Abstract

LOZA, Isabel; MORAES R., Mónica  and  J0RGENSEN, Peter M.. Variation of diversity and floristic composition in relation to elevation in a Bolivian montane forest (PNANMI Madidi). Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2010, vol.45, n.2, pp.87-100. ISSN 1605-2528.

We analyze the variation in diversity and floristic composition of woody plants along an elevational gradient. A total of 15 0.1-ha plots were installed between 1,000-1,600 m in a seasonal wet montane forest. All individuals with a DBH ≥ 2.5 cm were recorded. Values of alpha and beta diversity were compared through simple linear regression to determine the relationship between elevation and diversity. A non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) was performed to detect compositional relationships among plots and to detect the relationship between plots and the most important species within the area surveyed. There were no significant elevational diversity trends, but richness, possibly as an effect of increased number of stems, showed a significant positive relationship with elevation. Floristic composition, however, changed with elevation, so that along the elevation gradient families, genera and species appeared and disappeared, as found in previous studies.

Keywords : Composition; Diversity; Elevation; Montane forest; Madidi.

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