Publications
Found 259 publication(s)
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Calvas, B.; Castro, L.M.; Kindu, M.; Bingham, L.; Pintado, K.; Torres Celi, J.; Knoke, T. & Cueva Ortiz, J.L. (2024): Large differences between observed and expected Ecuadorian deforestation from 2001 to 2009: a counterfactual simulation approach. Regional Environmental Change 24, 94.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10113-024-02253-0
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Ensuring the integrity of the world’s forests is indispensable for mitigating climate change, combatting biodiversity loss, and protecting the livelihoods of rural communities. While many strategies have been developed to address deforestation across different geographic scales, measuring their impact against a fluctuating background of market-driven forest loss is notoriously challenging. In this article, we (1) asses deforestation in Ecuador using a dynamic, counterfactual baseline that excludes non-market factors, (2) identify periods of reduced and excess deforestation, and (3) assess the economic consequences
of associated CO2 emissions using the social cost of carbon metric. We construct a counterfactual market-forces-only reference scenario by simulating heterogeneous profit-seeking agents making satisficing land-use allocation decisions under uncertainty. The model simulates a reference scenario for 2001–2022, a period encompassing dollarization, the beginning of a constitution granting inalienable rights to nature, and the launch of the largest payments for ecosystem services program in Ecuador’s history. On this period, total deforestation was approximately 20% lower than expected in a market-forces-only
scenario (9540 vs.12,000 km2). The largest deviation occurred in 2001–2009, when observed deforestation was 43.6% lower than expected (3720 vs 6590 km2).
From 2010 onwards, deforestation appears to be market-driven. We assess the economic value of avoided CO2 emissions at US $5.7 billion if the reduction is permanent, or US $3.1 billion considering a 1% risk of loss from 2022 onwards. We discuss contributing factors that likely shaped periods of reduced and excess deforestation and stress the need to use realistic baselines.
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Keywords: |
land use |
land use change |
land use modeling |
Ecuador, Climate Change, Land Use |
land use/land cover |
Knoke, T.; Gosling, E.; Reith, E.; Gerique, A.; Pohle, P.; Valle-Carrión, L.A.; Ochoa Moreno, S.; Castro, L.M.; Calvas, B.; Hildebrandt, P.; Döllerer, M.; Bastit, F. & Paul, C. (2022): Confronting sustainable intensification with uncertainty and extreme values on smallholder tropical farms. Sustainability Science 0, 1-18.
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DOI: 10.1007/s11625-022-01133-y
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Sustainable intensification of agricultural lands might reconcile the conservation of tropical forest with food production,but in-depth assessments considering uncertainty and extreme values are missing. Uncertainty prohibits mapping probabilities to potential future states or ranking these states in terms of their likelihood. This in turn hampers the assessment of possible decision outcomes. Here, we use simulations to investigate how uncertainty may influence the social acceptability of alternative land-use strategies to halt tropical deforestation (including sustainable intensification), based on indicators representing farmer satisfaction. The results show how extreme values (worst values) for indicators of farmer satisfaction
may undermine the adoption of sustainable intensification. We demonstrate that a pure forest conservation strategy leads to lower food production, but outperforms a sustainable intensification strategy that maintains food security. Pure forest conservation performed better, i.e., could secure higher farmer satisfaction, than sustainable intensification across a range of indicator groups. This suggests strong barriers to achieving sustainable intensification. Using agricultural subsidies breaks the dominance of pure forest conservation by enhancing the economic returns of sustainable intensification. We discuss the
importance of access to labor and farmers’ preferences for the use of already cleared lands, which achieved the worst values under sustainable intensification and conclude that any assessment of land-use strategies requires careful consideration of uncertainty and extreme values.
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Keywords: |
deforestation |
land use change |
sustainable land use |
agriculture |
land use modeling |
intensification |
Wallis, C.; Tiede, Y.; Beck, E.; Boehning-Gaese, K.; Brandl, R.; Donoso, D.A.; Espinosa, C.; Fries, A.; Homeier, J.; Inclan, D.; Leuschner, C.; Maraun, M.; Mikolajewski, K.; Neuschulz, E.L.; Scheu, S.; Schleuning, M.; Suárez, J.P.; Tinoco, B.A.; Farwig, N. & Bendix, J. (2021): Biodiversity and ecosystem functions depend on environmental conditions and resources rather than the geodiversity of a tropical biodiversity hotspot. Scientific Reports 11(1), 24530.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03488-1
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Abstract:
Biodiversity and ecosystem functions are highly threatened by global change. It has been proposed that geodiversity can be used as an easy-to-measure surrogate of biodiversity to guide conservation management. However, so far, there is mixed evidence to what extent geodiversity can predict biodiversity and ecosystem functions at the regional scale relevant for conservation planning. Here, we analyse how geodiversity computed as a compound index is suited to predict the diversity of four taxa and associated ecosystem functions in a tropical mountain hotspot of biodiversity and compare the results with the predictive power of environmental conditions and resources (climate, habitat, soil). We show that combinations of these environmental variables better explain species diversity and ecosystem functions than a geodiversity index and identified climate variables as more important predictors than habitat and soil variables, although the best predictors differ between taxa and functions. We conclude that a compound geodiversity index cannot be used as a single surrogate predictor for species diversity and ecosystem functions in tropical mountain rain forest ecosystems and is thus little suited to facilitate conservation management at the regional scale. Instead, both the selection and the combination of environmental variables are essential to guide conservation efforts to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
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Keywords: |
Biodiversity |
geodiversity |
Weber, M.; Braumiller, P.; Stimm, B. & Hildebrandt, P. (2021): Zur Bedeutung der Waldnutzung für die lokale Bevölkerung in den Trockenwäldern Süd-Ecuadors. In: Felbermeier B, Stimm B, Seidl, R (eds.): Waldbau weltweit 2.0 - Festschrift anlässlich der Verabschiedung von Prof. Dr. Dr. Reinhard Mosandl (1 219), Zentrum Wald Forst Holz Weihenstephan, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 1 85354 Freising, 149-162.
