Abstract

LOPEZ GONZALEZ, WILSON  and  DUQUE M., ÁLVARO J.. Beta Diversity in Neotropical Mountain Forests. Caldasia [online]. 2010, vol.32, n.1, pp.175-189. ISSN 0366-5232.

We assessed the rates of genera turnover in two geographic areas in montane forests (over 1500 m.a.s.l), and their relationship with climatic, historical and spatial factors. The chosen areas were: 1) Colombia, which contained all places located within this country, around the geographical Equator; and 2) Neotropics: all areas other than Colombia, further from the geographical Equator. The research questions were: How similar are the genera turnover rates between Colombia and the Neotropics? 2) Which factors are controlling the patterns of distribution of genera? Beta diversity varied between Colombia and the Neotropics. Beta diversity increased with the distance from the geographical Equator. Rainfall was the most important factor in the Neotropics while altitude was the most important in Colombia. The distribution patterns of genera did not follow those reported at the species level in in neotropical mountain forests, especially for those sites near to the geographical Equator.

Keywords : Beta-diversity; Mountain Forests; Andes; Neotropics; Colombia; Floristic Turnover.

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