Polylepis Presentation
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Transcript of Polylepis Presentation
Polylepis Forest
Group 9
Site Layout
● Front page● Navigation Bar● Topics
○ Subtopics
Site Overview
Topics
biome description
conservation concerns
relevant links
Case studies
P. australis (plant transplants)
O. fraseri (radio tracking)
References
Literature cited
Photo credits
Major Defining Features
Genus Polylepis trees
28 species
gnarled-looking
Upper montane Andes
21 endemic bird species
10 on IUCN list
Worldwide Distribution
Found in the Andes Mountains
Elevations above 3500 meters
Distribution is fragmented and isolated
About 1% of original area is left
Abiotic Components
Temperature and Moisture
temp. and moisture
cloud condensation belt
upper and lower moisture limits
Soil
Soil pH 3.9 - 7.2
soil with salinity = growth rate
rocky slopes
Fire
Prevents Polylepis growth
strong historical ties in ecosystem
Biotic ComponentsPlants
28 species of Polylepis
tree to shrub-like based on elevation
red-colored, papery, layered bark
wind-dispersed seeds
fungus that decay wood
nutrient cycling
Animals
Oreomanes birds restricted to Polylepis
birds prefer higher elevations
conservation of fragments
no pollinator insects; arthropods in bark
beetles eaten by bird species
camelids, cats, armadillos
General ConservationCurrent Conservation
protected areas are not adequate
need expansion of protected areas
Tree usage (no other options)
fuel and construction
Burning
ground cover cleared
soil erosion
Livestock Grazing
destroys seed bank
plants less resilient
Climate Change on High-Altitude Trees
high-altitude trees have different morphology
changes could make morphology detrimental
IUCN Animals14 spp. of fauna ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered
Royal Cinclodes Cinclodes aricomae Critically Endangered
Violet-throated Metaltail Metallura baroni Endangered
White-browed Tit-spinetail Leptasthenura xenothorax Endangered
Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita Endangered
IUCN Plants15 spp. of flora ranging from least concern to vulnerable
Polylepis incana Vulnerable
Polylepis microphylla Vulnerable
Polylepis reticulata Vulnerable
Polylepis rugulosa Vulnerable
Links
Video (1:50)
Andean Cat Alliance camera trap
Andean mountain cat
Websites
The Mountain Institute
Alianza Gato Andino (AGA)
Case Study: P. australis
Human activities impact Polylepis forests
Study in high Cordoba Mountains of Argentina
restoring Polylepis forests via transplants
Collected seeds, grew seedlings in greenhouse, transplanted seedlings to 10 acre exclosure
designed to keep out livestock
measured microsite characteristics around plants
soil depth, substrate, vegetation cover
every winter survival and shoot height measured
found a 70% survival of plants
no difference of survival between microclimates
possible to restore Polylepis forests if livestock excluded
seed selection from best adult trees
enhance soil quality at sites before transplants
Renison, D. et al. 2005. The restoration of degraded mountain woodlands: effects of seed provenance and microsite characteristics on Polylepis australis seedling survival and growth in central Argentina. Restoration Ecology 13: 129-137
Case Study: O. fraseri (The Giant Conebill)
native ranges of birds unknown
more info. on fragmentation effects
O. fraseri provides a reference
four patches, two communities
vegetational structures assessed
radio tracking of O. fraseri
outlying locations connected
native ranges in between
tree density and ranges
↑ tree density = ↓ ranges
on trees or fragment edges
arthropods? thermoregulation?
conservation considerations
sunlight exposure
De Coster, Greet, et al. "Home range characteristics of the Near Threatened Giant Conebill Oreomanes fraseri in fragmented Polylepis forest." Bird Conservation International 19.03 (2009): 215-223.
Literature Cited & Photo Credits
Thank You