The Fabaceae in Northeastern Mexico (Subfamily Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae Clade, Tribes Mimoseae, Acacieae, and Ingeae).

A synoptic compendium of the legumes of the Mimosoideae clade in northeastern Mexico is presented for the first time, including changes in their botanical nomenclature and retypification of genera. Furthermore, based on new information recently published, the taxonomic limits of several new genera segregated from Acacia (Acaciella, Mariosousa, Senegalia, and Vachellia) and Prosopis (Neltuma and Strombocarpa) are clarified and included. Based on field work, collection of botanical samples over the past 30 years, and reviewing botanical materials in national and international herbaria, we have completed the diversity of legumes of the Mimosoideae clade of northeastern Mexico. Three tribes (Acacieae, Ingeae, and Mimosaeae), 22 genera, 92 species, and 19 infraspecific categories were recorded. Only the genus Painteria is endemic to Mexico. Eighty-eight species are native to Mexico, and four are exotic: Acacia salicina, Neptunia prostrata, Neltuma chilensis and Albizia lebbeck. Twenty-eight species are endemic to Mexico, nine species are endemic to northeastern Mexico, and four species are endemic to only one state in Mexico. The 22 registered genera represent 44% and 65% of the generic flora of the Mimosoideae clade for Mexico and the planet, respectively, while the 92 species registered represent 3% and 18% of the species of the clade Mimosoideae for the planet and Mexico, respectively. According to the new nomenclature of legumes, the number of genera in the Mimosoideae clade in northern Mexico has increased from 19 to 24.

Ethnobotanical biocultural diversity by rural communities in the Cuatrociénegas Valley, Coahuila; Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Cuatrociénegas, part of the Chihuahuan Desert, is a region of unique biological, geological, geographical, and evolutionary importance. Its current population is mestizo; nevertheless, it has high national historical, cultural, and touristic relevance in Mexico. It has been cataloged as nationally significant for its flora and fauna by Mexican law, as well as being designated a High Protection site by the World Wildlife Fund and UNESCO. Because of its diverse and complex biological and sociocultural characteristics, we considered it important to determine, identify, and analyze various aspects of the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and practices in this region. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2019, seven field trips were made to document the knowledge and use of flora. Cuatrociénegas is a protected area, collecting botanical material is regulated, so specimens were photographed and collected in neighboring communities, and in public and private gardens. Later permission was obtained to complete the collection of specimens (2019-2020). The plants were identified and entered into the flora database of the state of Coahuila, and deposited in the Herbarium of the Faculty of Forest Sciences, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Mexico. One hundred ten local residents (50 men and 60 women), aged between 27 and 91 years, were interviewed (semi-structured interviews). The cultural importance of ethnobotanical resources (cultural significance index) and its significance with respect to ethnobotanical richness in other Biosphere Reserves in Mexico (Mann-Whitney test), and similarities in the diversity of exotic species (Sørensen index) were studied. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The ethnobotanical information registers 158 species and 132 genera in 57 vascular and non-vascular families, documenting a greater knowledge and use of cultivated species (84) with respect to wild species (74). The diversity of plants reported is compared to other ethnobotanical studies carried out in Mexican Biosphere Reserves. These results are highly relevant, in spite of unique exotic species. The people local pay special attention to medicinal and ornamental plants. The species that presented the highest use values are Larrea tridentata, Jatropha dioica, and Machaeranthera pinnatifida, three species characteristic of the desert region. CONCLUSIONS: The particular diversity of wild flora in Cuatrociénegas Valley, combined with the varied introduced flora, is an important multifunctional resource. Special attention to introduced species is associated with harvesting use restrictions in the protected area as well as the high value of ornamental species that are difficult to maintain in desert areas. The extensive use of ethnobotanical knowledge is an example that biocultural diversity (at the conceptual level) is also strongly associated with socio-ecological systems incorporating mestizo groups and semi-urban rural landscapes, thus ceasing to be an exclusive focus of indigenous communities and regions.

