Abstract
Adequate knowledge of a flora is fundamental for furthering research in several disciplines. In this context, our work arises from the necessity to update and improve available information on the native woody flora of Uruguay. The goals of this study were to objectively determine the Uruguayan native woody flora (shrub and trees), to evaluate its inventory completeness, and to explore its similarity with neighboring regions. By analyzing the Uruguayan flora we produced working definitions of shrubs and trees, and obtained a list of 313 species (57 families, 125 genera). Using 7418 distribution records, we generated cumulative species richness curves to estimate maximum species richness at national and local scales. We conclude that the completeness at the national level is high (89-95%), but at the local scale is lower and quite heterogeneous. There are still large areas without data or with little information. We found that comparatively, the similarity between Uruguayan tree species and the Province of Entre Ríos (Argentina) was high, while similarity with the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) was medium, and with Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) was low. In conclusion, richness of tree and shrub species of the Uruguayan flora is greater than expected for a grassland region, and the differences found in the similarity index with the neighboring woody floras will stimulate future studies to reevaluate phytogeographic schemes of the region.
Highlights
Floristic studies and inventories attempt to document the biodiversity of a geographic region (Funk 2006)
Our work arises from the necessity to update and improve the knowledge of native woody flora
Uruguay has traditionally been considered a part of the Pampean Province, a region characterized by extensive grasslands or grass-dominated steppes (Cabrera & Willink 1973; Morrone 2001)
Summary
Floristic studies and inventories attempt to document the biodiversity of a geographic region (Funk 2006). “Taxonomic impediment” is the critical lack of taxonomic knowledge, and has been considered a major obstacle for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (Schnak & López 2003; Crisci 2006; Funk 2006). In this context, our work arises from the necessity to update and improve the knowledge of native woody flora. Trees and shrubs are characteristic elements of forests and shrublands, respectively, and represent 12% of all vascular plants in Uruguay, which add up to approximately 2750 species (Alonso & Bassagoda 2002). There is scarce information on the area occupied by such woody vegetation
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