Applying a hierarchisation method to a biodiversity hotspot: Challenges and perspectives in the South-Western Alps flora

Abstract : The SouthWestern Alps host a great diversity of vascular plants, and especially endemic taxa. Thus, setting up a hierarchisation of patrimonial taxa of this biogeographical territory is needed in order to determine the main conservation concerns of flora. We adapted a hierarchisation method which leans on two criteria representing different kinds of rarity, and a third criterion which incorporates potential threats. This hierarchisation goes further than the objectives assigned to red lists and protection lists because it assesses taxa by taking into account the territorial context, using a standardised method, objective and reproducible. The classification of 913 pa-trimonial taxa into four concern categories aims to improve the available financial and human resources allocation for conservation measures.