Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse but there is a list of endangered species. An intense help is framed in documents giving basic information and instructions how to treat the most endangered species, called “action plan”. Bath asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum subsp. sphaerocarpum) is a specially protected species therefore the preparation of its action plan was recommended by the document “Conception of Action Plans and Management Plans for Specially Protected Species of Animals and Plants in the Czech Republic”. The project meets the target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is preparation of the “Action Plan for Bath Asparagus”. Historical and recent occurrence and ecology and biology of species will be studied. Project outcomes are the improving of knowledge of occurrence of bath asparagus and the preparation of its action plan as necessary basis for nature-conservation authorities, NGOs and other institutions how to maintain populations of the species. Majority of measures of the project consists of the field research and two studies - cytogenetic analysis and germination test - leading to the action plan to be more precise and complex. The project outputs are to write down a summary of the species-occurence locations throughout the country, monitoring of presence in the field and new knowledge from results of two studies. Target activity is writing and compilation of the action-plan text. Project will also include part of publicity. The target group of the project is primarily a species and Ministry of the Environment. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence over the general public via education. There’s no project partner from donor countries only a local partner: "Českomoravské sdružení pro ochranu přírody". The partner is contributing to the project by its expertise and experience.
Summary of project results
The objective of this project was the preparation of an action plan which should seek to preserve this declining species in the Czech Republic. The action plan defined the objectives of the key measures and provides guidelines for high-quality conservation of the plant. The action plan will be used to implement the measures in subsequent years. Activities within the Project Cytogenetic Analysis – Flow Cytometry These activities include an analysis of 76 samples of Ornithogalum pyrenaicum subsp. sphaerocarpum from 19 sites in the Czech Republic and 8 comparable samples of Ornithogalum brevistylum from 2 sites in the White Carpathians. Determination of Occurrence in the Czech Republic Determination of the Germination Capacity and Viability of Seeds As part of this activity, germination capacity tests were carried out from 9 sites. Monitoring of Populations of Ornithogalum pyrenaicum subsp. Sphaerocarpum and Its Sites The fitness of the population, namely as regards quantity and the proportion of germinating plants, was recorded together with habitat conditions, biotope characteristics, threats and site perspective. Determination of the Ecology and Biology of the Species The ecology and biology of the species was determined by using phytosociological releves. They were subsequently assigned to individual vegetation types, and Ellenberg’s indicator values were also used to determine the characteristics of the habitat conditions. This measure also included a study into the changes in land use in order to determine and document its history at the recent sites where the plant occurs. The study was carried out using old maps, namely the Stable Cadastre and aerial photographs from the 1950s, and facts on current land use obtained through the field survey. Preparation of the Action Plan The action plan has been prepared in accordance with the Guidelines for the Preparation of Action Plans and Management Plans for Specially Protected Plant Species, attached to the Concept of Action Plans and Management Plans for Endangered Animal and Plant Species in the Czech Republic. Professional Review of the Action Plan Draft The completed draft of the Action Plan was submitted for review by two experts. The comments from the reviewers were subsequently addressed and the proposed changes were incorporated into the revised version of the Action Plan.
Summary of bilateral results