Global Diversity and Conservation Priorities in the Cactaceae |
| |
Authors: | Pablo Ortega-Baes Héctor Godínez-Alvarez |
| |
Institution: | (1) Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas (LABIBO), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Buenos Aires 177, 4400 Salta, Argentina;(2) UBIPRO, FES-Iztacala, UNAM, Av. de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, 54090, Ap. Postal 314, Edo. de México, México;(3) Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo, 04510, Postal 70-275, D.F., México |
| |
Abstract: | The purpose of this paper was to analyze the diversity patterns of Cactaceae at a global scale, to identify those countries
where conservation actions should be performed. In order to do this, the species richness and the number of endemic species
for 34 American countries were determined. With these data, the relationship between the total number of species or the number
of endemic species and the area of the countries were analyzed. In addition, a complementarity analysis was conducted to determine
the most important countries for cactus conservation. Results showed that Mexico had the highest number of total and endemic
species followed by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, among others. There was a significant positive relationship between
both, the total and endemic species, and the area of the countries. Despite this fact, the cactus diversity in Mexico, Argentina,
Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Costa Rica was higher than expected according to their area. Further, these countries also presented
the highest proportions of endemic species. The complementarity analysis indicated that 24 countries are necessary to preserve
all cactus species. However, 94% of all species could be preserved with only 10 countries. Considering the diversity patterns
and the complementarity analysis, three important groups for cactus conservation were identified: (1) Mexico, Argentina, Peru,
Bolivia, Chile, and Costa Rica, (2) Paraguay and Cuba, and (3) Brazil and USA. Conservation efforts should be focused on these
countries in order to preserve cactus diversity. |
| |
Keywords: | America Complementarity analysis Deserts Endemic species Species richness |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|