RT Journal Article
T1 Diversity and endemism of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae: Polypodiopsida) in the Central Andes along latitudinal and elevation gradients
T2 Diversidad y endemismo de los helechos arborescentes (Cyatheaceae: Polypodiopsida) en los Andes Centrales a lo largo de gradientes de latitud y elevación
A1 Tejedor, Adrian
K1 Helechos - Perú
AB Tree ferns are a conspicuous and yet poorly known component of Neotropicalmontane forests. Conservation efforts for these plants are hindered by a lackof information of patterns of species richness and endemism, which has beenin turn prevented by an unstable taxonomy and limited collections. Based ondistribution data from the most recent floristic accounts of tree ferns from Peru,Bolivia, and Argentina, this study presents an analysis of species richnessand endemism of this group in the Central Andes. Results show that tree ferndiversity falls steeply with distance from the equator, and the effect is strongerin the lowlands than at tree line to -20°. In elevation, tree fern species richnessshows a bimodal distribution with peaks at 1000 and 2100 m, where as manyas 24 species can coexist in 200 m elevation intervals. Endemic species areconcentrated in the northern Central Andes. Endemics in more southern latitudestend to be restricted to higher elevations. Correspondingly, the tree fern floraof the southern Central Andes is mostly composed of widely ranging species,potentially tolerant of higher seasonality and longer term climatic fluctuations.These results provide a tool for predicting how many tree fern species should befound in any given area of the Central Andes, even those botanically unexplored,and indicates areas where species richness and endemism is concentrated,and may serve to guide efforts aimed to conserve tropical montane forests.
PB Universidad de Málaga. Servicio de Publicaciones e Intercambio Científico
SN 0210-9506
YR 2017
FD 2017
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/15817
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/15817
LA eng
NO Acta Botánica Malacitana, Vol. 42, nº 1, 2017, págs. 41-47
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026