Short Communication The conservation of the endemic vascular flora of Ascension Island and threats from alien species

We present the first assessment of the endemic vascular flora of Ascension Island for over 20 years. Combining new with existing data the follow- ing IUCN Red List categorizations are proposed: Anogramma ascensionis, Dryopteris ascensionis, Oldenlandia adscensionis and Sporobolus durus (Extinct); Pteris dscen- sionis (Critically Endangered); Euphorbia origanoides and Sporobolus caespitosus (Endangered); Asplenium ascen- sionis, Marattia purpurascens and Xiphopteris ascensionensis (Near Threatened). The primary cause of the four pre- sumed extinctions appears to be introductions of exotic species and subsequent alteration of ecological conditions. M. purpurascens, A. ascensionis, and X. ascensionensis appear to be under no immediate threat of extinction, although long-term survival is uncertain. E. origanoides, P. adscensionis, and S. caespitosus require active conservation measures to ensure their survival.