10.6084/m9.figshare.6858242.v1
Guilherme Alves Elias
Guilherme Alves
Elias
André Luís de Gasper
André Luís de
Gasper
Joanna Marie Tucker Lima
Joanna Marie Tucker
Lima
Guilherme Lodetti
Guilherme
Lodetti
Robson dos Santos
Robson dos
Santos
Native understory palms (Arecaceae) of the Atlantic Forest in Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil
SciELO journals
2018
biodiversity
Conservation Units
floristic and forest inventory of Santa Catarina
threatened species
Palmae
priority conservation areas
2018-07-25 03:06:31
Dataset
https://scielo.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Native_understory_palms_Arecaceae_of_the_Atlantic_Forest_in_Santa_Catarina_Southern_Brazil/6858242
<div><p>Abstract In this study, we examined the distribution and conservation status of understory palms in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina using data collected by the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina (IFFSC). Understory palms were systematically sampled within sampling units (SU) distributed over a state-wide 10 × 10 km grid. Among the 206 total SU monitored by IFFSC within Pluvial and Coastal Forest, 86% (n=177 SU) contained understory palms, comprising 1738 individuals from the following species: Bactris setosa, Geonoma elegans, G. gamiova, and G. schottiana. To explore the conservation status of understory palm populations in Santa Catarina, we overlaid a map of federal priority conservation areas on top of IFFSC distribution data for understory palms. Conservation priority levels defined by the Brazilian Environmental Agency (MMA) are rated Extremely High, Very High, High and Insufficiently Known. Ninety-four percent of the SU containing understory palms overlapped priority conservation areas, highlighting the centrality of understory palms in biodiversity conservation. Despite the wide distribution of understory palm communities in Santa Catarina, intense scrutiny of forest remnants is necessary in view of sensitivity to environmental disturbance, so as to guarantee the maintenance of understory palm populations and their ecosystem services.</p></div>