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90% of the 1.2 billion people living with less than 1 USD/day, depend on the utilization of forests. The dry forests of the Tumbes-Piura-region at the coast of Southwest Ecuador are one of the 25 global hotspots of biodiversity with an immense number of endemic species. Nonetheless, they are endangered by anthropogenic impact. In this study we surveyed 89 households of five different districts to analyze the extent and importance of the different forest uses in the region. The results showed that forest utilization is practised by 97% of the households. With a share of 31% it contributes the 2nd highest amount to the mean total household income, only surpassed by livestock farming (36%). The most important use of the forests is silvopasture, which represents not only an important source of cash income, but also a substantial contribution to subsistence.
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Keywords: |
silvopasture |
Tumbes-Piura-region |
socioeconomy |
forest income |
subsistence |
Quiroz Dahik, C.; Crespo, P.; Stimm, B.; Mosandl, R.; Cueva Ortiz, J.L.; Hildebrandt, P. & Weber, M. (2021): Impacts of pine plantations on carbon stocks of páramo sites in southern Ecuador. Carbon Balance and Management 16(5), 15 pp.
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DOI: 10.1186/s13021-021-00168-5
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Background: Since the 1990’s, afforestation programs in the páramo have been implemented to offset carbon emissions through carbon sequestration, mainly using pine plantations. However, several studies have indicated that after the establishment of pine plantations in grasslands, there is an alteration of carbon pools including a decrease of the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the establishment of pine plantations on the carbon stocks in different altitudes of the páramo ecosystem of South Ecuador.
Results: At seven locations within an elevational gradient from 2780 to 3760 m a.s.l., we measured and compared carbon stocks of three types of land use: natural grassland, grazed páramo, and Pinus patula Schlltdl. & Cham. plantation sites. For a more accurate estimation of pine tree carbon, we developed our own allometric equations. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences between the amounts of carbon stored in the carbon pools aboveground and belowground for the three types of land use. In most of the locations, pine plantations revealed the highest amounts of aboveground and belowground carbon (55.4 and 6.9 tC/ha) followed by natural grassland (23.1 and 2.7 tC/ha) and grazed páramo sites (9.1 and 1.5 tC/ha). Concerning the SOC pools, most of the locations revealed significant lower values of plantations’ SOC in comparison to natural grassland and grazed páramo sites. Higher elevation was associated with lower amounts of pines’ biomass.
Conclusions: Even though plantations store high amounts of carbon, natural páramo grassland can also store substantial
amounts above and belowground, without negatively affecting the soils and putting other páramo ecosystem services at risk. Consequently, plans for afforestation in the páramo should be assessed case by case, considering not only the limiting factor of elevation, but also the site quality especially affected by the type of previous land use.
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Keywords: |
aboveground biomass |
land use change |
soil organic carbon |
carbon sequestration |
carbon pools |
belowground biomass |
Bendix, J.; Aguirre, N.; Beck, E.; Bräuning, A.; Brandl, R.; Breuer, L.; Boehning-Gaese, K.; Dantas De Paula, M.; Hickler, T.; Homeier, J.; Inclan, D.; Leuschner, C.; Neuschulz, E.; Schleuning, M.; Suarez, J.P.; Trachte, K.; Wilcke, W. & Farwig, N. (2021): A research framework for projecting ecosystem change in highly diverse tropical mountain ecosystems. Oecologia 2021, 1-13.
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DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-04852-8
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Tropical mountain ecosystems are threatened by climate and land-use changes. Their diversity and complexity make projec-
tions how they respond to environmental changes challenging. A suitable way are trait-based approaches, by distinguishing
between response traits that determine the resistance of species to environmental changes and efect traits that are relevant
for species’ interactions, biotic processes, and ecosystem functions. The combination of those approaches with land surface
models (LSM) linking the functional community composition to ecosystem functions provides new ways to project the
response of ecosystems to environmental changes. With the interdisciplinary project RESPECT, we propose a research
framework that uses a trait-based response-efect-framework (REF) to quantify relationships between abiotic conditions,
the diversity of functional traits in communities, and associated biotic processes, informing a biodiversity-LSM. We apply
the framework to a megadiverse tropical mountain forest. We use a plot design along an elevation and a land-use gradient
to collect data on abiotic drivers, functional traits, and biotic processes. We integrate these data to build the biodiversity-
LSM and illustrate how to test the model. REF results show that aboveground biomass production is not directly related to
changing climatic conditions, but indirectly through associated changes in functional traits. Herbivory is directly related to
changing abiotic conditions. The biodiversity-LSM informed by local functional trait and soil data improved the simulation
of biomass production substantially. We conclude that local data, also derived from previous projects (platform Ecuador), are
key elements of the research framework. We specify essential datasets to apply this framework to other mountain ecosystems.
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Keywords: |
Biodiversity-Land-Surface-Model |
Palomeque, X.; Stimm, B. & Günter, S. (2020): Case study 3: Facilitating biodiversity through the shelter effects of Pinus patula and Alnus acuminata in montane ecosystems in southern Ecuador. In: International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) (eds.): Guidelines for forest landscape restoration in the tropics (ITTO Policy Development Series No. 24 PS-24), International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Yokohama, Japan, 89 - 91.
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Forest plantations with exotic species in southern Ecuador have mostly been characterized as having negative externalities in both ecological and economic terms. After ten years of research in mountain forests in southern Ecuador on restoration and reforestation, several native tree species with good growth responses (e.g. Handroanthus chrysanthus, Cedrela montana and Juglans neotropica) have been identified in open field conditions. Some species (e.g. Podocarpus oleifolius and P. sprucei) were able to grow under the shelter provided by Pinus and Alnus trees.
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Keywords: |
biodiversity |
landscape restoration |
capacity building |
Palomeque, X.; Patiño Uyaguari, C.; Marin, F.; Palacios, M. & Stimm, B. (2020): Effects of storage on seed germination and viability for three native tree species of Ecuador. Trees online, 1-11.
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DOI: 10.1007/s00468-020-02018-2
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Many forests restoration programs and efforts depend on seeds. Particularly in the Andes, further information regarding seed germination requirements and seed storage behavior is necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of storage conditions on the germination percentage, the viability and the coefficient of velocity of germination for seeds of three native tree species (Cedrela montana, Weinmannia fagaroides and Oreocallis grandiflora). Under controlled conditions, the seeds were exposed to three levels of seed moisture content and storage temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C and room temperature at approx. 19 °C) for 3, 6 and 12 months. The results showed that at 3–6 months of seed storage under temperatures of 5 and 10 °C, the seeds had a high percentage of germination, viability and germination speed for C. montana and W. fagaroides compared to those stored at room temperature. At 12 months of storage, there was a marked reduction in seed germination in all treatments for both species. Furthermore, the seed germination and viability of O. grandiflora was not influenced by any of the above storage treatments. However, at the end of the experiment a slight decrease was observed, hence this species might be tolerant to medium- and long-term storage conditions. Though limited to just three co-occurring species, the study provided insight into the variability in responses to storage, with preliminary indications of appropriate storage conditions to maximize storability of seeds for restoration programs. Importantly, the study demonstrated the need for empirical testing of storage responses (temperature and duration) of seeds before subjecting untested species to a particular storage regime.
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Keywords: |
Seed storage behavior |
Reforestation |
ex situ conservation |
seed management |
Cueva Ortiz, J.L.; Espinosa, C.I.; Aguirre-Mendoza, Z.; Gusmán-Montalván, E.; Weber, M. & Hildebrandt, P. (2020): Natural Regeneration in the Tumbesian Dry Forest: Identification of the Drivers Affecting Abundance and Diversity. Scientific Reports 10( 9786), 13.
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DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66743-x
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Tropical and subtropical dry forests make up the world’s largest terrestrial ecosystem. However, these forests have been used to establish several productive activities, such as growing crops, rearing livestock, and using the forest resources, due to their ease of access and climatic conditions, which has led to this ecosystem becoming highly threatened. Therefore, this research assessed the effects of anthropogenic pressures and a number of abiotic variables on natural regeneration in dry forests in the Tumbesian region by addressing three research questions: (a) What is the status of natural regeneration in terms of abundance and diversity? (b) Does livestock grazing and the anthropogenic pressure affect the abundance and diversity of natural regeneration? (c) Does seasonality or grazing have the greatest influence on the regeneration dynamics? Data were obtained from 72 samples (36 fenced and 36 unfenced) during five surveys spanning a 2-year period, and the seedling abundance, mortality, recruitment, species richness and diversity were evaluated using linear mixed models. Natural regeneration was most positively affected by rainy season precipitation, but soil conditions also played an important role. Short-term fences had a major effect on reducing mortality but did not improve the abundance or diversity, whereas cattle grazing significantly affected the abundance of seedlings.
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Keywords: |
grazing |
natural forest regeneration |
anthropogenic pressure |
Cueva Ortiz, J.L.; Espinosa, C.I.; Quiroz Dahik, C.; Aguirre, Z.; Cueva Ortiz, E.; Guzman, E.; Weber, M. & Hildebrandt, P. (2019): Influence of Anthropogenic Factors on the Diversity and Structure of a Dry Forest in the Central Part of the Tumbesian Region (Ecuador–Perú). Forests 10(1), 31.
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DOI: 10.3390/f10010031
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Abstract:
Abstract:
The dry forest of southern Ecuador and northern Perú (called the Tumbesian region) is known for its high diversity, endemism, and healthy conservation state. Nevertheless, the forest is exposed to many threats linked with human activities. To understand the effects of these threats, which have not been appropriately assessed, we pose two questions: (a) What are the diversity and structural situations of the forest? (b) Are anthropogenic activities affecting the composition and structure of the forest? The assessed factors were species richness, diversity, species similarity, abundance, and density. Forest information was obtained from 72 plots (total area 25.92 ha) randomly placed to cover a wide range of stand densities (from 200 to 1100 m a.s.l.). After constructing linear mixed models and selecting the most influential one, we determined the individual influences of 12 predictors. The human pressure index (HPI) was the most negative predictor of forest health, and annual precipitation was the most important abiotic predictor of good health conditions. Livestock grazing did not significantly change the diversity and structure of mature forest. The mean annual temperature and stoniness influenced only the basal area and number of individuals, respectively. The species composition in our study area was not affected by the HPI, but was strongly predicted by annual precipitation.
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Keywords: |
biodiversity |
species richness |
human pressure |
goats |
Palomeque, X.; Günter, S.; Hildebrandt, P.; Stimm, B.; Aguirre, N. & Weber, M. (2020): Reforestación con especies nativas y exóticas: caso del valle de San Francisco, Zamora Chinchipe. In: Bustamante, Teodoro, y Jorje I. Zalles (eds.): De la parcela al paisaje: restauración forestal en los Andes ecuatorianos (Savia ), FLACSO, Quito, 16 - 36.
