Resumen

CABRERA-AMAYA, DIEGO MAURICIO  y  RIVERA-DIAZ, ORLANDO. Floristic composition and structure of riparian forests of the lower basin of Pauto River, Casanare, Colombia. Caldasia [online]. 2016, vol.38, n.1, pp.53-85. ISSN 0366-5232.  https://doi.org/10.15446/caldasia.v38n1.57829.

The composition and structure of vegetation in riparian forests of the lower basin of Pauto river (Colombia, Casanare) was characterized using information the diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, and treetop cover measured in nine plots of 20 x 50 m (1000 m). Richness and importance values were analyzed by species and family. An analysis was made to establish a local classification of the forest types, which were described in terms of diametric and altimetric classes and physiognomic predominance index. A total of 185 species, 127 genera and 56 families were recorded. The families  Rubiaceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Fabaceae and Bignoniaceae and the genera Ficus, Piper, Psychotria and Inga contained the highest richness. The families with highest  FIV were Arecaceae, Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae and Verbenaceae. The most important species by their IVI were: Attalea butyracea, Clarisia biflora, Sarcaulus brasiliensis and Inga interrupta. The classification analysis resulted in six communities: 1) Mauritia flexuosa and Euterpe precatoria palm groove, 2) Copaifera pubiflora and Homalium racemosum gallery forest, 3) Discocarpus spruceanus and Sloanea terniflora floodplain forest, 4) Attalea butyracea and Garcinia madruno floodplain forest, 5) Attalea butyracea e Inga interrupta gallery forest, and 6) Attalea butyracea and Clarisia biflora floodplain forest. The forests present multiple layers with canopy height ranging from 18 m on stream riversides, to 25 m in river floodplains. Richness and composition follow floristic patterns of the Colombian Orinoquia, especially at the family level. The concentration of individuals in small diametric classes is consistent with the characteristics of secondary forests, showing the effect of disturbances like thinning, livestock or flood pulses.

Palabras clave : Floodplain forest; gallery forest; indicator species analysis; morichales; plant communities.

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