Floristic composition, structure and endemism of the woody component of the Huashapamba forest, Loja, Ecuador

Abstract

Andean forests are diverse and highly valued ecosystems, it is necessary to characterize their resources for their management. For this purpose, a permanent plot was studied in the Andean forest of Huashapamba, with the objective of determining the composition, structure and endemism of the woody component. A permanent plot of 1 hectare was installed, which was divided into 25 subplots of 400 m²; the diameter (1.30) and height of all individuals ≥ 5 cm were recorded. Floristic composition, endemism, Shannon index, density, abundance, frequency, dominance and importance value index were determined; basal area, volume per species and diameter structure were also calculated. Fifty-four species were recorded within 39 genera, 27 families and six endemic species. The basal area was 30.24 m2 ha-1 and volume was 215.86 m3 ha-1. According to the Shannon index, diversity is medium (3.10). The species with the highest density are Cyathea caracasana, Hedyosmun scabrum and Verbesina lloensis, which are also the most abundant. Cyathea caracasana, Hedyosmun scabrum and Solanum goniocaulon are the most frequent species in the forest; and, Cyathea caracasana, Clethra revoluta and Schefflera acuminata are dominant species. The species with the highest IVI are: Cyathea caracasana, Clethra revoluta and Hedyosmun scabrum. The diameter classes reflect an inverted "J" characteristic of recovering forests. The vertical structure shows three strata: dominant, co-dominant and dominated. The Andean forest remnant studied is a representative sample of floristic diversity of this type of forest, which justifies its conservation under some management category.