Are Juglans neotropica Plantations Useful as a Refuge of Bryophytes Diversity in Tropical Areas?

Neotropical montane forests are considered biodiversity hotspots, where epiphytic bryophytes are an important component of the diversity, biomass and functioning of these ecosystems. We evaluated the richness and composition of bryophytes in secondary successional forests and mixed plantations of Juglans neotropica. In each forest type, the presence and cover of epiphytic bryophytes was registered in 400 quadrats of 20 cm × 30 cm. We analyzed the effects of canopy openness, diameter at breast height (DBH) and forest type on bryophyte richness, using a generalized linear model (GLM), as well as the changes in species composition using multivariate analysis. Fifty-five bryophyte species were recorded, of which 42 species were in secondary forests and 40 were in mixed plantations. Bryophyte richness did not change at forest level; however, at tree level, richness was higher in the mixed plantation of J. neotropica compared to the secondary forests, due to the presence of species adapted to high light conditions. On the other hand, bryophyte communities were negatively affected by the more open canopy in the mixed plantation of J. neotropica, species adapted to more humid conditions being less abundant. We conclude that species with narrow microclimatic niches are threatened by deforestation, and J. neotropica plantations do not act as refuge for drought-sensitive forest species present in secondary forests.

Elevation and latitude drives structure and tree species composition in Andean forests: Results from a large-scale plot network.

Our knowledge about the structure and function of Andean forests at regional scales remains limited. Current initiatives to study forests over continental or global scales still have important geographical gaps, particularly in regions such as the tropical and subtropical Andes. In this study, we assessed patterns of structure and tree species diversity along ~ 4000 km of latitude and ~ 4000 m of elevation range in Andean forests. We used the Andean Forest Network (Red de Bosques Andinos, https://redbosques.condesan.org/) database which, at present, includes 491 forest plots (totaling 156.3 ha, ranging from 0.01 to 6 ha) representing a total of 86,964 identified tree stems ≥ 10 cm diameter at breast height belonging to 2341 identified species, 584 genera and 133 botanical families. Tree stem density and basal area increases with elevation while species richness decreases. Stem density and species richness both decrease with latitude. Subtropical forests have distinct tree species composition compared to those in the tropical region. In addition, floristic similarity of subtropical plots is between 13 to 16% while similarity between tropical forest plots is between 3% to 9%. Overall, plots ~ 0.5-ha or larger may be preferred for describing patterns at regional scales in order to avoid plot size effects. We highlight the need to promote collaboration and capacity building among researchers in the Andean region (i.e., South-South cooperation) in order to generate and synthesize information at regional scale.

Estudio florístico de los páramos de pajonal meridionales de Ecuador / Floristic study of the southern bunchgrass paramos of Ecuador

El presente trabajo es un estudio de la flora de los páramos de pajonal seriales de distintos macizos montañosos de los Andes del Sur de Ecuador (provincias de Azuay y Loja) comprendidos entre los 2850 m y 3635 m. Fueron identificadas 43 familias de plantas vasculares, 120 géneros y 216 especies. La flora local es comparada con la de otros páramos de pajonal andinos; la riqueza florística (géneros y especies) es analizada por tramos altitudinales y se establece la flora característica de cada tramo del territorio estudiado. De forma complementaria, discutimos las influencias biogeográficas de la flora de los páramos de pajonal.

A study of the flora of the bunchgrass paramo with antropic origin of different mountain ranges from the Andean areas in southern Ecuador (provinces of Azuay and Loja) was conducted. The study areas range between the 2850 m and 3635 m of altitude. The local flora is composed by 43 families, 120 genera and 216 species of vascular plants; this particular flora is compared with that of other Andean bunchgrass paramos, the floristic richness of genus and species is studied by altitudinal levels (100 m), and the characteristic flora of each level of the area is established. Finally the biogeographic aspects of the flora are discussed.