Database of Vascular Plant Species Associated With Neotropical Wetlands

Species were categorized by the perceived strength of their association with inundated habitats.   Five categories were recognized: 1) strongly associated; 2) frequently associated; 3) moderately associated; 4) weakly associated; and, 5) potentially associated - more research required.   In theory, the "strongly associated" species include both the truly aquatic species (i.e., those that spend nearly their entire life cycle in contact with water), as well as semi-aquatic species.  As broadly defined, semi-aquatic species are species that require that the greatest part of their life cycle be spent in soils that are at least saturated, and which cannot survive extended periods of drought).

Oftentimes, it was difficult to state with certainty whether or not a particular species met these criteria.  Where there was reasonable evidence that the species was often found in wetland habitats, it was designated as either "frequently associated" or "moderately associated", and additional information was sought regarding the species' typical habitat(s).    Species that were known to most often be encountered in terrestrial habitats, but which were known to periodically occur in wetlands, were categorized as "weakly associated."    The "potentially associated - more research required" classification was applied to those species for which there was some evidence that the species occurred in wetlands, but which needed much more additional research.