Juncus emmanuelis

The main threats to this species are habitat degradation and destruction, particularly due to the development of new intensive agricultural practices since 1980s such as the use of fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural effluents, sedimentation and infrastructures, which affect greatly the habitat of this species. Other important threats to the species are livestock ranching and overgrazing and the development of touristic infrastructures within its distributional range. Also in a global context, the increased effect of droughts due to processes associated to climate change is expected to represent a significant threat in the future.

This species occurs in several protected areas (IUCN and UNEP-WCMC 2017). Most of the population of this species occurs in habitats designated as priority under the European Habitats Directive (EEC - European Economic Community 1992). In Spain, this species is protected at the regional level under the designation of “taxa of special interest” by Decreto 33/1998, de 5 de mayo de1998, in Comunidad de Castilla-La Mancha. It is also included in the Regional Red List of the Andalusia region as DD by (Cabezudo et al. 2005). Studies oriented to survey the potential occurrence of this species in North Africa are suggested since the same kind of habitat is also present. Research studies for evaluating trends and threats to its population, as well as the ecological requirements of this species, are also advised. Other recommended conservation actions include legislation development at national and sub-national levels, habitat protection, site management and ex-situ conservation.