Notes on and lectotypification of Augusto Weberbauer’s collections of Peruvian Ericaceae

Se documenta las 108 colecciones de Ericaceae realizadas por Augusto Weberbauer en el Perú, 48 de las cuales están depositadas en MOL. Del total de estas Ericaceae recolectadas por Weberbauer, se designan aquí como lectotipos 18 colecciones en MOL, 7 en NY, 2 en G, 2 en US y 1 en F.The Ericaceae collections of Augusto Weberbauer from Peru are documented as 108 in number, of which 48 are currently located at MOL. Of these Weberbauer Ericaceae collections, 18 at MOL, 7 at NY, 2 at G, 2 at US, and 1 at F are herein newly designated as lectotypes

Deslizamientos naturales y comunidades pionera de ecosistemas montanos al occidente del parque nacional podocarpus (ecuador)

El Parque Nacional Podocarpus (PNP), ubicado al sur del Ecuador, ocupa una posición climatológica clave con respecto a la deflexión de Huancabamba aledaña a esta área hacia el sur, que ocasiona una barrera natural de distribución de especies y por otro lado este aislamiento biogeográfíco ha originado especiación florística en algunas especies. La geografía accidentada de esta región, sumada a la escasa capa vegetal y precipitaciones que superan los 6000 mm en los páramos, ocasiona impactos severos en los flancos orientales y occidentales de la baja Cordillera Oriental que no sobrepasa los 3700 m, en sus límites altitudinales más altos. Es aquí donde existe una dinámica alta de deslizamientos, los mismos que si bien afectan la diversidad vegetal, también son considerados un motor generador de continuos procesos de regeneración. Se establecieron 138 parcelas, distribuidas a o largo de un gradiente latitudinal y altitudinal, de 1 x 5m al occidente del PNP, encontrándose 218 especies representantes de 180 géneros y 51 familias; el piso altitudinal de mayor diversidad está a los 2700 m. El análisis TWINSPAN separó nueve comunidades vegetales, mientras que el análisis multivariado CANOCO, determinó que las características edafológicas influyen en la composición de la vegetación, mientras que la altitud y la pendiente no establecen notable diferencia

Ericáceas con frutos comestibles en Colombia

A review of the Colombian species of Ericaceae with edible fruits is presented, with emphasis on their use, propagation, and cultivation. Twenty-five species in ten genera were recorded, whose highest diversity is concentrated in Cavendishia, Disterigma, Gaultheria, and Vaccinium. Most of the species are distributed in the middle and upper areas of the Eastern and Central Andean Mountains. Although direct and sporadic fruit consumption is the most frequent, fruit processing into derived products was reported for seven species, and only three of them have had some level of trade. Although propagation and cultivation studies are concentrated on Vaccinium meridionale, basic propagation studies are recorded on Vaccinium floribundum, Macleania rupestris, Cavendishia bracteata, Disterigma alaternoides, and Thibaudia floribunda. However, most fruits of Colombian Ericaceae are primarily harvested from wild populations. Detailed studies of the effect of harvesting on natural populations are not currently known, nor are there management plans for their use.Se presenta una revisión acerca de las especies colombianas de Ericaceae con frutos comestibles, con énfasis en su forma de uso, su propagación y su cultivo. Se registraron 25 especies en diez géneros, cuya mayor diversidad se concentra en Cavendishia, Disterigma, Gaultheria y Vaccinium. La mayoría de las especies se distribuyen en zonas medias y altas de las cordilleras Oriental y Central. Si bien lo más frecuente es el consumo directo y esporádico de sus frutos, para siete especies se reporta su procesamiento en productos derivados y solo tres de ellas han tenido algún nivel de comercio. Aunque los estudios sobre propagación y cultivo se concentran en Vaccinium meridionale, se registran estudios básicos de propagación en Vaccinium floribundum, Macleania rupestris, Cavendishia bracteata, Disterigma alaternoides y Thibaudia floribunda. No obstante, la mayoría de los frutos de las ericáceas colombianas se cosechan primordialmente de poblaciones silvestres. En la actualidad, no se conocen estudios detallados del efecto de la cosecha en las poblaciones naturales ni se cuenta con planes de manejo para su aprovechamiento

Complejo de Páramos de Sorata

Estos trabajos se realizaron en el marco del proyecto de adaptación al cambio climático que viene adelantando el Instituto de Investigación de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt y por medio de los cuales se identifican áreas de páramo que se encuentran sin ninguna categoría de protección. Igualmente, dando cumplimiento a la resolución 0769 de 2002, que establece disposiciones para contribuir a la protección, conservación y sostenibilidad de los páramos en Colombia. Para lo cuales Corporaciones Autonómas Regionales y de Desarrollo Sostenible y los Grandes Centros urbanos deben elaborar estudios sobre el estado actualBogot

A study of plant-soil-microbe interactions across contrasting treelines in the Peruvian Andes and sub-arctic Sweden

