Amazon plant diversity revealed by a taxonomically verified species list


Abstract:

Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees. These figures are similar to estimates derived from nonparametric ecological models, but they contrast strongly with predictions of much higher tree diversity derived from parametric models. Based on the known proportion of tree species in neotropical lowland rain forest communities as measured in complete plot censuses, and on overall estimates of seed plant diversity in Brazil and in the neotropics in general, it is more likely that tree diversity in the Amazon is closer to the lower estimates derived from nonparametric models. Much remains unknown about Amazonian plant diversity, but this taxonomically verified dataset provides a valid starting point for macroecological and evolutionary studies aimed at understanding the origin, evolution, and ecology of the exceptional biodiversity of Amazonian forests.

Año de publicación:

2017

Keywords:

  • Rain forests
  • amazonía
  • floristics
  • species diversity
  • Seed plants

Fuente:

scopusscopus

Tipo de documento:

Article

Estado:

Acceso abierto

Áreas de conocimiento:

  • Botánica
  • Biodiversidad
  • Taxonomía de plantas

Áreas temáticas de Dewey:

  • Plantas
  • Temas específicos de la historia natural de las plantas
  • Agricultura y tecnologías afines
Procesado con IAProcesado con IA

Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible:

  • ODS 15: Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
  • ODS 13: Acción por el clima
  • ODS 17: Alianzas para lograr los objetivos
Procesado con IAProcesado con IA