Correction to: Hotspots of biogeochemical activity linked to aridity and plant traits across global drylands (Nature Plants, (2024), 10, 5, (760-770), 10.1038/s41477-024-01670-7)

Perennial plants create productive and biodiverse hotspots, known as fertileislands, beneath their canopies. These hotspots largely determine thestructure and functioning of drylands worldwide. Despite their ubiquity, thefactors controlling fertile islands under conditions of contrasting grazingby livestock, the most prevalent land use in drylands, remain virtuallyunknown. Here we evaluated the relative importance of grazing pressureand herbivore type, climate and plant functional traits on 24 soil physicaland chemical attributes that represent proxies of key ecosystem servicesrelated to decomposition, soil fertility, and soil and water conservation. Todo this, we conducted a standardized global survey of 288 plots at 88 sites in25 countries worldwide. We show that aridity and plant traits are the majorfactors associated with the magnitude of plant effects on fertile islands ingrazed drylands worldwide. Grazing pressure had little influence on thecapacity of plants to support fertile islands. Taller and wider shrubs andgrasses supported stronger island effects. Stable and functional soils tendedto be linked to species-rich sites with taller plants. Together, our findingsdispel the notion that grazing pressure or herbivore type are linked to theformation or intensification of fertile islands in drylands. Rather, our studysuggests that changes in aridity, and processes that alter island identityand therefore plant traits, will have marked effects on how perennialplants support and maintain the functioning of drylands in a more aridand grazed world

FunAndes – a functional trait database of andean plants

We introduce the FunAndes database, a compilation of functional trait data for the Andean flora spanning six countries. FunAndes contains data on 24 traits across 2,694 taxa, for a total of 105,466 entries. The database features plant-morphological attributes including growth form, and leaf, stem, and wood traits measured at the species or individual level, together with geographic metadata (i.e., coordinates and elevation). FunAndes follows the field names, trait descriptions and units of measurement of the TRY database. It is currently available in open access in the FIGSHARE data repository, and will be part of TRY’s next release. Open access trait data from Andean plants will contribute to ecological research in the region, the most species rich terrestrial biodiversity hotspot

Knowledge about non-timber forest products in two floristic floors: montano and montano low, on semi-deciduous forest, Santa Rufina, Loja, Ecuador

El bosque semi-caducifolio ha provisto Productos Forestales no Maderables (PFNM) a sus po-blaciones aledañas históricamente. No obstante, información sobre el uso de sus recursos florísti-cos es escasa. Se determinó el Valor de Uso por Categoría de uso; el Valor de Uso total por especie, y por especie disgregada por sexo y grupo etario. Para los pisos florísticos, la categoría alimentos y bebidas presentó el mayor valor de uso. Dentro del grupo etario de jóvenes en los pisos florísticos, las especies pertenecientes a la categoría medicinales fueron la más importante con valores similares para hombres y mujeres. En adultos, en el piso piemontano las especies para forrajes fueron las más importantes, con similares valores para hombres y mujeres. Para ancianos, en las dos formaciones vegetales varias especies sobresalen pertenecientes a diferentes categorías de usos con similares valores. Se concluyó el conocimiento sobre el uso sigue vigente en los tres grupos etarios según la tendencia de los niveles de conocimiento, aunque en los ancianos este es pragmático y real, el cual es transmitido a los adultos y jóvenes; de estos últimos su aplicación es incierta.Semi-deciduous forest has provided historically non-timber forest products (NTFP) to neighbor populations. However, information about use of their floristic resources is scarce. In this research, we evaluated the state of knowledge of NTFPs for two floristic floors in semi-deciduous forest: Montane and Montane low. We applied semi-structured surveys to investigate the plant uses that provide NTFPs to three age groups. Plant uses were differentiated into nine categories of use. We collected NTFPs at each sampling site where they grow naturally or in home gardens, and then identified taxonomically. We determined the Use Value by use category; the Total Use Value by species, and by species disaggregated by sex and age group. For floristic levels, the food and bev-erage category presented the highest use value. Within the age group of young people in floristic levels, the species belonging to the medicinal category were the most important with similar val-ues for men and women. In adults, in the piedmont level, forage species were the most important, with similar values for men and women. For the elderly, in the two plant formations several species stand out belonging to different categories of uses with similar values. We concluded that knowl-edge about the use is still valid in the three age groups according to the trend of knowledge levels. In the elderly, this knowledge is pragmatic and real, which is transmitted to adults and young peo-ple. In the group of young people, its application is uncertain

