Abstract

ROA-GARCIA, Clara Eugenia  and  TORRES-GONZALEZ, Alba Marina. Floristic and structural characterization as a baseline for ecological restoration processes in the Río Barbas watershed, Colombia. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2021, vol.45, n.174, pp.190-207.  Epub Sep 18, 2021. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.1167.

We made the floristic characterization of the Barbas watershed forest, buffer zone of the Barbas-Bremen Soil Conservation District (Risaralda, Colombia), to select species to begin regional ecological restoration processes. We used the Gentry sampling method establishing ten transects of 50x2 m each. We documented the successional status, dispersal mechanism, conservation status, and anthropic uses of species based on secondary information. The families with the highest species richness were Rubiaceae (13), Melastomataceae (10), and Lauraceae (5). Species richness (62) concentrated in the lower diameter (<8.3 cm) and lower tree height (<17 m) classes. Eight of the species added up to 50% of the Importance Value Index (IVI). Additionally, 33 species were recorded outside the sampling design, for a total of 95 registered species. Among the species there was a large proportion of late successionals (54.7%) and a high percentage of species dispersed by animals (83%); on the other hand, 11 of the species have been classified in some threat category at the regional level. Regarding uses, a high percentage of species can be utilized in the protection of riverbeds. Based on the number of characteristics, six pioneer and seven late-successional species were selected to begin ecological restoration processes. This forest is a natural source of seeds for one of the recommended species, Wettinia kalbreyeri, with a high IVI value. In conclusion, the forest is in an advanced stage of succession and constitutes a reservoir of species with ideal characteristics for ecological restoration.

Keywords : Andean forest; Successional state; Pioneer species; Late successional species; Anthropic uses; Riverbed protection; Dispersal.

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