Is the Myth of Humboldt's Vegetation Survey on Mt. Chimborazo Becoming a Nightmare?

Recently in this journal, Siqueira-Silva and colleagues forecast the effects of climate change on the vegetation of Chimborazo in the future (2070) based on species distribution models for 134 species ‘native of Chimborazo’ and predicted future trends consistent with past observed upslope shifts since von Humboldt and Bonpland's expedition in 1802. The 134 species come from 15 transects at 3800–5200 m on one side of the mountain made in 2012, with the hope that the combined ‘vegetation surveys on Mt. Chimborazo in 1802 and 2012 offer valuable information on plant assemblages through observational data.’ Humboldt's detailed account of his ascent of the Chimborazo, however, makes clear that his team was unable to collect plants due to inclement weather, and indeed of Humboldt's 156 total Andean collections, only eight come from the Chimborazo's lower slopes. The seemingly unstoppable myth of a supposed 1802 vegetation survey on Mt. Chimborazo is a disservice to biogeography and continues to procreate alternative facts.