Abstract

CANO, Ángela  and  STEVENSON, Pablo R.. Floristic composition and diversity of three forest types at Caparú, Vaupús Biological Station. Colomb. for. [online]. 2009, vol.12, n.1, pp.63-80. ISSN 0120-0739.

The Amazon forests are among the most diverse ecosystems in the planet. Although some countries of the Amazon Basin have a fairly complete record of their plants, in Colombia much effort is still needed to have a good idea of the plant diversity patterns and floristic composition. Three one-hectare vegetation-land plots (DBH≥ 10 cm) were established in Vaupés, Colombia, regarding three types of forest: Colina, Terraza (Terra Firme forests) and Igapó (periodically flooded). Plant diversity was estimated and floristic composition was described classifying the most important families and species. The highest diversity was found in Colina (Fisher's α = 160.3), followed by Terraza (α = 78.4) and Igapó (α = 44.7). Fabaceae s.l. was the most important family of all plots, but in Terraza forest the importance of Arecaceae was similar to that of Fabaceae. Floristic composition was also remarkably different amongst the three forest types, especially Igapó, which was the most dissimilar. However, both Terra Firme forests showed strong floristic differences, which may be caused by differences in abiotic factors (i.e. soils). High plant diversity reported in this study agrees with the hypothesis that central and western Amazon forests are the most diverse of the Amazon Basin.

Keywords : Colombian Amazon; floristic composition; Igapó; species richness; Terra Firme; forests; Colina; Terraza; Caparú; Vaupús.

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