Myosotis rehsteineri

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	MAGNOLIOPSIDA	LAMIALES	BORAGINACEAE

Scientific Name:	Myosotis rehsteineri
Species Authority:	Wartm. ex Reut.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Endangered B2ab(iii) ver 3.1
Year Published:	2011
Assessor/s:	Gygax, A., Bernhardt, K.G., Gargano, D. & Montagnani, C.
Reviewer/s:	Lutz, M.L. & Bilz, M.
Contributor/s:
Justification: European regional assessment: Endangered (EN) B2ab(iii) EU 27 regional assessment: Endangered (EN) B2ab(iii) This species has an area of occupancy of less than 500 km² and is found at fewer than five locations. The populations are currently stable, but this plant experiences extreme natural fluctuations. The major threat to this species are changes to the water regime and water extraction and pollution. It is experiencing a decline in the quality and extent of its habitat. It is therefore listed as Endangered.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Myosotis rehsteineri is native to Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland (Euro+Med Plantbase 2006-2010). Its geographic range is 1,280 km² from which 1,200 belong to Germany (Commission of the European Communities 2009). It is considered rare in Italy and there are no recent collections since the 1980s. In Italy, the area of occupancy (AOO) is less than 10 km² and in Switzerland it is approximately 24 km². The overall AOO for this species is estimated to be less than 500 km² and it is found at four locations only.
Countries:	Native: Austria; Germany; Italy (Italy (mainland)); Switzerland
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This is a pioneer species. In Germany and Switzerland, the population size is currently increasing, but this might be due to natural fluctuations (A. Gygax pers. comm. 2010). In Switzerland and Austria, it is only found in Lake Constance. The populations are considered to be stable at the moment, but this species experiences extreme fluctuations. This species is very rare in Italy (Galasso unpublished). The following populations have been estimated (Commission of the European Communities 2009): Austria: 80,000 individuals Germany: 21 localities Italy: three confirmed localities and one not confirmed Switzerland: 24 km²
Population Trend:	Stable

Population:

This is a pioneer species. In Germany and Switzerland, the population size is currently increasing, but this might be due to natural fluctuations (A. Gygax pers. comm. 2010). In Switzerland and Austria, it is only found in Lake Constance. The populations are considered to be stable at the moment, but this species experiences extreme fluctuations. This species is very rare in Italy (Galasso unpublished).

The following populations have been estimated (Commission of the European Communities 2009):

Austria: 80,000 individuals
Germany: 21 localities
Italy: three confirmed localities and one not confirmed
Switzerland: 24 km²

Population Trend:

Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is found in oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains (Littorelletalia uniflorae) and also in oligo-mesotrophic waters. This species is strongly influenced by changes in water level. The habitat is normally flooded in summer and dry in autumn. It's a pioneer species.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The major threat to this species are changes to the water regime and water extraction and pollution (especially at the two localities in Italy). In Austria, nautical sports have been cited as a threat for this species (Commission of the European Communities 2009). Recreational activities such as swimming, boats, sailing, camping, disturb the species. Succession due to changes in land management (such as abandonment of mowing) and changes in hydrological regimes are potential threats to this species. Eutrophication can also be a threat to this species. Sand and gravel extraction upriver might be a possible threat.

Major Threat(s):

The major threat to this species are changes to the water regime and water extraction and pollution (especially at the two localities in Italy). In Austria, nautical sports have been cited as a threat for this species (Commission of the European Communities 2009). Recreational activities such as swimming, boats, sailing, camping, disturb the species. Succession due to changes in land management (such as abandonment of mowing) and changes in hydrological regimes are potential threats to this species. Eutrophication can also be a threat to this species. Sand and gravel extraction upriver might be a possible threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Myosotis rehsteineri is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is found in a few small reserves, but it is not known if this offers any protection to this species. It is classed as Critically Endangered in the national red lists of Austria, Germany and Italy, and as Endangered in Switzerland. It is protected in all the countries except for Italy. There are some conservation groups that work currently on this plant (e.g. Arbeitsgruppe Bodenseeufer). In Italy it would be useful to do surveys of historic sites.

Conservation Actions:

Myosotis rehsteineri is listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive and under Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). It is found in a few small reserves, but it is not known if this offers any protection to this species.

It is classed as Critically Endangered in the national red lists of Austria, Germany and Italy, and as Endangered in Switzerland. It is protected in all the countries except for Italy.

There are some conservation groups that work currently on this plant (e.g. Arbeitsgruppe Bodenseeufer). In Italy it would be useful to do surveys of historic sites.

Citation:	Gygax, A., Bernhardt, K.G., Gargano, D. & Montagnani, C. 2011. Myosotis rehsteineri. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided