Identificación de las condiciones ecoclimáticas que favorecen el crecimiento del retamo espinoso (Ulex europaeus) en los cerros orientales de Bogotá y propuesta de control y mitigación

Abstract

This document studies the climatic aspects that favor the growth and reproduction of the thorny broom (Ulex europaeus) in the eastern hills of Bogotá, taking into account that it is an invasive species, easy to spread and a generator of forest fires, which adapts to any type of soil, even with conditions of extreme acidity and little organic matter. Currently, this species represents a danger to the ecosystem of the High Andean Forest due to its colonization of areas without vegetation cover (Rojas. 2020). One of the most important factors for the formation of ecosystems, climate, was evaluated; where elements such as precipitation and temperature were taken into account, which, according to Holdridge L. (1982), are the main variables for the classification of life zones. In this evaluation, five sampling points were established within the eastern hills of Bogotá, where different plots were defined in the localities of San Cristóbal and Santa Fe, which are the most populated by thorny broom, according to the study conducted by the District Secretary of the Environment and the information provided by the POMCA of the middle basin of the Bogotá River, also obtaining data of isohyets and isotherms of the eastern hills of Bogotá. According to the sampling points established, the bioclimatic conditions that mostly favor the development of the thorny broom are temperatures between 12 °C and 13 °C and precipitation of 1100 mm to 1150 mm accumulated per year. Finally, physical control measures are established for the thorny retamo and it is concluded that biological control can be done through ecological restoration activities, which can be found in arid and rocky areas, where species such as the chilco (Baccharis bogotensis benth) generate competition in arid and rocky areas. The study shows that the vegetation covers are adapted to life zones where the climate factor is essential for their development.