Forests Of Peru Research Articles

Three new species of parasitoid wasps of the genus Mnioes Townes, 1946 (Ichneumonidae: Banchinae) in a humid forest in Peru

Mnioes is a predominantly Neotropical genus of Banchinae (Ichneumonidae), currently including 26 species. Three new species of Mnioes are described, found in a humid montane forest in southern Peru, M. chunka sp. nov, M. chusaq sp. nov. and M. isqun sp. nov, and the male of M. huk Alvarado 2020 is also described. DNA barcoding for all the species treated here is included and provides information to match females with males, especially for M. chunka sp. nov., M. chusaq sp. nov., and M. soqta Alvarado 2020 where females are similar to each other and occur in sympatry. Additionally, an updated key to the Peruvian species is provided.

Carbon capture by stipitate kelp forests in Peru: insights from population assessment of Lessonia trabeculata at 15°S

Carbon capture by stipitate kelp forests in Peru: insights from population assessment of Lessonia trabeculata at 15°S

Satellite-derived forest canopy greenness shows differential drought vulnerability of secondary forests compared to primary forests in Peru

Understanding tropical secondary forest canopy greenness and responses to climatic conditions is important for climate change mitigation, particularly in the tropics where secondary forest growth is a substantial carbon sink and a promoted natural climate solution. We here test three hypotheses: (a) forest canopy greenness is higher in younger, secondary forests than in older, primary or mature forests, (b) secondary forests are more vulnerable to climatic pressures and (c) there are significant differences between forest types regarding primary–secondary canopy greenness and their differential responses to drought anomalies. To explore these relationships, we monitored wet and dry seasonal greenness from 2001 to 2020, estimated through the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), of Peruvian tropical dry, montane and lowland secondary forests and compared it to nearby primary forests. We developed predictive models of seasonal EVI using remotely sensed variables, including land surface temperature (LST), evapotranspiration (ET), potential evapotranspiration (PET), ratio of ET and PET (ETn), and the standard precipitation index (SPI). Overall, there was a higher change in annual and seasonal EVI for secondary forests compared to primary forests. However, primary forests maintained relatively stable EVI levels during the wet season despite drought anomalies. When decoupling forest type canopy greenness and drought response, primary forest greenness in dry and lowland ecosystems were temporally more stable. Secondary montane had a lower increase in greenness when drought anomalies held during different seasons. Stepwise multiple linear regression models indicated that LST and ETn, a plant water use index, were the most significant factors to predict greening fluctuations in dry and montane forest types. ET and SPI mostly drove wet season mean EVI across all forest types. Predictors of dry season mean EVI varied, but mostly including water availability. Our results suggest that tropical secondary forests are more productive overall yet more vulnerable to prolonged drought.

Do Nitrogen and Phosphorus Additions Affect Nitrogen Fixation Associated with Tropical Mosses?

Tropical cloud forests are characterized by abundant and biodiverse mosses which grow epiphytically as well as on the ground. Nitrogen (N)-fixing cyanobacteria live in association with most mosses, and contribute greatly to the N pool via biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). However, the availability of nutrients, especially N and phosphorus (P), can influence BNF rates drastically. To evaluate the effects of increased N and P availability on BNF in mosses, we conducted a laboratory experiment where we added N and P, in isolation and combined, to three mosses (Campylopus sp., Dicranum sp. and Thuidium peruvianum) collected from a cloud forest in Peru. Our results show that N addition almost completely inhibited BNF within a day, whereas P addition caused variable results across moss species. Low N2 fixation rates were observed in Campylopus sp. across the experiment. BNF in Dicranum sp. was decreased by all nutrients, while P additions seemed to promote BNF in T. peruvianum. Hence, each of the three mosses contributes distinctively to the ecosystem N pool depending on nutrient availability. Moreover, increased N input will likely significantly decrease BNF associated with mosses also in tropical cloud forests, thereby limiting N input to these ecosystems via the moss-cyanobacteria pathway.

