Abstract
ABSTRACT The pteridophytes present a great but poorly explored potential as ecological indicators (EIs), shown only in some sparse studies. Therefore, to analyze this potential, we reviewed published articles, websites, or books with pteridophytes as EIs, searching on five scholar databases and also on Google. We selected 134 studies, conducted in all continents (118 in mainland areas and 16 in islands). Brazil is the country with the highest number of studies (N = 33). In general, several species were considered as EIs in a given study, not only a single. The use of Pteridophytes in these works was classified in seven different types: a) classification of vegetation, soils, environments, and ecosystems (N = 65), b) environmental integrity (or quality) (N = 21), c) disturbance (N = 17), d) regeneration/restoration of habitats and/or ecosystems (N = 10), e) climate changes (N = 10), f) contamination of air, soil, or water (N = 14), and g) association with other groups of organisms (N = 12). The vast majority of these studies merely hypothesized the potential use of the Pteridophytes as EIs, with few presenting helpful criteria for the selection of EIs. Although there is an increasing recognition of the potential use of Pteridophytes as EIs, a more in-depth discussion about the criteria for selecting Pteridophytes as indicators and the real uses of such plants is needed.
Highlights
Ecological indicators (EIs) are useful tools to link empirical results, models, and theories with environmental applications
The bibliographic review was mainly concentrated on the search for scientific articles, and scholar books, thesis, and websites treating the pteridophytes as EIs were included
We examined if each study presented criteria of selection of EIs and if its main objective was to establish/use pteridophytes as EIs
Summary
Ecological indicators (EIs) are useful tools to link empirical results, models, and theories with environmental applications They are broadly employed in the classification of environments and in the evaluation of natural and/or anthropic disturbance or stress (Niemi & McDonald 2012, Siddig et al 2016). Considering the great potential of lycophytes and ferns as EIs, the main objectives of this article are: (1) to compile available literature that mentions lycophytes and ferns as EIs, (2) to provide an overview of the current state of research and use of pteridophytes as EIs, (3) to identify the main research areas, criteria, methods, and target groups, and (4) to highlight needful prospects in the study and use of indicator pteridophytes
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