Johan David Reyes
Considering Celaque National Park as the most diverse place for ferns in Honduras (210 spp.), analysing its distribution pattern and correlate it with altitudinal climate variables could help explain why this mountain has so high diversity as ferns are highly sensitive to changes in temperature, relative humidity, light penetration, precipitation and others.
We are also interested with the same data in finding out how many species are probably in the park as every expedition has added more to the reported list, the last one being Rojas (2017) describing two new endemic species, this will be done with accumulation curves and statistical analysis.
Leaving a tool for the park managers is highly important for the project and determining the altitudinal fringe with the most diversity in this group and identifying the most vulnerable places could influence the park managers for a better conservation management program.
Celaque National Park is one of the most bio-diverse protected areas in Honduras, with a total of around 20 endemic species, it is also home to over 210 species of ferns. At the moment new records and new species can still be found in its more than 20,000 hectares and around 1,900 meters of altitudinal gradient, having also the highest peak in the country (Cerro las minas at 2,849 meters over sea level).
Our research aims to explain such high diversity using the climate variables that changes during the before mentioned altitudinal gradient and the richness of each altitudinal fringe, we are interested in evaluating the impact that future climate change might have on this species as they are highly dependent on climate variables such as temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and others.
As a product of a multivariable approach we are expecting to know how many species might be found in the park and their distribution pattern, information that might aid in a better management and give local authorities a better understanding of the special conditions that can be found in it and prioritize resources in the most vulnerable places.