Conservation Essays and Phenology of Critically Endangered Endemic Plant Erodium somanum

Abstract

The phenological events are very important to understand the life cycle of a plant species. Alsounderstanding of the life cycle of a plant species is an essential step in order to design and implement aneffective conservation program for an endangered species. The phenological characteristics of Erodiumsomanum (Geraniaceae), a critically endangered dioecious endemic species, were investigated at naturalpopulations in Soma/Manisa from Turkey. All phenological characteristics are firstly determined in thisstudy. Also, preliminary conservation essays were performed at habitat of the species. Shoot formation ofplants begin first week in March and continue throughout March. The flowering season was 2 month longand peak flower production took place between mid-April and head-May. Initiation of fruit formationaround first and second weeks in April. Fruit is a beak shape and leaving in mericarps. Fruits mature aboutfour weeks and then mericarps suddenly throw away from plant. Seedling formation of scatteredmericarps are occur in autumn (September- November). According to life cycle of this plant, germinationperiod was found as autumn season. For better in-situ application program it was found that, seedling haveto be applied at latest of the summer season.