Dianthus superbus is one of the most endangered species in Latvia and is on the verge of local extinction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to inventory previously identified populations of D. superbus in Latvia and to develop activities to conserve this species in accordance with the results obtained in situ. Expeditions on 18 previously documented locations, according to the data of Nature Conservation Agency, revealed only three existing D. superbus localities in Latvia with a significant number of specimens located in the Latgale region near Silenieki. In 2020, for the first time, two more new D. superbus localities were found in the vicinity of these three approved locations. As it is not possible to create micro-reserves in the existing localities which are mainly located either on roadsides or in a cemetery, additional activities are needed to preserve the D. superbus in Latvia. In vitro culture was initiated from shoot explants obtained in situ, from which, in turn, ex vitro plantings were done in the National Botanic Garden (NBG) and the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia (BG UL). Their quality and compliance with plants in situ were analysed. Overall, it was concluded that the plants grown ex situ were qualitatively equivalent to those obtained in situ, as a very high percentage of seed viability and germination was found both for in situ and ex situ growing D. superbus. Based on the results obtained we could conclude that D. superbus is a species that is able to adapt to different soils with a wide range of nutrient levels, moisture conditions and pH, as long as there are three main preconditions—adequate lighting, low overgrowth of other plant species and non-destructive human activities.

中文翻译：

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石竹作为拉脱维亚极度濒危物种：评估其生长条件和保护可能性

Dianthus superbus 是拉脱维亚最濒危的物种之一，濒临灭绝。因此，本研究的目的是清点拉脱维亚先前确定的 D. superbus 种群，并根据就地获得的结果开展保护该物种的活动。根据自然保护局的数据，对先前记录在案的 18 个地点的考察发现，拉脱维亚仅存在三个 D. superbus 地点，其中大量标本位于 Silenieki 附近的 Latgale 地区。2020 年，首次在这三个获批地点附近发现了另外两个新的 D. superbus 地点。由于无法在现有的主要位于路边或墓地的地方建立微型保护区，需要额外的活动来保护拉脱维亚的 D. superbus。从原位获得的枝条外植体开始体外培养，然后在拉脱维亚国家植物园 (NBG) 和拉脱维亚大学植物园 (BG UL) 进行体外种植。分析了它们的质量和与原地植物的合规性。总体而言，得出的结论是，异地生长的植物在质量上与原地获得的植物相当，因为在原地和异地生长的 D. superbus 中都发现了非常高百分比的种子活力和发芽率。根据获得的结果，我们可以得出结论，D. superbus 是一种能够适应不同土壤的物种，具有广泛的养分水平、水分条件和 pH 值，只要有三个主要的先决条件——充足的光照、