Succulent plant biodiversity of the Baja California peninsula

Viernes 11 de mayo de 2012


Dr. Robert Webb (US Geological Survey)



Succulent plant biodiversity is extremely high on the Baja California peninsula, and several researchers have claimed that the highest diversity of succulent plants and cacti in the Sonoran Desert -- and therefore in North America -- occurs on a hill east of San Ignacio, Baja California Sur. We have surveyed 1400 sites in the deserts of Baja California, listing all perennial species within a 100-m radius. The results suggest that the species richness of succulent plants and cacti is highest in a broad band spanning the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. This band extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Sierra la Libertad and southeast across the Sierra San Francisco to the San Ignacio area. This part of Baja California represents the triple junction of significant winter precipitation, significant summer precipitation, and prevalent summer fog.