Biotic characterization of the forest-paramo transition zone in Chingaza Páramo Complex, Colombia

Abstract

The Chingaza paramo complex is located in the Colombian eastern Cordillera, in the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyacá and Meta. Most of our current knowledge about this complex comes from studies conducted near Bogotá and some focal sectors in the National Natural Park Chingaza. The goal of this study was to characterize the treeline transition zone through five elevational transects. As a result, we report 11,588 occurrences and 1382 data of functional traits for plants, edaphic fauna, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. In addition, we report occurrences from two vulnerable (VU) plant species (Hedyosmum parvifolium and Centronia brachycera) and a new endemic species (Puya loca). Preliminary analyses show natural variation in the landscape, community composition and altitudinal location of transition zones along the gradient and between locations. Using this dataset, it is possible to recognize defined transitions between high Andean forests and paramo ecosystems, and their elevation turnover through their physiognomic, floristic, ecological and chorological attributes.

Keywords

• Alta montaña
• Ecotono
• Gradiente altitudinal
• Norte de los Andes
• Rasgo funcional