Abstract
Spondias tuberosa Arr., a fructiferous tree endemic to the northeast Brazilian tropical dry forest called Caatinga, accounts for numerous benefits for its ecosystem as well as for the dwellers of the Caatinga. The tree serves as feed for pollinators and dispersers as well as fodder for domestic ruminants, and is a source of additional income for local smallholders and their families. Despite its vantages, it is facing several man-made and natural threats, and it is suspected that S. tuberosa could become extinct. Literature review suggests that S. tuberosa suffers a reduced regeneration leading to population decrease. At this juncture S. tuberosa cannot be considered threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories and Criteria, as it has not yet been assessed and hampered generative regeneration is not considered in the IUCN assessment. The combination of threats, however, may have already caused an extinction debt for S. tuberosa. Due to the observed decline in tree density, a thorough assessment of the S. tuberosa population is recommended, as well as a threat assessment throughout the entire Caatinga.
Highlights
The Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN), is considered the most authoritative and objective system for categorizing the extinction risk of species (Hambler and Canney, 2013; Hoffmann et al, 2008; Rodrigues et al, 2006)
In this study we focus and review international and national literature dealing with determining factors that pose a direct threat to the natural generative regeneration of S. tuberosa
This review highlights the various constraints of natural generative regeneration S. tuberosa is exposed
Summary
The Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN), is considered the most authoritative and objective system for categorizing the extinction risk of species (Hambler and Canney, 2013; Hoffmann et al, 2008; Rodrigues et al, 2006). S. tuberosa forms root-tubers, which are able to store water, minerals, and organic solutes (Cavalcanti et al, 2010; Duque, 2004; Epstein, 1998; Lima, 1996) This adaption permits its survival during the dry season (Cavalcanti et al, 2010; Silva et al, 2008), and to initiate the flowering and leaf flush before onset of the wet season (Lima Filho, 2007; Machado et al, 1997). In this study we focus and review international and national literature dealing with determining factors that pose a direct threat to the natural generative regeneration of S. tuberosa
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