Format: ORAL

Manuel Lujn1, Rodrigo Duno De Stefano2, Ivn Ramrez Morillo2, Alfredo Dorantes2, Nestor Raigoza Flores2, Pedro Zamora-Crescencio3, Eliana Noguera-Savelli4,Germn Carnevali Fernndez-Cocha2

1 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK 2 Herbario CICY, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Mérida, México 3 Herbario UCAM, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campeche, México 4 Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Campeche, Champotón, México

Sixty-five million years ago, a meteorite struck the Earth near the Yucatn peninsula in south-eastern Mexico, causing global-scale bioclimatic changes that lead to the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs. Deep and large water-filled sinkholes called cenotes formed along the edge of the crater basin, making a ring around the center of the crater. Cenotes are striking elements of the natural landscape in the Yucatan peninsula and were sacred worship places for the Mayan culture. Urban development is threatening cenotes as they are being polluted or transformed during road and railway constructions. The flora associated with cenotes remain largely undocumented, and it is unknown how many native and endemic plant species thrive around these formations. We have undertaken floristic inventories in several cenotes in the peninsula including localities in the states of Campeche and Yucatan to collect plant data and materials to prepare herbarium specimens. This talk will show our preliminary results on the floristic composition and structure of the plant communities associated with the cenotes. We also highlight the importance of building compelling narratives around floristic research projects to secure funding as well as the involvement of relevant stakeholders including local communities and institutions.