Deu anys de seguiment demogràfic i genètic d"Stachys maritima a Catalunya (2001-2010). Implicacions per a un pla de recuperació.

Ten years of demographic and genetic monitoring of Stachys maritima in Catalonia (2001-2010). Implications for a recovery plan.- Stachys maritima is a species typical of the coastal dunes, with a wide distribution within the Mediterranean Basin. In spite of this, the species shows a clear regression. In Catalonia, it has been observed an important reduction of its populations since early 20th century, where it has disappeared from several localities in which it was relatively common (Tarragonès, Barcelonès). Herein we present the results of the demographic monitoring of the species during the last 10 years (2001-2010) in the known localities in Catalonia. Besides corroborating the disappearance (northern Sant Martí d'Empúries), the re-discovering (Llobregat Delta beach) and the detection of new populations (inner dunes of the Montgrí), a large year-to-year fluctuation of the monitored populations is stated; the possible reasons are discussed. In addition, the present work also includes the results of the allozyme diversity analysis of the new detected populations as well as the rediscoveries of the period 2004-2008, which were not included in a former study of genetic diversity carried out in 2002-2003. It is necessary to emphasize that the contribution of the new populations to the genetic diversity of Stachys maritima is very small, which can be attributed to their limited population size and /or to founder effects. Despite that the species is included in the Annex 2 ('En Perill d'Extinció') within the Catàleg de Flora Amenaçada de Catalunya (Catalogue of Endangered Flora of Catalonia), and some 'soft' conservation measures have been applied at local level (signposting of the beach accesses, environmental education, etc.) coupled with other more significant measures (e.g. translocation of individuals discovered in an artificial sandbank), it would be necessary the coordinated action and the scientific support of any initiative of conservation that could be carried out. The general frame to initiate actions of conservation should be the recovery plan of Stachys maritima, whose draft and application is mandatory in accordance to the Catàleg.

Extincions (I)

Si som al camp i donem un cop d'ull al nostre voltant,ràpidament ens adonarem de la gran diversitat d'éssers vius que hi ha. De la mateixa manera, si passegem per qualsevol ciutat cosmopolita del món i parem atenció a les persones que ens envolten, serem testimonis d'una gran diversitat cultural. Certament, la diversitat forma part del nostre entorn [...].

Extingim-nos bé

La fi de l'estiu i el retorn de les vacances poden ser tot un exercici de supervivència. Recuperem els problemes que vam deixar aparcats, ens en trobem de nous o ens en creem més, i recuperem tot l'estrès que havíem oblidat. De ben poc ens serveixen els bons propòsits estiuencs de prendre'ns la vida amb més calma. Això, es clar, si és que els hem fet, perquè potser ens hem dedicat a pensar en com ser més competitius o, massa sovint, en com desbancar millor la competència. I és que els humans tenim una tendència innata a pensar en el futur, però no sempre ho fem en la direcció correcta [...].