Road Network Planning in Tropical Forests Using GIS

This study intended to develop a road network planning for timber harvesting in tropical forests in Peru using georeferenced and field data and Geographic Information System (GIS). The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Alos Palsar 12.5 m was used. The DEM was processed to generate the hydrography and terrain slope maps. A weighted raster was created using overlapping weights of the slope raster and the hydrography map. We created a least cost path raster by using the weighted raster origin and destination points. We used a Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) to validate the Least Cost Path. In addition, histograms of the trajectory of each path with altitude and slope values ​​ were generated. We observed that the forest road planning using GIS provided better definition (economically and environmentally) of road networks in our forest site than those traditionally defined using conventional mapping techniques.

Inter-Taxon and Seasonal Variations of Mineral Concentrations in Soft Tissues of Frugivorous Phyllostomid Bats in a Mineral-Limited Ecosystem

The western Amazon is characterized by a shortage of available minerals. Chemical analysis of food items and feces of frugivorous bats has shown that they may experience inadequate mineral intake. Assessing the inter-taxon and seasonal variations in mineral loads of wild frugivorous bats may help determine the mineral constraints in their diets. Our sampling was based on bats from the genus Carollia (n = 19 specimens) and the tribe Stenodermatini (n = 20; mainly genera Platyrrhinus and Artibeus) from highland tropical forests in Peru collected during the dry and wet seasons throughout a year. We analyzed the total concentrations of eight minerals in combined samples of liver and spleen for each bat, and compared concentrations between taxa and seasons. Our findings regarding manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium concentrations were generally consistent with those reported in the literature, while the sodium, potassium, and calcium concentrations would be the first reported in bats. We observed higher mineral concentrations in Carollia than in Stenodermatini bats, which may be linked with differences in their dietary preferences and inherent physiological characteristics. Seasonal mineral variations of frugivorous bats reported here were associated with temporal differences in the food items consumed and availability of mineral licks. Given that bats we studied come from a mineral-limited ecosystem, we suggest that Stenodermatini bats may face greater dietary limitations for sodium and potassium, and that frugivorous bats may exhibit seasonal constraints for copper and calcium. Recognition of potentially limited minerals, coupled with future studies on plant products that contain them, would be useful in the restoration programs for highland forests, which is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Neotropics.

Secondary forests in Peru: differential provision of ecosystem services compared to other post-deforestation forest transitions

While tropical forests are undergoing rapid transformation as a result of direct human impacts, many deforested areas are reverting to forest through natural or human-assisted regeneration. This situation provides a window of opportunity to implement forest management strategies to achieve environmental objectives while promoting social development and contributing to local livelihoods. Successful forest management policy, however, depends on how well we can appraise environmental consequences as well as on the value of ecosystem services that these regrowing forests provide. Here, we review the published literature to synthesize the ecosystem services provided by three types of forest transitions: naturally-regenerated secondary forests, agroforestry systems, and tree plantations, in the coastal, Andean, and Amazonian regions of Peru. We then discuss the potential of these regrowing forests as nature-based solutions that can help in the adoption of policies that promote their sustainable use and conservation. Our literature analysis reveals that forest transitions provide significant services in offsetting carbon emissions, providing habitats for biodiversity, and regulating hydrological services. However, the amount and importance of ecosystem services vary depending on the forest transition type. Secondary forests offer multiple services, representing a low-cost, immediate, and highly effective strategy in mitigating the climate and biodiversity crises and ultimately providing vital ecosystem services to society, such as water provision. In contrast, exotic tree plantations have negative effects on water regulation services. We highlight the potential of secondary forests for land management that supports multiple and integrated environmental initiatives. This framework can guide policy decisions to choose appropriate options on forest transition types most suitable to achieve specific end goals at local and regional scales, considering both ecosystem services and disservices to avoid trade-offs in which the achievement of one goal is detrimental to another.

