Conservation of rare and threatened climber species of

the Pampean Sierras: an integrated approach Detailed Final Scientific Report to Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation Imanuel Noy-Meir ¹, Mercedes Mascó ¹, ², Luis Volkmann ¹

¹ Ecosistemas Argentinos (Ea), Córdoba, Argentina

² Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Católica de Córdoba

Alta Gracia, Córdoba, August 2009

1

Conservation of rare and threatened climber species of the

Pampean Sierras: an integrated approach Imanuel Noy-Meir, Mercedes Mascó, Luis Volkmann

Summary

The rich flora of climbers of the Pampean Sierras (Argentina) is increasingly

impoverished by anthropogenic disturbances. This project developed an integrated

approach to the conservation of a group rare and threatened climber species by

three pathways. 1. In order to guide in situ conservation efforts, field surveys were

conducted to complete and update the information on distribution, ecological

tolerance and susceptibility and conservation status, 2. Ex situ conservation was

initiated by seed collection and conservation, and by germination and propagation

experiments to facilitate future restoration. 3. In order to increase local population

awareness and involvement in the conservation of climbers and their habitats, we

conducted workshops and talks in schools and prepared an informative bulletin. Resumen

La rica flora de plantas trepadoras de las Sierras pampeanas de Argentina se

empobrece cada vez más por disturbios antropogénicos. Este proyecto desarroló un

enfoque integrado a la conservación de un grupo de especies de trepadoras raras y

amenazadas, en tres líneas de trabajo. 1. Se completó y se actualizó la información

sobre la distribución, amplitud ecológica, susceptibilidad y estado de conservación

de las especies, mediante exploración de campo; esta información podrá guiar la

conservación in situ. 2. Se inició la conservación ex situ mediante recolección de

semillas y su conservación. Se realizaron ensayos de germinación y propagación

para facilitar restauración en el futuro. 3. Se promovió la conciencia y la participación

de la población local en la conservación de las trepadoras y sus ambientes, por

medio de talleres en escuelas rurales y la producción de un boletín informativo.

2

Introduction The Pampean Sierras are a group of mountain ranges scattered between the Andes

Cordillera and the Pampas and Chaco plains, in central and north-western Argentina

(Maps 1, 2, 3). These ranges vary greatly in area and height, and are mostly isolated

from each other by the surrounding plains. Geologically, the ranges consist mainly of

early Palaeozoic granites and metamorphic rocks, with some later intrusions. The

general orientation of the ranges is on a north-south axis. The dominant vegetation in

the lower parts of the Sierras is (or was before recent disturbances) montane forests

and woodland. At higher altitudes or after disturbance, these are replaced by scrub,

shrubland and finally grassland. These ecosystems of the Pampean Sierras, and in

particular montane forests and woodlands, harbour a rich and biogeographically

diverse flora (Sérsic et al. 2006). Climbers are an important element: 94 native

species were described for the Córdoba Sierras (Volkmann 2005). Many of them

have restricted, poorly documented distributions; some are rare and endemic.

Habitats suitable for climbers are diminishing rapidly due to deforestation, fires,

invasion by exotics and overgrazing. Some species are overexploited for traditional

uses. Species with restricted distributions are at higher risk. A prerequisite for their in

situ conservation is updated information on the location of remaining populations and

on their ecological tolerance and susceptibility. Another pathway for conservation of threatened species is ex situ: collection of seeds

from wild populations, their conservation in germplasm banks and experimentation

on feasibility and techniques of germination and cultivation. This information is

essential for programs of propagation and reintroduction to nature. An active

germplasm bank for the native plants of Central Argentina was initiated in 2006

at the Botanical Garden of the Universidad Católica de Córdoba (Mascó et al.

2007a). Its activities include germination and cultivation experiments with native

climbers (Mascó et al. 2007b). The awareness and involvement of local people can contribute greatly to the

success of any conservation program. Team members have been active in

"conservation through education" projects at rural schools in the region (Agüero,

Ávila and Mascó 2006). 3

We propose an integrated, three-way approach to the conservation of a target group

of climber species characteristic of the Pampean Sierras of Central Argentina that

are of restricted, only partially known distribution and/or at high risk due to

anthropogenic pressures (Table 1, below). 1. In situ conservation: Targeted field trips and compilation of existing information will

provide accurate, up-to-date information on the locations of the remaining

populations, as well as on ecological tolerances and susceptibilities to disturbance.

This will enable identification of species not currently protected in reserves, and of

hotspot areas where concentrations of threatened species require protection. 2. Ex situ conservation and restoration: Seed collection and conservation in a

germplasm bank will guarantee a stock of diverse genetic material from the

remaining populations of the species. Experiments to determine feasibility and

adequate techniques of propagation from seed will allow this stock to be utilized for

multiplication and future reintroduction into natural environments. 3. Diffusion: Workshops at rural schools will a) provide students, teachers and

parents with information on the threatened climber species and their ecological

values; b) increase their awareness of the urgency of conserving the remaining

populations of these species c) get them involved in conservation activities.

Map 1. Central and northern Argentina: Pampean Sierras region and provinces

4

Map 2. Central and northern Argentina: Pampean Sierras on satellite image

Map 3. Central and northern Argentina: location of individual Pampean Sierras ranges and neighbouring regions

5

Materials and Methods 1. Study area

The geographical region of the Pampean Sierras extends over parts of seven (or

eight) Argentinean provinces. It includes about a dozen major Sierras (and a few

minor ones), as well as the intervening valleys, plains and salt plains (salinas) (Maps

1, 2, 3). It was logistically impossible to extend field work to all parts of the Pampean

Sierras, therefore the research focused mainly on the Córdoba Sierras, with some

excursions to other areas. This range is one of the largest of the Sierras, about 400

km long from north to south and between 20 and 100 km wide; its highest peak is

Cerro Champaquí with 2790 m. It is the range that is farthest from the Andes and

thrusts out furthest into the great Chaco and Pampas plains. The central massif of the Córdoba Sierras, the Sierras Grandes, is a long north

south range with a plateau in the centre, with altitudes mostly between 1800 and

2400 m (Maps 4, 5). Its southern, lower altitude extension is named Sierra de los

Comechingones, after the pre-Hispanic people who lived in the Sierras. The lower

eastern range runs parallel to the Sierras Grandes but extends much further to the

north. Its altitude varies usually between 800 and 1500 m, with one peak, Uritorco, up

to 1950 m. The main sectors of this range are the Northern Sierras, Sierras Chicas,

Paravachasca and Calamuchita. Between the Sierras Grandes and the eastern

range are the high valleys of Punilla and Calamuchita. West of the Sierras Grandes

there extend the Sierras of Pocho and Guasapampa and the high valley of

Traslasierra.

6

Map 4. Central Argentina with Córdoba Sierras and main cities. Altitude contours with 600 m Interval

Map 5. Córdoba Sierras with main sub-regions; cities in red

10

Sierras de Paravachasca with Montane Forest dominated by molle (Lithrea molleoides)

Montane Forest of molle and orco quebracho (Schinopsis haenkeana) in north-western Sierras Chicas; Mt. Uritorco in the background

11

2. Target species included in the research

The research focussed on a group of 15 climber species with a geographical

distribution that is centred on, or limited to the Pampean Sierras; or in some cases,

species that reached an extreme of their distribution in these mountains (Table 1).

Many of them are rare, with limited distribution or only a few, scattered known

populations; others are more common but are threatened by disturbances and their

range seems to be contracting. One of the species in the list was not considered

originally, but was added when it was surprisingly found within the study area

(Lathyrus multiceps).

Table 1. List of target species included in the research.

Full scientific name Local name Family Distribution Caiophora cernua (Griseb.) Urb. & Gilg ex Kurtz

ortiga de las sierras

Loasaceae Pampean Sierras, endemic

Clitoria cordobensis Burkart alverjilla Fabaceae Pampean Sierras, Mesopotamia

Dolichandra cynanchoides Cham. sacha huasca Bignoniaceae Pampean Sierras*, Chaco, Brazil

Galactia glaucophylla Harms Fabaceae Pampean Sierras, endemic

Ipomoea hieronymi (Kuntze) O’Donnell

campanilla Convolvulaceae Pampean Sierras and Bolivia

Ipomoea rubriflora O’Donnell bejuco Convolvulaceae Pampean Sierras, Chaco, Bolivia

Ipomoea stuckertii O’Donnell campanilla Convolvulaceae Pampean Sierras, endemic

Lathyrus macropus Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.

pajarito Fabaceae Andes, high Pampean Sierras

Lathyrus magellanicus Lam. Fabaceae Andes, high Pampean Sierras

Lathyrus multiceps Clos Fabaceae Andes, high Pampean Sierras

Mandevilla grata Woodson Apocynaceae Pampean Sierras, very rare

Matelea foetida (Griseb.) C. Ezcurra & Belgrano (=Gonolobus foetidus Griseb.)

Apocynaceae Pampean Sierras, Bolivia

Morrenia stuckertiana (Kurtz ex H. Heger) Malme

tasi Asclepiadaceae Pampean Sierras, endemic

Mutisia castellanosii Cabrera Asteraceae Pampean Sierras, very rare

Philibertia tomentosa (Decne.) Goyder (=Mitostigma tomentosum Decne)

Asclepiadaceae Pampean Sierras, endem

* diminishing and locally extinct due to overexploitation for basketry 12

3. Conservation in situ a. Geographical distribution of the target species

Registration of herbarium specimens

We viewed and registered almost all available specimens of the target species, from

the study area and neighbouring areas, in the two largest herbaria in central and

northern Argentina, the Miguel Lillo Herbarium in Tucumán (LIL) and the Botanical

Museum in Córdoba (CORD). Their collections contain many old exemplars from the

end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, including several type exemplars.

For each specimen we registered the species, province and district, locality and

habitat details, phonological information (flowers, fruits), date of collection, name of

collector. Most of the specimens viewed (443) were from Argentina, but there were

also some exemplars from Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile. The information was passed to Excel worksheets. With the help of Google Map and

Google Earth, we found the approximate latitude, longitude and altitude of the

collection localities, as precisely as the information recorded by the collector

permitted it. Other sources used to complete the geographical distribution of species were the

Catalogue of the Flora of Argentina (Zuloaga & Morrone 1999; online version,

Darwinion 2009) and the Missouri Botanical Garden online data base (Tropicos

2009). Field exploration trips and recording of existing populations

Field exploration trips to find and record existing populations of the target species

were planned according to personal information of the research team and information

gained from herbarium specimens, taking into account restrictions imposed by road

accessibility. Most of the field trips took place between January and June 2008, but

there were occasional additional trips to complement the information until June 2009.

One special field trip was made to the northern province of Tucumán, mainly to

search for the presumably extinct Mandevilla grata and to work in the Lillo 13

Herbarium. All other field trips were done in Córdoba province, on roads and tracks

and on walking tours. All major parts of the Córdoba Sierras were visited at least

once, as far as accessibility permitted. At any site where populations of the target

species were found, we recorded latitude, longitude and altitude with a Geographical

positioning system (GPS). In most sites we also filled a form recording habitat

conditions, vegetation structure and composition, disturbance factors and

observations on the population of the target species (Table 2). We also recorded the

species or objects (fence, rocks, soil) on which the target species was seen climbing

or leaning on in each site. All this information was recorded for 69 sites and 90

populations of target species; at some sites, two or more populations of target

species were present. The information on geographical distribution was complemented by reconstructing

with Google Maps the geographical locations of population (or single individuals) of

the target species seen in recent years or observed casually. For some of the rarer

species, we obtained GPS locations of additional records by courtesy of Melisa

Giorgis, who had recorded vegetation data at hundreds of sites in the Córdoba

Sierras as part of her Ph.D. Thesis. With the inclusion of this additional information,

we had geographical information (latitude, longitude and altitude) for a total of 163

sites with 180 locations populations of the target species (at some sites there were

two or more species). The locations were unevenly distributed among species, from

52 locations for Ipomoea hieronymi to only 2 for Mandevilla grata. The latitude and longitude data of the populations of each target species were

introduced in Google Maps with the My Maps feature. This information was used to

produce maps of the distribution of known existing populations of each species, as

well as maps of past distribution based on herbarium specimens.

