Background and Aims:

Stenocereus martinezii is a columnar cactus, endemic to Sinaloa, Mexico, listed as subject to special protection (Pr) in the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 and Endangered (EN) in the IUCN Red List, with high conservation priority. The objectives of the study were to define the potential distribution and geographic area of S. martinezii, determine the anthropic activities with the greatest impact on the vulnerability of the habitat, as well as to locate the populations in the greatest danger of disappearing and those currently in recovery process.

Methods:

Ecological niche modeling was performed to determine the predicted geographic distribution of S. martinezii, using the climate variables and remote sensing of vegetation characteristics (NDVI), and the Maxent algorithm. Vector layers of land use change and vegetation were added to the previously delineated map in order to determine habitat vulnerability.

Key results:

The geographic distribution of S. martinezii is limited to seven municipalities in the state of Sinaloa, with the populations established in the municipalities of Badiraguato and Concordia as new records. The total area sampled was 8672.38 km²; 29% of the vegetation cover where it is distributed is at risk of disappearing mainly due to rainfed agriculture. Fifty-seven percent is stable and 14% is in the process of recovery.

Conclusions:

It was determined that the distribution area of S. martinezii is wider compared with previous reports, with two new records in municipalities of Sinaloa. However, one third of the vegetation in which it is distributed is at risk of disappearing, mainly due to anthropogenic activities.

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