Application of complex conservation strategy to Iris atrofusca of the Northern Negev, Israel

We applied the quasi in situ conservation strategy, described in an accompanying paper, to a critically endangered plant species, Iris atrofusca from the Northern Negev, Israel. As the first steps of this strategy implementation we performed habitat and demographic observations; creation of two living collections outside the natural populations, but within the same ecological conditions; and relocation experiments. Plants in the living collections got established and showed high reproductive potential. In the relocation experiments, 3 years after introduction of rhizomes, no firm conclusions could be made about factors limiting species distribution at either large or small scale, but microhabitat was important for relocation success. We conclude that complex conservation approach that includes quasi in situ strategy should be useful for an endangered species that is distributed over variable ecological conditions.