, Liguria, and Emilia-Romagna.Norway: Approximately 20 localitiesPoland: Seven localities are known in Lower Silesia (Kalinka and Nowak 2004)Slovakia: The species was known for a long time only from one  locality, the Dunitová skalka rock Nature Reserve near Sedlice in the  Šarišská vrchovina Upland. In 1994 and 1998, two other localities from the  Slovenské rudohorie Mts were reported (Prakovce, Mokrá Lúka near  Revúca). In 1930 two individuals were found near Ondrej; since then it has not been found at this locality (Mereďa  and Hodálová 2011)Slovenia: Area of occupancy is less than 1 km²Sweden: Area of occupancy is 8 km²Switzerland: Area of occupancy is 18 km²

population:
The population trend is stable across most of Europe. The following population information is available: Austria: Stable populations and many individualsCzech republic: Stable, 3,400 tuftsFinland: 1,700 tuftsGermany: Small populationsPoland: Around 200 tufts: 27 individuals are known to exist in Popiel Hill, 14 in  Przygórze, another 14 in Żmijowiec, three populations in Wzgórza  Kiełczyńskie consisting of 125 individuals, and 35 in Kamionki. This last populations is decreasing in number (Kalinka and  Nowak 2004).Slovakia: Several tens of individuals in the  localities, size and number of the populations is stable (Mereďa and Hodálová 2011). Slovenia: Three locations, stable but small populations (100 plants) Sweden: Stable, 400 tuftsSwitzerland: Stable and some very large populations with several thousand individuals

habitat:
Asplenium adulterinum is a perennial small fern that is found in basic and ultra-basic cliffs and rocks mainly consisting of serpentinite, more rarely on rocks with a higher magnesium  content, such as dunite, phyllite, mica schist gneisses, melaphyr. It grows in shaded rock crevices, forest scree  soils or ancient slag heeps from hilly areas to the submontane  vegetation belt. The species is characteristic for Asplenietum serpentenii societies but is also found with other Asplenium species (Käsermann and Moser 1999, Mereďa and Hodálová 2011).It occurs in the Habitats Directive listed habitat 8220 "Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation" (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

threats:
Mining and quarrying is a threat to this species. Forest clearing and forest plantations and the introduction of cultivated and non-native species affect this species' habitat. Urbanisation and infrastructure development cause further habitat loss and degradation. Land  abandonment leading to succession and subsequent competition by native  species is a threat. Locally, air pollution, eutrophication, collection and recreational activities have been reported as threats (Käsermann and Moser 1999, Mereďa and Hodálová 2011).

conservationAction:
Asplenium adulterinum is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive.Austria: It is listed as threatened on the Austrian Red List (Niklfeld 1999) but not protectedCzech Republic: Listed as Critically Endangered (Holub and Procházka 2000) and protected by lawFinland: Classed as Vulnerable (Rassi et al. 2010)Germany: Classed as Endangered (level 2) on the red list (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996) and protected by national law (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2010)Italy: In some regions under the highest protection levelNorway: Endangered (Artsdatabanken 2010)Serbia: Estimated to be Vulnerable (V. Stevanovic pers. comm. 2010) Slovenia: Rare (Skoberne 1996) and protected by lawSlovakia: Listed as Critically Endangered (Mereďa and Hodálová  2011) Sweden: Protected and listed as Vulnerable (Gärdenfors 2010)Switzerland: Near Threatened (Moser et al. 2002)It occurs in protected areas in Austria, Slovenia (Natura 2000), Slovakia (one nature reserve and Natura 2000 sites), Czech Republic (several small protected areas), Germany (mostly in protected areas), Italy, Sweden (one locality is a nature reserve).

redListAssessors:
Dostalova, A., Gygax, A., Petrova, A., Király, G., Bazos, I., Illarionova, I., Hodálová, I., Bernhardt, K.G., Jogan, N., Ericsson, S., Rasomavicius, V. & Ferakova, V.


taxonomicNotes:
Some authors consider Asplenium hemionitis to be endemic to the Macronesian islands, Portugal, Morocco and Algeria and suggest that the records from Italy and Malta belong to another species Phyllitis sagittata (DC.) Guinea et Heywood.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is assessed as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and its stable populations, especially in the Azores.

range:
This species is native to Portugal, the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Morocco and Algeria. The records in Italy (Tyrrenienne coast of Tuscany, Latium and Sardignia) and Malta most probably belong to another species that was misidentified. The records in Sicily are erroneous.In Spain, the species occurs on the Canary islands of La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the range is around 2,100 km². The area of occupancy can be calculated as about  20 grid cells of 1 km². In Portugal, the species is found in Mafra and the Sintra mountains and occupies an area of 569 km² (Castroviejo et al. 1986, Commission of the European Communities 2009). It occurs in nine islands of the Azores, but the presence on Graciosa is doubtful (Borges et al. 2005). Furthermore it occurs on #the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo and Desertas  (Borges et al. 2008).

population:
In Spain, at least five subpopulations are known. In Portugal, the species is known from 18 localities and counts 9,800 individuals (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

habitat:
Asplenium hemionitis can be found in humid, moist and shaded basaltic rocks or moist gravel, but also in caves and man-made wells and reservoirs (Castroviejo et al. 1986). This fern also grows in mixed forest plantations, acid siliceous inland cliffs, thermo-Mediterranean scrub, large-scale ornamental garden areas ­	and park flower beds, shrubbery, and field walls.It is found in the following Habitats Directive habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009): 1250 Vegetated sea cliffs with endemic flora of the Macaronesian coasts8210 Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation. 9360 Macaronesian laurel forests (Laurus, Ocotea)

threats:
Habitat destruction, due to forest plantations and urbanisation, is threatening this species.

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annex IV of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is listed in the Spanish Red List as Near Threatened (Moreno 2008).


redListCategoryRationale:
Asplenium jahandiezii is found in eight localities, with more than 100,000 individuals, an extent of occurrence of 830 km² and an area of occupancy of 20-30 km². The populations seem to be stable as well as its cliff habitat but there are potential threats from climbing. As currently no continuing decline is evident, this plant is assessed as Near Threatened approaching Criterion D2.

range:
This species is endemic to southeast France (Commission of the European Communities 2009). The extent of occurrence is 830 km² and the area of occupancy is between 20-30 km².

population:
This plant is present in eight localities in eight communes. There are more than 100,000 individuals estimated, with an apparently stable population trend and the habitat is stable too.

habitat:
This fern is found in the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009):8210 Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation8310 Caves not open to the public

threats:
The main threats described are mountaineering, rock climbing, and modification of hydrographic functioning. Roads and motorways are also posing a threat.

conservationAction:
Asplenium jahandiezii is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). 			It is protected at national level in France (Annexe I) (Association Tela Botanica 2000-2010).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)The area of occupancy is likely to be less than 2,000 km2 and the species is strongly declining in Italy and France and several subpopulations have been lost in the last 50 years. However, in Spain and especially in the Azores, it is still widespread and its subpopulations are stable. Its forest habitat is generally declining in extent and in quality due to clearing, agricultural activities and pollution. Its dispersal capacity is not fully known and judging from its wide but scattered range, the populations could be severely fragmented. It is therefore considered as Near Threatened, for criteria B.

range:
Woodwardia radicans is a boreo-subtropical species that is found in southern Europe from the Azores to Crete, in Portugal, Spain, Corsica, Italy, and Sicily. In North Africa, it only occurs in Algeria.In Portugal, it has been found in the mountains of Gerês, Amarela, Freita, Arada and in the Trovela river valley (Ponte do Lima) (ICN 2006). It is present in #eight islands of the Azores, but not registered for Graciosa island (Borges et al. 2005) and occurs in #Madeira island (Borges et al. 2008).In Italy, it is found in two regions in the mainland (Calabria and Campania) and in Sicily (Pampanini 1911, Picone et al. 2003, Pisani 2007). In Spain, it is only found in the north at the coast of Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia (Anthos 2009). In Greece, only one subpopulation in the western part of the mainland was found, the species is present in Crete.The species has a wide range but only occupies a few sites and it is therefore suspected that the area of occupancy is smaller than 2,000 km2.

population:
Woodwardia radicans is always considered as very rare. It has been seen in Corsica at two sites: Cap Corse near Siscu and Santo-Pietro-di-Tenda (Jeanmonod and Gamisand 2007,   Olivier et al. 1995), but nowadays it is only found in Cap-Corse, with 39 specimen. It is considered as slowly declining. In Portugal, it is known from less then ten sites with a calculated number of 2,500 individuals (ICN 2006). It is common in the Azores (more than 10,000 individuals). In Spain, there are numerous populations in the north and the trend is stable. In Crete, five populations with circa ten individuals each are present, these populations are declining. There is only one population on the Greek mainland.In Italy, there were 62 populations, 24 of them disappeared in the last 50 years, so it is now present in 38 sites plus one recently found in 2008. The area of occupancy in Italy is c. 132 km². A reduction of 42% in area of occupancy and 30% in extent of occurrence has been recorded in Italy in the last 50 years. The number of individuals is estimated to be about 6,000. In the next ten years a reduction of 10% for the number of individuals is estimated (Rossi et al. 2008).

habitat:
Woodwardia radicans is a Hemicryptophyte with a creeping rhizome. Its sporulation takes place from February to September in Italy and Corsica.Its preferred habitats are damp ravines (châbas) in forests on siliceous hills or riverine forests and in caves. It prefers shadowy and wet places and shows hygrophilous and termophilous behaviour (Spampinato et al.: in Rossi et al. 2008). It likes very deep river valleys and riverine areas. It also occurs in the Laurel forests in the Canary Islands.

threats:
One of the main threats to Woodwardia radicans is the clearing of forest. Agricultural activities and water extraction for irrigation are furthermore threatening the species in Crete and Italy. In Corsica, the frequent use of hiking tracks, sedimentation in the rivers in wet  years, dumping of garbage and lack of water body management and therefore the risk of competition with Rubus spp. is another threat to this plant. The invasion of Robinia in forests leads to further competition. Construction of water reservoir and general habitat disturbance are further impacting the species.

conservationAction:
This species is included in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).The species has been classed as Vulnerable for Italy (Conti et al. 1997, Scoppola and Spampinato 2005) and as Endangered in Greece (Phitos et al. 1995). In France, it is considered Vulnerable in the national Red Data Book (Olivier et al. 1995) and is protected at national level (Annex 1) and at local level (Arreté de Protection de Biotope). Some populations are included in Natura 2000 sites. In Spain, it is protected under regional legislations.More research on the populations and preferred habitats (including gametophyte habitats) are needed. Molecular analysis of the genetic diversity of the populations is needed in order to establish the dispersal capacity and potential rescue effects and to evaluate the differentiation of the sub-populations in Italy and Crete.

useAndTrade:
This species is collected for horticulture.

redListAssessors:
de Belair, G., Foggi, B., Abeli, T., Bazos, I., Grillas, P. & García Murillo, P.


redListCategoryRationale:
Dryopteris corleyi is listed as Least Concern because more subpopulations have been recently found and it is in expansion.

range:
This species is endemic to the regions of Asturias and Cantabria, northern Spain (Dirección General de Medio Natural y Política Forestal del MARM 2007), and it is considered to be in expansion. Its presence has been reported in 14 locations (Commission of the European Communities  2009).

population:
The population trend has been reported to be stable (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

habitat:
This geophyte grows in forest clearings and moist Erica sp. scrublands, on siliceous substrates. It occurs within associations of Quercion robory-pyrenaicae. It is probably a recent species, with a hybrid origin (Dirección General de Medio Natural y Política Forestal del MARM 2007). It is currently in expansion, colonizing shrublands of Erica sp., which are abundant within its distribution range.

threats:
Main threat to this species is degradation of its habitat due to forest management (aforestation, reforestation) (Commission of the European Communities 2009). Other threats are fires and communications networks.

conservationAction:
This taxon is listed as priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is included as species "De especial interés" in the regional catalogue of threatened flora of Asturias, where a species management plan has to be developed. It is listed as Least Concern in the Spanish Red List (Moreno 2008).

redListAssessors:
Bueno Sánchez, Á., Díaz, T.E., Nava, H.S., Fernández Prieto, J.A. & Jiménez-Alfaro, B.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)In Finland this species is classed as Near Threatened, because the  area of occupancy is restricted (44 km²) and a total of 36 sites have been  recorded. There are 2,700 individuals and the populations are stable at the moment but climate change is a potential future threat. Nearly all the known sites are in the Kevo Strict Nature Reserve.

range:
Dryopteris fragrans is a fern native to Finland that has an extent of occurrence of 800 km² and an area of occupancy of 44 km²   (Commission of the European Communities 2009). The nearest population of this plant is situated in the Ural mountains in Russia.

population:
The population has been calculated as 2,700 tufts and is stable (Commission of the European Communities 2009). There is one large and one small subpopulation.

habitat:
This fern grows in alpine rock outcrops and boulder fields (Rassi et al. 2010). The species grows in the middle of block of stones, sometimes hidden by rocks. It also grows on the surface of rocks covered by lichens. It does not grow on recently disturbed rocky landslides. The undisturbed habitat is indicated by thick cover of lichens and mosses.

threats:
There are no actual threats now, but climate change may become a threat in future.

conservationAction:
Dryopteris fragrans is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and is listed as Near Threatened in Finland (Rassi et al. 2010). It is protected by law (Nature Conservation Decree  913/2005) and nearly all the known sites are in Kevo Strict Nature Reserve.


redListCategoryRationale:
This species is native to northeast Madeira, where it occurs at five localities with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 219 km². The total population is less than 50 mature individuals and has a stable trend. The main threats are posed by invasive  species, collection,  recreational activities, fires and landslides. Because of the low number of remaining individuals it is classed as Critically Endangered.

range:
This species is endemic to Madeira, Portugal, where it is found at five localities in the northeast (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008). Its EOO is 219 km² (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

population:
The total population is less than 50 mature individuals and has a stable trend (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008).

habitat:
This fern is characteristic of the laurisilva forest with Ocotea foetens. It grows in the Habitats Directive listed habitat 9360 "Macaronesian laurel forests (Laurus, Ocotea)" (Commission of the European Communities 2009, Martín et al. 2008).

threats:
The main threat is habitat degradation due to the invasion of exotic species that also increase competition for this fern. Collection, recreational activities, fires and natural factors such as landslides can affect the species (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008).

conservationAction:
Polystichum drepanum is listed as priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).Much needed conservation measures are habitat management and protection, species recovery and reintroduction programmes, and campaigns to raise public awareness. The biology and ecology as well as population dynamics need further research (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classified as Least Concern due to its widespread distribution, especially towards the Ural mountains, mostly stable populations and the existing threats are unlikely to cause the species to decline fast enough for any of the threatened categories in the near future.

range:
Diplazium sibiricum is a fern native to Norway, Finland, Sweden, extending eastwards into Russia and Central Asia. The geographic range for Finland is 27,825 km² (Commission of the European Communities 2009). In Sweden, it is found at three locations, the extent of occurrence is 932 km² and the area of occupancy is 8 km² (ArtDatabanken 2010). In Norway, the extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 km² and the area of occupancy is 44 km². It is known from around 20 occurrences in the stream and river gorges in Gudbrandsdalen (Artsdatabanken 2010).

population:
In Finland and Sweden the population trend is stable (Commission of the European Communities 2009). Nearly 200 sites are know from Finland. For Norway, a decline of the populations of 15-30% based on a decline of the habitat is expected in the next 30 years. Four of the 20 known localities have disappeared but new ones have been detected in recent years (Artsdatabanken). It is common in central and eastern Russia but has a scattered distribution.

habitat:
Diplazium sibiricum is a fern that grows in Picea taiga woodland, temperate-montane acid siliceous screes and temperate-montane calcareous and ultra-basic screes   (Commission of the European Communities 2009). In Sweden, both populations are found in spruce forests.For Russia, it has also been described from damp grassy and mossy spruce forest and in mixed forests, slopes of river banks, lake shores, ravines, on outcrops of calcareous rocks (Tzvelev 2000).

threats:
The main threat to Diplazium sibiricum seems to be habitat loss due to forestry clearance and forestry activities. This plant needs shade and does not grow in the open so logging affects its survival (Commission of the European Communities 2009). Deforestation and quarrying are the main threats in Russia. Road construction has been named another threat for Norway (Artsdatabanken 2010).

conservationAction:
Diplazium sibiricum is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. It is categorized as Near Threatened in Russia (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010). In Sweden, it is listed as Vulnerable D2 (Gärdenfors 2010) and is protected under national law. All the Swedish populations are in nature reserves. In Norway, it has been assessed as Near Threatened A4c; B1b(ii,iii,iv,v)+2b(ii,iii,iv,v) (Artsdatabanken 2010). The species is assessed as Least Concern in Finland (Rassi et al. 2010) and is protected by law (Nature Conservation Decree 913/2005). Around 70 % of the known Finnish localities are situated in Natura 2000 sites.

redListAssessors:
Ericsson, S., Kemppainen, E. & Illarionova, I.


redListCategoryRationale:
This species is classified as Near Threatened, almost qualifying for criteria A2ac and B2ab(ii,iii,v). The area of occupancy of this rare species is 1,613 km² or less, a loss in this area, the quality and extent of habitat and number of mature individuals has been reported due to threats such as fires, forest plantations and hydrological power plants. However, it is not clear whether the populations are severely fragmented or what the number of locations is. Furthermore, there are indications that its subpopulations in Spain and Portugal mainland have been decreasing seriously but the rate of the decline in the last three generations is not known. However, the Azores subpopulation accounts for more than 10,000 individuals and seems stable.

range:
Culcita macrocarpa is a fern species endemic to Portugal and Spain. It can be found in the  north Cantabric coast, northern Galicia, southern Spain, Canary islands (Tenerife), surroundings of Porto, Azores and Madeira Islands    (Bañares et al. 2004).In Spain, the area of occupancy is 62 km² (Bañares et al. 2004). In Portugal mainland, the surface range of the species is 100 km² and it is 1,451 km² in the Azores and Madeira (Commission of the European Communities 2009). Overall, the area of occupancy for this species is less than 1,613 km².

population:
In Portugal, the population has been estimated in 300 individuals on the mainland (Commission of the European Communities 2009), but more than 10,000 in the Azores (Silva et al. 2009). It has been indicated that the area of occupancy has been reduced in the last decades (ICNB 2006).In Spain, the population has been estimated in 21,972 individuals distributed in six regions including  Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Cadiz and Tenerife   (Bañares et al. 2004).

habitat:
Culcita macrocarpa grows in siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophitic vegetation and humid green and mature riparian forests, specially in deep valleys and near coastal areas. It is usually  observed in proximity to waterfalls that provide moisture in the form of spray. This species requires shade and warm  temperatures all year round, with high atmospheric humidity to flourish. #The  thickness of the soil does not appear to condition their development  and they can live in  earthy or stony slopes, skeletal soils, and even  directly on rocks. The nature of the  substrate is not crucial and it appears on a diversity of acid rocks,  basic or ultrabasic, although it apparently avoids limestone substrates (Bañares et al. 2004). Regarding the habitats described in the Habitats Directive it can be found in the following (Commission of the European Communities 2009):4050 Endemic Macaronesian heaths6180 Macaronesian mesophile grasslands7120 Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration7130 Blanket bogs8310 Caves not open to the public8220 Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines.91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno- Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae).9230 Galicio-Portuguese oak woods with Quercus robur and Quercus pyrenaica

threats:
There is no evidence that their populations are threatened by natural causes although the knowledge of its biology is still very scarce. In recent years a reduction or even disappearance of several subpopulations within Natural Parks or in areas proposed as Natura 2000 sites has been observed. The main cause is the destruction of forest for plantations. The construction of small hydro-plants, vandalism and habitat destruction  are other threats (Bañares et al. 2004). In Portugal, fire is the biggest threat to the species and eucalyptus plantations are leading to a destruction of its habitat (ICNB 2006). #

conservationAction:
Culcita macrocarpa is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). This species is included in the Spanish Red Data Book as Endangered (EN) A2ce; B1b(i,ii,iii)c(i,ii) (Moreno 2008). It is protected by national law in Portugal.Several populations are located in protected areas, with conservation measures underway. It is suggested to protect the species in micro-reserves, to reinforce the effective populations, manage the risk from fires and preserve its forest habitat. Studies on its reproductive biology should be continued (Bañares et al. 2004, ICNB 2006).

useAndTrade:
This plant has been commercialised for ornamental purposes by florists in Porto. It is also of medicinal use (ICNB 2006).


redListCategoryRationale:
Hymenophyllum maderense is an endemic fern from Madeira where it has a restricted range and is found at two localities. Its population is stable but with only 50-250 mature individuals. The main range of this species is at high altitudes in the Central Mountain Massif which was subject to a major fire rage in summer 2010 which could have badly affected this species. Its conservation status is therefore Data Deficient at the moment until further fieldwork can confirm the presence of the populations. # There are several other threats leading to habitat degradation such as invasive species, trampling and recreational  activities. The species would therefore be at least Endangered B1ab(iii);D.

range:
The plant is endemic to Madeira, Portugal and its geographic range is around 194 km² (Commission of the European Communities 2009). It is found at two localities (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008).

population:
Hymenophyllum maderense has stable populations but with only 50-250 mature individuals (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008). The main range of this species is at high altitudes in the Central Mountain Massif which was subject to a major fire rage in summer 2010 which could have badly affected this species.

habitat:
This fern species grows in Laurisilva forests with Ocotea foetens (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008). It is found in the Habitats Directive listed priority habitat 9360 "Macaronesian laurel forests (Laurus, Ocotea)"   (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

threats:
A decline in habitat due to invasive species which make it difficult for the species to compete, has been observed. Trampling and recreational activities are affecting the species itself as is its collection. Droughts and landslides are potential threats (Jardim et al. in: Martín et al. 2008). A major fire in summer 2010 might have destroyed several individuals, fieldwork is needed to confirm the impacts of that fire.

conservationAction:
Hymenophyllum maderensis is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).Campaigns for public awareness are recommended for this species. Management and protection of the species habitat and reintroductions of new populations are needed. Research on distribution, biology and ecology as well as population dynamics should be undertaken.

useAndTrade:
This plant is collection by foreign fern collectors.


redListCategoryRationale:
Trichomanes speciosum is a European endemic fern, restricted to western Europe and Macaronesia. It is found at more than 500 localities in its range and is stable in some countries. Overall, it does not approach any of the threatened categories at European level. However, the species has a very specialized ecology and habitat preferences and  is very slow growing and there are potential threat factors such as collection, recreational activities,  habitat destruction, unfavourable forest management, modification of hydrological  conditions, droughts, and garbage disposal. So despite being assessed as Least Concern, the populations should continue to be monitored, site protection should be kept in place and appropriate management of the sites needs to be considered.

range:
Trichomanes speciosum is a European endemic fern, restricted to western Europe and Macaronesia.In France, it occurs in Brittany, Alsace, and Pyrénées Atlantique. In Italy it grows in Tuscany and Liguria. The gametophyte grows in about 200 subpopulations in Tuscany and Liguria between 20 and 600 m asl. The sporophyte has been recorded in about six localities in the Alpi Apuane between 165 and 275 m asl (Foggi et al. 2010). In Portugal, it is found at two locations close to each other in the Serra de Santa Justa, region Valongo (ICN 2006). In Spain, it occurs in the provinces A Coruña, Asturias, Cadiz, Guipuzcoa, Navarra, Santander, and Vizcaya (Castroviejo et al. 1986, Dirección General de Medio Natural y Política Forestal del MARM 2007). In Germany, only the gametophyte is present (Bundesamt für Naturschutz 2010). In the UK, it is found in at least 14 localities in Northern Ireland, England, southwest Scotland, and Wales (UK Biodiversity Group 1995). It also occurs in Ireland and Czech Republic.

population:
The following population data has been provided in country reports for the Article 17 consultation under the Habitats Directive (Commission of the European Communities 2009):Belgium: occupying seven grid cells with an unknown trendCzech Republic: 230 localities with an increasing trendGermany: 128 localities with stable populationsIreland: 66 localities with a stable trendLuxembourg: 130-150 localities with a stable trendPoland: five individuals and decliningPortugal: 23 tufts with a declining populationSpain: 16 localities with a stable trend and more than 1,000 individuals on the Canary IslandsUnited Kingdom: 162 localities with an unknown trendIn Italy, the sporophyte is found at six localities, has a population size of 2,500 individuals and a stable trend that is expected to decline in the future. In France, the species is found at 172 localities. In Poland, the species is found at two localities with few individuals only (Kalinka and Nowak 2004).

