Regionalization of neotropical aquatic plants

Resumen

Aquatic plants are essential to the biodiversity and functioning of wetland ecosystems, yet their biogeographic patterns in the Neotropics are poorly understood. This study investigates the regionalization of endemic vascular aquatic plants and identifies environmental factors shaping bioregion boundaries. Using over 90k occurrence records for 778 endemic species sourced from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, we applied Infomap Bioregions, a network-based clustering method, to define bioregions. Scenarios were tested by varying the weight of rare species and incorporating phylogenetic information. The optimal scenario revealed 18 distinct bioregions, including major regions such as the Amazon, Guiana Shield, and Mesoamerica, as well as smaller zones that may help inform conservation actions. To explore drivers of these patterns, we developed a spatial autoregressive model including precipitation extremes, terrain ruggedness, and climate change velocity since the Quaternary. Precipitation extremes and terrain ruggedness are the most significant predictors of bioregion boundaries. These findings provide valuable insights into the high diversity and distribution of Neotropical aquatic plants, emphasizing the interplay between historical and environmental factors. This research offers a framework for understanding aquatic plant biogeography and contributes critical knowledge for conserving wetlands and their associated biodiversity in the Neotropics.

 Citation: da Silva, A.C., Colli-Silva, M., Antonelli, A. & Fidanza, K. 2025. Regionalization of neotropical aquatic plants. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 46 (Número especial 1): 59.  

Trabajo presentado en el XIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Botánica. Sesión Sistemática, Filogenia, Biogeografía y Evolución.