14

Table 2. Form used to register site, vegetation and population variables in the field

Planilla para registro de enredaderas en el campo Nombre del Sitio Detalles de Ubicación Fecha del registro Observadores Especie registrada Latitud Longitud Altura (m snm) Pendiente (%) Orientación Situación topográfica Formación de la vegetación % cobertura rocas % cobertura suelo desnudo % cobertura mantillo % cobertura cesped % cobertura pastizal % cob. arbustos) esp. de arbustos dominantes % cob. Matorral esp. dominantes del matorral % cob. árboles esp. de arboles dominantes altura media pastizal (cm.) altura media arbustos (cm) altura media matorral (m) altura media árboles (m indicios de erosión (0-5) tiempo estimado del último fuego (años) indicios de ramoneo (0-5) cantidad de bosta (0-5) tipo de bosta otras observaciones del ambiente La población: extensión (m x m) número mínimo de individuos estado fenológico vigor vegetativo de las plantas (0-5) densidad de flores o frutos (0-5) en que especies se apoyan/trepan? indicios de ramoneo (0-5) indicios de plagas (0-5) Observaciones acerca de la población Otras especies relevantes (trepadoras) Otras especies relevantes (otras) Otras observaciones

15

b. Ecological range and tolerance The information recorded at population locations of each species for geographical

location (latitude, longitude, altitude), habitat factors (slope, orientation), vegetation

structure (vegetation formation, % cover of trees, etc.) and disturbance factors

(grazing, fire) was analyzed and presented quantitatively (mean, median, minimum

and maximum observed) and graphically (histograms). The frequency of plants or

other objects on which each target species was seen climbing or leaning on for

support was calculated. For species that were recorded in substantial number of

locations, this information permitted to make preliminary inferences on their tolerance

of different factors. c. Population state

The observations on estimated minimum number of individuals or area, and the

frequency of flowers or fruits, permitted to make preliminary inferences on the

general status and vigour of the populations, for species recorded in sufficient

numbers of locations. d. Richness of climber species

At most sites registered, a list of all climber species present (not only target species)

was also recorded. This information was analyzed to estimate total species richness

of the climbers’ flora in relation to geographic, habitat, vegetation and disturbance

variables. e. Statistical analysis

The data referring to the target species was analyzed and presented as tables of

frequencies (for categorical variables), tables of descriptive summary measures

(mean, median, minimum, maximum) and histograms (both for continuous variables).

This information was in general not subject to formal statistical tests, since there

were no obvious null hypotheses to be tested. The data for climber species richness

in sites were tested by Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric analysis of variance in relation

to categorical site variables, Tukey multiple range test (only in case the former test 16

was significant), and by linear and quadratic regression in relation to continuous site

variables.

17

4. Conservation ex situ a. Seed collection

Ripe fruits of target species were collected at the sites were they were found in the

course of field trips (not more than 5% of the seed available in the population) and

were stored temporarily in paper bags with the name of the species, site and date of

collection. If there were flowers but no fruits at the time of the first visit, the population

was visited again as far as possible. b. Seed conservation

After a period of air drying in the paper bags, the seeds from each accession

(population of a species from a site) were extracted from the fruits, cleaned and

stored in small paper bags with a label showing accession code, species, site and

date of collection and name of collectors. Damaged, parasitized or empty seeds were

removed. The bags were closed and conserved in hermetic plastic tappers

containing silica gel in a refrigerator at 5° C. c. Germination experiments

For the purpose of germination experiments and cultivation of seedlings, a simple

hothouse of logs and plastic sheets and an adjacent shade house covered by shade

netting were constructed in the partial shade of a tree and a wall. This installation

created an environment of moderated temperature amplitudes. On winter nights,

minimum temperatures within the hothouse were 2 to 5 degrees higher than outside;

in 2008 they never approached freezing temperatures (between 2°C and 28°C in

August, 2°C and 29°C in September, 9°C and 30°C in October, 15°C and 37°C in

November). On summer days, maximum temperatures in both hothouse and shade

house were 4 to 6 degrees lower than outside. Four double tiered iron stands were

constructed to support the germination trays and later the pots with plants.

18

For germination experiments we took samples of 50 to 100 seeds per accession, if

the quantity of seeds allowed it. Otherwise we took smaller samples, never more

than about half the available quantity of seeds. On the base of experience with

some native species in previous years, we sowed the seeds in most cases on

vermiculite substrate in plastic trays with a lid to maintain humidity, in lots of 20 or 25

seeds. Seeds were either sown on the surface, or in case of some larger seeds,

covered with a few mm of substrate. Some species with large seeds (Ipomoea

spp.) were sown individually in cells of Speedling trays, in a special purpose organic

substrate, and covered with plastic sheets for the first week. Pre- germination

treatment included soaking in water for 24 to 48 hours, as well as light rubbing on

fine-grained sandpaper for seeds of Fabaceae and other large seeds. Seeds of the different species were sown at different times, according to the

estimate cold tolerance and time to germination. Dolichandra was sown in early

August, Clitoria and Lathyrus in late August, and all other species during September

and early October. In some cases where little or no germination was observed,

another sample of seeds was sown in November in different conditions. d. Cultivation of seedlings

When seedlings of an accession had one or two true leaves (or pairs of leaves), they

were transplanted from germination trays to individual cells of Speedling trays with a

special organic substrate. This occurred between late September (Clitoria, Lathyrus)

and mid October (Dolichandra, Mandevilla and other species). About mid December,

surviving plantlets (or a sample of them) with four to five true leaves were

transplanted from Seedlings trays to plastic pots (16 cm diameter x 16 cm height)

with a mixture of compost earth, other organic substrates and sand. Seedlings that

had been sown directly in Speedling trays (mainly Ipomoea spp.) were transplanted

to plastic pots in early November, when they had three to five true leaves. All plants

were watered regularly, with the frequency adjusted to prevailing temperature and air

humidity. Survival was monitored until August 2009.

19

5. Diffusion to local population a. Workshops in schools

Extended workshops on identification, valuation and propagation of native climbers

and other native plants were carried out in a rural primary school and a secondary

school. Shorter workshops and talks were given in another rural primary school and

in three Teachers Colleges. Members of the research team also gave talks and

guided walks on native climbers and their conservation to other groups and to the

general public. b. Informative bulletin

An informative bulletin on 11 rare and endangered climber species was prepared for

distribution in schools and other local institutions (see Results).

20

Results 1. Conservation in situ

a. Geographical distribution of target species – herbarium and field data

Dolichandra cynanchoides

In the two herbaria where specimens were checked, there were abundant exemplars

of this species from three provinces of the Pampean Sierras: Córdoba, Catamarca

and Tucumán, and a few specimens from two other provinces (Table 3). Other

sources indicate that Dolichandra cynanchoides was frequently collected also in

other provinces in central and north-eastern Argentina as well as in Uruguay,

Paraguay and southern Brazil (Zuloaga & Morrone 1999, Darwinion 2009, Tropicos

2009). In north-eastern Argentina its habitats are woodlands on the plain and forests

along rivers. However, it appears that at present, its occurrence and abundance in

these areas is scarce, compared to that in montane forests and woodlands of the

Pampean Sierras of Córdoba and the north-western provinces. About 50 herbarium specimens from Córdoba province, collected from 1940 until

the recent decade, could be geographically located (Map 6). The greatest

concentration of specimens is from the eastern and western slopes and foot slopes

of the Sierras Chicas and of Paravachasca. There are also records from the Northern

Sierras, the Punilla Valley, the eastern Slopes of the Sierras Grandes and the

southern end of the Calamuchita range (about 32 ° S). This part of the distribution is

within the distribution of the Montane forest (Bosque Serrano) dominated by Lithrea

molleoides in the eastern ranges of the Sierras. However, there are also some

exemplars collected in the Eastern Plains, in the region of the Chaco and Espinal

woodlands dominated by Prosopis spp. There are no specimens documented from

the western slopes of the Sierras Grandes, though there are areas of Montane forest

there, and only a single record from the Traslasierra Valley and Western Plains. The almost 50 populations of Dolichandra cynanchoides recorded in the present

research cover broadly the same area as the herbarium specimens, with major

concentration in the eastern and western slopes of the Sierras Chicas and

20

other eastern ranges (Map 7). However, more populations were found also

throughout the Calamuchita range and its foot slopes; in the Northern Sierras

isolated populations were found further north (to 30 ° S) than herbarium exemplars.

Only very few populations were found in the Eastern Plains, and one in the Western

Plains, but all of these were associated with banks of rivers or streams close to

where they emerged from the mountains. No populations of Dolichandra

cynanchoides were found in the remaining fragments of Chaco and Espinal

woodlands further out in the plains, though there are literature records indicating that

the species occurred in these formations in the past. A question that intrigued us throughout the research was whether Dolichandra

cynanchoides was present today in the Traslasierra Valley and adjacent eastern

slopes of the Sierras Grandes. Several people told us that they had seen the species

in this region, but despite widely ranging searches in likely habitats, it was not found.

We tried to get information from local basketry artisans, who use the long flexible

shoots of this species to weave loose baskets. Artisans near Mina Clavero in

northern Traslasierra had some baskets for sale and said that the plants are getting

very scarce in their area, so that they had to bring material from the eastern ranges;

however they did not indicate to us where we might still find the plant in Traslasierra.

Only on the last field trip, planned mainly to solve this question, we found after some

detective work in far southern Traslasierra (north of Merlo) a woman artisan who

wove baskets from Dolichandra cynanchoides plants that grew right in her own small

piece of land. It was a small population of large old lianas that grew vigorously on old

trees in a hedge that remained from the forest. Excited with the find, we bought

several of her baskets and explained to her she had to cut the shoots carefully so as

not to exhaust and kill the plants. This find confirms that the species grew and can

grow very well in this region and suggests that it was more common there in the past,

having been reduced by habitat destruction and overexploitation.

21

Map 6. Dolichandra cynanchoides: Distribution of herbarium specimens (purple); cities in blue

Map 7. Dolichandra cynanchoides: Distribution of recent records (purple); cities in red

22

Dolichandra cynanchoides: winding trunks of very old plant (left), flowering shoots (right)

Flower (left), ripe fruits and seeds (right)

Basket woven of Dolichandra shoots

23

Table 3. Numbers of specimens of target species collected in different provinces of central and north-western Argentina, among specimens examined in Córdoba and Lillo herbaria.

Species

PROVINCES OF CENTRAL AND NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA

TOTAL

Córdoba

San Luis

San Juan

La Rioja

Santiago del

Estero

Catamarca

Tucumán

Salta

Jujuy Caiophora cernua 2 1 0 1 0 10 2 1 0 17 Clitoria cordobensis 15 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 18 Dolichandra cynanchoides 50 0 0 1 3 19 17 0 0 90 Galactia glaucophylla 12 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 15 Ipomoea hieronymi 40 0 0 2 0 7 17 4 10 80 Ipomoea rubriflora 19 1 0 8 6 20 10 6 10 80 Ipomoea stuckertii 17 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 22 Lathyrus macropus 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 Lathyrus magellanicus 1 0 0 0 0 7 9 2 0 19 Mandevilla grata 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Matelea foetida 18 0 0 3 0 2 0 3 0 26 Morrenia stuckertiana 16 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 17 Mutisia castellanosii var. castellanosii

0

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

Mutisia castellanosii var. comechingoniana

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

Mutisia castellanosii var. hieronymi 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 Philibertia tomentosa 22 1 0 1 1 7 10 0 2 44 All species 219 8 1 17 15 76 69 16 22 443

25

Ipomoea hieronymi Half of the 80 herbarium specimens examined of this species were from Córdoba

province (Table 3) and many others were from the northern Pampean Sierras (La

Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán). There were also many specimens from the far

northwest (Salta, Jujuy). Other sources confirm that within Argentina Ipomoea

hieronymi is restricted to mountain areas in the provinces mentioned here (and San

Luis) and does not occur in the plains of central and northern Argentina (Zuloaga &

Morrone 1999, Darwinion 2009). However, though the latter source lists it as

endemic, there are many records from southern Bolivia (Tropicos 2009).

The herbarium specimens from Córdoba province (many of them identified as

var. kurtziana) cover the entire extent of the eastern ranges (Northern Sierras,

Sierras Chicas, Paravachasca and Calamuchita) on both western and eastern slopes

as well as ridge tops (Map 8). In addition, there are numerous specimens from the

eastern and western (Traslasierra) slopes of the Sierras Grandes. No specimens

from the southern extension of the latter range (Sierra de Comechingones) were

registered. No specimens from the eastern or western plains were seen, though one

record refers to the bank of a river just where it emerges from the mountains.