Forest communities in high andean secondary forests (Azuay, Ecuador) [Comunidades forestales en bosques secundarios alto-andinos (Azuay, Ecuador)]

In the Andean mountains of southern Ecuador there are areas occupied by high Andean secondary forests as a consequence of anthropic activities. Here we identify different secondary forest communities located over 2900 m a.s.l, based on its floristic similarity. In each community, floristic composition was described by the total exclusive and shared species. Estimation curves were used to provide richness and diversity metrics. The structure was analyzed according to abundance and basal area. In addition, we evaluated the role of environmental variables in floristic conformation and structure through principal components and the redundancy analysis. Three forest communities were identified. Community, located at high altitude and low temperature, had the highest value of diversity and basal area. Variation in species composition was explained by climatic and geographic variables, density by soil and climatic variables, and basal area by topographic variables. Species richness and basal area did not present an altitudinal distribution pattern similar to those from other Andean tropical forests. Therefore, the floristic variation, species richness and basal area seem to be explained by the chronological age of secondary succession, as evidenced by the indicator species belonging to different ecological groups. We concluded that the floristic composition, richness and structure of vegetation in forest communities of high Andean secondary forests are influenced by climatic, topographic, physiographic and geographic variables related to the age of succession

Six forests in one: tree species diversity in the Bosque Protector Chongón Colonche, a lowland mountain range in coastal ecuadorian

Tropical mountain ranges shape the structure of tree communities and promote highly diverse natural habitats. The “Bosque Protector Chongón-Colonche” (BPCC), an 86,000-ha mountain formation situated on the coast of Ecuador, is biogeographically important for the region by connecting floristic elements of the wet Choco and the dry Tumbesian forests. Our understanding of the factors that model tree and palm diversity and distribution in this mountain range are limited. We measured and identified all trees and palms (DBH ≥10 ​cm) in 289 plots of 0.2 ​ha, distributed throughout BPCC. We used generalized linear models to explain the relationship between forest diversity and structure and climatic variables (temperature, rain, aridity), and altitude. We then used cluster and non-metric multidimensional scale (NMDS) analyses to search for distinct forest communities within the BPCC. Variance partition (varpart) was used to determine which predictor variables best explained these distinct forest communities. A species indicator analysis identified the species most likely to define these distinct forest communities. Finally, we carried out a niche modeling approach to identify the potential distribution of these forest communities within BPCC. In total, we identified 220 tree and palm species in our survey. The average number of species per plot was 17.8 ​± ​5.8, ranging from 3 to 40 species. Classification methods sorted the 289 study plots into six different forest communities, three communities in the dry forest and three in the semi-humid Garúa forest. Precipitation and temperature, but not altitude or aridity, explained floristic composition. These results emphasize the high but little cataloged diversity in the lowland mountain rainforests of coastal Ecuador

Respuestas generalizadas pero heterogéneas de los bosques andinos al cambio climático.

