Floristic composition and richness of the vascular flora of Mangomarca’s fog oasis, Lima, Peru, from 2013 to 2014

Abstract

Fog oasis is an ecosystem composed of abundant and seasonal xerophilous herbaceous vegetation, which are exclusively distributed as vegetation patches throughout the coastal deserts of Peru and Chile. Fog oases present a great floristic diversity, with many endemic species within the Peruvian territory. Nevertheless, these ecosystems are classified as fragile due to their decreasing surfaces, caused by urban growth. It is necessary to investigate the variation in species composition of their altitudinal gradients in order to understand their biogeography and ecology, thereby contributing to plans of conservation. The present study determined the floristic composition of the vascular flora of the Mangomarca’s fog oasis during the 2013-2014 period. We examined the different altitude ranges, and determined whether altitude in those ranges shapes species richness and composition. We recorded 53 species, 86.8% of which were native and 22.6% endemic. The vast majority were herbaceous species (74% of the total species), and only one tree species was identified, Vasconcellea candicans (Caricaceae). The altitude range of 500-650 meters above sea level presented the highest richness (41 species). There were 16 species distributed in the three altitudinal ranges examined.

Keywords

• altitude
• distribution
• fog oases
• transects
• altitudinal range