Patterns of richness and distribution of Cactaceae in the Serra da Mantiqueira, Southeast Brazil, and implications for its conservation

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze patterns of richness and distribution of Cactaceae in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SM), a mountain range located in Southeast Brazil, and assess its conservation status. We compiled distribution data from the literature and 16 herbaria and plotted it on a map divided into grid squares of 0.5°. Richness, collection effort and similarity among grid squares were analyzed for the 33 taxa recorded in SM (five of which are endemic). Maciço do Itatiaia (in southern SM), Serra do Brigadeiro and Serra do Caparaó (in northern SM) are the richest areas. Collection effort and richness were correlated (R²=0.75). Similarity analysis revealed five clusters, one of which is composed of high elevation areas with a vegetation mosaic; the remaining clusters lack biogeographic significance, and are mainly composed of widely distributed species. Ten species had no records in any state or national conservation unit of integral protection, at least two of which are threatened with extinction. Species of Cactaceae deserve attention because several taxa are threatened and/or endemic, and because the majority of SM is environmentally degraded. These findings highlight the need for urgent conservation actions for the local biodiversity os SM.

Biogeography and Conservation of Gesneriaceae in the Serra da Mantiqueira, Southeastern Region of Brazil

“…In view of the complexity and divergence in the delimitation of Serra da Mantiqueira found in the literature, we chose to adopt the indications of Várzea (1942), Machado-Filho et al (1983), CETEC (1983), RADAM BRASIL (1983, and IBGE (1988) for the North-South limit. Regarding the East-West limits, we consider all the areas along the North-South line, taking into account the indications in several studies performed in the SM (Colabardini 2003;Lima 2008;Garcia Júnior, 2011;Pelissari and Romaniuc Neto 2013;Silva 2016;Gonzaga et al 2019), and using the cartographic base presented by Weber (2004). This area includes a total of 399 municipalities.…”

“…According to Machado-Filho et al (1983), the SM can be divided into two portions, Northern and Southern, although its geographical delimitation has been widely debated by several authors since the beginning of the twentieth-century (Mello and Mello 1909;Várzea 1942;Hueck 1972;Machado-Filho et al 1983;CETEC 1983;RADAM BRA-SIL 1983;IBGE 1988;Colabardini 2003;Almeida et al 2004;Lima 2008;Garcia Júnior 2011;Pelissari and Romaniuc Neto 2013;Meireles et al 2014;Gonzaga et al 2019).…”

Permanent preservation areas in Mantiqueira sierra: perspectives for regularization along watercourses

“…The native vegetation cover is mainly concentrated in the higher regions and associated with watercourses (Oliveira-Filho et al, 2006). The study area fits into a context considered highly rich in endemic, rare and endangered species, being considered a biodiversity hotspot and one of the irreplaceable areas for world biodiversity conservation (Gonzaga, 2019).…”

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“…The native vegetation cover is mainly concentrated in the higher regions and associated with watercourses . The study area fits into a context considered highly rich in endemic, rare and endangered species, being considered a biodiversity hotspot and one of the irreplaceable areas for world biodiversity conservation (Gonzaga, 2019).…”