In the Mediterranean basin the islands and islets constitute the main centres of plant diversity (Médail & Quézel, Reference Médail and Quézel1999) because of the narrow range of most of their flora (Rosselló et al., Reference Rosselló, Cosín, Bacchetta, Brullo and Mayol2009). Of these, central northern Sardinia has been identified as one of 52 putative glacial refugia in the Mediterranean region (Médail & Diadema, Reference Médail and Diadema2009). This area of the island is characterized by many endemic species typical of temperate climates, such as species of Ribes (Grossulariaceae; Fenu et al., Reference Fenu, Mattana, Congiu and Bacchetta2010). Ribes sardoum Martelli and Ribes multiflorum Kit ex Roem et Schult. subsp. sandalioticum Arrigoni (hereafter, R. sandalioticum) are the only two members of this genus in Sardinia and both are endemic to the island. These two taxa are taxonomically well differentiated, belonging to different subgenera: Oligocarpa and Ribesia for R. sardoum and R. sandalioticum, respectively (Valsecchi, Reference Valsecchi1977). Sardinia is the only Mediterranean island where this genus is represented exclusively by narrow endemic species, and the genus is absent on the nearest islands and islets (Ilvensian Archipelago) or represented only by widely distributed species (Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sicily; Bolòs & Vigo, Reference Bolòs and Vigo1984; Jeanmonod & Gamisans, Reference Jeanmonod and Gamisans2007; Gianguzzi et al., Reference Gianguzzi, Caldarella and Romano2011).

R. sardoum, a rare and threatened species with only one small population in the Supramontes region, has been partially investigated and is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (Conti et al., Reference Conti, Manzi and Pedrotti1997; Bacchetta, Reference Bacchetta, Pignatti, Menegoni and Giacanelli2001; de Montmollin & Strahm, Reference de Montmollin and Strahm2005; Camarda, Reference Camarda2006; Bacchetta et al., Reference Bacchetta, Congiu, Fenu and Mattana2008). However, there has previously been no distribution or abundance data available, or a conservation assessment, for R. sandalioticum. Because of its relatively broad geographical distribution it has previously been considered to be Lower Risk (i.e. not warranting threatened status) on the Italian plant Red List (Conti et al., Reference Conti, Manzi and Pedrotti1997). The aims of the study reported here were to verify the conservation status of R. sardoum and assess the conservation status of R. sandalioticum and to propose conservation measures for both species.

The available data on the distribution, ecology and conservation status of R. sardoum (Bacchetta, Reference Bacchetta, Pignatti, Menegoni and Giacanelli2001; Camarda, Reference Camarda2006; Bacchetta et al., Reference Bacchetta, Congiu, Fenu and Mattana2008) were confirmed by fieldwork. The distribution of R. sandalioticum was determined by field surveys during 2006–2010 in the localities for which herbarium specimens and other data (Arrigoni, Reference Arrigoni1981; Fenu et al., Reference Fenu, Mattana, Congiu and Bacchetta2010) were available and in other mountain areas where the species could potentially occur. Each area in which we located the species was mapped and monitored, ecological features noted and individual plants counted.

The extent of the one known population of R. sardoum, growing on limestone substrates in Monte Corrasi (Bacchetta, Reference Bacchetta, Pignatti, Menegoni and Giacanelli2001; Camarda, Reference Camarda2006; Bacchetta et al., Reference Bacchetta, Congiu, Fenu and Mattana2008), was confirmed by our field surveys. Camarda (Reference Camarda2006) reported the presence of c. 100 individual plants but our monitoring data indicated that the population consists of c. 80 plants, in an area of 700 m² at an altitude of c. 1,100 m (Table 1).

Table 1 Characteristics of the 14 localities (numbered, in Fig. 1) in which we confirmed the presence of Ribes sardoum and Ribes sandalioticum, with mean altitude, slope, aspect, lithological substrata, estimated area occupied, and total number of individual plants and of mature plants observed in each locality.

* New records

We found R. sandalioticum in 13 localities in three populations, on the Gennargentu massif in the Supramontes region and in the Limbara and Marghine mountains (Fig. 1). We confirmed the previously known localities of the species and added three new localities (Sedda Niedda and Sedda Lughia on the Gennargentu massif and Punta La Pira in Monte Limbara; Table 1, Fig. 1). The number of plants in individual localities was 1–256. The species grows on various lithological substrata, at altitudes of 1,000–1,550 m, and on slopes with varied incline and aspect. The vegetation community where R. sandalioticum grows forms a shrub coenosis related to mesophilous forests of Taxus baccata L. and Ilex aquifolium L.. Ribes species are slow-growing shrubs and vegetative propagation is important for the persistence of populations (Pfister & Sloan, Reference Pfister, Sloan, Bonner and Karrfalt2008). We located few seedlings or young plants and this suggests that the Sardinian Ribes have a similar reproductive pattern.

