Vegetation maps and classification in seasonal ecosystems: a quantitative analysis of the Piura dry forests

Estudiamos datos de inventarios florísticos de 65 parcelas de 0,1 hectáreas de la vegetación estacional de las llanuras costeras de Piura usando métodos multivariados y análisis de composición florística. Identificamos seis grupos de vegetación, de los cuales cinco coinciden con tipos de vegetación descritos hace casi 100 años por Augusto Weberbauer. Por el contrario, de las ocho categorías de bosque seco definidas recientemente por el Proyecto Algarrobo para el área de estudio, ninguna pudo ser reconocida adecuadamente mediante métodos numéricos. Concluimos que los mapas y datos generados por Weberbauer resultan ser más exactos y revelan mejor las relaciones florísticas de la vegetación estacionalmente seca de Piura. Por lo tanto, sugerimos el uso más frecuente de las descripciones propuestas por Weberbauer para la región, paralelamente a los del Proyecto Algarrobo.We studied data from 65 0.1-hectare floristic inventories from the seasonal lowland vegetation in coastal Piura by using multivariate methods and analyses of floristic composition. We identified six vegetation groups, five of which greatly coincide with vegetation types already described 100 years ago by August Weberbauer. In contrast, we were not able to accurately identify any of the eight dry forest categories recently defined by the Proyecto Algarrobo for the study area using numerical methods. We conclude that the maps and data generated by Weberbauer are more accurate and better reveal the floristic relationships of the seasonally dry vegetation in Piura. Therefore, we suggest a more widespread use of the descriptions made by Weberbauer in the region, parallel to those of the Proyecto Algarrob

Surrogacía taxonómica en bosque montano andino

Ecological surrogates are environmental or biotic proxies for biodiversity quantification. Their application circumvents logistic constraints and taxonomic voids to sample and identify species, and has become an important tool in conservation and management. In this study, we illustrate a surrogate method using multivariate ordinations, and we apply it to tree data from the Chanchamayo montane forest (Andes, Peru).En ecología, los surrogados son variables ambientales o bióticas que representan la biodiversidad de un área. Su uso permite afrontar limitaciones logísticas y/o desconocimiento taxonómico para muestrear e identificar especies, y se ha convertido en una herramienta importante en conservación y gestión. En este trabajo, ilustramos un método de surrogacía basado en ordenaciones multivariadas, y lo aplicamos a datos de cobertura arbórea en el bosque montano de Chanchamayo (Andes, Perú)

Métodos de prospectiva estratégica y participación local en el análisis de estudios de futuro en áreas naturales protegidas

Los estudios de futuro consideran una serie de propuestas metodológicas y conceptuales, las cuales se aplican a diferentes campos del conocimiento. Entre estas, el empleo de herramientas de valoración para la gestión de los servicios de los ecosistemas permite recoger importantes aspectos de la percepción local sobre elementos de conservación y sobre los valores no económicos de los ecosistemas. Estos aspectos se pueden incorporar a ejercicios de construcción de escenarios de futuro a través del desarrollo de herramientas de prospectiva estratégica participativa, adaptadas a las condiciones culturales de los líderes y autoridades de las poblaciones locales. Esta investigación considera un balance de las metodologías de valoración de importancia de prospectiva estratégica y de prospectiva social, a partir de los resultados alcanzados en la Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca (Perú). Por otra parte, incluye las limitaciones encontradas y la comparación con herramientas complementarias sobre la construcción de escenarios. Este trabajo constituye un ejercicio crítico de cara a la capacidad de réplica de procesos similares en áreas naturales. Entre los resultados alcanzados tenemos el contraste entre impulsores de cambio y factores críticos que afectan a los servicios de los ecosistemas y formalizan las percepciones locales sobre los futuros posibles de los servicios. Se concluye que la gestión de la biodiversidad por la población local es clave para la definición de los futuros posibles de la reserva, como también el responsable de regular el uso de un servicio

PATTERNS OF FOREST LOSS PER TERRITORIAL CATEGORY IN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST: PERU (2001–2016)

