High Montane Forests Research Articles

Utilization of Forest Residues for Cellulose Extraction from Timber Species in the High Montane Forest of Chimborazo, Ecuador

The present study explored the extraction of cellulose from forest residues of four timber species, namely Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz, Buddleja incana Ruiz & Pav, Vallea stipularis L. f. and Myrsine andina (Mez) Pipoly, in the high montane forest of Chimborazo province, Ecuador, for the sustainable utilization of leaves, branches, and flowers. An alkaline extraction method was used on the residues without the need for prior degreasing. An ANOVA analysis was applied to evaluate significant differences in cellulose extraction yields among the species’ residues. The characterization techniques used were Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and polarized light optical microscopy, which confirmed the successful extraction of cellulose with characteristics comparable to standard cotton cellulose and other traditional species. The results showed significant variations in cellulose yield among the species, with Vallea stipularis L. f achieving the highest yield of 80.83%. The crystallinity of the samples was clearly evidenced by the polarity of the light in the samples during microscopy, demonstrating that the residues can be a viable and sustainable source of cellulose, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of forest waste.

Species Composition and Distribution of Terrestrial Herbs in a High Montane Forest in Ecuador

In mountain tropical forests, understory herbs have received little attention compared to trees, and their commonness and rarity are virtually unknown. We studied ground herbs to explore how they are assembled in a full one-hectare plot and to test the influence of light intensity (LI) and topographic habitats in species composition. The plot is a humid montane forest located in the Pasochoa Volcano, at 3300 m. We found 43 genera and 50 perennial species (30 angiosperms in 17 families, and 20 ferns). Interestingly, herbs are 64% richer in species than trees in the same study plot (50 vs. 32). Herbs were mostly obligately terrestrial (70% of the species), while 30% were fallen climbers and epiphytes rooted in the ground. Across the forest, there were 31,119 individuals that covered 8.5% of the ground. We concluded that both LI and topography shaped the species distribution, the floristic composition, and the community structure of ground herbs. For instance, 12% of the species were exclusively found in places with high LI; the rest of species grew in medium- to low-LI environments. Concerning rarity, we found that 39% of the species are rare (judging by botanical collections; <100), which stresses the need of conservation strategies for this group of plants.

Population status of two species of Ericaceae in the High Montane Forest

In this work, a demographic study of Gaultheria glomerata and Disterigma empetrifolium was carried out in the Indiviso sector of the Baquerizo Moreno parish, Píllaro canton, Tungurahua province. The vegetation was analogous between montane forest and shrubby moorland, located at coordinates 01°18'S; 78°30'W, altitude 3400 m.a.s.l., where the Braun-Blanquet methodology for vegetation cover was adapted by means of plots, which were established randomly, the minimum distance between plot and plot was considered to be 100 meters. In the field work, the existing vegetation cover was quantified by percentages within 10 plots of 10x10m, in each of them were evaluated its subquadrants in the form of L, at each meter. The species were identified in the Herbarium of the ESPOCH, and the calculated data were 35.69% of vegetation cover for Disterigma empetrifolium and 13.19% for Gaultheria glomerata, which are in an abundance index of 2-3 on the Blanquet scale that tells us that it belongs to a medium abundant and abundant cover, Therefore, it was determined that Disterigma empetrifolium has a cover between 25-50%, thus concluding that it is in index 3 on Blanquet's scale, and Gaultheria glomerata was found in a percentage of 5-25%, concluding that this species is in index 2 on Blanquet's scale.

A new stream treefrog of the genus Hyloscirtus (Amphibia, Hylidae) from the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park, Ecuador.

Recent surveys in the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park revealed a striking new species of Hyloscirtus. The new species is easily diagnosed from all other congeners by its large body size (64.9 mm SVL in adult female); broad dermal fringes in fingers and toes; prepollex not projected into a prepollical spine and hidden under thenar tubercle; dorsum greyish-green, with paler-hued reticulum, yellow spots and black speckles; throat, venter, flanks and hidden surfaces of limbs golden-yellow with large black blotches and spots; fingers, toes and webbing yellow with black bars and spots; iris pale pink with black periphery. It is currently known only from its type locality, in the high montane forest on the southern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes, southeastern Ecuador. The new species might be related to the H.larinopygion species group based on its morphology.

