Fritillaria meleagris is classified as “endangered” in Switzerland, especially in the cantons of Jura and of Neuchâtel. To protect this plant species, a solution came with reinforcing plant populations on sites where the species was or is occurring freely, such as the banks of the river Doubs. Since 2007, the JURASSICA Botanical garden is collaborating with the association “Parc du Doubs” in this program of protection. After harvesting seeds from the canton of Neuchâtel, the Botanical garden has conducted in Porrentruy growth assays, which proved to be a success. Plants that were cultivated ex situ in the Botanical garden, produced a large amount of seeds and bulbs, which is precious for re-implantation. Currently we transplant this plant material in the natural environment of fritillaries with the aim to support populations that are naturally present in the Parc du Doubs. For several years, the association has been performing a botanical survey to assess the evolution of the fritillary populations and to evaluate the relevance of the protection program.
In spring 2021, a small bulb plant, commonly known as « gagée velue » (or “hairy star of Bethlehem”), by the Latin name of Gagea villosa, was rediscovered in the main park of the Botanical garden. So far undetected by gardeners, this plant species was hiding in a population of Gagea lutea thriving in the lawn. A striking finding as Gagea villosa is classified as “endangered” in Switzerland! Though described in Porrentruy and in surrounding areas by botanists at the 19th century (Jules Thurmann then Jules Bourquin), this species has been lost from sight since then. It is likely a relic from former botanical gardens and its recent identification and detection highlights the role of botanical gardens in conserving plant species that are endangered or extinct. On view of its botanical value, bulbs of Gagea villosa were collected in the park and have been cultivated in pots for multiplication. The botanical observations on Gagea villosa were published in the Actes de la Société Jurassienne d’Emulation in spring 2023. From this experience, the Botanical garden wishes to study the potential presence of Gagea villosa in the surroundings of the park. Moreover a first attempt to implant the plant species in nature was made last autumn, in agreement with the cantonal service.
In a project supported by the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT), the JURASSICA Museum is working to maintain herbaria sheets, to re-address the modern nomenclature and to complete the inventory of plant specimens harvested at the 19th century by three famous botanists: Jules Thurmann, Jean-Amédée Watt, and François Joseph Bonanomi. Roughly 10'000 sheets are being digitalized, which illustrate specimens from Jura, but also from other Swiss cantons, France, Germany and Italia. The Museum is working on producing a database including all information on biodiversity using the standards of Darwin Core. At the end of this project, the data will be published online on national and international bioinformatics portals, such as the Swiss Virtual Natural History Collection (SVNHC) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) in order to share the information with international researchers. This study allows preserving the herbaria under a numeric format; it will enlarge the visibility of the JURASSICA herbaria at an international level and will promote scientific exchanges and investigations.