Kübler, D.; Hildebrandt, P.; Günter, S.; Stimm, B.; Weber, M.; Munoz, J.; Cabrera, O.; Zeilinger, J.; Silva, B. & Mosandl, R. (2020): Effects of silvicultural treatments and topography on individual tree growth in a tropical mountain forest in Ecuador. Forest Ecology and Management 457, 117726.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117726
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Few studies have analysed the effect of silvicultural treatments on tree growth in tropical montane forests (TMF). These forests have strong topographic gradients, which influence growth rates and can potentially interact with silvicultural treatments. The present study investigated the relative effects of silvicultural treatments and topography on growth rates at the tree level in a TMF.
For this, we combined two distinct data sources: (1) field data from a silvicultural experiment in the Andes of southern Ecuador where liberation thinnings, i.e. the removal of the strongest crown competitors, were applied to potential crop trees (PCT) in 2004; and (2) topographic variables obtained from a high-resolution digital terrain model created from an airborne LIDAR survey. We fitted all data in a single linear mixed-effect model. Based on monitoring data from 174 released and 200 reference PCTs of 8 timber species, we calculated periodic annual increment (PAI) in DBH 6 years after the silvicultural treatment as our outcome variable. As topographic predictors, we used elevation and a topographic position index. To control for the by-species growth variability we included random intercepts for species and random slopes for the effect of treatment on species in our model.
PAI was significantly influenced by the topographic predictors. Over the elevational gradient, growth rates declined on average by 0.73 mm a−1 per 100 m increase in elevation. For the topographic position, PCTs in valleys had an average PAI of 2.02 mm a−1 compared to 1.04 mm a−1 on ridges. The effect of the silvicultural treatment across all species was only marginally significant, but its effect size was nevertheless within the range, but at the lower end of values reported for other tropical forest ecosystems (reference trees: 1.35 mm a−1; released trees: 1.60 mm a−1). Between species, baseline growth rates as well as the treatment effect varied considerably. Best linear unbiased predictions of species effects suggested that 5 species responded positively to the silvicultural treatment, whereas 3 species showed no treatment effect. Overall, tree growth varied substantially as indicated by the large residual variance that remained unaccounted for in the model.
Our findings indicate that positive effects of silvicultural treatments in TMF are likely to exist, but that they are possibly obfuscated by strong topographical gradients and large between-tree growth variability. Overall, our results suggest that “broad-brush” management prescriptions are not suited for sustainable forest management of TMF. Instead, granular and spatially explicit prescriptions that take the strong impact of topography on diameter growth as well as species-specific responses to silvicultural treatments into account should be favoured.
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Keywords: |
Cedrela montana |
Silvicultural treatments |
Sustainable forest management |
Diameter growth |
Handroanthus chrysanthus |
Cabrera, O.; Hildebrandt, P.; Stimm, B.; Günter, S.; Fries, A. & Mosandl, R. (2020): Functional Diversity Changes after Selective Thinning in a Tropical Mountain Forest in Southern Ecuador. Diversity 12(6), 256.
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DOI: 10.3390/d12060256
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Background: The impact of selective thinning on forest diversity has been extensively studied in temperate and boreal regions. However, in the tropics, knowledge is still poor regarding the impacts of this silvicultural treatment on functional diversity, especially in tropical mountain forests, which are considered to be highly biodiverse ecosystems and also endangered by human activities. By evaluating the changes on functional diversity by using different indicators, hypothesizing that selective thinning significantly affects (directly or indirectly) tropical mountain forests, this work promotes sustainable ecosystem use. Methods: A total of 52 permanent plots of 2500 m2 each were installed in a primary mountain forest in the San Francisco Biological Reserve to assess the impact of this silvicultural treatment. Selective thinning can be defined as a controlled process, in which trees that compete with ecologically and/or valuable timber species are progressively removed to stimulate the development of profitable ones, called potential crop trees (PCT). In doing so, the best specimens remain in the forest stand until their final harvest. After PCT selection, 30 plots were chosen for the intervention, while 22 plots served as control plots. The thinning intensity fluctuated between 4 and 56 trees ha−1 (average 18.8 ± 12.1 stems ha−1). Functional Diversity (FD) indices, including the community weighted mean (CWM), were determined based on six traits using the FD package implemented in R software. The difference between initial and final conditions of functional richness (FRic), functional divergence (FDiv), functional evenness (FEve), functional dispersion (FDis), and Rao quadratic entropy (RaoQ) was modeled using linear mixed models (LMM). As fixed factors, we used all the predictors inherent to structural and ecological forest conditions before and after the selective thinning and as a random variable, we used the membership to nested sampling units. Results: Functional Richness (FRic) showed significant changes after selective thinning, the other indexes (FEve, FDis, FDiv, RaoQ) were only influenced by predictors related to ecological conditions and characteristics of the community.
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Keywords: |
diversity |
tree species richness |
natural forest management |
silvicultural interventions |
Cabrera, O.; Fries, A.; Hildebrandt, P.; Günter, S. & Mosandl, R. (2019): Early Growth Response of Nine Timber Species to Release in a Tropical Mountain Forest of Southern Ecuador. Forests 10(3), 254.
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DOI: 10.3390/f10030254
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Abstract: Research Highlights: This study determined that treatment “release from competitors”
causes different reactions in selected timber species respective to diametrical growth, in which the
initial size of the tree (diametric class) is important. Also, the growth habit and phenological traits
(defoliation) of the species must be considered, which may have an influence on growth after release.
Background and Objectives: The objective of the study was to analyze the diametric growth of nine
timber species after their release to answer the following questions: (i) Can the diametric growth of the
selected timber species be increased by release? (ii) Does the release cause different responses among
the tree species? (iii) Are other factors important, such as the initial diameter at breast height (DBH)
or the general climate conditions? Materials and Methods: Four-hundred and eighty-eight trees
belonging to nine timber species were selected and monitored over a three-year period. Release was
applied to 197 trees, whereas 251 trees served as control trees to evaluate the response of diametrical
growth. To determine the response of the trees, a linear mixed model (GLMM, R package: LMER4)
was used, which was adjusted by a one-way ANOVA test. Results: All species showed a similar
annual cycle respective to diametric increases, which is due to the per-humid climate in the area.
