ABSTRACT Although ethnobotanical knowledge is considered potentially valuable information for several human disciplines, it is currently declining due to a decrease in the transmission of cultural knowledge and the depletion of natural resources. Consequently, focused efforts are required to compile such information and ultimately facilitate its diffusion. Bogotá D.C. consists of a large territory of rural and urban zones which has become a place of diverse cultural dynamics due to complex processes of historical evolution, making it an important target to conserve ethnobotanical knowledge. Here, we made a thorough compilation of ethnobotanical data for Bogotá focusing on plant common names and developed a freely available online tool (Platform of Plant Common Names of Bogotá) with the aim of preserving and promoting the transmission of biocultural heritage. The compiled dataset consists of over 2,226 combinations between scientific and common names which may be queried using the online tool, leading to specific pages that display several additional features. Since its launch, the online tool has been visited over 6200 times, mainly by Colombian users under the age of 34, which is conveniently in line with our goal of improving the intergenerational transmission of biocultural heritage.

RESUMEN Presentamos un primer estudio de la diversidad y composición de comunidades de líquenes en remanentes de bosque seco tropical (bs-T) en el departamento de Atlántico, Colombia. Se muestrearon líquenes en dos de las tres áreas protegidas del departamento: Distrito de Manejo Integrado (DMI) Luriza y Reserva Forestal Protectora (RFP) El Palomar. El inventario registró 61 especies, incluyendo cuatro especies nuevas para la ciencia: Fissurina linoana Lücking, Moncada & G. Rodr. sp. nov., Graphis lurizana Lücking, Moncada & Celis sp. nov., Graphis mokanarum Lücking, Moncada & M.C. Martínez sp. nov. y Phaeographis galeanoae Lücking, Moncada & B. Salgado-N. sp. nov. Arthonia erupta y Coenogonium saepincola son nuevos registros para América del Sur, mientras que trece especies son reportadas por primera vez para Colombia. Unas 37 especies adicionales son nuevos reportes para Atlántico, incrementando el total de especies conocidas para el departamento de 27 a 84. Con 42 especies en Luriza y 31 en El Palomar, la riqueza de especies fue comparable con la de otros sitios de bs-T en el Neotrópico. El traslape en la composición de especies entre los dos sitios es bajo, con solamente doce (20 %) compartidas, indicando un alto nivel de heterogeneidad. Las afinidades biogeográficas son mayores con los bs-T de Centroamérica, lo que coincide con las de plantas leñosas. Estos resultados enfatizan la importancia de los remanentes de bs-T en Colombia para la conservación de una biodiversidad poco conocida.

ABSTRACT We present a first study of the diversity and community composition of lichens in seasonally dry tropical forest (DTF) remnants in the Atlántico department, Colombia. Lichens were sampled in two of the three protected areas of the department: Distrito de Manejo Integrado (DMI) Luriza and Reserva Forestal Protectora (RFP) El Palomar. The inventory revealed 61 species, including four new to science: Fissurina linoana Lücking, Moncada & G. Rodr. sp. nov., Graphis lurizana Lücking, Moncada & Celis sp. nov., G. mokanarum Lücking, Moncada & M.C. Martínez sp. nov., and Phaeographis galeanoae Lücking, Moncada & B. Salgado-N. sp. nov. Arthonia erupta and Coenogonium saepincola are new to South America, whereas thirteen species are recorded for Colombia for the first time. Further 37 species are new records for Atlántico, raising the total of species known from the department from 27 to 84. With 42 species at Luriza and 31 at El Palomar, species richness was comparable to that of other DTF sites in the Neotropics. Overlap in species composition between the two sites was remarkably low, with only twelve shared species (20 %), indicating a high level of heterogeneity. Biogeographical affinities lie with Central American DTF, which is in line with those of woody plants. These results underline the importance of the remaining fragments of DTF in Colombia in conserving partially unknown biodiversity and the necessity for their continuing conservation.

RESUMEN A escala continental los bosques secos presentan alta diversidad beta de plantas y forman doce provincias florísticas. La conservación de esta diversidad requiere planes de protección de áreas en cada provincia, basado en conocimiento de sus condiciones ecológicas particulares. En Colombia los bosques secos se distribuyen en siete regiones. Exploramos algunos retos para conservar la diversidad beta, por medio de un análisis a la escala de Colombia enmarcado en el estado del conocimiento de los bosques secos del país. Encontramos 178 estudios, con un aumento reciente en el número de publicaciones. El valle del Cauca y el Caribe fueron las regiones más estudiadas. Más de la mitad de los estudios fueron inventarios de plantas, aves y murciélagos, mientras que sólo diez estudios trataron sobre interacciones planta-animal y cinco sobre sucesión secundaria. Encontramos altos niveles de diferenciación entre regiones para plantas, aves y murciélagos. La mitad de las especies de plantas del bosque seco son dispersadas por aves y mamíferos. Las aves y mamíferos frugívoros grandes han desaparecido de los remanentes de bosque, lo cual puede afectar negativamente los patrones de dispersión de semillas y sucesión secundaria. Entender los factores ecológicos y biogeográficos a varias escalas, apoyado de un conocimiento local de los procesos ecológicos que contribuyen a la integridad del bosque, es clave para la conservación de la composición única y distintiva de especies entre ensamblajes de bosque seco. Es prioritario desarrollar un programa de investigación que integre el conocimiento de procesos ecológicos de escala local y nacional.

ABSTRACT On a continental scale, Neotropical dry forests exhibit high plant beta diversity, forming twelve unique floristic provinces. Conserving this diversity requires plans to protect areas in each province, based on an understanding of their particular ecological conditions. In Colombia dry forest occurs in seven regions. We explored some challenges for conserving beta diversity at the country scale by downscaling the analysis and framing it in the context of the general knowledge status of the country's dry forests, and particularly of seed dispersal. Our literature review revealed 178 studies, with an increase in publication rate in recent years. The Cauca Valley and the Caribbean region had the most publications. More than half of studies were species inventories of plants, birds, and bats, whereas only ten studies dealt with plant-animal interactions and five with secondary succession. Analyses on plants, birds, and bats revealed high levels of dissimilarity among regions. One-half of plant species in Colombia's dry forests are dispersed by birds and mammals. Large-sized frugivorous birds and mammals are absent from remaining forest patches, which may negatively affect patterns of seed dispersal and secondary succession. Understanding the ecological and biogeographic factors at several scales, supported by local knowledge of the ecological processes that contribute to forest integrity, is key for the conservation of the unique and distinctive species composition of regional assemblages. A coordinated research effort that integrates knowledge of ecological processes at local to national scales is a priority.