Botanical collections for conservation: a case study in Abarema Pittier (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae)

Abstract

The taxonomic efforts for compile data about flora make botanical collections important tools to diagnose for the documentation of biodiversity. The aims of the present study were to test herbarium based data as sources to support conservation efforts and provide, based in the IUCN criteria, the conservation status for eight species of the genus Abarema Pittier (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae), mainly from the Atlantic Domain. The information was compiled from 36 herbaria and from field observations during scientific expeditions, and to those provided information the methods established by IUCN were applied.  From the total species analyzed, 50% where categorized as Endangered and the other where recognized as Least Concern. The analysis of botanical collections together with in situ observations shows strong support to assess conservation status and an important tool to enhance action plans on plant species protection.