Floristic characterization of the Suyapa Luis Hernán Baca Wildlife Refuge and its ecosystem services

Abstract

Ecosystem services (ES) are defined as the links between the ecosystem and the components that society obtains from it. These are divided into three categories: provisioning, regulation and cultural. The floristic composition of a forest supports a wide range of ecosystem services for the well-being of humans (food, wood, firewood, medicines, handicrafts, shade, among others). The Suyapa Luis Hernán Baca Wildlife Refuge (RVSSLHB) is located near the village of Suyapa, city of Tegucigalpa, Department of Francisco Morazán, Honduras. Sampling was carried out in five locations: Suyapa, Cerro Canta Gallo, Cerro Triquilapa, La Montañita and San Juan del Rancho. Most of the plant species registered in the RVSSLHB are native plants and 481 were registered, distributed in 102 families, in addition Croton suyapensis is reported as an endemic species, as well as eight species with restricted distribution. The predominant ecosystem service includes 231 species, within the subcategories of medicinal plants (117), raw materials (38), and fuel (26). The Asteraceae and Fabaceae families  comprise the greatest number of species that provide supply and regulation services, Asteraceae covers the majority of species that have medicinal uses, due to the presence of phytochemicals for therapeutic uses. The proper management of forests is essential to conserve ecosystem services that contribute to the mitigation of greenhouse gases, protection of bodies of water, as well as biodiversity, scenic value and ethnobotanical uses.