Risco ambiental associado a espécies da flora deficiente de dados em Minas Gerais: novos argumentos para a conservação

Abstract

Threatened Species Lists constitute an important tool used to conduct environmental studies and authorize economic activities, besides subsidizing initiatives for the preservation of biodiversity. In Brazil, the National List of Species Threatened with Extinction enumerates 1054 plant species considereddata deficient (DD), in disagreement with the experts opinion. These species thus lack legal protection in an environmental scenario where anthropic transformations are increasing and more impacting. Based on this information, the objectiveof this study was to analyze the spatial relationship among natural vulnerability, environmental risk in Minas Gerais regions, and the distribution of plant species considered data deficient by the National Red List. To achieve this, the distribution of populations in relation to gradients of natural vulnerability and environmental risk were confronted in GIS settings. The Espinhaço Range stood out as the largest cluster ofthese species, and it is also the environmental with highest natural vulnerability inthe state. In summary, the statistical tests indicate that the distribution ofdata deficient plant populations is not random across the environmental risk gradient in the state, and it tends to correlate positively with delicate environmental conditions and imminent anthropic threats. Based on integrity and environmental risk data, andguided by the precaution principle, a Conservation Priorities Index was proposed for DD species in Minas Gerais, which listed 41 species that should be included in the official Red List. Finally, an overview of the role of Conservation Units to protect DD species in the state pointed out that 23% of the 308 populations considered in this study are within Full Protection Conservation Units, 27% in Sustainable Use Conservation Units, and 50% occur outside any type of protected area. It is concluded that there are sufficient arguments to demonstrate that many of the species reputed as data deficient currently withstand imminent risk and should thus be included in the national Red List.