Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru
Introduction: This study focuses on the central mountain region of the Peruvian Andes, particularly its western slopes, high-altitude areas, and inter-Andean valleys situated above 3000 m.a.s.l. Despite its ecological importance, the region remains understudied, resulting in significant information...
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2024-11-01
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| author | Yakov Quinteros-Gómez Jehoshua Macedo-Bedoya Victor Santos-Linares Franco Angeles-Alvarez Doris Gómez-Ticerán José Campos-De la Cruz Julio Solis Sarmiento Abel Salinas-Inga Zinnia Valencia-Saavedra |
| author_facet | Yakov Quinteros-Gómez Jehoshua Macedo-Bedoya Victor Santos-Linares Franco Angeles-Alvarez Doris Gómez-Ticerán José Campos-De la Cruz Julio Solis Sarmiento Abel Salinas-Inga Zinnia Valencia-Saavedra |
| author_sort | Yakov Quinteros-Gómez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: This study focuses on the central mountain region of the Peruvian Andes, particularly its western slopes, high-altitude areas, and inter-Andean valleys situated above 3000 m.a.s.l. Despite its ecological importance, the region remains understudied, resulting in significant information gaps. Objective: To identify flora species along an altitudinal gradient in the Cajatambo district. Methods: Sampling was carried out at five distinct altitudinal levels using a combination of sampling techniques. Taxonomic identification was performed, and statistical analyses including ANOVA, the Mantel test, and NMDS were applied. Results: 424 plant species were identified, revealing the dominance of Asteraceae. The approach used allowed for the identification of floristic and structural patterns in various habitats, ranging from arid montane scrub to puna grassland. Surprisingly, Asteraceae richness had a significant impact on species diversity, while altitude did not. Additionally, floristic similarity between nearby altitudinal levels was not related to geographical distance. The analysis of ecosystems has shown that certain families are adaptable. Additionally, floristic diversity has been affected by human activity near the district capital. The distribution of medicinal species has been limited due to selective extraction. Conclusions: The shrubland and thorny scrub was the most diverse ecosystem and had the widest distribution across the altitudinal gradient. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e68de7355aaf480e8a3a182865ae18ce |
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| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-e68de7355aaf480e8a3a182865ae18ce2025-08-20T01:55:38ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-11-011323332810.3390/plants13233328Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, PeruYakov Quinteros-Gómez0Jehoshua Macedo-Bedoya1Victor Santos-Linares2Franco Angeles-Alvarez3Doris Gómez-Ticerán4José Campos-De la Cruz5Julio Solis Sarmiento6Abel Salinas-Inga7Zinnia Valencia-Saavedra8Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Análisis de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruLaboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Análisis de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruLaboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Análisis de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruLaboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Análisis de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruFacultad de Ciencias Matemáticas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruHerbario San Marcos, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruFacultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruLaboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Análisis de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruLaboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Análisis de Datos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima 15081, PeruIntroduction: This study focuses on the central mountain region of the Peruvian Andes, particularly its western slopes, high-altitude areas, and inter-Andean valleys situated above 3000 m.a.s.l. Despite its ecological importance, the region remains understudied, resulting in significant information gaps. Objective: To identify flora species along an altitudinal gradient in the Cajatambo district. Methods: Sampling was carried out at five distinct altitudinal levels using a combination of sampling techniques. Taxonomic identification was performed, and statistical analyses including ANOVA, the Mantel test, and NMDS were applied. Results: 424 plant species were identified, revealing the dominance of Asteraceae. The approach used allowed for the identification of floristic and structural patterns in various habitats, ranging from arid montane scrub to puna grassland. Surprisingly, Asteraceae richness had a significant impact on species diversity, while altitude did not. Additionally, floristic similarity between nearby altitudinal levels was not related to geographical distance. The analysis of ecosystems has shown that certain families are adaptable. Additionally, floristic diversity has been affected by human activity near the district capital. The distribution of medicinal species has been limited due to selective extraction. Conclusions: The shrubland and thorny scrub was the most diverse ecosystem and had the widest distribution across the altitudinal gradient.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/23/3328Andean forestAsteraceaeendangered florashrublandvegetation |
| spellingShingle | Yakov Quinteros-Gómez Jehoshua Macedo-Bedoya Victor Santos-Linares Franco Angeles-Alvarez Doris Gómez-Ticerán José Campos-De la Cruz Julio Solis Sarmiento Abel Salinas-Inga Zinnia Valencia-Saavedra Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru Plants Andean forest Asteraceae endangered flora shrubland vegetation |
| title | Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru |
| title_full | Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru |
| title_fullStr | Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru |
| title_full_unstemmed | Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru |
| title_short | Floristic Diversity and Distribution Pattern along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Central Andes: A Case Study of Cajatambo, Peru |
| title_sort | floristic diversity and distribution pattern along an altitudinal gradient in the central andes a case study of cajatambo peru |
| topic | Andean forest Asteraceae endangered flora shrubland vegetation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/23/3328 |
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