Liverwort conservation in the Atlantic Rain Forest of Southeastern Brazil: A regional survey in Rio de Janeiro state

Abstract

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) developed a guide for assessment of species' threat level at a regional scale, which was the basis for the reassessment of liverwort conservation status in the state of Rio de Janeiro, four years after the first analysis. Of 360 taxa occurring in the state, 75 were categorized as threatened, two species were categorized as critically endangered (CR), eight endangered (EN) and 65 vulnerable (VU). Besides these, four species were categorized as almost threatened (NT), and 12 with poor data (DD). The high number of threatened taxa in the state (21% of the flora) reflects the importance of the level of knowledge for flora conservation analysis. In relation to the distribution of threatened taxa within the state, the majority occur in Itatiaia National Park (51 species - 68%). The main threats to the flora are loss and degradation of the Atlantic Rainforest. We recommend the recognition of the Atlantic Rainforest as a critical area for conservation; the protection of habitats to ensure the survival of species; and formulation of multidisciplinary programs to promote conservation.