habitat:
This fern occurs in shady and humid places near water (ICN 2006). It can be found in the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009):8220 Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation8310 Caves not open to the public91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno- Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)9120 Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrublayer (Quercion robori-petraeae or Ilici-Fagenion)9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines

threats:
This species has a very specialized ecology and habitat preferences and is very slow growing. Therefore it is potentially threatened by a number of factors including sample collection, recreational activities, habitat destruction and desiccation. Unfavourable forest management (such as removal of forest undergrowth), overgrazing, outdoor sports and leisure activities such as climbing, and modification of hydrological conditions have been reported as threats by some of the EU 27 member countries (Commission of the European Communities 2009). For Italy, additional threats of logging, drought (probably more important in the future and due to surface water abstraction and climate warming) and domestic waste and garbage discharge have been reported (Foggi et al. 2010). In Portugal, invasion of Acacia melanoxylon poses a threat (ICN 2006).

conservationAction:
Trichomanes speciosum is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).In Ireland Trichomanes speciosum is protected under the Wildlife Act, 1976-Flora   (Commission of the European Communities 2009).  In France, it is protected at national level. In Italy it is included in the Tuscanian Regional Law for the Protection of the Flora LR 56/2000, but is not included in any protected areas.In Germany, the species is considered as not threatened and it is classed as Least Concern in Luxembourg (Colling 2005) and in the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005). It is not included in the Belgian red list.In Czech Republic, the taxon is listed as Critically Endangered in the national red list under the synonym Vandenboschia speciosa (Holub and Procházka 2000). In Spain, it is classed as Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); D2 on the national red list (Moreno 2008).Recommended conservation measures are a constant monitoring of the  populations and guidelines for forest management and water abstraction  nearby the populations.

useAndTrade:
This fern is rare and therefore subject to collection by horticulturists.


redListCategoryRationale:
Marsilea azorica is present in one single population in the Azores in an area of about 1 km². The population as well as its habitat are stable at the moment but there are potential future threats ranging from changes in the hydrological regime to grazing and encroachment of grasses. The species is therefore classed as Vulnerable but can become very quickly Critically Endangered should a continuing decline in the populations or of its site take place.

range:
Marsilea azorica is endemic to Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. The geographic range of the species has been estimated to be only 1 km² (Commission of the European Communities 2009) and is actually probably less than 200 m².

population:
The species population has been estimated between 400 and 500 individuals and the populations have a stable trend  (Commission of the European Communities 2009). However, as Marsilea azorica is a spreading rhizomatous clonal plant, the population is almost certainly a single clone and therefore of 400-500 individuals could be misleading and inaccurate (F. Rumsey pers. comm. 2010).

habitat:
This species grows in oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters in sandy, clayey and silty substrates and under photophyte conditions. M. Azorica colonizes the Habitats Directive habitat 3130 "Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto Nanojuncetea".

threats:
The species is currently found at one site only where potential threats include grazing, trampling, agriculture and forestry activities, the construction of communication networks, drainage or other changes in hydraulic conditions and it is very vulnerable to natural catastrophes or species invasion (Commission of the European Communities 2009).   The site has recently been fenced to protect from casual damage. However, this may have a negative effect as coarse grasses present at one end of the site may now be spreading and could replace the plant (F. Rumsey pers. comm. 2010).

conservationAction:
Marsilea azorica is listed as priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. There is only one population with limited dispersal possibilities due to habitat isolation and the lack of dispersal agents. Active management is needed in order to assure long term survival of the population    (Commission of the European Communities 2009).


taxonomicNotes:
Marsilea batardae was recently distinguished from Marsilea strigosa, from which it differs in sporocarp size and form. All subpopulations of Portugal, previously attributed to Marsilea strigosa, belong to Marsilea batardae (Launert 1983).

redListCategoryRationale:
Marsilea batardae is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula where it has a small area of occupancy (below 500 km²) and is subject to continuing declines in area of occupancy, quality of habitat, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals. It is found at around 25sites and the subpopulations are considered as severely fragmented. The  main threats are general destruction and degradation of  standing water bodies, the modifications of hydrological networks such as the construction of dams and the embankment of streams  and the degradation of water quality. Marsilea batardae is therefore assessed as Endangered.

range:
Marsilea batardae is an endemic of the Iberian Peninsula, where it is limited to the southwestern quarter, mainly in the hydrological basins of the rivers Tejo, Sado, Guadiana and Guadalquivir.In Portugal, it occurs in the Alentejo region (Alqueva dam) and São Miguel do Pinheiro region, east of the Parque Natural do Vale do Guadania. In Spain it is found in the southwest, provinces of Badajoz, Ciudad Real, Huelva, Caceres and Córdoba (Bañares et al. 2004). Its presence is uncertain in the provinces of Toledo and Valencia (Rosselló-Graell et al. 2000).The area of occupancy is estimated to be smaller than 500 km².

population:
Marsilea batardae presents a divided distribution area. The number of localities is close to 25.  In Portugal, the number of individuals, though not precisely estimated, may be considered as low (ICN 2006). On one hand about five  localities have disappeared due to the construction of the Alqueva  reservoir in Portugal, on the other hand around seven new localities have been found  in Spain since 2004, especially in the area of Andalucia (L. Medina pers. comm. 2010). The population for Spain has been estimated in 115,838 individuals     (Bañares et al. 2004).In Spain, most of the populations extinct are  from the same area (Extremadura) due to river and basin transformations  for dams. Only a few populations from other areas disappeared due  to others reasons. In Portugal, some of the populations are disappearing  due to changes in crop areas in the Alentejo province.The subpopulations are considered as severely fragmented as the population exchange is due to river water flow and an exchange is therefore mostly taking place downstream and linked to rainfall periods. In the past, it is suspected that the genetic exchange was due to traditional cattle movements (in Spanish "trashumancia"), when sheep move to high green areas in spring and return to low areas for the winter. This kind of cattle movement is not practised anymore.

habitat:
Marsilea batardae is a perennial species growing at low altitudes, on clays and sands deposited in temporarily flooded areas (e.g. banks of streams) but also in rock fissures and in stony riverbeds. Its development is dependent on groundwater level and quality. The species prefers water that is poor in nutrients and salts but the biggest population is found in a rather eutrophic reservoir. It is probably a characteristic species of the class Littorelletea (Tüxen 1947).

threats:
Marsilea batardae, previously considered as Vulnerable in Portugal (Dray 1985, Walter and Gillett 1997), was proposed as Endangered on the basis of the reduction of area induced by the construction of the Alqueva dam (Rosselló-Graell et al. 2000). In Spain, it was considered as Critically Endangered (Dominguez Lozano 2000), and more recently as Endangered (Bañares et al. 2004, Moreno 2008).The main threats are related to the general destruction and degradation of standing water bodies, the modifications of hydrological networks, notably through the construction of dams and the embankment of streams and the degradation of water quality. All these factors lead to a reduction of the natural habitat of Marsilea batardae, and seriously threaten its long-term survival.

conservationAction:
M. batardae is protected at European level under the Habitats Directive 92/43/CEE (annexes II andIV) and included in   Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).In Spain it is furthermore protected at regional level (Andalusia, Castilla-la-Mancha, Extremadura) and is included in the national Red List (EN A2ace+3ace+4ace; B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)).In Portugal, the species is protected under decree-law n°140/99 (annexes B-II b/ e B-IV b/) and decree-law n°316/89 (Annexe I). Marsilea batardae is included in the seed bank project for the flora affected by the Alqueva dam.The following future conservation measures are being proposed:Control of the water quality and of the hydrological regimes of concerned streamsMonitoring of the sub-populations, notably the ones affected by the Alqueva dam (Portugal)Evaluation of the size of the subpopulationsStudy of the dynamics of the subpopulations, in relation to drainage, irrigation and other hydrological modifications


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #This species is widespread but declining nearly everywhere with only a few sites left in most countries of its range. The stronghold seems to be France with 93 localities but even there the populations are declining. The overall population decline has not been quantified and as the plant has a clonal structure, it is also difficult to determine the generation length. The species habitat is continuously declining due to mainly changes to the hydrological regime and water pollution. It is therefore classed as Near Threatened approaching Criterion A. It is strongly recommended to collect detailed population information and decline rates from each country and to re-assess the species when all the data is available. It might then require a higher threat category.

range:
M. quadrifolia occurs throughout much of southern Europe east to China and Japan. Within Europe it occurs along many of the major river valleys, such as the Loire, Po and parts of the Danube, as well as in complexes of wetlands throughout central and southern Europe.

population:
The country reports for Article 17 under the Habitats Directive presented the following population information for the EU member states (Commission of the European Communities 2009):Italy: 23 localities with stable populations. The species was recorded in 1867 along the Tirso river in Sardinia but those populations have long disappeared (Scoppola and Spampinato 2005).France: 93 localities, decreasing populationsGermany: 2 localities with decreasing populationsGreece: 1 locality with population trend unknownPoland: 1 locality with increasing population trendSlovenia 4 localities and a decreasing population trendPortugal: one locality and a decreasing population trendHungary: 50,000 to 920,000 shoots and a decreasing population trendSlovakia: 9 localities with decreasing populationsIn Serbia, the species is estimated to be Vulnerable (V.   Stevanovič pers. comm. 2010) and in Croatia it is classed as Endangered in the national red list with declining populations. In Spain, the species is Extinct in the Wild (Moreno 2008).The species has gone extinct in Switzerland but has been successfully reintroduced and is classed as Endangered on the national red list (Käsermann and Moser 1999,   Moser et al. 2002).It is recommended to carry out an in-depth analysis about the rates of decline within the last ten years or three generations.

habitat:
M. quadrifolia typically grows in the shallow margins and draw-down zones of lakes, marshes, river margins, oxbows and sometimes ditches. It is intolerant of competition and usually occurs on otherwise bare soils. It can be found in the following Habitats Directive habitats:3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition - type vegetation3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea3110 Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains (Littorelletalia uniflorae)

threats:
There are several threats that lead to population declines. Changes to the hydrological regime of water bodies such as infilling, the constructions of dykes or embankments or management of water levels are a major threat. Water pollution as a result of fertilization and pesticide use in agriculture as well as eutrophication impact on the species. Other minor threats are the disposal of household or industrial waste, species invasion, forest planting, aquaculture, or abandonment of pastoral systems (Commission of the European Communities 2009).In Greece, the complete drainage of Lake Kerkini would also mean the disappearance of this species from its only known location. The cause of extinction of the Spanish populations was a change in  agricultural land use accompanied by a more intensive use of herbicides  which led to eutrophication of the species habitat and to its loss    (Bañares et al. 2004).

conservationAction:
M. quadrifolia is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and   under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is classed as Endangered in Croatia, Hungary and Switzerland and protected throughout France.In Spain, there is a small species recovery programme underway in the Parque Natural del "Delta de l'Ebre"   (Bañares et al. 2004). Reintroductions have also taken place in Switzerland   (Käsermann and Moser 1999).

useAndTrade:
M. quadrifolia has recently started to be sold in garden centres in the UK. It is not clear whether this material is sourced from cultivation or the wild or whether it may have an impact on wild populations.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) A2cEU 27 regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) A2cBetween 30 and 50% of the sub-populations have been lost in the last 20 years, which is clearly less than 3 generations for this species, even though it is complicated to define a precise generation length, and the number of individuals have decreased in the remaining subpopulations. Therefore the species is considered as Vulnerable (VU) A2c. If more information becomes available on the population size, this species might prove to be Endangered.

range:
Marsilea strigosa has a mostly west-Mediterranean distribution, with localities in the north of the Caspian Sea. It is present in Spain, in 14 provinces but localized especially in the regions of Catalonia, Levante, Almeria, Extremadura and Castilla-Léon, Balearic Islands. In France, it occurs in Saint-Estève in the Pyrénées Orientales, Plateaux of Roque-Haute and Vendres in the Hérault, and in Italy, it can be found in Sardinia and in the south of the peninsula with some localities in the province of Puglia, region of Taranto.Outside of Europe, it is present in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Russia.

population:
The populations are globally in decline and those that maintain themselves are in general very threatened because they are situated in fragile biotopes. In France, the species is very rare with four known localities occupied by populations of small size and scattered. It disappeared from some sites (Agde, Aigues-Mortes, Vendres, Saint-Estève) and of the fallow lands of Torremila. In Italy, it is considered as very rare and found at some localities only. In Spain, there are about 50 localities in the regions of Catalonia, Levante, Almeria and Extremadura, of which many are today extinct (probably more than 50% of the former localities). It is a very rare species on the Balearic Islands with some localities in the south of Majorca and in the north of Minorca. The species is in regression, in particular in the province of Valencia, and a disappearance of 10% of the sites is expected in the next 20 years.Overall, between 30 and 50% of the subpopulations have been lost in the last 20 years. It is complicated to define a precise generation length as one individual can live several tens of years. The number of individuals is thought to have decreased in the remaining subpopulations.

habitat:
Marsilea strigosa is found mainly in oligotrophic and poorly mineralized temporary pools in Spain and perennial ponds in France and Italy. It is a perennial Hydrophyte (Geophyte with rhizomes) but able to behave as an annual (Therophyte). The opening of the sporocarps and the sexual reproduction takes place within a shallow water blade, or even on saturated soil.This species can colonize the Habitats Directive listed habitats 3170 "Mediterranean temporary ponds" and 3120 "Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals generally on sandy soils of the west Mediterranean, with Isoetes spp."   (Commission of the European Communities 2009).This species reproduces mainly by vegetative multiplication (rhizome) in Italy and France, but most probably by sexual reproduction in Spain. One individual can live for several tens of years.

threats:
The habitat of the species knows numerous anthropogenic threats: overgrazing, drainage, cultivation, urbanisation and road infrastructures.  In European countries, the abandonment of extensive grazing and the resulting emergence of shrubs or Helophytes (Roque-Haute, France) threaten the populations of Marsilea strigosa (heliophilous species) by competitive exclusion.  Other threats are bound to the dynamics of populations. Their much reduced dispersal capacity results in a weak ability to colonize new sites, in genetic isolation of subpopulations and increases the risk of extinction.

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).  There are several national level conservation measures in place: In France, it is under national and regional protection and included as Vulnerable in the red list   (Olivier et al. 1995). Furthermore, it is protected in a natural reserve in Roque-Haute and there is ex situ conservation of the sporocarps by the Conservatory Botanical National Mediterranean of Porquerolles. In Italy, the species is classified as Vulnerable on the Red List and ex situ conservation, for example in the Botanical Garden of Padova, is in place. In Spain, there is national legislation to protect the species and it is listed as threatened on five regional lists. Some localities are included in Natura 2000 sites, the creation of two micro-reserves (Valencia and Balearic Islands) is planned, ex situ conservation of the sporocarps is in place.Monitoring of all the sub-populations should be implemented.

redListAssessors:
Lansdown, R., Moreno Saiz, J.C., Buord, S. & Gargano, D.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #This species is classed as Near Threatened because, although it has a very large distribution, most areas supporting populations have good evidence to suggest a decline, however available information is insufficient to assign it to a threat class. It is most likely to be assigned to Vulnerable A2 or A4.

range:
Pilularia globulifera is endemic to western Europe, where it occurs in southern Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland extending westwards to the Iberian Peninsula and southwards to Italy and Serbia.

population:
Pilularia globuliferais classed as Critically Endangered in Germany and Switzerland, Endangered in Norway and Spain, Vulnerable in Finland and Sweden, Near Threatened in the United Kingdom and Data Deficient in Croatia. It is protected at a national level in France. Most information suggests that populations throughout its range are declining, although it must be recognised that it is often overlooked, typically occurs as dynamic metapopulations due to its habitat requirements and that in almost all cases detailed searches have discovered new populations or relocated populations that were believed lost.

habitat:
Pilularia globulifera typically occupies bare gravel or silt on the margins of lakes, ponds and temporary pools usually in areas where fluctuating water levels suppress competition from higher plants, it will also survive permanently submerged.

threats:
The main threats to P. globulifera are stabilisation of water levels and drainage of temporary wetlands, it is possible that even low-level eutrophication may pose a threat as it enables colonisation of otherwise unsuitable habitat by more aggressive plants. Invasive macrophytes such as Crassula helmsii pose another serious threat to this plant.

conservationAction:
Pilularia globulifera  is classed as Critically Endangered in Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic (D. Turonova pers.comm. 2010). It is categorized Endangered in Norway (A2bc; B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(v)) and Spain, Vulnerable in Finland (A1c) and in Sweden (B2ab(ii,iii,v)), Near Threatened in the United  Kingdom and Data Deficient in Croatia. It is protected at a national  level in France.It is recommended to carry out surveys to determine the actual species distribution and to monitor the existing populations and their habitats.

useAndTrade:
Pilularia globulifera is increasingly sold for garden ponds and it is not clear whether this trade affects wild populations.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Endangered (EN) B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(iv)EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN) B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(iv)This species occurs only in very small sites, scattered around the Mediterranean, and has an area of occupancy of less than 500 km2. Due to the fragility of its habitat (Mediterranean temporary pools are probably the most rapidly declining habitat in Europe) and the changes in agricultural practices, its extent of occurrence, its area of occupancy, the extent and quality of its habitat, as well as the number of subpopulations and of mature individuals are significantly decreasing over time. This species has also very specific ecological requirements. It is therefore considered as Endangered.

range:
Pilularia minuta is a steno-Mediterranean species that is found in France (Hérault, Alpes-Maritimes where it is now considered extinct) and Corsica (Bonifacio, Lecci, vicinity of Aleria and Ghisonnaccia), in the Algarve and Alto Alentejo in Portugal, in Spain (Andalusia, Castilla y Leon, and Menorca, Anthos 2009), around Rome in Italy (doubtful occurrence) and in Sardinia and Sicily (where it is now considered as extinct), in the Greek Aegean Islands (Lesvos, Psathoura, Agios Evstratios), Cyprus, at the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, and in Turkey (close to Izmir). It is also present in North Africa.The total area of occupancy is believed to be smaller than 500 km².

population:
In spite of its large distribution along the Mediterranean basin, the number of sites as well as the real area occupied by Pilularia minuta remains very small resulting from the scattered distribution and the small size of the temporary pools. It is present in: Spain: three sites (last observation 2003 in Andalusia) on the mainland and three sites in Menorca (Anthos 2009)Croatia: one to two sites on islands of the coast France: on the continent at least two sites (last observation Roque-Haute 2001); Corsica: nine sites Greece: one locality on Psathoura, two on Agios Evstratios and around four in Lesvos, recently detected (I. Bazos pers. comm. 2010), all the localities are small.Portugal: two sitesItaly: four - five sites, last observation 2007 in Sardinia, extinct in Sicily and possibly in Latium too Cyprus: one site, last observation 1998  On all sites, the population sizes are very variable from one year to the next according to rainfall conditions. This makes the assessment of the status of the populations difficult which seem to be globally in decline following the destruction of the sites (e.g. pool of Biot in France destroyed in the years 1975). In the remaining sites, the populations are vulnerable and threatened notably by the increasing pressure from anthropogenic activities.

habitat:
The species is found in temporary pools at low elevation in diverse landscapes such as forests, matorrals or agricultural lands. It is always found on acidic soils. It is a small amphibious fern of small stature, perennial with a threadlike rhizome (Geophyte with rhizome). The germination of the spores requires very humid (water saturated) or flooded conditions; the maturation of the sporocarpes only takes place after complete exposure to air at the end of the spring.

threats:
The habitat of P. minuta is submitted to numerous anthropogenic threats (drainage, filling in, agriculture, nitrification, overgrazing and urbanization) but also to natural threats bound to the encroachment of perennial competitive plants following the abandonment of previous extensive uses (pools of Roque-Haute in the Hérault, France).

conservationAction:
At European level, the species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). At national level, it is protected in France (decree of August 31, 1995) and included in several national Red Lists such as Spain (Vulnerable), Italy (Vulnerable), Greece (Vulnerable), France (Endangered) and Croatia where it is classified as Critically Endangered. There are site protection measures in place for example in the natural reserves for the pools of Roque-Haute (France) and for the pools of Tre Padule of Suartone (Corsica). Harvest and ex situ conservation of the spores is undertaken by the National Botanical Conservatory of Porquerolles (France).

redListAssessors:
Rhazi, L., Grillas, P., Rhazi, M. & Lansdown, R.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread and abundant, however it appears to be declining throughout much of its European range with some local extinction. It is possible that quantified data would show that the decline is sufficiently strong that S. natans should be assigned to a threat class under Criterion A.

range:
Salvinia natans is an Eurasiatic (palaeotemperate) species, essentially located in central and eastern Europe and in Asia, from Caucasus to China and Japan. In Europe, it is sparsely distributed from the Rhine valley (Germany) to Russia, and southwards, from northern Italy, to the Danube basin towards the Black Sea, and to northern Greece. It is exceptional and very unstable westwards in Belgium, in France and in northwestern Spain (Prelli 2001). It occurs, among others, in the following Mediterranean countries:- France: ancient observations. The instability of the species leads to suspect that it has been introduced.- Greece: northeast- Croatia: in eastern Croatia - Baranja- Italy: north- Spain: very rare in the southeast, possibly introduced- Ukraine: widely distributed in the central part of the Ukraine, in the Danube, Dnepr and Desna river basins but very rare in other river systems.

population:
Although typically a species which shows  naturally massive population fluctuations and so may appear to decline  but reappear after a few years. It seems likely that it is showing an  overall decline throughout its range.In Ukraine, the populations are found in many localities with a high number of individuals and the overall trend is stable with range extensions in some river basins.

habitat:
Salvinia natans is a free-floating fern, growing in large populations at the surface of stagnant waters or in weak currents: ditches, canals, ponds, oxbows. It is often associated to Lemnaceae and other floating plants. It is considered annual in the wild, but it can be perennial in vitro.

threats:
The threats to the species are not known.

