Introduction of a population of Ranunculus sylviae, strict endemic of Corsica, on Cuscione plateau area

09 November 2017

Despite the fall of the first snows, the Office of the Environment of Corsica (OEC-CBNC) installed, with the support of the Community of Municipalities of Alta Rocca, a new population of Ranunculus sylviae on Cuscione plateau area (municipality of Serra di Scopamene).

 

Cuscione plateau area

This species of the mountainous stage (present between 1400 and 1500 m of altitude), belongs to the aggregate Ranunculus polyanthemos L. It was recently described by Jacques Gamisans. It is a strict endemic of Corsica, classified in "critical danger of extinction" (CR) in the red list of the vascular flora of Corsica (evaluation 2015). Extremely rare, it is currently known only from Cuscione, near the sheepfolds of Matalza, along the small stream of Veracolongu (municipality of Zicavo) where only a few hundred individuals have been identified.

 

  

Ranunculus sylviae

The new population was created 5 km from the "natural" population, near the Quenza refuge, on the southern part of the Cuscione plateau. Fifty 5-month-old plants were planted on the banks of a stream, in  fruticetum with dwarf juniper on pozzines (mountain wet lawn). Regular monitoring of the operation will be carried out by the Community of Municipalities of Alta Rocca and  National Botanical Conservatory of Corsica.

 

  

Ranunculus sylviae seedlings 5 months old

 

  

Land preparation and planting

 

  

Young plants installed in their natural environment