Relación entre diversidad funcional de la vegetación leñosa con variables de clima y biomasa aérea en bosques andinos del macizo del Cajas

Abstract

The highest biological diversity of the Andean forests is the biological basis for understanding the functioning of these ecosystems, linked to ecosystem services and human well-being. According to the research, information about functional diversity was found through functional features of woody vegetation in remnants of mature forests within the Cajas Massif Biosphere Reserve. Here, 20 plots were installed on two altitude floors: in the upper part (San Gerardo - Girón) and the lower part (San Antonio de Chaucha - Cuenca). Basically, the first step was based on the identification of functional groups of specie according to five functional traits: Specific leaf area (AFE), leaf thickness (GF), dry matter (MS), Foliar area (AF) and wood density. Through a multivariate analysis and according to the similarity of the traits, two functional groups of species were grouped. It was investigated through correlations, between seven functional traits, adding to chest height (DAP) at 1.3 m from the ground and total height (H), with climatic and altitude variables. In the correlations that proved to be significant and with a coefficient of determination ≥ 0.7, linear regressions were performed; Similar procedure was done for the relationships between the seven functional traits with aerial biomass. 136 plant species were registered; of these 69 were grouped in conglomerate 1 or conservationists and 67 species in conglomerate 2 or acquisitive. For the second objective, five correlations recorded a coefficient ≥ 0.7. Here precipitation is mostly correlated with H, AFE and DAP. Of all the functional traits, DAP correlated mostly with precipitation, temperature and altitude. Finally, the relationship between functional traits and aerial biomass presented five significant correlations, but only three traits were strongly correlated: DAP, H and AFE. It was concluded that the traits of H, DM and DAP were the best estimators of the aerial biomass.