Palmeiras andinas na floresta de nuvens na Colômbia: modelo para o desenvolvimento de uma ferramenta de base S.I.G. visando o estudo de clareiras

Abstract

The Arecaceae family is about 2500 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres, and represent an interest group to develop regeneration processes studies in tropical forests. In Colombia are present 47 genders and 247 species, the Andean region is the highest diverse in the country. In Tropical Montane Cloud Forests of Colombian Andes are found 24 genera of the Arecaceae family, Aiphanes, Geonoma, Wettinia and Ceroxylon genders are the most diverse in this ecosystem. In this study was estimated the richness and density of palms in canopy gaps of two areas in a Andean TMCF in the Caquetá department, Colombia, and analyzed the floristic patterns between gaps and closed canopy areas. It was also determined the relationship between the layer of the canopy occupied by the palm species and their presence in the canopy gaps. First were located and conducted an inventory of palm seedlings inside the canopy gap, and the adults grown in the contiguous area, registering biometric and environmental variables. The composition of the Arecaceae family registered in this TMCF was typical of Andean palms, finding Geonoma, Wettinia and Aiphanes genders with the highest species richness. This disturbance in the canopy favors the regeneration process of the Andean Palms community. The results indicate that the canopy gaps represent an important regeneration niche for Andean Palms, with large populations of seedlings in these microenvironments. It was also found that the presence of palm seedlings in canopy gaps is affected by canopy strata occupied by the species indicating that this microenvironment is more favorable for the species of the upper canopy and lesser for the lower canopy level palms. The 21 palm species represent a potential elements to be included in agroecological production systems, since the biology of the species and its potential use be well studied.