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A floristic analysis of the high Andes of Ecuador

Abstract:

The alpha diversity of trees was 32-90 species per hectare. The number of individuals with dbh ≥ 5 cm was between 764-2310 trees per hectare. The number of species of all life forms increased with decreasing elevation in the study area. Herbs, shrubs, and epiphytes are less species rich in the Ecuadorian Amazon lowlands, and trees, lianas, hemiepiphytes, and saprophytes are more species-rich. The elevation 3400-4000 m, often included in treeless paramo zone, has a composition of life forms similar to lower-lying forest zones. Species distribution maps revealed differences in composition between the N and S parts of Ecuador, explained by migration barriers in and around the Giron-Paute valley both during the ice ages and at present, differences in geological deposits, and lower precipitation and a pronounced dry season in the SW part of the country. The lowermost zone between 2400-3000 m with an area of 17 000 km2 contained 3411 species (300 species more than recorded in the 70 000 km2 lowland Amazon area of Ecuador). The high Andes of Ecuador hosts 4800 species of vascular plants in 1120 genera and 200 families. The flora of Ecuador is estimated at 19 000-21 000 species of vascular plants. -from Authors