Floristics and Biogeography of a Rain Forest in the Venezuelan Andes

Abstract

The vascular flora of 1.5 ha of montane rain forest on a ridge top at 2550-2650 m near Merida, Venezuela was surveyed, compared with other montane forests in the region, and analysed to determine its biogeographic origins and affinities. The study included an inventory of all stems > 3.2 cm d.b.h. in eighteen 12 X 12 m plots. The canopy was 10-22 m tall and the trees relatively small (3488 individuals ha1, basal area 34.7 m2 ha1). Bamboos were abundant in gaps, there were no buttressed trees and relatively few climbers. Weinmannia glabra L.f. (Cunoniaceae), Clusia trochiformis Vesque (Guttiferae) and Hedyosmum crenatum Occhioni (Chloranthaceae) together accounted for 42% of the individuals and 37% of the basal area. Microphylls, notophylls and mesophylls predominated in the