Abstract

AGUIRRE-C., JAIME  and  RANGEL-CH., J. ORLANDO. Threats to conservation of mosses an lichens species from Colombia -A preliminary approach-. Caldasia [online]. 2007, vol.29, n.2, pp.235-262. ISSN 0366-5232.

Threats to natural populations of mosses and lichens from Colombia were measured on the basis of particularities of geographical distribution (chorology), habitat quality and, especially, the possibilities of land transformation and in some cases of missing of large surfaces of land in natural regions of Colombia. In the process to assignment a degree of threat the methodological approach from IUCN was followed, which included the categories: Critically endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), and Vulnerable (VU) and near threatened (NT). The preliminary evaluation shows the following results: Mosses: There are 388 species of 145 genera and 46 families under some kind of threat; Pottiaceae and Pilotrichaceae are the families with threatened species in almost all natural regions and also in the mountainous system. 125 species were qualified as Critically endangered (CR), 21 as Endangered (EN), 173 species as Vulnerable (VU) and 69 as Near threatened (NT). Families such as Sphagnaceae, Pilotrichaceae, Orthotrichaceae and Pottiaceae presented species in all categories of threat. In the Amazonian region, there were 24 species of mosses under some kind of threat, and the category with the higher value was Vulnerable (VU) with twelve species. In the Chocó biogeographical region of Colombia there were 15 species under some kind of threat, and the category with the higher value was Vulnerable (VU) with seven species. In the Caribbean region, specially in the massif of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, 15 species were qualified as threatened and the more common condition founded was Critically endangered (CR) with eight species. In the mountainous system, 285 species were qualified as threatened, the families Pottiaceae, Pilotrichaceae, Sematophyllaceae and Hypnaceae showed threatened species along the altitudinal (topographic) gradient. Lichens: There are 841 species of 201 genera and 64 families under some kind of threat in Colombia, only Parmeliaceae was the family with threatened species in almost all natural regions and also in the mountainous system. According the category of threat, 432 species were qualified as Critically endangered (CR), 180 as Endangered (EN), 159 species as Vulnerable (VU) and 69 as Near threatened (NT). Families such as Parmeliaceae, Graphidaceae, Physciaceae and Thelotremataceae presented species in all categories of threat. In the Amazonian region 112 species of lichens were under some kind of threat. In the category Endangered (EN) were qualified 41 species. In the Chocó biogeographical region of Colombia, there were 44 species under some kind of threat, and the category with the higher value was Endangered (EN) with 19 species. In the Caribbean lowlands, 15 threatened species were found and in the massif of Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta 14, the category with more species was Critically endangered (CR) with 13 species. In the mountainous system, 541 species were qualified as threatened, the families Parmeliaceae, Thelotremataceae, Pyrenulaceae, Lecideaceae and Lobariaceae showed threatened species along the altitudinal (topographic) gradient.

Keywords : Threats; mosses and lichens of Colombia; biodiversity; conservation; Colombian flora.

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