Spatial and Ecological Gaps of Lardizabala biternata: Implications for Ex Situ Conservation in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

Lardizabala biternata is an endemic vine and the sole species of the monotypic genus Lardizabala, distributed across central–southern Chile and producing edible fruits traditionally harvested from wild populations. Despite its cultural relevance, potential agronomic value, and evolutionary singularity, its conservation status remains poorly understood because of incomplete distributional knowledge and historical nomenclatural inconsistencies. Here, we conducted a preliminary record-based spatial conservation assessment of L. biternata using a taxonomically and geographically curated occurrence database integrated with Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Extent of Occurrence (EOO), Area of Occupancy (AOO), overlap analyses with Chile’s protected-area network (SNASPE) and the Chilean Winter Rainfall–Valdivian Forests biodiversity hotspot, and ecological representativeness assessments based on mapped vegetation-class units. Our analyses revealed substantial spatial and ecological conservation gaps. Most documented occurrence records were located outside protected areas, while KDE-derived occurrence-record density patterns were concentrated within the biodiversity hotspot, a region characterized by high endemism and intense anthropogenic pressure. Although EOO indicated a relatively broad geographic extent, AOO indicated restricted occupancy based on documented records. In addition, several mapped vegetation-class units intersecting the 95% KDE-derived occurrence-record density area lacked formal conservation coverage entirely. Together, these findings suggest that L. biternata may warrant greater conservation attention than previously recognized. This study provides the first integrated record-based spatial conservation assessment of the species and establishes a baseline framework for future conservation evaluations, ecological studies, and ex situ conservation strategies.