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Acquiring baseline information for successful plant translocations when there is no time to lose: the case of the neglected Critically Endangered Narcissus cavanillesii (Amaryllidaceae)

Abstract:

The success of plant translocations rely heavily on obtaining suitable baseline information on the species to correctly identify the critical factors that condition population viability of the species, as well as to know how to successfully conduct the translocation. This baseline information is normally not available at the time translocations are conceived and often the timeframe to obtain this information is very short. In 2000, it was urgent to translocate a newly discovered population of a little known autumnal plant (Narcissus cavanillesii A. Barra & G. López) in Portugal threatened by the construction of the Alqueva dam. Thirteen years after the translocation and annual monitoring, it was found that the translocated population has recovered the number of mature individuals available before the translocation. The aim of this study was to critically review the baseline information gathered for the translocation of N. cavanillesii and to assess the relevance of the different components. The systematically planned acquisition of baseline information made in a short period of time was in great part responsible for the successful translocation.