A regional IUCN-based assessment of orchid species in the Tropical Dry Forest of Valle del Cauca, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/6ytkpk19Keywords:
EECORisk, extinction risk, habitat decline, Hansen Global Forest Change, IUCN Criterion B, orchid conservation, spatial análisisAbstract
This study presents a regional conservation assessment of orchid species in the Tropical Dry Forest (TDF) of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. We compiled a curated dataset of 391 georeferenced occurrence records representing 50 species across 34 genera, integrating vouchered herbarium specimens, published literature, and observational records from biodiversity databases, subjected to record-by-record quality control. Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) were estimated following IUCN Red List Criterion B. To evaluate subcriteria B(a) (severe fragmentation) and B(b)(iii) (continuing decline in habitat area and quality), we applied an improved version of the EECORisk pipeline. This pipeline integrates Hansen Global Forest Change (GFC) data to assess habitat patch configuration and detect ongoing forest loss (2001–2023) around species occurrences. Of the 50 assessed species, seven were categorized as Critically Endangered (CR), 23 as Endangered (EN), 14 as Vulnerable (VU), and six as Least Concern/Near Threatened (LC/NT) at the departmental scale, underscoring the severity of habitat loss and fragmentation in TDF remnants. Orchid richness peaked between 900 and 1300 m a.s.l., and localities such as Hacienda El Medio (Zarzal) emerged as key areas concentrating records and richness. Overall, these results demonstrate the utility of the EECORisk pipeline for transparent, reproducible regional conservation assessments and underscore the need to prioritize habitat protection, connectivity restoration, and targeted monitoring in fragmented TDF ecosystems.
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