Mazzapil, Zacatecas: diversity and conservation of cacti in a poorly - known arid region in corthern Mexico

摘要

The Chihuahuan Desert Region has been the focus of numerous investigations regarding the diversity, degree of ende-mism, and conservation status of its rich assemblage of cactus species. However, most of these studies have been carried out in particular portions of this desert region, predominantly in the areas of highest diversity and endemism. An area that has remained poorly known to botanists, explorers, and amateurs is the Mazapil region in the northern portion of the Mexican state of Zacatecas,located between the Central Plateau and the Sierra Madre Oriental, in the central-west sector of the vast region of the Chihuahuan Desert. The heterogeneous topography that characterizes Mazapil results in a rich mosaic of climatic, edaphic, and vegetation features. The outstanding variety of ecological conditions in this region makes it an excellent candidate to observe marvelous examples of cactus diversity in North America.