OAK FORESTS TYPES OF Quercus humboldtii IN THE Guantiva-La Rusia-Iguaque CORRIDOR (SANTANDER-BOYACÁ, COLOMBIA): THEIR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE

Abstract

Characterizations of oak forests according to their floristic composition and structure and the identification of the main use requirements of local communities were performed. This permitted recommendations for the sustainable use and preservation of these forest types in the Guantiva-La Rusia-Iguaque conservation corridor (Santander-Boyacá, Colombia). The oak forests correspond to the Quercus humboldtii-Billia rosea major forest formation, which can be categorized into a hierarchical structure of seven forest types. The Q. humboldtii-Ocotea calophylla forests present in the high Andean fringe (>2200-3200 m.a.s.l); the Q. humboldtii-Alchornea grandiflora forests, common in the Andean region include two types of forests, Q. humboldtii-Blakea cuatrecasii, and Q. humboldtii-Cyathea multiflora forests; furthermore, these types of forests comprise the Q. humboldtii-Daphnopsis caracasana and Q. humboldtii-Pouteria baehniana forests. The final forest type is the Virola macrocarpa-Q. humboldtii forests present in the sub-Andean life zone. According to interviews with members of local communities oak forests are considered the main components