El calentamiento global está obligando a muchas especies a cambiar sus distribuciones hacia arriba, causando cambios consecuentes en las composiciones de las especies que ocurren en lugares específicos. Esta predicción permanece en gran parte sin probar para los árboles tropicales. Aquí mostramos, utilizando una base de datos de casi 200 inventarios de parcelas forestales andinas repartidas en más de 33.5 ° de latitud (de 26.8 ° S a 7.1 ° N) y 3.000 m de elevación (de 360 ​​a 3,360 m sobre el nivel del mar), que tropical y las comunidades de árboles subtropicales están experimentando cambios direccionales en la composición para tener mayores abundancias relativas de especies de elevaciones más bajas y cálidas. Aunque este fenómeno de "termofilización" está muy extendido en los Andes, las tasas de cambio de composición no son uniformes en las elevaciones. La heterogeneidad observada en las tasas de termofilización se debe probablemente a las diferentes tasas de calentamiento y / o la presencia de comunidades arbóreas especializadas en los ecotones (es decir, en las transiciones entre hábitats distintos, como en el bosque o en la base del bosque nublado). Comprender los factores que determinan las direcciones y tasas de los cambios en la composición nos permitirá predecir mejor y, potencialmente, mitigar, los efectos del cambio climático en los bosques tropicales.Global warming is forcing many species to shift their distributions upward, causing consequent changes in the compositions of species that occur at specific locations. This prediction remains largely untested for tropical trees. Here we show, using a database of nearly 200 Andean forest plot inventories spread across more than 33.5° latitude (from 26.8° S to 7.1° N) and 3,000-m elevation (from 360 to 3,360 m above sea level), that tropical and subtropical tree communities are experiencing directional shifts in composition towards having greater relative abundances of species from lower, warmer elevations. Although this phenomenon of ‘thermophilization’ is widespread throughout the Andes, the rates of compositional change are not uniform across elevations. The observed heterogeneity in thermophilization rates is probably because of different warming rates and/or the presence of specialized tree communities at ecotones (that is, at the transitions between distinct habitats, such as at the timberline or at the base of the cloud forest). Understanding the factors that determine the directions and rates of compositional changes will enable us to better predict, and potentially mitigate, the effects of climate change on tropical forests

Las etapas sucesionales de los bosques influyen en la composición y diversidad de las comunidades de epífitas vasculares de los Bosques Andinos Montañosos

La capa de epífitas vasculares es un componente importante de los bosques; para comprender su contribución al ecosistema, es imperativo evaluar los factores que afectan su distribución, composición y diversidad. Estudiamos la ecología de epífitas vasculares en Bosques Andinos Montañosos de diferentes estados sucesionales, en un escenario que nos permitió determinar algunas relaciones entre la composición de la comunidad epífita y las comunidades arbóreas, junto con gradientes ambientales e históricos de uso del suelo. El diseño de la investigación incluyó el muestreo de 22 parcelas con un total de 3248 árboles, incluyendo helechos arborescentes con DAP ≥10 cm. Cada árbol se midió e identificó a nivel de especie y se dividió en tres estratos verticales, registrando la diversidad y frecuencia de epífitas vasculares presentes en cada estrato. En estos bosques evaluamos la variación de la composición, riqueza y densidad de epífitas vasculares mediante el análisis ADONIS, evaluando la influencia de dos factores: la etapa sucesional de la comunidad forestal y los estratos verticales de los árboles. Luego exploramos qué variables predictoras, como el clima, la correlación espacial y las características del árbol huésped, explicaban la variación en las epífitas, utilizando modelos de partición lineales y de varianza. Además, determinamos la preferencia de las epífitas por las especies arbóreas hospederas, utilizando especies arbóreas indicadoras de etapas sucesionales. Para cada especie de árbol huésped, identificamos epífitas vasculares asociadas y se analizó su nivel de especie indicadora para determinar las especies epífitas-huésped con rasgos de especies especialistas. Descubrimos que la riqueza y la densidad de especies de epífitas eran significativamente más altas en las comunidades forestales más antiguas. La densidad de epífitas fue mayor en el dosel superior de los hospedantes. El clima afectó la composición de las epífitas, mientras que la precipitación, la elevación, la altura de la copa y el área basal explicaron significativamente la riqueza y densidad de las epífitas. Epífitas preferenciales e indiferentes sobre especies hospederas indicadoras de sucesión intermedia y tardía sugieren la existencia de asociaciones complejas. La edad de la sucesión del bosque, los factores climáticos y ciertas características de las especies hospederas tienen un impacto importante en la ecología de las epífitas vasculares.Vascular epiphytes layer is an important component of the forests; to understand their contribution to the ecosystem, it is imperative to assess the factors which affect their distribution, composition, and diversity. We studied the ecology of vascular epiphytes in Andean Mountain Forests of different successional stages, in a scenario that allowed us to determine some relationships between the composition of the epiphyte community and the tree communities, along with environmental and historic land use gradients. The research design included the sampling of 22 plots with a total of 3248 trees, including tree ferns with DBH ≥10 cm. Each tree was measured and identified to species level and was divided into three vertical strata, recording the diversity and frequency of vascular epiphytes present in each stratum. In these forests, we evaluated the variation of the composition, richness, and density of vascular epiphytes using the ADONIS analysis, evaluating the influence of two factors: the successional stage of the forest community and the tree vertical strata. We then explored which predictor variables, such as climate, spatial correlation, and host tree characteristics, explained the variation in epiphytes, using linear and variance partitioning models. In addition, we determined the preference of epiphytes for host tree species, using indicator tree species of successional stages. For each host tree species, we identified associated vascular epiphytes and their indicator species level was analyzed to determine epiphyte-host species with traits of specialist species. We found that epiphyte species richness and density were significantly higher in older forest communities. Epiphyte density was higher in the upper canopy of the hosts. The climate affected the composition of the epiphytes, while precipitation, elevation, crown height, and basal area significantly explained epiphyte richness and density. Preferential and indifferent epiphytes on indicator host species of intermediate and late succession suggest the existence of complex associations. The age of the forest succession, climatic factors, and certain characteristics of the host species have a major impact on the ecology of vascular epiphytes

