Contribution to the knowledge of high mountain vascular flora of the Sierra de Ambato (Catamarca, Argentina)

Abstract

Background and aims: Sierras de Ambato is a mountain range located in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. They have about 450 km2 occupied by high mountain plant communities, which do not have exhaustive studies. In order to contribute to the knowledge of plant diversity of these environments, an updated list of vascular plants is presented and their possible biogeographic connections are discussed.

M&M: There were four expeditions to the study area. Specimens were collected from 3000 masl to the summit. Specimens were identified following conventional procedures and remains deposited in the National University of Catamarca Herbarium (UNCAT). The floristic information already published about the area and that available online were considered to complete the list.

Results & Conclusions: 687 herbarium specimens were collected. Combining information obtained in expeditions, bibliographic review and online databases, we obtained a list of 260 taxa for the altitude floor surveyed, corresponding to 138 genera and 50 families.2 new records for the Catamarca flora and 15 new records for the study area are included. Data suggest that this area, like the summits of other similar mountain ranges of the Sierras Pampeanas, should be included in the phytogeographic provinces of Puna and Altos Andes. High mountain plant communities of tropical and subtropical South America are vulnerable to the increase in global average temperature, which justifies the importance of the permanent record and monitoring of their diversity.