Conservation status of Mascarene Amaranth Aerva congesta Balf.F. Ex Baker (Eudicots: Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae): a Critically Endangered endemic herb of the Mascarenes, Indian Ocean

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Kersley Bruno Pynee
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5420-5835
David Harold Lorence
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6735-9531
Poojanraj Khurun
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0548-8618

Abstract

Aerva congesta Balf.f. ex Baker (Amaranthaceae), an endemic of Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues) is assessed for its conservation status. Considering its local extinction in Rodrigues and very small population in Mauritius, in Round Island and at Gris Gris, south of Mauritius its area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated at 8km².  Due to its small AOO and threats by increasing native vegetation and alien species, A. congesta is evaluated as Critically Endangered following the latest IUCN Red List criteria.  The species needs an urgent well-defined restoration program and ecological studies to prevent its extinction. 

 

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

Kersley Bruno Pynee, The Mauritius Herbarium Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security

The Mauritius Herbarium, Agronomy Division, Agricultural Services

Herbarium Assistant/Botanist

David Harold Lorence, National Tropical Botanical Garden

Director of the Science and Conservation Department and Curator of the Herbarium at the National Tropical Botanical Garden

Poojanraj Khurun, The Forestry Service, Mauritius, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security

Forestry Service; Deputy Conservator of Forest

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