Study of two peony species

Paeonia broteroi

The genus Paeonia comprises 33 temperate species from Eurasia and western North America, including ten European species. They are a great favourite of botanists and gardeners alike because of their large showy flowers. This appeal provides the potential of involving a wider community of people in the study and conservation of peonies and other species of the same habitats.

Studies by A Rocha Bulgaria at 900 m on the south-west slopes of the Konjavska Mountains near Sofia have shown that the Balkan Peony Paeonia peregrina is under threat because of the collecting of its roots for medicinal purposes. Seed germination is very slow compared to some other peony species and since attempts at cultivation have so far been unsuccessful, the best way to protect this species is to conserve its natural habitats. Our studies have shown that the Balkan Peony thrives best in sunny conditions at woodland edges where plants produce more flowering stems and more seeds per flowering plant than in open areas or more heavily shaded woodland. This type of habitat niche is currently under threat in Bulgaria and in other parts of the northern Mediterranean region, because widespread discontinuation of traditional woodland management is allowing colonisation of open areas with shrubs and trees.

The Western Iberian Peony Paeonia broteroi is an Iberian endemic, found in the Algarve in the Serra de Monchique in a variety of habitats from woodland to heathland. A Rocha Portugal is mainly studying this peony in coppiced areas of Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa where it reaches especially high densities. It flowers in lightly shaded conditions before the leaves of the trees emerge and new seedlings develop strongly in the softer conditions of dense summer shading.

Balkan Peony (Paeonia peregrina) fruiting capsule

Studying a fruiting capsule of Paeonia peregrina

Based on initial studies by A Rocha Bulgaria in 2006 and earlier, a long-term applied research and monitoring programme of the two peony species has begun, with the following aims:

to monitor the local population size and dynamics of the two species;
to investigate how their reproductive capability is affected by competition, canopy cover and other habitat variables in order to identify optimal habitat conditions;
to understand local trends in habitat change that might affect the availability of optimal habitat for both species;
to carry out experimental habitat management and evaluate its effectiveness in improving the population status of the species;
to publicise the project with local and regional audiences, using the peonies as flagship species to create awareness of nature conservation issues associated with land use changes across the Mediterranean.

This is the first of a number of collaborative studies planned by A Rocha for sites across the Mediterranean basin.

Project leaders: Anelia Borisova and Will Simonson