Subtropical high-montane forest climate refuges in Brazil

Subtropical high-montane forest climate refuges in Brazil

Increase of litterfall mercury input and sequestration during decomposition with a montane elevation in Southwest China

Litterfall mercury (Hg) input has been regarded as the dominant Hg source in montane forest floor. To depict combining effects of vegetation, climate and topography on accumulation of Hg in montane forests, we comprehensively quantified litterfall Hg deposition and decomposition in a serial of subtropical forests along an elevation gradient on both leeward and windward slopes of Mt. Ailao, Southwest China. Results showed that the average litterfall Hg deposition increased from 12.0 ± 4.2 μg m−2 yr−1 in dry-hot valley shrub at 850–1000 m, 14.9 ± 6.8 μg m−2 yr−1 in mixed conifer-broadleaf forest at 1250–2400 m, to 23.1 ± 8.3 μg m−2 yr−1 in evergreen broadleaf forest at 2500–2650 m. Additionally, the windward slope forests had a significantly higher litterfall Hg depositions at the same altitude because the larger precipitation promoted the greater litterfall biomass production. The one-year litter Hg decomposition showed that the Hg mass of litter in dry-hot valley shrub decreased by 29%, while in mixed conifer-broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf forests increased by 22–48%. The dynamics of Hg in decomposing litter was controlled by the temperature mediated litter decomposition rate and the additional adsorption of environmental Hg during decomposition. Overall, our study highlights the litterfall mediated atmospheric mercury inputs and sequestration increase with the montane elevation, thus driving a Hg enhanced accumulation in the high montane forest.

Environmental and climatic impact on the infection and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Peru.

The role of the environment and climate in the transmission and case fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 is still being investigated a year into the pandemic. Elevation and air quality are believed to be significant factors in the development of the pandemic, but the influence of additional environmental factors remains unclear. We explored the relationship between the cumulative number of infections and mortality cases with climate (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, water vapor pressure, wind), environmental data (elevation, normalized difference vegetation index or NDVI, particulate matter at 2.5 μm or PM2.5 and NO2 concentration), and population density in Peru. We use confirmed cases of infection from 1,287 districts and mortality in 479 districts, we used Spearman's correlations to assess the bivariate correlation between environmental and climatic factors with cumulative infection cases, cumulative mortality and case-fatality rate. We explored district cases within the ecozones of coast, sierra, high montane forest and lowland rainforest. Multiple linear regression models indicate elevation, mean solar radiation, air quality, population density and green vegetation cover, as a socioeconomic proxy, are influential factors in the distribution of infection and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in Peru. Case-fatality rate was weakly associated with elevation. Our results also strongly suggest that exposure to poor air quality is a significant factor in the mortality of individuals below the age of 30. We conclude that environmental and climatic factors do play a significant role in the transmission and case fatality rates in Peru, however further study is required to see if these relationships are maintained over time.

Short Communication: Morphometric variations in two populations of Limnophora marginata Stein, 1904 (Diptera, Muscidae) in Ecuador

Abstract. Ruiz MA, Acosta-López C, Soto-Vivas A. 2021. Short Communication: Morphometric variations in two populations of Limnophora marginata Stein, 1904 (Diptera, Muscidae) in Ecuador. Biodiversitas 22: 2654-2657. Limnophora includes 230 species, eleven of which are present in Ecuador. There are few studies on the bioecology of these species in the country. However, recent studies indicate that Limnophora marginata Stein, 1904 as the most abundant species in the Evergreen High Montane Forest (EHMF) located at 3400 masl in Tocachi parish, in contrast to a low abundance in the Dry Forest (DF) at 2500 masl in Malchingui parish, Pedro Moncayo Canton. This study was described the wing morphogeometric variation of L. marginata associated with these two habitats. Thirty-two wings were photographed: 16 specimens in EHMF and 16 in DF. The coordinates configurations (x,y) were registered and aligned through Generalized Procrustes Analysis. The centroid size between habitats was significantly different (Kruskal-Wallis; p?0.005); EHMF specimens were larger than DF. Reclassification a posteriori was perfect in DF specimens (100%), and almost perfect in EHMF (93.75%). The landmarks that most contributed to the variation between habitats were: Interception between M and wing border, interception dm-cu, and interception between Cu and dm-cu. The wing morphometric variations observed in L. marginata could be associated with phenotypic plasticity.

