Abstract

SORIA-AUZA, Rodrigo W.  and  KESSLERL, Michael. Knowledge and conservation status of ferns and fern alijes in Bolivia . Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2007, vol.42, n.2, pp.148-156. ISSN 1605-2528.

The analysis of extensive databases has become an important tool evaluating the knowledge and conservation status of the biodiversity. We evaluated the species richness and the occurrence of threatened species (TS) of Pteridophyta at two levels: 1) ecoregional and 2) protected areas (PA's). In order to achieve this goal we analyzed the database of ferns (23,221 records; 1,163 species) through GIS. The richest ecoregion were the Yungas (1,034 spp.) and the dry montane forest (458 spp.), whereas the poorest were the Pantanal (12 spp.), the Beni Savannas (80 spp.) and the central Andean dry Puna (80 spp.). The richest PA's were placed in the Yungas (Carrasco, Cotapata and Madidi), being TIPNIS the exception. Although the order of importance based on the TS was consistent with the species richness, one slight change in the order of importance were detected between both levels of analyses (in decreasing order: Yungas, humid Puna of the central Andes and dry montane forest for the ecoregions; Cotapata, Madidi and Carrasco for the PA's). We also identified several important arcas holding TS not registered in any PA, most of them loca ted in the wet Andes and transition zones. Although the influence of the intensity of collection determining the species richness and the occurrence of TS was strong, a correction of its effect won't change drastically the general pattern, since it is the reflex of the preference of collecting in richest arcas. The most evident predicted change would be the up-listing of TIPN Isiboro Sécure. Finally, it is possible that a more intense collecting activity outside PA's will drive to identify other important arcas for TS not recorded into PA's.

Keywords : Pteridophyta; ecoregions; protected area; databases; GIS.

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