Mapeamento da distribuição e avaliação do status de conservação das Asteraceae endêmicas da caatinga

Abstract

The Caatinga Phytogeographic Domain corresponds to an extensive area with different types of ecosystems, floristic groups and physiognomies that shelter 3347 native plant species, of which 526 species and 29 genera are endemic. The Asteraceae family corresponds to the third largest family among the angiosperms present in Brazil, being represented in the Caatinga by 141 species, of which 14 are endemic. The present study aimed to map the geographic distribution of endemic species of Asteraceae from the Caatinga, looking for patterns and characteristics that help in the conservation of the species. Species occurrence records obtained from the database provided by collaborators and data stored in virtual herbaria, SpeciesLink and Reflora, were used. Species distribution maps were produced using QGIS software version 3.28. An assessment of the conservation status of the species was also carried out using the GeoCat online tool. The results obtained showed different patterns of geographic distribution: (1) Chresta martii, Dissothrix imbricata, Isocarpha megacephala and Trichogonia heringeri had a greater number of records and a more dispersed distribution; (2) Aspilia cearensis, Caatinganthus rubropappus and Telmatophila scolymastrum have a low number of records and less dispersed distribution; (3) Acritopappus buiquensis, Caatinganthus harleyi, Chresta artemisiifolia, C. heteropappa, C. subverticillata, Pectis loiolae and Piqueriella brasiliensis with more restricted distributions. The conservation status assessment allowed eleven species to be classified as “Endangered”, while three were classified as “Data Deficient”. It is believed that anthropogenic processes are one of the main influencing factors on the observed current distribution, and that it feeds the little protection that is provided to many of the studied species, also influencing their preservation situation. We conclude that these notions can be ways to explain the distribution patterns obtained by this work, despite the extreme need for more in- depth studies on the species in question, since they have few collection records and insufficient data on the habitats, satisfactory for their vulnerability amidst environmental threats. Thus, we hope that this study will serve as a theoretical basis and help with future research on the Asteraceae and its biodiversity in the Caatinga.