The effect of highly variable topography on the spatial distribution of &lt;i&gt;Aniba perutilis&lt;/i&gt; (Lauraceae) in the Colombian Andes

José C Fagua,Edersson Cabrera,Victor H Gonzalez Gonzalez

doi:10.15517/rbt.v61i1.11129

Abstract

Topography is a factor that can significantly affect the diversity and the distribution of trees species in tropical forests. Aniba perutilis, a timber species listed as vulnerable to extinction, is widely distributed in Andean forest fragments, especially in those with highly variable topography. Based on field surveys and logistic regression analyses, we studied the population structure and the effect of highly variable topography on the spatial distribution of this tree in three protected forest fragments in the central Andes of Colombia. Individuals of A. perutilis were mainly found on mountain ridges and hills with gentle slopes; no individuals were found in valleys. Using a species distribution model with presence/absence data, we showed that the available habitat for A. perutilis is significantly smaller than the extension of the fragments and much smaller than the extension of the currently protected areas. Our results have important implications for the conservation ofA. perutilis and likely for other threatened Andean tree species, which can also have locally restricted distributions due to highly variable local topography.

Highlights

Topography at the local scale is a factor that significantly affects the diversity and distribution of trees species in tropical and sub tropical forests (Oliveira-Filho et al 1994, Clark et al 1998, Oliveira et al 1998, Gale 2000, Harms et al 2001, Kubota et al 2004)
Aniba perutilis Hemsley (Lauraceae) is a good example of a tree species restricted to such Andean forest fragments that is currently listed as a species vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and overexploitation (PRVCAB 1994, UICN 2001, Vargas 2002)
We modeled the potential distribution of A. perutilis to estimate its available habitat using field data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools

Summary

Introduction

Topography at the local scale is a factor that significantly affects the diversity and distribution of trees species in tropical and sub tropical forests (Oliveira-Filho et al 1994, Clark et al 1998, Oliveira et al 1998, Gale 2000, Harms et al 2001, Kubota et al 2004). Aniba perutilis Hemsley (Lauraceae) is a good example of a tree species restricted to such Andean forest fragments that is currently listed as a species vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and overexploitation (PRVCAB 1994, UICN 2001, Vargas 2002) This timber species, commonly known as “comino” or “comino laurel”, is greatly esteemed for high-grade furniture, interior trim, durable construction, and resistance to the attack of termites (Bernal 1994). We sought to determine if topography could affect the distribution of A. perutilis inside these forest remnants If this is the case, it would seem likely to find A. perutilis restricted to certain areas within the fragments, suggesting that the available habitat to A. perutilis would be significantly smaller than the extension of the fragment and much smaller than the extension of the protected area. We modeled the potential distribution of A. perutilis to estimate its available habitat using field data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools

Methods

Results

Conclusion