Abstract
Population structure and spatial distribution of black oak (Colombobalanus excelsa, Fagaceae), endemic species, in Colombian Andean forest fragments. The Colombian Andean forests are recognized for its great biodiversity and endemism; however, they have undergone a severe process of fragmentation due to anthropic factors. As a result, many vulnerable species have been especially affected. That is the case of the black oak (Colombobalanus excelsa (Lozano, Hern. Cam., & Henao) Nixon & Crepet), an endemic and poorly studied species of the Colombian Andes, which has a distribution restricted to only four areas in the country, one of which is the Southeastern Huila region. To examine black oak populations in Serranía Peñas Blancas (Huila), in 2006 we studied the age structure and spatial distribution in plots of 50 x 20 m (1.6 ha) in forest fragments, in southern distribution. In total, 1 228 black oak species were registered among saplings, juvenile and adults, and they have distribution patterns Gamma and Weibull. These results confirm that the majority of the individuals are in the first diametric class. Also, these populations show an added distribution pattern due to the wood extraction process. These results indicate that black oak populations are in a recovery phase after forceful anthropic intervention. Knowing the current status of black oak forests can contribute to the design of effective conservation plans of this species in Colombia. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 486-494. Epub 2018 June 01.
Highlights
Los bosques andinos son sitios reconocidos como hotspots de biodiversidad por su alto grado de endemismo y alta riqueza de especies (Orme et al, 2005)
To examine black oak populations in Serranía Peñas Blancas (Huila), in 2006 we studied the age structure and spatial distribution in plots of 50 x 20 m (1.6 ha) in forest fragments, in southern distribution
These results indicate that black oak populations are in a recovery phase after forceful anthropic intervention
Summary
Área de estudio: Los cuatro fragmentos de bosque estudiados La Palma, La Marimba, Alto Santa Bárbara y Alto Bellavista, se ubican en la parte más alta de la Serranía de Peñas Blancas (i.e., alturas comprendidas entre 1 630 y 1 900 m), en el extremo suroriental del departamento del Huila (Apéndice digital 1), área más sur de distribución de la especie. Estructura poblacional: En cada fragmento de bosque se delimitaron cuatro parcelas de 50 x 20 m (1 000 m2, Urrego & González 2000; Vallejo, Londoño-V., López-C., Galeano, Álvarez-D., & Devia, 2005) durante el año 2006, con un área total medida de 4 000 m2 (0.4 ha). Se midieron todos los individuos de roble negro sin discriminar su diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP). Posteriormente, las cuatro parcelas por fragmento de bosque fueron sumadas a una unidad de análisis, con la finalidad de obtener la estructura etaria por fragmento de bosque y no por parcela, ya que el interés particular era comparar los diferentes fragmentos de bosque; quedando así un área total evaluada por fragmento de bosque de 4 000 m2 (0.4 ha). Para la distribución espacial tambien fueron sumadas las cuatro parcelas por fragmento de bosque, donde X indica una distancia de 0 a 40 m y Y una distancia de 0 a 100 m
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