Resumen

PARADA-QUINTERO, MARTHA; ALARCON-JIMENEZ, DARÍO  y  ROSERO-LASPRILLA, LILIANA. Flowering phenology of ornithophilous species from the lower stratum in two High-Andean habitats in the Parque Natural Municipal Rancheria (Paipa-Boyacá-Colombia). Caldasia [online]. 2012, vol.34, n.1, pp.139-154. ISSN 0366-5232.

The flower production of ornithophilous plant species from the lower stratum in two habitats of an Andean forest in the Parque Natural Municipal Rancheria was evaluated during 13 months. Flowering was measured in terms of the number of flowers, individuals, and species that were in bloom along 5 transects of 200 m long by 5 m wide. A total of 40 ornithophilous species of 14 families were recorded. The flowering period was continuous, with a monthly average of 305 flowers per 0.1 ha in the habitat consisting of strictly Andean forest elements while of 585 flowers per 0.1 ha in the habitat consisting of a mixture of Andean forest and Páramo elements. These two habitats showed differences in the flower availability. Shrubs and species of Ericaceae were the most important elements in terms of flower availability, individuals, and flowering species in both habitats throughout the year. Among Ericaceae species, Gautheria anastomosans, Plutarchia guascensis and Macleania rupestris stand out for their pattern of continuous flowering and for the large number of individuals and flowers they produced. All of these characteristics make them an important resource for several species of hummingbirds that inhabit the area. The continuous flower production and the temporal complementarity of available flowers across habitats provide an important food source to maintain the nectarivorous resident and migrant birds in the area.

Palabras clave : Flowering; ornithophilous; high-Andean forest; paramized area; low stratus.

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