Forest dynamics in montane and premontane forests in Chanchamayo, forests of central Peru

Giacomotti J.; Reynel C.; Fernandez-Hilario R.; Revilla I.; Palacios-Ramos S.; Sato A.A.W.; Terreros-Camac S.; Daza A.; Linares-Palomino R. · Caldasia (2024) · DOI: 10.15446/caldasia.v46n2.105293

Resumen

This study evaluated the forest dynamics in six permanent plots of one hectare located in pre-montane forests (between 800 and 1500 masl) and montane forests (between 1500 and 3000 masl) in the Chan-chamayo valley, department of Junin, in forests of central Peru. In each plot all the surviving trees, the dead and the recruits (with a diameter at breast height-DBH-greater than or equal to 10 cm) were evaluated. In the montane forest plots, the botanical families with the highest levels of both mortality and recruitment were Melastomataceae, Lauraceae, Cyatheaceae, and Cunoniaceae. While in the pre-montane forest plots were Fabaceae, Lauraceae and Moraceae. In four plots their population density grew (higher recruitment than mortality), one maintained a dynamic equilibrium (similar mortality and recruitment) and the other had a population decrease (higher mortality than recruitment). The annual mortality and recruitment rates calculated in the studied plots presented values above those reported in other montane forests and the lower Amazon of Peru and South America. Based on these results, we suggest that the studied forests presented their dynamics, with high levels of mortality and recruitment, due to the characteristics of where they are located, therefore it is important to continue the study and monitoring of these forests.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina; Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología