Estado de conservación de Erigeron bellidiastroides (Asteraceae) en Los Pretiles, Pinar del Río, Cuba

Erigeron bellidiastroides is a threatened herb that only habits in pinewoods over white sand of Western Cuba. Though a big part of Erigeronbellidiastroides ́ populations occurs inside protected areas, this species does not have a recovering plan. Recently, a population was localized inthe Ecological Reserve “Los Pretiles”, Northern Mantua (Pinar del Río), which increases its distribution range. The conservation status of this newpopulation was evaluated from the analysis of its demographical structure and distribution. The place was explored and the population was sampledthrough 2,500 cm 2 quadrats. Erigeron bellidiastroides is represented by more than 4 000 individuals distributed inside the pinewood over whitesand at Pretiles and La Cana, in 4 km2. Young adults were the most predominant state class, which suggets this population has a good recruitmentrate. A minimum reproductive size of 14 mm of diameter was found, which might be an evidence of how rapidly E. bellidiastroides individuals transitfrom inmature stages to mature ones. This could be an adaptation to such extreme environment as white sands are. The results suggest that E.bellidiastroides ́ population in LosPretiles has a good conservation status. However, these findings do not change this species ́ endangered situation,due to the small increase of just 50 m2 of area of occupancy, provided by this locality.

(1) (PDF) Conservation status of Erigeron bellidiastroides (Asteraceae) at Los Pretiles, Pinar del Río, Cuba. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318043470_Conservation_status_of_Erigeron_bellidiastroides_Asteraceae_at_Los_Pretiles_Pinar_del_Rio_Cuba [accessed Jul 06 2023].