Precipitation is secondary for the diametric growth because sufficient rainfall occurs throughout year.
What is more important, however, are variations in temperature. However, the species responded
differently to release. This is because the initial DBH and growth habit are more important factors.
Therefore, the species could be classified into three specific groups: Positive, negative and no response
to release. Conclusions: Species which prefer open sites responded positively to release, while shade
tolerant species and species with pronounced phenological traits responded negatively. The initial
DBH was also an important factor for diametric increases. This is because trees of class I (20 cm
to 30 cm DBH) responded positively to the treatment, whereas for bigger or older individuals,
the differences decreased or became negative.
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Keywords: |
tree growth |
radial growth change |
tree competition |
silvicultural interventions |
Cueva, E.; Acaro, J.; Ortega Montaño, M.D.; Merino, L.; Coronel, L. & Wörle, A. (2018): Capacitaciones realizadas a instituciones que trabajan en el sector forestal. Proyecto Transfer Nuevos Bosques para Ecuador, Issue 3. Instituto di Silvicultura TUM, Freising, Germany.
Calvas, B. (2018): Compendio informativo de especies de árboles nativos en la Provincia de Loja, Ecuador, Issue 2. Instituto di Silvicultura TUM, Freising, Germany.
Aramayo, V.; Wörle, A. & Hildebrandt, P. (2018): Manual curso de arborismo para la recolección de semillas, Issue 1. Instituto di Silvicultura TUM, Freising, Germany.
Duenas, J.F.; Camenzind, T.; Roy, J.; Hempel, S.; Homeier, J.; Suarez, J.P. & Rillig, M.C. (2020): Moderate phosphorus additions consistently affect community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in tropical montane forests in southern Ecuador. New Phytologist 227, 1505-1518.
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DOI: 10.1111/NPH.16641
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Anthropogenic atmospheric deposition can increase nutrient supply in the most remote ecosystems, potentially affecting soil biodiversity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) communities rapidly respond to simulated soil eutrophication in tropical forests. Yet the
limited spatio-temporal extent of such manipulations, together with the often unrealistically high fertilization rates employed, impedes generalization of such responses.
We sequenced mixed root AMF communities within a seven year-long fully factorial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) addition experiment, replicated at three tropical montane forests in southern Ecuador with differing environmental characteristics. We hypothesized
(i) strong shifts in community composition and species richness after long-term fertilization, (ii) site- and (iii) clade-specific responses to N versus P additions depending on local soil fertility and clade life history traits respectively.
Fertilization consistently shifted AMF community composition across sites, but only reduced richness of Glomeraceae. Compositional changes were mainly driven by increases in P supply while richness reductions were observed only after combined N and P additions.
We conclude that moderate increases of N and P exert a mild but consistent effect on tropical AMF communities. To predict the consequences of these shifts, current results need to be supplemented with experiments that characterize local species-specific AMF
functionality.
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Keywords: |
NUMEX |
San Francisco |
Bombuscaro |
Cajanuma |
Nutrient deposition |
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi |
Malizia, A.; Blundo, C.; Carilla, J.; Osinaga Acosta, O.; Cuesta, F.; Duque, A.; Aguirre, N.; Aguirre, Z.; Ataroff, M.; Baez, S.; Calderon-Loor, M.; Cayola, L.; Cayuela, L.; Ceballos, S.; Cedillo, H.; Farfan-Rios, W.; Feeley, K.; Fuentes, A.; Gamez-Avarez, L.; Grau, R.; Homeier, J.; Jadan, O.; Llambi, L.; Loza-Rivera, M.; Macia, M.; Malhi, Y.; Malizia, L.; Peralvo, M.; Pinto, E.; Tello, S.; Silman, M. & Young, K. (2020): Elevation and latitude drives structure and tree species composition in Andean forests: Results from a large-scale plot network. PLoS One 15(4), e0231553.
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231553
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Our knowledge about the structure and function of Andean forests at regional scales remains limited. Current initiatives to study forests over continental or global scales still have important geographical gaps, particularly in regions such as the tropical and subtropical Andes. In this study, we assessed patterns of structure and tree species diversity along ~ 4000 km of latitude and ~ 4000 m of elevation range in Andean forests. We used the Andean Forest Network (Red de Bosques Andinos, https://redbosques.condesan.org/) database which, at present, includes 491 forest plots (totaling 156.3 ha, ranging from 0.01 to
6 ha) representing a total of 86,964 identified tree stems � 10 cm diameter at breast height belonging to 2341 identified species, 584 genera and 133 botanical families. Tree stem density and basal area increases with elevation while species richness decreases. Stem
density and species richness both decrease with latitude. Subtropical forests have distinct tree species composition compared to those in the tropical region. In addition, floristic similarity of subtropical plots is between 13 to 16% while similarity between tropical forest plots
is between 3% to 9%. Overall, plots ~ 0.5-ha or larger may be preferred for describing patterns at regional scales in order to avoid plot size effects. We highlight the need to promote collaboration and capacity building among researchers in the Andean region (i.e., South-South cooperation) in order to generate and synthesize information at regional scale.
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Keywords: |
forest structure |
tree species richness |
tree species |
Tropical Andes |
Knoke, T.; Paul, C.; Rammig, A.; Gosling, E.; Hildebrandt, P.; Härtl, F.; Peters, T.; Richter, M.; Diertl, K.; Castro, L.M.; Calvas, B.; Ochoa Moreno, S.; Valle-Carrión, L.A.; Hamer, U.; Tischer, A.; Potthast, K.; Windhorst, D.; Homeier, J.; Wilcke, W.; Velescu, A.; Gerique, A.; Pohle, P.; Adams, J.; Breuer, L.; Mosandl, R.; Beck, E.; Weber, M.; Stimm, B.; Silva, B.; Verburg, P.H. & Bendix, J. (2020): Accounting for multiple ecosystem services in a simulation of land-use decisions: Does it reduce tropical deforestation?. Global Change Biology 26( ), 1-22.
