Trees of Amazonian Ecuador: a taxonomically verified species list with data on abundance and distribution

Abstract

We compiled a data set for all tree species collected to date in lowland Amazonian Ecuador in order to determine the number of tree species in the region. This data set has been extensively verified by taxonomists and is the most comprehensive attempt to evaluate the tree diversity in one of the richest species regions of the Amazon. We used four main sources of data: mounted specimens deposited in Ecuadorian herbaria only, specimen records of a large‐scale 1‐hectare‐plot network (60 plots in total), data from the Missouri Botanical Garden Tropicos® database (MO), and literature sources. The list of 2,296 tree species names we provide in this data set is based on 47,486 herbarium records deposited in the following herbaria: Alfredo Paredes Herbarium (QAP), Catholic University Herbarium (QCA), Herbario Nacional del Ecuador (QCNE), Missouri Botanical Garden (MO), and records from an extensive sampling of 29,768 individuals with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥10 cm recorded in our plot network. We also provide data for the relative abundance of species, geographic coordinates of specimens deposited in major herbaria around the world, whether the species is native or endemic, current hypothesis of geographic distribution, representative collections, and IUCN threat category for every species recorded to date in Amazonian Ecuador. These data are described in Metadata S1 and can be used for macroecological, evolutionary, or taxonomic studies. There are no copyright restrictions; data are freely available for noncommercial scientific use (CC BY 3.0). Please see (Class III, Section B.1: Proprietary restrictions) for additional information on usage.

The contribution of environmental and dispersal filters on phylogenetic and taxonomic beta diversity patterns in Amazonian tree communities

“…We are aware this might represent a limitation because taxonomic specialists not usually consider this material for species names confirmation. However, in the past 5–8 years the number of fertile material for many of our vouchers have been collected by the authors or other researchers and the taxonomy of the plot network verified (Guevara et al 2019 ). In many other cases our extensive experience in Amazonian tree species identification gives us confidence in the accuracy of the taxonomy in our plot network.…”

“…species in a single hectare (ter Steege et al 2013;Guevara et al 2019;ter Steege et al 2019;ter Steege et al 2020). Thus, describing and analysing the patterns of species and lineage composition across spatial and environmental gradients is fundamental to understand the mechanistic causes that promote community assembly of this hyper-diverse ecosystem.…”

“…The longstanding debate concerning the role of ecological interactions and environmental filters vs. neutral processes as mechanisms explaining tree community assembly in Amazon forests is a prominent topic in ecological and evolutionary research (Tuomisto et al 2002 ; ter Steege et al 2006 ; Kraft et al 2011 ; Swenson et al 2013 ; Baker et al 2014 ; Pos et al 2019 ). Amazonian forests are among the most diverse in the world harboring around 16,000 tree species with some local communities containing over 300 tree species in a single hectare (ter Steege et al 2013 ; Guevara et al 2019 ; ter Steege et al 2019 ; ter Steege et al 2020 ). Thus, describing and analysing the patterns of species and lineage composition across spatial and environmental gradients is fundamental to understand the mechanistic causes that promote community assembly of this hyper-diverse ecosystem.…”

Botanical Collection Patterns and Conservation Categories of the Most Traded Timber Species from the Ecuadorian Amazon: The Role of Protected Areas

“…The ongoing deforestation and the scarcity of comprehensive botanical records pose significant challenges in the identification, monitoring, and effective conservation of forest species within the EAR. A study conducted by Guevara et al [ 38 ] suggests that about 71.8% of the tree species identified in the lowlands have fewer than five observations with no geographic duplicates. This lack of information is critical because conservation efforts become hindered without understanding a species’ geographic distribution patterns and biotic interactions within its habitat [ 39 ].…”

“…Of this group, 2766 species have been assessed as being in the category of least concern, 992 are considered vulnerable, 769 are endangered, and 275 are critically endangered [ 47 ]. On the other hand, a previous study by Guevara et al [ 38 ], with a database of 47,486 individuals collected from lowland trees in the EAR, identified 106 species as currently classified as Least Concern, 78 as Vulnerable, 16 as Endangered, 9 as Data Deficient, and 1 as Critically Endangered. On the other hand, the same study found that 89% of lowland tree species in the EAR are currently listed as Not Evaluated.…”