La temperatura y radiación solar explican diferencias en la distribución de dos árboles altoandinos (Polylepis spp.) localmente simpátricos en la Cordillera Blanca, Perú

Abstract

Knowledge of the ecological requirements, the current extensions, and cover of a species is important for its management conservation, but this information is lacking for many species of Polylepis (ROSACEA). Here we use niche modeling to understand the ecological requirements of two Polylepis species natively found in sympatry within the Huascarán National Park (HNP) (Cordillera Blanca, Peru), Polylepis albicans and P. webebaueri, and produce species distribution maps restricted by forest cover to estimate each species' current cover within the park . Based on presence/absence data collected systematically throughout their local elevational distribution and analyzed using a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and generalized linear models (glm), the best models show that P. albicans and P. weberbaueri have different environmental niches and their occupation is maximized at different climatic ranges mainly associated with temperature (annual mean temperature and mean monthly temperature range) and solar radiation during the dry season. P. albicans occupies warmer and drier areas than P. weberbaueri, which leads to a spatial segregation that has implications for the conservation management of each species. However, it is necessary to evaluate if the models described here adequately capture the environmental niche of other populations of P. weberbaueri, or if these could be new species. Our results indicate that within the HNP, the extension of Polylepis forests (~ 24,000 ha; 11,361 ha of P. albicans and 12,627 ha of P. weberbaueri) is significantly greater than that previously reported and confirm that this protected area harbors the greatest extensions of both species in Peru and its proper management is key for their conservation and that of the ecosystems they constitute. RESUMEN

Reproductive biology in Gomphichis valida Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae, Cranichidinae): Generalist pollination in a high‐Andean terrestrial orchid with long‐lived flowers

“…We also conducted experiments on breeding systems in the tropical subalpine rainy páramo (pp‐Sat) life‐zone, which has an annual average precipitation of 1457–1819 mm and an annual average temperature that oscillates between 3°C and 7°C. Both life zones are characterized by a marked wet summer and dry winter season (INRENA, 1995; Sevillano‐Ríos & Morales, 2021; Shoobridge, 2005). Maps were developed using the software Qgis 3.22.2‐Bialowieza.…”

“…The average altitude is 4250 m a.s.l. Following the life zones of Holdridge, we conducted pollination observations in the humid montane tropical forest (bh-MT) life zone, which has an annual average precipitation of 480-1154 mm and an annual average temperature that fluctuates between 7.3 C and 13.1 C. We also conducted experiments on breeding systems in the tropical subalpine rainy p aramo (pp-Sat) life-zone, which has an annual average precipitation of 1457-1819 mm and an annual average temperature that oscillates between 3 C and 7 C. Both life zones are characterized by a marked wet summer and dry winter season (INRENA, 1995;Sevillano-Ríos & Morales, 2021;Shoobridge, 2005). Maps were developed using the software Qgis 3.22.2-Bialowieza.…”

“…We conducted fieldwork from June to November 2022 in the National Park of Huascaran in Peru (Figure 1a,b), at a locality called "Quebrada de Llaca" (9 28 0 10.84 00 S; 77 27 0 58.60 00 O) (Figure 1c,d), which is dominated by woodlands of Polyepis weberbaueri Pilg. (Rosaceae) (Sevillano-Ríos & Morales, 2021). The average altitude is 4250 m a.s.l.…”

A monograph of the genus Polylepis (Rosaceae)

“…41 ). Where they co-occur, P. albicans tends to grow at lower elevations (maximum probability of occurrence at 3750–3900 m) than P. weberbaueri (4400 m) ( Morales et al 2018 ) and to generally grow in warmer and drier habitats than P. weberbaueri ( Sevillano-Ríos and Morales 2021 ). Along with this, seedling density of P. albicans decreases with elevation, whereas that of P. weberbaueri increases ( Morales et al 2018 ).…”