Does the Lack of Botanical Collections Affect the Knowledge and Conservation of Clusia L. (Clusiaceae) in the State of Amazonas, Brazil?

ABSTRACT

Gaps in botanical collecting efforts limit our understanding of plant diversity and conservation, especially in megadiverse and poorly sampled regions like the Amazon. Using Clusia L., a species‐rich genus in the Amazon, as a model, this study evaluates how collecting deficits affect knowledge and species richness in Amazonas state, Brazil. We addressed which regions have the largest gaps in Clusia records, how collecting intensity over time influenced knowledge of Clusia diversity, and which species with restricted distribution may be vulnerable. Occurrence data (1052 records) from SpeciesLink and GBIF were filtered and taxonomically standardized. Spatial distribution was analyzed with density maps, dividing the state into 413 cells of 0.6° × 0.6° (4356 km ² ). Temporal trends were evaluated in R (1950–2020). We confirmed 46 species. Records concentrate in five municipalities, with Manaus accounting for 35.4%. Of 413 cells, 293 (81.3%) lack records (~1,276,308 km ² ). Collecting efforts peaked in the 1990s, then declined. Four new records for Amazonas are reported: C. steyermarkii , C. hoffmannseggiana , C. loretensis , and C. melchiorii . These biases underestimate diversity and hinder conservation. Increasing field collections, strengthening herbaria, and investing in taxonomic training are essential to reduce deficits for Clusia and other Amazonian plants.