Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Ruiz Vargas, Natalia [1].

Threats to the survival of Tillandsia moscosoi L.B. Sm., an endemic bromeliad of the cloud forests in the Dominican Republic.

Tillandsia moscosoi L.B. Sm. is an endemic bromeliad of the Dominican Republic, found exclusively in cloud forests above 900 m in altitude in the Cordillera Central and Sierra de Bahoruco mountain ranges. It is classified as Critically Endangered by the Red List of Vascular Plants of the Dominican Republic. The objectives of this project were to survey known locations for this species, use Niche Modelling to predict new locations and estimate effects of climate change, and obtain seeds for in-vitro cultivation to ensure ex-situ conservation of the species. Of the 3-5 populations known from herbarium specimens and literature reports, only one, in Constanza (La Vega province) in the Cordillera Central was found; other areas were impacted by deforestation or were difficult to locate due to lack of details in the records. When deforestation was present in the proximity of known collection sites, satellite images were gathered to document the extent of the damage. The population of T. moscosoi in Constanza is under significant threat from deforestation because of the illegal expansion of agriculture, a common problem in the cloud forests of the Dominican Republic (even in protected areas). Niche modelling does not predict new populations outside of these 2 mountain systems, but does show a greater extent of suitable habitat around known populations (at the moment, these have not been confirmed with field explorations). Niche modelling also shows that temperature, precipitation, and isothermality are the most important climate variables determining the distribution of T. moscosoi. Modelling for future climate change scenarios and the protocol for in-vitro cultivation are in development.

1 - University of Illinois at Chicago, Biological Sciences, 845 W. Taylor St., Chicago, Illinois, 60607, USA

Keywords:
Bromeliaceae
conservation
Hispaniola.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Conservation Biology Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PCB012
Abstract ID:861
Candidate for Awards:None