Organic Matter Redox State Driven by Specific Sources in Mangrove Sediments: A Case Study from Peruvian Ecosystems

In order to determine the organic matter redox state in relation to specific sources in mangrove sediments, two 60 cm-long sediment cores were collected from mangrove-covered and mudflat zones within a mangrove forest in Peru. Sediment subsamples from these cores were analyzed to determine δ13C values and C:N ratios, whereas two redox indices, namely, electrochemical (fEAOM) and spectroscopical (A1650/A3400) indices, were taken from a previous study and correlated with the geochemical indices obtained from this work. These indices may provide accurate information on sedimentary organic matter diagenesis by oxidative processes through its redox state. The results show that the electrochemical index (fEAOM) and the spectroscopical index (A1650/A3400) for mangrove-covered sediments exhibited a positive correlation with δ13C values and a negative correlation with C:N molar ratios. These correlations suggest that the more labile sedimentary organic matter derived from non-terrestrial sources is in a more oxidized state than that derived from mangrove vegetation. However, this was not valid for mudflat zones, where non-significant correlations between geochemical indices were observed. Furthermore, the results suggest that the redox state of the organic matter deposited over time is dependent on source mixing influences, being better preserved in the presence of mangrove-derived organic matter.

Strengthening Local Governance of Secondary Forest in Peru

Natural forest regrowth is critical for restoring ecosystem services in degraded landscapes and providing forest resources. Those who control tenure and access rights to these secondary forest areas determine who benefits from economically charged off-farm opportunities such as finance for forest restoration, selling carbon credits, and receiving payment for ecosystem services. We explore multiple dimensions of secondary forest governance in Peru, where the lack of official government statistics of the extent, geography, and ownership, coupled with low state capacity, prevents the development of governance structures that could stimulate their sustainable management. In this paper, we review the challenges to secondary forest governance, and the opportunities to strengthen it, focusing on beneficial outcomes for smallholder farmers. We characterize secondary forest types, extent, and persistence in Peru, followed by a presentation of the social dimensions of their governance. We identify four entry points for government to take action: national mapping of the socio-geography of second growth forest, regularize the property rights of untitled landholders, relax forest regulations, and provide incentives, not sanctions, for secondary forest management. Overall, we recommend folding secondary forest governance into a landscape approach. In Peru, strengthening local forest governance could help to drive benefits of climate change mitigation incentives directly to local forest stewards.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Capirona (Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth.) from the Peruvian Amazon Revealed by RAPD Markers

Capirona (Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth.) is a tree species of commercial importance widely distributed in South American forests that is traditionally used for its medicinal properties and wood quality. Studies on this tree species have been focused mainly on wood properties, propagation, and growth. However, genetic studies on capirona have been very limited to date. Currently, it is possible to explore genetic diversity and population structure in a fast and reliable manner by using molecular markers. We here used 10 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of 59 samples of capirona that were sampled from four provinces located in the eastern region of the Peruvian amazon. A total of 186 bands were manually scored, generating a 59 × 186 presence/absence matrix. A dendrogram was generated using the UPGMA clustering algorithm, and, similar to the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), it showed four groups that correspond to the geographic origin of the capirona samples (LBS, Irazola, Masisea, Iñapari). Similarly, a discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and STRUCTURE analysis confirmed that capirona is grouped into four clusters. However, we also noticed that a few samples were intermingled. Genetic diversity estimation was conducted considering the four groups (populations) identified by STRUCTURE software. AMOVA revealed the greatest variation within populations (71.56%) and indicated that variability among populations is 28.44%. Population divergence (Fst) between clusters 1 and 4 revealed the highest genetic difference (0.269), and the lowest Fst was observed between clusters 3 and 4 (0.123). RAPD markers were successful and effective. However, more studies are needed, employing other molecular tools. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation employing molecular markers in capirona in Peru considering its natural distribution, and as such it is hoped that this helps to pave the way towards its genetic improvement and the urgent sustainable management of forests in Peru.

