ProPartS
Developing strategies for the protection of taxa consisting of interconnected sexual and parthenogenetic reproducing strains
The general topic
The loss of genetic diversity is considered a key element in entering the extinction vortex. Shrinking population size reduces the number of genetic variants available to cope with changes in habitat conditions. Together with other factors such as genetic drift, this loss progressively decreases the fitness of any given species. This is especially true for asexually reproducing species, where recombination of traits is limited to the genetic variability of a single parent. The conservation of genetic diversity is thus a central element of conservation concepts. In species where asexual and sexual populations occur, it is important to assess genetic diversity and genetic structure to identify priority conservation areas.Project Highlights
First Meeting of the International Network of Wetlands with sexual Chara canescens
Proparts stakeholders and partners met online to establish a network connecting the sites hosting the sexual populations of Chara canescens. People with different backgrounds took part in the event, from managers and administrators to environmental associations and researchers, coming from Austria (Biologische Station Neusiedler See), Italy (Comune di San Vero Milis, CEA Von Humboldt, Provincia di Enna and Rocca di Cerere Geopark), Serbia (University of Belgrade) and Spain (SEO and WWF). Other institutions and associations, unable to attend the first meeting, sent their availability to join the network.
Valencia, Albufera Natural Park
In July, the researchers from the University of Valencia presented the project to some staff of the Albufera de València Natural Park in the Technical Management Office: Lucía Moreno, Juanjo Monzó (Generalitat Valenciana), Pablo Vera (Devesa-Albufera Office, Ajuntament de València), Carlos Peña (Flora Unit, Conservation Centre for Freshwater Species, Generalitat Valenciana). Also, they observed living specimens of Chara canescens under the stereo-microscope in the laboratory of Maria Rosa Miracle Biological Station.
Poiano, Italy
Researchers from the University of Palermo visiting Poiano, a small basin fed by karst springs located in the province of Reggio Emilia (N-Italy). These water springs are characterized by a high concentration of sodium chloride (about 5 g/liter), and calcium sulfate (about 2.5 g/liter), which originate from the melting of salt deposits in the depths of a Triassic Gypsum massif. The basin hosts a parthenogenetic population of Chara canescens, which vegetates there year-round, due to the constant water temperature (about 10 °C) originating from the nearby springs.
European Congress of Conservation Biology, Bologna
A talk on the Proparts Project, with a focus on the many conservation problems plaguing Lake Pergusa, one of the very few sites hosting sexed populations of Chara canescens was presented June 2024 at the 7th European Congress of Conservation Biology, held in Bologna, Italy. Title of the talk: “The management of brackish inland lakes: the case study of Pergusa Lake (Sicily) with its sexual population of Chara canescens (Charophyceae)”. Presenter: Angelo Troia.
Sampling campaign in Northern France
In June, two scientists from Rostock visited 32 ponds and ditches along the French west coast from Bordeaux to Amiens. As many of the records of Chara canescens date back to the 19th century, the habitat conditions had often changed and were no longer suitable for the occurrence of the stonewort. Nevertheless, with local support, six populations of Chara canescens were found and sampled.
Project Funding
This research was funded by Biodiversa+, the European Biodiversity Partnership under the 2021-2022. BiodivProtect joint call for research proposals, co-funded by the European Commission (GA N°101052342) and with the funding organisations Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.V. (Germany), Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Fundación Biodiversidad (Spain), Ministry of Universities and Research (Italy), Österreichischer Wissenschaftsfonds FWF (Austria).