The FILMED project starts the field activities

Dr. Isabel Mateu, FILMED project coordinator, shows how the leaf samples of myrtle (Myrtus communis) must be harvested and prepeared in small bags containing silica gel.

April 2007. Photo credits: E. Laguna

During mid April 2007 the researchers working for the FILMED project started the field activities, picking up leaf samples from the 8 targeted species. Formerly, Dr Isabel Mateu, project coordinator, leaded a demonstration session to explain all the sampling protocol procedures. Each plant population must be sampled picking up leaf samples (1-5 healthy leaves, sometimes more depending on leaf size) of 10 plants -1 specimen each 50 or more meters, so sampling transects should cover if possible 500 or more meters-. Leaf samples are packed in bags containin g ca. 15 gr (approx. 2-3 medium-siz full spoons) of indicating silica gel, sealed and marked to indicate the origin, species and other needed data. The samples picking will continue during 2007 and 2008, but most leaves should be pickef up in spring, in order to catch the maximum ADN in the best conditions.

Overview of the sampling area for Pistacia lentiscus by the site 'El Salado' (El Viso, province of Córdoba, Andalousia) in Sierra Morena mountains. Vegetation is a mixed forest co-dominated by Quercus rotundifolia and Olea sylvestris and belongs to the climacic plant community Pyro bourgeani-Quercetum rotundifoliae pistacietosum lentisci, the so-called 'charnecal', climax vegetation for most part of the lowlands in the Luso-Extremadurian sector (SW Spain). Pistacia lentiscus is there a frequent species on the tall arbustive layer (each 'charneca' or P. lentiscus shrub is 3-4 m tall) and sometimes becomes a co-dominant species.
April 2007. Photo credits: E. Laguna