Envisioning indigenous territorial autonomy

I analyze the case of an indigenous autonomy movement, the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampis Nation (GTANW in Spanish) located in the Amazon forest in Peru. The Wampis people have lived in their territory for 7000 years and have a rich culture, traditions, spirituality, economy and knowledge that facilitates self-sufficiency or tarimat pujut. The problem lies in the fact that tarimat pujut requires a well conserved forest and since colonization by the Spanish and later Peru this self-sufficiency is under threat. The article details the process of autonomy struggles led by the Wampis people ranging from institutionalization to state-like structures to de-institutionalizing to engage in violent conflict with state forces to formally declaring autonomy from Peru in 2015. The article reveals the hybrid practices of organizing and leadership undertaken by the GTANW in pursuit of tarimat pujut. I identify the use of pragmatism, ancestral knowledge of organizing and leading for war; and a flexible relational approach taken by the GTANW to achieve their main aim of tarimat pujut as key hybrid practices for achieving de-colonial autonomy.

First records of Echimys saturnus Thomas, 1928 (Rodentia, Echimyidae) for the Peruvian Yungas

Echimys saturnus Thomas, 1928 is an echimyid rodent that has been recorded in lowland, premontane and montane forests in Ecuador and lowland forests in Peru. Here, we report five new records of this species in the Peruvian Yungas ecoregion. Our records come from Amazonas, San Martín, and Huánuco departments. The Huánuco specimen, collected at 3300 m a.s.l., constitutes the highest and the southernmost record for the species, extending its distribution range by 251 km south. Additionally, we provide some notes on the natural history and conservation status of the species.

Aboveground biomass in secondary montane forests in Peru: Slow carbon recovery in agroforestry legacies

Andean tropical montane forests (TMF) are hotspots of biodiversity that provide fundamental hydrological services as well as carbon sequestration and storage. Agroforestry systems occupy large areas in the Andes but climatic pressures, market volatility and diseases may result inagroforest abandonment, promoting secondary succession. Secondary forests are well-adapted and efficient carbon sinks whose conservation is vital to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to support biodiversity. Little is known, however, about how secondary TMF recover their aboveground biomass (AGB) and composition after abandonment. We established a 1.5 ha plot at 1780 masl on a 30-year old abandoned agroforest and compared it against two control forest plots at similar elevations. Agroforestry legacies influenced AGB leading to far lower stocks (42.3 ± 5.4–59.6 ± 7.9 Mg ha−1 using allometric equations) than those expected after 30 years (106 ± 33 Mg ha−1) based on IPCC standard growth rates for secondary montane forests. This suggests a regional overestimation of mitigation potentials when using IPCC standards. Satellite-derived AGB largely overestimated our plot values (179 ± 27.3 Mg ha−1). Secondary growth rates (1.41–2.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 for DBH ≥ 10 cm) indicate recovery times of ca. 69 to 97 years to reach average control AGB values (137 ± 12.3 Mg ha−1). This is 26 years above the average residence time of montane forests at our elevation (71 ± 1.91 years) suggesting a non-recovery or far slower recovery to control AGB values. Three variables appear to define this outcome compared to the control plots: lower DBH (15.8 ± 5.9 cm vs 19.8 ± 11.0 cm), lower basal area (12.67 ± 0.7 vs 28.03 ± 1.5 m2 ha−1) and higher abundance of lighter-wood tree genera (0.46 ± 0.10 vs 0.57 ± 0.11 gr cm3) such as Inga, a common shade-tree in Andean agroforests. With 3.2 million hectares committed to restoration, Peru needs to target currently neglected TMF recovery schemes to support biodiversity, water and carbon storage and fulfill its international commitments.