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DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15003
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Abstract Conversion of tropical forests is among the primary causes of global environmental change. The loss of their important environmental services has prompted calls to integrate ecosystem services (ES) in addition to socio-economic objectives in decision-making. To test the effect of accounting for both ES and socio-economic objectives in land-use decisions, we develop a new dynamic approach to model deforestation scenarios for tropical mountain forests. We integrate multi-objective optimization of land allocation with an innovative approach to consider uncertainty spaces for each objective. These uncertainty spaces account for potential variability among decision-makers, who may have different expectations about the future. When optimizing only socio-economic objectives, the model continues the past trend in deforestation (1975–2015) in the projected land-use allocation (2015–2070). Based on indicators for biomass production, carbon storage, climate and water regulation, and soil quality, we show that considering multiple ES in addition to the socio-economic objectives has heterogeneous effects on land-use allocation. It saves some natural forest if the natural forest share is below 38%, and can stop deforestation once the natural forest share drops below 10%. For landscapes with high shares of forest (38%–80% in our study), accounting for multiple ES under high uncertainty of their indicators may, however, accelerate deforestation. For such multifunctional landscapes, two main effects prevail: (a) accelerated expansion of diversified non-natural areas to elevate the levels of the indicators and (b) increased landscape diversification to maintain multiple ES, reducing the proportion of natural forest. Only when accounting for vascular plant species richness as an explicit objective in the optimization, deforestation was consistently reduced. Aiming for multifunctional landscapes may therefore conflict with the aim of reducing deforestation, which we can quantify here for the first time. Our findings are relevant for identifying types of landscapes where this conflict may arise and to better align respective policies.
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Keywords: |
Ecuador |
biodiversity |
ecosystem services |
landscape restoration |
land allocation |
robust optimization |
Quichimbo Miguitama, P.G.; Jiménez, L.S.; Veintimilla, D.; Potthast, K.; Tischer, A.; Günter, S.; Mosandl, R. & Hamer, U. (2019): Nutrient dynamics in an Andean forest region: a case study of exotic and native species plantations in southern Ecuador. New Forests -, 1 - 22.
Haug, I.; Setaro, S. & Suarez, J.P. (2019): Species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal communities changes with elevation in the Andes of South Ecuador. PLOS ONE 14(8), 1-19.
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221091
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most prominent mycobionts of plants in the tropics, yet little is known about their diversity, species compositions and factors driving AMF distribution patterns. To investigate whether elevation and associated vegetation type affect species composition, we sampled 646 mycorrhizal samples in locations between 1000 and 4000 m above sea level (masl) in the South of Ecuador. We estimated diversity, distribution and species compositions of AMF by cloning and Sanger sequencing the 18S rDNA (the section between AML1 and AML2) and subsequent derivation of fungal OTUs based on 99% sequence similarity. In addition, we analyzed the phylogenetic structure of the sites by computing the mean pairwise distance (MPD) and the mean nearest taxon difference (MNTD) for each elevation level. It revealed that AMF species compositions at 1000 and 2000 masl differ from 3000 and 4000 masl. Lower elevations (1000 and 2000 masl) were dominated by members of Glomeraceae, whereas Acaulosporaceae were more abundant in higher elevations (3000 and 4000 masl). Ordination of OTUs with respect to study sites revealed a correlation to elevation with a continuous turnover of species from lower to higher elevations. Most of the abundant OTUs are not endemic to South Ecuador. We also found a high proportion of rare OTUs at all elevations: 79–85% of OTUs occurred in less than 5% of the samples. Phylogenetic community analysis indicated clustering and evenness for most elevation levels indicating that both, stochastic processes and habitat filtering are driving factors of AMF community compositions.
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Keywords: |
species |
arbuscular mycorrhiza |
Andes |
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi |
Castro, L.M.; Härtl, F.; Ochoa Moreno, S.; Calvas, B.; Izquierdo Montoya, G.L. & Knoke, T. (2018): Integrated bio-economic models as tools to support land-use decision making: a review of potential and limitations. Journal of Bioeconomics online , online.
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DOI: 10.1007/s10818-018-9270-6
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Bio-economic modelling has become a useful tool for anticipating the
outcomes of policies and technologies before their implementation. Advances in mathematical
programming have made it possible to build more comprehensive models. In
an overview of recent studies about bio-economic models applied to land-use problems
in agriculture and forestry,we evaluated howaspects such as uncertainty,multiple
objective functions, system dynamics and time have been incorporated into models.
We found that single objective models were more frequently applied at the farm level,
while multiple objective modelling has been applied to meet concerns at the landscape
level. Among the objectives, social aspects are seldom represented in allmodels, when
being compared to economic and environmental aspects. The integration of uncertainty
is occasionally a topic, while stochastic approaches are more frequently applied than
non-stochastic robust methods. Mostmultiple-objectivemodels do not integrate uncertainty
or sequential decision making. Static approaches continue to be more recurrent
than truly dynamic models. Even though integrating multiple aspects may enhance
our understanding of a system; it involves a tradeoff between complexity and robustness
of the results obtained. Land-use models have to address this balance between
complexity and robustness in order to evolve towards robust multiple-objective spatial
optimization as a prerequisite to achieve sustainability goals.
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Keywords: |
Uncertainty analysis |
land use modeling |
Manchego, C.; Hildebrandt, P.; Cueva Ortiz, J.L.; Espinosa, C.; Stimm, B. & Günter, S. (2017): Climate change versus deforestation: Implications for tree species distribution in the dry forests of southern Ecuador. PLOS ONE 12(12), e0190092.
