Beyond Species Richness: Conserving Species and Reproductive Functions of Honduran Flora in Protected Natural Areas

Background and Research Aims: Beyond the number of species, knowing their interactions, functions, and evolutionary history in natural protected areas (NPAs) allows us to evaluate their conservation to maintain the stability and functioning of ecosystems. Reproductive traits related to pollination and seed dispersal are the link to infer interactions and functions in the ecosystems. However, in some Central American countries this information is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine floral and fruit traits, phylogenetic relationships and conservation status of plant species in two NPAs in Honduras. Methods: Using literature review, herbarium specimens, and field observations, we determined the growth form and traits of flowers (color, size, sex expression, and pollination syndrome) and fruits (size, color, type, and dispersal syndrome) of 538 and 420 species in Pico Bonito National Park (PBNP) and Uyuca Biological Reserve (UBR), respectively. We assigned the conservation status of species according to the UICN Red List. Finally, we analyzed the phylogenetic signal of growth forms and reproductive traits. Results: Most species presented floral traits associated with pollination by bees, flies, or butterflies. Seed dispersal by animals was most important in both NPAs. We found that 27 species are in the most vulnerable conservation categories, 8 in UBR and 19 in PBNP Growth forms and dispersal syndromes (but not pollination syndrome) were more similar among species that were more closely related phylogenetically. Conclusions: The two NPAs harbor a wide diversity of reproductive traits that may be important for the conservation of plant-pollinator and plant-disperser interactions, as well as the ecosystem services that pollinators and dispersers provide. Implications for Conservation: Assessing other components of biodiversity beyond species numbers highlight the importance of NPAs not only for species conservation, but also as a source of functions and evolutionary histories for restoring areas in heavily human-modified landscapes.