No abstract

We present an overview of the diversity, distribution, and conservation status of all 60 species of the genus Peperomia (''radiator plants,'' Piperaceae), which are currently known from the state of Veracruz in Mexico, including a taxonomically updated reference list that includes information about life form, overall distribution, endemism, and occurrence in Mexican states and municipalities of Veracruz. Specifically, for this latter state, we provide information on elevational range, habitat, and distinguishing characters useful for identification or uses. Moreover, we realize an assessment of conservation status considering International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List categories and criteria at regional level. About 45% of Peperomia species from Veracruz belong to a threatened category, mainly because of the continued loss and fragmentation of natural habitats.

Zuelania guidonia is a tree species of cultural importance in Totonac society. This tree is a central element of the Los Voladores (the "flying men") pre-Hispanic ritual ceremony. However, the populations of Z. guidonia have decreased due to anthropogenic activity. This study aimed to codesign an agroforestry model for the recovery of Z. guidonia populations by combining scientific and traditional agroforestry knowledge at the El Tajín archaeological site in Veracruz, Mexico. We assessed the abundance of Z. guidonia and analyzed plant species richness and diversity in forest fragments. Species were classified according to plant regeneration modes (light-demanding and shade-tolerant) and to the local uses of secondary forests and conserved forest fragments. In addition, we worked collaboratively in a project that consisted of workshops, focus groups, open interviews, drawings, and field walks with community members. We studied a small population of Z. guidonia and recorded 116 woody species. Our findings showed that conserved forests were more diverse than secondary forests. Seventy-four percent of the species are useful to people. The Totonac people chose traditional vanilla plantations as a guiding model to shape their agroforestry system for restoring native vegetation. The results of our collaborative work revealed the Totonac extensive Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the need for the Voladores' group to strengthen alliances with other government and nongovernment organizations. They designed a model of a diversified traditional agroforestry vanilla system enriched with multipurpose plants as the outset of local well-being and regional agrobiodiversity restoration. This study reveals a distinct heterogenous land management scheme that provides the necessary conditions for preserving plant diversity, which will be used by local people for different purposes. We argue for studies that build on the relationship between scientific knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in transformed landscapes as a step forward for the long-term conservation of biocultural diversity.

We present an overview of the diversity, distribution, and conservation status of all 54 taxa of Araceae that are currently known from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. We provide a reference list that gives information about overall distribution, endemism, and occurrence in Mexican states and administrative regions/municipalities of Veracruz. For this latter state, we also provide information on life form, elevational range, habitat, uses, and distinguishing characters useful for species identification. We performed an assessment of conservation status at the regional and global level for 51 and three taxa, respectively, considering International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria. About 80% of aroid taxa from Veracruz belong to a threatened category, mainly because of the continued loss and fragmentation of their natural habitats caused by the lack of protected areas that include tropical humid and humid montane forests.

Ceratozamia miqueliana is a cycad (Zamiaceae) species endemic to southeastern Mexico. It is currently listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as “Critically Endangered” and under Mexican law as “Endangered”. The objective was to complement the evaluation of C. miqueliana based on criterion B of the IUCN, and the method proposed by the Mexican Norm. This information is in turn reinforced with the potential distribution model. We collected data from different herbaria and field visits and obtained the EOO and AOO using GIS and the GeoCat portal, the distribution of the species was modeled using the Maxent program. According to the IUCN guidelines (Geographic distribution, Criterion B) and Mexican law, the species could be considered Endangered and Subject to Special Protection, respectively. The comparison of AOO and EOO obtained by GIS and the GeoCat portal show that both methodologies used coincide in assigning the same categories based on geographic criteria. The integration of the potential distribution helps to identify the environmental factors that influence its habitat, in addition to identifying the ideal sites for its conservation. Is necessary to carry out evaluations of microendemic species such as Ceratozamia miqueliana from different approaches (populations, geographic aspects and habitat evaluation) to obtain more precise results. C. miqueliana must be protected by national and international laws.