Especie nueva de Weinmannia (Cunoniaceae) de los Bosques andinos altimontanos de La Paz, Bolivia

Weinmannia epicae is described and illustrated. It grows in Andean high-montane forests of the Yungas region in the department of La Paz, northwestern Bolivia, between 2900 and 3300 m. It differs from other morphologically similar species as W. cundinamarcensis, W. haenkeana and W. pubescens by having the maximum number of leaflets pairs usually between 10 to 14, medial leaflets of 1.3 to 2.3 cm, with more or less rough surface and undersurfaces with hirsute to hirsute-villous indument, and mature capsules villous-pubescent of 5-7 × 1.8-2.7 mm, conspicuously pedicellated. The differences with morphological similar species are pointed out, and information on their geographical distribution, ecology, phenology and the assessment of conservation status according to IUCN criteria are provided.

Seed bank responses after clearcutting Pinus patula plantations in Andean high montane areas

Clear cutting exotic plantations favours natural regeneration processes in which seed banks may play an important role. In Andean high montane areas, after Pinus patula clear cutting, changes in soil pH and litter lead to increased fauna and flora biodiversity. However, the impactof these changes on seed banks remains unknown. The aims of the present study were to understand how seed bank richness, abundance, and composition changes after p. patula clear cutting, and to identify the role of above ground cover, pH and litter cover on these seed bank variations. The study was conducted in three areas with different post-clear cutting ages (0,2.5,4.5 years), a p. patula plantation and in a high Andean forest patch. All these sites were located between 3033 and 3100 m.a.s.l. Seed bank abundance, richness and the number of seeds of the ten most abundant species increased in areas with 2.5 and 4.5 years after clear cutting. Moreover, seed bank composition was different among study areas. These changes were related to increasing above ground vegetation cover and soil pH, and to decreasing litter cover. Seed banks contributed almost exclusively to the recovery of some herbaceous species; were corded only one tree species recruit from the seed banks (Baccharislatifolia) in the forest soils; therefore, the natural regeneration processes may be constrained. Our results high light the need to implement active restoration to accelerate high montane forest recovery in areas previously covered with pine tree plantations.

New species and a new record of Pterichis sect. Pterichis (Orchidaceae) from Bolivia

Pterichis comprises about 40 species distributed from Costa Rica in the north to Bolivia in the south. The species grow as terrestrial plants usually in paramo and subparamo, but there are also reports of populations in high montane forest. In this paper the complete enumeration of the six Bolivian representatives of the orchid genus Pterichis sect. Pterichis is presented. A total of four new species are described and one new record, P. aragogiana, for the country is reported. An updated key to the species of the nominal section of Pterichis from Bolivia is presented.

Una fantástica nueva especie del grupo Pristimantis orcesi de los Andes sur de Ecuador

ABSTRACT We describe a new glandular terrestrial frog of the Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae) genus. The new species inhabits the high montane forests of the Cañar province in southern Ecuador. It differs from other terrestrial frogs by having a striking dark gray and red dorsal coloration, dorsal skin with a corrugated texture, a small tubercle on the eyelid and heel, absence of vomerine odontophores, and large glandular patches on the supratympanic area, arms and limbs. Our molecular analyses show that the new species is in a clade with P. orcesi and P. erythros. Based on our results, we redefine the orcesi group and suggest that it contains only three species (P. orcesi, P. erythros, and the new species); the group is diagnosed mainly by exhibiting conspicuous dermal macroglands on the head, body and legs.

Changes in Soil Hydro-Physical Properties and SOM Due to Pine Afforestation and Grazing in Andean Environments Cannot Be Generalized

Andean ecosystems provide important ecosystem services including streamflow regulation and carbon sequestration, services that are controlled by the water retention properties of the soils. Even though these soils have been historically altered by pine afforestation and grazing, little research has been dedicated to the assessment of such impacts at local or regional scales. To partially fill this knowledge gap, we present an evaluation of the impacts of pine plantations and grazing on the soil hydro-physical properties and soil organic matter (SOM) of high montane forests and páramo in southern Ecuador, at elevations varying between 2705 and 3766 m a.s.l. In total, seven study sites were selected and each one was parceled into undisturbed and altered plots with pine plantation and grazing. Soil properties were characterized at two depths, 0–10 and 10–25 cm, and differences in soil parameters between undisturbed and disturbed plots were analyzed versus factors such as ecosystem type, sampling depth, soil type, elevation, and past/present land management. The main soil properties affected by land use change are the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), the water retention capacity (pF 0 to 2.52), and SOM. The impacts of pine afforestation are dependent on sampling depth, ecosystem type, plantation characteristics, and previous land use, while the impacts of grazing are primarily dependent on sampling depth and land use management (grazing intensity and tilling activities). The site-specific nature of the found relations suggests that extension of findings in response to changes in land use in montane Andean ecosystems is risky; therefore, future evaluations of the impact of land use change on soil parameters should take into consideration that responses are or can be site specific.

