For bromeliads, the pattern was more variable, with highest species richness in the humid montane Yungas and dry inter-Andean forest, followed by Amazonian and Tucumano-Bolivian forest (Fig. 2). Epiphytic species were Selleck DAPT generally most common, and their frequency was highest in the dry vegetation types and relatively low in the Amazonian. In contrast to the aroids, useful bromeliads had a more restricted geographical distribution. While the proportion of widely and narrowly distributed species is more or less similar, the number of endemic species is significant (Fig. 3).

In general, bromeliads showed preferences for certain habitats in most of the ecoregions studied, although almost no preferences were found in the dry inter-Andean valleys (Fig. 4). Ornamental species were well represented

both in the humid montane and dry inter-Andean forests. Medicinal, multi-use, fiber-producing, and food species were most species-rich in the dry forests of the inter-Andean valleys such as the Gran Chaco and the Chiquitano forest (Fig. 5). Species used as food sources were also well represented in Amazonian forests. Discussion Bolivia has a striking number of potentially useful species of Araceae and Bromeliaceae, which can provide many non-timber forest products. 3-deazaneplanocin A Both families show distinct distribution patterns and ecological features indicating, thus, that their economic potential may differ among ecoregions. Araceae were most species-rich and most frequent in the humid

lowland and montane forest. This pattern is in accordance with their overall richness pattern (Valencia et al. 1994; Kessler and Croat 1999). Particularly, aroids with medicinal properties have a wide distribution and, for this reason, it is not surprising that this family is considered as one of the most EPZ5676 clinical trial commonly used liana and climbing plant families (Bennett 1992, 1995). Chorioepithelioma Some species, particularly those of Monstera, Syngonium, and Philodendron, which are most diverse in the lowlands, may be abundant in weedy situations (open habitats, road sides, fence rows, plantations) as a possible result of pre-adaptation to such conditions (Croat 1988). When comparing tropical lowland fallows with adjacent mature forests, species richness of aroids showed no reduction (Krömer and Gradstein 2003). Our study shows that the species of aroids most suitable for sustainable utilization are principally located in the Amazonian region. In other regions where species are less frequent, more specialised, and with a narrower distribution, their exploitation may be harmful for the natural populations and, hence, not feasible on a sustainable basis. Ecosystems with more diverse habitats, numerous plant species, and variable life forms, such as montane forests, are generally more vulnerable to human use (Wild and Mutebi 1996).