This dissertation addresses the question of how plant species shifts would impact carbon cycling in ecosystems, which are likely to soon and strongly be affected by climate change. Examples of such ecosystems are the high latitudes and the high altitudes, where the treeline ecotone can be an early indicator of changes in plant community composition. Biotic changes aboveground also modify belowground processes, particularly carbon (C) and nutrient cycling between plant roots and the assembled microbes. Plant-soil-microbe interactions were therefore studied across treelines in the Peruvian Andes and sub-arctic Sweden. The first objective was to determine and compare the present soil C and nitrogen (N) stocks and vegetation characteristics through systematic study of a high altitudinal tropical and a sub-arctic treeline. This revealed higher soil C-stocks in the boreal region with potentially also higher microbial activity in summer. For both countries, organic soils were higher in C and N contents compared to the mineral soils. Soils were sampled from both soil horizons across respective treelines and taken to the laboratory to deepen the question of functionality. Microbial mineralisation of soil organic matter (SOM) was quantified in a microcosm soil incubation with addition of substrates of different C:N ratios. Treatment C:N had negligible effect on SOM-mineralisation, which was reduced following substrate addition in the majority of incubations (negative priming). Mechanistically, this questions the N-mining hypothesis and suggests preferential substrate use. For the final data chapter, efforts were made to bring together all three compartments of soils, plants and microbes in vivo and study how their interactions mediate carbon and nutrient cycling between them. Negative rhizosphere priming was measured in most soils during the course of the late growing season. This consistent result provides new insights to potential mechanisms of the finely tuned synchronisation of plant-soil-microbe interactions. In the final discussion, these results were set into context to anticipate what could be done to further our understanding of ecosystem functioning at appropriate scales. Unravelling the interactions of plants, soils and microbes in more detail could help resolve the mechanisms of nutrient cycling and energy flows in different ecosystems and estimate the impact of climate change on the global carbon cycle with less uncertainty.NER

Plantas medicinales utilizadas en Perú para el tratamiento de enfermedades respiratorias

Respiratory tract infections continue to be a major health challenge worldwide especially due to the increasingly fast development of resistance to the drugs currently in use. Many plant species are traditionally used for respiratory illness treatment, and some have been investigated for their efficacy with positive results. A total of 91 plant species belonging to 82 genera and 48 families were documented and identified as respiratory system herbal remedies in Northern Peru. Most species used were Asteraceae (15 species, 16.67%), followed by Lamiaceae and Fabaceae (8.89% and 5.56%). The majority of respiratory disorder herbal preparations were prepared from the leaves of plants (27.69%), while the whole plant (18.46%), flowers (13.85%) and stems (17.69%) were used less frequently. In almost 55% of the cases fresh plant material was used to prepare remedies. About 86% of the remedies were applied orally, while the remaining ones were applied topically. Over half of all remedies were prepared as mixtures of multiple ingredients. Almost 50% of the plants found in the respiratory pharmacopoeia of Northern Peru, or their congeners have been studied for their medicinal properties. The results of this study show that both indigenous and introduced species are used for the treatment of respiratory system disorders. The information gained on frequently used traditional remedies might give some leads for future targets for further analysis in order to develop new drugs.Las infecciones del sistema respiratorio continúan siendo un desafió en sistemas de salud, en particular porque ellas desarrollan resistencia a los antibióticos más usados. Varias plantas medicinales son utilizadas en sistemas tradicionales de salud para el tratamiento de enfermedades respiratorias, incluso algunas de ellas han sido investigadas para verificar su eficacia. En este estudio registramos 91 especies de plantas de 82 géneros y 48 familias, utilizadas como medicina para el sistema respiratorio. Las especies más usadas pertenecieron a la familia Asteraceae (15 species, 16,67%), seguido por Lamiaceae y Fabaceae (8,89% y 5,56%). En los preparados para problemas respiratorios se utilizaron con más frecuencia hojas de plantas (27,69%), seguido de la planta entera (18,46%), flores (13,85%) y tallos (17,69%). En el 55% de los preparados se utilizó material fresco, y el 86% de los preparados se administraron por vía oral, y más de la mitad fueron preparados como mixturas de diferentes especies. Casi el 50% de las plantas que se encuentran en la farmacopea respiratoria del norte del Perú, o de sus congéneres, ya han sido estudiados por sus propiedades medicinales. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que se usan especies introducidas y nativas, y que la información obtenida de los remedios tradicionales utilizados puede contribuir al desarrollo de medicamentos nuevos

New phytochemicals as potential human anti-aging compounds: reality, promise, and challenges