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190092
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Seasonally dry forests in the neotropics are heavily threatened by a combination of human disturbances and climate change; however, the severity of these threats is seldom contrasted. This study aims to quantify and compare the effects of deforestation and climate change on the natural spatial ranges of 17 characteristic tree species of southern Ecuador dry deciduous forests, which are heavily fragmented and support high levels of endemism as part of the Tumbesian ecoregion. We used 660 plant records to generate species distribution models and land-cover data to project species ranges for two time frames: a simulated deforestation scenario from 2008 to 2014 with native forest to anthropogenic land-use conversion, and an extreme climate change scenario (CCSM4.0, RCP 8.5) for 2050, which assumed zero change from human activities. To assess both potential threats, we compared the estimated annual rates of species loss (i.e., range shifts) affecting each species. Deforestation loss for all species averaged approximately 71 km2/year, while potential climate-attributed loss was almost 21 km2/year. Moreover, annual area loss rates due to deforestation were significantly higher than those attributed to climate-change (P < 0.01). However, projections into the future scenario show evidence of diverging displacement patterns, indicating the potential formation of novel ecosystems, which is consistent with other species assemblage predictions as result of climate change. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for management and conservation, prioritizing the most threatened species such as Albizia multiflora, Ceiba trichistandra, and Cochlospermum vitifolium.
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Keywords: |
Southern Ecuador |
deforestation |
climate change scenario |
tree species |
Seasonally dry tropical forest |
species distribution modelling |
Quichimbo Miguitama, P.G.; Jiménez, L.; Veintimilla, D.; Tischer, A.; Günter, S.; Mosandl, R. & Hamer, U. (2017): Forest Site Classification in the Southern Andean Region of Ecuador: A Case Study of Pine Plantations to Collect a Base of Soil Attributes. Forests 473(8), 1-22.
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DOI: 10.3390/f8120473
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Forest site classification adapted to the respective site conditions is one prerequisite for
sustainable silviculture. This work aims to initiate the forest site classification for pine plantations
in the southern Andean region of Ecuador. Forest productivity, estimated by the dominant height
of 20-year-old trees (DH20), was related to data from climate, topography, and soil using 23 plots
installed in pine plantations in the province of Loja. Forest site productivity was classified as:
low (class C: 13.4 m), middle (class B: 16.6 m), and high (Class A: 22.3 m). Strong determinants
to differentiate the forest site classes were: the short to medium term available Ca and K stocks
(organic layer + mineral soil standardized to a depth of 60 cm), soil acidity, the C:N ratio, clay and
sand content, forest floor thickness, altitude, and slope. The lowest forest productivity (Class C)
is mainly associated with the lowest short to medium term available K and Ca stocks. Whereas,
in site classes with the highest forest productivity, pines could benefit from a more active microbial
community releasing N and P, since the soil pH was about 1 unit less acidic. This is supported by the
lowest forest floor thickness and the narrowest C:N ratio.
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Keywords: |
forest |
soil nutrients |
soil |
pine forest |
Pinus patula |
Forest plantation |
forest productivity |
Fabian, T.; Velescu, A.; Camenzind, T.; Wilcke, W. & Rillig, M.C. (2017-04-09). Sodium in a tropical montane forest in South Ecuador: demand of phyllosphere microorganisms and effects on decomposition. Presented at Annual conference of the German society for soil science (DBG), Göttingen, Germany.
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Recent studies raise the hypothesis that Na shortage restricts decomposition and affects the carbon cycle in tropical forests. When Na concentrations in soils are low and the stands are far off-coast, they do not receive substantial Na inputs from the atmosphere. Since terrestrial plants have low concentrations of Na, which is not considered as an essential element, the demand of soil fauna may not be covered. Yet, in contrast to animals, little is known of Na demands of fungi and phyllosphere microorganisms.
We present results from a study on Na limitation in a montane forest ecosystem in South Ecuador, which is located on the eastern cordillera of the Andes. We tested the hypotheses that (1) the study area is characterized by low Na concentrations because of low deposition rates with incident precipitation (wind directions mainly from the Amazonian Basin), (2) decomposition processes are limited by fauna and fungal Na restrictions and (3) Na is retained in the canopy because of Na limitation of microorganisms in phyllosphere.
Since 1998, we measure Na fluxes in rainfall, throughfall, stemflow, litter leachate, litterfall and organic layer in a microcatchment under an undisturbed lower montane rainforest. Results reveal comparatively low Na concentrations in the ecosystem and similar Na concentrations in throughfall and stemflow. Since Na fluxes are lower with throughfall than with incident rainfall, we conclude that Na is retained in the canopy.
To explore the role of the phyllosphere in Na retention we sampled leaves covered by phyllosphere microorganisms and leaves without phyllosphere cover from several tree species, which were sprayed with a NaCl solution containing 0.5 mg L-1 Na, corresponding to the Na concentration in incident rainfall in our study area.
Additionally, responses of litter decomposition to Na additions and the involved interaction of soil fungi and fauna were tested in a litterbag experiment at two sites (1000 and 2000 m a.s.l.). Results revealed enhanced decomposition rates following Na additions, though only in the presence of soil fauna.
These results might have future ecosystem implications, since our time series showed that total Na deposition decreased within the past 15 years from ca. 40 kg ha-1 a-1 to 10 kg ha-1 a-1, suggesting a potential role of Na in regulating ecosystem processes.
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Keywords: |
decomposition |
neotropical mountain rain forest |
phyllosphere |
sodium limitation |
Palomeque, X.; Maza, A.; Iñanagua, J.P.; Günter, S.; Hildebrandt, P.; Weber, M. & Stimm, B. (2017): Intraspecific Variability in Seed Quality of Native Tree Species in Mountain Forests in Southern Ecuador: Implications for Forest Restoration. Revista de Ciencias Ambientales (Tropical Journal of Environmental Sciences) 51(2), 52-72.