Over 50 recent records of Ipomoea hieronymi in Córdoba province were

compiled in the present research (Map 9). Their distribution is similar to that of the

herbarium specimens, with a concentration in the central parts of both the lower and

the higher Sierras (up to 1700 m a.s.l.) and isolated populations in the north.

However, there was also a record from the eastern slopes of the Sierra de

Comechingones, almost at the southern extreme of the Córdoba Sierras (data of

Melisa Giorgis). This record indicates that the species occurs sporadically throughout

this relatively inaccessible range and probably also on its western slopes, in San Luis

province.

26

Ipomoea hieronymi climbing a tree (left), a Heterothalamus shrub (right)

Between rocks (left) and on the soil (right)

Fruits of Ipomoea hieronymi

27

Map 8. Ipomoea hieronymi: Distribution of herbarium specimens (left).and Map 9. Distribution of recent records (right). Records in blue, cities in red

28

Clitoria cordobensis Though most of the specimens seen in the Córdoba and Tucumán herbaria were

from Córdoba province, there were also some from the northern Pampean Sierras

(Catamarca and Tucumán) (Table 3). It has also been recorded in the Mesopotamian

region in the eastern provinces of Entre Ríos and Santa Fe (Burkart et al. 1987,

Darwinion 2009) but seems to be very rare there. The species is endemic to

Argentina. Most of the herbarium specimens from Córdoba province are from the eastern and

western slopes of the Sierras Chicas, the eastern slopes of the central Sierras

Grandes and the Punilla Valley between them (Map 10). There is a single record

from the western slopes of the Sierras Grandes. We saw no specimens from either

the far southern (Comechingones) or the Northern Sierras; however, a specimen

from Totoral in the north is cited in Tropicos (2009). Three specimens collected

between 1898 and 1900 were from within or near Córdoba City, in the Eastern Plain. In our field work we found only 11 populations of Clitoria cordobensis, some of them

consisting of only one or a few plants. About half of them were in the Sierras

Chicas and Punilla regions, where also herbarium specimens were frequent.

However, we also found some populations further south, in the Paravachasca and

Calamuchita ranges, where no herbarium specimens had been collected (Map 11).

On the other hand, we did not find the plant in some of the areas where herbarium

exemplars had been collected in the past, indicating a reduction of its range. The

plain around Córdoba City, where the plant was recorded more than one hundred

years ago, is now heavily disturbed and urbanized, so that these populations are now

probably extinct. We did not find the species in the Traslasierra valley and adjacent

western slopes of the Sierras Grandes. We did happen to find a small population far

south, on the eastern slope of the Sierra de Comechingones, near Alpa Corral.

Though the habitat was quite disturbed, on the edge of a road crossing a plantation

of tall pines, this indicates that this mountain range was, or still is, within the range of

natural Clitoria cordobensis populations.

At the beginning of our field work we sometimes misidentified as Clitoria

cordobensis a species with very similar habit, trifoliate leaves and resupinate flowers, 29

Centrosema virginianum, that also occurred in the same habitats. The confusion has

even found its way into some books, where photos of Centrosema are labelled as

Clitoria. We soon learned to distinguish between the two species even in the

vegetative stage by the form of leaflets in adult plants, though the difference is

clearest in the fruits.

Clitoria cordobensis in flower and with fruit

Centrosema virginianum leaves (trifoliate with lanceolate leaflets) and legumes (linear, long and flat, sessile) growing mixed with Clitoria cordobensis leaves (almost linear, ending in a rounded point) and legumes (short and thick, on a peduncle).

30

Map 10. Clitoria cordobensis: Distribution of herbarium specimens (blue); cities in red

Map11. Clitoria cordobensis: Distribution of recent records (blue); cities in red

31

Philibertia tomentosa Philibertia tomentosa (Decne.) Goyder is the new name of the species previously

named Mitostigma tomentosum Decne (Goyder 2004, Darwinion 2009). The plant is

endemic to Argentina, specifically to the Pampean Sierras and the Northwest.

According to the herbarium specimens examined it occurs in almost all provinces of

the Pampean Sierras (Table 3); it has been most frequently collected in Córdoba,

Catamarca and Tucumán provinces. Within Córdoba, the exemplars are mainly from

the Sierras Chicas and Punilla, but also from the entire extension of the Northern

Sierras, the eastern slopes of the Sierras Grandes, Sierra de Pocho in the far west

and Traslasierra Valley (Map 12). This record indicates a fairly wide, though

discontinuous distribution throughout the Sierras, at altitudes ranging from 450 to

1450 m a.s.l. The present research confirms in general this distribution; in fact, three populations

were found at sites mentioned in herbarium records. We also found populations

further south in the Paravachasca Sierras, that were not included in the herbarium

record (Map 13). Populations are often small, consisting of one to a few

individuals; therefore they may be frequently overlooked. It is probable that the

species also exists in the southern parts of the Sierras, since there is a herbarium

record from San Luis province.

Philibertia tomentosa: flowering branch, inflorescence and fruit

32

Map 12. Philibertia tomentosa: Distribution of herbarium specimens and Map13. Distribution of recent records. Records in green, cities in red

33

Ipomoea stuckertii This species is endemic to central Argentina. Most of the herbarium specimens

sighted are from Córdoba province and a few from adjacent areas in Catamarca and

Santiago del Estero (Table 3, Map 14). The species has been collected throughout

the northern and western parts of the Córdoba Sierras, but mostly on the lower

slopes. In contrast to most other species studied here, it is not limited to the

mountains but has also been frequently collected on the plains northeast and

northwest of the Sierras, at altitudes as low as 200 m a.s.l. It has been found at the

edge of the Salinas Grandes salt plains, on soils that are probably fairly saline. In the present research we recorded a cluster of populations in the northern

Punilla Valley and adjacent western slopes of the Sierras Chicas, as well as

scattered populations on the plain northwest of the Sierras (Map 15), confirming in

part the distribution of herbarium exemplars. Ipomoea stuckertii is conspicuous in

early summer when it bears large pink flowers, but later becomes difficult to spot; the

leaves fall early in autumn.

Ipomoea stuckertii: flowering branch (left), flower (upper right) and fruits (lower left)

34

Map14. Ipomoea stuckertii: Distribution of herbarium specimens and Map15. Distribution of recent records. Records in blue, cities in red

35

Ipomoea rubriflora According to the 80 herbarium specimens seen, this species occurs in all provinces

of the Pampean Sierras and North-western Argentina (Table 3). Darwinion (2009)

and Tropicos (2009) cite an identical distribution and mention that it also extends to

Bolivia and Paraguay, with an altitudinal range from 200 to over 2000 m a.s.l. Within

this range the species has been collected both in natural habitats and as a weed in

traditional crops (tobacco, peanuts). Recently it has been reported, together with

other Ipomoea species, as a weed in minimum tillage fields of transgenic soybean

treated with glyphosate herbicides, in the Pampean region. The herbarium specimens from Córdoba province (not mapped) are from both the

Sierras and the plains, including some in the urban area of Córdoba City. In the

present research, field work concentrated on the Sierras and most of the populations

registered are located there. The populations are scattered but their distribution

covers almost all parts of the ranges (except the Sierras Grandes) and adjacent

valleys (Map 16).

Ipomoea rubriflora: leaf and flower, detail of flower, open fruits

36

Map16. Ipomoea rubriflora: Distribution of recent records (red); cities in blue

37

Morrenia stuckertiana A recent revision (Goyder 2003, Darwinion 2009) classifies Morrenia grandiflora

Malme as a subspecies of M. stuckertiana. Here we refer to the type taxon of

Morrenia stuckeriana (Kurtz ex H. Heger) Malme (ssp. stuckertiana). While

grandiflora is widespread in northern Argentina and south-eastern Bolivia,

stuckertiana proper is endemic to central Argentina, almost exclusively to province.

Almost all herbarium specimen examined were from Córdoba (Table 3); one was

from the south-eastern extreme of Santiago del Estero, close to the border with both

Córdoba and Santa Fe provinces. The type specimen (1896) and many of the oldest

records (until 1973) are from the suburbs and outskirts of Córdoba City. Other

exemplars are scattered from the Northern Sierras, Sierras Chicas and the plains

northeast of the city (Map 17).

In the present research we searched for Morrenia stuckeriana in some of the sites

where it had been collected in the past. However, in the Eastern plains the

natural vegetation has been almost entirely replaced by crops. The area around

Córdoba City has been almost totally urbanized and even roadsides are intensively

“managed”. At one of the sites we found one plant with undulating leaf borders

similar to M. stuckertiana, climbing on the wire fence of an army installation.

However, its flowers and fruits turned out to be almost identical to those of the

common species M. odorata, so it seems to be a somewhat atypical individual of that

species. We found M. stuckertiana only at four sites, one of them on the north-

western slopes of the Sierras Chicas and the remaining three on the plains northwest

of the Sierras (Map 17). This extends the known distribution westward from that

based on herbarium specimens and confirms that it is mostly a species of the plains

that occasionally also extends to the slopes.

Morrenia stuckertiana: branches, detail of flower, fruit

38

Map 17. Distribution of herbarium specimens (green) and of recent records (blue) of Morrenia stuckertiana.

Mandevilla grata

Mandevilla grata was known only from two specimens collected in 1922 and 1923 by

Venturi at two locations on the outskirts of Tucumán City (Woodson 1933, Ezcurra

1981, Tropicos 2009); it was never recorded again. The specimens were examined in

the Lillo Herbarium in Tucumán. M. grata has floral characteristics intermediate

between M. pentlandiana and M. laxa Ezcurra (1981) and may be a natural hybrid

between them. In a trip to the area in March 2008 we realized that the original collection sites

(Muñecas, Alto de la Pólvora) are now within the urban zone of the city. However,

exploring one of the last remaining fragments of forest outside the city, we found a

few plants with flowers identical to those of the type specimen of Mandevilla grata,

within a larger population of Mandevilla pentlandiana. Thus the species was

rediscovered in its original habitat, 85 years later.

40

A small population of very similar plants was found a few years ago in a site in the

Sierras Chicas of Córdoba (Reserva La Quebrada, Río Ceballos), mixed with

populations of both M. pentlandiana and M. laxa. We had been following this

population since 2006 and collected seeds from it. In February 2008 we marked 12

individual flowering plants of the different taxa and recorded their floral

characteristics; we then returned in May to sample seeds from individual plants in

order to propagate them. Among plants with intermediate characters, presumably M.

grata, we found two types of individuals: those with “tubular” flowers, with short white

corolla lobes that diverged only slightly (as in the type of M. grata), and others with

“stellate” flowers, in which corolla lobes are larger (but smaller than in typical M. laxa)

and diverge to form a white star. Both forms produced abundant and in part viable

seeds.

Mandevilla grata: type exemplar from Tucumán (1923) in Missouri Botanical Garden Herbarium (from Tropicos online type images; left); plant found in Tucumán in 2008 (centre); M. grata, “tubular” form in Reserva La Quebrada, Córdoba, 2008 (right)

41

Mandevilla grata, “stellate” form, in Reserva La Quebrada, 2008 (left), M. pentlandiana (centre) and M. laxa (right) in same site Mutisia castellanosii

Three varieties of this species have been recognized, each from a few isolated sites

in different areas of the Pampean Sierras (Darwinion 2009): M. castellanosii Cabrera

var. castellanosii in the southern Sierras in San Luis province; var. hieronymi

(Kuntze) Ariza in the western provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja and

Catamarca: and var. comechingoniana Ariza only in Córdoba;. This distribution was

represented in the few herbarium specimens of the three varieties that we could

examine (Table 3). Var. comechingoniana was originally identified from specimens collected in 1995

by a member of our research team, Luis Volkmann, in a shady humid gorge near

Los Terrones in the north-western Sierras Chicas. In the course of the present

research he walked extensively through the broken and wooded landscape around

this site and found several closely adjacent or almost continuous additional

populations, all within less than a square kilometre. The typical habitat is on breccias

conglomerate rock in shady gorges. These are so far the only known populations of

this taxon. A large wild fire swept through the area at the end of August 2008. However, a later

survey showed that Mutisia populations in the lower parts of the gorges had

escaped the fire and were growing and flowering vigorously. Parts of the population

in the burnt area did re-sprout, but their further development was poor, probably due

42

to the lack of shade. Luis Volkmann will continue the monitoring of burnt and un-burnt

populations of Mutisia.