RESUMEN: ANTECEDENTES: Cuatrociénegas es una región de singular importancia biológica, geológica, geográfica y evolutiva. Forma parte del Desierto de Chihuahua, su población actual es mestiza; sin embargo, posee una alta relevancia histórica, cultural y turística. Ha sido catalogado como Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna por la ley mexicana, así como un sitio de Alta Protección por el Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza y la UNESCO. Por sus complejas características biológicas y socioculturales, consideramos importante conocer, determinar, identificar y analizar los conocimientos y prácticas etnobotánicas tradicionales en esta región. MéTODOS: Entre 2016 y 2019 se realizaron siete viajes de campo para documentar el conocimiento y uso de la flora. Cuatrociénegas es un área protegida, la recolección de material botánico está regulada, por lo que se fotografíaron y colectaron especímenes en comunidades aledañas, y en jardines públicos y privados. Posteriormente se obtuvo el permiso para completar la colección de ejemplares (2019-2020). Las plantas fueron identificadas e ingresadas a la base de datos de flora del estado de Coahuila, y depositadas en el Herbario de la Facultad de Ciencias Forestales de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, México. Se entrevistó a ciento diez vecinos (50 hombres y 60 mujeres) de entre 27 y 91 años (entrevistas semiestructuradas). Se evaluó la importancia cultural de los recursos etnobotánicos (índice de importancia cultural) y su significancia con respecto a la riqueza etnobotánica en otras Reservas de Biosfera en México (prueba de Mann-Whitney) y la similitud en la diversidad de especies exóticas (índice de Sørensen). RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIóN: La información etnobotánica registra 158 especies y 132 géneros en 57 familias vasculares y no vasculares, documentando un mayor conocimiento y uso de las especies cultivadas (84) con respecto a las silvestres (74). La diversidad de plantas reportada, en comparación con otros estudios etnobotánicos realizados en Reservas de la Biosfera, es altamente relevante, sin embargo, las especies exóticas son únicas. Los pobladores locales tienen una especial atención a las plantas medicinales y ornamentales. Las especies que presentaron mayores valores de uso son Larrea tridentata, Jatropha dioica y Machaeranthera pinnatifida, tres especies características de la región desértica. CONCLUSIONES: La particular diversidad de flora silvestre del Valle de Cuatrociénegas, combinada con la variada flora introducida, es un importante recurso multifuncional. La especial atención a las especies introducidas está asociada a las restricciones de aprovechamiento; así como a la alta valoración de especies ornamentales, dificiles de mantener en las zonas desérticas. El amplio conocimiento y uso de la etnobotánica son un ejemplo, que la diversidad biocultural (a nivel conceptual) también, está fuertemente asociada socio-ecologicamente a grupos mestizos y paisajes rurales semiurbanos, dejando de ser exclusiva de las regiones indígenas.

Classification and ordination of main plant communities along an altitudinal gradient in the arid and temperate climates of northeastern Mexico.

Quantitative data on the ecology of the main plant communities along an altitudinal gradient in northeastern Mexico were obtained with the aim of identifying the most important environmental variables that affect plant distribution and composition. The main threats to these communities were also investigated. Importance value index (IVi) of the 39 most important species and 16 environmental variables were recorded at 35 altitudinal gradients each spaced at intervals of at least 100-m altitude. Classification and ordination of vegetation showed six well-differentiated but overlapping plant communities: alpine meadow, cold conifer forest, mesic mixed forest, xeric scrub, Tamaulipan piedmont scrub, and halophytic grassland. Altitude, minimum and average temperatures, and organic matter content are the main variables affecting the plant distribution in northeastern Mexico. Urban growth, mechanized agriculture, and changes in land use are the main threats in the short and medium term to plant communities in this area. Climate change also seems to be having an impact at present or in the near future as shown by the presence of exotic shrubs from warmer areas in mesic and temperate areas inhabited by oak and oak-pine forest.