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DOI: 10.15359/rca.51-2.3
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Uno de los aspectos importantes a considerarse en la producción eficiente de plántulas con fines de restauración es la calidad de semillas y su variabilidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los parámetros de semillas de acuerdo con las reglas del “International Seed Testing Association” entre diferentes árboles madre o individuos de siete especies nativas (Cedrela montana, Morella pubescens, Inga acreana, Tabebuia chrysantha, Ocotea heterochroma, Oreocallis grandiflora y Myrcianthes rhopaloides) en dos bosques de montaña del sur del Ecuador. Estas especies fueron seleccionadas por la importancia ecológica, socioeconómica, y su gran potencial para la restauración. De un total de 35 árboles madre de todas las especies, se colectaron las semillas en sus respectivos periodos de fructificación, y en el laboratorio fueron analizados los siguientes parámetros: pureza, peso, contenido de humedad y germinación; adicionalmente se determinó el coeficiente de velocidad de germinación. Los resultados mostraron una similitud intraespecífica en cada especie para la mayoría de los parámetros; no obstante, el peso presentó alta variabilidad intraespecífica para todas las especies. El parámetro germinación obtuvo diferencias entre individuos para C. montana, T. chrysantha, O. heterochroma y M. rhopaloides. En cuanto a la velocidad de germinación, individuos de especies como O. grandiflora e I. acreana mostraron un alto coeficiente en contraste a los individuos de O. heterochroma y M. pubescens. La información generada en este estudio podría ser el primer paso en la formulación de pautas para la producción masiva de plántulas de especies nativas con fines de restauración.
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Keywords: |
seedlings |
Cedrela montana |
Tabebuia chrysantha |
native species |
tree seeds |
restoration |
germination |
seed quality |
Morella pubescens |
Inga acreana |
Ocotea heterochroma |
Oreocallis grandiflora |
Palomeque, X.; Günter, S.; Siddons, D.; Hildebrandt, P.; Stimm, B.; Aguirre, N.; Arias, R. & Weber, M. (2017): Natural or assisted succession as approach of forest recovery on abandoned lands with different land use history in the Andes of Southern Ecuador. New Forests 1(1), 1-10.
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DOI: 10.1007/s11056-017-9590-8
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Forest recovery on disturbed areas is of special significance in the Ecuadorian Andes, where deforestation is a serious problem. Natural diachronic succession was evaluated on three large plots or sites, differing in their land use and vegetation composition, one is dominated by grass species on an abandoned pasture (Pasture site), the other two are post-fire vegetation dominated by bracken (Bracken site) and various shrubs (Shrub site). Additionally, we assessed the effectiveness of manual removal of competitive herbaceous species to accelerate forest recovery. Monitoring was done in 2003, 2005 and 2007 on 48 subplots of 116 m2 each recording species richness and woody-species density. Results showed that the Pasture site demonstrated a competitive effect of exotic grasses on woody species recruitment with much lower species recruitment and density, suggesting serious inhibition of natural forest regeneration and an unclear successional trajectory. The Bracken and Shrub sites became significantly similar floristically and there is evidence for a marked facilitation of woody plant recruitment correlated with light availability on the ground. Both sites showed characteristics of classic succession, with Shrub showing a higher species richness and density while late-successional species are poorly represented on the Bracken site. However, NMDS ordination using species density showed that the two trajectories may not be converging towards a common ‘‘final state’’. Manual weeding was ineffective for accelerating forest recovery. These results suggest that the main limiting factor for the recruitment of woody species on the Pasture site is strong grass competition and must be addressed before seed availability, while seed availability seems to be theconstraining factor for Bracken and Shrub site development, thus direct seeding or planting may be effective in accelerating forest recovery.
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Keywords: |
succession |
abandoned pasture |
bracken fern |
restoration |
Urgiles , N.; Haug, I.; Setaro, S. & Aguirre, N. 2016: Introduction to Mycorrhizas in the Tropics with Emphasis on the Montane Forest in Southern Ecuador.: Estudios de Bioversidad 4 (EDILOJA Cía. Ltda., Loja).
Schlaeppi, K.; Bender, S.F.; Mascher, F.; Russo, G.; Patrignani, A.; Camenzind, T.; Hempel, S.; Rillig, M.C. & van der Heijden, M.G. (2016): High-resolution community profiling of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. New Phytologist xx, xx.
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DOI: 10.1111/nph.14070
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Abstract:
Abstract:
Summary
Community analyses of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) using ribosomal small subunit
(SSU) or internal transcribed spacer (ITS) DNA sequences often suffer from low resolution or
coverage. We developed a novel sequencing based approach for a highly resolving and specific profiling of AMF communities.
We took advantage of previously established AMF-specific PCR primers that amplify a
c. 1.5-kb long fragment covering parts of SSU, ITS and parts of the large ribosomal subunit
(LSU), and we sequenced the resulting amplicons with single molecule real-time (SMRT)
sequencing.
The method was applicable to soil and root samples, detected all major AMF families and
successfully discriminated closely related AMF species, which would not be discernible using
SSU sequences. In inoculation tests we could trace the introduced AMF inoculum at the
molecular level. One of the introduced strains almost replaced the local strain(s), revealing
that AMF inoculation can have a profound impact on the native community.
The methodology presented offers researchers a powerful new tool for AMF community
analysis because it unifies improved specificity and enhanced resolution, whereas the drawback of medium sequencing throughput appears of lesser importance for low-diversity groups
such as AMF.
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Keywords: |
arbuscular mycorrhiza |
mycorrhiza |