Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size

In this study, we investigated suitable habitats for the endangered tree fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i> (J. Sm. ex Hook.) R.M. Tryon, based on fieldwork, ecological niche modeling, and regression approaches. We combined these data with the characterization of spore germination and g...

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Autores principales:	Xueying Wei, AJ Harris, Yuwen Cui, Yangwu Dai, Hanjia Hu, Xiaoling Yu, Rihong Jiang, Faguo Wang
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	MaxEnt ecological niche modeling (ENM) endangered species Cyatheaceae environmental factors Plant culture SB1-1110
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/f7b2f333b1164c319ecb27669cac18aa
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:f7b2f333b1164c319ecb27669cac18aa2021-11-25T17:47:39ZInferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size10.3390/horticulturae71104962311-7524https://doaj.org/article/f7b2f333b1164c319ecb27669cac18aa2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/7/11/496https://doaj.org/toc/2311-7524In this study, we investigated suitable habitats for the endangered tree fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i> (J. Sm. ex Hook.) R.M. Tryon, based on fieldwork, ecological niche modeling, and regression approaches. We combined these data with the characterization of spore germination and gametophytic development in the laboratory to assess the reasons why <i>S. lepifera</i> is endangered and to propose a conservation strategy that focuses on suitable sites for reintroduction and accounts for the ecology and biphasic life cycle of the species. Our methods represent an integration of process- and correlation-based approaches to understanding the distributional patterns of this species, and this combined approach, while uncommonly applied, is a more robust strategy than either approach used in isolation. Our ecological niche models indicated that cold temperature extremes, temperature stability over long- and short-terms, and the seasonality of precipitation were among the most important abiotic environmental factors affecting the distribution of <i>S. lepifera</i> among the variables that we measured. Moreover, distribution of this fern species is also strongly influenced by the timing of development of male and female gametes. Additionally, we observed that slope aspect, specifically south-facing slopes, facilitates more incoming sunlight for mature trees, and simultaneously, provides greater, much-needed shade for fiddleheads on account of the canopy being denser. We believe that our study can provide important guidance on the restoration of <i>S. lepifera</i> in the wild. Specifically, potential restoration areas can be screened for the specific environmental factors that we infer to have a critical impact on the survival of the species.Xueying WeiAJ HarrisYuwen CuiYangwu DaiHanjia HuXiaoling YuRihong JiangFaguo WangMDPI AGarticleMaxEntecological niche modeling (ENM)endangered speciesCyatheaceaeenvironmental factorsPlant cultureSB1-1110ENHorticulturae, Vol 7, Iss 496, p 496 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	MaxEnt ecological niche modeling (ENM) endangered species Cyatheaceae environmental factors Plant culture SB1-1110
spellingShingle	MaxEnt ecological niche modeling (ENM) endangered species Cyatheaceae environmental factors Plant culture SB1-1110 Xueying Wei AJ Harris Yuwen Cui Yangwu Dai Hanjia Hu Xiaoling Yu Rihong Jiang Faguo Wang Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
description	In this study, we investigated suitable habitats for the endangered tree fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i> (J. Sm. ex Hook.) R.M. Tryon, based on fieldwork, ecological niche modeling, and regression approaches. We combined these data with the characterization of spore germination and gametophytic development in the laboratory to assess the reasons why <i>S. lepifera</i> is endangered and to propose a conservation strategy that focuses on suitable sites for reintroduction and accounts for the ecology and biphasic life cycle of the species. Our methods represent an integration of process- and correlation-based approaches to understanding the distributional patterns of this species, and this combined approach, while uncommonly applied, is a more robust strategy than either approach used in isolation. Our ecological niche models indicated that cold temperature extremes, temperature stability over long- and short-terms, and the seasonality of precipitation were among the most important abiotic environmental factors affecting the distribution of <i>S. lepifera</i> among the variables that we measured. Moreover, distribution of this fern species is also strongly influenced by the timing of development of male and female gametes. Additionally, we observed that slope aspect, specifically south-facing slopes, facilitates more incoming sunlight for mature trees, and simultaneously, provides greater, much-needed shade for fiddleheads on account of the canopy being denser. We believe that our study can provide important guidance on the restoration of <i>S. lepifera</i> in the wild. Specifically, potential restoration areas can be screened for the specific environmental factors that we infer to have a critical impact on the survival of the species.
format	article
author	Xueying Wei AJ Harris Yuwen Cui Yangwu Dai Hanjia Hu Xiaoling Yu Rihong Jiang Faguo Wang
author_facet	Xueying Wei AJ Harris Yuwen Cui Yangwu Dai Hanjia Hu Xiaoling Yu Rihong Jiang Faguo Wang
author_sort	Xueying Wei
title	Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
title_short	Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
title_full	Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
title_fullStr	Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
title_full_unstemmed	Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size
title_sort	inferring the potential geographic distribution and reasons for the endangered status of the tree fern, <i>sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in lingnan, china using a small sample size
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/f7b2f333b1164c319ecb27669cac18aa
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Inferring the Potential Geographic Distribution and Reasons for the Endangered Status of the Tree Fern, <i>Sphaeropteris lepifera</i>, in Lingnan, China Using a Small Sample Size

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