Floristic patterns of the neotropical forests, savannas and scrublands with Trithrinax campestris (Arecaceae) in central Argentina

Aims : Trithrinax campestris is one of the palm species with southernmost distribution in Neotropics. Despite that vegetation types which T. occurs are nowadays heavily threatened by land use and cover changes, their floristic composition structure still to be documented. In order characterize habitats, aim this study was describe relationships different environmental factors. Study area The survey conducted central Argentina an comprising southern extreme following phytogeographic areas: Espinal, Lowland Mountain Chaco. Methods Following Braun-Blanquet approach we collected 92 relevés recording a total 601 vascular plant species. Vegetation classified through ISOPAM hierarchical analysis. Bioclimatic elevation data were related ISOMAP ordination. Remote-sensed images (Landsat TM, ETM+ OLI) used fire frequency stands. Results Four differed diagnostic discriminated: 1.1 Celtis tala / Sida rhombifolia closed forest; 1.2 Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Prosopis kuntzei open 2.1 Jarava pseudoichu Vachellia caven savanna; 2.2 Acalypha variabilis Nassella cordobensis scrubland. ordination showed differences elevation, topography climatic variables.Out stands, only 21 occurrence fires during period 1999–2018. Conclusions Our results evidenced (forests, savannas scrublands) developed wide range conditions. This first focuses on all it relevant for conservation sustainable management native flora part country. Taxonomic reference Catálogo de las Plantas Vasculares del Cono Sur (Zuloaga et al. 2008) its online update (http://www.darwin.edu.ar). Abbreviations = isometric feature mapping; partitioning around medoids.