Replication Data for: Discovering brazilian cliff vascular flora on basaltic rocky outcrops in Serra do Rio do Rastro, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Author/Principal Investigator Information Name: Júlia Gava Sandrini ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5389-5042 Institution: Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC) Email: [e-mail] Data collection period: 2023-01-01 to 2025-07-31 Geographic location of data collection: Serra do Rio do Rastro, Lauro Müller, Santa Catarina, Brazil =========================== OVERVIEW OF DATA AND FILES List of Files: Spreadsheet of vouchers obtained from primary data and spreadsheet of vouchers obtained from secondary data =========================== METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION Description of methods used for data collection/generation: The primary data collection for the characterization of the floristic composition was carried out through systematic walking surveys along a 6 km stretch in the SC-390 Highway in Serra do Rio do Rastro, corresponding to the continuous extension of accessible basaltic outcrops. Sampling was conducted on basaltic rock cliffs, which represent the typical habitat of the vegetation investigated in this study. Fertile individuals of rupicolous species found on the rocky cliffs along the margins of the SC-390 were collected using a ladder and long-reach pruning shears, allowing collectors to reach up to approximately 8 m in height. Species found only in vegetative stages were also included in the sampling if they could be reliably identified based on available morphological characters. The sampling was conducted monthly over 12 field expeditions throughout a year, aiming to standardize collections across the seasons and ensure the documentation of different species according to their flowering and/or fruiting periods (Reitz 1965). In addition to the species documented through field surveys, the floristic list was supplemented with species having verified records in the study area based on digital herbarium specimens. For this purpose, records available on the SpeciesLink (2025) and REFLORA (2025) were used, which include specimens from Brazilian herbaria as well as repatriated images of collections housed in foreign institutions. On both platforms, the following filters were applied to search for specimens: "with images," "Kingdom Plantae," and "Serra do Rio do Rastro" (locality), ensuring that data were extracted from each platform by downloading Excel spreadsheets. The obtained data were merged into a standardized spreadsheet, totaling 1,454 records. Methods for data processing: Data refinement from secondary sources involved the exclusion of duplicate entries, specimens originating from the primary data collection of this study, non-vascular plants, collections conducted outside the study area, and taxa not identified at the species level. This filtering process resulted in 394 records. From these, a preliminary floristic list was generated and subsequently revised through analysis of voucher images. During this review, only species with confirmed accuracy regarding their location within the study area and botanical identification were retained. When necessary, specialists were consulted to verify the identification of specimens. Finally, the reviewed species names were incorporated into the floristic list obtained from primary data, with their data source clearly indicated. Specific instrument or software information needed to interpret the data: Excel =========================== (2025-09-11)