Abstract

ROJAS FLOREZ, CAROL BIBIANA  and  SANCHEZ MONTANO, LUIS ROBERTO. Spatial structure of vascular epiphytes in two High-Andean forest locations, Pamplona, Colombia. Caldasia [online]. 2015, vol.37, n.1, pp.15-30. ISSN 0366-5232.  https://doi.org/10.15446/caldasia.v37n1.50819.

Vascular epiphytes are an important component of High-Andean forests. To determine the composition of epiphytes in northeastern Colombia and analyze whether the incidence of light affects its distribution were studied two communities for one year, Monteadentro and Escorial, located at 2950 and 2900 m, respectively. Which vary phorophytes diversity, coverage, successional stage and position on the winds. In each community were 10 plots of 10 x 10 m (0.1 ha), were counted trees within them and differentiating the following stratum: Stratum one, from the base to 5m; Stratum two, from 5 m to 10 m, and Stratum three, 10 m upwards. For each phorophyte was measured diameter at breast height (DBH), we estimated the height and glass. Also we used the densitometer model A to calculate the percentage of canopy cover in the two communities. The results show that, the community has a wealth of Monteadentro vascular epiphytes high, supporting 25 families with 60 species, of which 7 families are unique and only one species represented by just one individual. Of the 163 phorophytes observed (20 species), Cyathea caracasana predominates. This community has made a late successional stage, with high homogeneity in structure with a moderately closed canopy (36% - 49%), where the incidence of light does not affect the distribution of vascular epiphytes (p = 0.97). In contrast, in the community of El Escorial, there were 10 families of vascular epiphytes, which are shared with community Monteadentro, with 73 species. Of the 326 phorophytes observed, belonging to 34 species, Weinmannia tomentosa is dominant. The incidence of light in this community if affected significantly distribution in vascular epiphytes (p = 0.03), presenting an open canopy and closed moderately (19% -51%), its structure is very heterogeneous indicating a successional stage early. The characteristics of each community are influencing vascular epiphytes.

Keywords : High-Andean forest; Distribution; Diversity; vascular epiphytes; Norte of Santander; Colombia.

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