Endemic Vascular Epiphytes: Integrating Protected Areas and Suitability Models in the Amazon Forest

This study aimed to identify the number of vascular epiphytes endemic to the Amazon forest, estimate the distribution of 20 endemic vascular epiphytes (EVEs) using species distribution modeling (SDMs), and examine their potential occurrence inside and outside Amazonian Protected Areas (PAs) to predict potential habitats and conservation strategies. The study was carried out in the Amazon rainforest, focusing on PAs and their interactions with the distribution of EVEs. We used four primary sources of biodiversity data (GBIF, Kew Herbarium, Species Link, and Amazon inventories) to uncover the composition of endemic epiphytes. Fifteen EVEs were selected based on occurrence records from at least 17 locations. The research used a large dataset of epiphyte collections, eight modeling algorithms, and 34 environmental variables to generate consensus maps that identify suitable habitats for EVEs. The main results indicated that most EVEs have suitable areas concentrated along the edges of the Amazon rainforest, especially on the slopes of the Andes, with limited suitability in central and eastern Amazonia. The largest areas of suitability for the 20 model species were greater in unprotected areas (79%) than in protected areas (76.5%). The overlap between suitable areas and PAs highlights the importance of these areas in protecting EVEs. However, the significant presence of habitats outside PAs requires management strategies that go beyond their boundaries. The findings offer critical insights for biodiversity conservation and for planning actions to safeguard the diversity of Amazonian epiphytes in the face of increasing pressures.