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive.  Salvinia natans is classed as Extinct in the Netherlands and  Switzerland, Critically Endangered in Germany, Endangered in Czech Republic, and Near Threatened in  Croatia and Belarus; it is protected but not classed as threatened in Hungary and  protected throughout France and in Greece. It is included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and included in some protected areas. In Russia it is categorized as Near Threatened (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010).   #  &#

useAndTrade:
The species is used as ornamental plant in basins, however most Salvinia sold belongs to the S. molesta aggregate.


redListCategoryRationale:
The Area of Occupancy (AOO) has been calculated to be 513 km² which falls well within the 2,000 km² threshold for Vulnerable under criterion B. The population is severely fragmented with a continuing decline in both its area of occupancy and quality of its habitat. In 1998 this species was assessed as EN B1+2c (Farjon 1998). More detailed field studies throughout the Azores undertaken since 1998 indicate that it is more widespread than previously thought.

range:
It is found on all the islands of the Azores with the exception of Graciosa. The area of occupancy (AOO) = 513 km². The AOO was estimated on the presence within 1 km²  grid cells overlaid on a 1;25000 scale map. This mapping scale is more  appropriate in the context of the size of the individual islands in the  Azores, compared to the standard 4 km² grid recommended in the IUCN  guidelines. The AOO is distributed throughout the islands as follows (the percentage given is the AOO relative to the total area of each island): Corvo - 6 km² (35%); Faial- 28 km² (16%); Flores - 87 km² (61%); Pico - 174 km² (39%); São Jorge - 64 km² (27%); São Miguel - 35 km² (5%); Santa Maria - 1 km² (1%) and Terceira - 118 km² (29%).São Miguel has two locations: Lagoa do Fogo and Tronqueira/Graminhai. On Terceira Juniperus occurs throughout the central part of the island, with one coastal location at Agualva. On Pico it also occurs throughout the central part of the island with two coastal locations of Manhenha  #and Cais-do-Mourato (Elias 2007). On Santa Maria it only has one location at Almagreir.

population:
Sizeable trees are now rare and the species is represented largely by shrub-sized individuals.

habitat:
Juniperus brevifolia can be found in a variety of different habitats; coastal scrubland with Myrica faya and Erica azorica; mountain scrubland with Calluna vulgaris; pioneer scrubland on lava flows with Erica azorica, Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium cylindraceum; Juniperus-Laurus azorica forest; Juniperus-Ilex azorica forest; as pure Juniperus woods and Juniperus-Sphagnum woods or Juniperus forested peat bogs.

threats:
Current threats stem from the expansion of agricultural land and impact of livestock as well as forestry, especially the establishment of Cryptomeria japonica and Eucalyptus globulus plantations. These activities have caused a great decline of the subpopulations on Pico, Terceira, São Jorge and <ns0:place>Flores</ns0:place> especially in mountainous areas above <ns0:metricconverter ns2:productid="500 m">500 m</ns0:metricconverter>. Perhaps the current greatest threat to Juniperus brevifolia is competition from alien species, especially Pittosporum undulatum #at lower altitudes, Hedychium gardnerianum at higher altitudes and, in <ns0:place>São Miguel</ns0:place>, Clethra arborea. Over the past ten years there has been a decline of less than 10 % of the overall population but the situation varies from island to island.

conservationAction:
Juniperus brevifolia is internationally protected under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) (Elias and Silva 2008).  Juniperus brevifolia has protection in the following designated areas: #   Flores: (i) Reserva Florestal Natural Parcial do Morro Alto e Pico da Sé; (ii) Zona Especial de Conservação da Zona Central-Morro Alto (Rede NATURA 2000); (iii) Reserva da Biosfera. Covo: (i) Parque Natural da ilha do Corvo: Área Protegida para a Gestão de Habitats e Espécies da Costa e Caldeirão. São Miguel: (i)Parque Natural da ilha de São Miguel: Reserva Natural da Lagoa da Fogo; (ii) Parque Natural da ilha de São Miguel: Reserva Natural do Pico da Vara; (iii) Parque Natural da ilha de São Miguel: Área Protegida para a Gestão de Habitats e Espécies da Tronqueira e Planalto dos Graminhais; (iv) Parque Natural da ilha de São Miguel: Área Protegida para a Gestão de Habitats e Espécies da Serra de Água-de-Pau. Terceira: (i) Reserva Florestal Natural Parcial da Serra de Santa Bárbara e dos Mistério Negros; (ii) Reserva Florestal Natural Parcial Biscoito de Ferraria; (iii) Zona Especial de Conservação da Serra de Santa Bárbara e Pico Alto (Rede NATURA 2000); (iv) Zona Especial de Conservação das Quatro Ribeiras (Rede NATURA 2000). São Jorge: (i) Reserva Florestal Natural Parcial do Picos do Carvão e da Esperança; (ii) Reserva Florestal Natural Parcial do Pico do Areeiro; (iii) Zona Especial de Conservação Costa Nordeste e Ponta do Topo (Rede NATURA 2000).Pico: (i)Parque Natural da ilha do Pico: Reserva Natural da Montanha do Pico; (ii) Parque Natural da ilha do Pico: Reserva Natural do Mistério da Praínha; (iii) Parque Natural da ilha do Pico: Reserva Natural do Caveiro; (iv) Parque Natural da ilha do Pico: Paisagem Protegida da Cultura da Vinha ? Ponta da Ilha; (v) Parque Natural da ilha do Pico: Paisagem Protegida da Cultura da Vinha ? Zona Norte; (vi) Parque Natural da ilha do Pico: Paisagem Protegida da Zona Central.Faial: (i)Parque Natural da ilha do Faial: Reserva Natural da Caldeira do Faial; (ii) Parque Natural da ilha do Faial: Paisagem Protegida do Cabeço do FogoProposed practical conservation actions include the maintenance and restoration of the  habitat, reinforcement of populations and regional recovery plans. The  establishment of corridors, controlling invasive species and access to sensitive areas  are also considered important to put in place.

useAndTrade:
Historically Juniperus brevifolia has been used in forestry, building of furniture, infrastructure and ships. The Azores were a very important port of call for Portuguese sailing ships coming from or to Brazil, Africa and #India in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. It is now too rare to be exploited.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Endangered B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii)EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered B1ab(iii)+B2ab(iii)The species has a restricted extent of occurrence (120 km²) and area of occupancy (22 km²) and although the total number of locations is more than five, populations in both countries are considered to be severely fragmented due to urban and agricultural development and the likely lack of any effective genetic exchange. Although the number of mature individuals is currently increasing and is likely to continue to do so in response to conservation actions that are able to suppress fires, all subpopulations are very limited in their capacity to expand their extent of occurrence or area of occupancy beyond the threshold levels required for downlisting to vulnerable. In most locations and subpopulations there is evidence of a decline in the quality of habitat. Considering a national assessment, Tetraclinis articulata could qualify as Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) in Spain and as Critically Endangered B2ab(iii) in Malta.

range:
In Europe, Tetraclinis is restricted to Spain and Malta. The main part of its range is in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The total extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be about 120 km² with a total area of occupancy (AOO) of 22 km². The total number of locations is seven: three in Spain and four in Malta. Spain: In Spain it occurs on either side of the city of Cartagena. There are three distinct locations. One is west of the city of Cartagena at Monte Roldan and Algameca. The second and third locations are east of Cartagena and consist of the following named sites: Escombreras (1 and 2), #Fausilla, Cola del Caballo, Cabezo de la Galera, Cenizas-Peña de Aguila, Atamaria, El Sabinar. The largest site is at Cenizas-Peña de Aguila (7.56 km²). The area of occupancy is 10.3 km² (16 km² using a 4 km² grid) with an extent of occurrence of 83.8 km². Malta: In Malta it occurs in four locations: (1) the Mellieha area where trees are found at Wied il-Miżieb (also referred to as Ta’ Pennellu); but also at Ġnien Ingraw, and Ras il-Griebeġ (2) il-Maqluba (S-SW Malta) (3) the central-eastern part of Malta - in the Mosta area, where it is known from Wied il-Għasel and San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa and (4) at Iċ-Ċagħak (limits of Mġarr, NW Malta)

population:
In Spain, more than 1,000 mature individuals are estimated whereas in Malta there are less than 130.Spain: Over the last 20 years the number of individuals is estimated to have increased three-fold as a result of regeneration following fires. The current number of mature, sexually mature individuals is estimated to be over 1,000 out of a total population of 7,500-8,000. Four years previously, it was estimated to be between 5,000-5,500. The majority of the population is east of Cartagena, especially in the Monte de las Cenizas and Peña de Aguila area within the Parque Natural de Calbanque. There is a significant urban settlement between these localities. While the number of mature trees may increase as young trees become mature, there is very limited potential expansion in the total extent of occurrence. Malta: Less than 130 mature trees are known in Malta. These are located: Mellieha area; Wied il-Miżieb - 100 trees; Ġnien Ingraw – (a few trees, probably less than 10); Ras il-Griebeġ - one old specimen (possibly another tree in an inaccessible part); il-Maqluba (S-SW Malta) – one small tree; Mosta area (central-eastern part of Malta) where it is known from Wied il-Għasel - 2-3 trees and San Ġużepp tat-Tarġa - one old tree; Iċ-Ċagħak (limits of Mġarr, NW Malta).

habitat:
Spain: Near Cartagena, it occurs in a sparsely vegetated, open woodland. Associated woody species include: Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus coccifera, Pistacia lentiscus, Rhamnus lycioides, R. oleoides ssp. angustifolia, Maytenus senegalensis ssp. europaea, Calicotome intermedia, Periploca angustifolia, Clematis cirrhosa and Chamaerops humilis. The altitudinal range is from 6-390 m above sea-level. It grows in a range of soils, but tends to be restricted to the Triassic limestone, avoiding the metamorphic, micaceous and graphitous schists. The climate typically has long hot summers (with 150 ‘biologically dry’ days per annum) with temperatures reaching as high as 40°C and mild winters where temperatures rarely fall below 0°C. The annual rainfall is ca 300 mm; most precipitation occurs during September, October and November.     Malta: Tetraclinis occurs in ‘garrigue’ communities on steep crevices and gorges with a substrate of coralline limestones and calcareous soils. The vegetation of these areas is usually typical of the thermo-Mediterranean region, with plants adapted to considerable dry periods, with chamaephytic shrubs, geophytes or therophytes. Associated native species include: Periploca angustifolia, Ceratonia siliqua, Rhamnus oleoides, Euphorbia melitensis, Chiliadenus bocconei, Opuntia ficus-barbarica, Asparagus aphyllus, Teucrium fruticans, Andropogon distachyus, Brachypodium retusum, Hyparrhenia hirta, Piptatherum caerulescens and Asphodelus aestivus.There is limited information on breeding ecology, with no scientific studies carried out. In general, male cones start appearing in November (sometimes before), shedding pollen sometimes up to March. The female cones produce viable seed in most locations but no detailed studies have been carried out on this.

threats:
Spain: The principle threat comes from urbanization, including the establishment of sport facilities such as golf courses. Historically, human-set fires have had the greatest impact on the populations. The most notable fire occurred in September 1992 when 55 ha were burnt affecting a significant proportion of the population (Nicolás et al. 2004). Regeneration after fire can be rapid although it is estimated to take 10-20 years for burnt areas to recover (López-Hernández et al. 1995). #A serious fire in the main part of the population (e.g. Cenizas-Peña de Aguila) has the potential of eradicating up to 80% of the population. Post-fire regeneration of competing species such as Pinus halepensis is a problem until the plants of Tetraclinis reach maturity. Mining has been a cause for concern in the past. The extensive heaps of spoil have caused serious fragmentation of the population. In some parts of its range (El Sabinar), regeneration is hampered by grazing for sheep and goats. Competition from invasive species is also of concern; the most detrimental species being Pinus halepensis (Martinez 2008).&#Tetraclinis is frequently cultivated in southern Spain in gardens and as a plantation species. Some of these plantations are located close to the native population. It is thought that the origin of this germplasm is the North African (Morocco) population. Genetic contamination could be a problem although to date no studies have been carried out to investigate its potential impact.Malta: Tetraclinis articulata was once much more common in  Malta and the various places called Ghar-ghar, Ghar-ghur etc. point out to the  existence of a wider distribution, and possibly small forests (Borg 1927). It  apparently disappeared centuries to decades ago, mostly due to habitat alteration  and land reclamation (Stevens and Baldacchino 2000). The main threats today include habitat modification and/or destruction (including land reclamation and the  clearance of the vegetation) and human-induced disturbance, including the  introduction of alien species such as Acacia saligna and  Eucalyptus spp. Afforestation and reforestation programmes in its distribution range with indigenous and  alien trees, which do not form part of its biotope are also important threats. Competition from invasive species such as exotic Pinus  spp. and particularly the native P. halepensis are also  seen as threats.

conservationAction:
Tetraclinis articulata is included in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), and its  habitat type is included in Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive  (Directive 92/43/EEC). Spain: The two sites that comprise 80% of the overall population are mostly protected inside Parque Natural Calblanque (Cenizas-Peña de Aguila and El Sabinar). It also has regional level protection under Spanish Law (Decree 50/2003) which means that it has to have a plan of Conservation. # This is currently being developed. The majority of the population occurs within the designated ‘Site of Community Importance’ (SCI) under the EU Habitat Directive 92/43/CEE. The area has been chosen as a priority site under the GENMEDOC project (Herreros, 2004) and as part of this initiative seed collections have been made for seed banking and for germination studies.Malta: In 1992 Tetraclinis was declared the Maltese National Tree and since then it has become part of the national identity of the country. It has been legally protected since 1993 (Stevens, 1999). Currently it is protected under the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations, 2006 (Legal Notice 311 of 2006 as amended) and the Trees and Woodlands Protection Regulations, 2001 (Legal Notice 12 of 2001).&#Most locations where the tree is found are protected through either the Environment Protection Act or Development Planning Act. Important localities are also declared as Natura 2000 sites (e.g. Wied il-Miżieb and Il-Maqluba).


redListCategoryRationale:
There are 24 mature trees in the current population. This very small population size means that it still meets the criteria for listing as Critically Endanger under Criterion D.

range:
Despite its scientific name, the Sicilian Fir (Abies nebrodensis) does not grow in the Nebrodi Mountains but is presently limited to the steep, dry slopes # between Vallone Madonna degli Angeli,  Monte Staircase, Monte dei Pini and Rosskopf, in the territory of the  Municipality of Polizzi Generosa in the Madonie Mountains in the north-central part of Sicily.

population:
The Madonie Mountains, rising to 1,979 m, were once covered by A. nebrodensis. By 1900, the species was considered extinct, due to extensive logging and erosion, but was rediscovered in 1957. The current population consists of 24 mature trees.

habitat:
The species grows at around 1,500 m altitude on limestone soil.

threats:
The principal threat facing this species is the small population size. It will continue to be dependent on on-going conservation measures, especially fire suppression and habitat improvement.

conservationAction:
1). This species is included in Appendix I of the Bern Convention and as a priority species in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The woodland vegetation in which this species is found is listed in Annex I of the same Directive.  2). In situ: An EU LIFE funded project was carried out from 2001-2005. The immediate aim of the project was to stabilize the existing population and improve the survival rate of natural seedlings and planted trees raised as part of an ex-situ programme. Wider aims included the elimination of non-indigenous fir species and the restoration of the natural ecosystem. All work has been carried out within the boundaries of the Madonie Regional Park. The number of trees has increased from 24 to 30, while natural seedlings have increased from 30 to 80. These are still immature.  3). Ex situ: An extensive ex-situ programme has been in place for a number of years with trees planted in the Botanical Garden of Palermo (Italy) as well as in summer villas and second homes in the Madonie Mountains, slightly apart from their natural area of distribution. # They have also been distributed to other botanic gardens and arboreta in Europe. A programme of controlled pollination instigated as part of the EU LIFE funded project has resulted in the production of an additional 3,000 plants for reinforcing the existing population.


taxonomicNotes:
A form growing in Finland has variously been treated as a subspecies (ssp. wahlenbergii) or a full species, the most appropriate taxonomic status needs clarification. The two taxa are recognised here as separate species, in accordance with the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (RBG Kew 2010).

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least ConcernEU 27 regional assessment: Least ConcernThis species is classed as Least Concern for the moment because, although it is widespread and apparently abundant in the lower Rhine as well as occurring over a very large area, both within and outside Europe, most countries appear to support only very few populations, its habitat requirements are poorly understood and it is red listed by most of the countries where it occurs. It is likely that data collection throughout the region would either show that the species is widespread and stable, or that perceived declines are real and populations on the upper and lower Rhine aberrant.

range:
Alisma gramineum   occurs throughout much of the northern hemisphere, from the UK and France north into Scandinavia east throughout Siberia (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) and most of European Russia (Tzvelev 2001) to Mongolia and China (Wang et al. in prep). It is absent from the Iberian Peninsula, the Mediterranean islands but occurs in Egypt (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) and from Croatia (Nicolić and Topić 2005) east through Turkey to the Ukraine and the Caucasus (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). It also occurs throughout much of western and northern North America (Haynes and Barre-Hellquist 2000).

population:
A. gramineum is one of a number of species that appears to be rare almost throughout its known range. # The only area in which the species appears to be abundant is in the Rhine floodplain in Germany (K. van de Weyer pers. comm.) and the Netherlands (J. Bruinsma pers. comm.). Two sites are currently known in the UK (with a maximum of five ever reported) (Lansdown 2010, Palmer 2006), and three recent sites in the Austrian Tirol in the extreme north-west (Polatschek 2001).In Bulgaria, it is  very rare. In the north of Denmark, it has been rediscovered at two localities. In Lithuania, it is confined to the southeast from 0 - 300 m and has been reported from 10 - 15 localities (four locations) since 1960. The biggest population counts 5,000 individuals with fluctuations due to water regime and water level. It is extinct in Sweden since the early 19th century, there it was known from one locality.There are four widely scattered sites in Croatia (Nicolić and Topić 2005). It is found in northeastern Greece at less than ten locations. The species is quite rare as there are not many lakes there, but the populations seem to be stable.It is scattered in south and southcentral Czech Republic and found in ten localities in low lying  warm areas. There are 28 records but with less than 100 individuals in each record. In Slovakia, it has only been found recently at one locality near Bratislava over an area of less than 10 km². It is present in lowland areas in east and central Hungary where it is found at two localities in dry years but in wet years it becomes abundant. The populations have been decreasing during the last 50 years. The extent of occurrence for Hungary is more than 50,000 km². In Slovenia, the populations are in the Dinaric belt and localised in intermittent lakes. In total they occupy less than 50 km². The population trend in Slovenia is unknown and there are annual fluctuations in the number of mature individuals.The annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora (Conti et al. 2005) state that it is present in central Italy but a presence in the east and west are doubtful.In Switzerland, the species occurs at five localities and there could be more but the species is difficult to find. It is present in the north (lake of Zurich) and in the Colin belt. One locality has many individuals, the other four host small populations. The population trend is unknown and there are annual fluctuations. In 1982 it was reported as being found on seven sites and nine sites from which it has apparently been lost (Welten and Sutter 1982a).In Russia, it is found in four regions in the central area and is not protected, there is no further information available.

habitat:
A. gramineum is unusual in that it can grow in three very different situations:Perennial plants which are permanently submerged and presumably self-fertile.Plants growing in the margins of water bodies which may perennate but are usually annual.Annual plants growing in the draw-down zones of larger water bodies or in seasonal or ephemeral pools.It can occur in a very wide variety of habitat-types, however it seems to occur most frequently in calcareous, naturally meso- or eutrophic lowland waterbodies. It has been reported from ponds, lakes, meres, fenland, canals, rice and other arable fields, depressions, gravel pit lakes, and sandy shorelines.

threats:
The habitats in which this species occurs are sensitive to hyper-eutrophication, as they are often naturally eutrophic. Many populations are somewhat isolated and therefore vulnerable to drainage or habitat degradation.

conservationAction:
Alisma gramineum has been assigned the following Red List and conservation categories (from Palmer 2006):Critically Endangered in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, United KingdomCritically Endangered to Endangered in Latvia, Lithuania and RussiaEndangered in the Czech Republic and SwitzerlandVulnerable in Moldova and SloveniaExtinct in SwedenIt occurs in a number of protected areas and Natura 2000 sites throughout its range (such as the Cerknisko lake in Slovenia).In the UK, where the species is legally protected, there has been a long-term research and recovery plan, including re-introduction attempts.  It is very difficult to establish whether or not there is a Europe-wide need for conservation action for this species. Certainly, there are areas where it is common and increasing (e.g. Germany and the Netherlands), in spite of the number of countries in which it is considered to be of conservation concern, it is difficult to identify areas in which there has been a measured decline. For this reason, the main conservation action identified here is research to clarify its status throughout the region.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
A. lanceolatum is a predominantly temperate Old World species, but occurs from Macaronesia and North Africa north to Scandinavia east and through Siberia, the Caucasus, the western Himalayas (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) to China (Wang Quingfeng in prep.). It is naturalised in New Zealand (Allan Herbarium 2000), the west coast of North America (Oregon, California) and Chile (Haynes and Barre-Hellquist 2000).  It is widespread in north and central Europe, but most abundant in the Mediterranean basin. It has an interesting relationship with A. plantago-aquatica with which its range overlaps throughout much of Europe, but the latter species is increasingly relatively abundant in the north, whilst A. lanceolatum more or less replaces A. plantago-aquatica in the south.

population:
There may be local declines, for example, in Estonia and Switzerland, but most populations, particularly in southern Europe appear to be stable.

habitat:
A. lanceolatum occurs in a wide variety of habitats, particularly in southern Europe, such as marshes, canals, ditches and on the margins of ponds and lakes.

threats:
There are no known past, ongoing or future threats to this species, although local declines could indicate a future cause for concern.

conservationAction:
Alisma lanceolatum is classed as Extinct in Estonia and Vulnerable in Switzerland. No other conservation measures are in place or needed for this species.


taxonomicNotes:
Although there is some uncertainty regarding the taxonomy of populations close to A. plantago-aquatica in Asia, these do not affect evaluation of the species in Europe.  Plants with the leaves similar to that of A.&#plantago-aquatica, styles as in A.&#gramineum and 0.2-0.3 mm long undeveloped anthers are known from Orenburg Region (basin of the Ural and Samara Rivers). Apparently this is the result of hybridization of A.&#plantago-aquatica × A.&#gramineum and possibly sterile. These are known as A.&#×bjorkqvistii Tzvel. (Tzvelev 2001). This hybridisation is not sufficiently frequent to affect evaluation of the species in Europe.A. plantago-aquatica is reported to hybridise occasionally with A. lanceolatum (A. ×rhicnocarpum Schotsm.) but this is not sufficiently frequent to affect evaluation of the species in Europe.

range:
Alisma plantago-aquatica is found   in North Africa and Africa south of the Sahara, although it is considered to have been introduced to southern Africa. It occurs from Europe east through the Caucasus, the Middle East, Siberia, Kazakhstan, the Himalayas and Mongolia to the Russian Far East, China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, as well as Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. It occurs more or less throughout Europe but is less abundant in the Mediterranean. It has been introduced to New Zealand and South America (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010).

population:
A. plantago-aquatica is relatively abundant throughout its range, although in the south it becomes less frequent and A. lanceolatum is more abundant there.

habitat:
A. plantago-aquatica is a herbaceous perennial amphibious Helophyte. It occurs mainly in the lowlands and will grow in most mesotrophic to eutrophic wetland types, from the margins of streams and rivers, to lakes, ponds and marshy pools. It is a good colonist and will often form extensive and locally dominant stands in recently excavated pools on basic clays.

threats:
There are no known past, ongoing, or future threats to the survival of this species.

useAndTrade:
This is probably one of the taxa widely sold for outdoor ponds and landscaping of water features in northern Europe, however some of the material is certainly the American species A. subcordatum Raf. or A. triviale Pursh.


taxonomicNotes:
A. wahlenbergii has been treated as a subspecies of A. gramineum Lejeune, which has caused some confusion and led to uncertainty about its distribution. It is treated here as a distinct species, in accordance with the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families   (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010).

