Effects of Habitat Loss on the Ecology of <i>Pachyphytum caesium</i> (Crassulaceae), a Specialized Cliff-Dwelling Endemic Species in Central Mexico
2021
Ricardo Clark-Tapia | Gabriel González-Adame | Jorge E. Campos | Victor Aguirre-Hidalgo | Nelly Pacheco-Cruz | Juan José Von Thaden Ugalde | Samuel Campista-León | Luz Isela Peinado-Guevara | Cecilia Alfonso-Corrado
Cliff-dwelling plant species are highly specialized and adapted to a vulnerable, fragmented, and are mostly endemic, narrowly-distributed and threatened. As a contribution to the conservation efforts of endemic cliff-dwelling species, this study provides an overview of the effects of habitat loss on the abundance and distribution of <i>Pachyphytum caesium</i> (Crassulaceae) due to human disturbances. To achieve this objective, we first conducted a retrospective analysis from 2003–2013 to assess the effects of land use change on the abundance of <i>P. caesium</i>. Secondly, we estimate the abundance and distribution of <i>P. caesium</i> throughout the study area, as well as analyze the effect of rock-climbing activities on the density and population structure of <i>P. caesium</i>. The results suggest differences in population abundance among sites is due to the adverse effects of habitat loss. <i>P. caesium</i> presents a very restricted distribution with small and fragmented populations. In addition, guava agriculture has a significant impact on the chemical soil properties of the hillsides, causing a significant effect on the occurrence of <i>P. caesium</i>, while sport activities remove both the soil and the plants from the cliffs. According to the results, <i>P. caesium</i> is classified as a plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP), and it is highly vulnerable to habitat disturbance. Its conservation is thus a priority to ensure its permanence.
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