Mutisia castellanosii var. comechingoniana flowering and detail of inflorescence Matelea foetida

Matelea foetida (Griseb.) C. Ezcurra & Belgrano is the new name of Gonolobus

foetidus Griseb. (Ezcurra & Belgrano 2007). This species has been recorded in three

Pampean Sierras provinces (Córdoba, La Rioja, Catamarca; Table 3), as well as

further north in Salta province and in Bolivia (Darwinion 2009). The number of

specimens collected is small. Of the 18 herbarium specimens from Córdoba

province, more than half were collected between 1896 and 1903 in Córdoba City or

in its outskirts. In later decades, scattered exemplars were collected in the Sierras

Chicas, Northern Sierras, Eastern and Western Plains. The sites where the first

specimens of this species were found are now completely urbanized. In this research

we found it only at four sites in a small area on the north-western slopes of the

Sierras Chicas. The plants are often small and inconspicuous. Caiophora cernua

This delicate climber (= Blumenbachia cernua Griseb. in Tropicos 2009) is endemic

to Argentina and has been recorded sporadically in most provinces of North-western

Argentina, including the Pampean Sierras and Córdoba (Darwinion 2009; Table 3).

Many collection sites were at altitudes between 2000 and 3500 m. In the present

research we found only a single population of Caiophora, in a deep gorge in the Los

43

Gigantes range of the Sierras Grandes (altitude 2248 m a.s.l.). In 2000, Luis

Volkmann had seen the species in two sites in the northern Sierras Chicas (altitudes

between 1200 and 1400 m), but these locations could not be confirmed in 2008.

Caiophora cernua with flower and young fruit Galactia glaucophylla

This small climbing legume species is endemic to central Argentina. It has been

collected mostly in Córdoba, but also occasionally in the neighbouring provinces of

San Luis and Santiago del Estero (Table 3). Many of the collections in Córdoba were

on the western slopes of the Sierras Chicas, toward Punilla Valley, while others were

on the slopes of the Sierras Grandes and in the Northern Sierras. In this research, a

few populations of Galactia were found on the north-western slopes of the Sierras

Chicas, at altitudes above 1000 m. Lathyrus macropus

This species has been recorded in Chile and Argentina, especially in Andean

provinces and in parts of the Pampean Sierras (Darwinion 2009). Herbarium

specimens from Córdoba province (Table 3) are from the slopes of Mt. Uritorco in the

northern Sierras Chicas, from the western slopes of the Sierras Grandes (Mt.

Champaquí) and from Sierra de Pocho. In field work for the present research,

populations were found on the slopes of Mt. Uritorco and in other sites in the north-

western Sierras Chicas (see photos of flowers of the three Lathyrus species in the

bottom line of the title page).

44

Lathyrus magellanicus This species has an Andean-Patagonian distribution, with several varieties along the

Andes in Argentina and Chile (Darwinion 2009). Var. tucumanensis Burkart occurs in

Bolivia and north-western Argentina, including in some Pampean Sierras (Table 3).

In

Córdoba province it is found rarely, on both eastern and western slopes of the

Sierras Grandes, at altitudes over 1500 m. We registered one population in this area. Lathyrus multiceps

This species, with large blue flowers, occurs in the Andes ranges of Chile and

Argentina, and has not been recorded for Córdoba province (Darwinion 2009).

Surprisingly, several groups of flowering plants identified as L. multiceps were found

by Luis Volkmann in January 2008 in a small area of the Los Gigantes range in the

Sierras Grandes, at altitudes between 2200 and 2300 m. b. Ecological requirements of species

Latitude

The distribution of all sites where climber populations were recorded (Fig. 1) shows

that most sites were located between 30.5° and 32.0° S, corresponding to the central

part of the Córdoba Sierras range, with some outliers in the southern Sierras (to

almost 33° S) and to the northern Sierras (to almost 29.5° S). Two sites in Tucumán

province are extreme outliers to the north. The median latitude of most individual

species was close to the median of the sample (31° S). However, there some

differences in latitudinal limits that may be associated with thermal tolerance. Only

three species (Ipomoea hieronymi, I. rubriflora and Clitoria cordobensis) were found

in the southern ranges almost to 33° S. Despite extensive searching, Dolichandra

cynanchoides was not found south of 32.2° S. Many other species were not found

south of 31.5° S. At the other extreme, only four species were found north of 30° S.

Philibertia tomentosa and Ipomoea stuckertii were found almost up to the last

northern outliers of the Córdoba Sierras (30° S). Only Dolichandra and Mandevilla 45

grata were sampled far north in Tucumán (26° S), but herbarium specimens of some

other species (e.g. Ipomoea hieronymi, Ipomoea rubriflora, Philibertia tomentosa,

Table 4) indicate that they also are found in parts of the Pampean Sierras in northern

provinces, that were not sampled in this research.

Table 4. Median, northern and southern limit and amplitude of latitude at which recent populations of target species were recorded. Species ranked by frequency of occurrence (n = number of populations).

Species

Latitude South (degrees) n Median Northern

limit Southern

limit Amplitude

Ipomoea hieronymi 52 31.6 30.1 32.9 2.8 Dolichandra cynanchoides 45 31.7 26.8 32.2 5.5 Clitoria cordobensis 14 31.1 31.0 32.7 1.7 Ipomoea stuckertii 14 30.8 29.7 31.0 1.3 Philibertia tomentosa 11 31.1 29.8 31.9 2.1 Ipomoea rubriflora 10 31.7 30.6 32.7 2.1 Galactia glaucophylla 7 30.9 30.8 30.9 0.1 Lathyrus macropus 6 30.9 30.8 32.0 1.2 Lathyrus multiceps 4 31.4 31.4 31.4 0.0 Matelea foetida 4 30.9 30.7 30.9 0.3 Morrenia stuckertiana 4 30.8 30.8 31.4 0.6 Mutisia castellanosii 4 30.8 30.8 30.8 0.0 Caiophora cernua 3 30.9 30.8 31.4 0.7 Mandevilla grata 2 29.0 26.8 31.2 4.4 All sites 163 31.4 26.8 32.9 6.1

Fig. 1. Histogram of relative frequency of sites in latitude classes (negative signs for latitude south).

Altitude

46

The sites at which climber populations were sampled cover an altitudinal range from

about 200 m (in the plain) to 2300 m, in the high plateau of the High Córdoba Sierras

(Sierras Grandes, Table 5). However, most sites were concentrated between 500 m

(the lower foothills of the Sierras) and 1300 m altitude (the top of the Sierras Chicas,

Fig. 2). There were substantial differences in altitudinal distribution between species

(Table 5, Figs. 2-6). Four species (Caiophora cernua, Galactia glaucophylla, Lathyrus

macropus, L. multiceps) were limited to the higher mountains (>1200 m) and at least

two of them reached very high altitudes (>2000 m), indicating cold tolerance and

susceptibility to high temperatures. Only three species (Morrenia stuckertiana,

Ipomoea stuckertii, Ipomoea rubriflora) were found at altitudes below 500 m, on the

plains east and west of the Sierras. Ipomoea hieronymi showed the greatest

altitudinal (and presumably thermal) amplitude, occurring at all altitudes from 540 m

on the lower slopes of the Sierras Chicas to over 1700 on the mid slopes of the

Sierras Grandes (Fig. 3). Also Philibertia tomentosa had amplitude of almost 1000 m,

from 500 to 1500 m (Fig 4). The more restricted altitudinal limits within which

Dolichandra cynanchoides was sampled (500 to 1250 m, but mostly up to 900 m; Fig

5) correspond almost precisely to those of the Montane Forest dominated by Lithrea

molleoides, which is its preferred habitat in the Sierras. Most other vines also reach

their upper altitudinal limit at about 1200 m. Clitoria cordobensis populations were

found in a relatively restricted altitudinal range, from 700 to 1250 m only (Fig. 6).

Table 5. Median, lower and upper limits and amplitude of altitudes (m a.s.l.) at which recent populations of target species were recorded. Species ranked by frequency of occurrence (n = number of populations).

n Altitude a.s.l. (m)

Median Lower Upper Amplitude

Species limit limit Ipomoea hieronymi 53 1013 542 1743 1201 Dolichandra cynanchoides 45 687 504 1245 741 Clitoria cordobensis 14 993 698 1254 556 Ipomoea stuckertii 14 971 452 1279 827 Philibertia tomentosa 11 1024 510 1480 970 Ipomoea rubriflora 10 862 473 1193 720 Galactia glaucophylla 7 1279 1072 1475 403 Lathyrus macropus 6 1420 1300 1810 510 Lathyrus multiceps 4 2256 2227 2277 50 Matelea foetida 4 1148 715 1279 564 Morrenia stuckertiana 4 455 230 1070 840 Mutisia castellanosii 4 1180 1178 1270 92

47

Caiophora cernua 3 1360 1255 2248 993 Mandevilla grata 2 668 521 815 294 All sites 164 887.5 230 2277 2047

Fig. 2. Histogram of relative frequency of sites in altitude classes.

Fig. 3. Histogram of relative frequency of populations of Ipomoea hieronymi in altitude classes.

Fig. 4. Histogram of relative frequency of populations of Dolichandra cynanchoides in altitude classes.

48

Fig. 5. Histogram of relative frequency of populations of Philibertia tomentosa in altitude classes.

Fig. 6. Histogram of relative frequency of populations of Clitoria cordobensis in altitude classes.

Vegetation formations and tree cover The surrounding vegetation was recorded for 90 populations and classified into four

principal formations: Forest with ≥40% cover of tall trees; Woodland (open forest)

with 5% to 40% cover of tall trees and no clear dominance of any other vegetation

type; Scrub (matorral) with dominance of small trees; Grassland and shrubland, with

dominance of grasses and/or shrubs. The most frequent formation in the sample of

69 sites was woodland, followed by grass- and shrubland, forest and scrub (Table 6,

Fig. 7). Two sites were in plantations of exotic trees (pine and eucalyptus); these

sites were excluded from some of the analyses. The distribution of different species

among vegetation formations was significantly different from random (P<0.01 with

Chi-square test). For example, populations of the shade tolerant vine Dolichandra

cynanchoides were totally concentrated in forest, scrub and woodland sites and 49

absent in grassland and shrubland (Fig. 8). In contrast, populations of Ipomoea

hieronymi are distributed in all four formations, with a somewhat higher than

expected frequency in grass- and shrubland (Fig. 9); this reflects the flexible growth

form of this species, which can either climb in shady environments or grow prostrate

in open environments. Populations of Ipomoea stuckertii, Philibertia tomentosa and

Clitoria cordobensis were found mostly in woodland (the latter also in forest; Table 6).

Populations of the small twining legumes (Lathyrus spp., Galactia) and of the annual

Ipomoea rubriflora occurred mostly in grassland and shrubland, indicating a

preference for conditions of high light availability. The different light or shade requirements of different climber species are also

expressed in the median and maximum values of cover of tall trees (forest) or tall +

low trees (forest + scrub) in the sites where they occur (Table 7). The evergreen vine

Dolichandra cynanchoides is the most shade tolerant, occurring even with almost

complete cover of either tall or low trees. The low value of the median for tall tree

cover, compared to the higher median for total (tall + low) tree cover indicates that

this species does not require trees to be necessarily tall. Clitoria cordobensis is also

relatively shade tolerant, while most other climber species for which sufficient

information was available occur in a range of intermediate or low tree cover.

Table 6. Frequencies of populations of target species (ranked by total number of populations) in the four major vegetation formations.

Species

Total Grass/

shrubland Woodland

Scrub

Forest

Dolichandra cynanchoides 19 0 7 6 6 Ipomoea hieronymi 13 4 7 1 1 Clitoria cordobensis 10 1 6 0 3 Philibertia tomentosa 8 1 6 1 0 Galactia glaucophylla 7 4 2 0 1 Ipomoea stuckertii 5 0 5 0 0 Ipomoea rubriflora 4 3 0 1 0 Lathyrus macropus 4 3 1 0 0 Lathyrus multiceps 4 4 0 0 0 Matelea foetida 3 1 2 0 0 Mandevilla grata 2 0 1 0 1 Morrenia stuckertiana 2 0 1 1 0 Mutisia castellanosii 2 0 2 0 0 Caiophora cernua 1 1 0 0 0 Total 90 23 42 10 15

50

Species

n

Cover of tall trees

(%)

Cover of tall + low trees (%)

Median Maximum Median Maximum Dolichandra cynanchoides 19 25 85 60 95 Ipomoea hieronymi 12 10 40 10 60 Clitoria cordobensis 10 28 70 33 71 Philibertia tomentosa 8 10 30 13 30 Galactia glaucophylla 7 5 70 5 70 Ipomoea stuckertii 5 5 20 10 20 Ipomoea rubriflora 4 1 5 7 50 Lathyrus macropus 3 0 5 3 10

Fig. 7. Frequency of four major vegetation formations in all sites where climber populations were recorded.

