Abstract

CANO-CALDERON, Yinny Marcela et al. Population Structure of Mauritia flexuosity L. f. in the Colombian Altillanura, Puerto Gaitán, Meta. Colomb. for. [online]. 2024, vol.27, n.1, e20126.  Epub Mar 19, 2024. ISSN 0120-0739.  https://doi.org/10.14483/2256201x.20126.

The palm Mauritia flexuosa, which is dominant in morichales [palm swamps], offers diverse ecosystem services that benefit human communities and wildlife. However, anthropogenic impacts affect its integrity, and, given its potential and use as a non-timber product, knowledge of population aspects becomes necessary for its conservation. Therefore, the population structure of M. flexuosa was evaluated in a conserved morichal of the Colombian Altillanura. To this effect, six transects (20 x50 m) were established, in which all individuals of the species were measured. As a result, 434 individuals were recorded and classified into four size classes: seedlings (4%), juveniles I (25%), juveniles II (3%), and adults (68%). These individuals showed an aggregated spatial distribution and densities between 630 and 32 palms/ha. The population exhibits a trend towards low natural regeneration and a decrease in juvenile classes as the level of soil saturation decreases and the canopy closure increases.

Keywords : Arecaceae; age classes; density; ecology; moriche; spatial pattern.

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