Abstract/Summary

This is the first time that a complete infrastructure has been presented that spans field biology, e-flora, multi-access keys, population genetics and conservation assessment for a complete flora. Such systems are ultimately a key step towards the achievement of the GSPC 2020 targets, particularly Targets 1, 2, 5 & 7. Positioned between Asia and Africa, the Farasan Archipelago has a high diversity of species given its small land area. This new online updated checklist of the Farasan Archipelago flora includes 245 species and subspecies of vascular plants. The replacement of traditional printed floras with online tools that are easily updated is part of target 1 of the GSPC. In this study, The web infrastructure to record the diversity and structure of the plant communities present in the Farasan Archipelago and to deliver this as an accessible and free flora for specialist and non-specialist users and for research and teaching purposes is demonstrated. This online flora includes the first multi-access key to Zygophyllaceae of the Farasan Archpeligoflora as an examplar with synoptic illustrations to allow confident identification of these difficult species. Appropriate management of plants of conservation concern requires genetic diversity assessment particularly for the threatened plant species that are ecologically and economically importance at a regional and global level. The assessment of mangrove species in the Farasan Archipelago confirmed that there is significant genetic structuring in natural populations along the coast. This study discusses the possible barriers that contribute to the separation of these populations. The consequence is that conservation action must be undertaken with populations as the basic units of protection. The conservation assessment and red listing of the Farasan Archipelago flora, according regional IUCN criteria and categories, reveals a high local extinction risk and thus the flora is of conservation concern, which is poorly recognized at present, both regionally and globally. This research is a first step towards the recognition of the dangers to the Farasan Archipelago plant diversity particularly the coastal zone plants. Industrial and tourist development are recognised as key threats. The conservation of the threatened species and the raising of public awareness at both regional and global levels is crucial to successful conservation. Overall, the most novel and important outcome of this research was the combination of these new techniques with field studies for the purpose of conservation prioritization for the Farasan Archipelago flora and to inform stakeholders and policy makers. This E-flora will become key to identifying and ameliorating the effects of the threats endangering the Farasan Archipelago plant diversity.