The objective of the present study was to analyze the patterns of forest loss in the Peruvian Amazon between 2001 and 2016 according to 16 territorial categories and two types of land tenure (public and private) and administration (public and private). Through descriptive analysis and multivariate analysis using official forest loss data provided by the Peruvian government, a progressive increase in forest loss was detected over time, with the highest peaks in 2009, 2014, and 2016. The departments of San Martín, Loreto, and Ucayali presented the greatest loss. The three territorial categories with the greatest forest loss were the noncategorized areas (NCs), indigenous communities with land titles (ICTs), and rural lands (RLs). The NC category did not affect the general tendency of deforestation in Peru given that the forest loss dynamics in this category were similar to those of other territorial categories with assigned land rights

Floristic diversity, composition and dominance across Amazonian forest types respond differently to latitude

Aim: The latitudinal biodiversity gradient is considered a first-order biogeographical pattern for most taxonomic groups. Latitudinal variation in plant diversity is not always consistent, and this could be related to the particular characteristics of different forest types. In this study, we compare latitudinal changes in floristic diversity (alpha diversity), composition (beta diversity) and dominance across different tropical forest types: floodplain, terra firme and submontane forests. Location: Western Amazonia (Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia). Taxon: Woody plants. Methods: We inventoried 1978 species and 31,203 individuals of vascular plants with a diameter at breast height ≥ 2.5 cm in 118 0.1-ha plots over an 1800 km latitudinal gradient in three different forest types. The relationships between alpha diversity, latitude and forest type were analysed using generalised linear mixed models. Semi-parametric permutational multivariate analysis of variance was used to investigate the effects of latitude and forest type on beta diversity. Dominant species abundances were correlated with non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination axes to reflect their contributions in shaping changes in beta diversity. Results: Alpha diversity increased towards equatorial latitudes in terra firme and submontane forests but remained relatively constant in floodplains. Beta diversity of all forest types changed with latitude, although less clearly in floodplains. Also, in floodplain forests, there were fewer dominant species contributing to beta diversity and more species homogeneous along the gradient. Main Conclusions: Latitudinal diversity patterns are manifested in alpha and beta diversity since latitude summarizes climatic and edaphic changes. However, we found different responses of each forest type. In floodplain forests, inundation regime is a stronger predictor than latitude, limiting floristic diversity and composition. Changes in dominant species abundance over gradients explained species composition, but floodplain forests harboured more homogeneous dominant species than well drained forests. It is key to study environmental trends and habitat characteristics of each forest type to understand their species diversity and dominance pattern

Los bosques estacionalmente secos del Perú: Un re-análisis de sus patrones de diversidad y relaciones florísticas