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) B2b(iii,iv,v)c(iv)EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN) B2b(iii,iv,v)c(iv)This species is endemic to Finland, Sweden, and western Russia. In Sweden, there are around 17  sites where the species can be found, with an area of occupancy of 68 km². In Finland, there are c. 100 sites and the area of occupancy is 368 km² (Rassi et al. 2010). In Russia, the species occurs at 12 localities, each with less than 100 individuals. It is therefore suspected that the overall area of occupancy is less than 2,000 km². This  short living plant is   sensitive to changes in the quality of  habitats and therefore undergoes extreme fluctuations. The populations are decreasing, and all populations on the Finnish side of the Finnish Gulf have disappeared due to eutrophication and increase of reed beds. Apart from those threats, the construction of waterways leads to further habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore assessed as Vulnerable.In the EU 27, the species has an area of occupancy of 436 km² in Finland and Sweden. The populations are fluctuating extremely and there is a decline in habitat quality and extent, number of subpopulations and number of mature individuals. It is therefore assessed as Endangered.

range:
This species is endemic to Finland, Sweden, and western Russia. It can be found in the inner part of the Finnish Gulf in Russia, northern part of Bothnian Gulf in Sweden and Finland, and the third distribution area is in the Lake Mälaren in Sweden.In Sweden, there are around 17 sites where the species can be found.  Overall the area of occupancy in Sweden is 68 km² and the extent of  occurrence is 40,196 km². In Finland, there are c. 100 sites, the extent of occurrence is 8,500 km² and the area of occupancy is 368 km² (Rassi et al. 2010). In Russia, the species occurs at 12 localities.

population:
In Sweden, at least 20,000 reproductive individuals or 100,000 individuals in total have been counted. In Finland, the estimated number  of individuals (assumed fertile, because sterile individuals are hard to  be noticed) is c. 364,000 (Commission of the European Communities  2009). All populations on the Finnish side of the Finnish Gulf have disappeared due to eutrophication and increase of reed beds. In Russia, the species occurs at 12 localities, each with fewer than 100 individuals. This short living plant is   sensitive to changes in the quality of habitats. Fluctuations in the   population size seem to be great. The populations are decreasing.

habitat:
The species occurs in shallow, sheltered, brackish pools in coastal meadows, over stony, clay or sand substrates; it is found in permanent mesotrophic lakes, ponds and pools but also in euthrophic lakes (Morgan and Leon 1992).  In Russia, it occurs on sand or loess mud close to the shore of the Gulf of Finland and in the mouths of rivers, that flow into the Gulf. It can be found in the inner part of the Gulf because the water there is only slightly salty (brackish). This species can't survive in salt water. It is also found in the freshwater lake Mälaren. In Finland, it only occurs in the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia, in bays and river estuaries or open coasts, in shallow water. There, 74% of the extant sites are on coastal areas, 26% of the sites are on islands.

threats:
A potential threat to the species is eutrophication as the species needs nutrient rich but clear water. The sources of the water pollution are various and can include sewage from urban areas. Further threats in Russia are industrial constructions such as dykes and hydraulic soil deposition as well as recreational activities.In Finland, the species is furthermore threatened by overgrowing of coastal meadows and open coastal habitats (due to cessation of grazing and due to increase of reed beds), and construction of waterways (embankments, digging ways for boats etc.) (Rassi et al. 2010). Those threats and eutrophication caused the disappearance of the populations on the Finnish side of the Finnish Gulf.

conservationAction:
A. wahlenbergii is listed as a priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive.   It is classed as Endangered B2ab(iv,v) in Sweden and protected by law and included in the Russian Red Data Book as Critically Endangered (which shows only four sites). In Finland, it is listed as Endangered B2b(iii)c(iv) (Rassi et al. 2010) and it is protected and named as a species under strict protection in national legislation. In Finland c. 40% of the sites are situated in Natura 2000 areas.For Russia, control of water pollution is urgently recommended.Some localities are included in a marine national park in Sweden. In Russia, the subpopulations are included in a protected area in the Finnish Gulf but the level of this protection is unclear.


taxonomicNotes:
The global taxonomy of Baldellia has been clarified by Kozlowski et al. (2008) who recognise three species: B. alpestris (Coss.) Lainz, B. ranunculoides (L.) Parl. and B. repens (Lam.) Ooststr. ex Lawalree. These three taxa are recognised by most authorities and floras, although many recognise B. repens as a subspecies of B. ranunculoides. Euro+Med Plantbase (2006-2010) recognises B. alpestris but treats B. repens as a subspecies of B. ranunculoides. The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010)  and Flora Iberica (Castroviejo et al. 2010) recognise the three taxa as species and this is the taxonomy that has been adopted here.

redListCategoryRationale:
Baldellia alpestris is endemic to a small area of northwest Spain and Portugal. The range  can be divided into two types: firstly highland rivers and glacial lakes  where the species is relatively undisturbed by human influence and  secondly lowland sites which are under heavy anthropogenic influence and  face several threats. The populations in around 15-20 sites are  threatened mainly due to hydrological changes, pollution, and  eutrophication which affect the populations. Those threatened lowland populations require conservation attention such  as appropriate site management and protection. Monitoring of the  populations is recommended. The species is assessed therefore assessed as Near Threatened as it is suspected to approach the threshold for Criterion A.

range:
Baldellia alpestris is endemic to a small area of northwest Spain and Portugal, with reliable records from the Provinces of Ávila, Burgos, La Coruňa, Cáceres, La Rioja, Lugo (extinct), Asturias (Oviedo), Orense, Palencia, Pontevedra, Cantabria (Santander), Soria and Zamora in Spain and Alto Alentejo, Beira Alta, Minho and Trás-os-Montes (Alto Duoro) in Portugal (Castroviejo et al. 2010).

population:
There is little information available on the status of populations of B. alpestris, but populations appear to be stable in most of their range. The range can be divided into two types: firstly highland rivers and glacial lakes where the species is relatively undisturbed by human influence and secondly lowland sites which are under heavy anthropogenic influence and face several threats. The populations in around 15-20 sites are threatened (Kozlowski et al. 2009b).

habitat:
Baldellia alpestris is described as occurring in ponds, glacial lakes, arroyos and peat bogs on acid substrates.

threats:
There are several threats such as hydrological changes, pollution, and eutrophication which affect the populations. Especially the lowland populations suffer from those threats as they are mainly surviving in very isolated, polluted and transformed ponds (Kozlowski et al. 2009, G. Kozlowski pers. comm. 2010).

conservationAction:
Baldellia alpestris is protected under the legislation of the Spanish province Castilla y Leon. A microreserve has been created for this plant. It also occurs in protected areas in Portugal. The threatened lowland populations require conservation attention such as appropriate site management and protection. Monitoring of the populations is recommended.


taxonomicNotes:
The global taxonomy of Baldellia has been clarified by Kozlowski et al. (2008) who recognise three species: B. alpestris (Coss.) Lainz, B. ranunculoides (L.) Parl. and B. repens (Lam.) Ooststr. ex Lawalree. These three taxa are recognised by most authorities and floras, although many recognise B. repens as a subspecies of B. ranunculoides. Euro+Med Plantbase (2006-2010) recognises B. alpestris but treats B. repens as a subspecies of B. ranunculoides. The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010)  and Flora Iberica (Castroviejo et al. 2010) recognise the three taxa as species and this is the taxonomy that has been adopted here.Inconsistent recording of the three taxa obscures the true status of populations in many regions.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) This species is classed as Near Threatened as although it is widespread and even locally abundant, there is good scientific evidence of significant decline throughout its European range. It is suspected to be close to reaching criterion A but more detailed information on the percentages of decline in the European states is needed.

range:
B. ranunculoides occurs from the Azores and Canary Islands through North Africa north to Sweden and east to Turkey and Syria. It is most abundant on the Atlantic Arc, in the Iberian Peninsula, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom, it is limited to a narrow coastal strip in North Africa and populations become sparse and more scattered to the east.   There is doubt of the occurrence of this species in the Baltic States (Kozlowski et al. 2009) and while there are populations in the extreme west of the European part of Russia, records from Lithuania and Belarus are in error for small terrestrial plants of Alisma gramineum (Tzvelev 2001).

population:
B. ranunculoides appears to be declining throughout most of its European range, with healthy populations remaining only in its strongholds of Portugal, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The following breakdown is taken from Kozlowski et al. (2009).Albania - only two highly isolated populations. Belgium - extinct in numerous districts, rare to very rare in Maritime, Kampen and Flander districts.Croatia - still occurs in about eight localities, undergoing a strong decline. Denmark - still present in numerous localities, however declining in many areas.Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - it is not possible to be certain that B. ranunculoides ever occurred in these Baltic states but if it did then it is now extinct.France - still present and locally abundant in several departments in Atlantic and central regions (Normandie, Bretagne, Pays-de-la-Loire, Poitou, Lande, etc.) although there is some evidence of a decline. It is rare to very rare in other departments, especially in the southern and eastern regions (Picardie, Ile-de-France, Champagne, Bourgogne, Dombes, Hautes-Alpes).France, Corsica - scattered throughout the island but restricted to low altitudes close to the coast and therefore vulnerable to anthropogenic changes.Germany - extinct in many federal states and decreasing in practically all regions. Some new rediscoveries (Rügen) and successful conservation efforts (Nordrhein-Westfalen) have not reversed the general decline.Greece - previously known from only one population. Recently discovered in several new localities, now known from a total of 12 localities, however all of these are isolated and under strong anthropogenic pressure.Ireland - Widespread and abundant in the west, although there have been some losses. Italy - extinct in many regions and decreasing in the others, some populations are highly isolated. Italy, Sardinia - known from only few and isolated localities close to the coast and therefore, vulnerable to anthropogenic changes.Montenegro - only one known population discovered in 2001 in Lake Skadar. Netherlands - very scattered, but still present in several localities, some successful conservation efforts have not reversed the general decline.Poland - 3 historic records in the northwest around Wolin Island, now considered to be extinct.Portugal - widespread and abundant in many areas, however there are reports of local declines. Portugal, Azores - very rare, with only one population present on Terceira but probably not native.Italy, Sicily - known from only one highly isolated locality in the south of the island, now considered extinct.Slovenia - known from only one locality, now considered extinct.Spain - widespread and abundant in many areas, however there are reports of local declines. Spain, Balearic - still present in several islands sites on Menorca and Mallorca.Spain, Canary Islands - no recent data available, probably extinct.Sweden - still present in numerous localities in coastal regions in the south of the country. Switzerland - lost from all but four populations around the Lake Neuchâtel (3 of them seriously threatened); more than 90% of historical populations have been lost. Turkey - known from only one population in European Turkey.  United Kingdom - widespread and locally abundant, particularly in the south-west and Wales but undergoing a significant decline throughout southern and eastern England.

habitat:
B. ranunculoides typically occurs along the margins of shallow meso-oligotrophic lakes, ponds, reservoirs and pools, on the shorelines of slow streams, in marshes, fens, brackish dune slacks and bog pools. It can also be found in more anthropogenic or disturbed habitats such as ditches, canals, flooded quarries, man-made dune wetlands, abandoned peat-drains and cuttings, fish ponds, and temporary flooded fields.

threats:
Habitat destruction, anthropogenic disturbance, hydrological alterations and changes in water and substrate quality seem to be the most significant threats to B. ranunculoides.

conservationAction:
B. ranunculoides is apparently Extinct in Sicily and Slovenia, it is red listed as follows:  Critically Endangered in Croatia, Italy and Switzerland;Endangered in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden (although it may be extinct in Poland);Vulnerable in Albania;Near Threatened in Denmark, the Balearic Islands (Spain) and the UK;Least Concern in France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.         However, in France it is protected in the following Departments:   Haute-Normandie, Champagne-Ardenne, Bourgogne, Franche-Comté and Ile de France.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #This species is classed as Near Threatened as although it is widespread and even locally abundant, there is good scientific evidence of significant decline throughout its European range. It is suspected to be close to reaching criterion A but more detailed information on the percentages of decline in the European states is needed.

range:
B. repens occurs from North Africa north through western Europe to Norway and Sweden.

population:
B. ranunculoides appears to be declining throughout most of its European range, with healthy populations known only in its strongholds of Portugal, Spain and France. The following breakdown is taken from Kozlowski et al. (2009).      Belgium - extinct in numerous districts, rare to very rare in Maritime, Kampen and Flander districts.Croatia - one historic record with no recent data.Denmark - still present in numerous localities, however declining in many areas.France - still present and locally abundant in several departments in Atlantic and central regions (Normandie, Bretagne, Pays-de-la-Loire, Poitou, Lande, etc.) although there is some evidence of a decline. It is rare to very rare in other departments, especially in the southern and eastern regions (Picardie, Ile-de-France, Champagne, Bourgogne, Dombes, Hautes-Alpes).Germany  #- two to three historic localities, probably extinct.Ireland - apparently occurs in the west of Connemara but few botanists distinguish the two taxa so the true status and distribution are unknown. Italy - mentioned in old literature, current status and distribution unknown. Netherlands - very scattered, but still present in several localities, some successful conservation efforts have not reversed the general decline.Norway - the only known country which supports B. repens but not B. ranunculoides. Known from three well documented localities (two in Hordaland County, one in Rogaland County) which are surrounded by agriculture and settlements.Portugal - widespread and abundant in many areas, however there are reports of local declines. Spain - widespread and abundant in many areas, however there are reports of local declines. Described in old literature from the Balearic Islands but current status unknown.Sweden - still present in numerous localities in coastal regions in the &#south of the country. United Kingdom - recently reported a number of sites in the west, but no comprehensive information is available on the distribution and status data.

habitat:
Baldellia repens is a herbaceous perennial stoloniferous amphibious Helophyte, growing in shallow water or the draw-down zones of weakly acidic water-bodies, on oligotrophic peaty soils, and on sandy banks of canals, pools and ponds.

threats:
Habitat destruction, anthropogenic disturbance, hydrological alterations and changes in water and substrate quality seem to be the most significant threats to Baldellia repens.

conservationAction:
B. repens is probably extinct in Germany and is red listed as follows: Critically Endangered in Belgium;Endangered in Norway and Sweden;Vulnerable in the Netherlands;Least Concern in France;Data Deficient in the United Kingdom.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)This species has gone extinct in many countries in Europe. The populations are severally fragmented, but are stable in parts of its distribution. It is experiencing a decline in the extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, quality of habitat and number of locations and subpopulations and is therefore approaching criterion B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv).

range:
C. parnassifolia occurs throughout much of the Old World, from Europe east to the Amur region on the Russian seaboard, through Japan, China and Indonesia south to Papua New Guinea and Australia and throughout much of Africa, north and south of the Sahara as well as Madagascar. It has occurred throughout much of central Europe, from France to Lithuania, south to Italy and east to Bulgaria. It is regionally extinct in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Lithuania.It is extinct in three places in Germany, but still occurs at one site. In Slovenia, it is possibly extinct, however it was collected approximately eight years ago (K.-G. Bernhardt pers. comm. 2010). It hasn't been collected in Russia for approximately 50 years. In Poland the species is possibly extinct, for its presence has not been reported since 1986.

population:
C. parnassifolia is reported to be extinct in seven of the 15 European countries from which it has been recorded. Most countries support few, widely scattered populations, most of which are declining.In France, there are 46 localities in 21 communes and more than 5,000 individuals have been estimated. At the locality in Germany, the population size is increasing.In Hungary, there is one known population present at the south of Lake Balaton with strong yearly fluctuations: # in some years the species is totally missing, in other years there are individuals but the total number never exceeds 100 even in good years. The species disappeared from one locality in northeast Hungary probably in the 1980s and there where two further sites with old data. In Italy, it is found at only two localities (Commission of the European Communities 2009) There is no information on the populations in Belarus and Romania.

habitat:
C. parnassifolia typically occurs in shallow oligotrophic to mesotrophic water (usually up to 35 cm) on calcareous substrates, often over peat or sand, in lakes, ponds, rivers and canals.  This species can be easily overlooked in surveys.This plant grows in the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009):3110 Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains3120 Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals generally on sandy soils of the west Mediterranean, with Isoetes spp.3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation

threats:
The main threats to the species are drainage and other changes of the water regime as well as water pollution due to the use of pesticides for example.

conservationAction:
Caldesia parnassifolia is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).          C. parnassifolia is reported as Extinct in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Lithuania, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland. It is protected throughout France and a few populations are in Natura 2000, Espace Naturel Sensible or nature reserves.It is protected in Bulgaria although it is extinct (A. Petrova pers. comm. 2010). There is an initiative to reintroduce the species there. It is strictly protected in Hungary and classed as Critically Endangered in the national red list (  Király 2007). It is also Critically Endangered in Poland. It is protected in Bavaria and on the national Red List as Critically Endangered (level I). There is an ex situ collection at the University of Regensburg (K.G. Bernhardt pers. comm. 2010). The only German locality is in a protected area.A survey of historic sites is recommended to determine the population size and extent.

useAndTrade:
It is sold at low levels in Austria and Germany (used to be from specimens from wild collections, but not any more).


taxonomicNotes:
The taxonomic treatment by Rich & Nichols-Vuille (2001) is accepted here and D. alisma sensu stricto is the subject of this assessment.Inconsistent recording and taxonomic treatment obscures the true distribution and status of D. alisma.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #This species is classed as Near Threatened because it has undergone a significant decline in the United Kingdom and appears to have undergone a similar decline in France, it is known from a single site in Spain but populations trends in Italy, Ukraine and Russia are unknown. It is likely to approach Vulnerable A2.

range:
D. alisma was confirmed as occurring in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Portugal, Sicily, Russia and Ukraine (Rich and Nichols-Vuille 2001), with most records from France. It appears to have a highly disjunct distribution, with one population centre around the Black Sea and the other in western Europe, however critical identification of Damasonium to species is not consistent and further records may become available.

population:
D. alisma suffered a catastrophic decline in the United Kingdom in the 19th and early 20th centuries (Preston et al. 2002), from 51 x 10 km2, to a single site. In France, it has similarly been lost from a total of 13 of the 31 departments from which it has been recorded (Danton and Baffray 1995). There is no information on the status of the species in the Ukraine or Russia.It should be noted that in the Brenne (Indre) D. alisma is one of the species considered most likely to colonise a newly constructed pond (F. Pinet pers. comm.) and it is known from 18 localities in the Parc Naturel Regional de la Brenne (Pinet 2005).The difference in status and the robustness of populations between the Brenne and the UK is difficult to explain and there is a need for research to explain the processes involved to inform conservation.

habitat:
Damasonium alisma is an annual, or occasionally perennial, herbaceous amphibious Helophyte occurring in muddy or gravel margins of shallow ponds and the draw-down zones of lakes with seasonally fluctuating water levels. It appears very likely that this species is dependent upon complexes of sites that enable the existence of dynamic metapopulations and that if it is restricted to a single site in an area it has very little chance of long-term survival. It is possible that a single factor (such as the availability of a large animal dispersal vector) could be responsible for the catastrophic decline in the UK and could explain why this species is still so abundant in the Brenne.

threats:
D. alisma is declining over its entire distribution area due to loss of habitat, stabilisation of water levels, pollution and possibly through competition from alien plants.

conservationAction:
In France, D. alisma is protected at the national level (Annex 1) and classed a Critically Endangered in the United Kingdom (Cheffings and Farrell 2005). In the UK, D. alisma has been the subject of intensive site management, restoration and conservation with very limited success. The reasons for the massive decline are still not absolutely clear and it should be a priority to establish the causes to inform protection in other countries and possible re-introduction in the UK. The main needs for conservation of D. alisma are to improve identification and encourage consistent taxonomic treatment within the genus, to clarify the true distribution and status of this and other species and protection of site complexes to enable the persistence of dynamic metapopulations.


taxonomicNotes:
The taxonomic treatment by Rich & Nichols-Vuille (2001) is accepted here and D. bourgaei sensu stricto is the subject of this assessment.Inconsistent recording and taxonomic treatment may obscure the true distribution and status of D. bourgaei.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #The species is assessed as Near Threatened as a population decline is assumed throughout its range and its habitat is declining throughout the Mediterranean. It is likely to approach Vulnerable A2.

range:
Damasonium bourgaei is a Mediterranean endemic, extending to North Africa, some islands and parts of the north coast. In Europe, it is found on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, in the southwest and west of Spain, in Greece, in the western Peloponnese; in Cyprus, and in Italy, including Sicily and southern Sardinia.

population:
Damasonium bourgaei is widespread and may be locally abundant (e.g. the Parque Nacional de Doñana in Spain).

habitat:
Damasonium bourgaei is an annual, or occasionally perennial, herbaceous amphibious Helophyte occurring in muddy or gravel margins of shallow ponds and the draw-down zones of lakes with seasonally fluctuating water levels.

threats:
Damasonium bourgaei is declining over its entire distribution area due to habitat destruction and degradation as well as pollution.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place, but the following ones are recommended: monitoring of existent populations and search for new localities, evaluation of population size, monitoring of population dynamics and raising public awareness as well as working toward consistent recording and taxonomic treatment of the genus.

useAndTrade:
The rhizome of the species is edible (Plants For A Future 2010). The juice of the plant is said to be useful for eye diseases.


taxonomicNotes:
The taxonomic treatment by Rich & Nichols-Vuille (2001) is accepted   here and D. polyspermum sensu  stricto  is the subject of this assessment.Inconsistent  recording and  taxonomic treatment may obscure the true distribution and  status of D. polyspermum.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU)EU 27 regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) #  This species is classed as Vulnerable because its area of  occupancy is below 2,000 km² and, apart from the Spanish localities, the  species range is severely fragmented. The quality of its habitat is  declining throughout its range and subpopulations as well as locations  have been lost in the past.

range:
Damasonium polyspermum is a Mediterranean endemic that is found in France from Biterrois to Hérault in Var and the Rhone valley; in Italy in the coastal zone southwest of Sicily; central and southern Spain where it is widespread in the southwestern and eastern coast; western coast of Portugal; Croatia; and Greece, in Thessaly, east of Larissa and in northwest Peloponnese near Kalogria.The area of  occupancy is smaller than 2,000 km² and, apart from the Spanish localities, the  species range is severely fragmented.

population:
Damasonium polyspermum is relatively rare over its entire distribution area. Populations are declining due to habitat loss and degradation. The species is common in the western Mediterranean (Spain and Morocco) and becomes rare eastwards (Italy, Greece, and Croatia). France: present in 10 sites distributed between the departments of Hérault, Gard, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var. Eight populations disappeared or have not been reviewed in Sauvian (Vendres plateau), Portiragnes/Vias (Roque-Haute), Agde (Riguaud pools), Redessan, Jonquières, Manduel (Jonquières, Campuget and Redessan ponds), Bellegarde and the Barben (Estagnolet pool); Greece: populations are in decline and only known from a few localities; Italy: present at only one location at the coast of Sicily;Portugal: known from only one site;Spain: the presence of the species is noted in 13 provinces in the centre and the north of the country (between 50 and 100 sites) and three provinces in the south of the country (approximately 20 sites).

habitat:
Damasonium polyspermum is an annual plant (Therophyte), or occasionally perennial, herbaceous amphibious Helophyte occurring in muddy or gravel margins of shallow ponds and the draw-down zones of lakes with seasonally fluctuating water levels. It prefers soft or weakly brackish waters, is indifferent to the nature of soil and can support slightly saline conditions.

threats:
This species is declining over its entire range due to habitat destruction and degradation, pollution and competition from invasive alien plants. The threats include drainage of seasonally inundated agriculture, overgrazing, urbanization, and agrochemical pollution.

conservationAction:
The species is protected at a national level in France, populations occur in the following protected areas: Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, Réserve de la Tour du Valat, Lanau (Bouches-du-Rhône), pools in central Var (management plan in progress); ex situ conservation of seeds by the Conservatoire Botanique National de Porquerolles. It is classified as Vulnerable in the National Red Lists of Greece and Italy and as Data Deficient in the Croatian Red List.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This European endemic plant is widespread but suffers from local declines and faces a range of local threats such as the modification of its aquatic habitats or water pollution. However, the populations are not declining at a rate that makes them likely to go extinct in the near future and the species is therefore classed as Least Concern.

range:
Luronium natans is endemic to west and central Europe. The quality and coverage of data on its distribution and abundance varies throughout its range. The literature and a number of databases were reviewed, employing an approach described as ‘high dispute tolerance’ (IUCN 2001), which involves relying strictly on records that can be confirmed. Cook (1983) disregards records in Tutin et al. (1980) from Bulgaria, Italy and the former Yugoslavia. In addition, this review shows that in spite of claims to the contrary, there are and have been no confirmed records of L.natans for Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia (I. Jarolimek pers. comm. 2010), Slovenia, Austria (I. Bagi pers. comm. 2010) the Transcarpathian region of the Ukraine and Transylvania. These areas are therefore considered to be outside the natural range of the species. As a result of this review, the global range of L. natans has been revised. Based on confirmed records, its range can be described as extending from southern Norway and Sweden in the north, through the Republic of Ireland and France to northern Spain, east to Poland and the Czech Republic.

population:
There are very few localities only in Scandinavia: two to three localities for Norway (one of which is a cluster of four lakes), three small localities in Sweden (20 km² occupied area) and three localities in Denmark.In Ireland it is known from two localities that are 500 m apart. It can be found at higher altitude (450 m) in the western UK (Wales) (Preston et al. 2002).In Czech Republic, it is found in two pools of less than 1 km² (Natura 2000). In Poland, the species occurred in more than 100 localities in the past, now it inhabits no more than several tens of lakes in the Pomeranian Lake District. Two isolated localities were recorded in 2004 on Lower Silesia, in Żwirownia w Starej Olesznej (a gravel pit in Stara Oleszna) and in Starorzecze Potok in Nysa Łużycka River Valley, and in Zgorzelec-Osiecznica Forest. In Germany, there are around 115 localities and the species is common in the northwest.In France, it occurs everywhere except for the Mediterranean or the Alps, there are 416 localities in total. In the Netherlands, it is known from more than 100 sites. In the Iberian Peninsula, its population is confined to five areas that are very spread apart summing up to 13 known populations that are often fluctuating. In Galicia, where this species was considered extinct, recent localities have been found in A Terra Cha (Lugo) (Bañares et al. 2004).The populations are decreasing in Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Poland and stable in Sweden, Czech Republic and Spain   (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

habitat:
The species can be found in and along a wide range of water bodies. In Sweden, for example, it inhabits shallow poor clear waters, small water bodies, sand, non-eutrophic water. In Spain, this small hydrophyte develops at the edges of pools and lakes as well as in dead-waters of streams and rivers. Sometimes it can create mono-specific communities, especially when it acts without competitors. Depending on the environment in which it develops (lotic or lentic) and the volume of water, it can appear with species such as Nymphaea alba, Sparganium erectum, Isoetes velata, Pilularia globulifera or Baldellia alpestris. The populations are often fluctuating. When the plant acts as a pioneer species without competing with others, it can be very dense. When the number of species is balanced, the abundance of the species is less. The vegetative reproduction gains importance once the species has been well established (Bañares et al. 2004). Luronium natans can be found in the following Habitats Directive habitats:3110 Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains3120 Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals generally on sandy soils of the West Mediterranean, with Isoetes spp.3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea3140 Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition type vegetation3160 Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds3170 Mediterranean temporary ponds3220 Alpine rivers and the herbaceous vegetation along their banks3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation3270 Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri p.p. and Bidention p.p. vegetation3280 Constantly flowing Mediterranean rivers with Paspalo-Agrostidion species and hanging curtains of Salix and Populus alba4010 Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix4020 Temperate Atlantic wet heaths with Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix4090 Endemic oro-Mediterranean heaths with gorse7120 Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration7130 Blanket bogs7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)91F0 Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris)

threats:
The main threats to the species are due to habitat destruction or degradation. Water and soil pollution due to the use of pesticides and fertilizers as well as eutrophication are leading to population reductions. One of the main threats is the change of hydrological regimes, be it canalization and the modification of water courses, management of water levels, drainage, management of bank vegetation. The filling of water bodies or removal of sediment affect the populations. Changes in agricultural practices, abandonment of pastoral systems as well as unfavourable forest management are threatening the species survival. Negative impacts come from aquaculture and from recreational activities such as fishing, nautical sports, walking, horseriding and non-motorised vehicles (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

conservationAction:
This species is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive   and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is also protected by national policies/laws (e.g. France, Sweden). It is classed as Critically Endangered in the Czech Republic and Endangered in Spain (Moreno 2008), Germany (level 2) (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), and Sweden.The species occurs in protected areas (e.g. Czech Republic, Spain, UK). Some important populations are not protected and require conservation measures such as the Polish populations in Jeziora Wdzydzkie (Wdzydze Lakes), in Lobelia lakes near Bobęcino, in Jezioro Krasne (Lake Krasne), and in Puszcza Drawska (Drawska Forest) are not covered. Silesian localities are also completely omitted.


