Overview
Distribution
Range Description
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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IUCN
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
It grows in coastal sites, generally in pockets of shallow soil among rocks in steppe and garrigue and along the sides of rocky valleys. It flowers in June and July.
Systems
- Terrestrial
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Contributor/s
Justification
Allium lojaconoi is endemic to the Maltese Islands, where it is restricted to rocky ground, usually close to the coast. It has a very narrow range and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is suspected to be less than 100 km2. Although there is no clear evidence of recent population declines or significant population fluctuations, much of its habitat is subject to varying degrees of human disturbance and it is affected by the spread of alien invasive species. As a precautionary measure, it is assessed as Near Threatened (approaching B1ab(iii)) on the basis that the quality of habitat is in decline and it is suspected that the population could become severely fragmented in the near future if this trend continues.
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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IUCN
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Trends
Population
The species has been described as "infrequent" (Lanfranco and Lanfranco 2003, Borg et al. 2007) and rare (Weber and Kendxior 2006). While it has a very restricted distribution, there is no indication of major population declines or fluctuations over recent years. Overall, the population trend is thought to be stable
Population Trend
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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IUCN
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Threats
Threats
The main threats are human disturbance (trampling, illegal off-roading, off-road parking, hunting, picnics, unauthorized dumping of rubbish, bird trapping, nearby quarries), the spread of alien invasive species and planting of alien species, which are reducing the quality of much of its habitat. It is very inconspicuous plant and is not subjected to any direct exploitation.
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
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Management
Conservation Actions
A. lojaconoi was listed in the 1989 Red Data Book for the Maltese Islands (Schembri and Sultana 1989), but no conservation status is given. However, in the1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants (Walter and Gillett 1998), it was listed as Rare (R) (not Endangered or Vulnerable, but at risk).
More research is needed on the distribution and population trend of this species and a monitoring programme should be implemented, both within and outside protected areas.
No germplasm accessions of A. lojaconoi are reported by EURISCO to be held in European genebanks (EURISCO Catalogue 2010). Germplasm collection and duplicated ex situ storage is a priority for this species.
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
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