Seasonally dry forests in Peru are a combination of ecosystems that include three large floristic groups: coastal, inter-Andean and eastern forests. Except for the seasonally dry forests of the northern coastal plains of the country, until recently it was difficult to explore what occurred floristically within each group due to lack of data. However, in the last 20 years various floristic studies and botanical inventories focused on woody plants have managed to fill knowledge gaps in critical areas. With these studies we have generated the DRYFLOR Peru database that to date includes 526 quantitative inventories (lists of species in discrete areas, including records of their abundances) and that allows us to confirm the floristic distinction of the three large groups. Additionally, we were able to clearly recognize two subgroups of seasonally dry coastal forests (on coastal plains and along the Andean piedmont), two inter-Andean subgroups (within the Marañón-Mantaro and Pampas valleys) and three eastern subgroups (within the Huallaga, Tambo and Urubamba valleys). All subgroups have an assemblage of woody plant species that distinguishes and characterizes them in terms of abundance, frequency, species richness, and levels of endemism. Although we can now better describe the floristic heterogeneity of seasonally dry forests in Peru, we have identified important knowledge gaps that require urgent attention: i) we require additional inventory efforts in the eastern forests, ii) we need to resolve the floristic affinities of the forests of the Apurímac valley, iii) our data agree in little more than 75% with the definitions and distribution of dry forests of the recent National Ecosystem Map of Peru, and it will be necessary to review the concept of seasonally dry forests to adequately capture its distribution in this management tool.Los bosques estacionalmente secos en el Perú constituyen un conjunto de ecosistemas que incluye tres grandes grupos florísticos: bosques costeros, interandinos y orientales. Con la excepción de los bosques estacionalmente secos de las llanuras costeras del norte del país, hasta hace poco la ausencia de datos hacía difícil describir adecuadamente estos grupos en base a su florística. En los últimos 20 años, en estos bosques se han generado diversos estudios florísticos e inventarios botánicos enfocados en plantas leñosas, que han llenado vacíos de conocimiento en áreas críticas. Con estos estudios hemos generado la base de datos DRYFLOR Perú que a la fecha incluye 526 inventarios cuantitativos (listas de especies en áreas discretas incluyendo registros de sus abundancias) y que nos permiten confirmar la distinción florística de los tres grandes grupos. Adicionalmente logramos reconocer claramente dos subgrupos de bosques estacionalmente secos costeros (de llanura y de montaña), dos subgrupos interandinos (valles del Marañón-Mantaro y del Pampas) y tres subgrupos orientales (valles del Huallaga, Tambo y Urubamba). Todos los subgrupos tienen un ensamblaje de especies de plantas leñosas que los distingue y caracteriza en términos de abundancia, frecuencia, riqueza de especies y niveles de endemismo. Si bien ahora podemos describir mejor la heterogeneidad florística de los bosques estacionalmente secos en el Perú, hemos identificado vacíos de conocimiento importantes que requieren de atención prioritaria: i) requerimos de esfuerzos de inventario adicionales en los bosques orientales, ii) necesitamos resolver las afinidades florísticas de los bosques del valle del Apurímac, iii) nuestros datos coinciden en poco más del 75% con las definiciones y distribución de bosques secos del reciente Mapa Nacional de Ecosistemas del Perú, y será necesario revisar el concepto de bosque estacionalmente seco para lograr capturar adecuadamente su distribución en este instrumento de gestión

USO Y CONFIABILIDAD DE HERRAMIENTAS PARTICIPATIVAS EN PROYECTOS DE DESARROLLO TERRITORIAL

 El concepto de participación ciudadana es considerado uno de los pilares de los enfoques aplicados a la ordenación integrada y sostenible del territorio. Este estudio, realizado en el distrito de Sabandía, Arequipa-Perú, analiza el uso e importancia de las herramientas participativas en el manejo y aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales, como pieza clave durante la formulación de proyectos de desarrollo territorial. Con este propósito, se registraron datos cualitativos sobre los recursos naturales y su uso a través de un módulo de herramientas participativas aplicadas en dos sesiones a un grupo focal, conformado por 12 actores clave, y datos cuantitativos, sobre el mismo tema, con el uso de 270 encuestas personales con preguntas abiertas. Los resultados evidenciaron que la información alcanzada por las herramientas participativas era comparable con la obtenida a través de la encuesta. Asimismo, se determinó una asociación significativa (χ² =23,17; p= 0,000) entre el uso de herramientas participativas y el manejo y aprovechamiento de estos recursos. En consecuencia, se probó que las herramientas de participación ciudadana son confiables, válidas y legítimas para recopilar información sobre los recursos naturales y facultar a la población en la toma de decisiones sobre el manejo y aprovechamiento sostenible del territorio. ABSTRACT The concept of citizen participation is considered one of the pillars of the approaches applied to the integrated and sustainable planning of the territory. This study carried out in the district of Sabandía, Arequipa-Peru, analyzes the use and importance of participatory tools in the management and use of natural resources, as a key element during the formulation of territorial development projects. For this purpose, qualitative data on natural resources and their use were recorded through a module of participatory tools applied in two sessions to a focus group, made up of 12 key actors, and quantitative data, on the same topic, with the use of 270 personal surveys with open questions. The results showed that the information obtained by the participatory tools was comparable with that obtained through the survey. Likewise, a significant association (χ. = 23.17; p = 0.000) was determined between the use of participatory tools and the management and use of these resources. Consequently, it was proven that citizen participation tools are reliable, valid, and legitimate to collect information on natural resources and empower the population to make decisions about the management and sustainable use of the territory.&nbsp

