Threatened flora from the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil: Arecaceae

ABSTRACT Palms (Arecaceae) are key elements that contribute to the forest biodiversity of the State of Santa Catarina. However, the official List of Endangered Flora Species of that State is incomplete, including only two Arecaceae species (Butia catarinensis Noblick & Lorenzi and B. eriospatha (Mart. Ex Drude) Becc.). Within this context, this study proposes a revision of the Official List of Arecaceae for Santa Catarina, based on the assessment of the conservation status made for each of the State’s native palm species. To assess the conservation status of the palm species in Santa Catarina, important sources on species distribution were used, including the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), a compilation of previously published, herbarium information, field observations, and data from the Floristic and Forest Inventory of Santa Catarina (IFFSC). Information for each species was imported into GeoCAT software (Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool). All 11 native palm species of Santa Catarina were evaluated. Ten species were considered at risk of extinction according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. This large number of palm species at risk of extinction calls attention to the urgent need for updates of the Official List of Endangered Species in the State.