Efecto de la intensidad del uso del bosque altoandino en el ensamblaje de orquídeas epífitas

Abstract

High Andean forests have experienced a significant reduction in their natural areas, with a considerable portion of the remaining forests being degraded or undergoing different successional processes. While transformed forests play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, their contribution to the preservation of the epiphyte orchid assemblage (EOA), which represents one of the most biodiverse groups in these ecosystems, remains unclear. The EOA is highly sensitive to forest transformation as it heavily relies on the structural and micro-environmental conditions that constitute the vertical gradient of the forests. This study aimed to assess the impact of forest-use intensity on the taxonomic and functional diversity of the EOA, as well as its structure and the response of functional traits along the vertical gradient. Taxonomic diversity and assemblage structure were evaluated by adapting the sampling methodology for richness and abundance of vascular epiphytes (SVERA). Functional diversity was assessed using multi trait indices and the weighted mean of the community, considering leaf, stem, and root traits. Our findings revealed that the EOA in the degraded forest exhibited a structure and functional diversity similar to that of the mature forest, in contrast to the secondary forest, which displayed the most significant differences. This outcome can be attributed to the maintenance of a similar structure and vertical gradient among the forests, despite transformations occurring in the degraded forest. Notably, the presence of large remaining trees seems to be associated with this similarity. Consequently, degraded forests possess considerable value for the conservation of the EOA, and their management should prioritize the preservation of the remaining large trees. Overall, this study provides insights into the effects of forest-use intensity on the epiphyte orchid assemblage, shedding light on the potential conservation value of degraded forests. The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating the preservation of large trees into forest management strategies, contributing to the protection of biodiversity in the high Andean forests.