Table_2_Latitudinal patterns and environmental drivers of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of woody plants in western Amazonian terra firme forests.pdf

Elucidating how environmental factors drive plant species distributions and how they affect latitudinal diversity gradients, remain essential questions in ecology and biogeography. In this study we aimed: 1) to investigate the relationships between all three diversity attributes, i.e., taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and phylogenetic diversity (PD); 2) to quantify the latitudinal variation in these diversity attributes in western Amazonian terra firme forests; and 3) to understand how climatic and edaphic drivers contribute to explaining diversity patterns. We inventoried ca. 15,000 individuals from ca. 1,250 species, and obtained functional trait records for ca. 5,000 woody plant individuals in 50 plots of 0.1 ha located in five terra firme forest sites spread over a latitudinal gradient of 1200 km covering ca. 10°C in latitude in western Amazonia. We calculated all three diversity attributes using Hill numbers: q = 0 (richness), q = 1 (richness weighted by relative abundance), and q = 2 (richness weighted by dominance). Generalized linear mixed models were constructed for each diversity attribute to test the effects of different uncorrelated environmental predictors comprising the temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, soil pH and soil bulk density, as well as accounting for the effect of spatial autocorrelation, i.e., plots aggregated within sites. We confirmed that TD (q = 0, q = 1, and q = 2), FD (q = 0, q = 1, and q = 2), and PD (q = 0) increased monotonically towards the Equator following the latitudinal diversity gradient. The importance of rare species could explain the lack of a pattern for PD (q = 1 and q = 2). Temperature seasonality, which was highly correlated with latitude, and annual precipitation were the main environmental drivers of variations in TD, FD, and PD. All three diversity attributes increased with lower temperature seasonality, higher annual precipitation, and lower soil pH. We confirmed the existence of latitudinal diversity gradients for TD, FD, and PD in hyperdiverse Amazonian terra firme forests. Our results agree well with the predictions of the environmental filtering principle and the favourability hypothesis, even acting in a 10°C latitudinal range within tropical climates.</p

Image_1_Latitudinal patterns and environmental drivers of taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of woody plants in western Amazonian terra firme forests.jpeg

Elucidating how environmental factors drive plant species distributions and how they affect latitudinal diversity gradients, remain essential questions in ecology and biogeography. In this study we aimed: 1) to investigate the relationships between all three diversity attributes, i.e., taxonomic diversity (TD), functional diversity (FD), and phylogenetic diversity (PD); 2) to quantify the latitudinal variation in these diversity attributes in western Amazonian terra firme forests; and 3) to understand how climatic and edaphic drivers contribute to explaining diversity patterns. We inventoried ca. 15,000 individuals from ca. 1,250 species, and obtained functional trait records for ca. 5,000 woody plant individuals in 50 plots of 0.1 ha located in five terra firme forest sites spread over a latitudinal gradient of 1200 km covering ca. 10°C in latitude in western Amazonia. We calculated all three diversity attributes using Hill numbers: q = 0 (richness), q = 1 (richness weighted by relative abundance), and q = 2 (richness weighted by dominance). Generalized linear mixed models were constructed for each diversity attribute to test the effects of different uncorrelated environmental predictors comprising the temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, soil pH and soil bulk density, as well as accounting for the effect of spatial autocorrelation, i.e., plots aggregated within sites. We confirmed that TD (q = 0, q = 1, and q = 2), FD (q = 0, q = 1, and q = 2), and PD (q = 0) increased monotonically towards the Equator following the latitudinal diversity gradient. The importance of rare species could explain the lack of a pattern for PD (q = 1 and q = 2). Temperature seasonality, which was highly correlated with latitude, and annual precipitation were the main environmental drivers of variations in TD, FD, and PD. All three diversity attributes increased with lower temperature seasonality, higher annual precipitation, and lower soil pH. We confirmed the existence of latitudinal diversity gradients for TD, FD, and PD in hyperdiverse Amazonian terra firme forests. Our results agree well with the predictions of the environmental filtering principle and the favourability hypothesis, even acting in a 10°C latitudinal range within tropical climates.</p