Análise biogeográfica de espécies de plantas endémicas dos centros de endemismo da zona costeira do Sul de Moçambique

Abstract

The coastal zone of southern Mozambique is an area with a high degree of endemic plant species, and general knowledge of their biogeography is of extreme importance for the creation of conservation efforts. The present study aimed to analyze the biogeography of endemic plant species in the centers of endemism of the coastal zone of southern Mozambique, through mapping the locations of occurrence, modeling the two species of greatest conservation concern and identifying distribution factors, and designing conservation strategies. Current data from surveys of the occurrence of endemic and near-endemic plant species were used to digitize the occurrence and clustering maps of species, based on the preliminary MCE map, using ArcpMap version 10.8. The same data, using the IUCN Red List categorization criteria, in this case, the species with the highest degree of threat, were used to model the distribution of the species, correlated with the appropriate environmental variables, based on the Maxent 3.4.3 Operating System. In 318 points, records of 38 endemic plant species were presented, of which 21 were endemic and 18 were near-endemic, distributed in 17 families. The largest number of these species was mapped in the Inhambane endemism zone, in a restricted manner, in addition to those shared with the rest of the Maputaland Center of Endemism. For modeling in Maxent, occurrence data for Ecbolium hastatum and Bauhinia burrowsii, categorized as “endangered” by the IUCN, were used. The results suggest that the distribution of these species is influenced by climatic and non-climatic variables, with soil type having the greatest influence. The main threat to these species is habitat degradation through tourism, natural resource exploitation (oil) and human settlements. With the impact of these threats, a severe decline in endemic species is expected. In view of this, the management and monitoring of these sites becomes strategic, which will allow interaction between science and the local population, and ensure that these are met. In addition, declaring these sites as conservation priorities in the form of hotspots, for example, can ensure that they can be safeguarded(TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)