Influence of climate on the composition, diversity, biomass and functional traits of tree vegetation of two Andean montane tropical forests

En los Andes occidentales del sur del Ecuador existen remanentes de bosques tropicales montanos andinos, BTMA, que merecen ser estudiados ecológicamente para valorarlos y conservarlos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir la diferencia de parámetros taxonómicos y funcionales de la vegetación arbórea y, además, explicar su relación con variables predictoras. Se utilizaron predictoras de clima, de suelos y una autocorrelación espacial para explicar las diferencias en la composición, diversidad, densidad arbórea, biomasa y rasgos funcionales entre dos tipos de BTMA: bosque siempreverde montano (BSM) y bosque siempreverde montano alto (BSMA). La diferencia en la composición de especies fue descrita con análisis de similitudes y escalamiento multidimensional no métrico. Las diferencias en la diversidad, densidad, biomasa y rasgos funcionales se evaluaron mediante pruebas de medias con t de Student. La relación entre la composición de especies y variables predictoras fue analizada con partición de varianza, y la densidad arbórea, biomasa aérea y rasgos funcionales, con modelos lineales generalizados. La composición de especies fue diferente entre los dos tipos de bosques. Estas diferencias fueron explicadas por el clima y la autocorrelación espacial. La densidad arbórea y la biomasa aérea fueron superiores en el BSMA. El promedio ponderado del área foliar (AF) fue superior en el BSM, y el área foliar específica (AFE) fue mayor en el BSMA. La composición de especies fue explicada por la precipitación media anual (PMA) y la temperatura media anual (TMA); la densidad arbórea, por la TMA, la densidad aparente (DA) y la materia orgánica; la biomasa arbórea aérea, por la TMA; el AF, por la TMA y la DA, y el AFE, por la PMA. Se concluye que los parámetros de la vegetación varían en gradientes altitudinales pequeños, donde existe heterogeneidad ambiental condicionada por el clima y ciertas variables de los suelos

Forest communities in high Andean secondary forests (Azuay, Ecuador)

