Limonium species endemic to Zakynthos Island 593
flowering (56–67 days, late July–late September) and fruiting (average 56 days, late August–mid-October) was relatively stable throughout the monitoring period (Fig. 3).
Population viability analysis
For L. korakonisicum, population extinction risk is zero over the next 10 years, and increases to 4.2% within the next 50 years (Fig. 4). The population of L. phitosianum faces no extinction risk in either period (Fig. 4). However, subpopulations Lp2,Lp5 and Lp7 have increased risks of extinction over the next 50 years, of 13.3–58% (Supplementary Fig. 1). In the next 10 years, subpopula- tions Lz1 and Lz3 of L. zacynthium have a gradual reduc- tion in size but no risk of extinction. However, within the next 50 years, the species faces a high risk of extinction (67.8%), with a substantial likelihood (89.1%) that sub- population Lz1 will go extinct.
Threats
FIG. 2 Distribution of Limonium phitosianum, its area of occupancy (i.e. the number of occupied 2 × 2 km grid cells), and the estimated extent of occurrence (EOO). Numbers indicate subpopulations (Lp1, etc.; Table 1).
Reproductive biology
For L. korakonisicum, the survival rate of seedlings ranged from 25%in 2016 to 50%in 2015 and 2017 (Table 3). Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a significant posi- tive correlation between annual seedling survival rate and the population growth rate (r = 0.593,P,0.05). The mean annual relative reproductive success was consistently high (69.3–76.3%). Flowering was 52.6 days on average (early August–late September). Fruiting was mid August–mid/ late October (average duration 63.4 days), sometimes ex- tending to early November (Fig. 3). For L. phitosianum, seedling survival rate varied from
27.3%in 2018 to 57.5%in 2017, and relative reproductive success was consistently high (67–74.3%). The number of flowers and caryopses were significantly higher in 2017 and 2018 compared to earlier years. Flowering was 50.4 days (early August–late September) and fruiting 54.4 days (mid August–early October) on average (Fig. 3). Fruiting duration was inversely correlated
(r =−0.7098,P,0.05) with mean monthly precipitation during September–October. For L. zacynthium, seedling survival rate was 35.7–66.7%.
Relative reproductive success was consistently high (69.3–76.3%). Mean number of caryopses per flower and relative reproductive success were significantly higher in 2017 and 2018 compared to earlier years. The duration of
The threats identified for L. korakonisicum are: tourism de- velopment (threat code 1.3), including construction of can- teens and secondary roads (4.1), resulting in the reduction of the species’ habitat, and competition with other species (8.2), especially with sympatric seedlings of L. phitosianum. The primary threat to L. phitosianum is uncontrolled tour-
ism development (1.3), particularly through resort construc- tion and alteration of rocky shores affecting subpopulations Lp1,Lp3,Lp4 and Lp8–11, leading to habitat degradation and loss. Additionally, trampling in highly tourist-visited areas such as Lp7,Lp8 and Lp10 poses a significant threat (6.1). An immediate threat in Porto Limnionas-Roxa (Lp11) arises from the invasive plant Carpobrotus edulis (8.1.2). These threats were identified across all 14 locations. The threats to L. zacynthium include: tourism develop-
ment (1.3), such as the construction of a canteen at Marathias (Lz1) and alteration of rocky shores in subpopu- lations Lz1,Lz4 and Lz5; competition with other species (8.2) observed at Lz1, where L. zacynthium competes with L. phi- tosianum; and trampling (6.1) occurring at Marathonisi islet (Lz2). The extinction of L. zacynthium from its locus classi- cus at Keri Lake beach as a result of tourism development underscores the severity of this threat to endemic littoral plant species. These threats were identified across four of the five locations.
Conservation status assessment
Weassess L. korakonisicumas Critically Endangered based on criteria B1ab(v) + 2ab(v), with EOO,100 km2 (B1)and AOO,10km2 (B2), and only one location (a) and a projected continuing decline (b) in number of mature individuals (v),
Oryx, 2024, 58(5), 587–599 © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605324000140
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