Update on Extinction Risk Categorization and Ecological Niche Modeling of Anthurium bromelicola Mayo & L.P.Félix

Abstract

The taxon Anthurium bromelicola Mayo & L.P.Félix is currently categorized as “Near Threatened”; however, the high anthropogenic pressure on its habitat requires an update of its categorization. This study aimed to update the extinction risk categorization of A. bromelicola for Brazil. Additionally, it aimed to perform ecological niche modeling for the Caatinga and northeastern Atlantic Forest, in order to identify potential areas of occurrence. Georeferenced points of the species were collected from online databases such as speciesLink, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), and scientific works. The recategorization was conducted using the Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT) website. These data were used in the ecological niche modeling. Bioclimatic variables of temperature and precipitation were obtained from WorldClim 2.0. The modeling was performed using the Biomod2 package in the R environment, and the map was created using the QGIS software. The species A. bromelicola has been updated to the “Endangered” category due to its occupancy area of 84 km2 and the conditions of its localities. The taxon showed high susceptibility of occurrence in regions of Bahia, Pernambuco, and Alagoas in Caatinga and Atlantic Forest sites, as well as in some conservation units.