taxonomicNotes:
S. natans is known to hybridise with S. sagittifolia the hybrid is fairly frequent and it is not known whether it may affect the status of populations of the parents.

range:
S. natans occurs in northern Asia, from Scandinavia east through Siberia and Kazakhstan to the Russian Far East; Amur, Primorskye, Kamchatka and Sakhalin, as well as Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

population:
S. natans appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
S. natans typically occurs growing in silt or gravel on the edges of eutrophic lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.


taxonomicNotes:
S. sagittifolia is known to hybridise with S. natans but it is unlikely that this will affect the status of populations of the parent.

range:
S. sagittifolia has a mainly European distribution, extending beyond the region into Siberia, the Caucasus, Turkey and possibly Kazakhstan. It occurs more or less throughout Europe.

population:
S. sagittifolia is classed as Endangered in Austria and Switzerland, but otherwise appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
S. sagittifolia typically grows in deep, mesotrophic to eutrophic, slow flowing or standing rivers, canals or ditches.

conservationAction:
S. sagittifolia is classed as Endangered in Austria and Switzerland. There are no conservation measures in place or needed.

useAndTrade:
There is a low level of trade in S. sagittifolia for landscape and garden pond planting, it is not clear whether this might affect wild populations.


range:
B. umbellatus occurs throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, it is native to North Africa and Europe north to Scandinavia and east through European Russia, Siberia, the Middle East, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and the Western Himalayas to the Amur region of the eastern seaboard of Russia. It is apparently naturalised in southern Canada and the northern United States, Ireland and some of the British isles.

population:
B. umbellatus is widespread and abundant with apparently stable populations throughout much of its Europan range. However, there are areas where it has declined, such as Norway, Croatia and Switzerland.

habitat:
B. umbellatus can grow as a terrestrial on wet mud, emergent in shallow water or more or less permanently submerged in deep or fast-flowing water. It is most often found on nutrient-rich, calcareous clay substrates and will occur in a variety of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, streams, ditches (particularly those which serve as "wet fences") and canals.

conservationAction:
B. umbellatus is classed as Critically Endangered in Norway, Vulnerable in Switzerland and Near Threatened in Croatia. Otherwise, there are no conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
Arum purpureospathum is endemic  to southwest Crete where it is found at five locations. The total population does not exceed 1,000 individuals in a total area  of less than 5 km² but the population is assumed to be stable. However, the species and its habitat are subject to threats such as tourism activities, cultivation (olive groves), urbanisation, herbicide application and collection. It is therefore assessed as Vulnerable.

range:
Arum purpureospathum is endemic to southwest Crete (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). It is found at five locations: Agia Roumeli (Samaria Gorge exit), Eligias Gorge exit, a few kilometre east of the Eligias Gorge, and two locations between the villages Agia Roumeli and Loutro.

population:
The total population does not exceed 1,000 individuals in a total area of less than 5 km². Observations do not indicate any fluctuations in the size of the population and there is no sign of population decline.

habitat:
This plant can be found in many different types of habitats such as Ceratonia siliqua woodland, olive groves, Anagyris foetida shrubland, shady places, among limestone rocks and abandoned buildings, maquis, bare rocky slopes and coastal sandy places.

threats:
All the sites are at areas likely to be disturbed because of intense tourism activities, cultivation (olive groves) or urbanisation. Herbicides are used for olive cultivation and may cause degradation of the population. This plant furthermore suffers from over-collection of seeds or bulbs.

conservationAction:
This species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is listed in the national red list of Greece as Vulnerable D1+2.

useAndTrade:
This is a plant of horticultural value and collection of seeds or bulbs at small or large (commercial) scale is a significant threat. Bulbs of the plant are under sale by various apparently unlicensed Greek and international nurseries.


taxonomicNotes:
According to Boyce (2008) Biarum davisii and B. marmarisense (= B. davisiii ssp. marmarisense) are separate species.

redListCategoryRationale:
The species was characterised as Rare in the 1995 Red Data Book and its known distribution is quite restricted. According to Boyce (2008) the species may be easily overlooked due to its small size and fleeting appearance of the inflorescences, therefore its area of occupancy may be incompletely known. Nevertheless, extent of occurrence is certainly less than 20,000 km² and wild bulb collection for private gardens is ongoing although the levels are not known; therefore the taxon is classed as Near Threatened. Further research will provide information on any threats to known populations, and the number of these individual populations, which will allow a more definite assessment.

range:
Biarum davisii is endemic to Crete (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). # It occurs in the the southeast, central and western part of the island at an altitude between 0 to 1,050 m. # Extent of occurrence is currently estimated to be less than 5,000 km² and area of occupancy 68-80 km², however this could be a minimum estimate.

population:
Combined distribution data from Athanasiou (in Phitos et al. 1995), Boyce (2008), MAICh (2008) result in 17-20 mapped sites, although the number of locations and individual populations are not known.

habitat:
Biarum davisii is found in open, grazed scrubland, and disturbed habitats including road and track margins in limestone-derived red soil and screes. It also occurs in clay soils and limestone pavement. According to Athanasiou (in: Phitos et al. 1995) the species has a long maturation time, approximately five to six years from seedling to flower.

threats:
Bulb collection from the wild is a serious threat although detailed figures on the extent of collection are not known. There are no known threats to the habitat of B. davisii and the fact that it is found in disturbed habitats is encouraging.

conservationAction:
This species is listed under Annex D of the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation 318-2008. It is also included in Annex D of the COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1497/2003 for the application of CITES. The EU regulation covers only live specimens but it is suggested that tuber and seed collection should be monitored as well.It is protected in Greece by the Presidential Decree 67/81 and is included in the Greek Red Data Book (Phitos et al. 1995).

useAndTrade:
Bulb collection from the wild is a serious threat because the plant is popular for alpine and rare plant gardens. There is substantial internet trade which is not always licenced.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations througout most of its European range and does not face any major threats.

range:
C. palustris is a pan-boreal species, occurring from France north to Scandinavia and east through Siberia to Kamchatka and Sakhalin Island and from Turkey east to China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. It is also found in the north-eastern United States, Canada and Alaska. In Europe, it is mainly northern; occurring from France, Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania north to Scandinavia and more or less throughout European Russia.

population:
C. palustris appears to be stable throughout most of its European population, but there is evidence of a decline in Switzerland, Croatia and France.

habitat:
C. palustris occurs in a wide variety of water bodies, including ponds, lakes and marshes, usually on peat and often associated with woodland.

conservationAction:
C. palustris is classed as Critically Endangered in Croatia and Endangered in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, it is protected throughout France and the Czech Republic. No other conservation measures are in place or needed.

useAndTrade:
C. palustris is widely sold for horticulture.


taxonomicNotes:
There are no significant taxonomic issues associated with this name. However, there is a degree of confusion over separation of L. gibba from L. minor when the former is not expanded and this may obscure differences in the distribution of the two species.

range:
Lemna gibba is most frequent in areas with Mediterranean climates (Landolt 1986), particularly throughout the Mediterranean basin, eastern Africa, and south-western North America. It also occurs in parts of Central America, western and southern South America and scattered in eastern and South Africa. In Europe it occurs more or less throughout, as far north as southern Sweden.

population:
L. gibba is widespread and abundant throughout its European range and may be increasing due to its ability to exploit water bodies subject to anthropogenic nutrient enrichment.

habitat:
Lemna gibba will occur in a wide variety of lowland still or slow-flowing water bodies, particularly stock ponds, canals and ditches.

useAndTrade:
Duckweed can be used for wastewater treatment and reused as fodder. Sewage grown duckweed can be successfully used as a protein source in diets for laying hens.


range:
Lemna minor is widespread throughout Europe, with scattered populations in central Asia, on the west coast and in central North America, in the eastern half of Africa, Australia (Victoria) and New Zealand. It is presumed to have been introduced to Australia and New Zealand (Landolt 1986).

population:
L. minor appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
L. minor is particularly common in lakes, ponds, canals and ditch systems but will occur in most still or slow-flowing water body types in most conditions except in very oligotrophic or acid water. It is even capable of growing in a trickle of water over vertical surfaces, such as canal lock gates or seepages in cliffs.

useAndTrade:
This species is occasionally used as a vegetable and for different medicinal purposes: alterative, antipruritic, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge and soporific (Plants For A Future 2010).


range:
Lemna trisulca occurs mainly in the northern hemisphere and is most abundant in Europe and North America, although it is scattered throughout Asia east to Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Japan and the Philippines. Populations also occur at a few localities in Africa, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

population:
L. trisulca is widespread and abundant throughout most of its European range.

habitat:
L. trisulca will occur in most mesotrophic to eutrophic still or slow-flowing water bodies, although it will also occur in backwaters in fast-flowing rivers. It is tolerant of shade and apparently also of hyper-eutrophication and will often occur where there are very few other aquatic plant species.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) #This species is classed as Data Deficient because, although non-native populations are very abundant and apparently constantly expanding very little is known about trends in native populations.

range:
L. turionifera occurs from possibly native status in Norway and Sweden, through central and eastern European Russia, Siberia, the Caucasus, Turkey, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and the Himalayas to the Russian Far East and China as well as northern and western North America. It has been introduced to Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, France and the United Kingdom.

population:
There is no information on the putative native populations of L. turionifera in Europe. Non-native populations appear to be expanding rapidly.

habitat:
L. turionifera typically occurs in mesotrophic or eutrophic drainage ditches and pools in the floodplains of large rivers.


range:
S. polyrhiza has a sub-cosmopolitan distribution, occurring throughout Europe, south, east and southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and Australia, Africa north and south of the Sahara and throughout North America, although it becomes less frequent in the north (Landolt 1986). In Europe, it is widespread and abundant except in northern Scandinavia.

population:
S. polyrhiza appears to be widespread and abundant throughout most of its European range.

habitat:
S. polyrhiza typically grows in eutrophic, lowland still or slow-flowing base-rich waters and will occur in a wide variety of water bodies, particularly in grazing marsh systems.


range:
The main distribution centre for W. arrhiza is in Europe, with populations scattered throughout Africa south of the Sahara, as well as a few populations in North Africa and Asia, as well as a locality near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Landolt 1986).

population:
W. arrhiza naturally undergoes massive population fluctuations, when it occurs at low abundance it is extremely easy to overlook. Most populations in Europe appear stable but is has declined in parts of the UK.

habitat:
W. arrhiza typically occurs in base-rich lowland ditches and ponds (Preston and Croft 1997) in mesotrophic to eutrophic water.

conservationAction:
It is classed as Critically Endangered in the Czech Republic (Procházka 2001). There are no conservation measures in place or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
It has been suggested that B. glaucus hybridizes with B. maritimus, but apparently only in North America (S. Galen Smith 2002).

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread and there is no evidence of population decline or potential threats. More research on the population size and trend is needed.

range:
B. glaucus has a Euroasian distribution, occurring from Portugal throughout Spain, southern France and northern Italy to the Balkans and the Middle East, north into Hungary, the Ukraine and European Russia; east to the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Mongolia. It occurs in North Africa (Egypt) and in scattered localities in Africa south of the Sahara (Botswana, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe). It is apparently naturalised in the Czech Republic, Germany and North America (Idaho, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and California).

population:
This species is widely distributed but its actual abundance is not well known.

habitat:
Bolboschoenus glaucus is a perennial rhizomatous sedge, able to withstand summer drought, growing in shallow water along streams and rivers, lakes, ponds and rice fields. It is a thermophile plant that is sensitive to winter frosts.

conservationAction:
There are no current conservation measures in place, but the following ones are proposed: population monitoring, survey, evaluation of population size and study of population dynamics as well as the biology and ecology of the species.


taxonomicNotes:
B. laticarpus has been confused with other taxa or hybrids in the past but the identification of European members of the genus has recently been clarified.

range:
B. laticarpus occurs from France north to the Netherlands and east to Estonia and from northern Italy, through the Balkans and the Ukraine. It has also been recorded in North Africa (Algeria). Its centre of distribution is southern Germany, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

population:
B. laticarpus appears to be widespread and abundant with stable populations throughout most of its European range. It seems to be the most abundant Bolboschoenus sp. in inland habitats in Europe and is possibly invading wet arable land (Z. Hroudova pers. comm. 2010).

habitat:
B. laticarpus typically occurs in river floodplains along riverbanks, oxbows, streams and ditches, it also forms extensive stands on the draw-down zones of reservoirs and in temporary wetlands and colonises seasonally inundated arable land.


taxonomicNotes:
Until recently, other taxa were included within the concept of B. maritimus; this obscures the limits of its distribution and may obscure population trends.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats where it occurs in coastal habitats. It needs conservation attention where it occurs in saline inland habitats.

range:
B. maritimus has a sub-cosmopolitan distribution, from Europe where its main populations are concentrated east through Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and the Indian sub-continent. It occurs throughout much of Africa as well as Madagascar and Mauritius and throughout northern and western North America (including Hawaii) south to Central America and southern South America. It also occurs in Australia (New South Wales) where it may be naturalised.

population:
B. maritimus is widespread and abundant with stable populations in coastal regions throughout its European range. Inland populations are decreasing as they are limited to saline habitats.

habitat:
Bolboschoenus maritimus   is a Halophyte that occurs along sea coast, in brackish water in river estuaries, and in inland saline habitats (mineral water sources, wet depressions, salt lakes, etc.). It is capable of growing in freshwater habitats such as ponds, wetlands, wet ditches, artificial reservoirs, flooded sand pits, etc., on mineral-rich grounds but it might be suppressed there by competition of other freshwater plants.

threats:
There are no known past, ongoing or future threats to this species in the coastal habitats. There is a loss of inland saline habitats, mainly due to the conversion into agricultural land (pastures, meadows, crop fields), that can affect the species.

conservationAction:
In Central Europe, the populations need protection of their saline habitats e.g., Neusiedler See, salt lakes and steppe depressions in Pannonian region in Hungary, some saline habitats in Germany and Poland, only remnants in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. B. maritimus occurs in some protected saline wetlands in the Czech Republic (e.g. Soos in west Bohemia, saline wetland near Nesyt fishpond in south Moravia), in Slovakia (saline wet meadows near Kamenin in south Slovakia), in Poland (e.g. salt marsh Owczary in south Poland), in Austria (Neusiedler See wetlands) and mainly in Hungary (salt lakes in Kiskunsági National Park, Hortobágy puszta).


taxonomicNotes:
There are no significant taxonomic issues associated with this name, although until recently this species has been overlooked for B. maritimus and so its precise distribution is in places obscure.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #The species is widespread but sensitive to habitat changes. It requires management such as grazing activities or other disturbances as it is a weak competitor. However, the populations disappear if its habitat is managed too intensive. The current threats have not reached a scale that will cause the populations to decline at a rate significant enough to trigger any of the threat categories, but the populations should be monitored.

range:
B. planiculmis occurs from western Europe, east through Siberia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Iran and India to the eastern seaboard of Asia from Kamchatka and Sakhalin south to Japan, China, Taiwan, the Philippines and an apparently isolated occurrence in Papua New Guinea. In Europe, it is mainly found in the centre, from France in the west, through Austria, Germany and Switzerland to Bulgaria, Romania and European Russia.

population:
There is very little information on population trends in B. planiculmis and the overall population trend is unknown. In Central Europe its populations are dependent on agricultural and  landscape management. In intensively managed landscape, e.g. in  Germany, the populations are threatened. On the other hand, in the case  of abandoned or extensively managed arable land the populations may  spread as seen in Slovakia and Czech Republic. The occurrence of populations may also  fluctuate from year to year dependent on the weather.

habitat:
B. planiculmis most often occurs in seasonally inundated habitats, particularly on mineral-rich alkaline or saline soils (although it is less salt-tolerant than B. maritimus), such as wet grassland, hollows in steppe. In Europe the species occurs nearly exclusively in secondary habitats  (arable land, ditches, wet field depressions, shallow ponds and other  artificial reservoirs). When it occurs in association with permanent water it is less tolerant of extended inundation than other members of the genus and tends to form narrow bands around the margins. It can be a serious weed of seasonally inundated arable land, particularly because it can withstand a number of years without inundation.Overall, the species is a weak competitor and therefore habitat disturbances have positive effects on population development.

threats:
The species declines if there is intensive landscape and agricultural management.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place but there is a need for information on population trends. The species requires extensive management of its habitat to thrive.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classed as Least Concern for the moment as it is suspected to be widespread with stable populations in parts of its range. However, in Central Europe it is mainly found in fishponds these days which are threatened by intensive management such as cutting of vegetation, scraping of the pond bottoms or increasing the nutrient load in those ponds. Overall, there is not enough information on the rate of the population decline or the actual number of sites and more data is needed. With more information, this species might need to be upgraded to a threatened category.

range:
B. yagara occurs from western Europe, through central Europe, European Russia, Kazakhstan and Siberia east to Amur, Kamchatka, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. It occurs throughout much of China and extends south into Taiwan and Vietnam. In Europe, it occurs in a relatively discrete area defined by France in the west, Germany and Poland in the north and Austria and the Czech Republic in the south.

population:
Although abundant populations occur in some regions, their disappearance was recorded in intensively managed fishponds. Stable abundant populations persist mainly in the Czech Republic (South Bohemia), southwest Poland (north of Wroclaw), Germany (Obere Lausitz) and Austria (fishponds by Graz). The populations are able to persist for several years under high water level in dormant tubers, and can reappear when the water level decreases. There is no information on the populations in Russia and the Ukraine.

habitat:
B. yagara usually grows in standing water bodies on  nutrient-poor acid soils, such as lakes and reservoirs. In Central Europe, it is nearly exclusively found in secondary habitats, mainly in fishpond basins, or it inhabits the fishpond littoral especially in small shallow ponds with fluctuating water level.

threats:
The major threat is intensive fishpond management such as cutting of the stands, scraping of pond bottoms, eutrophication, high long-lasting water levels. The intensity of management has increased strongly during the last decades.

conservationAction:
Controlled management with seasonally fluctuating water level is recommended to use at least in selected localities such as protected areas. This includes lowering the water level after the fish harvest, limit cutting and scraping. More information on population size and trends is also needed.


taxonomicNotes:
C. acuta is treated in many European countries (particularly in the east) as C. gracilis Curtis, however the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) accepts C. acuta L., as do most other botanical sources.C. acuta belongs to the C. nigra group (Sect. Phacocystis) which are often difficult to distinguish, a problem which is exacerbated by widespread hybridisation. C. acuta has been shown to hybridise with C. acutiformis (C. ×subgracilis Druce), C. aquatilis and C. elata (C. ×prolixa Fr.) (Jermy et al. 2007). Crosses with other taxa within the C. nigra group are also likely. However, it is considered unlikely that hybridisation will affect the survival of the species or this evaluation because hybrids tend to be restricted to areas in which both parents also occur.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations and no major threats in most of its range. Populations in the south however are declining due to changes to hydrological regimes and need conservation attention.

range:
C. acuta occurs from North Africa and the Azores to Spain and Portugal and north to Scandinavia and east to western Siberia and Mongolia.

population:
C. acuta is widespread and abundant in Europe and populations are apparently stable in the northern part of the range. Occurrences in much of southern Europe are scattered and populations are locally decreasing due to drainage and hydrological measures.

habitat:
C. acuta will occur in most types of wetland and fringing a wide variety of water bodies. It will occur as a marginal fringe along rivers and streams as well as forming potentially extensive monospecific stands in marshes and hollows in river floodplains.

threats:
There are no major threats to the survival of this species in most of its range. However, drainage and other measures affecting groundwater led to population declines in parts of southern Europe and locally elsewhere.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place or needed except for local to national actions in southern Europe.


taxonomicNotes:
Carex acutiformis has been shown to hybridise with C. riparia (C. ×sooi&#  Jákucs), C. vesicaria (C. ×ducellieri Beauverd) and C. acuta (C. ×subgracilis Druce) (Jermy et al. 2007). It also hybridises with C. rostrata. However, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. acutiformis occurs throughout Europe, east to Pakistan and the western Himalayas, it also occurs in North, eastern and southern Africa (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010).

population:
C. acutiformis is widespread and abundant in Europe and populations are apparently stable.

habitat:
C. acutiformis will occur in most types of wetland and fringing a wide variety of water bodies. It will occur as a marginal fringe along rivers and streams as well as forming potentially extensive monospecific stands in marshes and hollows in river floodplains.


taxonomicNotes:
Carex appropinquata has been shown to hybridise with C. paniculata (C. ×rotae De Not.), C. canescens, C. diandra and C. remota (Jermy et al. 2007). However, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern although it appears to be rare and declining throughout a part of its range, it is widespread and abundant in Scandinavia and other countries around the Baltic and it is unlikely to face a risk of extinction at European level in the near future.

range:
C. appropinquata occurs throughout northern and central Europe, east to Western Siberia and the Caucasus and south to Slovenia and Turkey. It's centre of distribution appears to be Scandinavia, the Baltic States, Poland and Germany and it is less widespread and abundant outside these areas and rare toward the limits of its range in the south and east.

population:
Populations in the countries around the Baltic (Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Germany and Denmark) and in Hungary appear to be more or less stable. Outside this area (and in Finland) C. appropinquata is listed as being of conservation concern, either due to declines (e.g. Belgium) or simply due to naturally sparse populations (e.g. Bulgaria).

habitat:
C. appropinquata typically occurs in lowland wet, peaty calcareous fens, occasionally occurring in carr and fens formed in depressions in sandy soil as well as in grazed fen.

threats:
C. appropinquata is vulnerable to succession in fens and drying out due to drainage of surrounding land.

conservationAction:
C. appropinquata is protected in France in the Champagne-Ardenne, Rhône-Alpes and Lorraine Departements. It is listed as Critically Endangered in Belgium, Endangered in Czech Republic and Italy, Vulnerable in Finland, Near Threatened in the United Kingdom and Data Deficient in Croatia. It is listed as rare in Slovakia and Slovenia.


taxonomicNotes:
C. aquatilis has been shown to hybridise with C. acuta, C. bigelowii (C. ×limula Fr.), C. nigra (C. ×hibernica A. Benn.) and C. recta (C. ×grantii A. Benn.) (Jermy et al. 2007). However, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.A number of infraspecific taxa are recognised particularly in North America, some may merit species status (Elven 2007).

range:
C. aquatilis has a pan-Arctic distribution, extending from Scandinavia and Siberia to Kamchatka and east throughout Alaska and Canada, extending south into western North America. In Europe, it occurs scattered throughout much of Ireland, parts of Wales, northern England, Scotland, countries around the Baltic and much of European Russia.

population:
Populations of C. aquatilis in Europe are apparently stable and there is no indication in the literature that it is in decline.

