Abstract

MENESES, Rosa I.; LARREA-ALCAZAR, Daniel M.; BECK, Stephan G.  and  ESPINOZA, Sara. Modeling the geographical patterns of distribution of grasses (Poaceae) in Bolivia: implications for their conservation. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2014, vol.49, n.1, pp.3-19. ISSN 1605-2528.

Through the review of catalogs, herbarium specimens and information available online, we compiled a database consisting of 5,748 records from 594 species of native grasses of Bolivia (mean ± standard deviation, 9 ± 11.3), which represent the 71% of total recorded species to Bolivia). Using the algorithm Maxent, the potential distribution of each species was modeled. For those species where the Maxent produced unreliable results, an alternative methodology based on specialist knowledge was applied. In both cases, maps of consensus about the geographical distribution of each species were generated. The individual maps were jointed in order to identify geographical patterns of distribution for each subfamily (Aristidoideae, Bambusoideae, Chloridoideae, Danthonioideae, Ehrhartoideae, Panicoideae and Pooideae), as well as also centers of richness for the family. The results showed the existence of four richness centers associated with the dry valleys and the mesophytic puna (tropical Andean region) and the Chiquitania and the Beni savannas (Brazilian-Paranense region). The analysis of protection intensity (representativeness of at least 17% of the centers of richness identified in the National Protected Areas System, SNAP, according to the Aichi targets suggested by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity), showed that three of the four centers of richness found (inter dry Valleys, the Beni savannas and Chiquitania) are underrepresented.

Keywords : Biogeographical regions; Bolivia; Conservation; Maxent; Poaceae.

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