Fig. 8. Frequency of four major vegetation formations in sites where populations of Dolichandra cynanchoides were recorded.

51

Fig. 9. Frequency of four major vegetation formations in sites where populations of Ipomoea hieronymi were recorded.

Grazing In almost 50% of the sites there were no signs of grazing of domestic herbivores (Fig

10). This reflects mainly the low grazing intensity in many parts of the Sierras Chicas;

particularly where tree and scrub cover is high. Some sites were outside of fences,

for instance on road sides. In most of the other sites, the 10-points grazing index

(browsing + manure index) was in the range of 1 to 5, indicating low to moderate

grazing intensity. In a few sites the index was 6 and in a single site as high as 9,

indicating very intense grazing. According to the manure found, most sites are

grazed by cattle and/or horses, and a few by goats. An estimate of the tolerance of climber species to grazing intensity is given by the

median and maximum of the combined grazing index in the sites where the

species occurs. The results indicate that Dolichandra, Clitoria and probably Ipomoea

rubriflora show a preference for sites with low grazing intensity (Table 8). In the case

of Dolichandra this may only reflect the fact that it frequently occurs in dense

vegetation less accessible to grazers. Clitoria is probably highly palatable. Other

species occur in a wider range of the grazing index, but only Ipomoea hieronymi was

found also in open grass- and shrubland with extremely high grazing index. The

leaves of this species have a drastic purgative effect and are usually avoided by

grazing mammals.

52

Fig. 10. Distribution of estimated 0-10 grazing index in all sites where climber populations were recorded. Table 8. Median and maximum values of estimated grazing index and of estimated minimal time since last fire in sites where populations of different target species were recorded.

Species Grazing index (0‐10) Time since fire (>years) n Median Maximum n Median Maximum

Dolichandra cynanchoides 17 1.0 5 10 8 50 Ipomoea hieronymi 12 3.0 9 6 5 10 Clitoria cordobensis 8 1.5 3 3 10 10 Philibertia tomentosa 7 0.0 6 5 4 5 Galactia glaucophylla 6 4.0 6 4 4 5 Ipomoea stuckertii 4 0.0 2 4 3 5 Ipomoea rubriflora 3 3.5 6 4 5 7 Lathyrus macropus 4 1.0 5 3 4 4

Fire

In contrast to the relatively low proportion of sites with indications of intense

grazing, many sites showed signs of more or less recent fires (Fig. 11). The

most common estimate was at least 5 to 10 years since the last fire (40% of

sites). A few sites showed signs of longer tomes since the last fire (>10 or >30

years), while in about one third of sites the time since the last fire could not be

estimated. These results reflect the increasing frequency and size of wild fires in

the Sierras of Córdoba In recent years that are causing a continuous reduction in

the area of mature montane forest.

Of the target species, Dolichandra cynanchoides and possibly Clitoria 53

cordobensis showed a preference for sites that had not recently burnt (Table

8), indicating a greater susceptibility to fires. Dolichandra is an evergreen, long-

lived vine with woody stems, that when damaged by fire may be slow to recover.

Many other climber species occurred also in recently burnt sites. This indicates

their capability to re-grow rapidly from subterranean organs after a fire; in most of

them (except possibly Morrenia stuckertiana) the leaves and stems anyway die

off in winter (the fire season) and new ones re-sprout in spring. In the case of an

Ipomoea hieronymi population growing in dense shrub vegetation, we have

observed a flush of flowering in the first summer after a fire, probably in response

to increased light availability.

Fig. 11. Distribution of all sites where climber populations were recorded by classes of the minimal estimated time since the last fire (?? – impossible to estimate).

Huge forest fire in the Sierras de Calamuchita, over the town of Santa Rosa de Calamuchita (Photo: http://www.cadena3.com/, 29 August 2009)

54

What do climbers climb on? For each population we recorded the life forms and species, or non-living elements,

which the individuals of the species were climbing on. A summary of these data by

life forms (Table 9) shows marked differences between climber species. Dolichandra

cynanchoides was almost always found climbing only on tall trees (59%, principally

molle, Lithrea molleoides and tala, Celtis tala; occasionally also Prosopis alba,

Fagara coco and Geoffroea decorticans) and low trees (37%, most commonly

espinillo, Acacia caven; also Schinus spp., Ruprechtia apetala and others). Only two

other species, Mandevilla grata and Morrenia stuckertiana, frequently climbed on tall

trees, but also low trees and shrubs.

By contrast, low climbers Clitoria cordobensis, Lathyrus spp. and Galactia

glaucophylla were most commonly found climbing or leaning on shrubs or

herbaceous vegetation. Ipomoea hieronymi was found on all kinds of support, but

most frequently (58%) on rocks or on the soil. Ipomoea rubriflora was found climbing

on shrubs and herbs, but also on fences. Philibertia tomentosa was mostly found

climbing on low trees and on shrubs.

Registering data in a woodland site (Mercedes Mascó)

55

Table 9. Frequency (in percentage) of supporting elements on which target species were observed to climb or lean on, as percentage of the total number of observations for each species (n).

Species

n

% of cases climbing on tall

trees low

trees shrubs

grass/ herbs

rock/ soil/fence

Dolichandra cynanchoides 49 59.2 36.7 0.0 0.0 4.1 Clitoria cordobensis 25 4.0 8.0 44.0 24.0 20.0 Ipomoea hieronymi 12 8.3 16.7 8.3 8.3 58.3 Philibertia tomentosa 12 16.7 33.3 33.3 8.3 8.3 Mandevilla grata 7 42.9 28.6 28.6 0.0 0.0 Ipomoea rubriflora 6 0.0 16.7 50.0 16.7 16.7 Matelea foetida 6 16.7 33.3 50.0 0.0 0.0 Lathyrus macropus 5 0.0 0.0 20.0 60.0 20.0 Morrenia stuckertiana 5 40.0 60.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Galactia glaucophylla 4 0.0 0.0 75.0 25.0 0.0 Lathyrus multiceps 4 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 Mutisia castellanosii 4 25.0 25.0 50.0 0.0 0.0 Ipomoea stuckertii 3 0.0 33.3 0.0 33.3 33.3 All species 149 28.2 24.2 21.5 13.4 12.8

Species richness of all climbers

In sites where rare or endangered climber populations were recorded, we also

registered the presence of all other climber species. This permitted an analysis of

climber species richness in relation to site and vegetation conditions. Climber species

richness varied from 1 to 11 between sites, with a mean of 4.1 and a median of 4.

Vegetation type had a significant effect on species climber richness (P=0.0034 with

Kruskal-Wallis test, N=64). Richness was lower in grass- and shrubland (mean 2.5)

than in the three woody formations, but not significantly different between woodland

(4.2), scrub(5.8) and forest (5.1) (Fig. 12). Climber richness was not significantly

related to % cover of tall trees, but was significantly related to the total cover of tall

+ low trees by a linear regression (P=0.0004, R2=0.17, Fig. 13) and even more

strongly by a quadratic regression with a maximum at about 60% cover (P=0.002,

R2=0.23, P for quadratic term=0.0251). This is consistent with the previous result,

that climber richness was as high in scrub as in forest formations. Climber

richness was also significantly related to tree height, both by a linear (P=0.0009,

R2=0.20, Fig. 14) and a quadratic relation (P=0.0010, R2=0.24).

56

The number of climber species was also significantly different (P=0.0032 with

Kruskal-Wallis test) between three slope classes, being greater in sites on slight

slopes (0-5%; richness 5.3) than in sites with steep slopes (>30%; 2.9) and

intermediate on moderate slopes (4.2) (Fig. 15). Climber species richness was not significantly related either to grazing intensity

nor to estimated time since the last fire, though it was somewhat lower in recently

(<5 years) burnt sites (mean 3.0). Climber richness declined highly significantly and linearly with altitude above 500m in

a linear regression (P=0.0001, R2=0.28, Fig. 16). However, the highest mean

richness was observed in the class of 800 to 900 m (Fig. 17); the difference in

richness between 10 altitude classes was also highly significant (P=0.0002 with

Kruskal-Wallis test). This trend may in part reflect the limits of thermal tolerance of

many climber species and in part the disappearance, at high altitudes, of the woody

vegetation that many species depend on for support. Richness of climbers was not significantly related to latitude over the sites

sampled. However, in field trips south of 32° S we observed a decline in general

climber richness, and in particular of the rare species included in the research.

Fig. 12. Mean and standard error of the number of climber species per site in the four major vegetation types.

57

Fig. 13 (left). Linear and quadratic regression lines of climber species richness in sites in relation to % cover of tall + low trees. Fig. 14 (right). The same in relation to tree height.

Fig. 15. Means and standard errors of climber species richness in three slope classes.

Fig. 16. Linear regression of climber species richness in relation to altitude.

60

Fig. 17. Means and standard errors of climber species richness in 100 m altitude classes. Population state of target species

The most common species, registered at the largest number of sites (including also

occasional sightings; >40 sites) were Ipomoea hieronymi and Dolichandra

cynanchoides. Four other species were found at 10-14 sites (Table 10), while

populations of other species were found only rarely. Even the most common species

were often found in very small populations of one or a few individuals. However,

Ipomoea hieronymi and Dolichandra cynanchoides (as well as Clitoria cordobensis in

one case) were also found in continuous extensive populations consisting of at least

hundreds of individual plants. In most other species, population size was at most of

the order of 10 to 100, but in some cases only a single plant. The reproductive vigour index, based on the abundance of flowers and fruits in the

population at the time of sampling, was in general very variable between

populations within a species (Table 11). For instance, in Dolichandra, some

populations had no flowers or fruits at all, while others had the maximum value of 10;

the median of 5 indicates general good reproductive vigour. It is exceeded only by

the annual Ipomoea rubriflora, which generally had abundant flowers and fruits

(median 8). Most populations of Ipomoea hieronymi had no flowers or fruits at the

time of sampling (median 0), and only in a few was reproductive vigour moderately

high. In most other species, reproductive vigour was in general low to moderate.

61

Table 10. Median and maximum of number of plants and area extension (minimal estimates) of populations of target species.

Species #

populations # plants ≥ area (m2) ≥

n Median Maximum n Median Maximum

62

Ipomoea hieronymi 53 9 7 200 7 21 20000 Dolichandra cynanchoides 45 17 20 100 16 213 2000 Clitoria cordobensis 14 10 10 250 9 40 1500 Ipomoea stuckertii 14 2 5 8 2 18 20 Philibertia tomentosa 11 7 4 12 7 35 250 Ipomoea rubriflora 10 3 5 50 2 75 100 Galactia glaucophylla 7 2 22 35 1 400 400 Lathyrus macropus 6 4 27 50 3 1200 1200 Lathyrus multiceps 4 4 11 18 4 5 6 Matelea foetida 4 3 2 8 3 25 300 Morrenia stuckertiana 4 2 34 60 2 2038 4000 Mutisia castellanosii 4 2 30 40 2 800 1000 Caiophora cernua 3 1 5 5 1 200 200 Mandevilla grata 2 2 9 15 2 1250 2400

Table 11. Median, minimum and maximum of reproductive vigour index observed in populations of target species.

Species Reproductive vigor index (0‐10)

n Median Minimum Maximum Dolichandra cynanchoides 17 5.0 0 10 Clitoria cordobensis 9 2.0 1 4 Ipomoea hieronymi 9 0.0 0 6 Philibertia tomentosa 8 3.5 1 5 Galactia glaucophylla 5 0.0 0 3 Ipomoea stuckertii 4 2.0 0 2 Lathyrus multiceps 4 4.0 3 7 Ipomoea rubriflora 3 8.0 3 10 Lathyrus macropus 3 3.0 0 8

2. Conservation ex situ

63

Seed collection

The main season of field trips for exploration and seed collection was summer to

autumn, from January to June. Some populations, that were found flowering but

without fruits at the first visit in summer, were revisited once or twice in autumn to

collect seeds. In total, we harvested seeds from 52 populations of 16 climber species

(Table 12). The number of populations of each species and the quantity and quality

of seeds that could be collected varied greatly between species. Thus, we easily

obtained large quantities of seeds of good quality of Dolichandra and of Mandevilla

spp. Seeds of Clitoria were abundant in a few populations, but on closer examination

some of them showed holes that indicated that they had been attacked by parasites.

