European Red List of Vascular Plants - European Commission

indica aggressively compete for space, light and other
resources with native species in a way that often leads to
the disappearance of the latter. Grazing and trampling by
introduced or native herbivores (such as rabbits, goats or
sheep) impact several plants. But also increased seagull
populations can cause problems with eutrophication
for example for the Portuguese island endemic Armeria
berlengensis.
Many plant species are very attractive and therefore
collected for their beauty. This collection ranges from
the occasional picking to systematic collection for the
horticultural trade (e.g. snowdrops - Galanthus spp.,
orchids), medicinal use (e.g. Artemisia granatensis or
Mandragora officinarum), or for food (Thymus spp.,
Micromeria taygetea). Here the threat is not only the
removal of the species from the wild but there are
indirect implications such as a reduced reproductive
success due to overcollection. It needs to be said that for
many species under legislation the collection is already
forbidden, restricted, or regulated although this does not
exclude illegal activities.
A major driver of habitat loss is urban and tourism
development as well as transport infrastructure which
affects most of the policy plant species assessed. It is not
only the fact that the plants can not cope with a change
of its habitat due to an increased use by humans. But the
expansion of urban environments or the development of
new tourist complexes or roads is creating impermeable,
sealed surfaces and a loss of soil habitat for the species.
Mining and quarrying is another driver of habitat loss
and degradation.
Many species listed in this group are found in rocky areas,
on cliffs, in scree or instable substrate and are vulnerable
to geological events such as landslides and avalanches.
Although this is not a human induced threat, it can
seriously affect a population especially if the species is rare
and found at very few localities or with a low number
of individuals in the first place. Fires, which can occur
naturally or be set by humans can have devastating effects
on plant populations. An example is the fire that took
place in the Central Mountain Massif of Madeira in
summer 2010 where it is still not clear how it affected
several endemic plant species such as Viola paradoxa or
Sorbus maderensis.
to other plants or change the native species dynamic
and increase competition. Especially plants bound to
freshwater environments are affected by water pollution.
The effects of climate change on the selected plant species
namely establishes itself in the form of increased droughts,
particularly in the Mediterranean area. Other impacts are
an increase in storms and floods, habitat shifting and
alteration, and temperature extremes (Arnell 2004).
For several species human disturbance in form of work
activities such as cleaning of beaches (Kosteletzkya
pentacarpa), mowing activities at inappropriate times
(Biscutella neustriaca), removal of forest undergrowth or
roadside vegetation (Erodium rupicola), etc. is causing
population declines.
Last but not least, it should be noted that most plants are
faced by more than one threat and that a combination of
these can worsen the situation for a species even more,
for example, increased drought also increases the risk of
fires.
3.5 Population trends
For the selected policy plant species, 38.4% have a
declining population trend, whereas 21.8% of the plants
have stable populations. More than one third (36.7%)
have an unknown trend and a small part of the group
(3.1%) have increasing populations (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Population trends of European policy plants
Pollution comes in the form of water pollution and of
garbage disposal. Water pollution is mainly caused by
run-off from agricultural fields and the application of
fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides which can be harmful
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