Analysis of a virgin páramo plant community on Volcán Sumaco, Ecuador

Abstract

During the first biological expedition from P. Universidád Cató1ica del Ecuador to Volcán Sumaco, Ecuador (1979), a virgin páramo plant community was studied. The investigated area was situated above the timberline at an altitude of approximately 3650 m. Analysis of the composition of the vegetation was performed according to the methods of Raunkiaer and Hult–Sernander–DuRietz. Along with the vegetation analysis, soil samples were taken. The results obtained support the hypothesis that the páramo of Sumaco is very young, representing an early stage in páramo plant succession. Upon investigation, the páramo plant community was found to be dominated by bryophytes, especially liverworts, and low shrubby plants. Blechnum loxense tree–ferns and over–disperged Cortaderia nitida tussocks were conspicuous features. The floristic composition shows many similarities with descriptions of pioneer communities from other parts of the N Andes. Most taxa found on Sumaco have dispersal means facilitating long–distance dispersal. The data from Sumaco are especially interesting since the vegetation is not disturbed by cattle grazing or any form of regular human activity.This is contribution no. 32 to the AAU–Ecuador project.