Composition, diversity and tree structure in a cloud forest above 2100 masl in Peru

Abstract

Tropical montane cloud forests in northern Peru are severely fragmented and degraded by land use change with the consequent loss of important plant biodiversity. This research had the objective of analyzing the composition, diversity and structure of the arboreal vegetation in an area of tropical montane cloud forest above 2100 m a.s.l in northern Peru. In a 1-hectare permanent plot, all trees with diametrer over 10 cm were marked and recorded. Diversity, floristic composition and structure of a relict cloud forest were analyzed. A total of 792 individuals of 81 species, 48 genera and 33 families were recorded. The most species-rich families were Lauraceae (25 species), Euphorbiaceae (five species), Melastomataceae, Clusiaceae and Rubiaceae (with 4 species each). Cyathea sp. and Miconia punctata were the most abundant and frequent species. These results show the high ecological value of the forest studied from the point of view of conservation.

Keywords

• montano, neblina, diversidad, florística, estructura.