Small mammals from the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests of the Huallaga river basin and new records for San Martín department, Peru

The Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests in Peru are well known for their bird and plant diversity and endemicity, but little is known about the diversity of small mammals. We report the diversity of small volant and non-volant mammals from the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests of the Huallaga river basin in the San Martín Department, working on both sides of the river, making a sampling effort of 3060 traps-night for non-volant and 104 mist nets-night for volant mammals. We recorded 29 species, including five marsupials, three rodents, and 21 bats. Among the bats, phyllostomids were the most diverse group with 16 species. Short-tailed Spiny-rat, Proechimys brevicauda (Günther, 1877) and Seba's Short-tailed Bat, Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758), featured the highest relative abundance. In addition, we report the first records for the San Martín Department of Peropteryx macrotis (Wagner, 1843), Saccopteryx bilineata (Temminck, 1838), Lonchorhina aurita Tomes, 1863, Vampyriscus bidens (Dobson, 1878), and Myotis simus Thomas, 1901. The species richness and diversity indices indicate the study site has a high diversity value; however, fragmentation and rapid changes in land-use are the main threats faced by the biodiversity of these dry forests.

Field-Deployable Computer Vision Wood Identification of Peruvian Timbers.

Illegal logging is a major threat to forests in Peru, in the Amazon more broadly, and in the tropics globally. In Peru alone, more than two thirds of logging concessions showed unauthorized tree harvesting in natural protected areas and indigenous territories, and in 2016 more than half of exported lumber was of illegal origin. To help combat illegal logging and support legal timber trade in Peru we trained a convolutional neural network using transfer learning on images obtained from specimens in six xylaria using the open source, field-deployable XyloTron platform, for the classification of 228 Peruvian species into 24 anatomically informed and contextually relevant classes. The trained models achieved accuracies of 97% for five-fold cross validation, and 86.5 and 92.4% for top-1 and top-2 classification, respectively, on unique independent specimens from a xylarium that did not contribute training data. These results are the first multi-site, multi-user, multi-system-instantiation study for a national scale, computer vision wood identification system evaluated on independent scientific wood specimens. We demonstrate system readiness for evaluation in real-world field screening scenarios using this accurate, affordable, and scalable technology for monitoring, incentivizing, and monetizing legal and sustainable wood value chains.

Ecology and diagnosis of Enallodiplosis discordis (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae)

The coastal desert of Peru and Chile is home to Prosopis (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae) tree species that are exceptionally well-adapted to the hyperarid conditions and keystone in dry-forest ecosystems. From 2001 to 2018, Prosopis in Peru have suffered widespread defoliation and die-back, with consequent deforestation and collapse in pod production. This paper reports a new insect plague species of Prosopis forest in Peru: Enallodiplosis discordis Gagné 1994 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) as a fiercely defoliating agent contributing to widespread Prosopis mortality. An analysis of E. discordis larval taxonomy, life cycle and plague infestation, following El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) 1998/99 is provided. Using distinct lines of evidence, its spread, distribution, and ecology are examined. Over two decades of fieldwork, Prosopis forest die-back and loss was observed devastating rural livelihoods and ecosystem services across lowland regions of southern (Ica), central and northern coastal Peru (Lambayeque, La Libertad, Piura). The collapse in production of Prosopis pods (algarroba, huaranga) and honey was recorded. Supplementary notes provide observations of: (i) plague development, changing land-use and climate, (ii) biological and physical control of E. discordis, (iii) the moth Melipotis aff. indomita (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as a concurrent defoliator of Prosopis.

<p><strong>Two new species of <em>Magnolia </em>(Magnoliaceae) from Peru</strong></p>

Two species of Magnolia from the Amazonian lowland humid forests of Peru are newly described and illustrated: M. clementinana and M. manuensis. Magnolia clementinana is similar to M. peruviana in leaf shape, but its villous indumentum on branchlets and leaves and larger flowers set it apart. Magnolia manuensis is similar to M. rimachii in habit and leaf shape but differs in its larger flowers and more numerous carpels. Information on habitat and conservation status of both species is also provided.

