Updated flora of a Southern Cerrado fragment reveals threat to its biodiversity

Abstract

Abstract This study brings the updated flora of the Cerrado Pé-de-Gigante (CPG) - which is part of the Vassununga State Park and one of the largest remnants of the Cerrado biome in São Paulo state, in Brazil - as well as information regarding the conservation status of the CPG flora. The plant list was produced through a systematic review of existing literature, virtual herbaria, and on-site field validation. In such an area of just over 1200 hectares, we documented a total of 683 plant species, including angiosperms, ferns, lycophytes and bryophytes. Notably, our fieldwork revealed 11 previously unrecorded plant species. Concerning the conservation condition of the native flora, four are in threat categories - three as Vulnerable (VU) and one Endangered (EN) - and five are Near Threatened (NT); we also highlight the presence of 18 exotic species with invasive potential that pose a significant threat to the local ecosystems by contributing to habitat degradation and species extinction. We emphasize the relevance of the CPG in the context of biodiversity conservation, especially considering that the remaining Cerrado vegetation in São Paulo state is found mostly in small fragments and often inadequately protected.

Keywords

• Brazilian savanna
• Cerrado
• flora
• protected area
• systematic review