Vascular flora of the Putaendo mountain range (32° S, 70° W): scarcely studied and threatened Andes of the Valparaíso Region, Central Chile

Abstract

The Putaendo mountain range is located in the Andes of Valparaíso and there are few studies on its flora and vegetation, which is a limitation for the evaluation of the conservation status of this environment that has a diversity of uses, in some cases in conflict. A species inventory was carried out through 15 field campaigns, between 2016-2022, between the months of October and March, in the three main watersheds: Rocín river, Hidalgo river and Chalaco estuary. As a result, a record of 501 taxa distributed in 77 families and 240 genera was obtained. The flora reported represents 26.5 % of the flora of the Valparaíso Region. The richest families are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae and Calceolariaceae. Nine genera are endemic to Chile. According to their phytogeographic status, 318 (64 %) are native, 161 (32 %) are endemic to Chile and 22 (4 %) are allochthonous. Seventy-one percent of the taxa are herbaceous and 29 % are woody. The highest richness and degree of endemism was recorded between 1100-2500 m.a.s.l. Eight threatened species are reported, 45 new taxa are reported for the Valparaíso region and 34 new species distribution limits. Finally, the list of microendemic species and those that are scarce in the study area or poorly represented in reference herbaria is reported.