Abstract

CABRERA, W. Héctor  and  WALLACE, Robert. Density and spatial distribution of arborescent palms in an Amazon forest of Bolivia. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2007, vol.42, n.2, pp.121-135. ISSN 1605-2528.

We present data on the abundance, composition and spatial distribution patterns of palm trees in an Amazonian tropical forest in the Madidi protected area, Bolivia. Ten modified Gentry transects (2 to 4 km long and 4 m of wide) were sampled, divided into quadrants of 50 x 4 m that included tree topographical situations: flooded (210 quadrants), not flooded (210 quadrants) and hillsides (94 quadrants). In each quadrant we quanti fied the number of palm species, the number of individua ls for each palm species, and the height of all palms with DBFI1 O cm. The distribution pattern was analyzed using Morisita's index. A total of 1,728 palms were registered in the 10.28 ha evaluated, including ninespecies: Bactris gasipaes, Astrocaryummurumuru, Socratea exorrhiza , Euterpe precatoria , Iriartea deltoidea, Oenocarpus mapora, O. bataua, and Attalea phalerata y Mauritia flexuosa. The total palm density for the area was 168 palm/ ha. Socratea exorrhiza (47.1 individuals/ha) and Iriartea deltoidea (45.8 individuals/ha) were the species with highest densities. Floodplains showed the highest densities and diversity with nine species present. Only four species (Oenocarpus batalla, Iriartea deltoidea, Socratea exhorriza and Euterpe precatoria) ascend to the hillsides. Distributional patterns for most palm species were aggregated.

Keywords : Bolivia; Madidi; Amazon forest; Palms; Spatial Distribution.

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