Efectos de la fragmentación sobre la diversidad funcional asociada a biomasa aérea en un bosque alto andino de Cundinamarca

Abstract

Forest fragmentation can alter ecological processes that are fundamental to the provision of ecosystem services, where functional diversity is a component that is sensitive to its effects. Analyzing the functional response of tree communities to fragmentation, can provide new approaches for conservation and forests management under transformation scenarios. This research analyzes the effects of fragmentation on functional tree diversity associated to aboveground biomass (AGB) in high Andean forest remnants. Based on four landscape metrics, three categories of fragmentation were constructed, where 10 plots of 0.1ha were established. All live trees (DHB ≥ 5cm) were sampled, and AGB was estimated per plot. Four functional traits associated to biomass were measured, and three components of the functional variety were calculated: CWM (dominance), CWV (variance) and DF (multi-trait indices). The category of large fragments had higher mean biomass (506.2 Mg ha-1) than medium fragments (216.7 Mg ha-1) and small fragments (187.8 Mg ha-1). Fragmentation did not exhibit effects on functional dominance, but on the variance of some traits. It is suggested that edge contrast plays a crucial role in functional dispersion, and that the interior of the fragment remains stable in terms of biomass-associated functionality. The importance of the small fragments in the maintenance of the tree functional diversity and as reservoir of aboveground biomass is emphasized, being important to consider them in the strategies of conservation and connectivity of these forests.