Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i>
This study explores how floristic composition, diversity, and woody vegetation structure vary across floristic zones in Andean montane forests under the dominance of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> Goudot (Poaceae, Bambusoideae) dominance. As a culturally and ecologically significant non-timber f...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Hugo Cedillo Luis G. García-Montero Fernando Bermúdez Andrés Arciniegas Mélida Rocano Oswaldo Jadán |
| author_facet | Hugo Cedillo Luis G. García-Montero Fernando Bermúdez Andrés Arciniegas Mélida Rocano Oswaldo Jadán |
| author_sort | Hugo Cedillo |
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| description | This study explores how floristic composition, diversity, and woody vegetation structure vary across floristic zones in Andean montane forests under the dominance of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> Goudot (Poaceae, Bambusoideae) dominance. As a culturally and ecologically significant non-timber forest product, <i>A. queko</i> plays a key role in shaping plant communities and requires effective propagation strategies for sustainable management. Significant differences in floristic composition were observed among zones, with indicator species identified in the lower and upper zones. However, despite environmental variability, species richness and structural attributes remained stable across the elevation gradient, suggesting resilience in woody plant communities. <i>A. queko</i> density was highest in the upper zone, while its basal area peaked in the lower and middle zones, probably shaping floristic composition through competitive interactions and habitat modification. Propagation experiments revealed that shoots with rhizomes exhibited higher survival and growth, particularly in mulch substrates with 1000 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), highlighting the importance of shoot type, substrate, and hormone dose. These findings suggest that <i>A. queko</i> is a structuring species and a potential restoration target. However, its dominance may alter forest composition, requiring adaptive management strategies that balance its ecological role with conservation and sustainable use, ensuring biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fea2e161292b4a9690e2c8d7e00f1480 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-fea2e161292b4a9690e2c8d7e00f14802025-08-20T02:59:00ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-03-0114574410.3390/plants14050744Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i>Hugo Cedillo0Luis G. García-Montero1Fernando Bermúdez2Andrés Arciniegas3Mélida Rocano4Oswaldo Jadán5Centro Para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad y el Desarrollo Sostenible (CBDS), E.T.S.I. Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, SpainCentro Para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad y el Desarrollo Sostenible (CBDS), E.T.S.I. Montes, Forestal y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, SpainGrupo de Ecología Forestal, Agroecosistemas y Silvopasturas en Sistemas Ganaderos, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010114, EcuadorGrupo de Ecología Forestal, Agroecosistemas y Silvopasturas en Sistemas Ganaderos, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010114, EcuadorGrupo de Ecología Forestal, Agroecosistemas y Silvopasturas en Sistemas Ganaderos, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010114, EcuadorGrupo de Ecología Forestal, Agroecosistemas y Silvopasturas en Sistemas Ganaderos, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010114, EcuadorThis study explores how floristic composition, diversity, and woody vegetation structure vary across floristic zones in Andean montane forests under the dominance of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> Goudot (Poaceae, Bambusoideae) dominance. As a culturally and ecologically significant non-timber forest product, <i>A. queko</i> plays a key role in shaping plant communities and requires effective propagation strategies for sustainable management. Significant differences in floristic composition were observed among zones, with indicator species identified in the lower and upper zones. However, despite environmental variability, species richness and structural attributes remained stable across the elevation gradient, suggesting resilience in woody plant communities. <i>A. queko</i> density was highest in the upper zone, while its basal area peaked in the lower and middle zones, probably shaping floristic composition through competitive interactions and habitat modification. Propagation experiments revealed that shoots with rhizomes exhibited higher survival and growth, particularly in mulch substrates with 1000 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), highlighting the importance of shoot type, substrate, and hormone dose. These findings suggest that <i>A. queko</i> is a structuring species and a potential restoration target. However, its dominance may alter forest composition, requiring adaptive management strategies that balance its ecological role with conservation and sustainable use, ensuring biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/5/744floristic compositiondiversitydensity<i>Aulonemia queko</i>propagationshoots |
| spellingShingle | Hugo Cedillo Luis G. García-Montero Fernando Bermúdez Andrés Arciniegas Mélida Rocano Oswaldo Jadán Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> Plants floristic composition diversity density <i>Aulonemia queko</i> propagation shoots |
| title | Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> |
| title_full | Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> |
| title_fullStr | Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> |
| title_short | Ecological Relationships Between Woody Species Diversity and Propagation Strategies of <i>Aulonemia queko</i> |
| title_sort | ecological relationships between woody species diversity and propagation strategies of i aulonemia queko i |
| topic | floristic composition diversity density <i>Aulonemia queko</i> propagation shoots |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/5/744 |
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