Distribution, status and conservation of a Critically Endangered, extremely narrow endemic: Lamyropsis microcephala (Asteraceae) in Sardinia

The aims of this work were to verify the distribution and population size of Lamyropsis microcephala (Asteraceae), characterize its habitat, assess its conservation status and initiate conservation measures for this Critically Endangered species. Distribution was determined by field surveys and mapping. To estimate population size and density 81 permanent monitoring plots were randomly established. Ex situ conservation measures were activated by harvesting and appropriate storage of seed. We confirmed the presence of L. microcephala at two previously known sites and found it in two previously unknown localities. The areas in which the species occur vary from 200 to 240,000 m(2), at altitudes of 1,450-1,820 m, on slopes of 15-45 degrees with aspects from north to west. The estimated number of ramets per population varied from c. 2,000 to c. 2,000,000, with a mean density of 8.29 +/- SD 14.3 to 10.33 +/- SD 10.05 ramets m(-2). Our findings confirmed the Critically Endangered status of this species, although with different criteria. This study is an example of an integrated approach for the conservation of an extremely narrow endemic plant species and may be useful for other little-known threatened species for which urgent conservation measures are needed.