Identificação de hotspots de vertebrados e árvores endemicos em Moçambique

Abstract

The objectives of this work are to identify endemism and species hotspots with isolated populations of vertebrates and trees that occur in Mozambique, identify important areas for conservation and analyze the representativeness of protected areas (PA) in Mozambique in terms of these species and areas. Field guides were used, from which distribution maps of endemic species and isolated populations of vertebrates and trees were digitized. Vectorization and georeferencing of vertebrate and tree distribution maps were performed. The relevant vectors were selected and exported to the "shape file" of the *.shp format. These "polylines" were converted into "polygon" and these into "grids". "Grids" of areas in which there were no vertebrates or endemic trees and with isolated populations were assigned values ​​of 0 "grids" and those in which the occurrence of these species was verified the value of 1. Finally, the relevant "grids" were superimposed in terms of areas of occurrence of these species which resulted in “hotspots”. The results showed a high diversity of endemic species and isolated populations of vertebrates and trees in the Chimanimani mountain range, Mount Gorongosa-Rift Valley-Complexo do Marromeu, the coastal zone of Inhambane Province and the south of Maputo Province (Maputaland ). In general, regions with relatively high rainfall or higher percentage of humidity are the ones with the greatest diversity of trees and vertebrates in Mozambique. Vegetated areas are the main habitats for terrestrial vertebrates and they are vitally important ecosystems, so they are worthy of conservation. Wetlands such as rivers, mangroves, swamps, etc. because they tend to concentrate a high number of endemic species and with isolated populations of vertebrates and trees and are areas sensitive to degradation, they deserve attention in PA planning. The network of protected areas in Mozambique is not representative in terms of vertebrates and endemic trees and with isolated populations. It is necessary to redefine the boundaries of existing protected areas and create new PAs, to allow for the effectiveness in situ conservation of endemic species and with isolated vertebrate populations,