Efectos sobre la flora y vegetación del evento de precipitación extremo de agosto 2015 en Alto Patache, Desierto de Atacama, Chile

Abstract

RESUMENDurante el evento extremo "El Niño", ocurrido en agosto de 2015 en la costa de la región de Tarapacá, Desierto de Atacama, se registraron precipitaciones de 50 mm en el Oasis de Niebla de Alto Patache (promedio anual de 1 mm), activando la germinación de muchas de las especies presentes en el lugar. Tras el evento antes mencionado, se demarcaron transectos y se registró la presencia y dominancia de las especies de flora; se compararon los datos florísticos con los registros históricos del sitio y con la distribución de la niebla, medida entre el 2001 y 2002. Como resultado, se identificaron 42 especies, un 78% del total de flora conocida para el área, con un registro nuevo (Tiquilia sp.). El análisis de las especies, permitió identificar tres unidades de vegetación y se observó una mayor diversidad de especies en la zona con menor altitud del farellon costero.Palabras claves: Desierto de Atacama, Alto Patache, flora, vegetación, neblina. ABSTRACTDuring the extreme precipitation event related with "El Niño", which occurred in August 2015 on the coast of the Tarapaca region, Atacama Desert, rainfall of 50 mm was recorded at the Alto Patache Fog Oasis (annual average of 1 mm), activating germination of many species present on the site. After the event, transects were demarcated and the presence and dominance of vegetation was recorded. The floristic data identified was compared with historical records and related with the distribution of fog, measured between the years 2001 and 2002. Results show 42 species identified, 78% of all known plants in the area, with one new record (Tiquilia sp.). The floristic analysis allowed the identification of three vegetation units, and a greater diversity of species was observed in lower areas of the coastal mountain chain.

Effects of altitude on soil properties in coastal fog ecosystems in Morro Moreno National Park, Antofagasta, Chile

“…The authors also reported Heliotropium chenopodiaceum , Lycium fragosum , and Eulychnia morromorenoensis above 500 masl. Our observations are consistent with those previously described in MMNP, and several of the species have also been found in other ‘Camanchaca’ areas in Chile (Guerra et al, 2010; Luebert et al, 2007; Oltremari et al, 1987; Pliscoff et al, 2017).…”

Characterisation of seed dormancy of 12 Chilean species of Nolana (Solanaceae) from the coastal Atacama Desert

“…In most of Nolana species included in this study, there was almost no germination when the funicular plug was not removed. This would indicate a very 'cautious' germination strategy, as suggested by Gutterman (1995), which would be in agreement with the fact that some of these species inhabit places where rainfall occurs every 15 years or more (Orellana et al, 2017;Pliscoff et al, 2017). It is possible to ascertain that the funicular plug not only plays an important role in the control of water uptake (Fig.…”

A Model for Estimating the Vegetation Cover in the High-Altitude Wetlands of the Andes (HAWA)

“…These variations are probably due to extreme weather events, such as the 40.5 mm of precipitation recorded in 24 h in 2002, which can be compared to the mean annual precipitation of 20 mm. Extreme weather phenomena may activate growth in many of the species present in the area [62].…”