habitat:
C. aquatilis typically grows on the margins of rivers and in lakes, mires and reedbeds.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place or needed. C. aquatilis is listed as Data Deficient in Estonia but this may be because there are no confirmed records from the country.


taxonomicNotes:
C. atherodes is treated as C. orthostachys C.A. Mey. in the Flora of China (Dai Lunkai et al. in press), C. orthostachys C.A. Mey. is listed by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010)  and Elven (2007) as synonym of C. atherodes.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) #In the regional assessment it is classed as Data Deficient as data are inadequate to provide an informed evaluation.This species is also classed as Data Deficient in the EU 27 countries because it is listed as being of conservation concern in all of the countries where it occurs, but there is insufficient information to apply a more precise threat category.

range:
C. atherodes has a circumboreal distribution, but only extending into the Arctic in Alaska, it occurs throughout much of Siberia and western European Russia (Fedorov 1999, Elven 2007) and into China (Dai Lunkai et al. in press.) It is widespread in northern and western North America (Ball and Reznicek 2002) with scattered populations in the Caucasus and Kazakhstan (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). In Europe, it occurs in Russia, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Latvia and Poland.

population:
There is very little information available on populations of C. atherodes, but in most of Europe it appears to be rare.

habitat:
The species inhabits wet meadows and the margins of streams, ponds and lakes, and occasionally ditches.

threats:
It is not known whether there are any threats to this species.

conservationAction:
C. atherodes is listed as Near Threatened in Finland and Critically Endangered in Sweden, it is apparently rare in Poland and in Germany. However, its status in European Russia is unknown.Available information is inadequate to assign an informed conservation status. There is therefore a need to collect and compile #information on the distribution and status of C. atherodes in the region.


taxonomicNotes:
Until recently, C. canescens has been treated in most of the literature as C. curta Gooden.  C. canescens has been shown to hybridise with C. appropinquata, C. chordorrhiza (C. ×liddii Flatb.), C. dioica (C. ×macrostachya Ehrh.), C.&#echinata (C. ×biharica Simonk.), C. elongata, C. lachenallii (C. ×helvola Blytt ex Fr.), C. paniculata (C. ×ludibunda J. Gay), C. remota and others (Jermy et al. 2007). However, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. canescens occurs throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere, as well as Papua New Guinea, and New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria in Australia, and Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands in South America. It is widespread in northern and western North America and occurs from the Azores and Europe east through Siberia, the Caucasus, Mongolia and the Western Himalaya to Kamchatka, Sakhalin and the eastern seaboard of Russia south to the Korean Peninsula, China and Japan. It occurs throughout most of Europe apart from the Mediterranean Basin and the Balkans.

population:
C. canescens appears to be widespread and abundant in Europe and most populations appear to be stable.

habitat:
C. canescens typically occurs in base poor and acidic wetland habitats such as Sphagnum bogs, lowland basin mires, acid bogs and wet, acidic, occasionally sandy heaths.

conservationAction:
C. canescens is protected in the Picardie region of France, but otherwise it appears to be widespread and abundant and there are no other conservation measures needed.


taxonomicNotes:
C. chordorrhiza has been shown to hybridise with C. canescens (C. ×liddii Flatb.) (Jermy et al. 2007), however, is not frequent and is not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. chordorrhiza has a circumboreal distribution from central and northern Europe east through Siberia and the Caucasus to Kamchatka and the eastern seaboard of Russia south to the Korean Peninsula. It is widespread in northern North America, although Oregon collections apparently are from commercial cranberry bogs and presumably introductions (Ball and Reznicek 2002). In Europe it occurs from France and the United Kingdom east throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic States, central Europe to the Ukraine.

population:
Populations of C. chordorrhiza appear to be stable throughout most of its European range.

habitat:
C. chordorrhiza usually occurs in very wet, base-poor habitats such as mires, bogs, floating mats on lakeshores and sedge marshes.

threats:
There are no known past, ongoing, or future threats to the survival of this species, although it is apparently susceptible to both drainage and prolonged submergence (Jermy et al. 2007).

conservationAction:
C. chordorrhiza is protected throughout France and classed as Endangered in Denmark. No other conservation measures appear to be in place or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
Traditionally, the species was considered most closely related to Carex distans and C. punctata, placed in section Spirostachyae. Recent molecular-systematic work by Escudero et al. (2008) however showed that C. cretica does not belong in that group and has other phylogenetic affinities.

redListCategoryRationale:
Carex cretica is a small-range endemic that occurs in wetlands, a habitat that is declining due to water extraction and agricultural pollution. The area of occupancy is below 500 km2 but the species has been found at 20 sites and probably more. It is not known how this would transfer into number of locations but there are presumably more than ten as the threats are locally confined. The species is therefore assessed as Near Threatened.

range:
Carex cretica is a Greek endemic found in western Crete and on the island of Ikaria.The area of occupancy is estimated to be below 500 km2.

population:
The species has been recorded from 18 sites in Crete and one site in Ikaria (Bergmeier and Abrahamczyk 2007). The trend of the populations is unknown but the populations are likely to be declining as suspected from its declining habitat.

habitat:
Carex cretica is a small, laxly tufted perennial sedge. It mainly grows in submontane riparian Platanus orientalis woodland, steep banks of permanent streams (Adiantion capilli-veneris communities), springs and seepage meadows (Brachypodio-Holoschoenion communities). It is occasionally found in damp Castanea groves.Carex cretica morphology can vary, depending on grazing impact. In the absence of grazing, they can grow to more than 40 cm in height. When subject to sheep grazing, the plants have been found to be much smaller but were still producing flowers and fruits (Bergmeier and Abrahamczyk 2007).

threats:
Small-scale wetlands in Crete are threatened by water extraction for irrigation purposes. This changes the hydrology of water bodies and mainly leads to them drying out. Another threat is the application of herbicides and fertilizers on nearby olive plantations (Bergmeier and Abrahamczyk 2007).

conservationAction:
Carex cretica is found in two habitat types that are listed in Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC: Mediterranean tall-herb and rush meadows (6420) and Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis woods (92C0). Most of the wetlands with Carex cretica are included in the Greek Natura 2000 sites GR4340004 (Elos-Topolia) and 4340006 (Fassas-Limni Agias), but the threats are still remaining within these protected sites. Raising awareness of the public and administrative bodies is therefore needed. It is furthermore requested to implement water protection areas and to provide legal and factual means to control water extraction (Bergmeier and Abrahamczyk 2007).  It is protected by the Greek Law (Presidential Decree 67/1981).


range:
C. disticha occurs from Scandinavia south to North Africa and east through Siberia and the Caucasus to Mongolia. According to the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families   (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010)   it also occurs in China but this does not agree with the Flora of China (Dai Lunkai et al. in prep.). It has been recorded as an introduction at two sites in Canada (Ball and Rznecik 2002) and a single site in Victoria State in Australia. In Europe, it occurs throughout Scandinavia, the Baltic States and central Europe south to Spain, Greece and Turkey.

population:
C. disticha is widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
C. disticha typically occurs in marshes and wet meadows in river floodplains, as well as on the margins of rivers, streams, ditches and occasionally standing water bodies. It tends to occur in neutral or calcareous water.

conservationAction:
C. disticha is listed as Near Threatened in Switzerland, but no other conservation measures are known or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
Carex elata has been shown to hybridise with C. acuta (C. ×prolixa Fr.), however, this hybrid is rare and is not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations throughout most of its range and does not face any major threats.

range:
C. elata occurs from Scandinavia south to North Africa (Algeria) and east through European Russia to Siberia, the Caucasus (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) and the Middle East. In Europe it is widespread in Scandinavia and throughout central Europe south into much of the northern Mediterranean.

population:
C. elata is widespread and abundant throughout much of its northern and central European range, although it is rare and threatened in the Mediterranean basin, and it is also rare in Norway and Belgium.

habitat:
C. elata typically occurs in oligotrophic to eutrophic and often calcareous marshes, fens, lakes, ponds and river margins.

conservationAction:
C. elata is classed as vulnerable in Norway but otherwise there are no conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) In Europe, this plant is found in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and North European Russia. The current population trend is unknown in most part of its range and stable in others. Many localities are in remote areas and far from human pressure and the species is therefore assessed as Least Concern for the moment. However, climate change has been noted as a potential threat and therefore the populations should be monitored.

range:
Carex holostoma has a circumpolar but scattered distribution. In Europe, it is native to Finland, Sweden, Norway, and North European Russia   (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). # In Sweden, the species is found at only two localities, with an area of occupancy of 24 km². The area of occupancy in Norway, where it is found in Finnmark, Nordland and Troms, is less than 500 km².

population:
The population for Finland and Sweden has been stated as 21,240 flowering stems. It is considered a stable population   (Commission of the European Communities 2009). In Sweden, there are 6,000 reproductive individuals and the populations have a fragmented distribution (ArtDatabanken 2010). Norway holds the bulk of the European populations and the plant can be found at 60-70 localities in the mountains. There is no data on the current population trend available as there has not been much monitoring of this plant. However, a population decline of 15-30% is expected for the next ten to 30 years, due to climate change (Artsdatabanken 2010).In Russia, it is very rare in the European part and is only found in the Kolski Peninsula. There is no information on the population trend.

habitat:
Carex holostoma grows in acid alpine and subalpine grassland   (Commission of the European Communities 2009). This plant is found on rocks, grass areas in the mountains, rocky meadows that are wet during part of the season, rock ledges, crevices, sloping bare cliffs often with water streaming and north facing. It is found in moist tundra.

threats:
One of the Swedish localities is a ski resort and could be under threat. The other Swedish locality is far from any human activity (ArtDatabanken 2010). The Norwegian populations are currently not under threat as they grow in remote areas that are far from human pressure. However, climate change and the subsequent increase in temperature has been identified as a future threat that will lead to population declines (Artsdatabanken 2010).There are no major threats in Finland. There is no threat information for Russia.

conservationAction:
Carex holostoma is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. It is categorized as Vulnerable in Russia (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010). In Sweden, it is classed as Near Threatened approaching B1a+2a and D2 (Gärdenfors 2010) and is protected under national law. On the Norwegian red list it is also classed as Near Threatened approaching Criteria A4bc and B2b(iii) (Artsdatabanken 2010). In Finland, it is listed as Least Concern (Rassi et al. 2010), but the species is protected by law (Nature Conservation Decree 913/2005) and 60% of the sites are in national parks.

redListAssessors:
Ericsson, S., Illarionova, I. & Kemppainen, E.


taxonomicNotes:
C. lasiocarpa has been shown to hybridise with C. riparia (C. ×evoluta Hartm.), C. vesicaria and C. rostrata (Jermy et al. 2007). However, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. lasiocarpa occurs throughout northern Europe and European Russia, east through western Siberia and the Caucasus to the Amur coast, Sakhalin Island, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. It also occurs throughout much of northern North America as well as California and Northern Mexico. In Europe, it occurs throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic States south into France where it is locally scarce, Spain and Italy and east to Romania, Bulgaria and the Ukraine.

population:
Populations of C. lasiocarpa appear to be stable throughout most of its European range.

habitat:
C. lasiocarpa typically occurs in wet meadows and fens on the margins of lakes and in the floodplains of river systems, as well as in bogs, usually occurring in oligotrophic water bodies.

conservationAction:
C. lasiocarpa is classed as Endangered in Austria. It is protected in ten regions in France (Alsace, Centre, Champagne-Ardenne, Ile de France, Limousin, Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes- Côte d'Azur and Rhône-Alpes), although this appears to be more by virtue of a naturally low population than due to a decline.   There are no other conservation measures in place or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
Carex limosa has been shown to hybridise with C. magellanica and C. rariflora (Jermy et al. 2007). However, neither of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. limosa has a mainly northern temperate distribution, from Iceland and Scandinavia south to Spain and east through the Baltic States, most of European Russia, Turkey, the Caucasus and Mongolia to Japan and the Korean Peninsula. It also occurs throughout the northern and western United States. In Europe, it is widespread in Scandinavia and central Europe into the Balkans.

population:
C. limosa has declined in some areas, such as the Netherlands and Hungary where it is extinct, it is protected in France but more by virtue of small scattered populations than necessarily a decline, while it is apparently widespread with stable populations in the UK, most of Scandinavia and the Baltic States.

habitat:
C. limosa typically occurs in pools in oligotrophic and acidic Sphagnum mires and peaty lake margins but is often associated with some nutrient enrichment (Jermy et al. 2007).

conservationAction:
C. limosa is classed as Critically Endangered in Serbia and Near Threatened in Switzerland, it is extinct in Hungary and the Netherlands and protected in France. No other conservation action appears to be in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
Carex malato-belizii is an endemic species to Madeira where it has been described in three localities. The population trend is unknown but there are no major threats to this species apart from competition with native plants and it is therefore considered as Least Concern.

range:
Carex malato-belizii is an endemic species to Madeira.

population:
This species has been described in three localities within Madeira Island and its population trend is unknown (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

habitat:
This plant grows in the Habitats Directive listed priority habitat 9360 "Macaronesian laurel forests (Laurus, Ocotea)" (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

threats:
There are no major threats to this species apart from competition with native plants (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

conservationAction:
Carex malato-belizii is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).


taxonomicNotes:
C. paniculata has been shown to hybridise with C. appropinquata (C. ×rotae De Not.), C. canescens (C. ×ludibunda J. Gay), C. diandra (C. ×beckmannii Keck ex F.W. Schultz) and C. remota (C. ×boenninghaunisna Weihe) (Jermy et al. 2007). C. ×boenninghaunisna is quite frequent, at least in the UK however the other hybrids are rare and none is considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. paniculata occurs in the Canaries and Cape Verde islands and from Morocco north through western Europe to Scandinavia and east to Turkey and the Caucasus. It is naturalised in New Zealand. It is widespread throughout most of Europe becoming more scarce in European Russia and the Mediterranean.

population:
C. paniculata is widespread and abundant throughout most of its range.

habitat:
C. paniculata typically occurs in base-rich marshes, fens and wet woodland or carr, it will also grow in shallow-inundated areas on the margins of lakes, ponds, river and canals.

conservationAction:
C. paniculata is classed as Near Threatened in Estonia and Vulnerable in Finland and Norway. Otherwise, there are no conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
Carex panormitana is endemic to  Sardinia and Sicily where it occurs at five locations with an area of  occupancy of less than 500 km².There are less than 10,000 mature individuals in total, but the populations and their habitat are stable. The main threat to this species is water pollution. As there is no indication of decline, the species is assessed as Least Concern.

range:
Carex panormitana is endemic to Sardinia and Sicily (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). It is found at five locations with an area of occupancy of less than 500 km².

population:
There are less than 10,000 mature individuals in total and the populations are stable.

habitat:
This plant occurs in the following Habitats Directive listed habitats (Commission of the European Communities 2009):92C0 Platanus orientalis and Liquidambar orientalis woods (Platanion orientalis)92D0 Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamaricetea and Securinegion tinctoriae)

threats:
The main threat to this species is water pollution (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

conservationAction:
Carex panormitana is listed as priority species on Annex II of the Habitats Directive.


taxonomicNotes:
C. pseudocyperus has been shown to hybridise with C. rostrata (C. ×justischmidtii&#Junge) and C. vesicaria (Jermy et al. 2007). However, neither of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. pseudocyperus has a sub-cosmopolitan distribution, occurring from North Africa (Algeria) and Europe east through Siberia, the Caucasus and the Middle East to China and Japan. It also occurs in Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand, eastern North America and southern South America. It is widespread in Europe from Scandinavia, the Baltic States and central Europe to the Mediterranean.

population:
C. pseudocyperus is widespread and fairly common throughout much of Europe, including the Mediterranean Basin.

habitat:
C. pseudocyperus typically grows in stands of tall monocots around the margins of water-bodies, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, ditches and canals as well as in fen and marshland, as well as in Alnus and Salix woodland.

conservationAction:
C. pseudocyperus is classed as Endangered in Austria, Vulnerable in Switzerland and Near Threatened in Norway. It is protected in four regions of France (Alsace, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Rhône-Alpes and Franche-Comté) but does not have national conservation status. No other conservation measures are in place or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
The Pan-Actic Flora (Elven 2007) states "We enter [C. recta agg.] as an aggregate for pragmatic reasons. It consists of at least three named and probably some unnamed, more or less stabilized entities resulting from crosses between species of the Temnemis and Phacocystis complexes. Two parts of it seem to reach the Arctic and are entered informally below: (a) Carex ×recta and (b) C. ×halophila auct. Three other non-arctic parts are: (c) C. ×vacillans Drejer in Hartm., described from south Scandinavia, accepted as an entity on both sides of the Atlantic, and interpreted as a stabilized hybrid between C. nigra and C. paleacea; (d) An un-named, much coarser south Scandinavian entity or hybrid swarm intermediate between C. acuta and C. paleacea; and (e) C. ×halophila F.Nyl., described from the north Baltic (Bothnian) Sea in north Fennoscandia and probably restricted to the north Baltic and the White Sea, and intermediate between C. aquatilis and C. paleacea. If this interpretation is right, it may have the same parentage as C. ×recta s. str. but differs in a few characters. In this extended meaning, this is most probably a collection of stabilized hybridogeneous species, hybrid swarms, and perhaps also including recently formed single hybrids with vegetative spread. Primary hybrids between species within these complexes may be partly fertile and may back-cross with their parents, i.e., forming heterogeneous and not stabilized hybrid swarms. Hybrids between the complexes seem to be less fertile initially but to be able to produce stabilized lineages with higher fertility and to establish at least some independence from their parents." It goes on to say that as far as C. recta the Scottish plants are considered as probably originating from Carex aquatilis × paleacea and that is also the probable origin of the Canadian plants. The name C. ×recta is therefore probably applicable both for northeast North American and for the Scottish and south Scandinavian plants.  C. recta has been shown to hybridise with C.aquatilis (C. ×grantii A. Benn.), C. nigra (C. ×spiculosa Fr.) (Jermy et al. 2007) and C. salina (Ball and Reznicek 2002), however, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) #From the information available, it is not possible to provide an informed evaluation. The population size and trend as well as area of occupancy and extent of occurrence are not known and need to be investigated.

range:
C. recta has a disjunct pan-boreal distribution, occurring in Scotland, Scandinavia, the Russian Arctic and north European Russia (Fedorov 1999) and northeastern North America (Ball and Reznicek 2002).

population:
There is little recent information on Scandinavian populations but equally nothing to suggest that they are not stable, UK populations appear to be stable.

habitat:
C. recta typically occurs in marshes along the lower reaches of estuaries, usually amongst tall vegetation.

conservationAction:
C. recta is classed as Vulnerable in the United Kingdom but this is by virtue of small, scattered populations and there is no evidence of a decline. Available information is inadequate to assign an informed conservation status. There is therefore a need to collect and compile #information on the distribution and status of C. recta in the region.


taxonomicNotes:
C. riparia has been shown to hybridise with C. acutiformis (C. ×sooi&# Jákucs), C. elata, C. flacca, C. lasiocarpa (C. ×evoluta Hartm.), C. rostrata (C. ×beckmanniana Figert) and C. vesicaria (C. ×csomadensis Simonk.) (Jermy et al. 2007). However, none of these hybrids is frequent and they are not considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread throughout most of its European range, with stable populations, it does not face any major threats although local declines may indicate a cause for future concern.

range:
C. riparia   occurs throughout most of Europe, south to North Africa (Algeria, Morocco) and east through Siberia, the Caucasus and the Middle East to Xinjian Province in China (Dai Lunkai et al. in press). It also occurs in South America and is naturalised in New Zealand. It is widespread throughout most of Europe.

population:
Throughout much of Europe, C. riparia is widespread and abundant, however it appears to be declining in some areas such as Scandinavia and the Alps.

habitat:
C. riparia typically grows on the margins of base-rich, mesotrophic to eutrophic rivers, streams, lakes and canals, in marshes and in fens. It will often form extensive mono-specific swards but will also occur as a narrow fringe on linear water bodies.

conservationAction:
C. riparia is listed as Endangered in Norway, Vulnerable in Croatia and Switzerland and Near Threatened in Finland. Elsewhere it appears to be widespread and abundant and no further conservation measures are in place or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
Carex rostrata has been shown to hybridise with C. acutiformis, C. hirta, C. lasiocarpa, C. pseudocyperus (C. ×justi-schmidtii&#Junge), C. riparia and C. vesicaria (C. ×involuta (Bab.) Syme) (Jermy et al. 2007). However, although C. ×involuta is fairly widespread and may form large stands, it tends to occur with one or both parents and none of these is considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. rostrata has a more or less pan-boreal distribution, from Spain north to Scandinavia and Iceland, east through Mongolia, the Caucasus and the western Himalayas to Kamchatka, China and the Korean Peninsula (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). It also occurs throughout northern North America (Ball and Reznicek 2002) and Greenland (Elven 2007). In Europe, it occurs throughout Scandinavia, the Baltic States and European Russia, throughout central Europe and into the Balkans, but is sparse or absent from the Mediterranean Basin.

population:
C. rostrata is widespread and abundant in most of its European range except for the south where it is rare and scattered.

habitat:
C. rostrata is a characteristic species of pools in acid bogs, although it will also occur in ditches, swamps, wet meadows, wet woodland and on the margins of lakes, ponds, river and streams usually in oligotrophic or mesotrophic conditions, as well as rarely in dune-slacks (Preston et al. 2002).

conservationAction:
In Germany, Carex rostrata is listed as Near Threatened. Conservation measures are required to protect the disjunct populations in Mediterranean Europe. It is also recommended to monitor representative populations in Central Europe.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)Carex secalina is native to Central Europe and extends into Central Asia. It is rare in most of its range, but is still found at around 100 localities in Hungary. The populations are slowly declining due to habitat loss caused by the abandonment of former extensive pasture or  conversion of wetlands and salt marshes into fields. This species is classed as Data Deficient as there are declines everywhere as evidenced in the species being marked as threatened in several national red list. More information on the current population size, overall rate of decline, and area of occupancy is needed to review whether it would qualify for threatened under Criterion A.

range:
The species is native to Central Asia and Central Europe   (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010).In Slovakia, it is a very rare species and only 15 localities were reported in west and southwest Slovakia. Recently, the species was confirmed at three localities (P. Eliáš pers. comm. 2010). In the Czech Republic, it occurs in two regions in the northwestern part and in south Moravia. It is scattered  in the lowlands in Hungary and found at approximately 100 localities. In Austria, it is rare and only found in the Pannonian region. In Germany, it is restricted to the regions of Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen, and is listed as extinct in the latter. In Ukraine, it grows in the lesosteppe zone (Chernigivska, Vinnitska regions) and in the steppe zone (Odesska, Kirovogradska, Poltavska, Kharkivska and Luganska regions) (Vinichenko 2006). In Poland it is a very rare species restricted to the Kujawy Region in central Poland. In the past it was reported from nine localities; recently it was found at only three localities (one of them is ruderal).

population:
In Slovakia, all the current populations are small including from 5 to 44 individuals. In Hungary, the populations are slowly declining. Its habitats are rare but it is locally abundant in suitable habitat. In Austria, Germany, and Czech Republic it is rare. The three Polish populations have 102 individuals in total (Kaźmierczakowa and Zarzycki 2001). There are around 20 local populations of Carex secalina in Ukraine with low numbers of individuals, occupying small areas.

habitat:
This Hemicryptophyte flowers from June to October and is found in communities of flooded and trampled grasslands (Agrostietea stoloniferae). It grows in saline habitats such as saline inland meadows and it needs open areas. It has also been found in secondary habitats such as ponds, ditches and along roadsides. In Poland, it is found mainly in humid sub-halophilous pastures adjoining small field water bodies. In Ukraine, it is a member of the Agrostio-Carietum secalinae association (Vinichenko 2006).

threats:
Abandonment of former extensive pasture in wetland habitats leads to succession and therefore affects the species. The species is adapted to trampling by livestock. A further threat are changes in land use such as conversion of wetlands and salt marshes to fields.

conservationAction:
Carex secalina is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention).It is included in several national Red Lists and is classed as Endangered in the Czech Republic, where it is also protected at the national level (Holub and Procházka 2000), as Vulnerable in Germany   (Ludwig and Schnittler 1996), in Russia (I. Illarionova pers. comm. 2010), and in Ukraine (Diduch 2009). It is not listed as threatened in Hungary and Slovakia. In Poland it is included in the  Red List (Mirek et al. 2006) as Declining – Critically Endangered and in the Polish  Red Data Book (Każmierczakowa and Żarzycki 2001) as Critically Endangered. It is also strictly  protected at national level (Piękoś-Mirkowa and Mirek 2006). In Ukraine, it is protected in the Danube biosphere reserve, in the natural park Viznjovorsklanskij, and in Granove, Lubka, and Niznjoskilskij zakazniks.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) The area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) of the species are less than 500 km² and 10,000 km² respectively but the species is found at roughly 20 locations. In Cyprus, part of the habitat of the species is degraded and under continuous decline and part is of good quality and not threatened. There is insufficient data on the status of the habitat in Crete.

range:
Carex troodi is an endemic of the mountains of Cyprus and Crete.In Crete, it has been found at c. 11 locations (confirmed during the last 20 years) which correspond to c. 8-10 subpopulations: • # # # in the district of Chania with several locations: Elos, Fasas, Sfakia etc., especially in the phyllite area west of the Lefka Ori Mountains• # # # in the Idi mountain range at two locations: Idaion Andron and above Kamares• # # # in the Dikti mountain range, one recent location has been recorded in the Katharo plateau but it may also occur elsewhere.The area of occupancy in Crete corresponds to 52 km2 (2x2 km grid) and to 160 km2 (4x4 km grid) in Cyprus. The total area of occupancy is therefore clearly below the threshold of 500 km2.In Cyprus, there are records from several localities (few of them recently confirmed), but it most probably occurs at several more localities at water courses throughout Troodos Mountain range. Based on these records, there are roughly seven to eight subpopulations corresponding to seven to eight locations at central Troodos (Kouris river and its tributaries, Kryos Potamos river, Makounta river, Kargotis river and its tributaries, and Xerokolympos river) and one location at Dasos Pafou (Xeros river at Tripylos-Cedar Valley).

population:
In Crete, the species is known from a few, more or less permanent, wet sites. It is always confined to small areas due to its habitat requirements. Some of the occurrences consist of few plants only, others of several hundreds of individuals. There is no data on the stability of the subpopulations. In Cyprus, the species occurs at riparian wet grasslands where it forms small colonies (only a few tenths of individuals at each location due to the small width of the available habitat). The suitable habitat is restricted to the river parts with higher water volume of Troodos range. There is no more data on the size or the stability of the subpopulations.

habitat:
Carex troodi is a perennial caespitose sedge growing along streams and water courses, at springs, fens and in Platanus woods.

threats:
In Crete, locally and particularly on Idi, grazing might pose a threat. Apart from that, about half of the locations are close to villages and cultivations, so the water courses may be affected by human activities such as waste disposal or change of hydromorphology. Some of the populations are impacted by drainage.In Cyprus, the habitat of the subpopulations at the higher altitudes upstream of the water reservoirs is apparently not threatened. At the river parts downstream of the reservoirs and also at the lower altitudes (close to cultivations and villages) the habitat of the species is degraded due to changes in the hydromorphology of the rivers such as the construction of dams.

conservationAction:
In Crete, one of the subpopulations lies within the National Forest Park of Samaria and within the NATURA 2000 site of Lefka Ori. Most of the rest of the subpopulations at Chania district lie within the NATURA 2000 site Elos - Topolia - Sasalos - Agios Dikaios. The subpopulations on Idi Mountains and Dikti Mountains lies within the NATURA 2000 sites of Idi Oros and Dikti: Oropedio Lasithiou, Katharo, Selena, Krasi, Selekanos.In Cyprus, most of the recorded locations lie within the Natura 2000 sites of the National Forest Park of Troodos and of Koilada Kedron - Kampos.No specific conservation measures have been taken and no further measures are needed.

redListAssessors:
Christodoulou, C.S., Delipetrou, P. & Bazos, I.


taxonomicNotes:
C. vesicaria has been shown to hybridise with C. hirta (C. ×grossii&#Fiek), C. riparia (C. ×csomadensia Simonk.) and C. rostrata (C. ×involuta (Bab.) Syme) (Jermy et al. 2007). However, although C. ×involuta is fairly widespread and may form large stands, it tends to occur with one or both parents and none of these is considered likely to affect the survival of the species or this evaluation.

range:
C. vesicaria has a predominantly pan-boreal temperate distribution extending into the Mediterranean basin and North Africa. It occurs from Algeria north to Scandinavia and east through the Baltic States, central Europe and the Balkans to Siberia, Mongolia and the Caucasus to China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. It also occurs throughout the central parts of western and eastern North America. It can be found more or less throughout Europe but is local in the Mediterranean Basin and absent from the islands.

population:
C. vesicaria is widespread and abundant in much of its European range, however, numerous once rich and extensive populations have decreased and many are lost, particularly in Central Europe. The species is also is infrequent or rare in the southern part of its range. A single small population was found in Greece in 1985 (Bergmeier 1988) which has not been reconfirmed since.

habitat:
C. vesicaria is a typical plant of the margins of mesotrophic lakes, often occurring where there is some calcareous influence (Preston et al. 2002), as well as on the margins of streams, ponds, lakes and canals.

conservationAction:
In Germany, C. vesicaria is listed as Near Threatened. Conservation measures may be needed to protect and monitor isolated occurrences in Mediterranean Europe. Monitoring of representative populations is also recommended in Central Europe.


taxonomicNotes:
There are no known taxonomic issues affecting this taxon.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)A widespread species whose populations are not significantly reduced by the threats present.

range:
Sub-cosmopolitan, C. #mariscus occurs throughout most of the northern hemisphere and much of the southern hemisphere, including Europe, Mediterranean, Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America but it is apparently absent from Australasia   (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). In Europe it is reported from every country except the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Turkey and Svalbard and Jan Mayen (Norway).

population:
C. #mariscus is widespread and locally abundant in its European range. There is evidence to suggest that it has declined in the UK and in Germany, primarily due to habitat loss.  It is common in the Mediterranean region, although populations are undergoing a slow regression. In Spain, it is found in 159 sites. In France, it is present in nearly all of the country including Corsica. In Italy, it is present in most of the country including Sardinia and Sicily, although populations are considered threatened in some regions.

habitat:
C. mariscus is a perennial herbaceous plant and geophyte that usually occurs as large, dense populations which flower and set abundant seed. It is a potentially long-lived perennial. In parts of the UK it is a characteristic plant of calcareous fens, but in some areas (such as Scotland), it occurs in acid habitats. In the Mediterranean, it forms tall species-poor reeds in places of high groundwater level.

threats:
There are no major threats to the survival of this species in most of its range. Localised declines appear mainly to be due to direct loss of habitat caused by changes to the hydrological regime, melioration and urbanization.

conservationAction:
In France, the species is under departmental (Ardennes) and regional protection (Midi-Pyrénées, Lorraine, Alsace, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Central region). In Germany, C. mariscus is listed as Vulnerable. In Bulgaria, it is protected by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Act.There are no conservation measures needed, it would be valuable to monitor known populations with potential to intervene if the declines continue.


redListCategoryRationale:
Cyperus cyprius is endemic to Cyprus  where it is confined to the wider Troodos mountain range. The species is found at seven locations with approximately 5,000 plants and an unknown population trend. The area of occupancy is suspected to be around 20 km². The habitat of the subpopulations at the higher altitudes upstream of the water reservoirs is apparently not threatened. At the river parts downstream of the reservoirs and also at the lower altitudes (close to cultivations and villages) the habitat of the species is degraded due to changes in the hydromorphology of the rivers. It is therefore assessed as Vulnerable.

range:
Cyperus cyprius is endemic to Cyprus where it is confined to the wider Troodos mountain range at altitudes from 100-1,550 m. The species is found at seven locations: Spilia, Prodromos, Kryos Potamos, Pera Pedi, Roudias Valley, near Pachyammos and Armou village. Another location near Galata village where the plant was collected in 1880, has been searched repeatedly without results. The area of occupancy is suspected to be around 20 km².

population:
The total population is approximately 5,000 plants. There is no information on the population trend of C. cyprius.

habitat:
Cyperus cyprius is a perennial herb with a creeping rhizome, up to 50 cm high. It has been described as occurring at streams and irrigation channels on igneous mountainside.

threats:
The main threats are change in hydrological conditions such as groundwater extraction, dams, or drought as well as management of sites where it occurs. The habitat of the subpopulations at the higher altitudes upstream of the water reservoirs is apparently not threatened. At the river parts downstream of the reservoirs and also at the lower altitudes (close to cultivations and villages) the habitat of the species is degraded due to the threats described above.

conservationAction:
Three subpopulations are located in state forest land (Troodos National Forest Park and Pafos Forest), which are proposed Natura 2000 sites. There is a need to monitor known populations to establish trends and thereby enable a response if there is a decline. It is listed as Vulnerable D2 on the Cyprus Red List (Tstintides et al. 2007).

redListAssessors:
Kailis, C., Papasavvas, C., Christodoulou, C.S., Tsintides, T. & Lansdown, R.


range:
C. difformis has a sub-cosmopolitan distribution, but is considered naturalised in the New World. Its native range extends throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands and from the Azores, through southern Europe east through the Middle East, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and the Himalayas east to the Primorskye Region on the eastern seaboard of Russia, Japan, Korea and throughout much of China. It also occurs throughout the Indian sub-continent, south through Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea and Australia. It is considered to be naturalised in southern, western and eastern North America south through Mexico and Central America to northern South America, Hawaii, Fiji and Madeira. In Europe it occurs mainly in the Mediterranean Basin, from Spain east through France to Crete and European Turkey.

population:
C. difformis appears to be widespread and abundant with stable populations throughout its European range.

habitat:
C. difformis typically grows on rich soils on the margins of water bodies such as lakes and lowland rivers, it will also grow on seasonally inundated or wet grassland and can be a troublesome weed in rice fields.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations throughout most of its range and does not face any major threats. #

range:
C. #fuscus occurs from Macaronesia through Europe and the Mediterranean east to China and Vietnam, it is introduced to North America (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). It is reported from all European countries except Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway (mainland), Portugal-Azores, Svalbard and Jan Mayen (Norway) and UK-Northern Ireland.

population:
C. fuscus is rare in the UK and there has been a loss of some historic populations, however current populations are all on protected sites (Preston et al. 2002). It is widespread and abundant in France.

habitat:
C. #fuscus is a Therophyte and typically grows in seasonally inundated, organic mud where competition from perennial plants, particularly grasses is suppressed, either naturally such as by seasonal variation in water levels or anthropogenic actions such as poaching by cattle.

threats:
No past, ongoing, or future threats exist to this species.

conservationAction:
In the UK, all sites are protected as SSSIs, the species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and it is the subject of a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). In the Czech Republic the species is categorized Critically Endangered   (Prochazka 2001), in Austria it is classed Vulnerable (Niklfeld and Schratt-Ehrendorfer 1999).


range:
C. glaber occurs from Austria south to Italy and east through the Caucasus to Kazakhstan, Pakistan and the Middle East. In Europe, it occurs in a small part of the centre and Mediterranean, as well as the Ukraine and south of European Russia.

population:
C. glaber appears to be widespread and abundant with stable populations throughout much of its European range, although it is listed as Extinct in Croatia.

habitat:
C. glaber is described as occurring in wet grassland.

conservationAction:
C. glaber is classed as Regionally Extinct in Croatia (Nikolić and Topić 2005). There are no conservation measures in place or needed.


range:
C. glomeratus occurs from central Europe south to the Mediterranean and east through the Middle East, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and Kashmir to Primorskye and Amur Province of the eastern seaboard of Russia, the Korean Peninsula, Japan and throughout much of China. In Europe, it occurs in one province of Spain (Lérida/Lleida), a small part of south-eastern France, northern Italy and east through the Czech Republic and the Balkans to the Ukraine and Moldova.

population:
C. glomeratus is scarce in the western countries of its European distribution but otherwise appears to be widespread and abundant with stable populations throughout its European range except in Switzerland and Croatia.

habitat:
C. glomeratus typically grows on the margins of lakes and rivers, in seasonally inundated grassland and in rice fields.

conservationAction:
C. glomeratus is scarce in the western countries of its range and is classed as Critically Endangered in Switzerland, it is classed as Vulnerable in Croatia but there are no other conservation measures in place or needed.


range:
C. longus is an Old World species occurring from Macaronesia and Africa to central Europe, east through the Mediterranean, Middle East and Caucasus to Kazakhstan and northern India. In Europe, it occurs from Spain north to the United Kingdom but mainly in the south and Mediterranean, east into the Ukraine (Crimea).

population:
C. longus appears to be widespread and abundant through much of its European range, however in the northwestern limits of this area it is rare and may be declining.

habitat:
Cyperus longus grows in marshes and the margins of water bodies such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, canals and ditches.

threats:
The invasion of aquatic garden plants from artificial ponds poses a threat to the species in some parts of its range (Fischer et al. 2008).

conservationAction:
C. longus is classed as:    Extinct in GermanyCritically Endangered in AustriaEndangered in SwitzerlandVulnerable in Croatia   (Nikolić and Topić 2005) Near Threatened in the United KingdomIt is protected in the Ile de France Department of France.          There are no other conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #This species is classed as Near Threatened because although it is widespread with stable populations in a small part of its European range, there has clearly been a decline in other areas and throughout much of its European range it is considered to be of conservation concern. It is likely to approach Vulnerable A2.

range:
C. michelianus occurs throughout the Palearctic, most of Africa, including Mauritius and Madagascar and through east and south-east Asia to Australia. It occurs from the Iberian Peninsula north to France and Germany and east through the Altai, Caucasus and Middle East to the Korean Peninsula, Japan, most of China and Taiwan, as well as much of the Indian subcontinent. In Europe, it has a mainly central and southern distribution, occurring throughout the Mediterranean Basin north to Germany, Poland and Belarus.

population:
According to Schnittler and Günther (1999), C. michelianus is:Extinct in the wild in Poland and SwitzerlandCritically Endangered in Austria and GermanyEndangered in the Czech Republic and SlovakiaData Deficient in SloveniaLocal in FranceWidespread in Hungary and ItalyThere is no other information available on population trends.

habitat:
C. michelianus is an annual herbaceous plant (Therophyte) which typically occurs in temporary water bodies and the draw-down zones of larger water bodies.

threats:
C. michelianus is threatened by all factors which cause the loss or degradation of  temporary pools or the draw-down zones of permanent water bodies,  stabilisation of hydrological regimes, drainage of seasonally inundated  land, agricultural improvement etc.

conservationAction:
C. michelianus is under regional protection in France (Franche-Comté, Auvergne, Rhones-Alpes and Midi-Pyrénées) and qualified as Vulnerable in the National Red List of Croatia   (Nikolić and Topić 2005). According to Schnittler and Günther (1999), C. michelianus is   Extinct in the wild in Poland and SwitzerlandCritically Endangered in Austria and GermanyEndangered in the Czech Republic and SlovakiaData Deficient in Slovenia


range:
C. pannonicus occurs from central Europe south and east through the Balkans, Turkey and the Ukraine to Mongolia and much of China. In Europe, it occurs from Austria and the Czech Republic east through Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania to the Ukraine and south to Albania and Greece.

population:
C. pannonicus appears to be widespread and abundant throughout much of its European range.

habitat:
C. pannonicus occurs in marshland, in temporary pools and the drawdown zones of permanent water bodies, often on alkaline or saline soils.

conservationAction:
It is classed as Vulnerable in Austria (Niklfeld and Schratt-Ehrendorfer 1999). There are no conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as, in spite of local extinctions, it appears to be widespread throughout most of its European distribution with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
Cyperus rotundus is a subtropical taxon. Its world distribution includes southern Europe, western and southern Asia, Africa, America and Australia. In Europe, it is present in numerous localities in continental France and Corsica, Italy, Sardinia and Sicily, Greece, Crete, East Aegean Islands, Spain and Balearic Islands, Portugal, the Balkans, Cyprus, and Turkey.

population:
C. rotundus appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European distribution, although it is described as Extinct in Switzerland   (Welten and Sutter 1982) and probably extinct in Serbia, in Montenegro only known from Skadar Lake at Dodoši and Crmnica (Stevanović 1999). C. rotundus may be a serious crop pest (Cook 1996).

habitat:
Cyperus rotundus is a perennial Geophyte which grows in   wet grasslands, wet or dry areas on mountain slopes, stream margins, along trails, sandbanks, ditch margins, water margins in valleys and seasonally inundated agricultural fields. The habitat requirements differs among the subspecies, some are even ruderal in dry soils and park meadows.

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place or needed, however it is described as extinct in Switzerland (Welten and Sutter 1982) and probably extinct in Serbia (Stevanović 1999).


taxonomicNotes:
There are no significant taxonomic issues associated with this name. It is not considered a wetland plant by Cook (1996).

range:
C. serotinus occurs from the Iberian Peninsula through central Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, the Black Sea, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Middle East and the Himalayas to the Korean Peninsula, Japan, most of China, Taiwan and Vietnam. It is apparently naturalised in Australia (Northern Territory) and North America (New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware) (  The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010). In Europe, it occurs throughout central Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, from Portugal north to France and east to Belarus, the Balkans and Turkey in Europe.

population:
C. serotinus appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range, except in Croatia where it is known from ten sites (Nicolić and Topić 2005) and Switzerland where it is extinct (Welten and Sutter 1982).

habitat:
C. serotinus typically occurs in marshes, wet grassland, the margins of standing water bodies and seasonally inundated disturbed ground.

conservationAction:
C. serotinus is classed as Extinct in Switzerland and Vulnerable in Croatia, there are no other conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
E. acicularis occurs throughout much of Europe south to North Africa (Morocco) and east through the Caucasus, the northern Middle East, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, to Far Eastern Russia, the Korean Peninsula, China and Japan south through Vietnam to the Philippines and Sumatra. It also occurs throughout North, Central and western South America. It has apparently been introduced in the Gilbert and Caroline Islands (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010).

population:
E. acicularis appears to be widespread and reasonably abundant throughout much of its European range. In areas where it is considered scarce, this is often partly due to under-recording. However, it is classed as Data Deficient in Denmark, Endangered in Austria, and Vulnerable in Switzerland.

habitat:
E. acicularis is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing on the margins of lakes, ponds, reservoirs and rivers, in sites subject to winter flooding, and fully aquatic in shallow, still or slow-moving mesotrophic to eutrophic water. It roots into sand, gravel, mud or silt, often forming extensive lawns, but flowering only when exposed by falling water levels (Preston et al. 2002).

threats:
A decline of river bank habitats has been described as a threat to the species in some parts of its range. The river bank quality decreases as rivers are regulated for hydropower, for example, which leads to succession development of reeds or the banks are being used as beaches in urban areas. But overall, there are no known past, ongoing or future threats to this species.

conservationAction:
Eleocharis acicularis is classed as Data Deficient in Denmark, Endangered in Austria, and Vulnerable in Switzerland. There are no conservation measures in place or needed.

useAndTrade:
This, or similar species, is widely sold in garden centres for garden ponds.


taxonomicNotes:
There is a degree of uncertainty about the taxonomy of E. austriaca and E. mamillata. E. austriaca is treated by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) as a subspecies of E. mamillata and this is probably the most appropriate treatment (Jermy et al. 2007).

range:
E. austriaca occurs in Europe, Siberia and the Caucasus. In Europe it occurs from Spain north through the United Kingdom to Norway and east to Poland, south European Russia and the Ukraine.

population:
In Hungary, E. austriaca is classed as Data Deficient, Vulnerable in Austria, and as Near Threatened in Switzerland, but there is no overall evidence of a decline.

habitat:
E. austriaca typically occurs in the middle reaches of upland rivers, growing on gravel with some silt but usually away from the main channel in shallow side channels or oxbows where there is some protection from spate. It is able to colonise new habitats such as gravel pits, but rarely persists (Jermy et al. 2007).

conservationAction:
E. austriaca is classed as Data Deficient in Hungary, Vulnerable in Austria, and Near Threatened in Switzerland.There are no conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)This species is classed as Least Concern because it is widespread and locally common, however it does show local declines. It is unlikely to decline fast enough to reach one of the threatened categories in the near future.

range:
E. carniolica is endemic to Central and East Europe, from Austria east through Hungary to the Ukraine and south to Italy and Croatia.

population:
Population data has been recorded for a few countries using different units   (Commission of the European Communities 2009):Italy: 17 sitesPoland: 130 individualsSlovenia: Six recently confirmed populationsSlovakia: three confirmed localities with 50-100 individualsHungary: 10,000 to 20,000 individuals, rich populations in some parts of southwest HungaryAustria: extinct in Kärnten, three locations in SteiermarkIt is apparently extinct in Bulgaria and classed as Near Threatened in Hungary.The population size is hard to determinate as the number of species strongly fluctuates depending on yearly weather conditions.

habitat:
It is found in frequently disturbed wet habitats and pioneer vegetation of marsh annuals among them wet fields and river banks. Occasionally it occurs in flooded habitats, moist forest roads, in shady places, and at the shoreline of shallow waters (such as ponds, ditches, etc.). The species is found in the Habitats Directive habitat type 3130 "Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea"   (Commission of the European Communities 2009).

threats:
Some populations are apparently threatened by the factors which affect seasonally inundated habitats throughout the region, however overall there is no evidence that E. carniolica is threatened by extinction in Europe.

conservationAction:
The species is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. There are protection measures in place in several European countries:Slovenia: protected and Vulnerable, Natura 2000 sitesAustria: Endangered but not protected and it is included in some ex situ collections.Hungary: protected and Near Threatened, most populations are in Natura 2000 sites or protected areasBulgaria: protected and Endangered, found in a Natura 2000 site and protected siteSlovakia: protected and Endangered and two Natura 2000 sites.


taxonomicNotes:
E. austriaca is now included within E. mamillata as E. mamillata subsp. austriaca by most authors, following Swan and Richards (2007).

range:
E. mamillata subsp. mamillata occurs from Europe east through Kazakhstan to the Amur region of Far Eastern Russia and China. It also occurs throughout much of Alaska, Canada and the northern United States. In Europe, it occurs mainly in the north and east, from Scandinavia south through Germany and the Czech Republic to France, Hungary and Romania.

population:
E. mamillata is classed as Near Threatened in Estonia and Vulnerable in Austria and Switzerland but otherwise there is no evidence to suggest a decline.

habitat:
It is likely that E. mamillata occurs in similar habitats to those of E. austriaca, thus the middle reaches of upland rivers, growing on gravel with some silt  but usually away from the main channel in shallow side channels or  oxbows where there is some protection from spate; but there is no detailed information to support this.

conservationAction:
E. mamillata is classed as Near Threatened in Estonia and Vulnerable in Austria and Switzerland. There are no conservation measures in place or needed.


range:
E. multicaulis occurs in continental Europe, Macaronesia and North Africa. In Europe, it occurs from Spain and Portugal north to Scandinavia and east to the Czech Republic and possibly the Ukraine, although the last record is based on a single specimen which lacks perianth bristles (Fedorov 1999a) and south to Crete.

population:
E. multicaulis is classed as Near Threatened in Norway, but otherwise appears to be widespread and abundant throughout much of its European range.

habitat:
E. multicaulis occurs in a wide variety of seasonally or permanently wet, usually acid but often somewhat enriched acid habitats, including Sphagnum denticulatum pools, Narthecium ossifragum-Sphagnum valley mires and associations with Hypericum elodes and Potamogeton polygonifolius or species such as Schoenus nigricans, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans and Molinea caerulea.


range:
E. ovata occurs from Europe east through Siberia, the Caucasus and Kazakhstan to the Primosrkye region of Far Eastern Russia, China and Japan. It also occurs throughout much of Canada and northern North America. It is widespread in central Europe, from France and Belgium south to Croatia, north to northern European Russia and east to Belarus and the Ukraine.

population:
E. ovata is rare throughout much of its European range, it is classed as Extinct in Estonia, Near Threatened in Hungary and very rare on Malta, however there is no consistent evidence for an overall decline beyond that which might simply be due to loss or degradation of ephemeral wetlands.

habitat:
E. ovata is a characteristic plant of the draw-down zones of large standing water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs and fish ponds, as well as temporary ponds. It can also be found in artificial wetlands such as arable fields or pastureland, if it is wet enough, for example, inland inundations on plough lands.

threats:
There are no known past, ongoing or future threats to this species for the major part of its range. However, in Hungary for example, the species is classed as Near Threatened on the national red list as it is impacted by the disappearance of pioneer wet stands, drainage, and intensive agricultural systems (Király 2007).

conservationAction:
E. ovata is protected in the French Departments of Champagne-Ardenne, Rhône-Alpes, Picardie and Basse-Normandie, but otherwise there are no conservation measures in place or needed.

useAndTrade:
E. ovata may occasionally be sold for horticulture.


taxonomicNotes:
E. oxylepis falls within a taxonomically difficult group including E. palustris, E. mamillata and E. uniglumis (Tutin et al. 1980) which would benefit from further investigation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Not Evaluated (NE) #This species is classed as Data Deficient as there is almost no readily available information on the species.It does not occur within the EU 27.

range:
The global distribution of E. oxylepis appears to be restricted to a small area from the Ukraine and South European Russia to Kazakhstan.

population:
There is no information on the size or state of the populations available.

habitat:
There is no readily available information on the habitat of E. oxylepis.

threats:
It is not known whether there are any threats affecting this species.

conservationAction:
There is no information on conservation actions taken or needed for this species. Information on the population size and trend, habitat requirements, and potential threats should be collected.


taxonomicNotes:
E. palustris falls within a  taxonomically difficult group including E. oxylepis, E.  mamillata and E. uniglumis  (Tutin et al. 1980) which would benefit from further investigation.A number of sub-specific taxa have been recognised within this species and two, ssp. vulgaris and ssp. palustris are widely accepted.

range:
E. palustris occurs throughout most of the northern hemisphere, from the Azores, Canary Islands and North Africa to Iceland and throughout Europe east through the Middle East, Nepal, Pakistan, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to Sakhalin, Japan and China. It also occurs throughout North America from Alaska to Greenland and south to eastern Mexico. In mainland Europe, it occurs from the Iberian Peninsula north to Scandinavia and east throughout European Russia south to the Ukraine and Turkey in Europe.

population:
E. palustris is widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
E. palustris will occur in most types of wetland, including the margins of rivers, ponds, lakes and streams, it will also form large stands in fens, marshes, swamps and wet meadows, and in ditches, dune-slacks and salt marshes. It grows in a wide range of organic and mineral soils, but rarely on acidic peat (Preston et al. 2002).

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place or needed. Only the subspecies vulgaris is classed as Endangered in Austria.

useAndTrade:
E. palustris is widely sold for garden ponds and some ornamental planting.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) #This species is classed as Data Deficient as there are declines everywhere as evidenced in the species being marked as threatened in several national red list. There is no information on whether the species has strong and abundant populations anywhere. More information on the current population size, trend and the overall rate of decline is needed to assess for any of the threatened categories.

range:
E. parvula occurs from Europe and North Africa east through the Caucasus, Siberia and Kazakhstan to the Russian Far East, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia. It also occurs in North America from Canada south to Mexico, Central America and northern South America. In Europe, it occurs mainly in coastal states from Scandinavia south through the United Kingdom to the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and Greece where it is considered likely to be naturalised.

population:
E. parvula is classed as Critically Endangered (level 1) in Germany, Vulnerable in Denmark, Near Threatened in both Estonia and Norway and Data Deficient in Croatia and Italy. In Spain, there are six populations along the north coast and in the Pyrenees and the species is assessed as Endangered. In general it appears to be overlooked and consequently under-recorded, but even in areas with detailed records, populations are generally sparse. #The record from Greece is described as follows:   Greece (doubtfully native Greuter and Raus 2002) Greece, Sterea Ellas, Nomos and Eparchia of Fthiotis: SE of Lamia, N of the Thermopiles, in rice fields S of the Sperchios river, associated with Ammannia coccinea, Cyperus difformis, Scirpus mucronatus and other paddy weeds, alt. c. 5 m, 26.9.2002, Raabe (B, MSTR, herb. Raabe; det. Raus).

habitat:
E. parvula most often occurs in estuaries and saltmarshes, growing on firm mud and avoiding more saline habitats. In Greece and Egypt it occurs in rice fields.

threats:
Some populations of E. parvula are threatened by development of estuaries, particularly where channels are modified to improve navigation or mooring for boats.

conservationAction:
There are apparently no conservation measures in place and there is no information as to whether such measures may be needed. Information on the population size, trend and rate of decline is needed.


taxonomicNotes:
There are no significant taxonomic issues associated with this name in Europe but there are some taxonomic issues to do with American populations.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations in most parts of its range. It faces local threats but they are unlikely to lead the species to go extinct in the near future.

range:
E. quinqueflora occurs from Iceland and extreme northern Europe south to Morocco and east through Siberia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and the Himalayas to Kamchatka and northern China. It also occurs in North America from Alaska east to Greenland and south to California, New Mexico and New Jersey and in southern South America (Chile). It occurs throughout much of Europe, from the Rybachi Peninsula south to Spain, the former Yugoslavia, Greece and some Mediterranean islands.

population:
E. quinqueflora is widespread throughout much of its European range, although it is classed as Critically Endangered in Luxembourg, Endangered in Germany (with a tendency to Critically Endangered in parts of the country), Near Threatened in Hungary and Data Deficient in Croatia. Many populations, e.g. in northern and southern Germany, are lost. As stable populations are known elsewhere, there is no evidence to suggest that there is an overall decline.

habitat:
E. quinquiflora is a classic plant of flushes and shallow standing water over calcareous substrates, often occurring with species such as Eriophorum latifolium and even charophytes where wet grassland occurs with stands of open water. In the United Kingdom, it is particularly associated with # Carex dioica - Pinguicula vulgaris mires. In Germany, it occurs in calcareous fens, in southern Europe near springs mainly in limestone and serpentine areas. It is strongly associated with open vegetation and may be dependent upon management (such as grazing).

threats:
There are no major threats to the survival of this species apart from some localised ones. The decline of E. quinqueflora in Germany is due to drainage, eutrophication and direct habitat loss as a result of transformation and abandonment.

conservationAction:
In Germany, E. quinqueflora is listed as Endangered in the national Red List, and similarly in various regional Red Lists. It is classed as Critically Endangered in Luxembourg, Near Threatened in Hungary and Data Deficient in Croatia. In France, the species is under regional protection in Picardie, Lorraine, Basse-Normandie, Limousin, Lorraine, Alsace and Nord-Pas-de-Calais. Current conservation measures are appropriate on local to national scale. It is suggested that they include management that hinders abandonment, drainage and eutrophication. Monitoring plans should be obligatory in several countries.


taxonomicNotes:
E. uniglumis falls within a taxonomically difficult group including E. oxylepis, E. mamillata and E. palustris (Tutin et al. 1980) which would benefit from further investigation.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is predominantly widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
E. #uniglumis occurs from Europe south to North Africa and east through the Middle East, Siberia, Kazakhstan, the Caucasus, Mongolia and Pakistan to Kamchatka and China. It also occurs in North America from the Subantarctic to the northern United States. In Europe, it occurs more or less throughout apart form the Atlantic islands.

population:
E. uniglumis is widespread and abundant throughout most of its European range, however it is classed as Critically Endangered in Croatia and Luxembourg.

habitat:
E. uniglumis is typically a coastal species, occurring in depressions and pools on the upper parts of rocky coasts and tidal flats, as well as in brackish marshes and occasionally inland in calcareous rush pasture locally by springs with higher than normal sodium content.

conservationAction:
E. uniglumis is classed as Critically Endangered in Croatia and Luxembourg, but otherwise   there are no specific conservation measures in place or needed. It is protected by national law in Hungary although the species has been assessed as Least Concern on the national red list   (Király 2007).


range:
E. angustifolium occurs from Europe east through Siberia, the Caucasus, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Mongolia to Kamchatka and the Amur and Primosrkye regions of far eastern Russia, Sakhalin and China. It also occurs in North America from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south in the west to New Mexico. In Europe, it occurs from Iceland and Scandinavia south to the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean coast east to Greece, but absent from the Mediterranean islands and throughout much of the former Russian Federation to the Ukraine.

population:
E. angustifolium is classed as Critically Endangered in Croatia but otherwise appears to be widespread and abundant throughout most of its European range.

habitat:
E. angustifolium typically occurs in a variety of types of wetland, from Sphagnum denticulatum and S. cuspidatum pools through peat bogs, sedge beds and mires to calcareous fens, suggesting that it is more strongly associated with oligotrophic habitats than having any particular requirement for acidity.

conservationAction:
E. angustifolium is classed as Critically Endangered in Croatia, but otherwise there are no conservation measures in place or needed.

useAndTrade:
There is a very low level of horticultural sale for ornamental planting and garden ponds.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it appears to be widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats throughout much of its European range.

range:
E. brachyantherum occurs in northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere, from Scandinavia east through Western Siberia and Mongolia to Korea, as well as sub-Arctic Alaska and Canada. In Europe it occurs in Scandinavia and northern European Russia.

population:
E. brachyantherum is classed as Near Threatened in Norway and Finland, it is of Least Concern in Sweden and there is no information on its status in European Russia. There is no evidence to suggest that it is declining outside Scandinavia.

habitat:
In clayey, weakly turfy areas of tundra on the banks of streams, sometimes in damp lichen tundras and marshy forests (Fedorov 1999).

threats:
There are no known past, ongoing or future threats to this species, although it would be useful to establish why it is classed as Near Threatened in Norway and Finland.

conservationAction:
It is classed as Near Threatened in Norway and Finland, otherwise there are no conservation measures in place or needed.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT)EU 27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) #This species is classed as Near Threatened because, although it appears to be widespread, it is nowhere common and most populations for which data area available are in decline. It is likely to most closely approach Criteria A2, B2ab(iv) or C2a(i).

range:
E. gracile occurs throughout much of the northern hemisphere, from Europe east through Siberia and Kazakhstan to the Amur and Primorskye regions of far eastern Russia, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, China and Korea, as well as throughout much of northern North America. In Europe, it occurs mainly in the north in Scandinavia, south to Croatia and east to the Ukraine, reaching its southern limit along a line extending from the Pyrenees, through northern Italy to southern Bulgaria.

population:
#E. gracile is classed as Regionally Extinct in Croatia,   Endangered in Norway, Denmark and Switzerland, Vulnerable in Estonia and Near Threatened in the UK.It is clear that many populations are in decline, many significantly so and that this decline is partly due to the degradation of its habitat that is occurring to wetlands throughout the region. Recent intensive survey work in Ireland (Conaghan and Sheehy Skeffington 2009) has shown that this species is more abundant than would have been evident from casual records, but it also supported the conclusion that populations continue to be lost. In Sweden it is classed as Least Concern. Recent wetland inventories and flora projects have revealed that this species is rather common in the northern third of Sweden, and not declining. Further south it is rarer, and has declined in many areas.

habitat:
E. gracile typically occurs in the wetter parts of wet,  calcareous or moderately acid peat-dominated habitats, such as bogs,  peat pools, transitional mires, often associated with Sphagnum  species. It is often found on floating mats of vegetation in bogs pools.  It has been shown that sexual reproduction is infrequent, with most  reproduction being vegetative and typically, through growth from  floating mats or the margins out into open water. It appears likely that  it is, in part, dependent upon the continued presence of open water for  expansion and may disappear as vegetation closes in through succession,  although it may persist where high water levels suppress dense growth  of more aggressive species.

threats:
E. gracile appears to be susceptible to drainage and eutrophication, the former leading to loss of suitable habitat and the latter to aggressive succession which excludes this species.

conservationAction:
E. gracile is classed as  Regionally Extinct in Croatia,   Endangered in Norway,  Denmark and Switzerland, Vulnerable in Estonia and Near  Threatened in the UK.There are populations on protected sites throughout much of its range, however it appears that few active measures have been taken toward conservation of this species.


taxonomicNotes:
Referred to as Eriophorum chamissonis C.A.Mey., Mém. Sav. Étr. Acad. St. Pétersbourg 1: 204 (1831) by Fedorov (1999).

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it appears to be widespread throughout its European range, with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
E. russeolum occurs in northern parts of the northern hemisphere, from Scandinavia east through Altai and Mongolia to Sakhalin and China, as well as the Aleutian Islands and the northern and western United States. In Europe, it is confined to parts of Scandinavia and northern European Russia.

population:
There is no information available on the size of or trends on populations of E. russeolum, however it appears to not be represented on any national red lists and there are no other reasons to expect that it is of conservation concern.

habitat:
It is found in damp lichen herb tundra, lichen-sedge bogs, wet places, on the marshy banks of water bodies (Fedorov 1999).


range:
E. scheuchzeri occurs in the north and at high altitude in the Northern Hemisphere, from Europe east through Siberia, Pakistan and the western Himalayas to Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and in northern North America. In Europe, it occurs from the Pyrenees north to Svalbard and east to northern European Russia, the Ukraine and parts of the former Yugoslavia.

population:
There is no information available on the size of or trends on populations of E. scheuchzeri, however it appears to not be represented on any national red lists and there are no other reasons to expect that it is of conservation concern.

habitat:
E. scheuchzeri is described as occurring in high mountain peat-dominated wetlands, as well as wet meadows, around the margins of calcareous ponds and lakes, marshes and streams.


taxonomicNotes:
E. triste is treated by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010) and many other authors as a synonym of E. angustifolium - E. angustifolium ssp. triste (T.C.E.Fr.) Hultén.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as its European populations appear to be widespread and stable and it does not face any major threats.

range:
E. triste occurs from Finland east to Siberia and in northern Canada and Alaska. Its only European location is Finland.

population:
There is no information available on the size of or trends on populations of E. triste, however it appears to not be represented on any national red lists and there are no other reasons to expect that it is of conservation concern.

habitat:
E. triste occurs in wet meadows and marshes, along streams, on wet, sometimes mossy slopes; aquatic or imperfectly drained sites or on seepage slopes, occasionally on calcareous rock, sand, clay or peat.


range:
F. bisumbellata occurs throughout much of the Old World, from the Canaries and southern Europe to North Africa and throughout much of Africa of the Sahara south to Botswana, including Madagascar. It also occurs in southern Asia, from Turkey east through the Himalayas, Indian Sub-continent and Sri Lanka to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as northern Australia. In Europe, it occurs in the Mediterranean countries north to Romania, Switzerland and the Ukraine.

population:
No data are available on the population size but they seem to be stable. In the Iberian Peninsula, it is present in nine provinces of Spain and six of Portugal. In France, it is proposed for surveillance in the list of species and it is classified as protected in the region of Provence Alpes-Côte-d'Azur. In Italy, the species is found in Lombardia, Veneto, Toscana, Calabria and there are old records from Friuli, Liguria, Abruzzo and Sicily, doubtful presence in Umbria and Piemonte.F. bisumbellata is classed as Critically Endangered in Croatia and Serbia.

habitat:
Fimbristylis bisumbellata is an annual species (Therophyte) that grows on the alluvium of rivers, sands and humid gravels at subcoastal level.

threats:
There are no significant past, ongoing or future threats to this species.

conservationAction:
This species is under regional protection in France in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region.   F. bisumbellata is classed as  Critically Endangered in Croatia and Serbia and as Data Deficient for Italy, otherwise it appears to be widespread and abundant throughout its European range.


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) # This species is classed as Data Deficient as the only information available on it in relation to Europe is that there are records from Spain and Crete.

range:
F. turkestanica has been recorded from Spain, Crete, Egypt, the Caucasus, the Middle East, India and Pakistan. In Spain, it is found in the provinces Alicante and Valencia, near the towns of Polop, Favara and Tavernes (Castroviejo et al. 2008).

population:
There is no information available on the size of or trends on populations of F. turkestanica, however it appears to not be represented on any national red lists and there are no other reasons to expect that it is of conservation concern.

habitat:
#Described as occurring on damp ground by springs and irrigation channels etc. to 300 ft. (Meikle 1985). In the Iberian Peninsula, it occurs in rice fields and among Juncus spp. (Castroviejo et al. 2008).

conservationAction:
There are no conservation measures in place and no evidence to suggests that such measures might be needed, however given the paucity of records in the region, either this species is overlooked or it must be extremely rare at a European level.


range:
F. pubescens has a tropical and subtropical distribution, occurring in a few Mediterranean countries, possibly as an alien (The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2010), throughout Africa, both north and south of the Sahara, the Indian Ocean islands, from the Middle East east through the Caucasus and much of the Indian Subcontinent east to China, Japan, Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Java the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea, Australia and many of the Pacific Ocean Islands, as well as southern North America, Mexico, Central America and South America.

population:
In Portugal and Spain it is fairly common with 36 known sites in the southwest of the peninsula; and it is present in two provinces in Italy besides Sardinia.

habitat:
It is a perennial herbaceous plant (rhizomatous Geophyte) that inhabits peaty swamps of siliceous substrate and canal embankments. Flowering occurs during spring and summer.

conservationAction:
This species is under regional protection only in France (Corsica), there are no other conservation measures in place or needed.


taxonomicNotes:
There are no significant taxonomic issues associated with this name, although it has recently been moved from Scirpus to Eleogiton to Isolepis.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as, outside Scandinavia, it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats.

range:
I. fluitans occurs throughout much of the Old World, from Denmark south throughout much of Africa north and south of the Sahara, including Indian Ocean Islands and east through India and Sri Lanka to Vietnam as well as Java, Australia and New Zealand. It occurs throughout much of central Europe south to Italy and in the Azores.

population:
I. fluitans is classed as Vulnerable (D2) in Norway and Near Threatened in Sweden, but otherwise appears to be widespread and abundant throughout most of its European range.

habitat:
I. fluitans typically occurs in flowing or standing acid water on peaty substrates, often in seasonally flooded sites. It also occurs in muddy hollows in grasslands and heaths, and the wet floors of disused quarries, sand- and gravel-pits.


taxonomicNotes:
Lunkai, Simpson and Tucker (in prep.) treat Pycreus sanguinolentus (Vahl) Nees ex C. B. Clarke in the Flora of China including P. flavescens Linnaeus f. rubromarginatus Schrenk, which may be the source of reports of P. flavescens from China.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats in most of its range. Local declines have been noted and should be observed.

range:
P. flavescens has a sub-cosmopolitan distribution, from southern Africa and Madagascar north to the south coasts of the Baltic, east through the Caucasus and Middle East, east to Kazakhstan, the western Himalayas and Vietnam. It is also native to eastern North America and California south through Mexico and Central America to northern South America. It is regarded as naturalised in Australia (New South Wales, Queensland). In Europe it occurs from the Azores and Madeira north through Spain and France to the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and European Russia and east through the northern Mediterranean to European Turkey and the Ukraine.

population:
P. flavescens appears to be widespread and abundant with stable populations throughout most of its European range, except in Belgium, the Netherlands, Croatia, Austria, and Switzerland.

habitat:
P. flavescens typically grows in the drawdown zones of lakes and temporary pools, where it is the fluctuating water levels which presumably suppress competition.

threats:
Eutrophication has been described as a threat in parts of its range such as Austria. There are no other known threats to this species.

conservationAction:
P. flavescens is classed as Extinct in Belgium and the Netherlands, Endangered in Austria, and Vulnerable in Croatia and Switzerland, whilst   no other conservation measures are in place or apparently needed. The decline of this species in these five countries could be early signs of a broader problem.Ex situ conservation is taking place (Bernhardt et al. 2008).


redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) #This species is classed as Least Concern as it is widespread and there are no indications of a decline.

range:
Pycreus mundtii is a tropical species. Its world distribution covers Africa, the Middle East, India and the south of Spain. In Europe, it is only present in eastern and southern Spain in the provinces Cadiz, Granada, Huelva, Malaga, and Valencia (Castroviejo et al. 2008).

population:
The trend of the populations is unknown.

habitat:
It is a perennial herbaceous plant (rhizomatous Geophyte) that inhabits swamps and the banks of rivers and drainage canals of non chalky substrate. Flowering occurs in spring and summer.

threats:
The expansion of agriculture and the drainage of this species habitat are the main threats to this species.


taxonomicNotes:
S. supina is treated by many authors as Schoenoplectus supinus (L.) Palla.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD)EU 27 regional assessment: Data Deficient (DD) #This species is classed as Data Deficient because the information available is insufficient to assign it to a threat category.

range:
S. supina occurs in southern and central Europe, western Asia and North Africa, Australia and North America.The species is found more or less throughout the Mediterranean, it is present in European Turkey and Greece and extends to Italy, France, where it is sparsely distributed in the centre and the east, to northeastern and central Spain and Portugal. In Italy, the distribution of this species needs further investigations. According to Conti et al. (2005) the species occurs in northern Italy (Piedmont and Lombardia). In the Mediterranean area it is reported with doubt for Tuscany and not found anymore in Latium. Its European distribution extends north   through France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Bulgaria to Germany and Poland.

population:
S. supina is known from two sites in Lombardy, of which one disappeared, and from one in Piedmont. It was reported for other regions (e.g. Tuscany and Latium) but its presence could not be confirmed recently. In Spain, it is found in 13 provinces (Castroviejo et al. 2008). Its presence in Portugal needs to be confirmed, it has been reported only for São Facundo. In France, it is only known from the Camargue and has not been seen in other regions for a long time. It is present at two sites in Croatia, where it is Critically Endangered   (Nikolić and Topić 2005). It is also classed as Critically Endangered in Switzerland (Welten and Sutter 1982) and Endangered in Germany (Haeupler and Muer 2000). In Hungary, the populations are declining near the country border but in the central part of Hungary, there are big and abundant populations (G. Király pers. comm. 2010).

habitat:
S. supina is an annual sedge growing in temporary pools, depressions, inundated agricultural land, rice fields, alluvial flats, inundated sandy lands, damp places and around lakes, reservoirs and ponds. The species needs open, sandy places to establish a population. It is also found in low intensity rice fields and it is unlikely that it could cope with the ongoing intensification of rice field management.

threats:
S. supina is threatened by the destruction of its habitat due to urban development. The site in Lombardy occurred in rice fields and was lost when the agricultural regime changed. The species is also sensitive to hydrological changes. It is not clear why the species is scarce in the Mediterranean region.

conservationAction:
In France, it is protected at regional level in Rhône-Alpes. Conti et al. (1997) report the species as Vulnerable for Italy and Extinct in the Wild in Latium. All this data are uncertain and new investigations on this species are necessary.The following conservation and research actions are recommended: - Monitoring  of population dynamics and of existent populations, historic sites and search for new localities- Evaluation of population size- Ex situ conservation- Study of the species ecology and understanding of its habitat requirements


taxonomicNotes:
In northern Africa the synonym Scirpus inclinatus (Delile) Asch. & Schweinf. is frequently used.

redListCategoryRationale:
European regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA) EU 27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA)  The populations in Spain represent potentially less than 1% of the global population of the species. Furthermore, its status as a native species is questionable. It is therefore assessed as Not Applicable.

range:
Schoenoplectus corymbosus is a tropical Old-World sedge, widely distributed in Pakistan, India and Africa (Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Mali, Madagascar, Morocco, Tanzania, Zimbabwe). It is very rare in the Mediterranean basin. The populations in Morocco and Spain are either remnant populations or have, according to Jiménez-Mejías et al. (2007), recently naturally colonised this area. In Europe, the species is only found in the two Spanish provinces Huelva and Cádiz.

population:
The subpopulations of Schoenoplectus corymbosus are estimated at six in Spain.Depending on whether the populations in Spain are seen as remnant or as a result of natural colonisation the population trend can be decreasing or increasing and is therefore selected as unknown.

habitat:
Schoenoplectus corymbosus grows in swamps and forest hollows, sometimes in or near water in forest. In Spain, it develops on oligotrophic sandy soils, seasonally flooded by freshwater (Jiménez-Mejías et al. 2007).

threats:
The main threats are related to agricultural activities that eutrophicate soils and water bodies, and the extraction of underground water for crops, especially strawberry crops that are very frequent in sandy soils in the south of Huelva (Spain).

conservationAction:
In Spain, S. corymbosus is found in the Doñana National Park (Huelva). Research on the historic distribution and the origin of the species are recommended.


range:
S. lacustris occurs in North and southern Africa and from Europe east through Siberia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, Kazakhstan and the Himalayas in India to Mongolia and the Russian Far East. It occurs more or less throughout Europe.

population:
S. lacustris is widespread and abundant throughout its European range.

habitat:
S. lacustris typically grows in soft silt in water in the margins of lakes, canals, ponds, rivers and streams, it will also persist as completely submerged populations in faster flow over silt beds in rivers.

useAndTrade:
There is a low level of trade in S. lacustris for garden and landscape planting but it is not clear whether this would affect natural populations.