Soil macrofauna in areas with different ages after Pinus patula clearcutting

In Andean high montane areas, the establishment of exotic tree forests changes the soil dynamics and its biodiversity. Soil macrofauna act as indicators of ecosystem successional processes, and may have an important role in ecological restoration processes after clear cutting exotic tree plantations. The aim of the present study was to understand how soil macrofaunal assemblies change in areas with different ages post clear cutting of Pinus patula, and to identify the soil physico-chemical variables that better explain these variations. The macrofauna in a high montane forest was evaluated along with that of three areas with different ages post clearcutting: 0, 2.5, and 5 years after clearcutting (Yac). The effect of soil physico chemical variables on macrofauna abundance was also evaluated. Macrofauna composition changed after clearcutting. Macrofauna abundance, richness, and diversity were lower in the 0 Yac area than in the other areas. Moreover, the macrofuna similarity to the reference forest did not increase with the years after clearcutting. This is due to the changes in soil characteristics, triggered by clearcutting. Slope, temperature, bulk density, real density, loam, pH, P, Na and K were the soil variales with a positive effect on the macrofauna abundance. These physico-chemical variables should be considered when designing restoration plans for Andean forest ecosystems. Moreover, Diplopoda, Coleoptera and Chilopoda might be useful to monitor and evaluate restoration processes after Pinus spp. clearcutting, because of their high abundance, diversity and relationship with environmental conditions.

Floristic composition and phytogeography of an Araucaria Forest in the Serra da Mantiqueira, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract The Parque Estadual da Serra do Papagaio (PESP) harbors some unusual fragments of mixed needle-broadleaved forest (MNF) of Minas Gerais state. This study aims to analyze the floristic composition and geographic distribution of the genera represented in the MNF of the PESP. Collections of fertile specimens of vascular plants (excluding epiphytes) were conducted monthly (March 2012-June 2013) in the alluvial and slope areas of MNF in the PESP, in altitudes ranging from 1,650-2,000 m above sea level. The genera were classified into seven phytogeographic groups that were delimited according to their current diversity centers available in the literature. We recorded 310 species belonging to 168 genera and 82 families of vascular plants. The richest families were Asteraceae (49 species), Melastomataceae (33 species) and Rubiaceae (16 species). We observed the presence of species often found in montane and high montane forests of southeastern region, besides of temperate genera, showing that low temperatures caused by high altitude influence the floristic composition of the area. The high richness found denotes the importance of altitude areas for diversity in Atlantic Forest and highlights the biogeographic importance of the region for presenting an unusual phytophysiognomy in the state with endemic and endangered species.

Floristic composition and vertical zonation of epiphytic bryophytes in Dense Montane Ombrophilous Forest in southern Brazil

Dense High-montane Ombrophilous Forest possesses environmental characteristics that give it unique structure and floristic composition. Assuming that elevation and associated variables act as filters for bryophyte communities, the purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of bryophytes in relation to vertical phorophyte zonation within the nebular forest, a type of rainforest in a high altitude environment, characterized by the occurrence of constant cloud, in Parque Estadual Pico do Marumbi, Parana, Brazil. All bryophytes occurring on twenty-eight trees in the elevation range of 1000 to 1500 m were sampled and analyzed in six predefined vertical zones. Samples were identified using standard methods and references for bryophytes, and their coverage and abundance was characterized for each tree. Comparisons among zones were done using cluster analysis and diversity. A total of 96 species and 31 families were recorded, with Lejeuneaceae being the richest family followed by Frullaniaceae. Some species were common to all areas, and eight new occurrences for the state of Parana are reported. This study found high diversity (ranging from H′ = 2.6 to H′ = 4.1) and abundance (0.01 to 0.07) of bryophytes, with a predominance of liverworts. Among the areas analyzed, the floristic compositions of only two differed by more than 50%. This study represents the first evaluation of bryophytes in this elevation range, and the results confirm the importance of conserving high montane regions.