Seeds were generally scarce in populations of Ipomoea hieronymi, I. stuckertii,

Matelea foetida and Phillyrea tomentosa; parasitized fruits and seeds were common

in these species. Though visibly damaged seeds and empty seeds were removed in

the process of cleaning, it is possible that not all damaged seeds were spotted; this

might explain the low germination percentages observed in accessions of these

species. The number of seeds that could be sown in germination experiments was

thus limited in some species by available seed quantity and quality.

Harvesting seed of Dolichandra (Mercedes Mascó); separation and cleaning of seeds of Mandevilla grata Table 12. Results of seed collection from climber populations. Number of accessions refers in general to the number of populations from which seeds were collected, but in the case of Mandevilla spp. it refers to the number of individual plants from the same population and site for which seeds were collected separately. Quantity of seeds collected per species was estimated approximately by the following grades: * <10, ** 10-100, *** 100-300, **** 300- 1000, ***** >1000.

64

Species # accessions Quantity Parasites # sown

Caiophora cernua 1 --- 100 Clitoria cordobensis 5 ---- X 364 Dolichandra cynanchoides 12 ---- 300 Galactia glaucophylla 1 --- 59 Ipomoea hieronymi 7 --- X 192 Ipomoea rubriflora 3 --- 191 Ipomoea stuckertii 2 - X 5 Lathyrus multiceps 1 --- 87 Mandevilla grata "stellate" 4 ----- 450 Mandevilla grata "tubular" 2 ---- 150 Mandevilla laxa 2 ---- 200 Mandevilla pentlandiana 4 ----- 375 Matelea foetida 1 -- X 38 Mutisia castellanosii 1 - 5 Phillyrea tomentos 4 ---- X 278

Germination experiments

Germination

In two species, no germination at all was observed: Matelea foetida and Mutisia

castellanosii; of the latter species only 5 seeds were available for the experiment

(Table 13). In Ipomoea hieronymi, germination percentage was null to very low in all

accessions sown, with a mean germination of only 6% of almost 200 seeds sown and

very slow emergence (mean time to emergence 22 days). This result was surprising,

since in a previous experiment in 2007, a 2006 accession of this species had a

germination percentage of 59%. Seeds conserved from the same accession

germinated at 14% in the 2008 experiment. Very low germination was also registered

in Philibertia tomentosa (5%) y Ipomoea rubriflora (11%). In both species,

germination percentage varied markedly between accessions: from 0 to 12% in

Philibertia and from 2% to 47% in I. rubriflora. In the latter species emergence was

rapid (mean 12 days) The three legume species showed intermediate germination percentages:

65

Galactia glaucophylla (19%), Lathyrus multiceps (39 %) and Clitoria cordobensis

(41%). Time to emergence was short in Galactia (mean 13 days) and in Clitoria (15

days). In Clitoria there was large variation between the five accessions, from a

minimum of 7% to a maximum of 73% germination.

Dolichandra cynanchoides showed a mean germination percentage of 69%, with

only moderate variation between the three accessions (62 to 80%). In previous

experiments in 2006 and 2007, germination varied between accessions from 37 to

93%. However, mean time to emergence in 2008 was 40 days compared to only 21

in 2007. The reason for the difference is probably that in 2008 this species was sown

earlier and in cooler conditions than was the case in 2007.

Fairly good germination was observed in the three Mandevilla species. Mean

germination percentage in the presumed hybrid M. grata (47%) was only slightly

lower than in two presumed parent species, M. pentlandiana (56%) and M. laxa

(58%). However, seeds from some mother plants of M. grata reached much higher

germination (77 and 80%), while seeds from other mother plants germinated only 8

to 16%. Mean time to emergence was similar in the three species.

Table 13. Results from germination experiments. # acc. – number of accessions used; # seeds – total number of seeds sown; days – mean number of days from sowing to emergence; # and % - number and percentage of seeds that germinated, of seedlings that survived to the first transplant and of plants (of those transplanted) that survived in May 2009.

# # Germination Transplanted Survival

Species acc. seeds days # % # % # % Caiophora cernua 1 100 13.3 90 90.0 80 88.9 2 2.5 Clitoria cordobensis 5 364 15.1 150 41.2 150 100.0 125 83.3 Dolichandra cynanchoides 3 300 39.5 207 69.0 204 98.6 141 69.1 Galactia glaucophylla 1 59 12.7 11 18.6 11 100.0 0 0.0 Ipomoea hieronymi 5 192 21.7 12 6.3 10 83.3 8 80.0 Ipomoea rubriflora 3 191 12.3 21 11.0 18 85.7 7 38.9 Ipomoea stuckertii 2 5 8.0 1 20.0 1 100.0 1 100.0 Lathyrus multiceps 2 87 22.4 34 39.1 34 100.0 0 0.0 Mandevilla grata "stellate" 5 450 42.3 210 46.7 199 94.8 178 89.4 Mandevilla grata "tubular" 2 150 34.5 70 46.7 68 97.1 59 86.8 Mandevilla laxa 2 200 36.7 117 58.5 117 100.0 102 87.2 Mandevilla pentlandiana 4 375 37.2 211 56.3 207 98.1 175 84.5 Matelea foetida 1 38 0 0.0 0 Mutisia castellanosii 1 5 0 0.0 0 Phillyrea tomentos 4 278 22.9 15 5.4 10 66.7 8 80.0

66

Finally, the tiny seeds of Caiophora cernua showed very high germination

percentage (90%). The seedlings were likewise miniscule and developed very slowly.

Germination trays of Mandevilla spp. in hothouse; emergence of Mandevilla grata

Recently emerged seedlings of Dolichandra cynanchoides; Plantlets of Clitoria cordobensis recently transplanted to trays of Speedling cells

Transplanting Clitoria cordobensis and Mandevilla spp. plantlets from Speedling cells to pots (Mercedes, Imanuel)

67

Survival of seedlings until and after first transplant In most species and accessions, a high proportion of emerged seedlings (80 to

100%) survived until the first transplant, which was carried out according to the

developmental stage of the plants, generally in spring between late September and

early November. The only exception was Philibertia tomentosa, where 5 of the 15

emerged seedlings died, apparently due to a fungal disease.

There were much greater differences between species in survival after transplant,

during the hot summer. The seedlings of two legumes from high altitude

mountains, Galactia glaucophylla and Lathyrus multiceps, stopped growing and

lacked vigour as early as November, and gradually began to die. Regular watering,

removal to a shadier position and a second transplant of the survivors to bigger pots

in December had no effect. The last plants of these two species had died by early

February. They showed very poor development of the root system since their first

transplant. The probable reason is that seedlings of these high mountain species

were susceptible to the high summer temperature (maxima up to 37 ° C) in the much

lower site (550 m a.s.l.) where we grew them.

This may also have been the case with another high mountain species, Caiophora

cernua, in which most of the tiny seedlings stopped growth and eventually died off

during the summer. Only two of the 80 transplanted seedlings survived to autumn,

but then these began to grow vigorously throughout winter. The tentative

conclusion is that the three high mountain species should be propagated at altitudes

over 1000 m at least.

Transplanted seedlings of most other species, originating from lower to medium

altitudinal belts, survived very well (70 to 90%) throughout summer in the

conditions of partial shade and regular watering in which they were grown.

Plants of Clitoria cordobensis and of Ipomoea hieronymi grown in pots shed all their

leaves in early winter (June 2009), as happens under natural conditions. Most

plants of Mandevilla spp., Dolichandra cynanchoides and Philibertia tomentosa

maintained green leaves throughout July and August 2009, though shelter from frosts

68

was only relative and on a few nights temperatures dropped to 1 or 2 ° below

freezing point.

69

3. Diffusion to students, teachers and general public

1. Workshops, courses and talks

We carried out 16 activities of different types, workshops, courses, talks and guided

walks (Table 14). Some of them were carried out in educational institutions of

different levels, while others were open to the general public. In total, more than 500

persons participated in these activities. The participants, children and as well as

adults, in all cases showed great enthusiasm in learning to know and to value native

climbers and other plants and to get involved in their propagation, restoration to

nature or introduction to parks and gardens. Primary and secondary students learned

to propagate and to take care of native plants of about 20 different species. Some of

the plants produced were planted on the grounds of the school; others were donated

to a municipal nursery. 2. Informative Bulletin

We designed an informative bulletin in the form of a foldable double-sided hexaptych

of 12 pages, including an introductory page and 11 pages with information and

photos of 11 rare or endangered climber species of the Córdoba Sierras. Ten of

these were species studied in this project; one additional species was Phaseolos

vulgaris var. aborigineus, a precursor of the cultivated bean, wild populations of

which can be found in the Córdoba Sierras. The information and photos of this

species were provided by Dr. Susana Drewes of the University of Buenos Aires, who

is researching this species.

The bulletin was designed in Corel Draw 12 by Marcela Gamero and printed in 500

copies at the Universidad Católica de Córdoba, in August 2009. The copies will be

distributed without charge to the schools that participated in the project and to

teachers and university students. The two sides of the hexaptych are also available

as jpg image files (on separate files).

70

Children and teachers of the Rural Primary School Bernardo de Monteagudo, Bajo Chico, and some of the native plants grown by them

Natural Sciences students of the secondary school Instituto de la Misericordia, Alta Gracia, transplanting plantlets to Speedling trays

71

Table 14. Details of diffusion and educational activities carried out during the project.

Institution, Event, Place

Description of activity

Participants Date Responsible Rural Primary School Bernardo de Monteagudo - Bajo Chico

Guidance of a long term. Project of propagation and reintroduction of native plants, including climbers

50 students, 3 teachers

March 2008- August 2009

Mercedes Mascó

Ecosistemas Argentinos, near Río Ceballos

Guided walk: Identifying native climbers, with a dichotomous key

45 persons March 2008 Mercedes Mascó, I. Noy-Meir, Melisa Giorgis

Ecosistemas Argentinos, Villa Giardino

Course: Introduction to the flora of the Sierras

20 persons May 2008 Mercedes Mascó, Pablo Dimaio

Week of the Flower´08, Jardines de Córdoba Periodical, Córdoba

Talk: Flowers of the Córdoba Sierras for the garden

30 persons September 2008 Mercedes Mascó

Secondary School Instituto Misericordia, Alta Gracia and Univ. Católica de Córdoba

Course-workshop: Knowledge and propagation of native plants, especially climbers

35 upper class Sciences students, 1 teacher

September - December 2008 and August 2009

Mercedes Mascó

Alta Gracia Municipality

Talk: How to identify and conserve native plants in the urban environment

30 employees of City Parks department

October 2008 Mercedes Mascó

Teachers College, ENS Alta Gracia and Univ. Católica de Córdoba

Workshop: Identify and reintroduce native plants, especially climbers

34 students, 1 teacher

October 2008 Mercedes Mascó

Rural Primary School Ing. Pagliari, Altas Cumbres

Workshop: Knowing native plants

25 students, 2 teachers

November 2008 Luis Volkmann

Teachers College B. Houssay, Capilla del Monte

Talk: Conservation of native plants

35 students, 1 teacher

December 2008 Luis Volkmann

Volunteers of Ecosistemas Argentinos, near San Antonio de Arredondo

Restoration of native climbers to disturbed native woodlands: plantation and watering

20 volunteers December 2008 Mercedes Mascó, I. Noy-Meir, Romina Torres, Daniel Renison

Ecosistemas Argentinos, near La Paisanita

Guided walk and workshop: The native flora and bird fauna, ecological interactions and ethnobotanical uses

70 persons March 2009 Mercedes Mascó, I. Noy-Meir, Cecilia Trillo, Javier Heredia

Río Ceballos Talk in Course on Propagation and restoration of native plants

35 persons April 2009 Luis Volkmann

Teachers College ENSAC, La Falda

Talk: Ecosystems of the Sierras and their conservation

35 students, 1 teacher

May 2009 Luis Volkmann

Fundación Peperina, Córdoba

Talk: Native plants and techniques for their propagation

45 persons June 2009 Luis Volkmann

Club Las Verbenas, La Cumbre

Talk: Ecosystems of the Sierras and their conservation

15 persons July 2009 Luis Volkmann

Infant School Santiago de Liniers, Alta Gracia

Workshop: Cultivation and plantation of native climbers

50 children, 2 teachers

August 2009 Mercedes Mascó

70

Discussion and Conclusions In situ conservation status and feasibility of ex situ conservation of species

