Remote sensing and field information aid in predicting the presence of the terrestrial orchidCyclopogon luteo‐albus

Abstract

Tropical montane cloud forest is one of the most threatened ecosystems, in central Veracruz, Mexico. Within this ecosystem, terrestrial orchids are strongly dependent on forest conditions and may be sensitive to environmental change. We applied field surveys of abiotic and biotic factors associated with the presence of the terrestrial orchidCyclopogon luteo‐albusand combined this with correlative niche modeling approaches to evaluate its potential distribution under two different environmental sets and two different extents. Layers of environmental information were obtained from Landsat imagery and interpolated bioclimatic and soil property layers. Existing species records were used as training data by sampling five forest fragments in central Veracruz, utilizing herbarium and global biodiversity information facility databases. The resulting predictions were tested by sampling at 15 sites of potential distribution. The model predicted the presence ofC. luteo‐albuswith a reliability of 80%. The most important variables of models derived from interpolated layers coincide with site‐relevant parameters suggesting the utility of these tools to further explore species suitabilities at larger geographic extents. Potential distribution mapping is an important tool to identify key areas for conservation and priority areas for future studies of species and partially resolves the lack of records of many orchid species.