Seasonality of gross primary production in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

The approach to carbon sequestration by ecosystems is critical to mitigating the damage and consequences of their effects at regional and global levels. Thus, this study was based on the hypothesis that Atlantic Forest regions have a relevant capacity of atmospheric carbon absorption. For this purpose, the Gross Primary Production data provided by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer sensor onboard the Earth-orbiting platform and its relationship with the climatic variables of the Itatiaia National Park were analyzed. The year 2015 presented the highest means of Gross Primary Production for the dry and rainy period when compared to 2005 and 2010, with values ranging from 7 g C m−2 d−1 to 8 g C m−2 d−1. The highest negative trends were for temperature in the dry season of 2005 (Z = −0.29), rainfall in the dry period of 2010 (Z = −0.36) and 2015 in the annual and dry season (Z = −0.23 and −0.38). There was no significant trend of Gross Primary Production in the Itatiaia National Park. The land use and occupation classes that stand out with the highest values of mean Gross Primary Production are Dense Ombrophylous High-Montane Forest (9.98 g C m−2 d−1) and Dense Montane Forest (9.09 g C m−2 d−1). Temperature is the environmental factor of greatest variation among the seasons in the Itatiaia National Park region. The results of this study present relevant importance and contribution to the sustainable management of the Itatiaia National Park and subsidize programs that help in the recovery of uncharacterized areas of the Atlantic Forest.

Ficus diamantina (Moraceae) a new species from high montane forests in north-east Brazil

A new species of fig tree endemic to the Chapada Diamantina in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, is described and illustrated. Ficus diamantina belongs to the Ficus sect. Americanae. The new species occurs sympatrically with Ficus clusiifolia and shows affinities with Ficus bahiensis from which it differs by the reddish color of young branches with epidermis flaking off, the tector and glandular trichomes on the lamina abaxial surface, the number of lateral veins, the divergence angle of basal pair of veins and the subsessile syconia. It occurs in high montane forests near Campos Rupestres (upland rocky fields) at altitudes up to 800 m.

A new tropical montane firefly genus and species, active during winter and endemic to the southeastern Atlantic Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Here we describe Araucariocladus hiems gen. et sp. nov. (Lampyridae: Amydetinae), a firefly species endemic to high montane forests, and occurring during June, a relatively cool and dry month in the Southeastern Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil. We tentatively place it in Psilocladina McDermott, and discuss the limitations of its classification. We also provide illustrations of key structural features of the new taxa and discuss its affinities.

The type localities of Anolis aequatorialis Werner, 1894 (Sauria: Iguania: Dactyloidae) and Pristimantis appendiculatus (Werner, 1894) (Amphibia: Anura: Craugastoridae).

The eminent Austrian zoologist Franz Werner described several new species of amphibians and reptiles from America, including Anolis aequatorialis Werner, 1894 and Hylodes appendiculatus Werner, 1894. Both species were described based on single specimens, with no more specific type localities than "Ecuador" (Werner 1894a,b). After its description, A. aequatorialis remained unreported until Peters (1967) and Fitch et al. (1976) published information on its distribution and natural history. Anolis aequatorialis is currently known to inhabit low montane and cloud forest on the western slopes of the Andes from extreme southern Colombia to central Ecuador, between 1300 and 2300 m elevation (Ayala-Varela & Velasco 2010; Ayala-Varela et al. 2014; Lynch et al. 2014; D.F. Cisneros-Heredia pers. obs.). Likewise, Hylodes appendiculatus (now Pristimantis appendiculatus) remained only known from its type description until Lynch (1971) and Miyata (1980) provided certain localities and information on its natural history. Pristimantis appendiculatus is currently known to occur in low montane, cloud, and high montane forests on the western slopes of the Andes from extreme southern Colombia to northern Ecuador between 1460 and 2800 m elevation (Lynch 1971; Miyata 1980; Lynch & Burrowes 1990; Lynch & Duellman 1997; Frost 2016). To this date, the type localities of both species remain obscure. The purpose of this paper is to restrict the type localities of Hylodes appendiculatus Werner, 1894 and Anolis aequatorialis Werner, 1894 based on analyses of the travel journals of their original collector.