To estimate the conservation status of the 15 target species we considered 11

factors on which each species was given a relative value of 1 to 5 (Table 15). In

general, higher values mean greater range, tolerance, abundance and population

resilience; thus lower values indicate greater vulnerability. The values were given in

most cases according to the information obtained in the present research,

complemented with information from the literature for species with a geographical

range beyond the study area. For some factors and species, the available

information was insufficient to estimate a relative value. On the base of these factor and other information, such as land use changes that

may cause special risks to some species (in particular deforestation and wild

fires) we estimated the conservation status of each target species on the

NatureServe scale (NatureServe 2009). This status varies considerably between the

15 target species. In the following we analyze their status, beginning from the most

vulnerable species. Mandevilla grata: This species is classified as globally critically imperilled (G1). After

the species had been considered extinct for many decades, we now know of two

populations, almost 600 km distant from each other. In one population (Tucumán)

only a few individuals were seen in the last forest relict in an area that has been

almost totally deforested. The second population (Córdoba) consists of at least 15

and probably a few dozens of vigorous plants. Though the population exists in a

Municipal Reserve (Reserva La Quebrada, Río Ceballos) and will not be deforested,

many of the known individuals grow on the verge of a road and are not secure from

disturbances. The intermediate morphology of this species between M. laxa and M.

pentlandiana has given rise to the hypothesis that it is a stable, fertile hybrid taxon

that results occasionally from spontaneous natural hybridization where populations of

both parents coexist. If this hypothesis is correct, and since the presumed parent

species have wide and overlapping geographical ranges, local populations may have

71

been formed, or may form in the future, in other sites unknown to us. However, this

conjecture is speculative and does not guarantee the survival M. grata. An effective

conservation strategy for this species would include maximal in situ protection of the

known populations, and a program of ex situ conservation and propagation as a

backup. The foliage and flowers of the plant are attractive and it has potential value

as an ornamental plant, being more robust and resistant than M. laxa that is already

cultivated throughout the world. Fortunately, our experience shows that there are good prospects for ex situ

conservation in this species. Plants of M. grata in the Córdoba population produce

abundant seed with good germination percentage (mean 47%, up to 80% in some

plants) and that the established seedlings grow rapidly, are robust and have excellent

survival in culture. Vegetative propagation by cuttings may also be feasible, though

we have not explored this option. As a result from the present research there are now

over 200 plants of M. grata in their first year grown in pots. In the hothouse, the

young plants overwintered while maintaining some green leaves, though in nature

the shoots of Mandevilla spp. die back to the ground and re-sprout from

underground. Within the next year, these plants can be transplanted to soil, either in

experimental plots or gardens or back to nature. From a preliminary propagation

experiment in 2006, there remain 8 plants in their third year grown in soil, that in

2009 produced flowers and some fruits. The germ inability of seeds from these

second generation plant still needs to be tested. Mutisia castellanosii var. comechingoniana: The species in its three varieties has

been collected in half a dozen sites in four Pampean Sierras provinces and may be

classified as G2 (globally imperilled). However, var. comechingoniana is known only

from a cluster of populations in a very small area (<1 km2) in the Córdoba Sierras. It

occurs there only in very specific habitat conditions that are uncommon in the

landscape, is fairly vulnerable to fire and probably to grazing. The site is part of a

private reserve that includes as a tourist attraction the spectacular red rock

formations Los Terrones. Thus this variety is critically imperilled and the taxon is

classified G2T1 as (T for infraspecific taxon). Monitoring of the population is

continuing in order to understand better how it may be conserved in situ, though

there are few if any feasible management options to protect it from future wild fires. Therefore, ex situ conservation is a priority.

72

However, so far our efforts in propagation from seeds have not been successful:

few seeds are produced and many of them seem to be empty; in any case,

germination percentage was low or zero and the few plantlets that emerged in one

case died soon. A new set of germination experiments will be carried out in

2009. We have also tried vegetative propagation by transplanting two cuttings of

subterranean stems to pots. Though the plants appeared to set root initially, both

died within a few months. Apparently, seedlings as well as adult plants of this species

require very special conditions to survive in culture, which yet remain to be found. Caiophora cernua: Though this species occurs over a wide latitudinal and altitudinal

range, the number of known populations is not large and populations are generally

small. The high mountains grassland and shrubland where the species exists

(altitude 1200 t0 3500) may be subject to changing grazing pressures and fire

frequencies. Little is known about tolerances and susceptibilities of this species. Thus

C. cernua may be considered globally imperilled (G2). The populations in the

Córdoba Sierras are few and apparently diminishing, thus in this sub-region the

species is classified as G2S1. The populations in the Sierras Grandes are at least in

part included in the Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito and the Reserva

Hídrica Provincial Pampa de Achala, but this does not guarantee their protection

from fire and only partial protection from grazing. A preliminary experiment in propagation from seeds indicated a very high

germination percentage. The tiny seedlings and the delicate plantlets are apparently

vulnerable to high summer temperatures in the lowland. Therefore, propagation and

ex situ conservation need to be carried out in shady and cool conditions, preferably

at altitudes above 1000 m. Lathyrus macropus, L. magellanicus, L. multiceps: These three species are known

from many populations in a wide latitudinal range along the Andes. Thus their global

conservation status may be only vulnerable (G3) or even apparently secure (G4).

However, the local populations in the high Córdoba Mountains, which are

geographically isolated from the main range of the species, are apparently scarce

and in the case of L. multiceps were first discovered in this research. Therefore their

status was classified as G3S1 (S for sub region). There is little information on 73

tolerances and susceptibilities of these species. All three have been observed to fruit

and produce seeds in nature, though seed collection is difficult because the fruits

open abruptly and scatter all their seeds in the moment of ripeness. The seeds of L.

multiceps showed reasonable germination (39%), but all plantlets died in summer;

the species probably needs to be propagated in higher altitude environments. Galactia glaucophylla: This species is known from a fairly limited geographical and

altitudinal range, centred on the Córdoba Sierras. There is little information on

tolerances and provisionally it may be classified as G2? In our experiment,

germination percentage was low (18%) and the initial vigour of the seedlings was

quite variable. As in previously mentioned cases, the plantlets died in summer. Thus,

though ex situ conservation is feasible, further research is necessary to establish the

requirements of the species in culture. Morrenia stuckertiana: The range of this species (or its ssp. stuckertiana according to

one study) is practically limited to the northern part of Córdoba province. In a great

part of its previously documented range, on the eastern plains, it is probably now

extinct due to habitat destruction for agricultural and urban development. At present

we have knowledge of only four recent populations, one in the Sierras Chicas and

three in the western plains, though more populations probably exist in the latter

region. Fruit and seed set seem to be limited; however Morrenia plants in general

can live for many years. At the present state of knowledge, M. stuckertiana may be

provisionally classified as imperilled (G2?). However, if the deforestation of the

Chaco woodlands in the western plains continues at the present rapid rate, the

species may soon become critically imperilled (G1), particularly since there are little

or no protected areas in this area. The prospects for ex situ propagation are not yet

clear. For lack of seeds we could not carry out germination experiments. In other,

more common species of Morrenia germination was low, but some plants could be

produced. A single young plant of M. stuckertiana that was dug up from the verge of

a road and transplanted to a pot is alive and well after one year.

74

Table 15. Factors influencing conservation status of target species and their estimated NatureServe Conservation Status. Number of asterisks indicates relative level of factor, according to results of this research and the literature. Codes of NatureServe: G- global, S sub- region or province, T- infraspecific taxon; 1- critically imperilled, 2- imperilled, 3- vulnerable, 4- apparently secure

Species

Geo

grap

h.

rang

e

Alti

t. ra

nge

Shad

e /li

ght

ampl

it.

# po

pula

tions

Popu

latio

n si

ze

Gra

z.

tole

ranc

e

Fire

to

lera

nce

Long

evity

Seed

pr

oduc

tion

Ger

m

inab

ility

Prot

ecte

d ar

eas

Nat

ure-

Se

rve

Con

s.

Stat

us

Caiophora cernua *** *** ? ** ** * ? ? ** *** ** G2S1 Clitoria cordobensis ** ** ** ** ** * ** ? ** ** * G2 Dolichandra cynanchoides

**** ** ** *** *** *** ** *** *** *** * G3?S3

Galactia glaucophylla ** ** ? ** ** * ? ? * ** ? G2? Ipomoea hieronymi **** **** **** **** **** **** *** *** ** ** *** G4 Ipomoea rubriflora **** **** *** *** *** ** *** * **** ** ? G3 Ipomoea stuckertii ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** * * ? G2 Lathyrus macropus **** *** ** ** ** * ? ** ** ? ? G3S1 Lathyrus magellanicus **** **** ? * * * ? ? * ? * G3S1 Lathyrus multiceps **** *** ? * * * ? ? ** ** * G3S1 Mandevilla grata ** * ** * * ? ? ** *** ** * G1 Matelea foetida *** ** ** ** * ? ? ? * * ? G2? Morrenia stuckertiana ** *** ** * ** ? ? ** * ? ? G2? Mutisia castellanosii var.comechingoniana

* * * * ** * ** ? * ? * G2T1

Philibertia tomentosa *** *** *** ** ** ** ** ** ** * ? G3

75

Matelea foetida: The geographical range of this species is somewhat wider than that of

the previous climber species, but populations are scattered and generally small. Its

conservation status was also provisionally classified as G2? Seed production is scarce

and many fruits were found parasitized. In a first experiment with a small quantity of

seed we obtained no germination; further experiments are necessary to try to find the

required pre-germination and germination conditions. Ipomoea stuckertii: Similar to Morrenia stuckertiana, this species is endemic to

mountains and plains of central Argentina, centred on northern Córdoba province.

However, a greater number of recent populations, mostly small, are known in this case.

The plant seems to be fairly tolerant to grazing and fire. Its conservation status was

estimated as imperilled (G2). Continued deforestation of the woodlands on the western

plains is a risk also for the future of I. stuckertii in this part of its range; the populations

in the Sierras may be more secure. Only few fruits with healthy seeds were found and

only one seedling was produced. This may indicate a limitation in its reproductive vigour

in natural populations and a difficulty for ex situ propagation and conservation. Clitoria cordobensis: Though also recorded in Entre Ríos in eastern Argentina and in

the northern Pampean Sierras, the main present geographical range of this species is in

the Córdoba Sierras, at altitudes between 700 and 1300 m. Known populations are

scattered and of variable size. The species grows best either in the shade of trees and

shrubs or among rocks, and apparently requires some protection from grazing. Known

populations are scattered and of variable size. Flowering seems to be sporadic but the

larger plants were in some cases found bearing abundant fruits and seeds. The

conservation status of Clitoria is estimated as G2. Its future is linked to that of the

montane forests and woodlands that are the habitat where it thrives best. The major

risks for its survival in nature are the frequent and extensive wild fires in these

vegetation types as well as the advance of urbanization into the Sierras. Reasonable germination (40%) and high survival of seedlings were obtained in our

experiments, thus ex situ propagation and conservation seems to be feasible.

However, the survival of the plants in the longer term and the ability of the species to

flower and set seed in culture, still remain to be examined.

