Gymnosperm Diversity of Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot

Abstract

The Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot (EABH)–which stretches over a curving arc of widely scattered but biogeographically similar mountains from Saudi Arabia to Mozambique and Zimbabwe–is one of the Earth’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, the most biologically rich yet threatened areas around the globe. The most important gymnosperm families in the hotspot are Podocarpaceae (Afrocarpus falcatus, Afrocarpus latifolius, Afrocarpus gracilior); Cupressaceae (Cupressus lusitanica, Juniperus procera); Pinaceae (Pinus patula, P. radiata); and Araucariaceae (Araucania araucana). Gymnosperms mostly grow in mountainous areas with various altitudinal zonation. Gymnosperms in the EABH are highly affected by climate change due to human causes. There is low gymnosperm diversity in other parts of the tropics and subtropics in general, and the EABH in particular, but endemism is good in the hotspot. Regarding gymnosperms, there are research gaps in the EABH. There are not many studies in this region on gymnosperm diversity (richness, evenness, etc.), mapping, and their status identification. Much conservation and study attention must be given to them as their diversity is low and anthropogenic impacts are high.