Fig. 1 Known localities of Ribes sardoum and Ribes sandalioticum in the central north of Sardinia: 1, Monte Corrasi; 2, Girgini-Sa Minda; 3, S’Ortu is Arangius; 4, Su Sciusciu; 5, Rio Correboi; 6, Rio Baritta; 7, Nodu ‘e Littipori; 8, Sedda Niedda; 9, Monte Novo San Giovanni; 10, Sedda Lughia; 11, Nuraghe Ortachis; 12, Mularza Noa; 13, Funtana Giacumeddu; 14, Punta la Pira. For details of each locality, see Table 1. The ovals indicate the three populations of R. sandalioticum.

R. sardoum is threatened because of its small population size, low seed viability and overgrazing (Bacchetta, Reference Bacchetta, Pignatti, Menegoni and Giacanelli2001; Camarda, Reference Camarda2006; Bacchetta et al., Reference Bacchetta, Congiu, Fenu and Mattana2008) and activities of tourists (such as trampling), and fire, also threaten the species. The main threat to R. sandalioticum is unregulated livestock grazing on leaves and young shoots, detected in all populations. The small number of mature individuals, their low density and the limited seedling recruitment must all be considered threats to this taxon. In the Marghine population human activity, such as forestry management, selective logging and touristic/recreational activity were observed. Stochastic environmental events (e.g. fires, landslides) pose a significant potential threat; Mattana et al. (Reference Mattana, Pritchard, Porceddu, Stuppy and Bacchetta2011) demonstrated that seed germination of this species is particularly sensitive to global warming.

Based on our surveys we propose that R. sandalioticum be categorized (IUCN, 2001) as Endangered based on criterion C2a(I). We found only 355 mature individuals, ranging from five (Marghine) to 294 (Gennargentu) plants per population, with no localities containing > 250 mature individuals. Considering that in eight of the 13 localities there are < 10 mature plants it is reasonable to assume a continuing decline, as also suggested by the apparent decline in extent and quality of the species’ habitat.

As part of the projects funded by the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, the Centro Conservazione Biodiversità (Università di Cagliari) initiated a conservation programme of in situ studies and long-term ex situ conservation at the Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR) for endemic plant species of Sardinia, including R. sardoum and R. sandalioticum. To ensure the persistence of these two taxa in situ a number of specific actions are required and some conservation and research activities have already begun (Table 2). Based on preliminary results of in situ monitoring a fence was erected in 2008 around Monte Novo San Giovanni, the most important location for R. sandalioticum. After 3 years of exclusion of livestock grazing a substantial increase in the mean number of racemes per plant and of mature fruits per raceme has been detected (G. Fenu et al., unpubl. data). A fence was also erected in 2010 in Rio Correboi to limit livestock grazing and a fence is scheduled for the R. sardoum population.

Table 2 Conservation and research actions started (S) or proposed (P), with year, for Ribes in Sardinia, in collaboration with local and regional public institutions.

¹ Local regulation of touristic activity and plant collection for the most threatened species (Municipality of Oliena, Nuoro , D.C. n. 7 of 16/02/2007)

² Proposed by Bacchetta et al. (Reference Bacchetta, Fenu and Mattana2009) to the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna. See also Fenu et al. (Reference Fenu, Mattana, Congiu and Bacchetta2010).

Seeds of Grossulariaceae appear to be orthodox (Hong et al., Reference Hong, Linington and Ellis1998) and therefore long-term seed bank storage was identified as a suitable ex situ conservation measure for both species. However, seedbanking for R. sardoum has not started because of the low seed production of this species and therefore studies of alternative conservation measures, such as ex situ cultivation and propagation, have been initiated at the Botanical Garden of Cagliari. Seed of R. sandalioticum had been collected from the localities of Monte Novo San Giovanni, Rio Correboi, Funtana Giacumeddu and Nuraghe Ortachis and stored at BG-SAR. In addition duplicata of the seeds from Monte Novo San Giovanni have been sent to the Seed Conservation Department, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK.

This study of the genus Ribes in Sardinia is an example of the type of conservation approach required for many of the endemic plant species of the Mediterranean area. This approach has previously been described for Lamyropsis microcephala (Moris) Dittrich et Greuter in Sardinia (Fenu et al., Reference Fenu, Mattana and Bacchetta2011) and Aquilegia paui Font Quer in north-east Spain (Martinell et al., Reference Martinell, López-Pujol, Blanché, Molero and Sàez2011).