Diversity, distribution and conservation status assessment of Paraguayan palms (Arecaceae)

Article Article scientifique Article Diversity, distribution and conservation status assessment of Paraguayan palms (Arecaceae) eng 2011 author Gauto Espinola Maria Irène 644090 author Spichiger Rodolphe-Edouard 22690 author Stauffer Fred Walter 757814 2705-2728 10.1007/s10531-011-0100-6 0960-3115 Indigenous palm species of Paraguay are presented with data on their diversity, distribution, threats and conservation status. The Paraguayan palm flora consists of 23 native species in 11 genera, representing two of the five subfamilies recognized in the group. The palm distribution in the country is strongly related to the different ecoregions present in Paraguay, with number of species by ecoregion being as follow: Cerrado (18), Upper Parana Atlantic forest (6), Wet Chaco (4), Pantanal (2), and Dry Chaco (1). Half of the species display an acaulescent habit reflecting an interesting ecological adaptation to natural fires in the Cerrado. The alarming rate of habitat modification that the country is undergoing since 1940s has put palms under a high risk of extinction in the wild. A GIS model was used to calculate the extent of occurrence and the area of occupancy of the species in order to assess their conservation status applying the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This analysis shows that about 30% of the species are threatened; one species is Critically Endangered, three of them are Endangered, and three are Vulnerable. One species (Acrocomia hassleri) is considered Near Threatened, 13 are Least Concern whereas two species are insufficiently known and therefore unable to be assessed. Important areas for palm conservation in Paraguay were identified, revealing the importance of the Amambay department. Conservation measures for the threatened species identified are proposed. Dewey 580 Open Access - Licence nationale Springer 45 Département des sciences végétales 163 false Biodiversity and Conservation 20 12 7f2c219f-4a34-4dfd-9bb0-25baa064c18e Article (Published version) Public Gauto2011_Article_DiversityDistributionAndConser.pdf 2591832 application/pdf openAccess Faculté des sciences / Section de biologie / Département des sciences végétales

Title	Published in	Access level	OA Policy	Year	Views	Downloads

Diversity, distribution and conservation status assessment of Paraguayan palms (Arecaceae)	Biodiversity and Conservation			2011	501	573

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Gauto Espinola, Maria Irène