Background:

The rates of extinction evaluations are slow in relation to the magnitude of the problem. In the case of plants, just about 6 % of the species have been evaluated. On the other hand, it has been determined that the extension of the distribution area is a good predictor of the extinction risk.

Questions:

Is it possible to speed up the estimate of extinction risk of plant species? Can risk estimates that consider only the area of distribution converge with estimates from already established methods?

Taxon:

Peltogyne mexicana

Study site:

Guerrero, Mexico

Methods:

The Evaluation to Assign Tentatively Risk of Extinction (ETRE) was implemented comparing the area of occurrence (AOO), calculated with the GeoCat program, of the tropical timber tree Peltogyne mexicana against the AOO of other tropical trees (all Leguminosae) that are recognized with risk of extinction. The Method of Evaluation of Species at Risk (MER) was implemented and the results were compared.

Results:

With the implementation of the ETRE it was determined that Peltogyne mexicana has a high extinction risk, category that is confirmed with the MER implementation.

Discussion:

The suitability of the ETRE is based on the fact that several predictors of the risk of extinction are dependent on the size of the distribution area and that the estimate of the distribution area is amply accepted through the AOO. The ETRE is impartial, easily replicable, which can be implemented previously to evaluations more scrupulous, such as the MER. Actions are suggested to alleviate the risk situation of Peltogyne mexicana.

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