Unexpected biodiversity loss under global warming in the neotropical Guayana Highlands: a preliminary appraisal

Abstract

The fully vegetated summits of the table mountains that form the Guayana Highlands (GH), in northern South America, hold amazing biodiversity and endemism levels, and unique vegetation types. In spite of their present-day healthy appearance, their biota is seriously threatened of habitat loss by upward displacement, because of the projected warming for the end of this century. Available data are still insufficient for a definite assessment, but preliminary estimations based on representative endemic vascular plant species show that roughly one-tenth to one-third of them would loss their habitat with the 2-4 1C temperature increase predicted for the region by AD 2100. Given the underlying endemism, the eventual loss of biodiversity will be of global nature. Other mountain ranges around the world with similar characteristics of the GH, namely topographical isolation, high endemism and absence of nival stage because of the lower altitude, would be under similar unexpected risk, and should be urgently considered for conservation purposes.

Neotropical vegetation responses to Younger Dryas climates as analogs for future climate change scenarios and lessons for conservation

“…Although it has not been recorded in this work, the main threat of upslope migration in mountain region is extinction by habitat loss, a possibility that should be seriously considered here and in other Neotropical mountains (Rull and Vegas-Vilarrúbia, 2006;Nogué et al, 2009;Rull et al, 2010a). Another lesson from this study is that communities different from those we know today should be expected to occur in both highlands and midlands.…”

Nueva especie de Lonchorhina (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) de Chiribiquete, Guayana colombiana

“…The animal populations in the Guayana Region are poorly known, but the few information available indicates high diversity and endemism (Hollowell and Reynolds 2005), contrasting with very low population densities (Gómez and Montenegro 2012). Global warming is also considered as a considerable threat to areas of the Guiana Region, especially the highland tepuis, because of the predicted habitat loss by upward displacement projected by the end of this century (Rull and Vegas 2006). Preliminary estimations project losses around one-tenth to one-third of endemic vascular plants of Guayanan highlands.…”

Additions to the Pantepui pollen flora (Venezuelan Guayana): the Maguire Collection

“…Tourism and biopiracy are restricted by severe regulations that, unfortunately, also hinder scientific research (Rull & Vegas-Vilarrúbia, 2008;Rull et al, 2008a). The main threat for the Pantepui biota is global warming that, according to recent estimates, would determine significant biodiversity losses by upward migration and the corresponding habitat loss and fragmentation for many endemic species (Rull & Vegas-Vilarrúbia, 2006;Rull et al, 2008b;Nogué et al, 2009).…”