Aging is an inevitable process influenced by genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Indirect evidence shows that several phytochemicals can have anti-aging capabilities, although direct evidence in this field is still limited. This report aims to provide a critical review on aspects related to the use of novel phytochemicals as anti-aging agents, to discuss the obstacles found when performing most anti-aging study protocols in humans, and to analyze future perspectives. In addition to the extensively studied resveratrol, epicatechin, quercetin, and curcumin, new phytochemicals have been reported to act as anti-aging agents, such as the amino acid L-theanine isolated from green tea, and the lignans arctigenin and matairesinol isolated from Arctium lappa seeds. Furthermore, this review discusses the application of several new extracts rich in phytochemicals with potential use in anti-aging therapies. Finally, this review also discusses the most important biomarkers to test anti-aging interventions, the necessity of conducting epidemiological studies and the need of clinical trials with adequate study protocols for humans.R.C.G. Correa thanks Coordena¸c~ao de Aperfei¸coamento do Pessoal do Ensino Superior (CAPES) and Funda¸c~ao Arauc aria for the financial support provided for her postgraduate studies in Federal Technological University of Paran a (contract 100/2014). R.M. Peralta (Project number 307944/2015-8), C.W.I. Haminiuk (Project number 303238/2013-5), and A. Bracht (Project number 302615/2011-3) are research grant recipients of Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÍfico e Tecnologia (CNPq). The authors are also grateful to (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER-COMPETE/ QREN/EU for financial support through the research project PEst-OE/ AGR/UI0690/2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estructura y composición de la vegetación del bosque de niebla de Copalillos, San Luis Potosí, México

The floristics and structure of a cloud forest in Copalillos, San Luis Potosí, is presented. Until very recently, this forest was not recorded in the existing cartography. A total of 199 species, corresponding to 165 genera and 91 botanical families, were recorded. The forest structure consists of three arboreal layers (upper, middle and lower), besides shrub and herbaceous strata. The dominant species in the upper tree stratum are Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus germana and Q. pinnativenulosa. The main tree species of the middle level were Magnolia schiedeana, Persea liebmannii and Ilex rubra. The lower tree layer was largely dominated by Eugenia xalapensis. This relict represents an important link within the set of cloud forest areas located between Hidalgo and Tamaulipas.Se presenta la lista florística y se describe la estructura de un bosque de niebla en Copalillos, San Luis Potosí, el cual, hasta hace muy poco tiempo estuvo ausente en la cartografía de vegetación existente. Se registraron 199 especies, correspondientes a 165 géneros y 91 familias botánicas. La estructura vertical mostró tres estratos arbóreos, uno arbustivo y otro herbáceo. Las especies dominantes en el arbóreo superior fueron Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus germana y Q. pinnativenulosa. En el arbóreo intermedio destacaron Magnolia schiedeana, Persea liebmannii e Ilex rubra. El arbóreo inferior estuvo ampliamente dominado por Eugenia xalapensis. Este bosque de niebla relicto representa un eslabón importante dentro del conjunto de áreas de este tipo de vegetación situadas entre Hidalgo y Tamaulipas

Composición florística y estructura de un bosque montano alto en Patichubamba, provincia de Pichincha, Ecuador

It was installed and measured 11 sampling transects in Upper Montane Forest area in Píintag Patichubamba. 53 families, 111 species in 7.916 individuals of whom 433 individuals and 23 species were tested for basal area and your lifestyle belonging to trees and / or shrubs were recorded. The total basal area was 7, 51 m^2/ha. Families with higher abundance in the study area were Asteraceae with 101 individuals, followed by Melastomataceae with 51 individuals and 49 individuals Betulaceae. On the other hand, most ecologically significant species level had the Alder (Alnus acuminata) (33,72%), Mimisca (Verbesina lloensis) (10,08%) and white Zarcilejo (Brachyotum ledifolium) (5,99%), while on the other hand, the family level were Betulaceae (23.76%) and Asteraceae (19,76%) were the most ecologically important. The diameter distribution was inverted J-shaped, with increasing the diameter of the species. Distribution in the altimetric abundance of individuals was found in sizes less quey decreases as the diameter. Anthropogenic disturbances such as fires and grazing influenced influenced the diversity and dominance of certain species as Chusquea scandens.Se instaló y midió 11 transectos de muestreo en Bosque Montano Alto de la zona de Patichubamba en Píntag. Se registraron 53 familias, 111 especies con 7.916 individuos de los cuales 433 individuos y 23 especies fueron evaluados para el área basal ya que su forma de vida pertenecía a árboles y/o arbustos. El área basal total fue de 7,51 m^2/ha. Las familias con mayor abundancia en el área de estudio fueron Asteraceae con 101 individuos, seguido de Melastomataceae con 51 individuos y Betulaceae con 49 individuos. Por otro lado, mayor importancia ecológica a nivel de especie tuvieron el Aliso (Alnus acuminata) (33,72%), Mimisca (Verbesina lloensis) (10,08%) y Zarcilejo blanco (Brachyotum ledifolium) (5,99%), mientras que a nivel de familia fueron Betulaceae (23,76%) y Asteraceae (19,76%). La distribución diamétrica mostró forma de J invertida, a medida que aumentaba el diámetro de las especies. En la distribución altimétrica se encontró gran abundancia de individuos en tamaños menores que disminuye conforme aumenta el diámetro. Disturbios antropogénicos como quemas y pastoreo influyeron en la diversidad y dominancia de ciertas especies como Chusquea scandens