Conservation of tree phylogenetic diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: Dry habitats matter

Conservation assessments that aim to represent the pool of lineages that exist within a region are challenging due to incomplete knowledge of the spatial distribution and environmental preferences of distinct lineages. In this context, community-level models represent a powerful tool that can be used to predict spatial variation in phylogenetic composition. If lineages composition and habitat loss present a non-random spatial pattern within a region, we can expect that some lineages are more threatened by habitat loss than others. To test this hypothesis we combined multivariate analysis and a modelling approach to predict the phylogenetic composition of angiosperm tree/shrub communities in Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil, which is regarded as a plant endemism center within the Brazilian Atlantic forest biome. Then we correlated the resulting models with maps of vegetation cover and protected areas, to identify lineages subjected to higher habitat loss and clades that receive less protection. We found that angiosperm tree/shrub lineages are highly structured across distinct vegetation types and that a gradient of deforestation and land protection parallels the phylogenetic gradient formed by the distinct vegetation types. Consequently, some vegetation types and its associated angiosperm lineages are much more threatened by habitat loss and are less protected than others. Specifically, Ericales (asterids), Caryophyllales and Santalales are the most threatened clades in this region, along with their preferred habitats, seasonal forests and coastal white-sand forests (restingas). Protecting and restoring these dry habitats is critical for the conservation of tree and shrub phylogenetic diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.

Automated summary

Through multivariate analysis and modelling, researchers found that in the Brazilian Atlantic forest biome, the most threatened plant lineages and habitats are concentrated in dry land types such as seasonal forests and coastal white-sand forests. Protecting and restoring these dry habitats is crucial for preserving phylogenetic diversity of trees and shrubs in the Brazilian Atlantic forest.