Chronically Disturbed Paramo Vegetation at a Site in Southern Ecuador

Abstract

KEATING, PHILIP L. (Department of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-2060). Chronically disturbed paramo vegetation at a site in southern Ecuador. 127:162-171. 2000. The characteristics of paramo (tropical alpine) vegetation were investigated at a chronically disturbed site in Podocarpus National Park, southern Ecuador. Located at 2950 m elevation, this site was most likely covered with forest 500 years ago, but it has experienced frequent anthropogenic disturbances during the past several hundred years. Nine 2 X 2 m plots were inventoried to determine the diversity and floristic composition of this vegetation, and the results are compared to those obtained for other paramo communities examined in southern Ecuador. Approximately 60 vascular plant species occurred, most of which are common in paramo communities located at higher elevations. This community exhibits characteristics of both grass and shrub paramo vegetation, and shrubs are as important as any of the other six life forms present. Finally, I discuss the vegetation of this site in relation to disturbance ecology and other environmental factors.