<p><strong>Updated distribution and conservation assessment of <em>Darcyanthus spruceanus, Deprea</em> <em>cardenasiana</em> and <em>Deprea</em> <em>ecuatoriana</em> (Solanaceae): new reports for Peru and Brazil</strong></p>

Darcyanthus and Deprea are neotropical nightshade genera with Andean distributions in South America. Here we present an updated distribution and conservation assessment of Darcyanthus spruceanus, Deprea cardenasiana and D. ecuatoriana, including the first report of D. cardenasiana in southern Peru and the monotypic Darcyanthus in western Brazil. In addition, D. ecuatoriana distribution in northern Peru is confirmed after new revision of herbarium material. Deprea cardenasiana occurs in the southern limit of the genus distribution and it had not been recollected after its discovery almost 79 years ago. Deprea ecuatoriana is currently restricted to the montane forests from northern Peru and southern Ecuador. The monotypic Darcyanthus reaches lowland areas, including Amazonian forest in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. According to IUCN criteria, both D. cardenasiana and D. ecuatoriana are categorized as Endangered whereas Darcyanthus spruceanus is considered as a Least Concern species.

The Piedra Chamana fossil woods (Eocene, Peru), II

ABSTRACTThis contribution presents descriptions of 14 fossil woods from the Piedra Chamana Fossil Forest in Peru, an assemblage of fossil woods and leaves dated at 39 Ma (late Middle Eocene). It is part two of the descriptions of the non-monocot angiosperm fossils from the site (see Woodcock et al. 2017). The woods are assigned to the subfamilies Bombacoideae, Bombacoideae/Malvoideae, Byttneroideae, Grewioideae, and Sterculioideae of Malvaceae and the families Melastomataceae, Muntingiaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, and Sapindaceae. Malvalean taxa make up around one-third of the wood types. Many of the woods are identifiable to modern-day genera or groups, including genera with species counted among the hyperdominant trees of the New World forests. Represented vegetation types include mixed freshwater swamp with Avicennia, seasonally flooded forest, and lowland tropical forest with a dry aspect. The assemblage shows floristic similarities to extant South American lowland tropical forest, particularly the seasonally flooded forests growing along white water rivers (várzea); however, the dry forest association has a less clear analog in the present-day tropics.

Impacts of Mauritia flexuosa degradation on the carbon stocks of freshwater peatlands in the Pastaza-Marañón river basin of the Peruvian Amazon

Tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) are characterized by high quantities of carbon (C) stored as organic soil deposits due to waterlogged conditions which slows down decomposition. Globally, Peru has one of the largest expanse of tropical peatlands, located primarily within the Pastaza-Maranon river basin in the Northwestern Peru. Peatland forests in Peru are dominated by a palm species—Mauritia flexuosa, and M. flexuosa-dominated forests cover ~ 80% of total peatland area and store ~ 2.3 Pg C. However, hydrologic alterations, land cover change, and anthropogenic disturbances could lead to PSF’s degradation and loss of valuable ecosystem services. Therefore, evaluation of degradation impacts on PSF’s structure, biomass, and overall C stocks could provide an estimate of potential C losses into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. This study was carried out in three regions within Pastaza-Maranon river basin to quantify PSF’s floristic composition and degradation status and total ecosystem C stocks. There was a tremendous range in C stocks (Mg C ha−1) in various ecosystem pools—vegetation (45.6–122.5), down woody debris (2.1–23.1), litter (2.3–7.8), and soil (top 1 m; 109–594). Mean ecosystem C stocks accounting for the top 1 m soil were 400, 570, and 330 Mg C ha−1 in Itaya, Tigre, and Samiria river basins, respectively. Considering the entire soil depth, mean ecosystem C stocks were 670, 1160, and 330 Mg C ha−1 in Itaya, Tigre, and Samiria river basins, respectively. Floristic composition and calcium to Magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio of soil profile offered evidence of a site undergoing vegetational succession and transitioning from minerotrophic to ombrotrophic system. Degradation ranged from low to high levels of disturbance with no significant difference between regions. Increased degradation tended to decrease vegetation and forest floor C stocks and was significantly correlated to reduced M. flexuosa biomass C stocks. Long-term studies are needed to understand the linkages between M. flexuosa harvest and palm swamp forest C stocks; however, river dynamics are important natural drivers influencing forest succession and transition in this landscape.