Exotic plant species on inselbergs of Brazilian tropical forests: insights for biodiversity management and conservation
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The invasion of exotic species into rare habitats with unique plant communities presents a significant challenge for biodiversity management and conservation. Inselbergs —granitic and/or gneissic rocky outcrops with distinct biotic and abiotic conditions when compared to the matrix — are increasingly threatened by exotic plant colonization, jeopardizing their biodiversity. This study aimed to: (1) compile the first comprehensive checklist of exotic plant species in inselbergs of two Brazilian phytogeographic domains: Atlantic Forest (AF) and Caatinga (CA); (2) analyze domain-specific preferences of exotic species; (3) evaluate the influence of life form on the invasive potential of these species; and (4) propose future research directions and management strategies. We documented 97 exotic species across AF and CA inselbergs using data from GBIF, SpeciesLink, and published literature. Among these, 53 species (54.08%) were classified as invasive exotics according to specialized databases. Angiosperms (93 spp.) dominated the records, followed by ferns (two spp.), lycophytes (one spp.), and bryophytes (one spp.). On the CA inselbegs, 54 species were identified, mainly from the Poaceae (18 spp.) and Asteraceae (eight spp.) families. On the AF inselbergs, 69 species were documented, with Poaceae (11 spp.) and Fabaceae (seven spp.) as leading families. Herbaceous growth forms prevailed in both domains, comprising 62.63% of all species. However, life form composition varied: phanerophytes were more prevalent in AF inselbergs, while cryptophytes and chamaephytes were more common in CA inselbergs. The results of this study emphasize the need for accurate species identification and early intervention to mitigate the impacts of invasive species on inselberg. Future research should focus on the ecological strategies of these invasives, fostering more effective conservation actions for these vulnerable ecosystems.