The need for multidisciplinary conservation: a case study of Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae, Cycadales) in eastern Mexico

Lilí Martínez-Domínguez,Dennis Wm Stevenson,Fernando Nicolalde-Morejón,Octavio Rojas-Soto,Quiyari J Santiago-Jiménez,Francisco Vergara-Silva

doi:10.1017/s0030605320000204

Abstract

AbstractAs an evolutionary lineage cycads are rare, and the extinction risk is high for many species. The genus Ceratozamia, one of the most diverse in Mexico, is experiencing drastic reductions of its habitat. Ceratozamia is widely distributed along the Sierra Madre Oriental, a complex mountain range, in a region characterized by high ecological and cultural diversity. Since 1990, various conservation and management strategies have been applied to this taxon in Mexico but evidence for the effectiveness of these measures is lacking. Ceratozamia in the Mexican Sierra Madre Oriental is highly diverse and endemic, offering a model for analysing geographical distribution patterns with ecological niche modelling. It also presents an opportunity for assessing the success of conservation and management strategies that have been implemented in this area. Here, we examined three aspects that are considered fundamental for the development and evaluation of conservation strategies: (1) taxonomy, (2) ecology and (3) sociocultural anthropology. Our findings suggest a pessimistic outlook for the long-term survival of Ceratozamia species in their natural environment, indicating the need to review the current IUCN Cycad Action Plan for the genus. To improve the protection of Ceratozamia and other taxonomic and/or ecological assemblages, we encourage a multidisciplinary approach, with increased collaboration between natural and social scientists.

Highlights

The genus Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae: Cycadales) is widely distributed and highly diverse in Mexico, with species occurring in the country (Calonje et al, )
Given the threatened status of Ceratozamia, there is an urgent need to develop conservation strategies, but this is hampered by a paucity of information on cycad distribution
The distribution of Ceratozamia species in the Sierra Madre Oriental is confined to a narrow eco-climatic zone

Summary

Introduction

The genus Ceratozamia (Zamiaceae: Cycadales) is widely distributed and highly diverse in Mexico, with species occurring in the country (Calonje et al, ). % of Ceratozamia species are endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental, a complex mountain range that harbours the greatest diversity of species belonging to this genus. Given the threatened status of Ceratozamia (the genus is listed on CITES Appendix I, and several species are categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List; CITES, ), there is an urgent need to develop conservation strategies, but this is hampered by a paucity of information on cycad distribution. The most threatened vegetation types in Mexico are oak, pine–oak and cloud forests, which occur widely in the Sierra Madre Oriental and are characteristic habitats for most species of Ceratozamia (Contreras-Medina, )

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Conclusion