Background:

The Asteraceae is the family with the highest number of angiosperm species (24,000 - 33,000). Despite this diversity, information on richness and distribution of the group for conservation purposes in central Mexico is scarce.

Hypothesis:

The use of non-parametric methods to measure Asteraceae species diversity will allow to obtain information to promote the conservation of some areas in central Mexico.

Studied species:

Species of the Asteraceae in four priority conservation areas in central Mexico.

Study area and dates:

Four priority conservation areas mainly located in the state of Aguascalientes: Sierra Fría, Sierra del Laurel, Tepezalá-Asientos, and Juan El Grande (2016 to 2019).

Methods:

Non-parametric methods ICE and Chao2 to estimate species richness were employed and a species accumulation curve was obtained. A species richness map was made in a 5 × 5 km grid to identify quadrants with high species richness. β-diversity was calculated to measure differences in composition, nesting, and species turnover among areas.

Results:

ICE and Chao2 estimators indicate an overestimation of the observed species richness. The degree of completeness of the floristic inventory for Asteraceae in the study areas is 62 % for ICE and 64 % for Chao2. β-diversity indicates high turnover and species lost among areas.

Conclusions:

Richness and β-diversity obtained are the result of the species grouping spatial pattern, presence of exclusive species by area, and the ecological properties and preferences of the group.

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