76

Philibertia tomentosa: This species has a fairly wide latitudinal and altitudinal range in

the Pampean Sierras. Populations are neither very common nor large, but seem to be

stable: in two cases we found populations in sites where the species had been collected

several decades ago. The species does not seem to be highly susceptible to fire or

grazing. Fruit and seed set are fairly common, though many fruits are parasitized before

they are entirely ripe. Philiberia tomentosa was therefore assigned conservation status

G3 (vulnerable) only. Though in our experiments germination percentage was low, the

established seedlings continued to grow vigorously throughout summer and autumn,

some climbing to a height of 2m. Their leaves remained green throughout winter the

protection of the shade house only, though in July 2009 temperatures dropped to -4 °C

on some nights. These observations indicate that successful ex situ conservation of this

species is feasible. It may have potential as an ornamental plant, thanks to its dark

green leaves covered with woolly hairs and its interesting flowers. Ipomoea rubriflora: This annual climber with small ruby-red flowers has a wide

latitudinal and altitudinal range, according to the herbarium specimens examined. In our

field work we found widely scattered populations. Many of them were in disturbed sites,

on road sides and in abandoned fields, while others grew in open woodland and scrub;

none of them were in shady habitats. Seed production was prolific, and though in our

experiments germination percentage was low, the potted plants grow very rapidly with

the support of a reed cane, flowered and set fruit and seed abundantly throughout

summer and autumn. We even found in the pots some seedlings that germinated from

the seeds shed. The major risk to the species comes from the trend for more efficient

and widespread “management” of road sides with herbicides, which may eliminate this

“weed” from many sites where it is now growing. The populations in natural vegetation

in the mountains are probably more secure. I. rubriflora was classified as vulnerable

(G3). Its ex situ conservation is feasible and it has some potential as an ornamental

plant. Ipomoea hieronymi: This perennial “morning glory” endemic to the Pampean Sierras

has the advantages of a wide latitudinal and altitudinal amplitude, the ability to grow on

grass, rock and soil in exposed sites as well as to climb in the shade of the woodland, a

chemical composition that renders it unattractive to grazers, and an ability to re-grow

vigorously from underground organs after a fire. Though the leaves and fruits are

attacked by some insects, the damage caused is usually not critical. This combination of 77

attributes grants the populations of this species a high degree of resilience for

overcoming natural and man-made environmental changes. Populations were found in

many sites throughout the Córdoba Sierras, and though some of them consisted of only

a few individuals in poor condition, others extended over large areas, with hundreds of

healthy plants. Since it re-grows every spring from tubers, the species seems to

diminish in dense shade in tall montane forest; however, this vegetation formation is

(unfortunately) not extensive in the Sierras, mainly due to frequent wild fires. Ipomoea

hieronymi was therefore the only species in our target group to which conservation

status G4 (apparently secure) was given. Seed production, quality and germination

percentage are variable, but our experiments show that ex situ propagation and

conservation is feasible. The species has potential as an ornamental and is being

propagated in at least one nursery. Dolichandra cynanchoides: It was difficult for us to assess the global conservation

status of this vine, for lack of information about the present state of populations in wide

regions outside our study area, where the species has been reported in the past.

However, it is reasonable to assume that its status there is no better, and probably

worse, than in the Córdoba Sierras, because the forests and woodlands in the plains of

central and north-eastern Argentina have been subject in recent decades to accelerated

deforestation and conversion to agricultural land. In the Sierras, the distribution of the

species is closely linked to that of montane forest (Bosque Serrano) dominated by Lithrea molleoides and of associated secondary succession open woodland and scrub

formations. In many parts of the eastern Sierras, there still are large and vigorous

populations of Dolichandra, often including very old plants with thick trunks winding

around the trunk of the supporting tree. The damage caused to these plants by intense

fires and by cutting of trees is slow in repairing, if not irreversible. Another major danger

to the mountain populations is deforestation for new urban developments that are

spreading mainly on the eastern slopes and foothills. An additional danger is the

overexploitation in the harvesting of the long shoots for basketry, which may not kill

immediately but can cause an attrition of its re-sprouting ability over a few years. In fact,

as a result of a combination of these risk factors, Dolichandra has almost disappeared

in the eastern foothills of the Sierras Chicas and in the western valley of Traslasierra

and adjacent slopes. Considering these factors, its conservation status in the Córdoba

sub-region was classified as vulnerable (S3); this may also be its global status. 78

Populations of the species exist in some small reserves, but most populations have no

protected status. Ex situ propagation experiments with Dolichandra in the present research and in two

previous years have been highly successful, with germination percentages of about

70%. Ex situ conservation and restoration to nature are not only feasible but have in fact

being carried out. In December 2008 we transplanted 70 plants grown from seed in

2006 and 2007 to the shade of native trees and shrubs in an open woodland site that

had been degraded by frequent disturbances and in which the species was probably

naturally present in the past. The survival and development of these plants will be

monitored. In addition, we distributed more than a hundred plants to botanical gardens,

schools, and amateur gardeners. The species climbs well on netting fences and walls

as well as on trees and shrubs. A part of the 150 plantlets grown in the present project

were also distributed to schools for their further cultivation and care. The objective is not

only ex situ conservation in a variety of different settings but also education of children

and teachers in the value and importance of the native climber species. The remaining

plantlets are being grown in the shade house for further study. General recommendations: in situ conservation

The research indicated that the in situ conservation status of 11 of the 15 climber

species studied may be “imperilled” or “critically” imperilled in the Córdoba sub-region,

while eight of them are globally in these categories. To what extent are the relatively

scarce populations of these species protected from further man-made disturbances in

reserves or national parks? The present network of conservation areas in the province

is scant and does not cover all of the important ecosystems and vegetation formations.

The largest such area consists of the Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito and the

surrounding Reserva Hídrica Provincial Pampa de Achala; conservation management is

less strict in the former, where cattle and goat grazing are permitted (Cabido et al.

2005). This complex, with a total area of 182 000 ha, covers the central parts of the

Sierras Grandes, from an altitude of 1500-1800 m to the summits. The vegetation

consists mainly of grassland, with small remnants of high mountain Polylepis australis

woodlands. Five of the fifteen climber species occur in this area: the three Lathyrus

spp., Caiophora cernua and Ipomoea hieronymi.

79

In the region of the Montane Forest (Bosque Serrano) there are only two small

conservation areas, Reserva HÍdrica Natural Pargue La Quebrada (4200 ha) on the

eastern slopes of the Sierras Chicas, and Reserva Cultural Natural Cerro Colorado

(3000 ha) in the northern Sierras; there is also a very small private reserve of the

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba at Vaquerías (380 ha) on the western slopes of the

Sierras Chicas. These three areas together contain confirmed recent populations of six

climber species studied here: Clitoria, Dolichandra, Ipomoea hieronymi, I, rubriflora,

Mandevilla grata and Philibertia tomentosa, The Parque Provincial Natural Chancaní

(5000 ha) in the western plains covered also by semi-arid Chaco Woodland, includes

some of the lower slopes of the Sierra de Pocho. There is a recent record of Morrenia

stuckertiana in this area; Philibertia tomentosa and Ipomoea stuckertii may also be

present. The existing conservation areas in Córdoba are clearly insufficient to secure the

conservation of many of the climber species studied, and of the native flora in general.

The deficiency of protected areas is notable in the area of montane forests and

woodlands, but also in the Chaco woodland in the eastern and western plains and in the

Espinal woodland. In the Sierras, there is an urgent need to establish secure protected

areas in the western ranges Pocho and Guasapampa and in the Paravachasca,

Calamuchita and Comechingones ranges. The existing reserves in the Sierras Chicas

do not cover the north-western area (Capilla del Monte – Uritorco - La Cumbre), with

large altitudinal amplitude, which is especially rich in climber species: 11 of the 15 target

species were recently recorded in this area. This area is recognized as of high priority

for conservation, but since all land is private, efforts to set up a protected area have so

far been unsuccessful. General recommendations: ex situ conservation

The experiments conducted in this research have shown that propagation from seeds is

feasible for at least nine of the 15 target species, though germination percentage varies

greatly. No seed or insufficient viable seed was available for Lathyrus macropus, L.

magellanicus, Ipomoea stuckertii, Mutisia castellanosii and Morrenia stuckertiana, while

no germination was observed in Matelea foetida. All these species are rare in the study

area, therefore greater collection efforts and more experiments will be required to test

the feasibility of their ex situ propagation. 80

Among the nine species in which significant germination was observed, six showed

good survival and growth in the first year when cultivated in pots, without special

protection, in the conditions of the experiment. In our experience, the first year is the

critical stage in the propagation and cultivation of native plants. This suggests that for

these six species, at least, ex situ propagation and conservation has been confirmed to

be a technically feasible option. The plantlets of three other species, all from high

mountain environments (Caiophora cernua, Galactia glaucophylla, Lathyrus multiceps),

died during the hot summer in the experimental site (Alta Gracia, altitude 550 m a.s.l.)

and it is recommended that further propagation experiments be carried out at higher,

cooler sites in the sierras. Ongoing research

Though the research project as presented to and supported by Rufford Small Grants

has been practically concluded, some lines of research will continue until the end of

2009 and into 2010. 1. Cultivation, monitoring and observation in their second year of plants produced in the

project, particularly of Clitoria cordobensis, Mandevilla grata (in comparison with the two

other Mandevilla spp.), Dolichandra cynanchoides, Ipomoea hieronymii and Philibertia

tomentosa (Mercedes Mascó, Imanuel Noy-Meir). Some of the plants will eventually be

transplanted to soil in experimental plots and restoration experiments. 2. A second set of germination experiments with Mutisia castellanosii, with a greater

number of seeds collected this year (Luis Volkmann). 3. Preparation of scientific papers on the results of this research, to be submitted to

scientific journals and at scientific congresses. 4. Larger scale propagation and cultivation experiments with selected climber species.

These and other native species with ornamental potential (mainly shrubs) were included

in a research proposal submitted in 2009 to the Ministry of Science and Technology of

Córdoba Province. In case this project is funded, it will be carried out in 2010 and 2011

(Mercedes Mascó, Imanuel Noy-Meir and other researchers). 81

Acknowledgments We are very grateful to Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation for the generous

support that made this research possible. Our special personal thanks are to Jane

Raymond, who guided and accompanied us throughout the project and helped us to

solve some tricky administrative problems. We are grateful to Melisa Giorgis for making

available to us important information on the distribution of some species, from the

material collected for her Ph.D. thesis. Many other persons cooperated in field work,

seed cleaning, setting up the installations for propagation experiments, weeding,

watering and in the educational activities. Marcela Gamero designed the informative

bulletin.

82

References Agüero, M., Ávila, M., Mascó, M. 2006. Rescatando nuestro paisaje: crear un parque nativo en

una escuela rural. 1ras Jornadas Nacionales de Protección y Manejo Sustentable del

Bosque Nativo. La Paz, Entre Ríos. Libro de Resúmenes. ISBN-10: 987-23234-0-2. p.

107.

Burkart, A., Troncoso de Burkart, N. S., Bacigalpo, N. M. 1987. Flora Ilustrada de Entre Ríos

(Argentina), Parte III a. INTA Buenos Aires. 763 pp.

Cabido, M., Gorgas, J.,Piana, J., Roqué Garzón, J. M., Rosacher, C., Venturini, E. 2004. Áreas

protegidas: provincia de Córdoba, República Argentina. Agencia Córdoba Ambiente

S.E., Ediciones del Copista, Córdoba. 122 pp.

Darwinion, Instituto Botánico. 2009. Catálogo de las plantas vasculares de la República

Argentina – online version. http://www.darwin.edu.ar/Proyectos/FloraArgentina/FA.asp.

Ezcurra, C. 1981. Revisión de las Apocináceas de la Argentina. Darwiniana 23, 367 474.

Ezcurra, C. 2005. Apocynaceae (247). In: A. Anton y F. Zuloaga (dirs.), Flora Fanerogámica

Argentina 91, 1-54. PROFLORA CONICET, Córdoba. ISBN 987-22529-4-7.

Ezcurra, C. and Belgrano, M. J. 2007. A new species and a new combination in Matelea

(Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from southern South America. Systematic Botany 32,

856–861.

Goyder. D. J. 2003. A synopsis of Morrenia Lindl. (Apocynaceae subfam. Asclepiadoideae)

Kew Bulletin 58, 713-721.

Mascó, M., Noy-Meir, I., Perazzolo, D. 2007a. Un Banco de germoplasma activo para la

conservación ex situ y la propagación de especies útiles de la flora nativa del Centro

argentino. III Jornadas Nacionales de Flora Nativa, Córdoba.

Mascó M., Mohn E., Mangudo C., Noy-Meir I. y Perazzolo D. 2007b. Propagación y cultivo de

enredaderas nativas con potencial ornamental. III Jornadas Nacionales de Flora Nativa,

Córdoba.

NatureServe 2009. NatureServe Conservation Status.

http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm.

Sérsic, A., Cocucci, A.et al..2006. Flores del Centro de Argentina. Academia Nacional de

Ciencias. Córdoba. 354 pp.

Tropicos. 2009. Tropicos online data base. Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org.

Volkmann, L. R. 2005. Enredaderas de las Sierras de Córdoba. Ecosistemas Argentinos.

Córdoba. 134 pp.

Woodson, R. E. Jr. 1933. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 20, 605-790.

Zuloaga F. O. and Morrone, O. 1999. Catálogo de las plantas vasculares de la República

Argentina. II. Acanthaceae- Zygophyllaceae. Missouri Botanical Garden Press,

USA.1269 pp. 83