Browsing by Autor "Ana M. Aldana"

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Forest dynamics in different scenarios: Selective logging in the middle Magdalena (Colombia)
(2021) Isabel Cristina Restrepo; Ana M. Aldana; Pablo R. Stevenson
Selective logging is a frequently used forest use activity that has been shown to have less impact on biodiversity than clear-cutting. However, both the magnitude and direction of ecological change after logging depend on its intensity and subsequent forest dynamics. Therefore, it is important to conduct studies to understand the functioning of different ecosystems after selective logging. This study analyzed forest dynamics in the El Paujil reserve (Middle Magdalena, Colombia) in terms of demography, regeneration, clear-cutting dynamics, biomass accumulation and floristic composition by comparing two one-hectare plots in a fragment of the little disturbed (primary) forest and two one-hectare plots in a fragment of the forest that was selectively logged in the past. As expected, forest structure and biomass accumulation are altered by selective logging, but it did not have a significant impact on the other aspects mentioned, since it seems that the steep slopes of the area cause high mortality and promote the formation of clearings in both logged and lightly disturbed forests.
Patterns of frequency and abundance of plant dispersal systems in Colombian forests and its relationship with the geographical regions of the country
(2013) Diego Felipe Correa Gómez; Pablo R. Stevenson; Esteban Álvarez‐Dávila; Ana M. Aldana; María Natalia Umaña; Ángela Cano; Juan Adarve; Doris Benítez; Alejandro Castaño; Álvaro Cogollo
The study of plant dispersal systems allows to go in depth in aspects that define the regeneration of forests, being essential to understand not only the population dynamics of plants but also the ecological relationships that emerge within ecosystems. In Colombia there is not a broad scale study showing the patterns of frequency and abundance of dispersal systems in different geographical regions (Amazonian, Andean, Caribbean, Upper Magdalena, Middle Magdalena, Orinoco, Pacific). Based on information of the identity and abundance of plants found in 101 vegetation plots of 1-ha, we explored the differences and associations in the frequency and abundance of dispersal systems between geographic regions. Additionally, we explored the importance value of families and genera per dispersal system, and the association between genera and geographic regions. The results show that environmental factors would be more important than the biogeographic history of the region in determining patterns of dispersal systems, reinforcing the importance of seed dispersal mediated by animals in tropical forests of different biogeographic regions.