En las montañas del sur del Ecuador existen áreas ocupadas por bosques secundarios alto andinos formados por consecuencia de actividades antrópicas. Aquí se identificaron diferentes comunidades de bosques secundarios ubicados sobre 2.900 m s.n.m, con base a su similitud florística. En cada comunidad se describió la composición florística mediante las especies totales, exclusivas y compartidas. Se usaron curvas de estimación para proporcionar métricas de riqueza y diversidad. Se analizó la estructura según la abundancia y área basal. Además, se evaluó el papel que cumplen las variables ambientales en explicar la conformación florística y estructura a través de análisis en componentes principales y de redundancia. Se identificaron tres comunidades forestales. El mayor valor en diversidad y área basal fue para la comunidad ubicada a mayor altitud y menor temperatura. La variación en la composición de especies fue explicada por variables ambientales de clima y geográficas, la densidad por variables edáficas y climáticas, y el área basal por variables topográficas. La riqueza de especies y área basal no presentaron patrón de distribución altitudinal similar con otros bosques tropicales andinos. Por lo tanto, se dedujo que la variación florística, riqueza de especies y área basal también son explicadas por la edad cronológica de sucesión secundaria, como lo demuestran las especies indicadoras pertenecientes a diferentes grupos ecológicos. Se concluyó que la composición florística, riqueza y estructura de la vegetación en comunidades forestales de bosques secundarios altoandinos están influenciadas por variables climáticas, topográficas, fisiografías y geográficas vinculadas con la edad de sucesión.In the Andean mountains of southern Ecuador there are areas occupied by high Andean secondary forests as a consequence of anthropic activities. Here we identify different secondary forest communities located over 2900 m a.s.l, based on its floristic similarity. In each community, floristic composition was described by the total exclusive and shared species. Estimation curves were used to provide richness and diversity metrics. The structure was analyzed according to abundance and basal area. In addition, we evaluated the role of environmental variables in floristic conformation and structure through principal components and the redundancy analysis. Three forest communities were identified. Community, located at high altitude and low temperature, had the highest value of diversity and basal area. Variation in species composition was explained by climatic and geographic variables, density by soil and climatic variables, and basal area by topographic variables. Species richness and basal area did not present an altitudinal distribution pattern similar to those from other Andean tropical forests. Therefore, the floristic variation, species richness and basal area seem to be explained by the chronological age of secondary succession, as evidenced by the indicator species belonging to different ecological groups. We concluded that the floristic composition, richness and structure of vegetation in forest communities of high Andean secondary forests are influenced by climatic, topographic, physiographic and geographic variables related to the age of succession

Elevation and latitude drives structure and tree species composition in andean forests: results from a large-scale plot network

Our knowledge about the structure and function of Andean forests at regional scales remains limited. Current initiatives to study forests over continental or global scales still have important geographical gaps, particularly in regions such as the tropical and subtropical Andes. In this study, we assessed patterns of structure and tree species diversity along ~ 4000 km of latitude and ~ 4000 m of elevation range in Andean forests. We used the Andean Forest Network (Red de Bosques Andinos, https://redbosques.condesan.org/) database which, at present, includes 491 forest plots (totaling 156.3 ha, ranging from 0.01 to 6 ha) representing a total of 86,964 identified tree stems ≥ 10 cm diameter at breast height belonging to 2341 identified species, 584 genera and 133 botanical families. Tree stem density and basal area increases with elevation while species richness decreases. Stem density and species richness both decrease with latitude. Subtropical forests have distinct tree species composition compared to those in the tropical region. In addition, floristic similarity of subtropical plots is between 13 to 16% while similarity between tropical forest plots is between 3% to 9%. Overall, plots ~ 0.5-ha or larger may be preferred for describing patterns at regional scales in order to avoid plot size effects. We highlight the need to promote collaboration and capacity building among researchers in the Andean region (i.e., South-South cooperation) in order to generate and synthesize information at regional scale. © 2020 Malizia et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited