ID: 613 / 202

Category: Symposia

Track: Pending

Proposed Symposium Title: PLANT CONSERVATION IN MEDITERRANEAN AND MACARONESIAN ISLANDS. SESSION 1

Abstract: With about 10,000 islands and islets, the Mediterranean Basin encompasses one of the largest “archipelagos” in the world. For many biogeographical and political reasons, the region of Macaronesia - mainly consisting of the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira, Canary, Cape Verde and the Salvage Islands - shows affinities and a potentially interesting comparison with the Mediterranean. For instance, evolutionary studies showed in both regions an intriguing plant distribution pattern shaped by a series of interconnected geological and paleoclimatic events, including up to the most recent Quaternary climatic fluctuations. Several floristic studies displayed a resulting high degree of plant endemism for both insular regions, which is currently similarly threatened by several human-related pressures, such as alien species introduction, climate, and land use changes. The main purpose of this symposium is to bring together important research in these areas to share scientific knowledge and improve comparisons and possible collaborations for more comprehensive conservation strategies. Among others, floristic studies showing plant phylogenetic and trait diversity can help define priorities and challenges for conservation. Prominent examples of practical conservation activities in specific island territories could be of interest for their possible replication. Although the Mediterranean and Macaronesian islands represent a fraction of the global land mass, they comprise several countries - some of them historically overpopulated - and constitute a representative case study to be replicated in other island and non-island contexts.

Speaker 1: Name: Frederic Médail Institutional Affiliation: Institut méditerranéen de biodiversité et d'écologie marine et continentale (IMBE) E-mail: frederic.medail@imbe.fr Tentative Talk Title: Importance of small islands of the Mediterranean and Macaronesian regions as refugia of plant biodiversity

Speaker 2: Name: Juli Caujapé-Castells Institutional Affiliation: Jardín Botánico Canario "Viera y Clavijo"-Unidad Asociada CSICCabildo de Gran Canaria E-mail: julicaujape@gmail.com Tentative Talk Title: Advances and drawbacks in the implementation of science-based conservation strategies in the Canaries and Macaronesia

Speaker 3: Name: Toni Nikolic Institutional Affiliation: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany with Botanical Garden E-mail: toni.nikolic@biol.pmf.hr Tentative Talk Title: Eastern Adriatic flora - past, present and perspectives

Topics (Up to three): Conservation Biology

Topic 2: Biogeography

Topic 3: Ecology and plant communities

Justification: The Mediterranean and Macaronesian islands have been extensively studied for centuries due to their high biological interest and the historical coexistence of humans. They therefore constitute an extraordinary natural 'laboratory' for ecological studies and restoration activities. The symposium will ensure representativeness in terms of (1) geography: we will include cases from the eastern to the western Mediterranean and at least one invited speaker who will present the case of the Macaronesian islands; and (2) diversity of speakers: the principal organiser is himself a researcher and is supported by two prominent scientists. The same pattern will be ensured among speakers.